Antique Raceboat Regatta returns to Clayton

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CLAYTON — The Antique Boat Museum will host its 13th annual Antique Raceboat Regatta this Friday through Sunday at the museum. The regatta is a sanctioned event of the vintage and historic division of the American Powerboat Assoication and will feature a wide variety of vintage and classic raceboats including outboards, tunnel drives, jersey speed skiffs and hydroplanes.

On Friday, visitors can tour the grounds and see the raceboats on display for the price of regular museum admission. The main action of the regatta will be Saturday and Sunday when the raceboats take to the water of French Bay to run demonstration fly-bys.

The museum also will host vendors, forums, an auction featuring racing memorabilia, a special exhibit opening with longtime regatta attendee Buddy Byers and the popular Legends Banquet Saturday night.

Among the activities:

■ On Thursday, two instructional forums will be held in the Cox Theatre: at 10 a.m., Marv Hart will make a presentation for drivers and new drivers; at 1 p.m. Rich Evans will make a presentation, “Inspecting Your Boat, Owners, & Prospective Inspectors.”

■ Kids ages 9 to 12 will have the opportunity to learn to drive a raceboat. A J-Class course will be taught starting at 9 a.m. Friday (check-in at 8 a.m.). The course will be taught by four world-record drivers and will feature time spent in the classroom followed by the opportunity for kids to learn to drive the boats on the water. Preregistration is required; contact Deb Rantanen at 686-4104 x235. There is a $50 registration fee and a $20 APBA one-time event fee. A parent or guardian must attend the course with their child.

■ An auction featuring racing memorabilia will be held at 5 p.m. Friday outside the Morgan Building. Admission is free; a cash bar and light snacks will be provided.

After the auction, a reception will be held in the Morgan Building to celebrate the opening and dedication of the exhibit featuring the original artwork of the Antique Raceboat Regatta posters along with historic photographs and memorabilia of legendary raceboat driver Buddy Byers. Admission is free; complimentary refreshments will be provided.

■ The Legends Banquet will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday in the Antique Boat Museum tent. Dinner will be served by the Clipper Inn. Tickets must be purchased in advance, $35 per person. Call the museum at 686-4104.

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Class at Antique Boat Museum to teach children to drive raceboats

CLAYTON — Local children will have the chance to learn how to drive raceboats with champion racers at a special course offered Friday.

“Our whole mission is to bring people into the world of boating. Children don’t really get an opportunity anywhere to get involved in the world of raceboats,” said David Richardson, organizer of the class. “I don’t know anybody who doesn’t like to go fast.”

The course, open to children ages 9 to 12, will take place starting at 9 a.m. on Friday. A pair of seats in the class are still available, Mr. Richardson said.

Among the instructors at the course are top raceboat drivers Robin, Kelly and Stuart Shane, along with Adam Allen.

The class involves classroom time, then a chance to get out on the water. The responsibility in driving the raceboats can bring the best out of students, Mr. Richardson said.

“They almost turn into adults once the responsibility is turned over to them,” he said. “They’re responsible on their own for how they run these boats.”

Mr. Richardson said the boats can go up to 35 miles per hour.

“I’ve attended a few of these, and you can’t imagine the smile on a 10-year-old girl’s face after she’s circled the buoys,” he said.

Preregistration is required, and can be done by calling Deb Rantanent at 686-4104, extension 235. The class costs $70, between the course cost and a one-time fee to the APBA. Boats and safety gear will be provided to students in the course.

A parent or guardian must attend the class with participating children.

The children’s course is a part of the Antique Raceboat Regatta, running at the museum from Friday through Sunday, which will feature a wide range of classic boats. The weekend also includes auctions, exhibitions and special banquets.

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