St. Clair River Classic, 2021

[Serious News]

Offshore powerboats to race in St. Clair
River Classic returns to its local roots

After a quiet year on the St. Clair River in 2020, thanks to COVID-19, the thunder of offshore powerboat racing returns to St. Clair July 30 to Aug. 1.
Blue Water Offshore Racing Association is expecting 50 offshore boats to compete in the 27th running of the race, said Bob Currier, secretary/treasurer of BWORA. The field will include fan favorites such as the Geico boat, likely to be the fastest entrant in the field, and the St. Clair-based Knucklehead Racing, helmed by Ed Smith

BWORA launched the St. Clair River Classic in 1994, when 14 boats competed for bragging rights and limited prizes.

“Two of the world’s largest offshore boat organizers, Powerboat-P1 out of London and the Offshore Powerboat Association will again come together jointly promoting the American Power Boat Association Offshore Championship,” said Currier.

The partnership between BWORA and Powerboat-P1 represents a continuation of union launched in 2019, the summer before the pandemic, which resulted in doubling the number of entries from the 2018 race.

“Powerboat P1 is the largest international powerboat racing promoter and OPA is one of the largest promoters in the United States,” said Currier.

The races

The 4-mile oval race course in the St. Clair River extends from Light 48, south of the Pine River, to Light 54, just beyond the St. Clair’s northern border. Prime public viewing is in Palmer Park and the boardwalk in downtown St. Clair.

The boat teams will pull into town on Thursday and Friday, July 29-30, and will be available for up-close viewing. The teams will test their boats on the big river from noon to 3:30 p.m. July 31.

Race day is Aug. 1. Depending on the number of entries, there could be as many as four races, the first starting at noon.
“One of the races will wind up being a class on its own,” said Currier.

Twelve to 15 super stock catamarans with twin outboards will run by themselves.

The other races will feature two to three classes, each class with its own start. The smaller boats will run fewer laps and the more powerful boats will run more laps.

“Each race will take 40 to 45 minutes to complete,” said Currier.

All events, including live music, are free.

Read the entire article at: https://www.voicenews.com/2021/07/21...e-in-st-clair/

[Serious News]

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

M-29 road closure in place; Race Village set up 6pm

Thursday, July 29, 2021

ALL DAY
Arrival of Race Boats; Race Village - N. Riverside Rd, St Clair, MI
Crane Area - Fred Moore Hwy, St. Clair, MI
Ramp Area - St Clair City Boat Harbor, St. Clair, MI
Wet Pits - Rotary Park (3rd St & Clinton Ave.)
Dry Pits - Riverside Rd, St Clair, MI
Coast Guard Permit in effect - SPECIAL RULES APPLY 11am-6pm
Patrol Fleet Safety Briefing - St Clair City Hall 7pm-8pm

Friday, July 30, 2021

ALL DAY
Arrival of Race Boats; Race Village - N. Riverside Rd, St Clair, MI
Crane Area - Fred Moore Hwy, St. Clair, MI
Ramp Area - St Clair City Boat Harbor, St. Clair, MI
Wet Pits - Rotary Park (3rd St & Clinton Ave.)
Dry Pits - ​ Riverside Rd, St Clair, MI

Saturday, July 31, 2021
Race Village open to the Public
Course Buoys Set
Swim/Dunker Testing - St Clair High School (2200 Clinton Ave)
Racer Meeting - St Clair Fire Station (216 Cass St, St Clair, MI)
Registration - St. Clair Riverview Plaza (201 N Riverside Ave)
GPS Registration - Race Village
Boat Ramp & Crane Operational
GPS Registration - GPS Trailer in Race Village
Race Boat Inspections - Race Village
11am-6pm Coast Guard Permit in effect
11:30-4pm Race Control Operational
12pm-3:30pm Race Boat Testing
12pm-11pm LIVE Entertainment – Riverview Plaza Courtyard Area Provided by St. Clair Chamber of Commerce

Sunday, August 1, 2021

Race Village Open
Set Course Buoys
RACER PHYSICALS - St Clair Fire Station
RACERS MEETING - St Clair Fire Station
Medical/Dive briefing - St Clair Fire Station
Boat Ramp & Crane Operational
Race Control Operational
PATCOM Law Enforcement Briefing (Mouth of Pine River)
Course Support Fleet on station
11am-7pm Coast Guard Permit in effect
11:15am Opening Ceremony; Flag Float Down (tentative)

12PM - 5PM RACING
RACE 1 (start subject to adjustment)
RACE 2
RACE 3
RACE 4
RACE 5 (if needed)

6pm LIVE Music at the St Clair Riverview Plaza
7pm Awards Ceremony - St Clair Riverview Plaza
8pm After Party at the St Clair Riverview Plaza

[Serious News]

ST. Clair will be streaming LIVE VIDEO coverage starting around noon Sunday Aug. 1

https://www.facebook.com/OPARacing

[Serious News]

Watch the St. Clair Powerboat Races from Anywhere This Year

The St. Clair River Classic Offshore powerboat races take place this weekend, and if you want to watch the festivities from the comfort of your own home, you now have a means to do just that.

The Voyageur Restaurant in St. Clair just installed a new webcam overlooking the river. Viewers can pan and zoom along the river and view various landmarks.

It’s fun to watch, even when there isn’t a boat race happening. View the live webcam here or below.

For more information on the St. Clair River Classic Offshore powerboat races, https://www.bluewater.org/event-deta...owerboat-race/.

[Ratickle]

I'm sure as heck hoping the weather forecast for tomorrow in St Clair is completely wrong!!!

Over 50% chance of rain all day???

[Ratickle]

https://www.facebook.com/OPARacing/v...5065057564785/

[rschap1]

Hope the weather is good !!!

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Class 6 Start

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Class 7 Start

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It was really good to talk to "Evil" Ed Smith and see that he was doing well. He put on quite a show with his Knucklehead Racing Fountain. As a local, the people we talked to were also rooting for him to do well, which he did!

[rschap1]

Awesome day
Awesome show
Whole family enjoyed

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Stock Outboard Start

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[Ratickle]