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Ratickle
07-07-2013, 08:31 AM
H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Racing on USTREAM: The Worlds Fastest Boats racing channel. H1 TV. Racing (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/h1-unlimited-hydroplane-racing)

Ratickle
07-07-2013, 08:35 AM
The weather has not been cooperating!

MADISON, Ind. (WHAS11) -- The weather just doesn't want to cooperate with the Madison Regatta this weekend.

All of the rain we've seen over the past week has caused the Ohio River to rise and regatta officials have had to cancel all speedboat races and qualifying races for yesterday and today.

However the land and air events planned for the regatta are still on. They've opened the gates to allow for free admission on Saturday, July 6.

H1 drivers are there to sign autographs, you can get a close up look at the boats, there's live music and food. An air show and fireworks start Saturday at 10 p.m.

The plan is to do all the H1 Unlimited Hydroplane racing Sunday, July 7, but it will all depend on the water levels.

WHAS11.com | Video | WHAS11.com | News for Louisville, Kentucky (http://www.whas11.com/video?id=214488311&sec=1523711)

Ratickle
07-07-2013, 08:37 AM
Our Icon Steve's Ride

Hometown boat a big deal at Madison Regatta

Miss Madison still is Charlie Grooms' baby

MADISON, IND. — For 36 years, there has been one constant with the Miss Madison Unlimited Hydroplane racing boat.

That is Charlie Grooms, who started washing boat parts in 1977, when he was 15.

“I just started to volunteer,” Grooms said. “I thought racing was really cool. ... It has always been a part of my life.”

Now Grooms — who has enjoyed nearly every role with the racing team —is the team manager for the Oh Boy! Oberto Miss Madison boat. He is responsible for much of the day-to-day operation of the team, including such things as budgeting, sponsorships and personnel.

Other than the actual engines used in the boats, Grooms said there is little change in the sport over the years.

Grooms and the rest of the Miss Madison team are preparing for the highlight of their race season when the Lucas Oil Madison Regatta is scheduled to start Saturday (July 6) on the Ohio River.

With rains continuing this week in the area, postponement or even cancellation of the regatta is possible, race officials said Friday.

Officials will consult with the Army Corps of Engineers and the H1 Unlimited Hydroplane organization before announcing if racing will begin today or Sunday.

“Right now, anything is a possibility,” regatta media chairman Joe Hertz said. “The river is unpredictable right now. There will be a decision made no later than 9 a.m. (today).”

With a race scheduled for Detroit next weekend, a postponement slipping into Monday would be unlikely, Hertz said.

The rains could really put a damper on a weekend that Madison looks forward to all year.

“It’s homecoming week for our team,” said Grooms, who lives in Madison. “We have so many friends and family who will be coming to town for the race. They are coming from all over the country.”

The Madison Regatta is the beginning of a crucial stretch for the Miss Madison team. It’s the first of four races in a five-week period.

When he isn’t working with the team, Grooms is the director of human resources at Clifty Engineering & Tool. He explained how fortunate he is because the company allows him to spend time with his racing duties.

Grooms said he’ll continue with Miss Madison as long as his children — now 21 to 27 — enjoy the traveling. They often join him on trips to Seattle, Detroit and even the Middle East.

As he travels around the world, including Qatar, Grooms said he is amazed by one thing.

For many, many years, he’s had the same cell phone number. “For every single race — wherever I am — I always get a call from someone from Madison who wants a pass to see the race,” he said. “How they got my number? I have no clue.”

The Miss Madison boat is a community-owned boat and oldest continuously active team in Unlimited Hydroplane history for 53 straight years.

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/B2/20130705/SPORTS/307050113/Hometown-boat-big-deal-Madison-Regatta

Ratickle
07-07-2013, 04:41 PM
Crap, too bad...

MADISON, IND. — High water on the Ohio River has postponed the Madison Regatta hydroplanes.

The Madison Courier reports the Ohio River had inundated the entire pit area Sunday.

It was unclear if organizers would try to reschedule heats and finals. According to staff and wire reports, this is the first cancellation of the Governor’s Cup races in the event’s 63 years.

Organizers said Saturday that heavy rains in the area this week had kept the swollen river from receding to acceptable levels as they had hoped. With the high water come concerns such as floating debris on the race course and a lack of space in the pit area.

Sunday's events:

According to the regatta's Facebook page, the following events were still scheduled for Sunday:


Sunday, July 7th Lucas Oil Madison Regatta Activities (no racing due to the Ohio River over the entire Pit Area):


- All gates are open to the public free of charge.


- The H1 Unlimited Hydroplanes and drivers / crew are parked along Vaughn Dr. and trailers are open for everyone to see. This is unprecedented access that you couldn't even get with a Cold Pit Pass when the teams are parked in the Pits!


- Driver's Autograph Session tentatively set for 11:45am and will go through the last person in line.


- Ickey Woods is onsite selling memorabilia, talking with fans, and also taking donations for the Jovante Woods Foundation.


- Get your limited edition 2013 Madison Regatta Poster and Race Programs and also look for the Madison Regatta Official Merchandise Booth in front of the Oh Boy! Oberto Unlimited Hydroplane on Vaughn Drive.


- Many more Food and Non-Food vendors are open onsite (come see Sparking ICE, Craig Toyota, Papa John's Pizza, Lucas Oil, Oh Boy! Oberto / Miss Madison & H1 Unlimited merchandise booths, and many other vendors!


- H1 Unlimited teams are tentatively onsite through 3:00pm today (Sunday) before leaving the riverfront.