The Circus is in Town! This quaint little one-stop light village of 1,800 (legal) residents has for two years, been overtaken by the “AMF Racing's Crescent City Power Boat Run for Records” and while it may not yet rival Daytona, Homestead or Sebring for Florida's Speed Capital title, it is no in the running. John Haggin's AMF teams and guests take every bed and breakfast room in the area, plus a group of houseboats at the City Docks. There, a myriad of powerboats, ranging from an 1100 HP Pro Stock flat bottom to a 51' Outerlimits, and from a 17' Jersey Skiff, to a 9,000 HP turbine-powered handcrafted water rocket, dwarf the tiny marina. It's like the Red Neck Yacht Club on steroids and Extreme Boats was there to catch the action.

If you have ever been in the pits of an AMD race site “camp,” you know it is atypical. Everyone is smiling and having fun! No on e is bitching, complaining, or pouting – it's like they are all drinking the same Kool-Aid – simply overjoyed to be together, sharing the passion of speed, women, and engines - and all that goes fast - including John Haggin. Haggin is a darting, moving target – a caricature of himself in a race suit, ball cap, cowboy or work boots and a woman on each arm; he is a beaming, charming host, a generous friend and race team sponsor and a fiery fan of powerboat racing – make that fan-atic.

His love affair with powerboats started when as a kid, his father bought a Donzi and the father-son duo hung with the notorious Aronow crown in Miami. Haggin later raced boats and fondly recalls races in New Jersey – where he returned last year for an Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA) race and also married his “Princess” right there in the pits. His relationship with NJ remains tight, as OPA –the home of the well-known and loved “Jersey Boyz” is the race organization with which he closely aligns his teams.

Haggin is a turbine man – he dislikes gasoline engines after an accidental explosion took a friends life. He then discovered the speed and economies of jet engines and fuels and figures he saves about $300,000/year in fuel and maintenance expenses on his fleet of boats. Plus, the unusual style, noise and performance of the turbines fit his “P.T. Barnum of offshore racing” image. “Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together – the circus is in town!”

AMF's show includes Haggin's 3 turbines (51' Outerlimits, a new 40' Platinum, and a 44MTI on the way), a 42' Apache and a 35' pontoon party boat. The other AMF teams cover many performance and Factory classes, ranging from a 27' Lavey Craft, 24' Pantera, 29' Warlock and 32' Viper, to a 38' Fountain, 17' Jersey Skill and a homemade jet-hydroplane. And did we mention four Kenworths, three GMC 4500's and a NASCAR-style race support trailer – and one kick-butt stereo system?

This is no amateur gig – manager Laura Hanner is a race pro, Chief Savering is a top-notch operations director – and what other race team has a Head of Entertainment?! Haggin surrounds himself with experts and aficionados – and shows his appreciation for what they do. “This is my love, this is my passion!” he says, “I want to be a winner, but I can't do it without everyone here around me.”

This merry band of AMF men and women who share his passion, started at 3 and to total approximately 48 on his staff – plus the teams and crews he funds and feeds. A jaded racing fan might call Haggin a Sugar Daddy and his teams, sycophants, but spend some time here and you'll see more men kissing than in Provincetown for San Francisco; there is real love here and they're not afraid to show it. “ What would the world be like with more Haggins in it?” one of the crew waxed philosophically. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure the world id ready for more Haggins!

The Worlds Fastest Man on Water: Fate had Haggin meet his match thought team member Scott Begovich, who made an online hookup with someone who said he knew an Aussie, Ken Warby, “The Worlds Fastest Man on Water.” His 1978 record of 317.60 mph, set in a homemade jet-powered boat, Spirit of Australia, still stands today. Begovich invited Warby (who also has a home in Ohio) to last years Kilo in Crescent City and according to Haggin, “He never left!”

Now, the inspiration of the AMF team, Warby travels to many races while he competes finishing touches to his new jet boat, Aussie Spirit. Warby is a hero to anyone with a speed gene and in this literal jet set, he is a God. Haggin basks in his aura – swapping energy and stories – and sometimes, hats. The two operate as a comedyteam with Warby as the straight man – quietly sliding in one liners while Haggin puts on the AMF “Big Smile” show. The energy is contagious. “ He go me off my ass!” says Warby, not a man, who even at 66 years old, sits idly. His quest to be the best has never waned and the battle cry for the week of speed run action was, “How bad do you want it?” “ He got me 6milesper hour more out of my boat!” exclaims Haggin – he's my hero – he's the guts of this operation!”

Warby is a quiet character – the one your mother told you to watch out for. You can see the wheels turning in his ever-active mind. Through he may be sitting peacefully, he is absorbing every nuance. Comfortable in his own skin and understandably proud of his accomplishments.

Warby doesn't boat, but tells stories of his multi-decade exploits to build and drive the fastest vessel on water. “Considering that I'm doing something that has an 80% fatality rate (five others made the efforts to beat his record but died trying), I say.