story and photography by
Marlene Mignerey
RIVER RUSH
Continuing a tradition that kicked off in 1985, racers chart a course to Central Idaho to conquer the Clearwater River.
Above: CX racers Tim Harding (driver) and Vance Scott (navigator) took first place in the class—and the overall event—in their Burning Desire competitor. They finished the event with a time of 2:19:33.
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S P E E D B O A T | September/October 2021
W
ild jetboat racing action heated up in central Idaho, when the Clearwater River Rush jetboat race continued a tradition that began in 1985. Racers in three classes (FX, CX and A) took to the waters of
the Clearwater River in central Idaho near the city of Orofino. The overall winner (and winner in CX Class) was Burning Desire, with Tim Harding (D) and Vance Scott (N), who finished with a time of 2:19:33. Both men are from Gold Beach, OR. Harding has been promoting and racing jet boat river races for more than 25 years. He is presently organizing the 2022 World Jet Boat Races, to be held in Idaho, Oregon and Northern California in the middle of next May. Because of Covid, this premier event has been postponed twice. Driver Chris Barger and navigator Chandler Lytle, both of Orofino, ID, were the winners in FX Class (and second overall), with a time of 2:40:04. First place in A Class (and third overall) was won by the father/son team of Jeff and Jeremy Edwardson of Lewiston, ID, with a time of 2:47:50.
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