Team REDS to race against bullying

- Danielle Hope Hier-Palli is an author, journalist and owner of Birdland Media Works (est. 2006), a Florida company that provides writing, publicity and virtual assistance to local and national businesses. Learn more about her writing at BirdlandMediaWorks.com.

Known as the “Florida Gearheads with Heart,” the REDS Offshore Racing team will again race in their hometown of Sarasota for the 29th annual Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival. For the first time, Sarasota fans will be able to see Team REDS compete in the new SBI Super Boat Extreme Class on race day, July 7, 2013.Why is Team REDS my favorite? It’s not because their Watt-Ahh^® boat is an impressive 36’ Spectre Cat with dual 900 horsepower engines and can go up to 117 mph. It’s not the high-action, high-splash starts or the fact that they are competing against 10 other well-known racers, including Lucas Oil, Instigator and Twisted Metal Motorsports.

It’s because they really are gear heads with heart. Aside from being avid supporters of Suncoast Charities for Children (organizer of Sarasota Grand Prix Offshore Racing), Team REDS also supports Flight to the North Pole, an initiative that provides specially chosen holiday gifts for terminally ill children within the Sarasota/Bradenton area, and ChildHelp, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending child abuse and neglect. Watt-Ahh^®, REDS’ title sponsor, donates a portion of each bottle sold of the ultra-pure water to ChildHelp. Team REDS will also bring the race boat to the 2013 Flight to the North Pole’s holiday party for the children to enjoy.

This year, five additional sponsors also back Team REDS to make race day possible: Suncoast Motorsports, Best Western Plus – Siesta Key, Charles Schwab, Morton’s Gourmet Market and Stephen M. Musco, CPA.Team REDS has six primary racing crew members: Eddie Tamberino, Throttle; Nate Hunt, Driver; Dr. Zachary Bush, Navigator; and Mechanics Rob Gourley, Denis Bilodeau and Gary Seaboyer. Dedicated family men, the team has always rallied behind children’s charities, and since the birth of Nate Hunt’s newborn son Nathan, the team has expanded its mission for the wellbeing of children.

Team REDS chose "Racing Against Bullying" for its 2013 campaign.

“Kids need to know that if they or someone they know is being bullied, to talk to an adult they trust,” Tamberino said. “Also, I believe that kids should be encouraged to participate in competitive team sports to channel their energy in a positive way and build self-confidence and respect for other team members.”

School resource officers coordinate with local schools to present students with training programs on eliminating bullying. Parents and guardians should contact either school counselors or the local crime prevention unit if there is any bullying concern. The crime prevention unit of Manatee County, as well as other local units, plan to participate with the team during upcoming events, handing out fliers that provide information about bullying prevention and what to do if your child is being bullied.

If you’d like to meet Nate Hunt and Eddie Tamberino, put the following events on your calendar:

• Inshore Outshore Boat Show: Sunday, June 23, 2013, Bradenton Area Convention Center, One Haben Blvd., Palmetto, noon - 3 p.m.
• Boat Display at Suncoast Motorsports: Saturday, June 29, 2013, 5005 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Boat Display at Morton’s Gourmet Market: Saturday, June 29, 2013, 1924 S. Osprey Ave #100, Sarasota, 3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Boat Display at Best Western Plus – Siesta Key: Thursday, July 4, 2013, 6600 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

These events give opportunities for kids and their parents to talk to the race team members and get their autographs on the 2013 Team REDS Hero Card.  

For more information about Team REDS, visit RedsOffshoreRacing.com or call 1-888-936-2782.

Watch the videos below for highlights from the Super Boat Grand Prix 2012.