Nick purchased his very own 43-foot offshore raceboat. He won't be racing himself but he has his own racing company and is no a proud part of the APBA Pro Circuit in the Florida Keys where he lives! Go Nick!

Backstreet Boy And His Dad Prepare For APBA Circuit Including Offshore Powerboat Races in Florida Keys

MARATHON, FL—Nick Carter, teen heartthrob of pop music’s Backstreet Boys, is getting into motorsports, but unlike several other celebrities, it will be on water, not on land. Carter, 22, has purchased a 43-foot offshore raceboat, with twin 750 hp engines and plans to campaign the 130-mph-boat in the American Power Boat Association’s (APBA) 2002 circuit with races in the United States and Canada.

Nick won’t actually be racing in APBA’s Super Vee Class. His father, Bob Carter, will pilot the boat. Nick, however, is a competent boat driver and may be in the boat from time to time when his recording and appearances schedules permit.

"One of the main reasons I’m getting into this is my father," said Nick Carter during a news conference Feb. 14 at the Miami International Boat Show. "It’s a dream come true for him."

The Carter family, who live in the Florida Keys, was introduced to high-speed off-shore powerboat racing during the Offshore World Championships in Key West, Fla., last November.

Following a planned April 28th debut in Daytona Beach, Fla., Nick Carter Racing will make its hometown entrée at the Marathon Offshore Grand Prix on Friday through Sunday, May 17-19. "It’s going to be a little difficult getting respect because I’m an entertainer," he said. "But we’re going out there to win, not to show off." Carter said he has recruited Lee Murray, an experienced Key West racer, noted for his aggressive racing tactics, to be the boat’s throttleman.

"I wanted to put together a very competitive team," Carter said. "You have to have some people with cojones."

Lee Mills, producer of the Florida Keys offshore powerboat races, is ecstatic with the Carters’ involvement in the sport. "We’re thrilled to have the Carter family as part of the APBA Pro Circuit," he said. We’re particularly happy that they will compete with their own boat, in their own hometown during the Marathon Offshore Grand Prix."

Mills anticipates the APBA Marathon event, which is to feature racing on Saturday and Sunday, will attract 85 to 100 boats.

Prime viewing area will be from the old Seven Mile Bridge, where spectators should be able to view the entire five-mile course in a venue Mills has dubbed "Stadium-Style Racing."

Race headquarters are to be situated at Hawk’s Cay Resort with the wet pits set for Faro Blanco Marine Resort.

More APBA Marathon race information is available at (305) 293-5115. Accommo-dation information is available at 1-800-FLA-KEYS.

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