Ratickle
08-28-2016, 11:00 AM
Citing safety concerns and high water levels of the Green River, organizers of the Kentucky Drag Boat Association's annual Thunder on the Green canceled the racing event Monday -- the first time in its 22-year history.
Races were set to be held Saturday and Sunday on the Green River in Livermore.
Former Livermore Mayor Sonny Renfrow, who acts as a liaison between the KDBA and the city, said Monday morning, with the river high level, the "remarkably swift" current and trees and other debris floating past, it's "not a good thing for a boat traveling at a high rate of speed."
"To me, it's very disappointing, but I do understand the need to pay a lot of attention to safety," he said.
Water was supposed to rise until Thursday, but "still wouldn't be down in time Saturday where we could have the event," KDBA President Barry Salsman said.
The current and debris also pose issues and Salsman said with the current, if a boat was to be involved in an accident, a rescue would be difficult.
"Everybody's disappointed," he said. "It's about our favorite race. Mother Nature didn't (cooperate)."
Although the race will not be rescheduled this year, it will return to Livermore in 2017.
Salsman said permits to hold such an event must be filed with the Army Corps of Engineers 90 days before an event and "90 days from now, it'll be cold weather."
"We do very much intend to be back next year."
Thunder on the Green is a counted race for the KDBA High Points Championship Series, as well as included in the Lucas Oil Division 3 Drag Boat Racing series. Salsman said the cancellation means there will just be one less points race in the series.
Renfrow said the cancellation will also have a "tremendous impact in the local community," as well. The city of Livermore, he said, "receives a nice economic benefit" from race teams traveling to the community.
http://www.messenger-inquirer.com/mclean_county/news/thunder-on-the-green-canceled/article_3a155740-5065-57c2-aa40-c1678ae09c71.html
Races were set to be held Saturday and Sunday on the Green River in Livermore.
Former Livermore Mayor Sonny Renfrow, who acts as a liaison between the KDBA and the city, said Monday morning, with the river high level, the "remarkably swift" current and trees and other debris floating past, it's "not a good thing for a boat traveling at a high rate of speed."
"To me, it's very disappointing, but I do understand the need to pay a lot of attention to safety," he said.
Water was supposed to rise until Thursday, but "still wouldn't be down in time Saturday where we could have the event," KDBA President Barry Salsman said.
The current and debris also pose issues and Salsman said with the current, if a boat was to be involved in an accident, a rescue would be difficult.
"Everybody's disappointed," he said. "It's about our favorite race. Mother Nature didn't (cooperate)."
Although the race will not be rescheduled this year, it will return to Livermore in 2017.
Salsman said permits to hold such an event must be filed with the Army Corps of Engineers 90 days before an event and "90 days from now, it'll be cold weather."
"We do very much intend to be back next year."
Thunder on the Green is a counted race for the KDBA High Points Championship Series, as well as included in the Lucas Oil Division 3 Drag Boat Racing series. Salsman said the cancellation means there will just be one less points race in the series.
Renfrow said the cancellation will also have a "tremendous impact in the local community," as well. The city of Livermore, he said, "receives a nice economic benefit" from race teams traveling to the community.
http://www.messenger-inquirer.com/mclean_county/news/thunder-on-the-green-canceled/article_3a155740-5065-57c2-aa40-c1678ae09c71.html