Inboards return for two-day Pateros Hydro Classic this weekend August 18-19

PATEROS – Inboard hydros will rule the waves once again on Lake Pateros this Saturday and Sunday, August 18-19, as the Pateros Hydro Classic/Terry Troxell Memorial Regatta returns for a two-day run of high-octane fun. Unlike last year, this running of the Classic will not have to compete with the Omak Stampede.
Tim Hamilton, race chairman of the Tacoma Inboard Racing Association, said he expects some 45 boats in several classes to turn out for this year’s race. The circuit draws boats from three groups. Along with the Tacoma Inboard, drivers also come from the Seattle Drag and Ski Sprint Boats Association, and the Seattle Inboard Racing Association.
“We’re about halfway through our season now,” said Hamilton, “and anybody competing for points or championships can’t afford to miss a race.”
The inboard season started on the last weekend of April on Lake Lawrence in Yelm. It will conclude on Lake Chelan at the Manson Hydro Fest on the last weekend of September.
Hamilton said the races started in 1993 and have come to Pateros every year except for a wildfire postponement a couple years back when the boats extended their season and finished in October.
When Hamilton doesn’t have his hands full running an event as he will be doing this weekend, he shares driving duties with the owner of the SE class Miss Dee based in Tacoma.
Back again this year will be the Miss Pateros, sponsored by the Pateros Chamber of Commerce and Thomason Law and Justice. Sporting a new paint job that was debuted at the Apple Pie Jamboree parade. The Miss Pateros will compete in the Sportsman Entry (SE) class and will be driven by Brandon Cushing from Kennewick.
Also making an appearance will be the vintage boat Country Girl, owned by Pateros resident Dale Burnison, who was instrumental in bringing the hydro races to Pateros.
Kip Brown of Black Diamond is the current leader in the SE class and finished second in last year’s Classic. Race classes include SE, Sport C, 1 Liter, 2.5 Stock, and 5 Liter.