OPA St Clair River Classic 2015 - July 23, 24, 25, 26

[Serious News]

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

​​Thursday July 23, 2015



11am-6pm Coast Guard Permit in effect - SPECIAL RULES APPLY
6pm M-29 road closure in place; Race Village set up
7pm-8:30pm Patrol Fleet Safety Briefing, St. Clair City Hall


​Friday, July 24, 2015

All Day​ Arrival of Race Boats; Race Village - N. Riverside Rd, St Clair, MI
9am-4pm ​Race Boats Inspections - N. Riverside Ave, St Clair, MI

​​Crane Area - Clinton Ave & S. 3rd St, St. Clair, MI
Ramp Area - St Clair City Boat Harbor, 902 S. Second Street, St. Clair, MI
Wet Pits - Rotary Park (3rd St & Clinton Ave.)
Dry Pits - ​ Riverside Rd, St Clair, MI

11am-3pm Racer Registration - TBA
12pm-4pm​​​ GPS Registration - GPS Trailer, Race Village
11am-​6pm Coast Guard Permit in effect - SPECIAL RULES APPLY
​3pm-11:30pm Hospitality and Beer Tents Open – Palmer Park

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
SPONGE - 8:45pm-9:45pm
STARSHIP 10:15pm-11:30pm​

​Saturday, July 25, 2015

10am-12am Race Village open to the Public
​7:30am Course buoys set
8am-6pm 10am​​​ Crane in Operation
Racer Meeting - TBA
10am-6pm Boat Ramp Open to racer boats
8:30am-2pm Racer Registration - TBA
11am-4pm​​ GPS Registration - GPS Trailer​​
8am-12pm​ Swim / Dunker Testing - St. Clair City Pool (715 Orchard St, St Clair, MI)
11am-6pm Race Control Operational
11am-6pm Coast Guard Permit in effect - SPECIAL RULES APPLY
12:30pm-3:30pm ​​​ Insured Testing; Course staffed RACERS MUST CHECK IN, OBTAIN PERMISSION, AND CHECK OUT WITH RACE CONTROL; MONITOR 78A
5pm-7pm​ Race Team Autograph session
7pm​​ Racer Appreciation Gathering - TBA
11am-11:30pm Hospitality & Beer Tent Open

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
CANDLEBOX - 10:15pm-11:30pm​

​Sunday, July 26, 2015

All Day Race Village & Avenue of Vendors
7:30 AM Course Buoys Set
​8am Team Physicals - St. Clair Fire Station
8am-6pm Crane Operational
8:30am Medical / Dive Briefing, St. Clair Fire Station
9am PATCOM Law Enforcement Briefing, St. Clair Boat Harbor
9am Racer Meeting – St. Clair Fire Station
10am-6pm Race Control Operational
10:30 AM Course Support Fleet on station
10:30 AM Pilot's Meeting - FLZ
11am-6pm Coast Guard Permit in effect
11:40am Opening Ceremony; Flag Float Down (tentative)
​12pm-9pm Hospitality & Beer Tent Open
12pm RACE 1 (subject to adjustment)
1:30pm RACE 2 (subject to adjustment)
​3pm RACE 3 (subject to adjustment)
4:30pm RACE 4 (subject to adjustment) - if needed
7pm Awards Ceremony - TBA

[Serious News]

[Serious News]

St. Clair Riverfest marks 10th annual festival
Published: Friday, July 17, 2015
By Kristen Davis For The Voice

Four days of carnival rides, two nights of concerts and a Sunday afternoon packed with offshore boat races will highlight the 10th annual St. Clair Riverfest event this month.

The St. Clair County festival was launched in 2006 after county Commissioner Jeff Bohm wanted to expand the annual St. Clair River Classic Offshore Boat Race.

His efforts ultimately led to a partnership with Funfest Productions Inc., a Sterling Heights-based company that produces summertime festivals, and St. Clair Riverfest was born.

“It was a one-day event when it was just the boat races; then we came in and made it a three-day event with boat races and concerts,” said Funfest Productions Inc. co-owner Joe Nieporte. “The carnival was added a few years ago, too.”

This year’s festival is set to run from July 23 to 26 in Palmer Park, located on North Riverside Avenue in St. Clair.

Nieporte said the festival has been successful over the past decade and that minimal changes have been made to the event over the years.

“Our motto is, ‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,’” Nieporte said. “We have very, very large crowds and we just keep the same formula for this fantastic festival.”

There are 19 sponsors for this year’s festival, including Neiman’s Family Market, Made In Detroit, DTE Energy and the Marines.

“The festival is a very large marketing platform, so it gives these companies an opportunity not only to have a conversation with festival-goers but also it’s a way to market, promote and brand their company,” said Kevin Kay, director of strategic partnerships for Funfest Productions Inc. “It’s also important for community relations. The fact that they’re able to work with us and help us put this event on and be a great event for the community, that’s great.”

Festival hours are scheduled to run from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, 2 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Neiman’s Family Fun Zone and Carnival will run from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. July 23. This year’s carnival is provided by Family Fun Tyme Amusements. Featuring over 20 rides, Kay said it has expanded and will be bigger than last year’s.

On July 24 and 25, the carnival midway will be open from noon until 11 p.m. On Sunday, it will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Wristbands cost $15 except for the opening day of the festival, when they are half off for Family Fun Day.

In addition to the view of the St. Clair River, another unique part of the festival is the concert stage, which sits on a barge in the river. The barge is donated by Malcolm Marine, of Port Huron.

“There’s not another event like that in the state that I know of,” Nieporte said.

Ten local and high-profile bands are expected to perform during this year’s event.

The Luckouts, The Revivors, Los Gringos, Sponge and Starship are among the bands performing July 24. On July 25, Core Effect, Gasoline Gypsies, Kings in Pieces, The Gobies and Candlebox round out the weekend’s musical entertainment.

Admission is free but $25 VIP tickets are available for the Sponge, Starship and Candlebox performances. Tickets include front stage seating, a private restroom and bar.

The festivities conclude on Sunday with the 21st annual St. Clair River Classic Offshore Boat Race.

Produced by the Blue Water Offshore Racing Association of St. Clair, the offshore boat race attracts thousands of people each year. In 2013, a record 120,000 people attended the event.

No outside food, beverages or containers, pets, bikes, scooters, rollerblades or skateboards are permitted on festival grounds. Solicitation or distribution of materials without a permit is prohibited. No professional cameras or video cameras are allowed where live music is performed. Simple point-and-shoot cameras, blankets, umbrellas, lawn chairs and strollers are permitted.

The St. Clair Riverfest event made Chevy Detroit’s list of summer festivals worth attending in the metro Detroit area, which came out in June.

Funfest Productions Inc. also puts on the Stars and Stripes Festival, the Uncle Sam Jam and other year-round special events like Harley Fest and the Detroit Grand Prix.

Nieporte said his expectations for this year’s festival are for thousands of people to come out and have fun.

For more information about this year’s St. Clair Riverfest event, go to: stclairriverfest.com.

[Serious News]

10th Annual St. Clair Riverfest in St. Clair July 23-26

The 10th Annual St. Clair Riverfest in downtown St. Clair runs in conjunction with the St. Clair River Classic Offshore Powerboat Races from July 23 to July 26.

There will be performances by Starship, Detroit band Sponge and Candlebox along plus a full carnival with more than 20 rides. Admission to festival and concerts is free and half-off ride wristbands are available on Thursday.

The four-day fun summer festival is along the banks of the St. Clair River in Palmer Park in downtown St. Clair.

The St. Clair Riverfest, sponsored by Meijer, runs in conjunction with the St. Clair River Classic Offshore Powerboat Race, combining offshore racing with live music by national recording artists.

Starship performs with special guest Sponge on Friday, July 24, and Candlebox performs July 25. Local and regional musicians perform on Friday and Saturday night. Music starts at 5 p.m. each night.

Enjoy the full carnival. The St. Clair Riverfest, produced by Funfest Productions, has grown into the largest event in St. Clair County drawing more than 100,000 visitors annually.

A highlight of the weekend will be the St. Clair River Classic Offshore Boat Race at noon Sunday, July 26, a tradition in Southeast Michigan for 21 years. This display of power on the water is produced by the Bluewater Offshore Racing Association of St. Clair, Mich. In 2006, BWORA partnered with Funfest Productions to create the St. Clair Riverfest.

Hours for the St. Clair Riverfest are:

• 5-11 p.m. Thursday, July 23: (Family Fun Day; carnival wristbands are half off)
• 4 p.m.-Midnight Friday, July 24
• Noon-Midnight Saturday, July 25:
• Sunday, July 26: Noon-8 p.m.

Admission to the festivals and concerts is free. For a full lineup of musical acts, show times, directions and parking information, visit www.stclairriverfest.com. For a schedule of the St. Clair River Classic Offshore Boat Race, visit www.oparacing.org/race4.html.

— Submitted by PublicCity PR

http://www.macombdaily.com/arts-and-...air-july-23-26

[Serious News]

ST. CLAIR RIVER PLEASURE CRAFT TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS

The United States Coast Guard, Sector Detroit, Waterways Management Division
has issued Marine Event #9, Permit #2. There will be a Special Local Regulation issued by
the Coast Guard establishing a restricted area and other controls. which also establishes
a local safety zone, and slow no-wake area during any testing and active racing.

Course area is roughly from north of the St. Clair Shoal upper limits (Light 54) south to an area
just below the Pine River (Light 48).

Mariners are advised to listen to the regular marine information broadcasts on their VHF-FM
marine radio; and for further information can contact U.S.C.G. Patrol Commander by contacting
Coast Guard Station Port Huron, or on event days, contact the Coast Guard Patrol Commander
on VHF-FM Channel 16

River closure for Saturday, July 27, 2013 - Testing
##This closure applies to ALL non-commercial vessel traffic (pleasure and fishing craft)
##Coast Guard PATCOM can begin enforcing the established safety zone at 11:00 AM
##River closures may be in place from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time
##Pine River traffic will be restricted during active testing operations

River closure for Sunday, July 28, 2013 - Racing
##This closure applies to ALL non-commercial vessel traffic (pleasure and fishing craft)
##Coast Guard PATCOM will begin enforcing the established safety zone at 11:00 AM
##River closures will be in place from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time
##At the decision of Coast Guard PATCOM, traffic may be allowed between races
##Pine River traffic will be restricted during active racing operations

Tentative Race Times
12:00 NOON
1:30 PM
3:00 PM
4:30 PM

http://www.stclairrace.com/river_closure_info.htm

[Serious News]

Expect teams from as far away as Florida, California 0
By Tyler Kula, Sarnia Observer

Dozens of revving engines will flood the St. Clair River this weekend in the first of two powerboating showcases in the area this summer.

The 21st annual St. Clair River Classic kicks off Thursday, featuring an expected 40 powerboats — the fastest capable of travelling 180 miles (289 kilometres) per hour, depending on conditions, said race controller Bob Currier.

As part of the 10th annual St. Clair Riverfest — which also includes a carnival and other entertainment in St. Clair, Mich. — the full event attracts more than 100,000 people to the city each year, Currier said he's been told.

Across the river in Canada, parks and homes along the river's banks between Mooretown and Courtright are also usually “pretty full” come race day on Sunday, he said.

The St. Clair race runs two weeks prior to the Sarnia/Port Huron International Powerboat Festival, returning for a fourth year Aug. 7-9.

Being that close together has been a boon for both events, which are both stops on the Offshore Powerboat Association circuit, Currier said.

“A number of these teams haul in from out of state … from Florida, the east coast, California,” he said.

“It gives them two venues in the same area.”

Participants have also said they enjoy both venues, he said.

“The St. Clair event has been referred to by many of them as the Key West of the north.”

The annual river race was started by what's now the Bluewater Offshore Racing Association, of which Currier is secretary/treasurer, after a Lake Huron event in the 1990s where spectators only saw the races' starts and finishes, Currier said

“They really wanted to do something more spectator friendly.”

The river race was the result.

This year, 11 classes will be tested on the four-mile (6.4-kilometre) course, competing for a share of a $45,000 purse — which isn't a lot when split amongst three places in each class, Currier said.

“They obviously don't race for the money; they race for the love of the sport.”

Races are scheduled to begin at noon Sunday, with course testing and other attractions in the days before.

More details are available at stclairriverfest.com.

http://www.theobserver.ca/2015/07/21...ida-california

[Serious News]

St Clair River Classic
By Lee Michaels

Thousands are expected to line the shores of the St Clair River this weekend to see the powerboats participating in the 21st annual St. Clair River Classic.

Race Controller Bob Currier says about 40 powerboats are expected.

The best side to see the races on the Canadian side of the river is between Mooretown and Courtright.

Races begin at noon on Sunday, although many will be practising Saturday afternoon.

No pleasure craft will be allowed into the race zone on Sunday.

The four-mile course runs from about the Pine River in St. Clair, Michigan to Courtright.

http://blackburnnews.com/sarnia/sarn...river-classic/

[Serious News]

Ed Smith says offshore powerboat racing in the Super Boat class is “the closest thing to NASCAR on water.”

Smith, who owns River’s Bend Marina in St. Clair, will be racing this weekend in the St. Clair River Classic Offshore Powerboat Race, part of the city’s Riverfest.

The time trials and practice for the powerboats are Saturday; the racing is on Sunday.

Riverfest starts at 5 p.m. Thursday when the Neiman’s Family Fun Zone and Carnival opens.

Smith races the silver, black and red Cleveland Construction boat. He said he expects about 35 boats in St. Clair competing in 10 classes.

“St. Clair is kind of unique,” Smith said. “No. 1, you have the blue water, which is a great background for photo taking. And the fans are 50 feet from the race course.”

He said Palmer Park, which stretches along the St. Clair River, is a great venue for watching the race.

“You have all that space and the people are right downtown,” Smith said.

He said the boat drivers like racing in St. Clair.

“The racers love kids,” he said. “It’s a family venue.

“With the kids coming down, the carnival, and the bands, that’s always a plus.”

Funfest Productions Inc., of Sterling Heights, produces Riverfest. Kevin Cassidy, of Funfest, said wristbands for the carnival are $10 only on Thursday. The regular price is $20.

“I think one of the great things about the event is the setting,” Cassidy said. “If people have never been there, it’s an amazing setting to be able to watch the powerboats.

“It’s the NASCAR-type racing that happens on the river.”

Smith said the boats in the Super Boat class, the class he races in, have the same 510-cubic-inch engines, the same gear ratios limiting rpms to 7,000 and they all must weigh 9,500 pounds at the end of the race. Despite the limitations, he’s had the boat up to 138 mph.

“That way everybody’s the same,” he said.

He’s been spending the past two weeks working on the Cleveland Construction boat, which was damaged in a crash during the Fourth of July weekend at a race in Marathon, Florida.

Smith said he tangled with another boat in the second turn at Marathon, leaving a gash 51/2 feet wide and 10 inches high in the right hull of the twin-hull boat. He had to fix the fiberglass, and Marshall Slayden of St. Clair helped with the painting.

He said at least four local boats will be at St. Clair, and the Cat Can Do unlimited boat will be coming from west Michigan to compete in the extreme class.

This is the 21st year the Blue Water Offshore Powerboat Racing Association has raced in St. Clair.

“With the event being consistent that long, people come from all over the place to be here,” Smith said. “You can’t get a hotel room anywhere. From Algonac all the way up the expressway, it’s full.”

Cassidy said the concerts in Palmer Park also draw people. Friday’s headliner is Starship, with special guest Sponge; Saturday’s headliner is Candlebox. All the acts, including the opening bands, play from a barge docked at the Palmer Park boardwalk.

“It’s a pretty awesome setting if you’ve never seen it before,” he said.

http://www.thetimesherald.com/story/...ival/30535437/

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Check liver light, illuminated.....

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Clearly illuminated or kind of fading in and out? Kind of like there may be a short?

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I decided to head across the river to Canada and shoot the north turn of the St Clair race from there. While crossing the bridge, see a big ship heading down stream



Shortly after I arrived at my destination, the same ship held up the beginning of the first race.

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The first race had Class 6, SVL, and Class 7.

Class 6 first corner!

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Anatomy of an outside-in pass......

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There were 4 SVL's running for the win.....

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St Clair Inn in the background.

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