Given that the New Jersey-based Spartan Powerboat Club produced five successful events in 2020—a difficult year for event organizers across the country—pulling off six events in 2021 should be no problem for club founder Del Flores and company. Here’s a quick look at what’s on tap this year for the Garden State group:

• May 28—Third Annual Barnegat Bay Marina Memorial Day Fun Run to Captain’s Inn
• May 29—Inaugural Jeff Ackerman Fun Run and Tie-Up at “Jeff Cove”
• June 18-19—Atlantic City Fun Run
• August 14—FDR Hitches Fun Run to “Boat Yard”
• September 3-4—Fourth Annual Barnegat Bay Marina Labor Day Fun Run and Open House
• September 12—Inaugural Spartan Powerboat Club Three-Quarter-Mile Shootout.

Well-known performance-boat owners from the Northeast such as Chris Ryder (above) have become supporters of the Spartan Powerboat Club. Photo from the 2020 Spartan Powerboat Club Labor Day Fun Run by Tim Sharkey copyright Sharkey Images.

As in 2020, all of the Spartan Powerboat Club events will raise funds for charity, including Autism Speaks, the club’s nonprofit beneficiary of choice.

“My goals for 2021 are pretty simple—first and foremost to have safe, incident-free events,” said Flores. “How do I do that? I educate my members on basic safety every single event. My other goals include raising money for my charities and giving all of my members exciting poker runs and events so that they can make memories with their family and friends.

“I want the Spartan Powerboat Club to be recognized as one of the best organizations in powerboating,” he added.

Both the Ackerman event, which celebrates the life of early club member Jeff Ackerman, who died suddenly in late 2020, and the top-speed shootout are new to the club’s schedule. Flores said he knows that producing the top-speed happening will require significant effort.

“There are legalities and details that are in the works but I believe that I can pull it off with the support of my amazing members and sponsors,” he said. “To say that I appreciate all of my sponsors and members is an understatement. I couldn’t do it without them and the team over at Barnegat Bay Marina, our home port.”

Flores will announce more details at the club’s pre-season banquet celebration, which is slated for April 17.

Del Flores (above): “I want the Spartan Powerboat Club to be recognized as one of the best organizations in powerboating. Photo from the 2020 Rus Matos Toys Tour by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

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