16th Annual Quake On The Lake, June 18-19, Waterford, MI

[Serious News]

The 16th Annual Quake On The Lake inboard hydroplane races will have the feel of a WWF Smack-Down with the best Grand Prix drivers from the northeast and northwest battling it out for their place in the record books.

These are the “Big Boats”--12’ wide, built of carbon fiber and other lightweight composite materials and weigh-in at around 2,900 pounds.

The engines are blown V-8’s based on big block Chevy design, which is supercharged and kicks out 1500 horsepower, burning straight Methanol. It’s the Wild West with the Grand Prix’s; few limitations, beyond the 468 cubic inch engine displacement. From there, it’s “run and gun” for the drivers who can use the ingenuity they want to get a leg up on the competition.

8 OTHER INBOARD CLASSES WILL ALSO BE COMPETING FOR WORLD RECORD SPEEDS!!

CLASSIC VINTAGE BOATS RETURN

2015 Race Schedule

Saturday, July 18th, 2015



9:00 a.m. GATES OPEN
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. APBA National Championships
Full Schedule TBA



Sunday, July 19th, 2015


9:00 a.m. GATES OPEN
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. APBA Inboard Hydroplanes and Stock Outboards - Qualifying Heats

Quake APBA Race Classes

1.5 Liter Stock (T)

1 Liter Modified (Y)

2.5 Liter Stock (S)

2.5 Liter Modified (A)

5 Liter (E)

Grand National Hydro (GNH)

National Modified (NM)

Grand Prix (GP)

Vintage

Follow us on Facebook & Twitter for schedule updates during the Quake @QuakeOnTheLake


http://www.quakeonthelake.org/

[Serious News]

Quake-on-the-Lake: Henderson chasing own speed mark

Bert Henderson will mash the gas at the Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area in Waterford over the weekend.

The racer won’t be ticketed by the sheriff, but there’s every chance he’ll set a world record speed as he rockets across the water.

Henderson, 43, has been racing and building hydroplanes for the past 25 years. The Brockville, Ontario, resident set an average speed world record of 112.768 m.p.h. on Pontiac Lake two years ago during the Quake-on-the-Lake ABPA Inboard Hydroplane Summer Nationals.

Henderson returns to the Quake this weekend in his newly built No. 777 Steeler Grand Prix boat to take a crack at his mark, which he hopes to shatter if conditions are favorable on one of the fastest one-mile hydroplane courses in North America.

“We are certainly looking to break the record,” said Henderson, whose 20-foot-long hydroplane is powered by a 468-cubic-inch blown-alcohol motor. “We’ll reach top speeds of 160 m.p.h. on the course, and the boat is capable of accelerating from 40 to 150 or better in about four seconds. If the air temperature is favorable and the water good, who knows what average speed we are capable of?”

More than 80 race teams are expected to compete at the Quake on Saturday and Sunday in various classes for world championship points and the Governor’s Cup.

Over the past 15 years, 19 APBA world speed records have been set in five racing classes during Quake days on Pontiac Lake.

Henderson said he is pumped up for a record run.

“It’s a beautiful race course and the fans from Waterford and surrounding areas are really devoted,” Henderson said. “I’m super excited to be coming back to the Quake.”

Henderson will bring his Grand Prix boat to the Detroit River later in the summer for the UAW-GM Spirit of Detroit Hydrofest on Aug. 22-23. The race meets will feature Unlimited Hydroplane, Grand Prix and F2 Tunnel Boat competition.

“The Grand Prix boats will certainly add to the show in Detroit,” Henderson said. “I can’t wait for that. But first we have business to take care of at the Quake.”

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/outdoors/2015/07/16/quake-lake/30274407/

[Serious News]

From 2014


http://youtu.be/xn4fxKTrK-o

[Serious News]

Hydroplanes come from afar to race at Quake on the Lake

The Quake on the Lake hydroplane boat races at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area –– Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 –– draw more than 80 racing teams to the state park, including Brent Harnack’s 7-man crew in “Mr. Jiggs 88.”

Harnack, who lives in Spokane, Wash., said the boat is named after his grandfather’s WWI bomber squadron.

“We’ve never raced here,” said Brent, whose son Josh Harnack, 32, will be driving.

“This is the big leagues for us.”

The boat set a new APBA record for 1-2/3-mile last year, he added.

Quake racing happens 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Live music by three bands is set to take place on the beach after the races on Saturday night.

Tickets $10 for adults, $5 for kids (5-12), children 4 and under are free.

Visit quakeonthelake.org. For the state park, at at 7800 Gale Road in Waterford, call 1-800-447-2757.
–– Staff writer Carol Hopkins

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20150717/hydroplanes-come-from-afar-to-race-at-quake-on-the-lake