Changes in store for Hydrofest boat races this weekend

More than 40 powerboats will race the Detroit River in a newly formatted event this weekend in the 2019 Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Hydrofest.

Thousands of spectators are expected to watch racers roar across a 1.25 mile course on the Detroit River, with hydroplanes reaching speeds of 150 mph and more.

This year's Hydrofest will take place over two days, as opposed to three, to appeal to "2019 lifestyles," organizers said in June.

Hydrofest will feature three competing classes of boats, with a dozen 24-foot Grand Prix boats from Canada, New Zealand and the U.S. in the event's main attraction, as well as 20-22 H-350 hydroplanes and flat-bottom Jersey speed skiffs. There will also be several vintage hydroplanes running a heat on Saturday and Sunday.

For the first time in 30 years, it will be an all piston-powered event — which means it will be louder but with the familiar, thrilling "rooster tail" spray of water that is created in speeding boats' wakes — with races run every 15 minutes.

Top competitors include Detroit-area native Andrew Tate in the the H-350 class, and Valleyfield, Quebec, Grand Prix winner Jimmy King.

The 103-year-old event lost its Gold Cup race, which featured powerboats hitting speeds of more than 200 mph, due to stalled contract talks earlier this year. Over the years, the event has cycled through lead sponsors and organizers while grappling with financial sustainability.

Organizers are looking forward to the beautiful weather, which is forecast to be sunny with high temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s.

Food vendors and grandstands will be set up next to the Roostertail at 100 Marquette Dr., off Jefferson Avenue, and parking will be available at Muncey and Piston Park parking lots for $25.

Food vendors and grandstands for the Hydrofest will be set up next to the Roostertail and parking is available at Muncey and Piston parks.

Gates open at 8:30 a.m. so attendees can check out testing and tuning, which starts at 9 a.m., with the final race wrapping up at 4:35 p.m. Sunday.

Ticket sales are on track with expectations, according to Mark Weber, president of the race organizer Detroit Riverfront Events Inc., who could not immediately provide exact figures.

Depending on the section, ticket prices are 10 percent-20 percent lower compared to last year, spokeswoman Melissa Roy said. Pricing options were modified to allow for greater access to the event.

Tickets range from $10 up to $200 for VIP seats, which includes a view from the VIP tent, an open buffet-style lunch and nonalcoholic beverages, according to a release. Grandstand seat tickets are $20 for Saturday and $25 for Sunday.

Any Detroit City FC fan who presents a season pass or ticket from the team's 2019 season will receive free access to a grandstand seat, Roy said. In turn, Hydrofest ticket holders can get free admission to the DCFC game Aug. 31. The race organizer saw the soccer-boat racing partnership as a mutually beneficial opportunity to expose the racing event's loyal fan base to Detroit City FC, a newer community sports organization launched in 2012, and DCFC fans to one of Detroit's oldest sports, according to Roy.

Three-time Gold Cup champion and Grand Prix national champion Tom D'Eath is honorary race chairman, while former Detroit Lions kicker Eddie Murray and Michelle O'Connor-Tekinski, executive director of statewide autism services for Grand Rapids-based Hope Network, are co-grand marshals this year.

Returning as title sponsor for the third year is the Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Local Marketing Association, which also sponsored the event on one-year deals in 2017 and 2018.

The 2019 Hydrofest is aided by 250 volunteers and counts Andiamo, Ally Financial and DTE Energy Co. among its supporting sponsors. Around 50 percent of the event is funded by sponsors, while the rest is paid for by ticket sales, according to Weber. He declined to provide sponsorship dollars details.

This year's total event costs are expected to be around $400,000, compared to $500,000 for last year's three-day event, Weber told Crain's.

This year, Hope Network is providing a sensory-friendly tent, available 11 a.m.-3 p.m. both days, for children who may be sensitive to the noise from the action-packed event, according to the release. The tent will be staffed by specialists from the specialty health service provider.

"We are excited to be a part of the 2019 Hydrofest as we continue to grow and expand our autism services in the Detroit community," Hope Network President and CEO Phil Weaver said in the release. "By offering a sensory-reprieve area, families can retreat from the action of the races for a few moments with their children."

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