Though it’s still in the early planning stages, a daylong event in memory of Outerlimits Offshore Powerboats principal Joe Sgro, who died following an accident during the 2018 Florida Powerboat Club Key West Poker Run, is set for Sept. 15 and will be based out of Liberty Landing, N.Y. Joe Cibellis, who set an Around Long Island V-bottom speed/time record of three hours and five minutes with Sgro in an open-cockpit Outerlimits SV 43 in 2011, is spearheading the event, which will be called the Joe Sgro Memorial Fun Run.

A well-known figure in the high-performance marine industry and offshore powerboat racing, Joe Sgro (left) enjoyed a moment with Dan Kleitz, Mike Fiore and Steve Curtis during the 2014 Buffalo Poker Run (click image to enlarge). Photo copyright Speedonthewater.com.

Cibellis is working closely with Billy Frenz of the National Powerboat Association, as well as former Outerlimits powerboat owner William Betz, as well as Sgro’s son, Joseph, on planning for the event.

“We’re going to have a fun run followed by a dinner with all of Joe’s friends from inside and outside the boating world,” said Cibellis. “We’ll be donating all the profits to charity—his son, Joseph, is working on the charities. The whole Sgro family including Joe, Jr., Julie, Patrick, Paul, Maggie, John and Joe’s wife, Eileen, will be there. From the boating side, his friends including Peter Meyer, Steve Curtis, Billy Mauff and more will be there. I’ve already spoken to all of them.”

Cibellis said he wants the event to continual annually to honor his friend.

“Joe brought so much to high-performance powerboating and just plain boating,” he said. “He wasn’t just the average guy—he brought a lot to the sport. He supported so many different events around the country. He had great relationships with so many people form Reggie Fountain, Jr., to (Outerlimits founder) Mike Fiore. His passion for Outerlimits was so strong. After Mike passed, he was trying to take Outerlimits to the next level.”

Interested participants can email Cibellis at [email protected] or contact Billy Frenz at the National Powerboat Association.

Editor’s Note: Speedonthewater.com will follow and provide updates on this event as it develops and provide coverage when it happens.

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