Upcoming Florida racing

[John Howe]

The Lakeland Florida race is on two weeks from now. It will be a combined inboard and OPC 2 day event. I really don't have much info on it, but I'll be there spectating. Lakeland is just south east of Orlando.

In April, it's the revival of a race in Stuart Florida. It's been about 20 years since the last Stuart race. The 2 day event is primarily an inboard race, with one class of OPC (not sure of which OPC class) and vintage is invited also.

http://www.stuartsailfishregatta.org/

I'm sure hoping for a good turn out at both events!

[John Howe]

Here's a recent newspaper article about the Stuart race.

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/jan/30/river-thunder-speedboat-spectacular-coming-april-1/

[rustnrot]

I hope you don't mind I add to this thread our "exhibition" venue at Tavares, FL.

http://www.classicraceboatassoc.com/TavaresSpringThunderRegatta-2012.html

I think Ron refers to these as a clam bake, but a very diverse set of boats, folks, and fun!

[RForeman]

I raced in the Lakeland race last year and it was very fun. Duke Waldrop and the race organizers put on a great event at a very nice location. It was great to win the Orange Cup last year.
I raced in Stuart many years ago in SportE class. I actually raced against Duke Waldrop and got lucky and won. This is a very fun event --- very salty water but a great spot to race.
-Roddy

[John Howe]

I use to help set up the course buoys and flap the flags at the Stuart event.

The stock outboards will be running in Lakeland at the very end of March and first of April.

http://www.hydroracer.net/modules/News/showarticle.php?threadid=23016

[Richiehd]

I hope you don't mind I add to this thread our "exhibition" venue at Tavares, FL.

http://www.classicraceboatassoc.com/TavaresSpringThunderRegatta-2012.html

I think Ron refers to these as a clam bake, but a very diverse set of boats, folks, and fun!

This is a great event with lots of vintage hydros, flatbottoms and Jersey Speed Skiffs. Tavares is a neat spot and perfect location for spectaters as well as racers.

[John Howe]

I understand hydroplane Quebec will be web casting the Lakeland race. That's according to a post on the vintage hydro site.

[John Howe]

I sure hope HQ gives FULL coverage of the event and just not the inboard hydros. I do believe the "my crank shaft is horizontal, and not vertical,....so I'm superior"...and vice a versa mentality, so hurts the overall sport of boat racing!

I'll be there!

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Hah! Hadn't heard that little ditty befoe John, but you are absolutely right. I always liked all kinds of boat racing. And I'm with you in that regard. Wish a good weekend for racing, and a good time for all. It can be tricky this time of year, but hope you guys have a great weekend of fun and fellowship.

[John Howe]

The Stuart race is still on! Chuck Woodruff, who lost his life this past weekend while driving his old hydro in a vintage event, had worked well over a year to organize the event.

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/mar/19/stuarts-sailfish-regatta-will-proceed-despite/

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Thanks for the information John. We all appreciate the news from Southern Florida. When Fox News mentioned the tragedy and only showed footage of inboard hydros in the pits, I knew you would know what's going on. I didn't know Chuck Woodruff or the other two, but I am sure that they would be in full agreement. It can be a memorial to all of them and their families.

[John Howe]

I knew Chuck and Dea both for over 30 years. I talked to them both in Lakeland 2 weeks ago.

[John Howe]

I understand outboards have been added to the Stuart event in two weeks. I am assuming they mean OPC's.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stuart-Sailfish-Regatta/236565413057776

[John Howe]

I called a motel in Stuart a short while ago to make a reservation for next weekend, and the woman there was so excited about the race.The committee has worked so hard to put this all together!!! They are expecting a crowd of about 15,000 there. I understand food vendor space has been sold out. Man, I sure hope some race boats show up, and it all goes fairly smooth! Miami is less than 2 hours away, and I just know there will be folks from the "Rebuild the Miami Marine Stadium" there to "eye ball" this racing boat stuff. Below is a list of classes on the sanction.

VINTAGE INBOARD, 2.5 LTR MODIFIED0, 5 LTR. 2.5 LTR STOCK. 1 LTR, 1.5 LTR STOCK, JERSEY SPEED SKIFF, GRAND PRIX, PRO STOCK, SST 120, SST 60, FORMULA 150, SUPER SPORT

[Lars Strom]

John..I am going with a friend of mine on Saturday..

[Rob D]

Bubba Burger Racing will be there.

[Lars Strom]

See..I was there Saturday..!!

[phughes SS-13]

I was there as well, in fact I was the announcer and had a wonderful time. The people who ran that event treated me like GOLD, I was so impressed. They laid out the Red Carpet for all the racers and I don't recall anyone complaining about how the weekend went. Very windy on Saturday so not much action on the water but the racers made up for it on Sunday in a big way. Congrats to everyone who contributed, count on this race in 2013 and start making plans to attend.