Tunnel Boat Race in Kankakee Il Labor Day Weekend
 

The largest OPC event in the country carries the prestige of the National Championships
Wednesday, August 20, 2003
OPC Nationals in Kankakee, Illinois

From Mike Wienandt - OPC Chairman

This four day long event, held on Labor Day weekend, is the 19th consecutive year that the Kankakee River Valley in Illinois along with Great Lakes Boat Club has hosted this American Power Boat Association (APBA) event. The Outboard Performance Craft (OPC) National Championship is the most important race a driver can win. It is the only event recorded in the APBA archives. It awards bonus points toward the National High Points Championship. And also, the winner of each class is awarded 3 points toward the APBA Hall of Champions, the most prestigious honor awarded to a driver of APBA. We will have participation from all corners of the United States, along with Canada and Mexico. This is the one event in the country that brings all classes of OPC racing together under one APBA sanctioned weekend. From our small Sport C boats to our fast Mod U boats, this is, without a doubt, the greatest showcase in the country of what APBA OPC racing is about.

We have many changes for this year all set up. Bands at the club house every evening, new VIP viewing areas, a new start dock location and more classes added to this event that are sure to entertain the huge crowds of the Kankakee area.

We have moved the starting line (dock for LeMans start) from down river to the shore line in front of the club house. The dock will be angled by having one end of it located and the end of the pier in from of the club house and the other end pulled into shore giving us a great new run to the turn. We feel this will increase the safety in the first turn, however it will but more emphasis on your heats to determine your dock position for the final. In the big classes which require many of heats, we will be running a one lap time trail to set the line-up for the heats. This will ensure there are no easy heats. Every class will get at least three heats of racing.

This year there will be an Official Test Day of Friday August 29th. There will NOT be testing on race days as in the past. Come ready to play hard. We will give Champ/Mod U some extra test time as requested by the sponsors at the end of the day Saturday, daylight permitting.

We are going to see some of the most open racing in classes in years. This year, the Sport C class has proven to be wide open. In the mid-west, Carl Barrett came out swinging, beating multi-National winner Alan Hunting. Wow! Then Alan came back to win again a few weeks later. Duane and Mike Hodges scoring a 1 - 2, it has been interesting to say the least.

Now we have Randy Limbeck with his new Johnson along with Bob Schellhase making the trip this year from the Northwest, to see how fast these Midwest guys are. And to top that off we have a brand new constructed capsule boat coming right out of Kankakee with a surprise driver. A past national winner from bigger classes I'm told.

This class has never been so wide open as long as I can remember.

SST 45 will be a barn burner. We have the again World Champion Jay Fox along with Rock Falls winner and local favorite Rodney Schuh. Fresh off a 1st and 2nd place finish in Long Beach will be Spencer and Shawn Love. R J West is also making the trip from California. Barry Hawk had everyone covered in the early season will be here from Florida. Mark Schmerbach has been working hard on a few new things and is long over due for this one. There is little more competition in the country than you will see here in this class.

SST 60 is really wide open. Tyler Kratochwill, who has some great wins in Kankakee, has been very sick. He is recovering, but not expected to race for a while. Sam Labanco who also has had great victories on this river has not raced this year. Neal Haraway, who is running out front in APR, could be trying to total more Hall of Champions points by coming to this one. Or this could be the big one for Michael Floyd of Florida. Brian Sherriff will make his trip from Canada most enjoyable if he can grab this one. It is truly anyone's race.

SST 70 will be running possibly the last time here. Boat owner George Young would love to see a victory for his driver Mark Schmerbach as they did not have such a good year last year. Local favorite Sam Miller has another idea about that though. And all the way from North Dakota, Chris Waahlin also has his eye on this one. With Mercury battling Johnson, it's a great one to watch.

Formula V is having a great year with more boats than ever really trying to win. Don Lick from Minnesota is having an incredible year. Antioch Illinois' Jeff Baker says this place is home. Eddie Paula says the title was his last year and he is coming back from Florida to take it. Looking for one of the best turn-outs in many years for this one.

SST 120 is the largest class in OPC and the title that matters is right here in Kankakee. Vince Vosin did it last year and he is on a roll this year as well. The Miami Flash Shaun Torrente just got a new boat and reports are he is really fast. Scott Landgraff from Minnesota is also running very strong. Boat master builder Gary Pugh is certainly in this fight. Gordie Miller thinks this river is his, so we'll see if his streak of damaging boats comes to an end or continues in his quest for the top. Kris Sheppard has been knocking on this door all year. Glyn (go fast or crash) Matthews is super quick and one to watch. This will prove to be the best racing you'll see. Because of the speed and the "who's gonna be there", this may be the best racing of the entire event.

Super Sport will again be show-casing the outboard industrys new clean technology engines. This 150 horsepower certified class always has close competition. Last years champion Mike Muldrow made a big move by changing from his proven Evinrude to a Mercury. This year, will he win because he has the best boat? Or is the package still the deal. Jose Aguirre seems to be running strong with his Evinrude and could certainly be a challenge to Mike. Jack Barsh, builder of the Quarter Shot boats, will also be a factor. Steve Quick is going to show his speed this year along with Jeff Pira. This is certainly a race to cheer on you favorite brand, as all the new products are out there.

Champ and Mod U class will run combined and we'll see if the highly modified Mod U engines can go the distance of the restricted Champ engines. Some of the biggest names in the sport will be here for this battle for the river. The Kankakee river is a little tight for these missles on the water. With rooster tails half the length of the river and noise you can hear downtown you know it's pure power on the water.

Tri-hull class from Texas is new to Kankakee and is sure to be crowd favorite. These early 70s tri-hull boats were never designed for this and your going to see just how fast and how much fun can be produced by the hulls with 100 cubic inch modified engines on them.

Super Light Tunnels will also award National titles for the two person inflatable tunnel boats. These units can now touch the 80 mph mark and always exciting to watch the relationship of driver and rider as they master the conditions of the race course.

This year's event will be running for $44,000 in Prize and Show money, making this the event to attend. There is no better place for friendships and competition. Bring your cameras and we'll see you at the OPC National Championships.

Schedule
 

Are you ready for the OPC Nationals?
Tuesday, August 26, 2003
The following is the weekend schedule for APBA OPC Nationals, to be held in Kankakee, Illinois - August 29 through September 1, 2003.

For more information on the event, visit Kankakeeregatta.com or get directions from the APBA sanction page.

Schedule submitted by OPC Chairman, Mike Wienandt


Friday, August 29, 2003
9:00 - 11:45 Registration & Safety Inspection
1:30 - 4:00 Registration & Safety Inspection
No Testing without Registration and Safety Inspection First
10:00 - 10:20 Sport C Testing Short Course 20 min
10:20 - 10:40 SST 45 Testing Short Course 20 min
10:40 - 11:00 SST 60/70 Testing 20 min
11:00 - 11:20 Formula V / Super Sport Testing 20 min
11:20 - 11:40 SST 120 / F-150 Testing 20 min
12:00 - 1:30 Intermission/lunch
1:30 - 2:00 Sport C Testing Short Course 30 min
2:00 - 2:30 SST 45 Testing Short Course 30 min
2:30 - 3:00 SST 60/70 Testing 30 min
3:00 - 3:30 SST 120 / F-150 Testing 30 min
3:30 - 4:00 Formula V / Super Sport Testing 30 min
4:00 - 4:30 Champ / Mod U Testing 30 min
4:30 - 5:00 Super Light Tunnels Testing Short Course 30 min
5:00 - 5:30 Champ / Mod U Testing 30 min

If more than 16 Boats: Heats A & B will pull top 4 to the final.
If more than 20 Boats: Heats A, B and C will pull top 3 to the final.

If there are more than 12 boats in LCQ (Last chance qualifier), two heats with two flags required
LCQ: Top two will start on first flag in Final, Balance fills the dock to 16
Finals: 16 Boat Maximum. 10 on the first flag, 6 on the second flag


Saturday, August 30, 2003
8:00 - 9:00AM Registration
8:00AM - 12:00PM Safety Inspection
9:45 Drivers Meeting
10:30 - 10:45 Testing by appointment only - 15 Min - 2 Laps only
11:00 SST 45 Time Trials - 2 hot laps of testing then line up for TT
12:00 Opening Ceremony


Class ----- Race ----- Laps
1 Formula V Qualifying heat 1 ---- 6
2 Formula V Qualifying heat 2 ---- 6
3 SST 45 Qualifying heat 1 A ---- 6 Short Course
4 SST 45 Qualifying heat 2 A ---- 6 Short Course
5 SST 70 Qualifying heat 1 ---- 6
6 SST 70 Qualifying heat 2 ---- 6
7 SST 45 Qualifying heat 1 B ---- 6 Short Course
8 SST 45 Qualifying heat 2 B ---- 6 Short Course
9 Formula 150 Qualifying heat 1
10 Formula 150 Qualifying heat 2
11 SST 45 Qualifying heat 1 C ---- 6 Short Course
12 SST 45 Qualifying heat 2 C ---- 6 Short Course
13 Sport C Qualifying heat 1 ---- 6 Short Course
14 Sport C Qualifying heat 2 ---- 6 Short Course
15 Formula 150 Finals ---- 15
16 Super Light Tunnels Qualifying heat 1 ---- 6 Short Course
17 Super Light Tunnels Qualifying heat 2 ---- 6 Short Course
18 Formula V Finals ---- 10
19 SST 70 Finals ---- 10
20 Champ/Mod U testing


Sunday, August 31, 2003
8:00 - 9:00AM Registration & Safety Inspection - 1 HR
9:30 Non-denominational Chapel MRO Pastor Laurie Vidal
10:00 Drivers Meeting - Required attendance
10:45 SST 120 Time Trials 2 hot laps of testing then line up for TT
11:15 SST 60 Time Trials 2 hot laps of testing then line up for TT
11:45 Champ/Mod U Time Trials 2 hot laps of testing then line up for TT
12:15 Opening Ceremony
12:30 Racing Begins


Class ----- Race ----- Laps
1 Super Sport Qualifying heat 1 ---- 6
2 Super Sport Qualifying heat 2 ---- 6
3 Sport C Finals ---- 10 Short Course
4 SST 120 Qualifying heat 1 A ---- 10
5 SST 120 Qualifying heat 2 A ---- 10
6 SST 60 Qualifying heat 1 ---- 6
7 SST 60 Qualifying heat 2 ---- 6
8 SST 120 Qualifying heat 1 B ---- 10
9 SST 120 Qualifying heat 2 B ---- 10
10 Tri- Hull Qualifying heat 1 ---- 6 Short Course
11 Tri-Hull Qualifying heat 2 ---- 6 Short Course
12 Champ/Mod U Qualifying heat 1A ---- 10
13 Champ/Mod U Qualifying heat 2A ---- 10
14 Champ/Mod U Qualifying heat 1B ---- 10
15 Champ/Mod U Qualifying heat 2B ---- 10
16 Super Light Tunnels Finals ---- 10 Short Course


Monday, September 1, 2003
9:00 - 9:15 SST120 Testing 15 min.
9:15 - 9:30 SST45 Testing 15 min.
9:30 - 9:45 SST 60 Testing 15 min.
9:45 - 10:00 Super Sport Testing 15min
10:00 - 10:15 Tri- Hull Testing 15min
10:15 - 10:45 Champ / Mod U Testing 30min
11:00 Drivers Meeting
11:45 - 12:15 Opening Ceremony
12:30 Racing Begins
Must exit in ramp


Class ---- Race ---- Laps ----When
1 SST 45 LCQ #1 ---- 10 ---- 12:15
2 SST 45 LCQ#2 ---- 10
3 SST 120 LCQ #1 ---- 15 ---- 12:45
4 SST 120 LCQ#2 ---- 15
5 SST 60 Finals ---- 15 ---- 1:30
6 Tri Hull Finals ---- 10 Short Course
7 Super Sport Finals ---- 15 ---- 1:50
8 SST 120 Finals ---- 30 ---- 2:10
9 SST 45 Finals ---- 30 ---- 3:00
10 CHAMP/Mod U Finals ---- 30 ---- 4:00

Note: All times are approximate, and are at the discretion of the Race Committee.

I will be there testing today and racing on Sunday. Kankakee is a great venue. You can see the entire course and get very close to the action. It's not Offshore but it is very serious boat racing.
Steve Quick APBA #47 Super Sport SBI #S12 Super Stock
Have a "SUPER" day.

We wish the best of luck to all that are up there, and that they all may go fast and keep the shiny side up. Im sure the 120s will have some awsome racing up there. Wish we could be there.

Ken Adams Jr.
Quest Racing #111
TAKE IT OUT & PLAY WITH IT!!!:p :p

Grin&Barrett Racing Wins National Championship in SPORT "C"!
 

My father at 61yrs young won the Sport C national championship Sunday Aug 31 2003, beating 7 other boats to the checkered flag in all 3 heats run this weekend. Thanks to the city of Kankakee Il for another great weekend of raceing and to APBA for all the great people involved to make this event a success every year.

Matthew Barrett

I remember Ill. Craig Barrie

Matthew,
It was very exciting to watch your Dad win. Kankakee delivered a weekend of exciting racing as usual. The weather was dismal. I was amazed to see the spectator side of the river filled with people. It was 62 degrees and raining most of Sunday and Monday.

HMMMMMMMM, provide a quality product year after year. Do it at a venue that provides excellent viewing. Don't piss off the promoters and sponsors. Create a fan base that will pay to stand in the cool rain to watch boats race.

SQ

Who won the 120 race?

Kankakee results
 

OPC and Super Light Tunnel Closed Course Nationals in Kankakee, Illinois
Tuesday, September 2, 2003
Congratulations to our newly crowned 2003 APBA National Champions!

Sport C
1st Carl Barrett
2nd Mike Hodges
3rd Duane Hodges

SST 45
1st Randy Schuh
2nd Mark Schmerbach
3rd Shawn Love

SST 60
1st Sam Miller
2nd Sam LaBanco
3rd Chris Waalen

SST 70
1st Mark Schmerbach
2nd Michael Floyd

Formula V
1st Jeff Grigg
2nd Ernie Brown
3rd Don Lick

Formula 150
1st Mark Proffit

Tri Hull
1st Mike Schubert
2nd Chris Rinker
3rd Jerry Rinker

Super Sport
1st Donnie McDowell
2nd Scott Adams
3rd Robert Wavro

SST 120
1st Shaun Torrente
2nd Vince Vosin
3rd Gary Pugh

Champ
1st Carlos Kuri
2nd Lynn Simburger
3rd Mike Schubert

Mod U
1st Mark Welch
2nd Pete Nydahl
3rd Jon Giumond

Steve,

How did you fare in SS I only got to watch 1 heat?
the weather wasn't nice but the raceing was great. I got one of our crew members in trouble when our team was asked if anyone was available to be front man on a performance inflatable. I told our man he should try it not thinking he would, but after the heat races on Sat the smile on his face was there until he went to bed that night.

Matt