Team BRE Expands Racing Programs to APBA Offshore in 2001
Angelo Buffomante always had an affinity for high-performance power boats. Growing up on Keuka Lake, one of the New York State Finger Lakes, Buffomante constantly pushed the envelope of speed and control on the water. By 1988, Buffomante was speeding down the Niagara River near Grand Island, NY in a 33' Fountain Executioner, set-up by powerboat racing legend Reggie Fountain himself.
Team BRE burst on to the Offshore Racing scene in 2001 at Daytona Beach, Fl
After a brief stint in amateur racing in 1988 in the Fountain, Team BRE decided to expand its offshore powerboat racing experience in 2001 with a full-time American Power Boat Association (APBA) Pro series effort. The team purchased a new 25' Warlock World Class hull from the factory rigged the boat for Factory 1 class competition.
After extensive pre-season testing at Mercury Marine's Lake "X" testing facility, Team BRE with Angelo on the Wheel and Tony on the Throttle, made their debut in St. Cloud, Fl with a podium finish. The remainder of the 2001 season was a learning year for the team, as they campaigned the entire pro circuit, earning 4th place in the final championship standings.
With a year under their belt, and the Driver on Throttleman on the same page, Team BRE put together a string of victories from 2002 through 2004 that was unmatched by any other HP 500 Factory 1 team on the circuit. Competing in the ABPA and Great Lakes Silver Cup Series, the duo collected wins in race after race, leading to three consecutive series championships and the award for the "Best Prepared Team", as voted by the series and their peers.
While the team nature of two-person offshore powerboat racing was provided 4 years of excitement, the Buffomante's were drawn back to their true passion of auto racing in 2005.
The Buffomante's Wrapped up their Third Consecutive Series Championship in 2004.
Angelo and Tony's need for speed on the water is now fulfilled by pleasure boating in Lake Erie, instead of launching their 85mph championship racer in 6 foot ocean seas during competition.
Click on individual years at the top of the page for details on each racing season.
