Luis Martins and his Nuff Said team-mates were back in the spotlight after being confirmed as runners-up in the Super Stock National Championship in the United States.

Victory at last month’s XInsurance Great Lakes Grand Prix in Clearwater Beach, Florida saw the local powerboat racing team jump two places in the standings from fourth to second, much to the delight of driver Martins.

“I’m over the moon and can’t thank the whole team enough. I was honestly thinking third or fourth and to come out second is awesome,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“When I was racing here in Bermuda 20 years ago it was always a thought I wish I could race up here against these guys. That was just a dream but to go out there now and race against these guys and compete with them and then get a top-five finish overall is amazing.

“We’re not talking about people that come out once a year. These people are professionals and top-level people that have been doing it for years way longer than me, so for us to compete at that level is amazing and feels great.

“It’s beautiful but I’m not letting my guard down because everybody is doing exactly what you’re doing and competing hard. We’ll just take that second and try and improve it next season. Keep on doing what we’re doing; having fun and racing hard.”

Nuff Said team owner Stephen Moniz is also happy to see he and his colleagues making huge strides with two victories already under their belt this season, but stressed there is still work to be done.

“We’ve done OK so far but it’s not over, we still got Key West World Championship to do,” he said.

Bermuda teams dominated this year’s Super Stock National Championship, with Steven Bridges and David Selley claiming overall honours in their 32ft twin-engined Doug Wright catamaran, Team Bermuda.

“To have two boats from Bermuda competing at top level in offshore powerboat racing and then for them to finish 1-2 is amazing and feels great,” Martins said.

Moniz is delighted to see the Bermuda boats achieve the extraordinary feat.

“That is definitely a big statement, Bermuda finishing 1 and 2,” he said.

Team Bermuda and Nuff Said won six of the seven-race Super Stock National Championship series, with the former also starting from the pole on several occasions.

“It’s been a hard-fought battle all season, for both teams, with the points standings incredibly tight. You have to be on your game at every race and even with podium finishes at every race, it still came down to the very last race of the season to decide the championship,” Team Bermuda throttle man and boat owner Bridges said.

“Proud to see the Bermuda teams finish the season first and second in the points standings — couldn’t have asked for a better result.

“Congratulations to Nuff Said for a great finish this season and we all look forward to the World Championship in Key West next month.”

Martins, who competes alongside American throttle man Nick Imprescia, is also looking forward to the upcoming Key West World Championship, in which the pair secured second place last year.

“Going into the Worlds both Bermuda boats are looking good. We’re going to go down and compete and do the best that we can do and try to finish on top,” Martins said.

The Key West World Championship will be held from November 1 to 8, with racing taking place at the historic Truman Waterfront Park.