Hydroplane Races
Candy Pollard

The HOTTEST SHOW ON H2O is racing into eastern Ontario! Leisure Days RV Centre in Alexandria presents the LONG SAULT HYDROPLANE REGATTA which promises to thrill thousands with high speeds and fire breathing engines. In all more than 110 hydroplanes will compete at Mille Roches Beach, on the Long Sault Parkway in Long Sault, Ontario on Saturday and Sunday, September 6 and 7.

Named the “Race of the Year” by the Canadian Power Boating Federation, the Long Sault Regatta will be the last, and deciding race for the Grand Prix class – the fastest automotive class in the world. The 1.5 and 2.5 litre inboard classes could also be sealed with strong performances from the current leaders. The program has been modified this year to reduce the downtime between the inboard and outboard classes. According to co-promoter Bob Abbott, “the junior outboards racing prior to the inboard class will ensure a fast paced, and exciting race weekend.” The combination of both inboard and outboard hydroplanes allows the showing of more than 15 different classes of outboards and three classes of inboards that will fill the program with 30 races per day. Abbott added, "The 2008 Long Sault Hydroplane Regatta will be the best one yet. We have more boats, bigger boats, plus lots of opportunities for visitors to get up close to the hydroplanes and to speak with the pilots and see for themselves what makes this event one of the most exciting in the region."

Race classes include:
Grand Prix Class - Fastest automotive powered class in the world.
5 litre stock - Reach speeds of 185 km/h. Boats race extremely close together.
2.5 litre stock - Very exciting side-by-side racing using pump gas and 4 cylinder Ford engines.
1.5 litre stock - Popular and small, these hydroplanes can reach speeds of 150 km/hour and are powered by Toyota four cylinder engines.

New this year, an autograph session will be held after the race Saturday for all race enthusiasts to meet the hydroplane pilots and team members located next to the Sleeman’s beer tent. Visit vendor’s lane for a variety of food and beverage services.

Tickets are just $12 per person or $20 for a weekend pass. Special rates for campers at any of The St. Lawrence Parks Commission’s campgrounds: $10 per person or $15 for a weekend pass, children under 12 are FREE. Fees include day-use entry to the park.

TO BUY TICKETS OR MAKE CAMPING RESERVATIONS: Call 1-800-437-2233 or 613-543-4328 locally or buy tickets on line at www.longsaultregatta.com Cornwall hotel sponsors The Best Western Parkway Inn, Comfort Inn and First Canada Inn are offering special hydroplane weekend packages - visit www.longsaultregatta.com for more details.

The organizing committee is made up of representatives from Cornwall & Seaway Valley Tourism, The St. Lawrence Parks Commission, Township of South Stormont and Township of South Dundas, as well as Régates de Valleyfield; these organizations formed a consortium and have taken a joint approach to growing the Long Sault Hydroplane Regatta into a much larger event.

Promoter Bob Abbott stated that the assistance from co promoters Valleyfield Regatta, is essential as the organization of such an event “demands a great deal of time and expertise.” According to Michel Poirier, General Manager of Valleyfield Regatta, his staff will ensure the smooth running of each race in all inboard classes, as well as the financing of this event. “Our objective is to help develop new sites for hydroplane racing to further develop this sport,” said Poirier.

For information on other news and upcoming events in Cornwall and Seaway Valley, click on the following links:

• Other Candy Reports
• Calendar of Events