4/22/02
Well the 2002 region 10 racing season is up to full speed with Seattle Outboard Association’s Bridgeport Regatta already in the books.
Sunny weather greeted racers, beginning on their arrival on Friday (April 19th) and lasting On through the weekend with temps. On or near 70 each day. Okay: I know you’re thinking, ‘That sounds nice but how about that untimely wind that always pops up at just the wrong time?’ I forgot to mention that this was a Dick Rautenberg production and Dick arranged for near Perfect water conditions with the only wind being an occasional breeze that was just enough to Put those wind ripples on the water (otherwise ideal).
On Saturday, racing was divided up into three flights with about 25 minutes of testing prior To each flight. Sunday started out with testing right after the drivers meeting and racing was divided into two Flights. This worked out good because it cut out setup time that would go with a third flight.
On the Formula E end of things Shaw Racing came well equipped to take full advantage of the Available testing time and seemed to make good progress with his Formula E hydro. However, Howard seemed to have a few early season Gremlins (as did others) with his runabout. With some minor tweaking Howard will be at full speed soon enough!
Brian LaChapelle also showed up with his new Formula E runabout and had his share of troubles, mostly from a broken boat dolly, but with help from Shaw Racing for the use of a dolly and some muscle power, and Team Technology for the use of their starter stand, yours truly was able to get out on the water and get in some valuable test time.
Yes there were only two Formula E Runabouts that showed up at Bridgeport, but you have to start somewhere, and still that’s not too bad considering the overall turnout.
UP NEXT MOSES LAKE:
It was announced at the Bridgeport drivers meeting that our next race, May 11th and 12th at Moses Lake, major sponsorship has been obtained from a new Hotel/Casino/Bowl with an Indoor pool (hope it’s full). As I understand, this place is so new, we have the privilege as being the first patrons to stay at this new business and they will also be supplying trophies for the race.
Now this puts this new ownership in the category of what (and will expand on later) as B.R.F.: Boat Racer Friendly.
To have sponsorship like this is a great opportunity for S.O.A. and this may be more than than a one year deal. But somewhere along the way, sponsorship to a business needs to make financial sense and must have a break even point or (if we’re all so lucky) a payoff with some kind of profit for the sponsor. So with all the lumps boat racing has been taking the over the years, especially in some of the metropolitan areas on the west side of the mountains, we have a city that has a history of being boat racer friendly and is willing to fork over some cash help make things happen (how can you beat that?!).
So, what we need to do if you’re planning on going to the Moses Lake Regatta then please patronize our sponsor: Amerihost Inn and Suites. You can contact them at 509-764-7500 or 509-760-8505.