SHORT COURSE NATIONALS BOAT RACE
Rockaway Beach, Missouri
June 4 - 5, 2005
Hydroplane Racing
Of all motor sports, boat racing takes place on one of the most unpredictable surfaces known to man ------ water.
As Americans, we may not realize that boat racing is the most watched motor sport in the world (including stock cars, motorcycles, sprints, etc.). Almost every country has some type of power boat racing. In Japan it is the national sport with government ownership of the equipment. The drivers draw their boat and the public participate in paramutual betting. The drivers make three million dollars per year and are groomed for their sport from an early age much like our jockeys.
The Hydroplane Short Course National Event held in Rockaway Beach, Missouri will present boat racing on a smaller scale on Lake Taneycomo but is just as exciting as the larger boating events which include boats such as the "Miss Budweiser". Speeds will range from 65 - 95 MPH with relative speeds being two to three times that of land vehicles. The average weight of driver and boat is 400 lbs, similar to zooming across the water on a coffee table!
Hydroplanes are designed to fly over water and are engineered with the latest in aerodynamics. Boats are usually handcrafted from marine mahogany. Runabouts are racing copies of pleasure boats with body language much like a motorcyclist, shifting and leaning when necessary. The outboard motors are Mercury, OMC, Chrysler, or Yamato engines specifically designed for racing. Some are stock and others modified in various ways including tuned exhaust and added gears. The propellers are expensive; scientifically bent and turned to give racers the edge.
Boat racers encourage
spectators (w/o alcoholic beverages) to visit the pits. Up close you can
see the complexity of the sport and friendliness of the drivers.
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Morning pre-race prep |
The latest innovations in safety are implemented. An ambulance is always present during a race since boats have been known to skyrocket in the air to great heights. Others have completely disintegrated before the spectators eyes. Most accidents are minor and holes can be repaired with duct tape. Usually a boat will be back in the water to finish a race. Races are stopped immediately if it is felt that there is any danger to a driver's safety.
The race course is an oval from 3/4 to 1 mile in length. Buoys mark the course. The start of the race is much different than other motor sport races. First you will hear a three minute gun at which the boats are carried into the water Next it is up to the pit crew to show their stuff and get the boat started. They pull the starting rope (no electric motors allowed), make carburetor adjustments and sometimes lift the boat out of the water if there is less resistance on the prop. If the motor doesn't start you will see the crew doing everything to a minor overhaul in a few seconds.
After the three minute gun comes the one minute gun. At this time a large clock at the judges stand will start its countdown from 60 seconds to 0. It is now up to the boat driver to judge his distance so that the boat makes a "flying start" but does not cross the start/finish line before the clock reaches zero. At this time the driver must also choose his lane in the starting chute and not vary that lane. There is a buoy in the middle of the course with an imaginary line to the clock. If a driver is even one inch in front of that line at the zero point they "jump the gun" and are disqualified from that race. Sometimes a driver will not even realize this and finish the race in first place only to receive no points for the finish. If all drivers "jump the gun" there usually will be a restart.
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Racer approaching the Finish Line |
Races consist of three laps with each class running two heats. The overall winner is determined by combined points from the two heats. The first turn of the race is usually the most exciting with several boats going into the turn side by side. This is the most dangerous part of the race where most accidents occur. Usually only one boat will emerge as the leader at this point taking advantage of the smooth water ahead while the others try to play catch up with the disadvantage of rough water caused by the lead boat.
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2005 Hydroplane Short Course National Boat Race Rockaway Beach Missouri Saturday & Sunday June 4th
& 5th On the shore of Lake Taneycomo and the Fishing Island |
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Leader after first turn |
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Call the Rockaway Beach Chamber of Commerce for additional information (417) 561-4280 |
Related Links of Interest
Hydro Racing Hydro Encyclopedia
Hydro
Photos
Hydroplane Videos