With three father-and-son teams and two husband-and-wife teams, the P1 SuperStock USA series is literally a family affair. Photo courtesy P1 SuperStock USA
Someone like Craig Belfatto is the exact person Martin Sanborn had in mind a few years ago when he sold himself, first and foremost, and then many others in the powerboat community on a new organization featuring P1 Panther race boats—stock outboard-powered open-cockpit 28-footers that can be converted for pleasure use.
Sanborn was hoping the new Powerboat P1 SuperStock series, which was being introduced in both the United Kingdom and the United States, would attract boaters thanks to the competitive class structure with identical boats and the fact that it was moderately affordable. He was right, just ask Belfatto.
“Boating has been a passion of mine for the last 20 years,” said Belfatto, who owns a 36-foot Concept center console with twin outboards and has had other go-fast boats, including a Formula, a Fountain and an Ultimate Warlock. “But boat racing was never really affordable, it was almost like you had to be a millionaire to get into the sport. Now with P1, it’s more structured and affordable so the common man can get involved. The prize money is good, too, but the best part is that this is something I can do with my family.”
and then