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The pulse of Washington County VOL. 03, NO. 47
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FOREST LAKE AREA
Friday, September 4, 2015
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FOREST LAKE — The need for speed is set to draw up to 5,000 spectators and some of the nation's top powerboat racers to Lakeside Park the weekend of Sept. 12. If they don't blink, attendees can expect to see entrants zipping around the lake on a quarter-mile buoy-marked course at speeds of up to 130 mph. The Fifth Annual Ron Baker Senior Memorial Regatta, a national competition organized by the Twin City Power Boat Association and sponsored by local businesses, starts at noon each day, rain or shine. The final races Sunday culminate with the crowning of American
Power Boat Association national champions in two of seven classes (Formula 150 and Modified Unlimited) which range from novice to best-ofthe-professionals. Some $6,000 in prize money is at stake. The expertise of the top drivers is great fun to observe, said TCPBA Commodore Brian Tabara, and spectators can sit in the park, listen to live commentary and enjoy food from several concessionaires while taking in the action. Those wishing to watch via their own boats are also welcome, he said, and it's not uncommon for races to draw a spectator flotilla of 20 other vessels. The race is named after late Forest Lake resident Ron
Baker, a TCPBA member who worked for several outboard and boat manufacturers and promoted local boat racing dating back to the 1950s. A highlight, Tabara said, is the modified Le Mans-style race starts in which contestants line up their boats at the beach, then accelerate from 0 to 100 mph in some 3.5 seconds once the flag goes up. “It's a nice day at the lake watching competitors at their craft — some of the best in the world and in the country,” he noted. About 35 of the racers participating are based in Minnesota, he said, while 15 come from out of state or from Canada or Puerto
Rico. The format of the race is so professional experts in safety and technical standards are flown in to examine the course and the boats; they even dissemble each motor to ensure no racer has an unfair advantage and “make sure everyone feels good it's a straight-up race.” The event marks the second-to-last of the TWPBA's 2015 races, with the final event in Superior, Wisconsin Sept 19-20. Describing the action on site will be well-known Golden Gophers hockey announcer Wally Shaver along with U.S. and world champion racer Chris Bush.
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