(Tuesday, July 13, 2010) Harrison Township may switch its moniker from Boat Town to Powerboat Town this weekend with the arrival of the Offshore Powerboat Association Racing Series that will take over parts of Lake St. Clair.
With a variety of meet-the-racers events and celebrations leading up to Sunday’s event, the boating community is geared up to see multimillion-dollar vessels competing in speeds above 100 mph.
“These races are a real stimulus package for this area,” said Karen Shaw, manager of Beacon Cove Marina. “There will be a lot of people coming to town, which helps the gas stations, the bars and the marinas.”
Harrison Township is one of eight communities along the race series schedule, although a couple of stops in Mississippi and Alabama have been canceled due to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
The tour, which opened May 28 in Ocean City, Md., also hits St. Clair County next weekend. On average, there are 40 boats competing in the races.
Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA) Director Louie Giancontieri said race officials have been impressed with the turnout for races along Lake St. Clair in the past two years.
“The best thing about this event is it’s very inexpensive family entertainment,” he said. “The OPA prides itself on our racers being approachable to the public for anyone who wants to take pictures with the boats or meet the drivers.”
The tepid economy has taken its toll on powerboat racing, but the OPA was able to gain a major national sponsor when the Geico insurance company came onboard.
Also, for the first time, the Lake St. Clair race will be videotaped by the Versus cable television network that will air highlights of series races beginning Nov. 14 and continue to run on consecutive Sundays through Jan. 2.
In addition to the national sponsors, Beacon Cove Marina and River Rat restaurant are the primary local sponsors.
“This started a couple of years ago when the OPA was in St. Clair and some of their people were in town,” said Jimmy Tamburinni of the River Rat. “We saw the potential right there to bring these races to Harrison Township.”
Tamburinni said future plans call for a festival to accompany the races, with Jefferson Avenue being closed between Ballard and Crocker for carnival rides, powerboat displays and other activities.
Racing begins at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, but there are other powerboat events before then including:
Powerboats arrive Friday at Beacon Cove on Jefferson south of Crocker. A live concert by Hazel Park country-rocker JoCaine will be held at 7 p.m. A Meet-the-Racers party will also be held at 7 p.m. at River Rat on South River Road.
On Saturday, boats will be testing the water starting at noon and boats will be on display all day at Beacon Cove. A live DJ will play music from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tampa Ted & the Blue Knights perform from 6 to 10 p.m. There is no charge to attend.
On Sunday, admission is $10 at Beacon Cove to watch the races and have access to dry pits. The Groove Council performs at 4 p.m. and the awards ceremony takes place at 6 p.m.
