APBA Western Divisional hydro races run August 12-13

PATEROS – The American Power Boat Association’s Western Divisional Championships hydro races will chew up the surface of Lake Pateros this Saturday and Sunday, August 12-13, as drivers compete in three and possibly more classes of inboard 

“We should have one litre, 2.5 litre stock, five litre, and possibly 2.5 litre modified exhibition,” said race spokesman, Julie Porter.

An added feature to the races this year is the APBA school boat, Porter said. The school boat involves a project where youngsters interested in getting involved in the sport can sign up online and learn all about building and driving a hydro. Once students complete the requisite training and qualifications they actually get an opportunity to pilot the school boat, Porter said.

Interested students can learn more by logging onto APBA.org.

“It’s helping us bring new faces to the sport,” said Porter, a Manson resident who has been involved with the hydro set for more than 20 years, 10 of those with the Pateros hydro races.

Porter serves as the “right-hand person” to race director, Tim Hamilton, and in that capacity helps to recruit sponsors for racing events.

Competition should start at about 11 a.m. both days, Porter said and hopes that this year’s division championships will attract more than the 50 to 60 boats that competed last year.