Fast boats hit river

Joe Pacheco

Friday, June 4, 2004 | 9:58 a.m.

Five classes of boats, including the high-powered Superstocks, will take to the Colorado River near Laughlin for the Laughlin River Days races Saturday and Sunday. The racing will be at Davis Camp, just north of the bridge.

The Superstocks are the fastest class of racing boats. They measure 17-20 feet in length and are powered by a stock V-8 automobile engine that allows them to reach speeds of 110 mph.

Stars of the Superstock series include Ty Newton, who drives for the Faulkner racing team. He will be challenged by the Poor Investment team of Dave Bryant and Dan Neal.

The other boat classes are Cracker Box, Western Formula Lights, Grand Nationals and Personal Watercraft.

The Cracker Box boats are the oldest consistent design in the American Power Boat Association (APBA), dating back to the 1930s. They are the only group that features a two-member crew -- a driver and a rider. The rider is responsible for maintaining all the gauges and acting as a spotter. These boats reach speeds of 105 mph.

The defending champ for this series is Jerry Ross. Ross drives P69, called "The Enemy." He will be challenged by Danny Mang and Steve Tustison.

New to the events this year will be the Formula Light boats. These boats are fully encapsulated, 13-foot long tunnel boats. Formula Light boats reach speeds of 85-90 mph.

In the Formula Light series, the Love brothers, Spencer and Shawn, will look to continue their dominance over the 2003 series champ, R.J. West. West will be driving the No. 45 Hooters boat. Shawn drives the No. 12. Spencer drives the No. 24.

Making an appearance for the second consecutive year will be the Grand Nationals. These are semi-v bottomed inboard powered boats that reach speeds well in excess of 100 mph.

The Grand National series features defending national champion Doug Lightfoot.

Water conditions will play a major factor.

"The currents are swift," said race coordinator Ross Wallach. "The drivers have to be on their toes. It's notoriously treacherous. Heat will play a factor as well."

The events will kick off tonight with a VIP driver's party at the River Palms hotel from 6-9:30 p.m. The event is free. Drivers will be signing autographs and giving away posters at no extra charge.

A vendor village at the races will offer everything food, clothing and other items. There will be a raffle with prizes that include VIP tickets to the races and a grand prize trip for two to a powerboat race in San Diego. Entertainment will include music and a two-day bikini contest.

Adjacent to the vendor village will be the racing pits where fans can get an up-close view of the powerboats and have an opportunity to meet the racing crew and driver and get their autographs.

This year, for the first time, spectators will be allowed to get into the water and cool off in special areas for 15 minutes at a time.

Tickets are $11 each day. Children 10 and under are $6. VIP tickets are available for $38. VIP tickets include preferred seating and admission to a catered hospitality tent. Tickets can be purchased at the gate during race days or purchased in advance by calling 1-800-308-2253 or by visiting www.laughlinchamber.com.

"There is going to be a lot of racing action," said Source One's Branan Allison. "There is going to be something for everybody. It's going to be a festive environment."