After months of concern over whether the EnviroPly Unlimited Hydroplane series would make a stop in San Diego, Regatta Race Director Bob Davies announced that the event is officially on for the weekend of Sept. 15 through 17.
Davies stated that the unlimited race will move forward from the recent Seattle Seafair races after speaking with ABRA Chairman Sam Cole.
“We are excited about the possibility of the team and driver points’ championship being decided in San Diego,” continued Davies, who had previously said $200,000 was needed to hold the event. “I know both point races are tight and the competition is as good as we’ve seen on the unlimited circuit, so this race will truly be a grand finale.”
The confirmation of the unlimited boats 41st year of racing could prove great news for the nationally televised event and the series, Davies said.
The addition of a television sponsor has provided some of the money needed to hold the event, though Davies noted that the organization is still “looking for the right company guy” to come out and help support the San Diego hydroplane tradition at Mission Bay.
He said he hopes extra funds would be made available in time for the race, and indicated that left over money usually becomes available late in the year when sponsors have surplus funds.
“I know it’s an iffy thing to hang on, but we’ve seen this happen a couple times in the past. We’re very optimistic that it’s going to happen,” he said.
Going into this final race of the 2006 ABRA season, the U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto holds a slim 278 point lead over the U-7 Formulaboats.com II and rookie Mike Allen. Oberto driver Steve David is also leading the driver’s standings by 621 points over Allen and the top four drivers are only separated by 727 points.
But Jean Theoret’s U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing comes off an impressive victory at the Chevrolet Cup at Seafair.
The devastating fire that burned San Diego’s Lucky U21 to the water line in Seattle makes the Freedom Racing Team’s hopes of having a big finish in their hometown a bleak issue.
“It is blow [to us],” said Jeffrey Johnson, co-owner of the Lucky U21. Johnson said the damage to the hull is so severe that it would be down to the wire if it were repaired in time for the Regatta.
The powerboats come to Mission Bay each year to compete on the nation’s swiftest course for the Bill Muncey Cup.
The event is hosted by Thunderboats Unlimited, a nonprofit organization that contributes to several local charities, including the San Diego Youth and Community Services and the YMCA Youth and Family Services.
Since its inception, the Freedom Racing Team has raised $100,000 for Children’s Hospital and other charities.