Regatta returns to Connelly Park this weekend
The Solar Cup begins today as three days of Grand Prix boat racing takes place at Connelly Park.
MOSES LAKE - The Grand Prix West Hydroplanes will roar into Moses Lake's 7th Annual "Papa's Casino Presents The Moses Lake Regatta at Connelly Park" newly titled "The Solar Cup" presented by MLIRD starting today.
The event will take place throughout the weekend.
"The Solar Cup 2011" presented by the Moses Lake Irrigation & Rehabilitation District aka "Moses Lake Regatta" will host the American Power Boat Associations (APBA) inboard hydroplane class commonly known as the Grand Prix West ("GPW"). As in the past and more often known as the "Grand Prix's" these boats thrill race fans with their super-charged big block deck to deck spectacles and ear splitting thunderous roar which can be literally heard for miles around. The Grand Prix West Hydroplanes will be competing at several around the nation for the 2011 campaign.
The roar of finely-tuned race engines will once again echo across the Moses Lake desert when the American Power Boat Association (APBA) Grand Prix' Hydroplanes return for their annual visit. The Grand Prix West will also be celebrating at Sporty's on Saturday night beginning at 7 p.m.
Grand Prix's (GP's) feature supercharged big-block engines producing as much as 1500 horsepower, and the 20-26-foot craft attain speeds in excess of 160 miles-per-hour in the straight-a-ways with lap averages approaching 130 mph. Long a premier class on the east coast of North America, 'Grand Prix West' is the first club to organize GP racing on the west coast and consists mostly, but not exclusively, of west coast teams. This new club also boasts enthusiastic membership from across the country.
Moses Lake will be the 2011 inaugural GPW race and some testing as well, though most of the participants have long competed together within the APBA and other organizations. 2010 saw a sneak preview when the GPW boats were invited to run in conjunction with the turbine-powered H1 Unlimited Hydroplanes at the prestigious San Diego Bayfair, World Series Of Powerboat Racing. Garnering rave reviews, the GPW boats not only provided the "thunder", they earned a return engagement. The park opens at 9 a.m. alll weekend and admission is $3, children under 12 free.
HOPP NOTES: Hopp Racing announced today they have secured Peters & May USA as a sponsor for the GP-15's campaign for the entire 2011 Grand Prix West Hydroplane Racing Series.
The Peters & May GP-15 begins the 2011 campaign this weekend in Moses Lake.
Piloting the Grand Prix West hydro is a family affair as father and son Jerry and Greg share the driving duties as Greg also has duties on the Leland Unlimited U-100 as part of the H1 Unlimited fleet.
According to Jerry "We are thrilled to join the Peters & May Racing family and it's an honor to fly the boat under their globally respected marine colors."
Peters & May is no stranger to powerboat racing. The company ships many racing yachts, boats worldwide and are transporting arm of the H1 Unlimited for all offshore racing activities. In addition to shipping race teams, Peters and May ships boats for consumers, manufacturers and dealers by sea, air, and road.
Dave Holley, CEO of Peters & May said, "We are very pleased to announce our partnership with Jerry and Greg Hopp and the entire GP-15 Hopp Racing family."
Although Peters & May's involvement with hydroplanes is relatively new, they are keen to show their support for this incredible series.
"To be associated with Greg and Jerry and the Hopp Racing family is a true privilege," Holley said. "Not only as they are one of the fastest, loudest Grand Prix hydroplanes but also I am sure that come race day, 'Miss Peters & May' will be extremely competitive."
Peters & May provides worldwide yacht transportation services to over 5.000 vessels each year via sea, road, rail and air - to any global destination.
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