FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 24, 2004
Contact: Nelson Holmberg (nelson@noslencommunication.com) (360) 521-1590

Broken — Again — but not Busted

Nearly a year ago, Dr. Ken Muscatel came to Seattle with his U-25 that had been put back together during the offseason.

This year, he does the same thing, after he and his volunteer crew put the boat back together this past winter and spring.

Superior Racing Team comes to Seattle again this season as the Silver Dollar Casinos present Miss Rock, and a boat that’s been rebuilt, lightened and fine-tuned once again.

Last season in Seattle, Muscatel endured a frustrating day. In heat 1B, he finished fifth, thanks to a one-lap penalty for jumping the gun, and a fuel violation. He then finished fifth in heat 2B after being assessed a penalty for lane encroachment in turn one after nailing the start and leading the field in to the turn. Muscatel, however, bounced back and wrapped up the day with a third place finish in heat 3A, and a third in the provisional heat. Despite the day’s frustrations, the team still ended up being one of the series’ more consistent teams in terms of finishes. It was just part of a frustrating season, despite the fact that he finished eighth in National High Points.

Early in the season, the boat was running well enough. The team had run five preseason testing sessions, and adjustments were starting to take effect, making the boat a little more competitive. Madison was the place where the potential showed most last year, as Muscatel finished fourth in the final.

Dr. Ken had several more good moments during the season, but the frustrations outweighed the good times. The biggest frustration of all came in San Diego, when the boat blew completely over and landed right side up. The rear end of the boat was broken and other damage rattled through the hull.

Fortunately, Muscatel was not seriously injured, though he was trapped in the cockpit for a short time when the canopy would not release. He eventually slipped out through the trap door in the bottom of the boat.

The accident happened during qualifying, which meant the team was done for the weekend, and did not get an opportunity to race in San Diego, and was done for the season.

Superior Racing Team did get the boat back together, painted in its familiar black and white scheme and on the road to Madison just in time for the World Championship. The repairs and preparations for this season, however, did not allow the team to get in any preseason testing time.

Muscatel also invested in more parts, gearboxes and engines during the offseason, giving the team more to work with. When Muscatel does hit the water for the first time this Friday, the boat will look the same as it did last year, but it’s prepared for a whole lot better season.

— U-25—

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