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Boat racers gearing up for return to Lake Henderson
By Dave Pieklik
If last year’s boat races in Inverness were the warm-up, the races’ return to Lake Henderson this April is the main event.
The U.S. Title Series racing circuit begins its season April 1 and 2 on the lake; the first of six races in the country.
The event is a step up from the July 4 weekend last year, when a trial run tested the waters to see if the race could become a regular thing.
Three weeks from the race start, excitement for those involved is revving up faster than a finely tuned engine.
“The big thing is the style of racing,” race organizer Butch Kiddy said Thursday. “We’re going to have 12 (boats) going into a turn.”
The race area is the same, with racers driving a roughly 1-mile course in the “cove” between Wallace Brooks and Liberty parks. About nine boat classes will compete, from smaller hydroplanes to quicker capsule boats that can reach speeds of more than 120 mph.
However, Kiddy, a former racer from Inverness, said the race is improved from last year. More boats, better sound systems for race announcers and entertainment between races are notable changes. Because of the significance of the U.S. Title Series being attached to the race, Kiddy said more drivers from across the country will be involved.
“In pro outboard racing,” he said, “these are some well-known people in the boat-racing industry.”
Kiddy said some drivers and fans currently are in the county getting ready, turning the event into a vacation of sorts to get to know the area and explore. Hotel rooms will be filled for the event, Kiddy said, and there will be more to do for spectators.
Between a DJ playing music between races, more interaction with the pit area, to a boat show or children’s activities, Kiddy expects the two days to be a lot of fun on or off the course.
“We’re really going to have this real upbeat tempo during the race,” he said.
Several local groups are stepping in to help Kiddy and the Peace River Outboard Racing Association, which helped organize the race.
All five of the Rotary Clubs inCitrus County are involved, providing concessions at the races.
Doug Lobel, president of the Rotary Club of Inverness, said about 50 to 60 members will help sell food, T-shirts and other goods to help offset some of the roughly $15,000 in costs, including insurance, that Kiddy said was needed to put on the race.
He said there would be more family-oriented activities this year, including Matchbox car racing for children.
There will be a boat raffle, as well as two go-karts as raffle prizes, with proceeds benefiting local organizations, such as the United Way.
Lobel said that with a national focus on the county because of the race, Rotarians want to help make the event a success, one that will eventually bring more money into the community and one that people will remember.
“We want things,” Lobel said, “that folks can walk away from and say, ‘Hey, that was really cool!’ and look forward to next year.”
By Dave Pieklik
If last year’s boat races in Inverness were the warm-up, the races’ return to Lake Henderson this April is the main event.
The U.S. Title Series racing circuit begins its season April 1 and 2 on the lake; the first of six races in the country.
The event is a step up from the July 4 weekend last year, when a trial run tested the waters to see if the race could become a regular thing.
Three weeks from the race start, excitement for those involved is revving up faster than a finely tuned engine.
“The big thing is the style of racing,” race organizer Butch Kiddy said Thursday. “We’re going to have 12 (boats) going into a turn.”
The race area is the same, with racers driving a roughly 1-mile course in the “cove” between Wallace Brooks and Liberty parks. About nine boat classes will compete, from smaller hydroplanes to quicker capsule boats that can reach speeds of more than 120 mph.
However, Kiddy, a former racer from Inverness, said the race is improved from last year. More boats, better sound systems for race announcers and entertainment between races are notable changes. Because of the significance of the U.S. Title Series being attached to the race, Kiddy said more drivers from across the country will be involved.
“In pro outboard racing,” he said, “these are some well-known people in the boat-racing industry.”
Kiddy said some drivers and fans currently are in the county getting ready, turning the event into a vacation of sorts to get to know the area and explore. Hotel rooms will be filled for the event, Kiddy said, and there will be more to do for spectators.
Between a DJ playing music between races, more interaction with the pit area, to a boat show or children’s activities, Kiddy expects the two days to be a lot of fun on or off the course.
“We’re really going to have this real upbeat tempo during the race,” he said.
Several local groups are stepping in to help Kiddy and the Peace River Outboard Racing Association, which helped organize the race.
All five of the Rotary Clubs inCitrus County are involved, providing concessions at the races.
Doug Lobel, president of the Rotary Club of Inverness, said about 50 to 60 members will help sell food, T-shirts and other goods to help offset some of the roughly $15,000 in costs, including insurance, that Kiddy said was needed to put on the race.
He said there would be more family-oriented activities this year, including Matchbox car racing for children.
There will be a boat raffle, as well as two go-karts as raffle prizes, with proceeds benefiting local organizations, such as the United Way.
Lobel said that with a national focus on the county because of the race, Rotarians want to help make the event a success, one that will eventually bring more money into the community and one that people will remember.
“We want things,” Lobel said, “that folks can walk away from and say, ‘Hey, that was really cool!’ and look forward to next year.”