The End Of One Era Opens Another—Hook And Lucas Oil Parting Ways
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Racing: The End Of One Era Opens Another—Hook And Lucas Oil Parting Ways
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For more than two decades, Nigel Hook, a gentlemen offshore powerboat racer from the United Kingdom who lives in Southern California, has been the public face of Lucas Oil in the sport. And for the 22 years, the company could not have had finer representation. As charismatic and he is competitive, Hook remained a consummate professional throughout offshore racing’s assorted up and downs while competing in 18 countries on four continents.
Fans in Key West, Fla., today for the upcoming offshore world championships will notice something different about Nigel Hook’s 52-footer during this evening parade down Duval Street—it will carry Ocean Cup livery. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
But when his Extreme-class 52-foot Mystic Powerboats catamaran shows up in Key West, Fla., this weekend for next week’s Race World Offshore-produced , the Lucas Oil name will be gone from its deck and hullsides. Instead, it will be badged with Ocean Cup, the American Power Boat Association/Union Internationale Motonautique-sanctioned offshore endurance series Hook has been spearheading for years.
Sponsored through the Lucas Oil Ambassador program, the team’s contract ends this year. Renewal is not on the table, as the petroleum products company has been making cuts to that program.
“There are mixed emotions seeing a new livery on the boat because I am tremendously grateful to Lucas Oil,” said Hook. “It has been incredible to promote a product that evokes a universally positive response”
Running predominantly red boats, Hook’s teams have earned multiple national championships, a pair of world championships and have established six UIM World Speed Records including a Guinness World Record from Key West, Fla. to Havana, Cuba. His raceboats have included 37- and 43-foot Scarab V-bottoms, 39- and 41-foot Outerlimits V-bottoms, a 41-foot Vector V-bottom, a 48-foot SilverHook V-bottom, a 40-foot Skater Powerboats catamaran and his current 52-foot Mystic cat.
Said Hook, “I would like to thank Forrest, Charlotte, Morgan, Katie and, indeed the whole Lucas Oil organization for such a great relationship and for their contributions to our joint successes”
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