American Boat Racing Association Gold Cup news

Mark Weber named Gold Cup Director of Operations

The Detroit River Regatta Association (DRRA), promoter of the annual Chrysler-Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup race on the Detroit River, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Weber as Director of Operations for DRRA.

"Our Vice President and race director, Tom Bertolini, and I are very excited to bring Mark Weber onboard,' said DRRA President, Bill Rands. "Mark has truly unique experience as a racer, business manager and is a passionate supporter of the Gold Cup powerboat racing tradition in Detroit."

Weber succeeds Charlie Robertson who recently resigned from the DRRA for health related reasons. "We want to express our thanks and appreciation to Charlie Robertson, for her efforts in helping to successfully launch a number of new elements for our 2006 race, and extend our best wishes for her good health." said Bertolini.

"Bringing Mark on board is another step in the continuing development of the DRRA infrastructure to support our commitment to the fans, the Southeast Michigan community and to our sponsors," said Rands.

"The model the DRRA started last year will be carried forward," said Weber. "The event started to make a very positive turn and definitely had more of an event and entertainment feel to it. That is what we want and what the fans want. Our job is to help deliver a safe, exciting and fiscally responsible event to the community. We want to deliver a product to the river that the people want to see and will continue to support," said Weber.

"Volunteers are the backbone of the DRRA," said Weber. "We are very fortunate to have a strong volunteer group and excellent team leaders. The DRRA currently has 433 dedicated volunteers. I look forward to meeting them and to meeting with the team leaders as we finalize the wrap up of the 2006 event and look ahead to 2007 and 2008."

As the DRRA Director of Operations, Weber will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the DRRA, including administration, overseeing volunteer and team leader activities and working in conjunction with the DRRA marketing team on sponsorships and sales activities.

An estimated 300,000 fans watched the unlimited hydroplane races in Detroit this past year. The 2006 Gold Cup was won by Jean Theortet (Maple Vally, Quebec) this past July.

A third generation boat racer and native of the Detroit area, Weber competed as a driver in seven Chrysler-Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cups in Detroit. He has also run three different businesses and directed nearly 50 races, serving as promoter of eight Inboard, personal watercraft and jet-boat races.

Weber recently turned over day-to-day-operations of Compass Pointe Marina in Fair Haven, Michigan to his business partner, but remains as a partner in the company.

Weber, 43, and his wife Lori, currently reside in St. Clair Shores, MI.

-credit: American Boat Racing Association