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Congratulations to the Michigan Hydroplane Racing Association. What a great job you all did for all of us. The turnout was superb (176 entries on Saturday, I think?) The racing was top notch. And, what a tradition...50 years at the same race site. The American Legion must go broke fixing food for all of us and our pit crews. They are wonderful hosts.
I had an opportunity to see some great sportsmanship during my stint as turn judge that I wanted to share. On Saturday, Tracy Johnston spun-out in turn #1 while in the middle of the lead pack, Ed Harrington, just behind, couldn't avoid impacting her in her hydro. She was too close and there were boats on both sides of him. The collision threw him out of his boat and he cart-wheeled 15-20 away from the boats. Tracy was pinned in the wreckage because the two hydros were imbedded in each other. Despite Ed's injuries he swam hard over to Tracy and actually got to her before the rescue boat pulled up. Luckily, Tracy's leg injuries and Ed's arm injuries weren't too serious. But it was a great demonstration grit and sportsmanship.
On Sunday, while out in the wind and rain in turn #2 we saw Mark Pugh blow-over in one of the most dramatic, and scary flips that I have witnessed. He and Jimmy Robb were accelerating neck'n neck down the back stretch at full speed in DMH when a gust caught Mark's hydro. One sponson came out of the water, then, the whole boat lifted before he could get off the throttle. It went almost pure vertical, then rolled rapidly and spit Mark out the side. He must have been accelerating thru at least 80 MPH because he tumbled across the surface of the water at least 3 times before he finally disappeared in the spray. Rescue got him on the big 'surfboard' and I'm told he has neck and back injuries. Guess who were the first visitors in the local hospital? Yep, Jim and Jimmy Robb. What a great bunch of racers.
Again, congratulations to MHRA for a fantastic race weekend. Mike Marshall, Raceboat61-S
I had an opportunity to see some great sportsmanship during my stint as turn judge that I wanted to share. On Saturday, Tracy Johnston spun-out in turn #1 while in the middle of the lead pack, Ed Harrington, just behind, couldn't avoid impacting her in her hydro. She was too close and there were boats on both sides of him. The collision threw him out of his boat and he cart-wheeled 15-20 away from the boats. Tracy was pinned in the wreckage because the two hydros were imbedded in each other. Despite Ed's injuries he swam hard over to Tracy and actually got to her before the rescue boat pulled up. Luckily, Tracy's leg injuries and Ed's arm injuries weren't too serious. But it was a great demonstration grit and sportsmanship.
On Sunday, while out in the wind and rain in turn #2 we saw Mark Pugh blow-over in one of the most dramatic, and scary flips that I have witnessed. He and Jimmy Robb were accelerating neck'n neck down the back stretch at full speed in DMH when a gust caught Mark's hydro. One sponson came out of the water, then, the whole boat lifted before he could get off the throttle. It went almost pure vertical, then rolled rapidly and spit Mark out the side. He must have been accelerating thru at least 80 MPH because he tumbled across the surface of the water at least 3 times before he finally disappeared in the spray. Rescue got him on the big 'surfboard' and I'm told he has neck and back injuries. Guess who were the first visitors in the local hospital? Yep, Jim and Jimmy Robb. What a great bunch of racers.
Again, congratulations to MHRA for a fantastic race weekend. Mike Marshall, Raceboat61-S
). Stay safe!
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