Pace: Sprint boat racing returns to St. John for 10th anniversary
Sprint Boat racing returns to St. John this weekend for the 10th anniversary of the annual pilgrimage to the famed Webb’s Slough. Owners Matt and Amanda Webb have worked diligently in the last decade to create a one-of-a-kind venue for sprint boat racing. To have one decade’s worth of effort into the sport is quite the accomplishment for the small farming community.
Sprint Boat racing is built around a two-person team, their boat and the ability to cut the fastest lap among your competitors over a tricky shallow-water course. Built into the farmland of the Webb’s Palouse property, the course is one of the most challenging in the sport.
Single-boat runs against the clock buckled into a 1,000-horsepower boat tests the two-person crew over the course of race day. Safety is a priority among race organizers with each boat featuring a roll bar over the driver’s compartment. Driver and navigator are required to wear helmets and safety gear to compete in the race.
Economic impact and tourism has been a boom to a locale in the last decade as they look for any chance to showcase the peaceful opportunities the Palouse can provide.
Presenting a fan friendly venue to racers and fans alike, the Webbs have seen a groundswell of support over the last decade for their unique style of racing. Much of their efforts are in their race course that continues to evolve and bring new fan experiences each year. From hillside seating to a variety of food venues and viewing areas, Webb’s Slough is one of the premier racing venues in the Inland Empire for professional motorsports.
Action gets underway Friday evening with a technical inspection of competitor boats that takes place along the main street of St. John. For ticket and other information regarding the weekend’s racing at Webb’s Slough log onto webbsslough.com
SCR ready for action
Northwest Motorsports Road Racing and the Northwest Grand Prix invade Spokane County Raceway for three days of action beginning this morning and wrapping up on Sunday afternoon.
With roots that date back to 1954, the road racing group offers competition in a variety of machines including Indy-Car style open-wheels, specially prepared Porsche, BMW and other Sports Car Club of America-based cars and much more. The unique feature of a Northwest Motorsports event at SCR, many of the different cars take to the track in the same flights giving fans the chance to see the variety lap after lap.
Over 40 classes are expected to compete over the course of the three-day event. Admission to the races is a donation to the Lions Club that will support local efforts of the long-standing group.
For more information log onto northwestmotorsports.org
Nelson gears up
Spokane County Raceway’s half-mile hosts its first late model event of the season with several of the area’s best drivers looking for their first chance to claim victory at the ultra-quick track.
One driver to keep an eye on will be Joey Nelson. When not helping his family operate the facility, the younger Nelson has competed in the Pony Stock division and last year ventured into late models where he earned Rookie of the Year honors.
Nelson will be pulling double-duty Saturday night, as the Pony Stock division is also scheduled to be in action. Only two points separate Nelson from the top of the Pony Stock championship standings as Landon Edwards has shown the hot hand thus far in the season including a main event victory in last weekend’s Auckerman-Armstrong Memorial.
SCR’s Super Oval offers six classes of racing on Saturday night as the Baby Grands, Road Runners, Sportsmen and Bump to Pass join the Late Model and Pony Stock divisions. As part of its Father’s Day celebrations, all children under the age of 12 years old will be admitted to SCR’s Super Oval at no charge.
For more information log onto spokanesuperoval.com