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    • Miss Geico 'Virtually Destroyed' by Fire

      by
      BrettDawg
      Published on 07-01-2012 12:21 AM
      11 Comments Comments

      PHOTO BY EDWARD WALKER

      The world-famous Miss Geico raceboat caught fire and was turned into a smoldering carcass during testing at the Superboat International (SBI) Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix in Lido Beach, FL, on Saturday.

      Its crew members, driver Marc Granet and throttleman Scott Begovich, escaped injury.

      Spectators said the boat burst into flames at about 5:30 local time while preparing for Sunday's race, about 250 yards off Lido Beach. After Begovich attempted to control the fire with an extinguisher, the remains of the boat were towed to the 10th Street boat ramp in Sarasota. According to the race team, Geico is still planning to participate in Sunday's race with a different boat.

      Superboat Grand Prix spokesman Roderick Cox said that initial indications indicated that the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction, but an official investigation will determine its exact cause. He said the boat was virtually destroyed in the fire.
      Comments 11 Comments
      1. SoldHondaBoughtHondo's Avatar
        SoldHondaBoughtHondo - 07-01-2012, 05:51 AM
        Bum deal, i played that fire deal on a boat one time, it sucks. They must have built it with polyester resin, i don't think epoxy
        burns at all... Just thinking, i wonder if my car insurance will go up
      1. POWERCATDON's Avatar
        POWERCATDON - 07-01-2012, 06:10 AM
        Damn Shame. Wonder what started the fire.
      1. hellnback's Avatar
        hellnback - 07-01-2012, 07:19 AM
        toasted lizard anyone ? ? ?
      1. Moneypit's Avatar
        Moneypit - 07-01-2012, 07:52 AM
        An electrical fire, are you kidding me? A million dollar budget and they have an electrical fire?? They buy the best, hire the best, and they have an unprotected electrical circuit??? Basic electrical 101 failed???............
        Ray
      1. Rexone's Avatar
        Rexone - 07-01-2012, 10:01 AM
        C'mon Ray, you know the best laid plans just sometimes.... turn to

        A shorted connector somewhere doesn't know if its on a $2000 boat or a $1,000,000 boat...
      1. Moneypit's Avatar
        Moneypit - 07-01-2012, 10:10 AM
        Quote Originally Posted by Rexone View Post
        C'mon Ray, you know the best laid plans just sometimes.... turn to

        A shorted connector somewhere doesn't know if its on a $2000 boat or a $1,000,000 boat...
        And for the want of a 35 cent fuse the whole boat goes up in flames.... Yeah, I know, it must have been something without fuse or circuit breaker, directly related to the main power... I saw something similar when a hold down top shifted and shorted both terminals together. The metal top got so hot it transferred the heat to the "J" hooks, which started a carpet fire that got into the engine cover, etc etc.... I doubt that boat had any carpet, but there had to be something flammable near the shorted wire(s).... I'm just jealous Mike because I don't get to wrench on anything like that...... I'm just super happy we're not mourning any more racers......
        Ray
      1. Rexone's Avatar
        Rexone - 07-01-2012, 10:25 AM
        Quote Originally Posted by Moneypit View Post
        And for the want of a 35 cent fuse the whole boat goes up in flames.... Yeah, I know, it must have been something without fuse or circuit breaker, directly related to the main power... I saw something similar when a hold down top shifted and shorted both terminals together. The metal top got so hot it transferred the heat to the "J" hooks, which started a carpet fire that got into the engine cover, etc etc.... I doubt that boat had any carpet, but there had to be something flammable near the shorted wire(s).... I'm just jealous Mike because I don't get to wrench on anything like that...... I'm just super happy we're not mourning any more racers......
        Ray
        Very very glad of that too.

        Could also have been a fuel vapor spark too, may never know.

        Fuses aren't needed. Until you need one.
      1. Jasongun's Avatar
        Jasongun - 07-01-2012, 04:21 PM
        Horrible! Thousands of hours burned up, just like that. At least a few more Americans will have some work building a new boat for 2013-14.
      1. PokerRun388's Avatar
        PokerRun388 - 07-01-2012, 04:54 PM
        Very sad, beautiful Mystic 50. Turbines are extremely hot, horrible to see. Glad the crew is safe.
      1. babyhydro's Avatar
        babyhydro - 08-21-2012, 03:58 PM
        Quote Originally Posted by SoldHondaBoughtHondo View Post
        Bum deal, i played that fire deal on a boat one time, it sucks. They must have built it with polyester resin, i don't think epoxy
        burns at all... Just thinking, i wonder if my car insurance will go up
        I dont think mystic uses polyester
      1. Gfinch's Avatar
        Gfinch - 08-21-2012, 08:07 PM
        Wonder if it was insured?

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