HPBCANADA.COM

This event has come back to life thanks to new racers.

The event is hosted by the OPA:
http://www.oparacing.org/race4.html

2 new Ontario teams will be there, one new USA team, plus my boat and Mark Hodorek from Michigan. Will be a great with all the new people learning the ropes.

Racing for the ThunderCats takes place in Ontario. I believe the swim test required to be taken prior to racing is done in Port Huron, so a passport is required (update, Good news, passport not required if on a race team as per Steve's comments below).

No entry fee, no membership fees... free food and drink, free camping... race, have fun! A good warm up for Dunnville.

Contact for more information:
Mark Hodorek
markhodorek@yahoo.com
586-925-5164

Great news Andrew. I just talked to Mark Hoderek. The OPA registration and swim test is in Port Huron, MI. If your names are on the OPA customs manifest, passports are not required. This appies to drivers, co-drivers and crews if they are crossing the border. I understand that if boats show up Saturday, an demo event can be coordinated on Saturday as well. Work directly with Mark Hoderek about details on the schedule, registration, manifest names, etc.
Good Luck. We had a blast last year in Sarnia, they treated us like gold.

I'm still waiting to see if my brother can clear his schedule to be my co-pilot, but at this point I still need someone... if anyone is interested in being back up let me know.

details as I understand it - weekend race is free...
free camping
free food
free membership
free entry
free concerts
free party

I can provide all safety gear for medium-large person, even helmet if you fit a medium. Only need a regular PDF and helmet for this race, but I have everything if it fits you.

Can go on Saturday and practice. Or can leave at 5:30 am Sunday from 401/Missisauga Rd car pool lot and day trip it.

Ideally someone under 165 lbs... but I'm getting desperate, so let me know.

If you've never been in one, no porblem... easy to learn.

Any questions, feel free to ask... andrew4ce@gmail.com

Sarnia Bay Marina
http://www.sarniabaymarina.com/index.php?page_id=31

wake board ride
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVwTVfEQVbo

Centennial Park Boat Ramp
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=centenni ... 01,,1,7.56

The Belle River guy with the Mako/Yamaha 70 may have a friend who will co-pilot
Warren Williams 1-519-903-2573

He's been asked.

Graham moved from 50% to 90% this afternoon. So fingers crossed.

30,000 spectators last year.

http://www.theobserver.ca/2012/05/08/mo ... boat-races

Any organization interested in becoming part of this exciting event should contact Dave Brown at 1-800-265-0330.

may also be on TSN, televised
http://www.theobserver.ca/2012/05/04/ge ... powerboats

This was a fun event, with a little room for improvement on the ThunderCat side.. but we were a side show and knew that... so most little glitches were to be expected.

Stats from the paper:
40,000+ plus spectators.
27 Offshore boats
3 ThunderCats
4 Jetskis

It will be aired on FOX Sports if you get that.

We had lots of water time... Four 5 lap heats on Canada side right in front of VIP grand stands, two 5 laps heats on USA side in front of VIP grandstands.

We had lots of free food and drink and they gave us hotel deals and $60 in our pockets for gas.

We were well received and they were happy and hope to do more next year it sounded like.

The fans seemed to quite enjoy it as were were very close to them, within 10 feet several times some of the drivers running along the breakwalls.

We got a new racer out of the weekend two. He had some minor motor issues that he hopes to resolve in time to come to Dunnville. He and his co-pilot are definately hooked.

I found a couple pictures from the Sarnia race online... no action or crowd shots though unfortunately.

Also the TV air dates of the shows will be on Fox Sport Network starting Wednesday October 17th, at 5pm EST. Then every Wednesday at 5pm EST. Oct 24 is the Sarnia race... I highly doubt there is TV coverage of the ThunderCats, but the helicopter was out there some, I waived, haha, so never know.

October 17 St Clair River Classic Offshore Race
October 24 International Offshore Powerboat Race
October 31 Solomons Offshore Grand Prix
November 7 World Offshore Championship (part 1)
November 14 World Offshore Championship (part 2)