REPORT
August 17-18, 2002

The Lone Star Racing team toiled hard to prepare for this event. It was to be the only Canadian race in 2002. We wheeled the Formula Vee boat out of storage in July. The bright orange craft still looks great. With the season well underway in Powerboat Superleague, the tunnel boat was ready. Concentrating on the FV boat was fun for a change. The boat is so much easier to work on because the motor is so new and the boat requires less maintenance. Still, there were things to do and things to buy. We tested with the new setup. The boat was cornering great. Is there still speed in it? We planned to find out for sure in the races.

Our caravan set out on the Friday night to go to straight to the race site. This was a first for us. We usually stay in a hotel, but this occasion we were afforded the comfort in the AstroVan Hilton, and a camper on a pickup truck. These were great times. We got to test the Playstation, where we worked on our Indy Car skills. It easy to be carefree when you don’t own the equipment and your life isn’t on the line. Kevin loves his Playstation, so he was happy.

Saturday began with a cool breeze. The sun was out, and it was an o.k. day. I tested the FV boat, as I’d had little time in it this year. All was as good as it gets. When we set out for the first heat race, the water was a bit rough, but how rough could not be seen from shore. Jimi Whittington and I were last to leave the holding area. When I reached the corner furthest out in the lake, it was so rough, I was on about 40% throttle. I passed Whittington, and we signalled to each other like this was ridiculuous. Apparently one or two guys almost stuffed on the hot lap!

Whittington had the pole, through the luck of the draw, and he was first to the commitment pin. I can’t say for sure, as I was a few hundred feet behind, looking at the underside of Cameron Whitside’s boat as he launched off some whitecaps. Then Matthew Riddy went blasting through, nearly stuffed, rocked, but continued on. I figure he and Craig Ferrier weren’t likely to last a lap upright. But then, Quebecer Serge Gauthier was going twice as fast as anyone in his Fibro Concept. Then, there was a red flag. Gauthier had barrel rolled his boat, and was standing in his boat when I arrived on the scene. That took 15 seconds.

We returned to the start dock to see what was up. Discussion ensued about the weather conditions and I wished I’d brought a heavier boat. My goal was to not destroy myself or the boat. It was going to be a pretty silly race, but definitely entertaining. Unfortunately, conditions worsened and it was decided we’d come ashore to wait.

Conditions never changed. The Performance Boat Club of Canada had brought a collection of hot boats, outboards, and keen new drivers, who took their first laps on a race course. They provided a lot of entertainment.

Later, the racing was cancelled for the day as conditions never improved.

Sunday morning hit, and I sat up to have a look at the water. Oh no. It’s windy, the trees are leaning over, the water has whitecaps, and it is 7 something a.m. We prepared to race. The boats were fuelled, propellers mounted and we waited.

Unfortunately, the weather never improved. I estimate the winds were about 50 km/h. Eventually, the races were cancelled and we packed to go home. It’s the first time I’ve ever attended an event that has been completely cancelled.

Mostly, I feel bad for the spectators who waited and waited, and the volunteers who work so very hard to make this event a success each year. I really hope we can have the event next year and make it successful and entertaining. It is a great race site, and the spectators and City of Greater Sudbury has been supporting this event in Rayside-Balfour for a long time.

Was this a boring story to read? Be glad you weren’t there this year, but come next year. Surely the weather can’t be that bad again.