Pro Floors Racing/Valder Yachts 2024 Super Cat Season In Jeopardy

As many as 12 Super Cat raceboats—assuming all team plans come to fruition—may compete in the class season during the 2024 season, which begins April 24-28 with the Race World Offshore Seven Mile Grand Prix in Marathon, Fla. Unfortunately for Super Cat fans, the veteran New Zealand-based Pro Floors Racing/Valder Yachts team most likely will not be among them.

In all likelihood, the Pro Floors Racing/Valder Yachts Super Cat team will not compete this season. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

That’s the word from team owner/driver Wayne Valder, who races alongside throttleman Grant Bruggemann. Valder will soon have shoulder reconstruction surgery, and the healing process would not be improved by the rigors of offshore racing.

“That’s the way it’s looking right now,” said Valder, who had hoped to run a full season this year. “We will know for sure in a couple of days.

“I’ll be very disappointed not to compete this season,” he added. “But if I can’t I’ll still show my face at a few races.”

Even if the gregarious Kiwi doesn’t compete in the American Power Boat Association Offshore Championship series, Valder has not ruled out competing in the Race World Offshore Key West World Championship set for November 3-10.

Bruggemann said he still has hopes that Valder may be able to compete in the Super Cat ranks. If that doesn’t happen, Bruggemann still has a throttling gig for 2024, though not in the Super Cat class.

“I can’t talk about that just yet, but it’s happening for sure,” he said.

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