Oroville Boat Races - Forebay provides fast water, good times

The American Power Boat Association's Western Divisional Championships at the Thermalito Forebay June 15-17 is a favorite for many of the participants. The Forebay, known for its longer course and high speeds, is also a good set up for getting the boats in and out of the water as well as providing good views for spectators.

Oroville's own Dave Schillig will be on the water in his second year of racing and is looking forward to putting on a good competition.

"I loved boats all my life. As a kid my dad took me to a race once a year," he said.
He got into racing by meeting the right guy at the right time. He said he went to a race here at the Forebay and ran into Frank Banducci in 2005.

"It's such a great sport. There is no other sport that is so much like a family," Schillig said. "The speed, the competiton, the cammeraderie is the best."

He said that the competition level in his classes is tough with the West brothers and he hopes to stay close to them this weekend. He competes in the SST45 tunnel-boat class.
Schillig said at his last race he had a problem with his motor and he said J.R. West gave him one of his backup motors to race.

"He gave me his motor, to compete against him," he said. "That kind of thing just doesn't happen in other sports."

The races should provide quiet a show for those coming out and he encourages anyone interested in power boat racing to come down to the pits and meet other racers.

"The Forebay is awesome and being the hometown boy is real nice," he said. "But there is no homefield advantage when racing against this caliber of competition."

Hydroplane and runabout classes from the kid's-size "Junior Class" hydroplanes up through the 100+ mph, thundering "Crackerbox" two-driver inboard class and the super-sleek capsule tunnel boats, will join the powerful, shrieking "D" modified classes at the Forebay.

The hulls are made with a variety of materials from carbon fiber, kevlar and wood. They run two-cycle super stoke 45 cc engines with a variety of configurations on the three-blade props.

For the Forebay, Schillig said the longer course will require the longer course props versus the short course props.

The boats can accelerate from 0-75 mph in under eight seconds and can pull up to 4 G's in tight turns.

Drew Jeppessen, from Yuba City, said that he's only been racing for two years, but that the Forebay is his favorite place to compete.

"It's clean, clear, cold water. The temperature really helps with the speed," Jeppessen said. "Its (the Forebay) the best set up in Northern California."

Jeppessen said he got into racing because his wife is a third generation racer. Her grandfather raced in the 50s and she and her father both race.

He will be racing a "C" stock runabout which requires more technical skills to drive than hydroplanes.

"The hydro with the same kind of engine could get more speed, but the runabout is more technical," Jeppessen said. "I decided I wanted to gain the skills and then I could drive anything."

Jeppessen said that the Forebay is where he comes to test his boat anytime he has a new toy.

As for this coming race, Jeppessen said he knows he has one of the fastest boats in the region and is looking forward to matching up against the out-of-state competition.

"I've been doing pretty decent this year, but I've been a little hampered in my starts," he said. "But I have a fast boat. I don't have to have great start."

All the racers are hoping for a good turnout and expect to provide high-speed fun for everyone in attendance. Admission is free and vendors will be there providing food and drinks.

"The last three years, I've seen the same guy and his family. We have some fan base," Jeppessen said.

The family oriented style of power boat racing isn't just for the spectators, but most of the racers come from racing families.

Lonnie Morris, from Stockton, grew up in a racing family and has his whole family racing as well.

"My brothers, wife, son, we all race," he said. "The whole region is a great big family."

Morris said he used to race motorcycles, but that made his mom nervous so he switched to boats.

Tony Lombardo, 19 from Concord, has been racing boats since he was 14 and will be racing a number of classes at the Forebay.

He will compete in the OSY "C" stock hydro, 20ss hydro, formula "E" runabout, formula "A" hyrdo, formula "A" runabout, "A" stock runabout and "A" stock hydro.

"I'm one of those guys that runs just about everything," he said. "I love it to death. The last guy I worked for raced and I went and helped out. Then I got in a boat and fell in love with it."

This will be Lombardo's fourth year racing in Oroville and he said he likes the course because of the weather and the size.

"It always has the best weather and it's big compared to the other courses," he said. "The wind lays down good and we have it set up for a record course. It's fast water."

The Western Divisional Championships will attract racers from all over California, Oregon, Washington and Arizona. The racers get double points in the division and winners will receive an automatic bid in the upcoming nationals.

Racers will be allowed to set up and test their boats on Friday afternoon, beginning at 1 p.m. The official races are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m. both days, and running through approximately 4:30 p.m. Admission is free, and food and refreshment vendors will be at the event.