Live from the pits in Haverhill

[Christine Brewster]

After 10 days of 12-14 hour days, Jeff had enough work and said "ok, lets go racing". I did not need any more to be said by the time he was home from work the boat trailer was loaded, car was packed and trailer was hooked to the trail blazer gassed and ready to go. So off we went. We surprised everyone when we pulled into the pits this afternoon.

Alan Akerstrom and his family has opened his home to Jeff, myself and the girls also to Alex and Alex Poliakoff. After visiting the nearby Salisbury Beach we returned to the pits to find more boats. Looks like a great turnout. Will post pictures tomorrow and if I can get internet from the pits, I will post from there. Weather is great. If your close by, (or not) come to Haverhill, looks like it is going to be a great race! The community is very excited!

[TPLACE31]

At 6PM there were eight 25SSH's in the Pits. Kampkurtz from Michigan is in Quincy, Ma and the Utman's from Brockville, Ontario have given the race an international flavor. The marathon numbers are growing, should be fun. Chrisitne will keep you posted.

Last fall when the Brewsters came to Region One it was 38 degrees on Saturday AM, today it was 98 !!

[L. Allen]

Here's the sanction one more time.
I'm leaving in an hour; don't start without me!



Haverhill River Run sanction #2208

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

APBA Race Circular
Regatta:
Haverhill River Run 2009
Event Date:
8/22/2009 – 8/23/2009
Conducting Club:
SOUTH SHORE OUTBOARD ASSOCIATION
Test Date:


Region: 1 Sanction ID: 2208 Approved
Place:
Haverhill, MA Merrimack River
Received Date:
7/8/2009

Approved Date:
7/30/2009

Directions:
From Route 495, take Exit 48 Ward Hill / Bradford. Follow the Connector Road one mile. Take a left at the lights onto Route 125 North towards Bradford. Follow Route 125 North for 2.4 miles. As you enter Bradford Square, just past the Shell Service Station, you will see the Rite Aid Pharmacy sign. Bear to the right of the sign onto Ferry Street. Follow 2/10ths of a mile and the Crescent Yacht Club will be on your left.

Accommodations:
Comfort Suites, 106 Bank Rd., Haverhill, MA 01832 * * * * * 978-374-7755

Course:
*** NOT approved for records. ***
Outboards - 3 laps of an approx. 3/4 Mile course * * * * * Marathon - 21 Miles

Start Type:
Clock, except OSY-400 = Lemans

Classes:
: All STOCK OUTBOARD Classes, EXCEPT 45SS & Classic Division
: MARATHON: ASR (06020), CSR (06040), DSR (06050), 25SSR (06070) - SATURDAY ONLY !

Saturday, August 22, 2009
04200 125CCH04210 250CCH05370 850CCMR05430 350CCMH05450 500CCMH05470 850CCMH06000 STOCK OUTBOARD11011 J CLASS H

Sunday, August 23, 2009
04200 125CCH04210 250CCH05370 850CCMR05430 350CCMH05450 500CCMH05470 850CCMH06000 STOCK OUTBOARD11011 J CLASS H

Prizes:
SATURDAY - Trophies 1st, 2nd, 3rd - To be presented by the City of Haverhill Mayor. 6 PM at the Yacht Club. Mandatory Attendance.
SUNDAY - 1st, 2nd, 3rd prizes to be presented at the conclusion of racing.

Registration:
8/22/09 - Pits - 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. * * * 8/23/09 - Pits - 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Driver Meeting:
8/22/09 - Pits - 11:00 a.m. * * * * * 8/23/09 - Pits - 11:00 a.m.

Entry Fees:
$30 / 25 / 20 - 1st, 2nd, 3rd Class
$20 - J Hydro * * * * * $25 - Marathon

Send Entries To:
Harriet Thompson, 17 Carpenter Ave., Mansfield, MA 02048

Officials:
Race Director (294) STEVE NOURY, P O BOX 1258, EAST HAMPSTEAD, NH
Referee (33) BILL GILES, 626 SCHOOL ST, N DIGHTON, MA
Assistant Referee (3943) CHARLES GONYEA, 903 MAIN ST, HOLDEN, MA
Inspector (11790) ALAN AKERSTROM, 39 BEAVERBROOK RD, WESTFORD, MA
Scorer (51741) HARRIET THOMPSON, 17 CARPENTER, MANSFIELD, MA
Risk Manager (12526) ARRON MAIN, 151 BRIXHAM ROAD, ELIOT, ME

Notes:
* For GPS users - Site address is: 30 Ferry St., Haverhill, MA 01835 (978-374-9683)
* The MARATHON EVENT will only run if we have a minimum of twelve (12) pre-registrations. It will consist of 4 laps of approx. a 5+ mile course. The Marathon will be run at 4:00 PM on Saturday. To make this happen, we will be running 11 classes (including combinations) for a total of 22 heats of racing between Noon and 3:45 PM.
* We have made an effort to accommodate all class requests. However, classes with four boats or less may run one heat - four laps and/or be subject to combination.
TENTATIVE COMBINATIONS: (350ccMH (BMH) / 500ccMH (CMH) / 125ccH; (850ccMH (FEH) & 250ccH); (25SSR & CSR); (BSH & 20SSH). Avoid combinations, bring plenty of boats!
* OSY400 will have a Modified LeMans start from the beach.
* All trailers will be parked by Pit Boss. If you arrive after 11:00 PM Friday, keep your trailer attached to your tow vehicle until Saturday AM.
* The Crescent Yacht Club will be serving food during the day. There will be a dinner Saturday evening with musical entertainment.
* Presentation of Saturday's Awards will be at 6:00 PM on the Yacht Club grounds. The Sponsors and Promoters have requested all Drivers attend.
* There will be designated parking for all tow vehicles.
* We are pitting on City property, no open containers.
* All dogs must be leashed.

This Regatta is sanctioned through APBA

All prizes are the responsibility of the conducting Club. APBA does not guarantee nor is it responsible for payment of prizes. You are advised that this event may be canceled prior to the race due to circumstances beyond the control of this association. If you plan to travel a long distance, it is recommended that you contact the race sponsor prior to your departure to ensure this event will take place.

[j hydro racer]

howd it go

Howd today go
-Johnny

[TPLACE31]

Johnnie - we are not going to tell you, you should have been there!!

First Set - Ran off 8 heats in one hour 10 minutes:
DSH - Pete Gevinski
OSY400 - Billy Allen (Lemans Start)
CSR - Mike Cook
J Hydro - Peter Crowley

Second Set - Disaster
250CCH - Beach start, Cavanaugh went in the drink, and Schmidt #2 stalled on front stretch - Red Flag.
25SSH - Jim Howe into the drink milling - Red Flag; Brewster into the drink on the restart while out front - Red Flag; Engine Joe Kent wins the third try at heat one.
Then the rains came, and came, and came.........2 hour hold.

Race Committee decided to run the Marathon as water conditions were at their best. Mark Kurtz takes the trophy back to Michigan in CSR, Teddy O'Neil won ASR and none of the DSR's made it to the finish!!

Big day tommorrow, hopefully Chrisitne will have further and more detail updates.

Crowd was phenominal, hope we get the chance to put on the show Sunday.

[Christine Brewster]

Forgot my camera in the boat trailer so I will post pics when I get home. Was a little busy helping Jeff dry out his boat/motor and then deal with one heck of a storm that dumped lots of water in the pits raising the river "fast". Everyone was all smiles even with the rain.

The community participation was the way it is supposed to be! Cheering, hooting, hollering, screaming out boat numbers as heats went out picking favorites. The locals lined the riverbed to watch the heats, and cheered the drivers as they came in. On their own power or to be towed in.

When Shawn Cavenaugh was towed in, he sat on the rescue boat and did the beauty show wave! The crowd loved it!

Rain did nothing to dampen the spirits in Haverhill. Today looks like it is going to be a wonderful day! Why? because when you are at a boat race everyday is GREAT!

[L. Allen]

Here are a few photos.
The spectators, who were great;
Rain water pouring down the ramp long after it had stopped raining;
Getting ready for the marathon;
Teddy Toenail does a lap in the marathon.

[j hydro racer]

great pics

great pictures laurie
-Johnny

[F-111]

Peter Crowley

First Set - Ran off 8 heats in one hour 10 minutes:
DSH - Pete Gevinski
OSY400 - Billy Allen (Lemans Start)
CSR - Mike Cook
J Hydro - Peter Crowley

1st win for Peter in J Hydro, good job little brother! Go do it again today, bud. Wish I was there to see it.

[Mrs blueskyracer]

It is always great when a little (or a lot) of rain can't dampen the spirits of boat racers and spectators alike. That is a lot of water coming down the boat ramp!

[L. Allen]

Mike Cook took third, in spite of being the last one out of the pits, and Ed "Teddy Toenail" O'Neil was the first "A" to cross the finish line, taking a fourth place.

[TPLACE31]

Two thumbs up!!!

Once we catch our breath we will follow with full results, but for now.....Overwhelming success for a first time race (in over 50 years at this site). Region One support was 100% with no known drivers being absent. The Spectators were fabulous, cheering on all the Drivers as they came off the course and the most asked question was "When are they going to be held next year?"

Closed course racing was intense with some great battles on the tricky river course. The Marathon - successful beyond our expectations. As they Drivers came underneath bridge #3 back in front of the Yacht Club, you had to take a sweeping right hander around the boat docks, cameras were clicking and the crowd was cheering encouragement to all.

Many thanks to all that attended and pitched in to make this work. More updates later today. Chrisitne promises to post more pictures when they arrive home.

[jeff55v]

Bravo!

Congratulations to the SSOA for hosting another great race! Also congrats to Mark Kurz for his marathon win!
It's a long drive for me, but if this race were held before my kid's school year starts, I might give this event a try next season.
Thanks all for the neat event pics and news. Keep 'em comin'.

[Islandmon]

Woo Hoo ! way to go Mark . Details man, we want details.

Sam,
87M

[topomichracer140m]

Mark....way too go brother....Now they know how we kick it Mullet Lake style!