New Class 1 Morpheus8 Offshore Racing Team Set For Cocoa Beach Season-Opener
A “minimally invasive radio-frequency tissue treatment” used for cosmetic enhancement, Morpheus8 is a product of InMode, a medical technologies company headquartered in Irvine, Calif. But come May 17-19 in Cocoa Beach, Fla., Morpheus8 will enhance the hullsides and deck of the former Pothole Heroes-sponsored Class 1 raceboat. InMode has stepped up to back the cockpit duo of owner/driver Carlos de Quesada and throttleman John Tomlinson in the team’s 50-foot Victory catamaran for the 2024 Powerboat P1-produced series.
The new Class 1 Morpheus8 team will debut this month in Cocoa Beach, Fla. Photos courtesy/copyright Gary Stray.
To cover for de Quesada when his automobile-racing commitments conflict with the Union Internationale Motonautique Class 1 World Championship Series schedule, the Morpheus8 Offshore team has brought on 30-year-old driver Victoria Rand of Denmark. Rand is a well-known, automobile drag-racing champion in her home country.
“I am so excited to be partnering with InMode and Powerboat P1,” she said in a press release issued by InMode this morning. “It is an incredible opportunity to not only make waves in the world of racing, but also be able to provide a platform to inspire women to be bold and confident.”
A former drag racer, Denmark’s Victoria Rand is entering the Class 1 ranks.
Added InMode chief medical officer and physician Spero Theodorou in the release, “We are thrilled to support a female driver who is a trailblazer and inspiration for women everywhere.”
Gary Stray, the manager and crew chief for the Morpheus8 Offshore team whose Class 1 career began in the late 1980s with the Dubai-based Victory team, described Rand as “a natural.” But though de Quesada will be racing sportscars in Monte Carlo, Monaco, on the same weekend as the Class 1 season-opener, Rand will not be in the cockpit in Cocoa Beach with Tomlinson.
With Tomlinson sharing the cockpit with her, Rand will be learning from one of the finest throttleman in offshore racing history.
“She’s been doing quite a good job, but she needs a bit more time in the boat,” Stray said.
Instead, Brit Lilly—on loan from the Class 1 XINSURANCE team as its MTI raceboat won’t be ready in time for Cocoa Beach—will be behind the wheel. “Brit is quite excited about it,” Stray said, then chuckled.
Team manager crew chief Gary Stray will have the Morpheus8 raceboat ready for the season-opener.
Lilly’s three-year Class 1 run with the Huski team ended abruptly when the sponsor exited the sport at the end of last season.
“It’s kind of a bucket-list thing,” Lilly said. “First, I got to race with Steve Curtis. Now I get to run with Johnny Tomlinson. And I get to be like a sponge, just soaking it all in and learning.
Lilly (right) started in the Class 1 ranks with legendary throttleman Steve Curtis.
“Who would have thought I’d ever get to race with these big teams?” he added. “Now I get to race with freaking Johnny Tomlinson.”
Added Tomlinson about his new cockpit-mate, “Brit ran with Steve for a few years. He can drive. We’ll practice and test together for the first time on Saturday in Cocoa Beach.”
The Morpheus8 team is hoping its Class 1 competitors will see this view often.
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