Drag boat racer killed in accident

[Serious News]

By John Gutekunst Parker Pioneer
Feb 17, 2016

The world of drag boat racing is mourning the death of racer Wade Stanley, who was killed this weekend in an accident at a race at the BlueWater Resort & Casino in Parker.

The accident occurred during the Southwest Showdown 5 of the Arizona Drag Boat Association. It was the ADBA’s first event for the year 2016. This is the third year the BlueWater hosted the event.

Stanley drove No. 006A in the Stock Eliminator Class. He was the ADBA’s 2015 points leader in that class. He was from Phoenix.

The following statement was posted on the ADBA’s Facebook page:

“We post with the deepest sorrows, the loss of one of our own. A father, husband, brother and fellow racer Wade Stanley will forever be missed by all of us. His unfortunate accident this weekend has left the ADBA crew with heavy hearts. For those of you that had the pleasure of racing alongside of him, you know that he was one of the nicest people that you would ever meet. His love of sport was huge, and he was supported by his entire family. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Stanley family.”

The ADBA’s Facebook page will filled with tributes to Stanley and offering condolences for his family.

On their website, the ADBA describes themselves as offering the state’s “grassroots” racers an opportunity to compete in closed-course, sanctioned races. Their rules and race programs are consistent with the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing rule book. The ADBA states safety is of primary importance to the organization.

http://www.parkerpioneer.net/sports/...78155d2eb.html

[Serious News]

Drag boat racer killed in competition held at BlueWater Resort and Casino in Parker
By BRANDON MESSICK Today’s News-Herald

The Arizona Drag Boat Association’s “Showdown on the River” continued despite tragedy this weekend, when racer Wade Stanley was fatally injured in an accident during the course of the event.

Stanley was remembered by the Arizona Drag Boat Association as a father and a husband who loved the sport of drag boat racing.

The event took place at Parker’s BlueWater Resort and Casino on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as spectators lined the waterfront. Drag boat races can last as little as three seconds, with competing watercraft that can reach speeds of more than 200 miles per hour.

Such high speeds negate the already frictionless surface on which drag boats travel, and the boats’ only method of deceleration comes in the form of its drag chutes. The passage of wind can create lift beneath the surface of the vehicle, and an errant wave on the water’s surface can cause a boat to spin out of control.

The La Paz County Sheriff’s Department, Colorado River Indian Tribes Fire Department and ADBA organizers could not be reached for comment.

http://www.havasunews.com/news/drag-...a6a6a19f5.html