Miami Marine Stadium Preservation & Restoration

Looks as though the preservation and restoration of Miami Marine Stadium has gotten
some wind in its sails again.

Received this petition link from ACT Productions regarding the preservation and restoration of
the Miami Marine Stadium.

This historic structure served as the home to the incredible Unlimited Hydroplane races for
years until Hurricane Andrew caused some structural issues. The site was a popular concert
venue as well.

Today, it sits intact but covered in graffiti surrounded by the new parking lot area used for the
new Miami Boat Show.

Take the time to sign the petition to bring the Marine Stadium back to its former glory and
pass the word. It would be so cool to see the Unlimiteds running here again.

https://secure2.convio.net/nthp/site...Action&id=1231

BHW
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$40M to restore Miami Marine Stadium.

Restoration of Miami Marine Stadium a $40 million ticket - Miami Today[idio]=5817059&ito=792&itq=a2a733a3-af5b-42c9-a86f-0b8c9d47d14f

BHW

 

We’re delighted to share that, on Thursday, July 27, the Miami City Commission unanimously agreed to authorize Phase Two of the Miami Marine Stadium project—the development of complete restoration plans for this one-of-a-kind structure.

The work will be completed by RJ Heisenbottle Architects, the firm that successfully completed the Phase One assessment. Additionally, the City Commission authorized RJ Heisenbottle to move forward with Miami Marine Stadium’s nomination to the National Register of Historic Places: the federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation.

The initiative to save and restore Miami Marine Stadium is especially important to the National Trust. The stadium is not only one of the most significant structures in Miami, it’s also recognized both nationally and internationally as an architectural marvel and cultural icon. That’s why, in 2009, we named it to our annual list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. In 2012, it became one of our first National Treasures.

Over the years, our work would not have been possible without the perseverance of stadium advocates like Don and Nina Worth, as well as our local partner, Dade Heritage Trust. Dade Heritage Trust is the leading preservation organization in Miami Dade County, and has played a key role in saving the stadium since 2008 when they began the initiative.

But most importantly, we’d like to thank you. When we became involved with this effort in 2009, Miami Marine Stadium was on the verge of demolition. But because advocates like you have spoken so forcefully and consistently, the mayor, his administration, and the City Commission have gotten the message loud and clear—the stadium must be saved for future generations.

We will keep you informed in the coming months, especially since we may need to call on your support again soon. But today, let’s take a moment to celebrate our success knowing that soon, we all will be able to enjoy the stadium once more.

Sincerely,
Jason Clement
Director of Community Outreach
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Just learned today that Formula One International Grand Prix tunnel hull boats will be racing
at Miami Marine Stadium November 2-4 in an event called "Miami Grand Prix of the Americas".

For those familiar with Grand Prix tunnel hull boats, these are spectacular machines capable
of very high speeds and incredible turning capabilities.

https://outboardgrandprix.com/f1-champ-boat-racing/

BHW

 

Absolutely, this is great news!

It makes no sense for them to put in the huge parking lot and all the updates for the Miami Boat Show
and leave the stadium portion an untouched eyesore.

Evidently, the hang up has been the residents out on Key Biscayne. Their objection was the disruption
to traffic on the causeway but, as usual, these objections are unfounded.

Many great memories of the Unlimited Hydroplanes out there back in the 80s as guests of Bernie Little
and the Miss Budweiser team. The transition from piston engines to turbines and the first enclosed
canope cockpits, the huge thundering boats tipping 200MPH in the straights and then hooking those
skid fins in the turns and throwing the water high into the air, simply spectacular.

The tunnel hull boats are quite a bit smaller but none the less impressive. The course will no doubt
be laid out a bit differently to show off their top speeds but it's in the turns where these boats really
shine, they turn on a dime.

Just found out also that boat racing will be happening at the Stadium April 21-22. Sounds like more
of a test event for the bigger one coming in November.

http://www.miamitodaynews.com/2018/02/28/powerboat-racing-returns-miami-marine-stadium-basin/

BHW

 

You're thinking Chip Hanauer.

Very nice guy Chip. He drove for Miss Budweiser arch nemesis Miss Miller American (they were commonly called
the "Beer Wagons" back then) for years before eventually joining Bernie with the Miss Bud in the early/mid 90s.

Chip had a couple of devastating crashes in the Miss Bud (IIRC) which crushed his sternum among various other
series injuries which he suffered to the point where he could barely talk.

Completely unrelated to the thread, but I ran across Chip at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1999. I was working for BMW
Motorsport and Beck's Beer and recognized Chip on the pit lane in the minutes leading up to the Thursday night
practice session.

I spoke with him briefly and his voice was still really shaky but he told me then that he was doing fine and that he
was there working for Michelin in some capacity.

The BMW Motorsport team rolled the LMR V12s out on the pit lane where the drivers (Tom Kristensen, J.J. Lehto
and Jörg Muller) were practicing driver changes. Chip and I seemed to be the only ones there. I was getting some
golden images when Tom popped out of the cockpit, stood on the side pod and jumped off the car. When he did
though, he hit his helmet on the overhead lighting scaffolding which knocked him back onto the car.

Chip immediately swung in to help, the first to attend to Tom who was a bit dazed for a moment and only really bent the middle finger of his left hand
backwards while attempting to break his fall. Chip got him on his feet and handed Tom over to the team physio who
was near by.

Anyway, the news about Miami Marine Stadium is awesome. Looking forward to the races there in April and November.
Fingers crossed it all comes off as planned. The tunnel hull boats are spectacular and should provide a great show
on the course.

BHW


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And then there's this...

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article209134054.html

BHW

 

There are boat races happening at Miami Marine Stadium this weekend and a much bigger event
coming up in the Fall.

They'd better get a move on if they want this to be a success.

BHW

 

Yeah, boat racers are a different breed along with off-road racers.

The moral equivalent of having the crap beat out of you for ten or twenty minutes being
thrashed around on waves, no matter how the smooth the water may appear, on board
cameras show them being thrashed laterally and horizontally, getting soaked even though
they're in enclosed cockpits the water still gets in.

Then, the inevitable happens and they have "the big one" (or two, or three) they catch
a pocket of air and the blow over. It's a pretty brutal sport and guys like Hanauer were lucky
to come out of it alive especially when you see the Unlimted Boats up close, how big and
heavy they are, they're simply amazing.

Doubt we'll be seeing Unlimiteds around here again any time soon but it was great
while it lasted. Simply spectacular.

BHW

 

A short video about the boat races on MiamiHerald.com.

http://www.miamiherald.com/site-services/new-newsletters/new-sports-newsletter/article209594459.html

BHW

 

Despite the venue never making a profit in its history and is a handful to maintain, the City of Miami
has removed obstacles to restoring the landmark and former home to Unlimited Hydroplane racing
in Miami.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2020/12/29/city-clears-roadblock-to-restoration-of-miami-marine-stadium/

BHW

 

Looks as though there is finally some action at Miami Marine Stadium with today's announcement that the
E1 Series electric boat racing championship will have its finale there in November, 2025.

Updates to the structure have been going on this year before the major renovation begins. Hopefully, they
quit using the stadium as a political football and it may regain its former glory.

https://www.monaco-tribune.com/en/2024/12/e1-series-miami-to-host-electric-boat-bacing-world-championship-final-in-2025/
https://www.e1series.com/

BHW


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Don't know about all that....

There are some big names investing money into E1 racing including Tom Brady, Lebron James,
Marc Anthony, Rafael Nadal and more.

The Miami event is still on the schedule, haven't seen any updates on the stadium restorations
lately.

https://www.e1series.com/race-calendar

BHW