The veteran race team is back and stronger than ever with a new team of sponsors in place, hoping to bring home a checkered flag! The MTI offshore race boat has attracted large crowds over the years and has continued to grow a larger fan base with their connection to so many fans as they work together to find a cure for cancer. With these new sponsors and a brand new look to the boat, Randy Sweers is looking forward to the 2018 season. Read the article below from speedonthewater.com to learn more about the boat, the sponsors and the team behind his MTI race boat.
Graphics by Kinetic Animation
Fans of the FB Marine Group-backed 40-foot MTI offshore raceboat will appreciate canopied catamaran’s livery—a combination of returning sponsors and new ones—this season. Team owner Randy Sweers worked diligently in the off season to secure new backing in the form of primary sponsor MGI Digital Technology, a “world leader in digital printing and finishing equipment MGI Digital Technology provides groundbreaking and value-added solutions for the graphic arts industry.”
Konica Minolta, “a global leader in business technology, IT services, information management and integrated business solutions” also has signed on to sponsor the 40-footer, which will be powered by 750-hp engines built by Tommy Keeter of KPE Racing Engines in Wichita Falls, Texas. The team also has secured backing from SONIC Tools, “a market leader in the design and manufacture of premium hand tools and toolbox solutions.”
In its ongoing commitment to the battle against cancer, the Sweers family team will continue to fly its immediately recognizable Autonation Cure Bowl banner.
“We’ve also added a ‘Fight On’ sticker for our friend Susan Kimmel, a breast cancer survivor who is still battling the disease,” said Sweers. “We met her and her husband last year at the (Super Boat International) Clearwater (Fla.) race last year and they ended up buying a 38-foot Statement Marine center console from FB Marine Group and has wanted to support my son Chase’s charity, ‘Coins Curing Cancer.’”
Sweers will be joined in the cockpit by returning driver Glenn Hibbard—he ran his first season with Sweers in the 2017. Also returning to the team this season is crew chief Craig Chiddenton and crewmember Brad Brimm.
“Glenn has been getting better with every race—seat time is the key.,” said Sweers. “And Craig and Brad are key components to our team’s success.”
To fulfill its sponsorship obligations, the team is heading for the SBI season-opener in Cocoa Beach, Fla., next month. (The other members of the recently formed Supercat Racing owners group are opting out of the Cocoa Beach race.) Sweers said he plans to all races on the Supercat Racing organization’s schedule.
“We are looking forward to the future,” he said. “I think having these sponsors on board could be a game changer for us.”
Editor’s Note: Based in Sarasota, Fla., Kinetic Animation will wrap the raceboat in the graphics created by company principal Ryan Beckley.
Original article posted on speedonthewater.com.