SilverHook: the new 77 Lucas Oil Peters & May race boat

Silverhook: the new 77 Lucas Oil Peters & May race boatThe SilverHook was conceived last September (2010) and has been a global endeavor ever since Michael and Nigel made the decision to build an all-out, 100% race boat. Based upon their previous seasons’ experience with their pleasure-boat-turned-race boat, the duo quickly agreed that Mannerfelt Design Team was the only choice to design their race-only boat.

The next decision was to select a builder. Mystic Powerboats, well renowned for building world-class race boats like Miss GEICO was the obvious choice. The power train decision was next, with Sterling Class 1 engines and BPM surface drives. In just over six months, the team of Hook, Silfverberg, Mannerfelt, and Cosker moved their design from brain waves into a carbon fibre reality.

Last month the all new 77 Lucas Oil Scandinavian Offshore Challenge, was rigged by Italians Franco Galluzzo and Fabio Araneo, and electronics expert Tret Robertson, all of whom are onboard to support the SilverHook under the leadership of John Cosker. Taking care of the engines at each race site will be Mike D’Anniballe, president and founder of Sterling Performance. Simon Powell, winner of last year’s 50th anniversary Cowes-Torquay-Cowes endurance race, was hands on during the SilverHook’s launch on Lake Monroe near De Land, Florida.

Transported from Baltimore to Zeebrugge by new sponsor Peters & May, the Sterling powered SilverHook GP48 has made its way to Rome and has been ferried to Malta to compete in the first event of the 2011 Ocean Grand Prix series. Malta hosts the first two rounds on Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12 2011. In addition, be sure to join the team in the pits starting Friday, June 10 via UStreamTV.

Malta is the first stop in the 2011 UIM Endurance World Championship series, under the new name of Ocean Grand Prix and run by International Sea Racing Limited. And back again this year is GreenLight.tv bringing world wide exposure to the sport of ocean racing into the homes of hundreds of millions people across 30 countries.

“Malta has always been a special venue for us”, said Hook. “On previous years we have met the Prime Minister of Malta, Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, a strong supporter of our races. We have local help from our friend and Lucas Oil distributor, Sarah Henderson and also from our number one fan and local press officer, Rob Bugeja” added throttle man Hook.

“We are expecting and hoping for the rough water for which Malta is known. Our SilverHook was designed and built for that purpose”, commented Michael Silfverberg, driver of the 77 Lucas Oil SOC. “We consider the best way for SilverHook to make its marque is to compete against the best in the world”, Silfverberg went on to say.

Silverhook: the new 77 Lucas Oil Peters & May race boat

The team would like to thank our sponsors and contributors to the SilverHook project, all of whom have been instrumental in pulling off the feat of taking a brand new design from creation on a computer CAD program, to cutting plugs with 5-Axis machines, to forming the molds, to building the hull and deck and testing all within 7 months. This huge effort included Livorsi Marine Inc., Custom Marine Inc., Mastercraft Safety, and Sterling Performance Engines.

After this Memorial Day weekend, and deserving of a special paragraph, the team is proud to thank and honor Navy Commander Eric Lednicky who escorted Nigel Hook and Janet Wilson around the USS Midway Museum. “It was great catching up with Eric this weekend” Hook said, adding “In 2009 we were proud to have Eric attend our race in Malta and we wish to thank him and all of our service men and women who bravely serve our great country.”

————————————————-

Lucas Oil is the leading producer of high performance lubricants.