8
June
2024
Ocean City, Maryland, race. The start line is decided at the morning driver’s meeting before the race by pulling a card.
Unfortunately for our team, the card gave us the exterior line, thus making the first lap a bit longer and bringing us closer to the beach where the backwash of the swell is tricky. Therefore, and with a high-speed potential and a perfect set-up of the boat, and starting in 4th position, Gladiator passed two boats and with a good 4 mph faster than the leader, it decided to head for first position before turn one. Unfortunately, at the time of passing the leader, the proximity to the beach and passing over a sand bank played their role and the boat hit an unexpected bigger hole.