OCEANSIDE, CA — Cliff Kirkpatrick, Staff Writer for the North County Times wrote:

"Less than a week before the seventh annual Oceanside Offshore Grand Prix, Nigel Hook needed a driver for his Scarab powerboat ... It turned out to be a good idea as they guided the boat to a Super Vee class win."

For full article see www.nctimes.net/news/2003/20030505/62336.html

Unlike other Motorsports, Offshore Powerboat racing requires at least two people to operate the equipment at race speed. It's critical while flying over five foot waves at 100mph that the team be in unison and completely synchronized. One person steers and the other person controls the throttles, hydraulic tabs and drives and ballast tanks. And in many race boats a Navigator gives course direction and tactical guidance on the race course somewhat like a spotter in NASCAR.

The #7 LUCAS OIL Scarab in position four on the starting line, made a conservative start with the flying of the green flag heading south from the Oceanside Harbor towards the Pier. With four and five foot waves quartering from the southwest caution was the better part of valor. Boats were flying, leaping from wave crest to crest with the lead being dominated by the catamaran class. Upfront John Peterson led the pack in the white Hustler/Talon with the big red "Sears Craftsman" logo blazoned on the sides. In hot pursuit, was Lance Henrichson in the #15 American Racing Wheels.

This was the start of the seventh annual Oceanside Offshore Grand Prix, being run in coordination with Oceanside Jaycees, City of Oceanside and Oceanside Harbor District. Joined this year by the IJSBA Professional Jet Ski Racing Tour sponsored by Kawasaki. This Seaside Festival was also supported by the "Sears Craftsman" NASCAR Show Semi Truck with the Tide Winston Cup Car, the "Dickies" Craftsman Truck and the NAPA Funny Car.

Back to the racing report, at the first turn at the south end of the track the #7 LUCAS OIL Scarab (www.lucasoilracing.com) was holding sixth place behind the Ettore" Super Cat (www.ettore.com). As the wind picked up and the white caps grew, the legendry rough water capabilities of the Scarab began to show. At the same the time, the team of Brett Seber (www.minitool.com) and Nigel Hook were beginning to synchronize.

"We were systematically pulling in the lead pack of boats", commented Nigel Hook, Captain of the No. 7 LUCAS OIL Scarab, "the boat was dialed in and balanced perfectly as she flew from wave to wave".

At the half way mark, they had moved up the field to fourth place. Just before the start of the final lap, Brett and Nigel took over third place and battled on for the prestigious title of first overall. Heading down the last straightaway, they passed into second position right as they passed the crowds off the Pier. It was called a photo finish for the checkered flag, but most of the crowds lining the harbor hailed the big red Scarab as she crossed the finish line, just fractions ahead of the Craftsman boat.

It was a great win at a great time, as news had come earlier over the weekend that a friend of Nigel Hook, and fellow racer, Jerry Nadeau was critically injured during testing at Richmond preparing the for Sunday NASCAR Winston Cup Race. Jerry was Nigel's roommate on the NASCAR Tour to Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf earlier in the year and this was Jerry's first season racing for the United States ARMY Car No. 01. Jerry Nadeau is currently making a good recovery, but may be sidelined for the remainder of the race season.

As a "thank you" for the troops winning our freedom, the LUCAS OIL Team had worked with the Commanding Officer and Public Affairs at neighboring Camp Pendleton to assign two of the United States finest Marines to join the team as honorary crew for the weekend.

Brothers Jason and Justin Lowe, waiting overseas deployment, got to help prepare the No. 7 LUCAS OIL Scarab, watch the race on board the VIP luxury yacht The Azure Seas, and actually take a lap around the course after the race, at race speed in the raceboat with Nigel.

Pacific Offshore and Oceanside Jaycees recognized these two young Marines as our "heroes" and awarded them each Checkered Flags. "Our tribute is to both of you, for your dedication and sacrifice to our Country", said Nigel Hook as he thanked Jason and Justin at the Awards Ceremony.

Television coverage for this race will be aired on the OUTDOOR CHANNEL SpeedZone on Wednesday evenings.