Oroville Mercury-Register

June 7, 2007
Section: Local

Power Boat racing comes to Oroville

Bridget Bowers / Sports Writer

The Thermalito Forebay will be the focus of the American Power Boat Association's hydroplanes for the Western Divisional Championships and will attract racers from all over the western states for the competition June 15-17. The divisional championship is a prized title and guarantees the winner a spot in this year's National Championship race in six weeks. A slot in the Nationals is coveted since there are over 50 boats that compete for only 12 slots.

The race also features double points and racers Troy Christie and Lonnie Morris said it is an important race.

Troy Christie enters his fifth year of racing and will be piloting boats in both the hydroplane and the roundabout classes.

"Racing has been in my family for many years. I have cousins that have been racing since they were six or seven years old," he said. "I'd been missing out."

The modified "D" classes will be looking to grab the double points and are pleased to have this race in the west. Morris said that the east coast and west coast have a David vs. Goliath competition going.

"They have like three or four drivers for each one we have on the west coast," he said. "It's big that this year this race is being held here in California. It will give us a chance to show those east coast guys that we can rack up the points, too."

Morris has been racing for 25 years. He got into racing because his father raced for 15-20 years and is own's the "All-Marine" racing team with his wife. "All-Marine" will be bringing nine boats to the competition.

Morris will be piloting "D" modified hydros, "D" modified runabouts, "C" modified runabouts.

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 to settle the big titles for 2007 at the Forebay.

"Racers are expected from California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona; and we always seem to attract a few teams from the Midwest who come with hopes to steal our championships," said Kenn Christie.

Christie and his son, Troy, are one of the teams from the Northern California Outboard Association.

They operate their race team out of San Jose. The East Bay Boat Club, which the Christies' "Team C-101" also belong to, is equally co-sponsoring the championship race with the NCOA.

"Half of our entries will be Californians, most of those from the greater Stockton, Sacramento, and a couple of them from the Chico-Oroville area," Kenn Christie said. "We're very excited to host this event. There will be a really thrilling race where local area teams who have never raced a boat, will compete in a challenge from another local beginner team. This is really hot stuff to us. It's the class that was the start for many of our newer drivers' careers. These start-up guys and gals of ours have gone on to eventually claim major titles across the country in bigger and faster stuff."

Just last year, the world's unlimited hydroplane speed record was set by the "Miss Budweiser," going 227 mph with that aircraft jet engine, right here on the adjoining Thermalito Afterbay.

Earlier this year, the two-man 1100 cc racing runabout national speed record was set right here by Terry Klemm of Stockton. He flew his small 13-foot runabout with a deck-riding mechanic holding on, to a speed over 112 mph while on their knees and straining to hold onto the throttle and wheel.

Morris said that the course at the Forebay is one of the best in the state. From the facilities for the spectators to the longer course and higher speeds, Oroville is a favorite stop.

"We were able to get the course certified at a three-quarter mile record," Morris said.

"That's big. It's a beautiful facility. The lake is great. I've been racing in Oroville since the 80's."

With the ability to cut the Forebay off to pleasure boats and restrict the access, Morris said it makes it great racing water.

"Waves are bad. A lot of pleasure boats can just flip those boats," he said. "Going 80 plus in a piece of plywood you can just catch a little air and flip you over backwards."

At the coming races, 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 remains free this year, and food and refreshment vendors will be at the event.

Spectators are encouraged to take the Grand Avenue exit from Highway 70 at the north edge of Oroville and follow it west about three miles to the dead-end. Turn right into the State Park entrance at Thermalito Forebay. Spectators will be allowed to tour the race boats.

Spectators are encouraged to bring portable chairs, as bleacher seating may overfill fairly early in the event.

For more information check out the Web site at www.orovilleboatraces.com.

Kenn Christie contributed to this article.

© 2007, Oroville Mercury-Register. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc.