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View Full Version : Thunder on the Narrows marks 25th anniversary - June 27 and 28 - Kent Narrows, MD



Serious News
06-04-2015, 10:22 PM
KENT NARROWS — This year marks the 25th year that Thunder on the Narrows has been held by the Kent Narrows Racing Association, and with that anniversary comes something special.

When powerboats converge on the Narrows for the annual event on June 27 and 28, it will include the Eastern Divisional competition of the American Power Boat Association. KNRA President Wheeler Baker, who began power boat racing on local waters as a youngster, expects more teams from far away to take part as a result of the Eastern Divisional being held here.

“Teams from the Ohio and Michigan regions and several from Florida are expected to take part,” in addition to local racers, Baker said. He said he believes it will be quite festive weekend. The American Power Boat Association has divisional races in different parts of the country.

“Up-close and personal racing action that is fun for the whole family,” is the way KNRA puts it.

The activities begin at 10 a.m. on both Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, with the actual racing beginning at noon. The classes that will race both days are one liter Modified, 1-1/2 Stock, 2-1/2 Stock, 2-1/2 Modified, five liter, National Modified, Jersey Speed Skiff, Pro Stock, J-Stock Hydro, and Vintage.

The J-Stock Hydro class is for young racers and will be held on Saturday, Baker said. That class is designed for racers between the ages of 9 and 13, he added. He said organizers hope that by introducing young racers to the sport that it will thrive in the future.

Many veteran local racers will be on the local team this year: Baker, Ralph Cattaneo, Chris Oliver Sr., Chris Oliver Jr., Billy Sewell, Mel Utz, Bill McCowan, Larry Lauterbach, Charlie Miller, Jimmie Stewart, Kenny McMullen, Chuck Miller, George Sewell, Sandy Thompson and Tom Ebeling.

Each year, KNRA designates a beneficiary to receive proceeds from the weekend event. This year’s beneficiary, Baker said, is Boy Scout Troop 278 from Kent Island.

The cost to attend Thunder on the Narrows is $7 for adults with children under 12 admitted free.

There will be off-site parking under both sides of the Kent Narrows Bridge and shuttles will be available to take people over to the viewing area on the grounds of the Kent Island Yacht Club. No parking will be allowed on the yacht club grounds. This year, a golf cart will meet the shuttle bus to take those in need of assistance to the viewing area, according to Baker.

Food and beverages will be available, including the “best pit beef sandwiches” provided by Queenstown Bank, which has been doing so for the past 25 years, he said. No coolers are allowed.

A number of local sponsors help make the event possible each year, Baker said. This year’s sponsors are Kent Island Yacht Club, Queenstown Bank, Kelly Distributors, Thompson Motors, Fisherman’s Inn and Crab Deck, Truckin 4 Troops, Aerial Crane, Red Eye’s Dock Bar, Leo’s Vacation Center and R&D Electric, he said.

Although this year marks the 25th anniversary of KNRA holding Thunder on the Narrows, power boat racing on Kent Narrows and other area waters has been around even longer, according to Baker.

The Kent Narrows Racing Association became an official boating organization in 1990 and seeks to restore interest in the sport of power boat racing “while providing local residents and business people with an opportunity to make a cooperative contribution to the community,” its website states. For more information, log onto www.kentnarrowsracing.com.



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