The Air National Guard (ANG) has come to the rescue, ensuring that the popular, rooster tail-spraying unlimited hydroplane boats return to the waters of Mission Bay. The Bayfair racing event, scheduled for Sept. 17-19, will be known as the Air Guard Championship, presented by Degree Men. Degree Men is a company with a line of antiperspirants. In announcing the agreement, H1 Hydroplane chairman Sam Cole said, “This is a fantastic moment for our sport. To be able to announce that we are racing in San Diego with the Air National Guard as the race sponsor and Degree Men as the presenting sponsor is awesome.” The agreement marks a victory for hydroplane enthusiasts and spectators, said officials. “We’re thrilled to have H1 Unlimited returning to San Diego,” said Jeff Thomas, chairman of San Diego Bayfair’s board of directors. “We feel there is no better place than Mission Bay to admire the beauty and the speed of the hydroplanes. Racing fans are in for an action-packed, three-day event.” Scott Carson, former CEO and president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, will throw financial support behind the event with his wife, Linda, in honor of American military personnel in Afghanistan. The Carsons have a son-in-law currently serving in Afghanistan. Degree Men will also be involved as title sponsor of one of the race teams at the event, which will be featured in an aggressive marketing and advertising campaign in Southern California. A 12-boat field is expected to roar across Mission Bay for the three-day event, reaching speeds in excess of 200 mph. Steve David, the defending series high-point champion and three-time winner in 2010 — driving the U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto — will be looking to build on his 506-point lead over chief rival and 2010 Gold Cup Champion Dave Villwock, who will pilot the U-96 Spirit of Qatar. The two veterans will battle for the season high-point title. The Bayfair races will be seen on the Versus Network on Oct. 16 and will be streamed live on the Internet by Tampa Digital Studios. Bayfair is a traditional event that has flourished over 40 years, but which had been in jeopardy of cancellation at various locations. The precarious nature of is a sign of the times for the sanctioning body, although last-minute deals have pulled out H1 Hydroplanes at the Detroit Gold Cup and Seatle’s Seafair. The races were, however, canceled at Evansville, Ind., making San Diego the fifth stop in the series.