The team is led by Craig Van Eaton who's racing background developed from karting to auto racing and finally sailboat racing. who has beend racing endurance races since 2001. Craig has won the Endurance Series Championship in 2007 and finished second in 2009. After the 2009 season, Van Eaton decided to take a few years off from racing to start a family but still remained in the sport through series and race management. Craig helped organize the first two Florida 300 races with a focus on marketing. Now stepping back from those duties, he decided to start racing again.
Craig spent much of last year with Mike Shappell and Rob Behrend restoring the team's Supercat 20 and going through the individual systems. Extensive work was done on the hulls and Mast. The front end was reingineered adding a third crossbar to improve structural integrity of the boat and make the boat stiffer.
Rob Behrend started racing with the team at the 2003 Hogsbreath 100. Rob and Craig met months earler competing against each other at the Palm Beach Washington Regatta. Rob has a tremendous amount of experience with all types of sailing vessels big and small. Rob also has extensive amount of experience in fabrication and aerodynamics. With his company Aerostructures Inc., he is licensed to inspect and repair aircraft and determine if they are safe to fly.
Rob's knowledge in both fabrication and aerodynamics has been a true asset to the team. He has been instrumental both on and off the water in development then testing and racing. Although he was not able to race the Florida 300 in 2016, he is looking forward to racing it in 2018.
Mark Herendeen is the latest team member stepped forward in 2016 to takes Rob Behrend's place for the Florida 300. Craig Van Eaton and Mark have raced against each other since the 2003 Hogsbreath 100 which was ironically the first race Craig and Rob raced together. Craig and Mark were never on the same boat together but enjoyed competing against each other and always discussed team up. Team Cyberspeed ended up 3rd in class and 9th overall.
Mark Herendeen has a vast amount of experience and knowledge. Some of his past endurance accomplishments are completing one Worrell 1000, three Tybee 500's and the inaugural Florida 300. Mark's past experience and knowledge will definely be an assett in this years Florida 300.
Mike Shappell and Craig Van Eaton have been knowing each other since 1990. Both have sailed extensively off the coast of Singer Island and Palm Beach. Mike was one of the first factory sailors for G-Cat. He was invaluable in Helping G-Cat get it's Portsmouth ratings for their new boat. Mike also has a varied resume with both mechanical and composite qualifications in marine as well as automotive. This is evident when visiting his shop "The Man Shed" where most of the work is done on the team's Supercat 20.
Mike will be the team manager for the Florida 300 and help along the way with any issues that should arise. He has helped Craig Van Eaton in the preparation of the boat over the years making sure things are done properly and providing advice and help when needed.