Voters Endorse Boat-Race Ban

Hydroplanes

The hydroplanes appear to be out of here.

Preliminary returns show Coeur d’Alene voters endorsing an initiative that essentially bans unlimited class hydroplane racing from Lake Coeur d’Alene by a comfortable majority.

With nine precincts in, 3,228 people were in favor of the hydro ban and 1,591 cast ballots against.

Hydroplane racing promoters tried to revive racing last winter after a 23-year hiatus. In particular, promoters wanted the City Council and not voters to decide on a proposal to bring back the Diamond Cup.

But bad memories of the races-turned-riots lingered long after the last race in 1968. An opposition group formed under the name of Protect Our Lakes Association and put the initiative on the ballot.

The strong support for the racing ban is no surprise. In a 1985 advisory vote, Coeur d’Alene residents rejected a return to racing by 3 to 1.

, DataTimes