Offshore racing to return to Algonac, April 5th Voice article Options

[Capt'n Mike]

Offshore racing to return to AlgonacUPDATED Apr. 5, 2006 9:49 AM EST
PUBLISHED: Wednesday, April 5, 2006
BY KYLE LOHMEIER
VOICE STAFF WRITER

The grumble of powerful engines off Algonac's bank of the St. Clair River used to be common in the glory days of Chris Craft and Gar-Wood. This summer, however, Algonac's offshore racing heritage will be revisited when the Algonac-Clay Offshore Racing Association hosts a powerboat race June 4.

Beth Engel, of Seaway Community Bank and a former Clay Township trustee, is the President of ACORA, whose board is made up of several local dignitaries. Together they brought the races back to the St. Clair River off of Algonac, with some help.

"With a lot of help with the Blue Water Offshore Racing Association in St. Clair. They guided us and we've done things the right way. They've been very successful; they've been in existence now for 12 or so years,“ Engel said.

The members of ACORA have been working at bringing the races to Algonac this summer for some time and received final confirmations of their plans only a few weeks ago.

"What happened this year, a new group has been set up. We've got all the paperwork, set up an LLC. We're getting our tax-exempt status and everything,“ Engel said.

She added that the association is really hoping to make the event a boon for the community and local service organizations, which will be given the opportunity to participate and raise funds in conjunction with the two-day event.

"So, it's a win-win for everybody. The Lions will have their beer tent, there'll be the Kof C, VFW, Little League ... everybody's getting an opportunity to makes some money from people outside our area,“ Engel said.

The main races will be June 4 and there will be some time trials on June 3.

Engel said that since the time trials aren't an all-day event, the association is bringing in entertainment and other activities.

"We're scheduling some community event things that'll happen every hour of the day. Cindy Babisz has been working very closely with me to have events for the kids, and there'll be a battle of the bands with teenagers,“ Engel said.

"Sunday will be the race and that event will take precedence over everything.

"We're focusing a lot on the history, as everyone knows it all started here. I know the historical society is hoping to put up a Gar-Wood boat on their property. It's going to be an extremely neat thing for everyone involved.“

Source