Caught up with Bill Pyburn via email a few days ago. Well-known to poker-run enthusiasts around the country for his ongoing top-speed battle with Gino Gargiulo, who owns and drives the 44-foot-long Marine Technology, Inc., Mercedes, catamaran, Pyburn said that he will defend his Class 4 title at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, August 28-29 in Missouri.

Pyburn’s 388 Skater catamaran, Pure Platinum, is powered by twin 1,350-hp Chief engines.

“It should run in the mid-175-mph range,” Pyburn said.

Yet another aquatic rocket to look forward at this year’s Shootout.