Offshore competitors in Super Stock class are headed to Ft. Myers, FL this weekend for an exclusive battle spearheaded by racers Cole Leibel and Shaun Torrente. Leibel—the nephew of World Champion racer Lorne Leibel and National/World Champion in his own right—is the owner/driver of Big East Construction with throttleman Gary Ballough, while multi-time, multi-discipline champion Torrente owns and throttles Allied/STR Powerboats with driver Matt Jamniczky.
After purchasing the Roar Offshore Fort Myers Beach Powerboat Race from Tim and Cyndee Hill, Leibel and Torrente have transformed it into ROAR Offshore, an event dedicated exclusively to their class. The competition aims to offer clearer, more dynamic and interactive racing, while also serving as a testing ground for the organizers to develop a new event model.
The idea emerged during conversations between the two racers regarding the future of the Super Stock class, amidst uncertainty caused by changes involving the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA). Upon learning that the Hills were shopping the Fort Myers event, they negotiated the purchase and decided to organize the event that same year. Initially, the pair envisioned opening the race to multiple classes, but a lack of time and resources to coordinate 60-70 boats led them to focus solely on Super Stock.
"When Shaun and I first set out on this journey, we had a meeting with the other teams at the Lake of the Ozarks and explained the situation. We told them that if we moved forward, we were going to need their full support. And everybody came to us and said, 'If you do this, we're there.'"
Indeed, the class responded with exceptional participation: out of approximately 20 registered boats, 17 confirmed their attendance. While the teams maintain a fierce rivalry on the water, the camaraderie in the pits is second to none and they often assist one another off the course by sharing parts and collaborating to ensure everyone can compete, Leibel said.
The Fort Myers course will feature seven turns—including both right and left-hand bends—demanding driving skill rather than relying solely on straight-line speed.
Margaritaville Beach Resort, a tropical, Jimmy Buffett-themed beachfront destination located in Ft. Myers Beach, will serve as the host hotel, title sponsor and event hub, with the pits located across from Times Square in Ft. Myers Beach.
The event will span three days: practice and qualifying sessions will take place on Friday, while the main races are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Friday will feature 30-minute qualifying sessions with live timing; the five fastest teams will remain on the course for an additional ten minutes to determine the top starting positions. All boats will carry transponders to facilitate the live-timer system.
After qualifying, two heats will occur, followed by individual acceleration runs—or "speed cat" races—inspired by the format used in XCAT competition. Leibel and Torrente incorporated elements drawn from the international experience Torrente and Ballough gained with XCAT. Their goal is for spectators to better understand who is winning and to follow the action via real-time information. The event will include a trophy presentation, parties, a pit area open to the public, and various race and sponsor boats on display in the water.
Veteran offshore racer Pete Rivero has been selected as the announcer for the event's livestream; he will be joined by other pilots and guest contributors for additional commentary. Mercury Racing will provide support and tech personnel, and SSR will be responsible for safety and rescue operations. Longtime Super Stock racer Ryan Beckley will serve as the chief referee, while Geoff Tomlinson will serve as the race director.
"This weekend isn’t just about all powerboat racing—it’s about resilience," Rivero told Speedboat. "Four years after hurricane Ian tested this community, the Roar is back. This weekend, 17 of the most talented Super Stock offshore racing teams will be competing in one of the most important races of the season."
Leibel gives special thanks to Randall Truesdale for his help in organizing the event, orchestrating the complex logistics and obtaining the proper permits, as well as to the staff of the Margaritaville Resort.
Leibel acknowledges that the team will face challenges during their first event, but they hope to establish an innovative race and strengthen the identity of the Super Stock category.
For more information, please visit https://roaroffshore.com.