Memorial Fundraiser Planned For Lacey Man Killed In The Point Pleasant Beach Grand Prix

Many in Lacey Township and the offshore powerboat racing community have not forgotten David Raabe, who died when his boat "Repeat Offender" collided with another boat at the Point Pleasant Beach Grand Prix in May.

Some of his friends have organized a benefit dinner for the family he left behind - his wife and three children.

The event will held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Aug. 17 at the Captain's Inn Tiki Bar. Tickets for the event are $25, which includes dinner and non-alcoholic drinks. The deadline to purchase tickets is Aug. 10.

Tickets can be purchased by mailing payment and your guest names to:The Raabe Family, P.O. Box 1044 Forked River, NJ 08731, or through PayPal at:https://www.davidraabememorial.com/buy-tickets

The dinner menu includes assorted salads, apricot mustard chicken, penne a la vodka sauce, herb crusted cod, steak teriyaki, chicken wings, summer blend vegetables, desserts, soft drinks, lemonade, ice tea and coffee.

Raabe was the throttle man for the Repeat Offender, which he owned. The day he died, hundreds had lined up to watch the powerboats race for the title, including his family.

But things went wrong very quickly. One powerboat - Smith Brothers CRC - went airborne and crashed on top of the Repeat Offender.

The impact killed Raabe. Two other men, brothers Rich and Pete Smith aboard the Smith Brothers CRC, were thrown into the water by the impact, but were rescued. The transom of their boat was ripped off in the collision and sank.

The benefit will also feature a silent auction. Benefit T-shirts and cups will also be available for purchase. If you plan to come by boat, you need to reserve a boat slip quickly. There are only 15 slips.

Image: Courtesy of davidraabememorial.com