In an effort to attract even more boats—particularly those in the competitive Super Cat Class—to the 2016 Lake Race on Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, Performance Boat Center, the presenting sponsor of the fourth annual event that is scheduled for June 2-5, has committed to a progressive prize purse for the country’s most exciting offshore racing class.

The Lake Race is returning to Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks June 2-5, 2016. Photo courtesy Brad Glidewell Photography

The bump in the Lake Race prize purse, which already was the richest in the country thanks to a sizable purse allotted to the Run What You Brung class that Bob Bull’s CMS team has won two of the last three years, is a big one from the full-service dealership and marina in Osage Beach, Mo.

According to Performance Boat Center owner Brett Manire, who announced the news at a Lake Race Christmas social at the Redhead Lakeside Grill last weekend, the progressive purse starts at $20,000 for up to five Super Cat boats and jumps to $30,000 for six or seven teams and $40,000 for a magic number of eight or more entries.

“We’re hoping we can persuade a few more Super Cat teams up here to the lake with this kind of prize money up for grabs,” said Manire, who has even more interest in the class heading into next season thanks to the company’s 388 Skater Powerboats catamaran that is co-sponsored by Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches and made its debut at the SBI Offshore World Championships in Key West, Fla.

Alvin Heathman, who has spearheaded Lake Race since its inception, was blown away when Performance Boat Center decided to step up to entice more Super Cat teams.

“I guess it’s time to get to work on the race,” Heathman joked. “Seriously, we’re so thankful for the support Brett and Mark (Waddington, co-owner of Performance Boat Center) have provided to the race. We’re hoping to have our largest field of boats in 2016. Teams with any questions can contact me for more information. I’m also encouraging the fans to let their favorite teams know that they want to see them at the Lake Race.”

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