A new event will be staged on the Ohio Riverfront in Downtown Evansville, Indiana USA over the Labor Day weekend in 2017. Evansville HydroFestTM will host the American Power Boat Association’s North American Championships for 14 classes of Inboard Boats during the 3-day event, Friday September 1st, Saturday September 2nd, and Sunday September 3rd, 2017.
All 14 classes of eligible APBA boats use inboard powerplants, as opposed to outboard motors, in a variety of hull designs, including flat bottom, V bottom, and hydroplanes. The classes are grouped by hull type, length, weight, and size and type of engine. Each class is distinguished by letters, such as Y, NMH, and GP.
As of this date, a total of 33 teams have committed to compete in Evansville in 3 classes, including 1 Litre Y Hydroplanes, National Modified Hydroplanes NMH, and Grand Prix Hydroplanes GP. More classes are expected to compete.
The GP’s are the loudest, fastest, and largest of the APBA Inboard Classes, using 468 cubic inch supercharged/fuel injected V8 engines running on methanol and producing upwards of 1500 horsepower. The current world straightaway record was set in Fall 2016 by GP15, driven by Jerry Hopp at 170.620 mph.
The Grand Prix’s are organized and presented by Grand Prix Worldwide (GPW), a group of teams primarily from America’s west coast. The Executive Director is Mr. Sam Cole, a longtime organizer of hydroplane racing.
Evansville HydroFest is presented by Evansville Events, Inc., a 501c3 non- profit entity of the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Mr. Bob Warren is the Executive Director. Serving on the Executive Organizing Committee are Mr. Vernon Stevens, President of Southern Business Machines and Mr. Randy Lientz, President of AXIOM. All members reside in Evansville.
Bob Warren emphasized: “We are presenting Evansville HydroFest because our residents and visitors have asked for a new form of boatracing on our beautiful Ohio River. They want more boats, closer competition, less downtime, cooler temperatures, and MORE ROAR! And we will deliver. We chose Labor Day weekend because high temperatures will be around 85 degrees. As for action, as soon as one race is completed, the next heat will begin.
Admission cost for Evansville HydroFest is $10 total for all 3 days. 12 and under are free. The wristbands will go on sale June 14th in a variety of Evansville and Tri-state locations, as well as online at www.evansvillehydrofest.com. Bleacher Seating and Pit Tours will be available for additional at the event.
The Preliminary Event Schedule is as follows:
Friday, September 1, 2017
8:00 am to 1:00 pm
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm 4:30 pm
5:00 pm
Pit and Race Course Set Up, Team Registration
Testing & Qualifying for All Classes
Grand Prix Class “Dash for Cash†5 Lap Race River Open to Traffic
Saturday, September 2, 2017
8:00 am to 12:00 pm 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
4-lap Heat Races for All Classes Lunch Break and River Open to Traffic 4-lap Heat Races for All Classes
River Open to Traffic
Sunday, September 3, 2017
8:00 am to 12:00 pm 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
4-lap Heat Races for All Classes
Lunch Break and River Open to Traffic 4-lap Heat Races for All Classes
5-lap Championship Races for All Classes Awards Presentation and River Open to Traffic
Randy Lientz stated: “The Evansville HydroFest represents an entirely new form of family entertainment for the Midwest. The Mission of our event is:
To Present Quality of Life Family Entertainment with a Sustainable Event Utilizing the Ohio River to Retain and Attract Citizens and Visitors to Evansville Indiana USA.
“Our Vision for Evansville HydroFest is to:
✓ Provide Affordable, Family Friendly Entertainment
✓ Utilize the Natural Resource of the Ohio River
✓ Deliver a Quality, World-Class Event
✓ Engage the Tri-State Community, the Midwest, and All North America ✓ Manage the Event to Be Self Sustainable for Future Generations
“Our Values for Evansville HydroFest are:
- ✓  We Are in the Entertainment Business
- ✓  Professional Race Teams Are Necessary to Deliver QualityEntertainment
- ✓  Spectators Will Pay a Fair Price for Quality Entertainment
- ✓  Sound Fiduciary Principles Are Necessary for Sustainabilityâ€Lientz continued: “We are grateful for the support of Evansville’s Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and the various city services we will need to present Evansville HydroFest. We are working closely with the City of Evansville, the United States Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, American Power Boat Association, Grand Prix Worldwide, and the Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau.Vernon Stevens says “More than 100 volunteers will be needed to stage Evansville HydroFest. Dubbed “The Roar Corpsâ€, a wide variety of positions are needed before, during, and after the event.†Interested individuals and groups can register at: www.evansvillehydrofest.com/volunteerStevens also emphasized: “Corporate Sponsorships are now being solicited to help fund Evansville HydroFest, beginning with the Title Sponsor. The Executive Committee will meet with interested businesses to explain the benefits of participation in the event, details, provisions, and costs.For more information about the American Power Boat Association, visit www.apba.org
For more information about Evansville HydroFest, visit www.evansvillehydrofest.com
For more information about the City of Evansville, visit www.visitevansville.com
