With the top names in the casino world and miles of open waterways in all directions, Biloxi Mississippi once again proved to hundreds of poker run enthusiasts and offshore racers to be the ideal destination for a mid-Spring rendezvous. STORY & PHOTOS: STU JONES
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hether you were a poker runner with a thirst for adventure or a powerboat racer with racing fuel in your veins, organizers of the April 2012 Smokin’ the Sound event set the stage for a horsepowercharged weekend. The best part, Florida Powerboat Club was invited to return and capture all the excitement of three fabulous days on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. W. Carroll Smith (TX) Team Dealer Ship 42’ Fountain
Inset: Mark Graubert & Crew, Team VIAQUA
Biloxi is easy an easy destination to reach from many southern states, whether one flies or drives. For those trailering their boats to the event, as the majority did, it’s just a hopskip-and-jump off I-10. Flying into town isn’t difficult either, with major airlines servicing Gulfport (sister city to Biloxi) and Mobile, Alabama, which is just an hour drive to the east. Upon arriving, we were happy to see the event move to a central headquarters at the Palace Casino, which had recently undergone major renovations and offered modern, well furnish rooms, dockage and boat ramp in a protected marina, and a new feature many enjoyed…a smoke-free casino and sports bar! Great rates and fantastic hospitality from our resort host
Keith Crosby made this the ideal venue for the joint poker run/offshore race event. For more information visit: www. palacecasinoresort.com The events ramped up Thursday evening with a reception hosted at the landmark Beau Rivage Casino, where poker runners and powerboat race teams gathered with organizers, fans and media, to get reacqainted and plan out their weekend strategies. For offshore racers entered in a variety of OSS race classes, that strategy may have been to gain a competitive edge to win their class. For the poker runners, their strategy was more likely to gain more chips at the poker tables and squeeze as much fun as possible for the weekend! Friday was a play day, with many poker runners taking off to various fun-run destinations, while others were just getting into town and ramping the boats into the water. By early evening the entire group routinely gathered at the Hard Rock Resort & Casino, which was wild with energy and excitement as well over a hundred Smokin the Sound guests enjoyed the festive spirit at the main casino lounge. continued on next page
POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
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