NEW MARTINSVILLE-After an absence of nine years, power boat racing will be showcased on the Ohio River next weekend in New Martinsville.
The New Martinsville Power Boat Records Challenge will be held Saturday and Sunday at the site of the old New Martinsville Regatta which was staged from 1938-2003. Some 63 national and world records were set at the New Martinsville course.
Racers will be seeking to set records over a quarter-mile straightaway course, which the sanctioning American Power Boat Association recently allowed for new standards. The old Regatta race course was one kilometer. The new distance will guarantee records will be set by the first boats running in each of the three categories. There could be as many as 30 boats competing in a total of 25 classes. Categories include Stock, Mod, Pro, Inboard, OPC, Offshore and Junior Class.
The racers can qualify of the prestigious APBA Hall of Champions by winning a championship or setting a new record.
Some of the early entries include Indiana's Ed Hearn, a record holder with 23 nominations to the Hall of Champions; Maryland veteran Larry Lautterbuch, a championship competitor; and the father-son Florida duo of Rob and Terry Rinker, defending champions in two classes and members of the Hall of Champions.
Boats could begin racing at 7 a.m. each morning, depending on weather conditions.
Other information is available from Sherron Winer at 304-455-2049 or Deanna McConaughey at 304-455-2475.
