The 35th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, the world’s largest unsanctioned boat speed run, is also the region’s largest charitable fundraiser.
On the evening of August 26, the Super Cat Fest 4 Kids Live Auction at Camden on the Lake raised an astonishing $410,000 in gross proceeds. The auction items included a pair of Mercury Racing 500R outboards, donated by Randy Scism of Marine Technology Inc, which brought in $140,000.00. Funds raised from the live auction will directly support the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Super Cat Fest 4 Kids, the Shootout’s many charities, and local first responders.
“The LOTO Shootout is a thrilling demonstration of speed on the water and a showcase for Mercury Racing performance,” said Mercury Racing General Manager Stuart Halley.
As always, the Shootout put plenty of very fast boats on the water. At this year’s event, 105 registered vessels made a total of 269 runs down the course over two days. The Shootout speed runs are conducted over a three-quarter mile long course off Captain Ron’s Bar & Grill in Sunrise Beach, Mo. Boats are allowed to enter the speed run course at a speed no greater than 40 mph, and the speed is measured by radar guns at the end of the course. There are classes for every type of boat, including pontoons and personal watercraft.
In collaboration with Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) and the American Power Boat Association (APBA), this year’s Shootout also welcomed its first-ever UIM-sanctioned kilo run, and eight official world records were set on that course. The 43-foot Skater UIM Class 1 Monster Energy/M CON powered by twin Mercury Racing 1100 Competition engines established a new kilo mark of 145.75 mph with owner/throttleman Tyler Miller and driver Myrick Coil of Performance Boat Center.
“Buckling in knowing you’re running for a sanctioned world record in front of the hometown crowd brought an elevated level of pressure and adrenaline,” Miller said. “To have both the APBA and UIM on hand to certify the kilo runs coupled with the amazing Lake of the Ozarks Shootout staff was phenomenal.”
The 35th annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout is scheduled for August 24-25, 2024.
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