Top Speed in Lake Tahoe
Advantage Marine, Pacific Offshore Rescue Team, and Vessel Assist worked on a plan to put together a slalom course that would help drivers hone their skills at running corners.
Jeff and Russ from Vessel Assist (Lake Tahoe) took the plan and put it into place. They used a sea anchor style, weighted buoy system for a perfect deep water course. It was simple to change and worked great.
POPRA 2012Series
LAKE TAHOE WORTHY RISK CHALLENGE!!!
OFFSHORE POWERBOAT RACING RETURNS TO
LAKE TAHOE June 21st Through June 24th, 2012
Tahoe City, CA (Saturday, August 06, 2011) - Offshore Powerboat Racing is returning to Lake Tahoe on June 21st Through June 24th, 2012 as the Inaugural Lake Tahoe Worthy Risk Challenge and Fun Run which will feature two different types of courses.
The Lake Tahoe event comprises of two (2) separate challenges -Saturday September 10th - The Worthy Risk Challenge will push every team to the edge in a sprint. The boats will run one at a time and be scored on total time, top speed and Best Combined to bring home the Trophy and checkered flags for all classes. At the end of the day the winning team will carry the Worthy Risk perpetual trophy home for a year!
Sunday, September 11th will feature the POPRA Tahoe Fun Run. The teams will be running a fifty (50) mile course around the lake.
The action both days will include a helicopter with video, safety, and still photos from the air. Shots and video will be available to all. Pacific Offshore Recue Team, a highly trained group of divers and medics will provide the safety coverage. Pioneer Boat Storage and Advantage Marine will host the Dry Pits in Truckee, CA.
The Offshore Powerboat Challenge will be hosted by the Pacific Offshore Power Boat Racing Association, the recognized leader in Offshore Powerboat racing on the west coast. Offshore race boats will compete from all over the U.S., ranging from 22 feet to over 50 feet and will hit speeds upwards of 150 MPH in some of the Pro classes.
The action starts Saturday, September 10th, with the teams competing in a three and a half (3 ½) mile sprint to achieve speed and handling domination over the rest of the teams. The awards will be given out in the evening at the party.
Sunday September 11th the Lake Tahoe Fun Run can test the skill and equipment of the most seasoned veteran as well as the novice racer over fifty (50) miles of the most beautiful shoreline anywhere in the world with the 50 mile test of endurance that can trace it’s roots to the very start of Tahoe Powerboat racing 100 years ago.
Lake Tahoe provides a wealth of family fun with great hotels, wonderful restaurants, and world famous parks of the Sierras. The casinos will be here for all of you that care to make a wager or catch a show. Lake Tahoe is a tourist destination for racers and race fans alike.
This event is meant to be a grass roots, or perhaps gas roots event, all are welcome. POPRA welcomes first-time racers to compete in the challenge. There will be a class for everyone, the fees are low and there are lots of prizes. For more information and an outline of rules log onto www.pacificoffshore.com.
The Pacific Offshore Powerboat Racing Association is one of the oldest offshore powerboat racing organization in the world. POPRA was incorporated in 1966 by the late Bob Nordskog, known around the world as the “Grandfather of Offshore Powerboat Racing”. The production of a POPRA event has a significant impact on the economy of the cities they visit in terms of tourist dollars in hotel, restaurant and retail sales from the racers and fans. POPRA draws participants from all over the U.S. and has produced races throughout the West Coast. Race sites include cities such as Lake Havasu, Long Beach, San Diego, Dana Point, Oceanside, Benecia, Pittsburg (Calif.), Ventura, San Francisco and Las Vegas (Lake Mead). (For more information: www.pacificoffshore.com )
Contact:
Brad Johnson, POPRA President
(530) 550-1638 or brad@pigironracing.com
Misty morning heat
As we enter our racing season & with the season opener behind us, I stop to think, “What is the true meaning of a Crew Chief” and what’s evolved in his (or her) job? I watch closely my team make the laps time after time, but only when the boat comes in from the race can I share my comments. I tell my driver & throttle man, in my opinion, what they did right but mostly what they did wrong! I tell them that they pulled back the throttle too soon when entering the corners or that they took the corners too wide! “You HAVE to cut those corners as tight as possible to the pins, without losing your speed!” “Use your tabs to slow down or accelerate faster out of the corners”; “Stay closer to the pin & put your boat between the other boats”; “Don’t let the other boats shut the door on you when approaching them by switching up your lane choice!”
Do these instructions help or do they bring down, tear down their confidence in their racing ability? Sometimes they say “you’re not out there, so you don’t know” or sometimes they say nothing at all. I feel I need to throw out as much information as possible, what they do with it is up to them. Is this the feeling of most crew chiefs or am I missing something? For those racers who do not use a crew chief, is the additional expense of getting yet another person to the race worth the information or help that person can potentially give to the team & riding crew.
On the other hand, there is so much more to my job than just to watch the race & give information to the riding crew. It’s about getting the boat & crew to the race. From a week before the race starts, or more, I’m focusing on spare parts for the boat, uniforms for the crew, accommodations, race fuel, checking the com gear for operation, packing the boat & hauler, making sure all the sponsors are on board (both verbally & in writing), checking that all sponsor’s stickers are on the boat & most importantly making sure that there’s enough money in the checking account to go as well as enough cash for on the road. Yea it seems like allot but it’s all worth it when you arrive. Oh once you arrive there’s more. Making sure we’ve got the best spot in the pits to showcase our sponsors, making sure all the sponsor’s flags are placed in the correct spots around the city (where they won’t get torn down), setting up camp in the pits so that it doesn’t look like a yard sale & the hardest, making sure the crew keeps moving. Every day getting up at 6 am to get to the drivers meeting, get to the physicals, getting to registration & making sure this all caught on tape & film. It’s hard to imagine this all for just 3 hours of running time, if you make it that far! About the only thing I’m not responsible for is making sure the boat runs. That is another job all in its self.
So, all the above is just a tip of the ice berg as far as my job is concerned, the rest is just pure fun!!!!
This weekend was the season opener of Pacific Offshore Powerboat Racing Association at Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The weather didn’t cooperate as nice as we would have liked but all in all it was a great weekend. There were approximately 6,200 people in attendance for both the race & Lake Havasu boat show.
Friday was the first day of racing excitement. The boats ran 2 heats of 30 miles each. It was cloudy and the temp was in the high 50’s making the water was rough & wild. Friday night was the “K & N Filter Texas Hold-em Poker Tournament”. There was a great turn out, about 100 people, as everyone looked forward to the possibility of winning the grand prize of a K & N cold air induction system. Those who don’t qualify to win the air induction system always have a chance of winning a $100 gift certificate from K & N Filters. Saturday we were not quite so lucky with the weather. The sky turned dark & though down some lightening bolts which sent out a black flag on the course. The boats all came back to shore and side-tided together to wait out the storm. About an hour & a half later the sky went blue & the boats resumed the race. The K & N Filter sponsored team of Pig Iron Racing took the checkered flag in P-4 class.
Pig Iron Racing uses K & N Filters on their boat & well as their boat hauler. All their support vehicles run K & N cold air induction systems, which helps add additional horse power needed to haul all the additional equipment needed. Extra parts are always needed in case of a boat engine failure. Brad Johnson, team owner, states he could not imagine running any other filters on his custom engines. He also adds, “Without the air induction systems we use it would be hard to make the big haul back home. Our shop is at 6,200 ft at Lake Tahoe, California. It’s hard on the vehicles engine making that climb with all the weight we carry.” Pacific Offshore & Pig Iron Racing wants to thank K & N Filters for their continued support.
The Lake Havasu Grand Prix, our season opener, is right around the corner. The OPA racers will be joining us in the race; many of them driving as far as New York and Florida. We will have some of the premier teams in the country joining us. We even have CRC Racing from Vancouver, WA and Martin Sanborn from Powerboat P1 USA running with Dan Davies’ Global Warmer Super V, who will be competing against Team Rockstar all the way from Florida! JBS Racing will be representing the turbine class.
This year POPRA is bringing something new….Lake Havasu Grand Prix will be sanctioned by the America Powerboat Association (APBA). APBA sanction means one thing to offshore racing…MORE BOATS! There will be boats from all over the United States competing in the High Points race for 2010. Offshore race boats from 24 feet to nearly 50 feet blazing across the waters. POPRA boats display speeds upwards of 150 MPH and you can witness it live!
Our event is in conjunction with The Desert Storm Poker Run, Produced by Jim Nichols at Lakeracer.com. This is the biggest poker run in the country. It bringing thousands of boats from all over and the largest crowds to the City of Lake Havasu annually. There will be a HUGE street party on Thursday, April 22; the greatest poker run on the river, Desert Storm, April 23; an APBA sanctioned speed run on April 24; and the Havasu Grand Prix offshore powerboat race on April 25. Last year’s crowds were estimated at over 100,000 people and this year looks to be even bigger!
We have a novel concept for you! Ever heard of TOW MONEY?? Well thanks to the Lake Havasu Visitors and Convention Bureau, you just MIGHT get some!! The LHCVCB has given us some money to help racers get there!! You have to act RIGHT NOW!! Not everyone will qualify!
Here’s how you qualify…
The first teams to pay their entry fees for the 2010 Lake Havasu Grand Prix will receive $27.50 per 100 miles…ROUND TRIP!! Every team who pays those fees early will qualify for this until the funds are gone!! There is a limited amount available, so don’t wait! Once the grant money is exhausted, the offer is cancelled for future entries. The ONLY way to qualify for this program, is to send your entry fees in…TODAY!!
Additional rules:
1. Mileage is will be rounded down to the closest 100 miles
2. Mileage will be calculated by Mapquest from the address of the Team registration, to the Nautical Inn in Lake Havasu, then doubled.
3. Recipient MUST be current on all membership fees with POPRA (if you’re not, send those in too!! One-Time racer entry fees are also eligible)
4. Race boat MUST cross the starting line, under its own power, to qualify for the reimbursement
5. Money will be paid out to the team at the awards ceremony on Sunday. Teams MUST be present at the awards ceremony to receive their reimbursement!
Remember…Once the money is gone, you’re out of luck!! Get your entries and annual fees in as early as possible! In fact, SEND IT IN, TODAY!!
We have opportunities to put your boat in the Street Party with tens of thousands of fans walking by. The Saturday Shootout and the Sunday Grand Prix will be live on air broadcast along with live streaming for the internet anywhere in the world, besides the 3,000 boats in the spectator fleet.
VIP packages are available with “On Course” viewing from the Dixie Bell paddle wheeler. The boat will be in the middle of the 5 mile course. You will have a great view of the entire course and all the boats battling for the lead. There will be appetizers and a full bar for your enjoyment.
Hello All,
Pig Iron racing is chasing after our fourth season as High Points Leader in Pacific Offshore. And specifically we are after our second checkered flag finish in the Lake Havasu Grand Prix. We still have sponsorship opportunities open for the 2010 season, for our team specifically as well as Pacific Offshore series sponsorships.
Pig Iron racing will be traveling 650 miles each way to Havasu on freeways through California, Nevada, and Arizona for this race. We will be on the water for the Make a Wish event. We have opportunity to put the boat in the Street Party with tens of thousands of fans walking by. The Saturday Shootout and the Sunday Grand Prix will be live on air broadcast along with live streaming for the internet anywhere in the world, besides the 3,000 boats in the spectator fleet.
As the President of Pacific Offshore, I will have the ability to put your banners, vendor booths, and representatives in the best positions to get your company exposed to thousands of fans. VIP packages are available with “On Course” viewing from the Dixie Bell paddle wheeler. The boat will be in the middle of the 5 mile course. You will have a great view of the entire course and all the boats battling for the lead. There will be appetizers and a full bar for your enjoyment.
We have many different sponsorship packages that can be tailored to fit your needs and budget. There are spots as low as $200 that include artwork placement on the boat and banners placed around the Race Village. If your budget has no room for a cash sponsorship, we will discuss a product sponsorship. Please give us a call to discuss a package for your company.
Lake Havasu
Offshore Grand Prix
April 22 - 25, 2010
This race will be run in conjunction with the Desert Storm Poker Run and Pacific Offshore Powerboat Race
Rev 3/1/10
Race Village
Nautical Inn 1000 McCulloch Blvd., Lake Havasu City, AZ, 86403
Accomodations
London Bridge Resort
Phone: 888-824-0369
Fax: 928-855-5404
London Bridge Resort
Contact: Jennifer
One Bedroom Suites: $209 per night
Two bedroom suites at $259 per night
Two Bedroom Deluxe Suites @ $279 (These are the rooms with the large roof top balconies)
Includes continental breakfast
Contact: Kristina Gallo
(800)835-2410
(928)855-7841
Contact: Dick Elewaut
(928) 855-7144
(800) 254-5611
(928) 855-5566
Includes hot breakfast every morning
(800)528-5169
(928)855-1111
(928) 855-8300
(888) 730-8300
Fully furnished condos, complete kitchens, pool, spa, BBQ grills, laundry. Close to beach & shopping. No pets.
Delivering a higher quality guest experience
www.lakehavasucity.hamptoninn.com
(928) 855-4071
(928) 855-2379 fax
www.havasuvacationrentals.com Ask for Jennette - 928 486-4904
www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/Lake-Havasu-Arizona.html
www.lake-havasu-arizona.com/house-rentals.php
Desert Storm Poker Run and Shootout
There will also be a Poker Run on Friday and Shootout on Saturday. Please click on this link for more information about those two events, in case you want to join the fun. Lake Racer LLC
Airports
Phoenix or Las Vegas are both about 2.5 hours away. Havasu City also has a municipal Airport
Racer Information / Things to Know
Registration Nautical Inn See signs in lobby
Race Village Nautical Inn
Driver’s Meetings Nautical Inn See Signs in Lobby
Physicals Nautical Inn Mandatory for all Drivers
Dunker No Dunker In Havasu!!
Testing Medical and Rescue coverage on Saturday, April 24 12am -1:30 PM You must check in & out with Race Control and monitor channel VHF 78A.
Aircraft FLZ Forward LZ Site T.B.A. Contact Safety Director Scott Arden 562-755-8732
Awards Ceremony Nautical Inn
Pre Awards Mixer Nautical Inn
Dress Code Please maintain a Professional Appearance at all times. Team Uniforms are Required at all POPRA official functions, meetings and events.
Safe Conduct Safe conduct is imperative at all times. Please observe all rules and posted signs. You are a professional, please conduct yourself professionally. No unauthorized persons will be allowed in the hot or wet pits without the proper arm band and correct clothing. No Open Toe Shoes, failure to comply with written rules will be subject to personal and team fines and/or penalties.
Helmets There is a state helmet law, if you are going off the marina property, you need a helmet.
Wash Down Area In Race Village
Lake Havasu Grand Prix
SCHEDULES / MEETINGS
Wednesday April 21, 2010
900am-6:00pm Village Open - Nautical Inn
TBA Make a wish event TBA
Thursday April 22, 2010
9:00am-6:00pm Race Village Open - Nautical Inn Address:
9:00am- 12:00pm Park the boats on Main Street - Vendor booth setup. Contact (602)863- 3713 to display your boat, Must be a registered participant or sponsor. (Limited # of Boats, call for your spot)
12:00pm- 9:30pm Main Street Boat Show and Street Party (Open to everyone)
Registration for the Desert Storm Poker Run and/or Shootout on McCulloch will be across from the Mad Dogs Saloon. Look for the LakeRacer Motor home.
Friday April 23, 2010
7am POPRA officials and officers meeting / breakfast
9am-4pm Inspections open Race Village
9am-4pm Racer Registration and Will Call Area open @ TBA
9am-4pm Patrol Boats sign in at Registration
10am-6pm Race Village open to the public
3:30pm Rig / Truck Drivers Meeting @ TBA
5pm Drivers’ Meeting Mandatory for all categories @ TBA
6:30pm-9:30pm Meet the Racers Party @ TBA (Lakeracer party at the Nautical cove)
Saturday April 24, 2010 (Times in blue are for the Shootout)
6:00am Safety Teams to set course buoys and Safety boats will patrol and maintain secure course perimeter and spectator lanes for the Shootout.
8:00am Shootout Driver’s meeting
8:30am Tech inspection begin at starting line houseboat for Shootout
9:00am-9:30am POPRA Practice Drivers’ Meeting
9:00am-12:00pm Shootout - Thompson Bay
9am-4pm Racer Registration and Will Call open Nautical Inn
9:00am- 12:00pm Shootout - Thompson Bay
10am Patrol Boats meeting
11:00am Safety Teams to set course buoys and Safety boats will patrol and maintain safe and secure course perimeter and spectator lanes for the Practice Course in the North Bay
10am-6pm Race Village open to the public
11:00am-2:30pm Cranes Open (Tentative)
12 pm-1:30pm POPRA Race Control open
12 pm-1:30 pm Insured Testing w/ Med & Rescue coverage (VHF 78A)
1:30pm All Practice Course buoys are removed from water
1:30 pm-3:30 pm Team Photos
1:30pm-4:00pm Shootout Continues - Thompson Bay
5:00pm All Shootout Course buoys are removed from water
6:00pm-9:00pm Meet the Racers Party @ Nautical Inn (TBA)
Sunday April 25, 2010
7:30am-8:30am Racer Physicals @TBA
8:30am-8:55am Chapel - Same location as driver’s meeting
8:00am- 3:00pm Cranes Open (Tentative)
9:00am Drivers’ Meeting, (mandatory) Nautical Inn
9:00am Patrol boats/ Pilot’s Meeting FLZ Nautical Inn
9:30am Safety Teams will deploy the course buoys and Safety boats will setup and patrol positions to maintain safe and secured course perimeter and spectator lanes for the Race Course in Thompson Bay
10:00am-4:00pm Race Village open to the public
10:00am-2:00pm Dixie Bell on course (includes travel time)
10am-3:15pm POPRA Race Control Open
10:30am London Bridge to course Parade
11:00pm-1:00pm POPRA Powerboat Race
1:00pm All POPRA Course buoys are removed from water
2:00pm Awards -@ The Nautical Inn
Boats will have fueled at local retail gas stations or the marina, no private fueling on the water.
Each boat must supply vessel top speed and event intended speed.
Depending on intended speed, the following restrictions apply; maximum of three people in each boat, all persons limited to 18 years of age and older, each must be wearing appropriate life jackets.
All Race Boats must wear appropriate safety gear, life jackets and helmets.
VHF Radio is required (78A)
Racer Information
Event Entry Fees
Canopy Classes $1000.00
P1 - P4 Classes $600.00
P5 - P6 Classes $500.00
Official 2010 Forms
All Official POPRA 2010 Forms can be downloaded from the POPRA Web Site. (which will be updated by the March 15th)
Official 2010 POPRA Rules
The POPRA 2010 General and Technical Rules will be in effect. The 2010 Rules with new updates can be found on the official POPRA web site. (which will be updated by March 15th)
Brad Johnson President
Tom Brunner Vice President Race Operations
Troy Juve Vice President
Carolyn Lindenburger Secretary
Rodney Chinn Treasurer
Pat Weismann Northern California Representative
Trevor Rebolo Southern California Representative
Scott Arden Safety Director
Chad Christianson Race Control
Kaitlyne Carleton Chief Scorer
Event Producers - Desert Storm and POPRA
Brad Johnson Race Co-Producer 530-525-1638
Jim Nichols Race Co-Producer 602-578-5975
Race Course Coordinates
Turn 1 34*27′37.78″N 114*20′35.69″W
Turn 2 34*27′32.49″N 114*20′46.44″W
Turn 3 34*27′06.05″N 114*20′37.00″W
Turn 4 34*26′59.21″N 114*20′08.84″W
Turn 5 34*26′03.78″N 114*19′22.06″W
Turn 6 34*25′54.93″N 114*19′03.28″W
Practice Course Coordinates
Turn 1 34*28′30.99″N 114*22′10.59″W
Turn 2 34*28′41.54″N 114*22′34.03″W
Turn 3 34*27′23.77″N 114*22′50.59″W