National Powerboat series coming to Fall River in August

By Kevin P. O'Connor
Fall River Herald News

FALL RIVER — They are big. They are loud. They are incredibly fast. And now some of the fastest boats in the world are heading to the Fall River waterfront to race.

“It is NASCAR on the water,” said Michael Lund, owner of the Borden Light Marina and promoter of the Offshore Powerboat Association races to be held on Aug. 15 in the Taunton River.
“These boats are really incredible. And they are loud. These races will garner a lot of attention.”

The OPA races feature boats up to 50 feet long that can travel at more than 100 mph. The boats are so fast they fly over most of the course — a few feet at the stern stays in contact with the water. One danger to the racing boats is actually taking off and losing control while flying. They start spinning like tops, 30 feet in the air.

Which makes the races really fun to watch.

“We’ve had the Poker Run for a number of years out of the marina,” Lund said. “One of the gentlemen who comes to the Poker Run races around the country in a second boat.
“He started talking to me and got me thinking. He said this area would be ideal for a race.”

The planned course is for the boats to start at about even with the Gold Medal Bakery and run two miles north up the Taunton River to a turn around near Point Gloria. Then boats wold sweep toward Somerset before cutting back to a turn at the starting line.

There will be several heats run through race day with a half-dozen classes.

The Taunton River can handle them all, Lund said. “You’ve got the depth in the river,” he explained. “It is wide open water. And, even if it’s blowing, it can get rough out here but not rough enough to cancel the race. “Plus, there are great places for spectators to view the race.”

The OPA estimates the race will attract 25,000 to 35,000 spectators. The races will be visible all along the river. The best places to watch it — like the Overlook at Kennedy Park or the boardwalk at Heritage Park — will be free, Lund said.

That weekend will also be the finale of the 50th anniversary celebration planned at Battleship Cove. Lund and Brad King, the executive director at Battleship Cove, have been working together, planning combined events.

“The Battleship will be selling tickets for people to watch from the Battleship Massachusetts,” Lund said. “People can also watch from the Somerset side of the river.

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