Greers Ferry News
04-18-2007, 08:48 AM
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Greers Ferry News
Ozark ROAR boat races this weekend are a “big deal”
Published: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 5:04 PM CDT
A first-time event in Arkansas, the Ozark Roar Power Boat Races, will take place on April 21-22 on the western part of Greers Ferry Lake.
The course, approved by the Corps of Engineers, will be 6.45 miles long with eight turns, making this course challenging for the drivers and exciting for the spectators. About 35 boats in eight classes will compete in three different races, each lasting about 45 minutes. Races will begin at noon each day. April 21 is a water testing day with the official race on April 22
“These types of boats do have a two-man crew, one driver and one throttle man,” Kitty Gray, event organizer, explained. They sit side by side in an encapsulated cockpit complete with five-point safety harnesses. When racing, the boats can go more than 200 mph.
“The bigger boats usually race later in the day,” Gray said. “Safety helicopters [carrying rescue divers] will be following them from above.”
Designated spectator viewing areas for Ozark Roar will be at Fairfield Bay Park and Sugar Loaf Park. Off-site parking will be available with shuttles to the recreational parks. Food vendors will set up at the viewing areas and at the parking venues, where spectators will also be able to purchase race programs, water, caps and T-shirts. No coolers or alcohol will be allowed at the event.
Camping is available around the lake, including at the two event viewing locations.
A race village will be open from 9 a.m. to dusk on Friday, April 20 at the Van Buren County Fairgrounds and throughout the rest of the weekend. Boats will be staged at this “dry pit.” Marine, arts and crafts and food vendors will also be on hand.
“Drivers, throttle men and crew members will be working on their boats so the public can walk around and see them,” explained Gray. “It’s just a way to get to know the racers on a more personal level.” Each team has a crew of five to 10 members. There will be more than $60 million dollars worth of equipment and world-class offshore power boats at the two-day event.
A general admission armband will cost $10 daily. The armband provides entry into both the race village and the spectator parks. Children under the age of 12 enter free. The parking fee of $5 will allow the public to move from one parking area to the other for only one fee each day. All proceeds from the event will go to educational scholarships and charitable organizations, Gray added.
In addition to the race, numerous activities are planned for Saturday, April 21:
The Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast will be from 7:30 a.m.-10 a.m. at the Lion’s Den by Fairfield Bay Mall. The cost will be $4 for adults and $3 for children 6 to 12.
The Greers Ferry Street Dance will be from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. at Greers Ferry Plaza. Offering a mixture of country and dance music, the band will be Bandura with the Ozark Gypsy. The cost is a donation of $3 with children 12 and under free.
A Meet the Racers Party will take place from 8 p.m.-midnight at the Bayview Club Sports Bar and Grill.
More than 10,000 spectators are expected. Ozark Roar will be televised nationally by American Powerboat Television. It also will air live on the Internet on www.talkoffshore.com.
For more information on the Ozark Roar Power Boat Races and a detailed schedule of activities, visit www.ozarkroar.com.
Story By Jill Rohrbach, Travel Writer
Published: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 5:04 PM CDT
A first-time event in Arkansas, the Ozark Roar Power Boat Races, will take place on April 21-22 on the western part of Greers Ferry Lake.
The course, approved by the Corps of Engineers, will be 6.45 miles long with eight turns, making this course challenging for the drivers and exciting for the spectators. About 35 boats in eight classes will compete in three different races, each lasting about 45 minutes. Races will begin at noon each day. April 21 is a water testing day with the official race on April 22
“These types of boats do have a two-man crew, one driver and one throttle man,” Kitty Gray, event organizer, explained. They sit side by side in an encapsulated cockpit complete with five-point safety harnesses. When racing, the boats can go more than 200 mph.
“The bigger boats usually race later in the day,” Gray said. “Safety helicopters [carrying rescue divers] will be following them from above.”
Designated spectator viewing areas for Ozark Roar will be at Fairfield Bay Park and Sugar Loaf Park. Off-site parking will be available with shuttles to the recreational parks. Food vendors will set up at the viewing areas and at the parking venues, where spectators will also be able to purchase race programs, water, caps and T-shirts. No coolers or alcohol will be allowed at the event.
Camping is available around the lake, including at the two event viewing locations.A race village will be open from 9 a.m. to dusk on Friday, April 20 at the Van Buren County Fairgrounds and throughout the rest of the weekend. Boats will be staged at this “dry pit.” Marine, arts and crafts and food vendors will also be on hand.
“Drivers, throttle men and crew members will be working on their boats so the public can walk around and see them,” explained Gray. “It’s just a way to get to know the racers on a more personal level.” Each team has a crew of five to 10 members. There will be more than $60 million dollars worth of equipment and world-class offshore power boats at the two-day event.
A general admission armband will cost $10 daily. The armband provides entry into both the race village and the spectator parks. Children under the age of 12 enter free. The parking fee of $5 will allow the public to move from one parking area to the other for only one fee each day. All proceeds from the event will go to educational scholarships and charitable organizations, Gray added.
In addition to the race, numerous activities are planned for Saturday, April 21:
The Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast will be from 7:30 a.m.-10 a.m. at the Lion’s Den by Fairfield Bay Mall. The cost will be $4 for adults and $3 for children 6 to 12.
The Greers Ferry Street Dance will be from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. at Greers Ferry Plaza. Offering a mixture of country and dance music, the band will be Bandura with the Ozark Gypsy. The cost is a donation of $3 with children 12 and under free.
A Meet the Racers Party will take place from 8 p.m.-midnight at the Bayview Club Sports Bar and Grill.
More than 10,000 spectators are expected. Ozark Roar will be televised nationally by American Powerboat Television. It also will air live on the Internet on www.talkoffshore.com.
For more information on the Ozark Roar Power Boat Races and a detailed schedule of activities, visit www.ozarkroar.com.
Story By Jill Rohrbach, Travel Writer
