Chase The Grapes Shootout debuts new hydro race venue

BREWSTER – A new four-race hydroplane event will debut in the Upper Columbia’s heart of wine country on April 30 when racers in eight classes of boats compete in Chelan in a winner take all Chase The Grapes shootout.

Billed as the Norm Evans Apple Cup Regatta in Chelan, the Chase The Grapes Shootout will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and feature some 50 teams from around the Northwest Region (Region 10).

Pateros hydro booster George Pearson addressed the regular monthly meeting of the Brewster city Council last Thursday, April 21, with details about the four-stage event that will also include Pateros, Brewster, and Manson.

Stage 1: Chelan April 30-May 1

Stage 2: Pateros August 27-28

Stage 3: Brewster Sept. 10-11

Stage 4: Manson, Sept. 24-25

Pearson said spectators are invited to Chelan on Friday night, April 29, when the south block of Woodin Avenue will be shut down as the boats are brought in prior to race day. The Chelan event will also include static displays plus appearances by former champions promoting the history of hydroplane racing.

Racing points will be accumulated separately from American Power Boat Association (APBA) national points beginning with the Chelan race and ending in Manson. Haglund’s Trophies in Wenatchee will provide racing trophies after points are tallied following the final race in Manson.

Pearson explained that a separate class of outboards called J Stock Boats that feature young drivers from age nine and up will race at the Chelan and Pateros stages and may or may not appear at Brewster. Pearson said he is discussing the J Stock appearance with former Miss Pateros owner/driver Brandon Cushing, now retired, who owns several J Stocks. Cushing’s son is getting his start in J Stocks as a fourth-generation driver in the family.

Pearson said the racing teams are excited about the new events in the Upper Columbia region because the sport is rapidly losing racing venues on the west side of the state.