The roar
returns
to the
river
this
weekend
for the
2017
HydroFest,
August
25-27
DETROIT
–
Hydroplane
racing
fans
will get
a full
splash
of
hairpin
turns
and
roaring
engines
and when
the HRL
Grand
Prix and
H-350
Hydroplane
racers
battle
on the
Detroit
River as
part of
the 2017
Metro
Detroit
Chevy
Dealers
HydroFest
(Aug.
25-27).
While
smaller
in
physical
size and
with a
tad less
engine
power
than the
more
renowned
H1
Unlimited
Hydroplane
boats,
these
supporting
classes
are a
perfect
complement
to the
H1
Unlimited
hydroplanes.
“We are
excited
to
include
the HRL
Grand
Prix and
H-350
Hydroplanes
as part
of a
thrilling
weekend
of
hydroplane
racing
on the
Detroit
River,”
said
Mark
Weber,
President
of
Detroit
Riverfront
Events,
Inc.,
the
organizing
body of
the 2017
Metro
Detroit
Chevy
Dealers
HydroFest.
“We
invite
the
public
to come
and
enjoy
the
great
tradition
of
hydroplane
racing
on the
Detroit
River
August
25-27.”
The HRL
Grand
Prix
Hydroplanes
are 24
feet
long
(eight
feet
shorter
than the
H-1
Unlimited)
with a
468 cu
in Blown
Chevrolet
engine.
The
crafts’
can hit
a top
speed of
160 mph.
Led by
current
points
leader
Bert
Henderson,
HRL
drivers
will
navigate
through
nine
heats in
order to
get a
spot in
their
championship
race on
Sun.
Aug. 27,
minutes
before
the
prestigious
APBA
Gold Cup
final
for the
unlimited
hydroplanes.
Meanwhile,
the
H-350
Hydroplanes,
which
are 19
feet in
length
and
feature
a 350 cu
in
carburetor
Chevrolet
engine,
can hit
a
maximum
speed of
120 mph.
H-350
racers
will run
their
six
qualifying
heats on
Sat.,
Aug. 26.
Their
finale
will
also
take
place on
Sunday
afternoon,
prior to
the
Grand
Prix
racers.
HydroFest
fans can
anticipate
a
dogfight
between
current
points
leader
Remy
Leblanc
and the
number
two in
the
standings,
Jimmy
King.
For the
H1
Unlimited
Hydroplanes
and
their
drivers,
2017
marks
the
101st
race
along
the
Detroit
River,
one of
the
Motor
City’s
longest-standing
sports
traditions
and the
longest
continuously
running
hydroplane
race on
the H1
Unlimited
circuit.
The 2017
Metro
Detroit
Chevy
Dealers
HydroFest
takes
place
Fri.,
Aug. 25
– Sun.,
Aug. 27
and will
feature
an
updated
format
this
year
with two
sets of
preliminary
heats on
Aug. 26
and a
winner-take-all
final
for the
President’s
Cup,
followed
by three
sets of
preliminary
heats on
Aug. 27
with a
winner-take-all
final
for the
revered
APBA
Gold
Cup, the
oldest
active
trophy
in all
of the
motorsports.
Single
and
weekend
tickets
are on
sale
now. To
purchase
tickets
or for
sponsorship
opportunities,
call the
office
of the
Detroit
Riverfront
Events
Inc. at
313-329-8047.
Visit
www.detroitboatraces.com
for
complete
details.
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