Inflatable Boat Racing is Coming to Canada!

For the first time ever in Canada the Canadian Boating Federation, the world recognized sanctioning body for powerboat racing in Canada, will be racing “ThunderCat” inflatable boats (also known as P750’s or SLT’s/Super Light Tunnel Hulls, etc).  They will race at an event in Dunnville, Ontario on August 13 and 14th, hosted by the Toronto Outboard Racing Club Inc., and will be sanctioned by the Canadian Boating Federation and the American Power Boat Association. 

The goal with the class at this race will be to generate interest, talk to interested people, and put on a good show for the spectators.  Also at this event will be Stock Outboard Hydroplane oval racing and Outboard Drag Racing. There will be a beer garden throughout the weekend for spectators and live music Saturday night.  Last year the Dunnville “Thunder on the Grand” event attracted about 1,500 spectators. 

The organizers feel it would be great to get more competitors in this exciting, affordable class! Maybe you could eneter. Only one of the drivers at this point has experience racing ThunderCats, so don’t be put off if you have never raced before.  As the organizers say; we’re all learning.  For the first few events taking place (at Dunnville in 2011 and various sites in 2012) any tiller motor that is under 1,000 cc is pretty much eligible (APBA SLT X-Class), but they are encouraging people to use show room stock 50 hp motors as this will be the goal as this gets more serious.

The track will utilize the existing oval and drag strip the host club is setting up.  The oval is about a 7/8” mile around.  They plan to run a minimum two heats per day of 4 or 5 laps each starting with a Le Mans start. Race duration will be about 5 miles each heat.  Points will be awarded each heat and then added together to determine the winner.  But like mentioned above, at this point the organizers just want to get people out on the water and have a good time!  So whether you are slow or fast, 30 hp or 75 hp, novice or experienced, come and get involved with others who share your interest at this historic event for ThunderCats in Canada..

Entry fee is $40 per two person team per day ($35 if you pre-register).  Driver and co-pilot must also be a racing member of either CBF or APBA (the sanction and insurance provider).  You can purchase a $50 CBF weekend racing membership on-site if you like, this is valid for USA or Canadian participants.  If you only have a driver, it’s possible that some of the other hydroplane or drag racers who are already on site would jump at the opportunity to be a co-pilot for the day.  The club is expecting about 140 entries in various classes over the two day event. 

For more information on the event, required safety gear, or questions, please feel free to contact Andrew Fralick.

If you would like to discuss sponsorship opportunities, or donate prizes big or small, or have a race or demonstration event in your area, please feel free to contact Andrew Fralick on this as well.

The organizers want to thank their current Supporters:

-High Command Distributing – www.highcommanddistributing.com

-Aquarius Inflatables North America – www.aquariusinflatablesna.com

For more info on the sport and other events going on, check out ThunderCats on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thundercatsna

For information contact, Andrew Fralick, CBF Outboard Racing Commission, Vice-Chair, Brampton, Ontario at Andrew4ce@gamil.com  or 905-453-7290