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RACE REPORT
MARIETTA RIVER ROAR
JULY 4-5, 2003
It was a relief to get the season started. After two races had been cancelled or postponed, and we were now into July, we were anxious to get the boat into the water in race conditions and see where we would stand for this year.
With the major combat in the Iraq war having been declared to be over, it was a patriotic weekend on Friday-U.S. Independence Day. Drivers aligned on the levee of the Ohio River holding small American flags, with the singing of the U.S. and Canadian anthem. I stood alongside Tyler Kratochwill and Neal Haraway, in hopes that some speed would seep into me from the APR 2002 co-champions.
A new format for Powerboat Superleague included NASCAR-style timed laps. Divided into two groups, our orange boat was good to go in group A. Canadian Paul Hickey was first onto the course, where he was given a warm-up lap, then two qualifying laps. When he was on the backstraight of his second lap, George Galloway was given the go-ahead from the start dock to begin his warm-up lap. This format would be used throughout the season, though it was reduced to one qualifying lap at subsequent races.
With the new procedure, the time clocks appeared to be working slowly for the first few boats as Galloway qualified second with Hickey 3rd and Kratochwill on the pole. Our boat was deemed 4th fastest. Off the start, I jumped into second place, and would follow Tyler as he got comfortably ahead then started to take it easy. Heat 2 would be different. I started 3rd, but ahead of Tyler. The Mike Wiendandt prepared motor rocketed into the lead and put me clear of Chris Waalen with Tyler closing in on the outside. It wasn’t until we went down the backstraight on lap one that he would catch me. Sixty-four seconds in the lead! That would be memorable! APR Announcer Mike Tilton said “I’d have lost my quarter on that one” when I led Tyler, and he indicated I must have put a scare into Kratochwill Racing. So I proceeded to what I thought would be a solid second place, and I’d be qualified for the Final on Sunday. However, after 8 laps, Kratochwill slowed and turned off the course. We learned later he had a base gasket come loose, and the motor was vibrating wildly. Unfortunately, Carole Reno developed a hole in her Yeeha and withdrew, so I finished about 45 seconds ahead of Waalen and I’d lapped Hickey who was having difficulty in the rough water, and strong winds. I had my first APR heat win!
Crazy weather hit Marietta on sunday. It was a relief for us that we wouldn’t have to be in the last-chance qualifier, but the delays made for a long day of waiting. Eventually, it was time for that race, but once the boats were launched, the wind got worse and the water rougher. So, the boats were pulled from the water and F2 would skip the last chance qualifier too, and conduct their Final. We continued to wait. Eventually, the weather had improved and we prepared to race. With 20,000 people on the river bank, and hundreds of boats moored on the river packed with people, our boat was trailered by a local race committee volunteer down the ramp towards the water. This is quite a thrill for our whole team and fantastic for the spectators who are able to see the teams and boats up so close.
So the race started with Haraway on the pole, Sherriff, Michael Floyd, Tyler Kratochwill and Howie Nichols rounding out the top 5. The boat started pretty well off the dock, but was no match for Haraway. Very quickly I was in 4th place where I would hold Nichols off for about half the race until we had a red flag. Rookie drive Mark Jakob had demolished both buoys at corners 1 and 2 forcing the stoppage. On the re-start, my motor didn’t fire immediately, and Nichols got the jump. I challenged him throughout the race, but running in 5th place, the water becomes so choppy that it is very difficult to make up distance. I finished 1.63 seconds behind Nichols, and more than 13 ahead of Sam Miller who fended off Carole Reno.
Our 5th place finish got me into position for the random technical inspection. The inspection was conducted in the hot sun, and delayed our drive home which we completed at 4 a.m. The adrenaline continues to flow for the first few hours of the drive home, but crossing the border at 3 a.m. suppresses some of the thrill of a great weekend at the race site that was again voted best by Powerboat Superleague teams. Marietta is a great town, with enthusiastic fans, and a great race committee and community support. It continues to be a favourite race site.
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