Hydro races come to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Hydroplane racers from throughout the United States will head to Moses Lake for the 5th annual Papa’s Casino Moses Lake Regatta this weekend at Connelly Park.

The hydroplane races have grown consistently in each of the past four years and Moses Lake Race Chairman Ana Cappelletti said the annual event is an exciting family-friendly activity.

“It’s growing every year. More people are hearing about the races in Moses Lake and everybody is coming to watch and getting excited about it,” she said. “We want to put on a great show and we want to put Moses Lake on the map.”

The two-day event will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning with racers driving around a mile-and-a-quarter long track. Sunday’s races will take place on a mile-long record course and multiple boat sizes will be competing, Cappelletti said.

“We have boats ranging from the One Liter class to the Gran Prix class,” she said. “Gran Prix is a class below unlimited. Gran Prix (boats) can go about 180 (miles per hour) on the straight-a-ways.”

After Saturday’s racing, the hydroplane pits will be open to the general public, Cappelletti said.

“We are going to have the first annual Cracklefest,” she said. “We are going to start all of the boats up at the same time and give everybody a chance to get a taste of what it sounds like to have all of the boats start at the same time.”

The Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District will charge $3 to attend each day of the event and children 12 and under will be admitted free.

“Hopefully everybody will want to come out and watch some great racing,” she said.

The GP 18 boat will be conducting a food drive for the Moses Lake Food Bank during the weekend event and those in attendance are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items.

Cappelletti said the annual Papa’s Casino Moses Lake Regatta is an opportunity to enjoy some of what the Columbia Basin has to offer.

“It’s going to be great weather and great racing,” she said. “We look to get family and friends out there to have a good time.”

The gates at Connelly Park will open at 8 a.m. each morning.