Faces Of The Great Lakes Grand Prix

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People: Faces Of The Great Lakes Grand Prix

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Based on the most recent numbers available, 31,191 people live in Michigan City, Ind. Last night’s street parade through the town celebrating today’s PlayTradez Great Lakes Grand Prix attracted approximately an estimated 20,000 spectators.

Said throttleman Grant Bruggemann of the Pro Floors Racing, “We love the Michigan City parade.” Photos by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

By any measure, even including the influx of out-of-towners from 57 offshore racing teams and their fans to folks just looking for something fun and free to do on a Saturday night, that’s an impressive number.

“Almost every team participated,” said Rick Wright, the primary local organizer of the Offshore Powerboat Association-produced event. “It went really well.”

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Enjoy more images from last night’s Great Lakes Grand Prix parade in Michigan City.

Among those teams was the Super Stock-class Jackhammer outfit of Southern Illinois led by owner/driver Reese Langheim, throttleman Ricky Maldonado and Langheim’s wife, Sara Elizabeth. As of this morning, the Jackhammer team, which runs a 32-foot Victory catamaran, had a solid points lead in the American Power Boat Association Offshore National Championship Series.

Reese Langheim exited the parade pumped up and ready for today’s Super Stock action in the 11-lap contest, which is scheduled for noon, on the four-mile Lake Michigan course.

“Last night was awesome,” he said. “They had a fantastic turnout with great town support. We are very blessed to have this kind of support for offshore racing in a place like Michigan City.

“Now, let’s go kick some butt,” he added.

Grant Bruggemann, the throttleman of the Super Cat-class Pro Floors Racing team owned by New Zealand-based driver Wayne Valder, was equally stoked.

“We love the Michigan City parade,” he said. “The people are always enthusiastic and the atmosphere is like that of Key West, which is saying a lot. The whole team had a great time.”