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USSBA News
Shotgun Sprint hulls
hard to beat!
John "Dutch"
Decoy's long experience in sprinting takes the sport to a new level
PORT McNEILL, British Columbia (December 18, 2008) —
John "Dutch" DeRooy has been involved in the world of
 sprint
boat racing, or Jet Sprinting, as it's known down under, since its birth in
1988. You are not going to find anyone on this side of the Pacific with more
experience than John.
The Shotgun hull has won championships in the U.S., Australia
and New Zealand since it first touched water 16 years ago.
The newest Shotgun hull is the best of the best refined to be
even better. Every boat comes off a custom, high-tech jig that guarantees no
buckles, twists or hooks in the running area.
The bottom is blueprinted and slip-coated. The hull is fully
prepped, primed and ready for paint. We also have our own paint shop that
can apply the paint colours of your choice.
Chrome molly cage and seat mounts built and fitted as an
integral part of the boat strength and rigidity.
A state of the art steering system that was developed to eliminate the
problems with loosened steering after a minor bump to the side of the hull,
and gives a more positive steering feel is manufactured in house and fitted
to the individual boat to suit the driver.
The photos you see above are of Scott Ackerman's new hull
that will premiere at Webb's Slough in June with a yet to be spec'd motor
For for information, visit John's website at:
http://www.shotgunboats.com/
USSBA News
Time to order Scott
Pump parts and pumps
Stronger
dollar makes prices cheaper
LEWISTON, Idaho (December 13, 2008) — Schlagel Marine
informed me the other day that it's now time to be shopping for new Scott
pumps and supplies.
The deadline for ordering to be sure you get your stuff in
time for installation is February 15, 2009. A mass order will be placed at
that time and will save everyone on shipping costs.
Konrad has lowered the process and a new basic, racing pump
is $6800 plus shipping.
See the forum for more details and feel free to call Jeff at
208-921-1214.
World Jetsprinting News
Australian
Jetsprinting community shocked by double tragedy
Two racers
lost over the weekend in unrelated events
By Jim DeFord - Courtesy Colin
Rosenwarne
AUSTRALIA (February 9, 2009) — Two members of the
Australian Formula Jet Sprint Association (AFJSA) died over the weekend.
 On
Friday night, Tim Howell took his own life at his home in Avoca. No further
details are available. Out of respect for Tim, his family and friends, any
public details or otherwise will not be published on this website.
Stephen Lackas lost his life on Saturday afternoon
while
trying to save his family home and prized sprint boat from wild fire in Wandong. Stephen had taken
his wife, Sandra, and 7-year-old son, Bailey, to a safe location and then returned in an
apparent attempt to save his home and remove his sprint boat from danger.
Warning: The links below will make you cry.
A link to one of the stories surrounding Stephen's death, and
the horrendous wildfires that are now thought to have been set by arsonists
is
HERE.
Another link to the
HeraldSun
The USSBA sends its heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the
families, friends and fellow racers as they mourn the loss of Tim and
Stephen. Godspeed. RIP.
USSBA Off-Season News
Silly Season Report I
Gotta love
rumors and stuff!
VANCOUVER, Washington (October 13, 2008) — This is the
first of several Silly Season reports. Please note that much of what you
read here are rumors. Some are not.
Pat Hampl and Scott Ackerman are both getting new hulls. Pat
is getting an entirely new boat and is rumored to be headed into the land of
Super Boats. Other hulls are rumored to being built by both manufacturers.
More hulls=More racers! Cool!!
Pat will have the newest generation Scott pump along with
the new Scottcraft F1 Racing hull from Konrad Scott's company. I have no
details on the power plant as of this writing, but it should be literally
smoke on the water.
Scott is acquiring a new Shotgun Sprint Hull from the garage
of Dutch Rooy. No word on the pump configuration, but one would have to
guess the newest generation Scott pump. Current rumors say the motor is the
same, but with some tweaks.
Pat has his entire ready-to-race boat up for sale. Scott has
his hull and pump up for sale. See the classified section for more
information.
Digging for the Port Angeles track(S) was to begin soon and
may be going on now. We should have more information available by the
National Meeting. Look for the 2009 Nationals to be there with possibly
Saturday AND Sunday races!
If you have not already heard a small group of former USSBA
racers from the Idaho area have decided to run on their own and attempt a
stand-alone series. Therefore, Marsing will be off the USSBA schedule
indefinitely. Also note that the USSBA will schedule its races at the
convenience of its track owners and promoters. Racers wanting to run both
series are encouraged to do so.
In the meantime we have several new rookies coming into the
USSBA. The Johnson/McNeal team from BC Canada will run a full season, and
after their exciting first two races, it will be fun to watch them compete
full-time in our now, international Series.
I have been beta-testing a Sprint Boat racing game/simulation
for the past 18 months that will make its first public appearance at the
National Meeting. All current tracks, including Woodland, Richland and
Marsing are included in the game along with Webb's Slough and the Field of
Dreams. It also doubles as a marathon river racing game. The game is written
for the PC and runs great under Windows XP SP3.
See you October 25th at the National Meeting and Awards
Banquet!
USSBA News
National Finals goes International
By Jim DeFord
ALBANY, Oregon (August 25, 2008) — The United States
Sprint Boat Association proudly enters the Albany event with International
status. The new Canadian team of Cory Johnson and Gary McNeal have proven
themselves at St. John by qualifying for the finals in their first event.
There are some surprises for the Albany event to be announced
shortly. Stay tuned to the USSBA website for more information.
USSBA Update
Ackerman sustains torn ACL
By Jim DeFord
COLFAX, Washington (August 26, 2008) — Lori Ackerman
was diagnosed with a torn ACL. She will keep off the leg for a week and then
they will re-examine and decide if an MRI is needed.
USSBA Media Update
Crash videos posted
By Jim DeFord
ST. HELENS, Oregon (August 26, 2008) — PAW Video
posted two incredible videos from the recent race at Webb's Slough.
The first is of John Gray & Tom Bailey's wild 360° in-the-air
rollover. A little sore and the boat is a bit bent up, but all fingers and
toes are wiggling.
CLICK
HERE for the Pat's Diamond video.
The second is a hard, hard crash by the Ackerman's. Lori
sustained a minor knee injury. It's times like these that the drivers,
navigators and race teams can rest easy as racing with the USSBA does
provide limited injury insurance. Last we heard Lori was doing fine, but
will be sore for awhile and they will race at Albany.
CLICK HERE for the Ackerman video.
Thanks to Paul White, his wife and assistant for the awesome
videos.
Race Preview
Mild weather—Hot action on tap at Webb's
Slough
By Jim DeFord
Photos courtesy RB Images, Matt Webb &
Sheila Trapp
WEBB'S SLOUGH (St. John), Washington (August 20, 2008) —
The sleepy little town of St. John will
 be
once again transformed into a racing Mecca as the ultra high-horsepower
boats of the United States Sprint Boat Association descend upon the
community for its second race of the 2008 season.
In a town where mowing lawns, weed-eating and power blowers are only allowed
on Thursdays, you’d never guess that 1,000hp V-8 engines would be racing in
town right next to the local golf course. But yes, they do make an exception
to the sound ordinance when the USSBA sprint boats come to town.
It doesn’t get more “America” than that. Where everyone indeed knows your
name and you don’t have to be a Bostonian barfly.
The weather, after the Northwest’s massive heat wave, is slated—as of this
writing— to be a very pleasant, fan-friendly 80° on race day. The boats and
the race teams will also enjoy a break from the heat.
But, it all stops there and the heat on the track will be steaming hot this
Saturday.
In the Super Boat class, the top three boats are separated by just 46
points. The top four boats in the A-400 class have just 124 points between
them with the Super-Mod class having a mere 96 points separating the first
four boats in the standings.
As I type this, the drivers are tuning their engines, tweaking their jet
pumps, checking the weather (weather does affect carb setups) and getting
ready for an all-out battle at Webb’s Slough.
Matt and Amanda Webb, owners of The Slough, have been working very hard in
preparation for this Saturday’s race. The track has been groomed and the
grass is green.
 If
you were at the June race, the action was wild and the fans screaming for
more as Jack Bright won his second consecutive A-400 race. Dan Morrison won
the first race of his sprint boat career in the K&N sponsored
Wicked Racing boat #10, and
Tim Cummings proved that NASCAR-style racing tape (colored duct tape) works
on boats too.
 Tim
and his navigator went for a wild ride when their boat flipped and
cart-wheeled. What was scary is that early into the crash, Tim’s helmet flew
off. Fortunately, there were no injuries, except a smacked-up boat, and the
crew returned to the pits to see what they could salvage out of the day.
With a bit of duct tape they reattached the_small.JPG)
non-structural top-deck of the boat and headed back out to the track making
the finals and finishing a respective fifth place.
Another boat having a scary moment was St. John local Don Smith and his
navigator Jeff Zimmerman as their boat was pushed back into
 the
water after a spin at the top loop. Don high-tailed it back to the spin-out
pool and his throttle stuck causing a massive crash that nearly totaled the
Wave Digger machine and they were done for the day.
So, if you have not yet witnessed this style of motorsport there is no
better time than this Saturday, August 23rd in St. John, Washington. Click
here for the weekend schedule and
here for directions. The
track also has its own website at
www.webbsslough.com
See you there!
Former Cheney resident at roots of hot St.
John boat racing event
Courtesy Cheney Free Press
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Jet sprint boat racing
has put tiny St. John, Wash. on the map thanks to the efforts of former
Cheney resident Amanda Webb and her husband Matt. The two will promote
their third race in the last two years next Saturday and expect another
capacity crowd at the Webb’s Slough course. The photo above also
features a former Cheney resident, Jeff Zimmerman (left), who serves as
the navigator for the Wave Digger driven by Don Smith of St. John. -
-Contributed photo from 2007 by Jim DeFord |
By PAUL DELANEY
Staff Reporter
Amanda Webb’s desire to follow her husband Matt’s “leap of faith” as she
called it has landed her in a big mud puddle. But it’s one the Cheney native
seems to be enjoying.
Webb and her spouse are at the center of the phenomenon known as jet sprint
boat racing in St. John, Wash. The next installment takes place Saturday,
Aug. 23 at the Webb’s Slough race course, once a field of alfalfa.
Jet sprint boat racing once captivated big crowds at the former Playfair
Race Course in Spokane for a few years up until 2001. Now the Webbs are
doing the same, it appears, in the field adjacent to the town’s golf course.
The Webb’s Slough race course is a maze of muddy channels, just a few feet
deep, and islands. Boats producing up to 1,000 horsepower accelerate from
0-80 miles per hour in just three seconds. A driver, and equally important
navigator, will weave their way through the course trying to be the quickest
in their class.
That combination of course makes for some of the most unpredictable racing
anywhere. Boats throw up muddy roostertails from their jet out-drives and
sometimes end up on the shore, or even upside down on their roll cages.
The fact that Webb’s Slough is reputed to be the most technical track the
United States Sprint Boat Association (USSBA) runs might have something to
do with the unpredictability the event has served up in two previous races.
The Webbs ran their first race last July and another earlier this June. Both
races drew increasingly bigger crowds.
Webb said “the whole stinking thing has been a leap of faith.” She was never
concerned that the first race would be a success. Webb was, however, fearful
that there might be logistical problems.
It’s a likely concern seeing as though neither one had ever so much as seen
a jet sprint race before staging their own.
“Matt and I are just event people,” Webb said. The couple does volunteer
work for St. John Community Club. “Matt is just a visionary,” Amanda Webb
said. She said her husband could see how the track was going to sit on the
land.
Webb was a fourth generation Cheney resident before leaving for the
community 45 minutes south of Cheney to drive wheat trucks for a summer job.
“My family used to raise cattle south of Cheney. My great aunt, Amy Jo Sooy
was the mayor of Cheney.” Webb graduated in 1997 from Cheney High School and
Eastern Washington University in 2004. She moved to St. John in the spring
of 1999 to drive wheat truck for her husband’s cousin. The Webb’s were
married in 2006.
There’s another local connection involved in jet sprints. It is unsure,
however, whether the team of former Cheney resident, Jeff Zimmerman and Don
Smith will have their Wave Digger boat ready to go after an earlier crash.
Zimmerman is the navigator for the team.
Unlike the 100 Years of Motorcycling that exited nearby Rosalia for Spokane
this year, the jet sprint races have been quite popular with the community,
according to Webb. “We’re on private land,“ she said. “We’re not taking over
the entire town.”
“Town support has been so phenomenal,” Webb said. “That’s number one.”
The racing boosts business for the community. Webb explained that St. John’s
business district is unlike any other small farming town in Whitman County.
“To showcase that is huge,” she said.
Each race has drawn more and more fans, Webb said. Then this spring, her
husband dug out three new terraces and now seating has doubled.
Consequently, she said, “We made the beer garden bigger in June.”
“We’re just creating jet sprint junkies,” Webb said.
Those jet sprint junkies can start getting their fix next Saturday when
gates open at 9 a.m. with racing starting at 10. Tickets are $15 for adults,
$12 for ages 6 to 17. Five and under are free.
Festivities actually begin on Friday night as teams arrive and fans can get
closer looks at the boats. Friday also features a car show and other
activities.
Info: www.webbsslough.com, tickets: 1-800-325-SEAT or online at:
www.ticketswest.com
Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com
USSBA News
Field of Dreams track goes hot!
First practice laps run
By Jim DeFord with Kyle Patrick
ALBANY, Oregon (June 3, 2008) — Kyle Patrick could
hardly speak in between excited breaths as I chatted with him on the phone
last night. The excitement, and yes, the pure adrenalin, was still running
through his veins after he, Theresa and Pat Hampl had run some practice laps
at the newest Jet Sprint track in the United States.
"Oh man! It is so fast." Kyle exclaimed breathlessly, "Coming
down the big straight to the turn is major pucker factor. The track looks
big, but it gets real small down there when deciding which lane to take,"
Kyle explained.
"You come down really fast and then have to pick a lane and
it's so fast that by the time you get there it's like, oh sh*t! I missed
it!"
Kyle continued, "It is so, so fast and fun. This (July 19th)
is going to be a hell of a race."
And then Kyle could breathe once again. I could tell he was
re-living the moments as he explained his run to me and I found myself
getting excited to see this new, huge track.
"We have one island that we're calling the Northern Continent
because it's so big," Kyle said. "I think St. John's track could fit on that
island." There's rumors it may be named St. John Island.
All the islands except for St. John have been seeded and that
will be seeded today/tomorrow. There's some more leveling to do and the test
run exposed some low areas that are being filled to prevent flooding. The
fence is going up and the gravel for the roads and pits will be laid soon.
Thanks to everyone at OJS, LLC for the photos and updates.
We're looking forward to seeing this new facility. Enjoy the photos.
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USSBA News
The Field of Dreams track now officially
wet!
By Jim DeFord
ALBANY, Oregon (May 28, 2008) — Water has now filled
the track in Albany. It looks gorgeous!! The track looks huge and it'd be
awesome to get a good overhead shot. I am sure that will be coming soon. In
the meantime, here are the latest photos.
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USSBA News
Webb's Slough Update
By Jim DeFord
St. John, Wash. (May 15, 2008) — Webb's Slough
 installed
a new announcer's Skybox and they also now have a ticket booth! Matt is
working daily to get the grass growing on the brand new fan terraces.
Safety-wise a new crash cable was installed on the safety
fencing for much improved safety for both the teams and the fans. The racing
will be incredible in 2008 and we're all looking forward to seeing everyone
at Webb's Slough!
More photos:
USSBA News
They came. They dug. They will race.
By Jim DeFord
ALBANY, Oregon (May 6, 2008) — Mother Nature finally
_small.jpg) cooperated
and the digging has begun for the USSBA's newest sprint boat racing track.
It's still a bit mushy, but the ground is drying out nicely with (finally)
more favorable weather coming in again for this weekend.
_small.jpg) Still
no hint on the actual track design yet. Hopefully I can wring that diagram
from Kyle sometime soon. Either way it's exciting to have another new track
being born with the Sequim track to follow shortly thereafter.
Other Albany photos:
(05-03/04-08)
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Latest Albany Photos:
(05-06-08)
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Brian's Favorite Sleeping Spot:
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USSBA Team Report
T-N-T Racing opens
doors with three-boat team!
Sequim based
boats team up for '09
By Jim DeFord
SEQUIM, Washington (January 14, 2008) —
Tim & Teri Cummings and Paul & Tina Gahr have joined
forces to create the three boat team of T-N-T Racing.
Does that "really" mean
Teri
-N-
Tina
Racing? Well, maybe so as both Teri and Tina are very involved in the
team's operations. Not to mention that Teri navigates for her son, an up and
rising, young sprint boat star, Dillon Brown in the #66 boat.
"We are looking forward to a very exciting
2009 season," team spokesman Paul Gahr said, "Dillon's motor is out of his
boat and at the doctor's due to the last sponsor ride at Nationals where it
sustained some serious rod injuries. Dillon in his second year really wants
to get comfortable with his 600+ hp and is hoping to climb the board this
year."
Secretly voted most improved driver of 2008,
Tim Cumming's Jeepers Creepers boat will be sporting a new color scheme.
Tim's keeping his motor tweaks under wraps, but he says he ready to step up
and teach the "big boys" a lesson or two.
Look for the unprecedented two boat trailer
from Team T-N-T in St. John this June. Tim and Dillon race in the Super-Mod
Class.
Paul Gahr Jr in "Live Wire" is looking forward
to finishing a whole race with no mechanical problems which plagued him
every race last year. His motor is also at the doctors office getting a lot
of attention & goodies which should make Live Wire very competitive this
year with the A 400 class.
Look out for T-N-T Racing in 2009. They have
big plans to be at the front, at the end of any race day.
USSBA Off-Season News
Silly Season Report III
Engines
being tuned; Hulls being built
By Jim DeFord
VANCOUVER, Washington (December 16, 2008) —
Second-year racer, Todd Gary is moving up to the 400
class and has acquired
a beefy 406 c.i. motor, a shiny Scott Pump and "other go-fast mods." Todd is
pretty excited about running with the 400 clan, but it's a tough place to
play. We wish him luck and are looking forward to seeing the new & improved
Turn n' Burn boat smokin' the water at Webb's Slough in June.
I spoke with Kyle Patrick this evening, of the newly formed Psycho Racing
Team this evening and he said flat out: "We will be racing for first, Doug,
Jack, Todd and the others can race for the rest."
While that's a pretty bold statement, Kyle and Theresa, the
current class champions, are working hard in the off-season to ensure a 2009
repeat championship.
Kyle snagged a set a set of new heads that he said are:
"State of the art and can handle the new carb specs and more."
But, then Kyle said 'they' were talking about a lighter
crank. "But, wouldn't that need new pistons? Rods?" And then talk a new
block surfaced. WOW!
No matter what, it looks like Kyle and Theresa will come off
the trailer hot, bothered and ready smoke the A-400 class at the 2009 USSBA
Racing Series!
In a short conversation with Doug Hendrickson, he simply
said: "You can make all the predictions you want, but Kyle may want to get
used to the view of my aft, 'cause that's the only thing he's going to see
of my boat in 2009."
Jack Bright is working on a new motor deal and depending on
sponsorship, both Kyle and Doug could be spending a good amount of time sittin' on their trailers.
An unconfirmed rumor has Jack moving UP, into the Super Boat
class! OH MY! You never know where Jack will go to win a race. This
class, that class...Whatever.
Dave Pfeiler will continue in Super Boats for the 2009 season
and may form a new team with an A-400 boat. More exciting news on that front
in the coming weeks.
A three-boat team is rumored to being assembled from Northern
Washington. Cummings/Brown/Gahr are almost a 'gimme' to team up in 2009 with
sponsorship on the horizon.
Look for articles & photos in the next week about Scott
Ackerman's new Shotgun hull, Pat Hampl's new Super Boat Scottcraft F1 hull
and a fully detailed spec on Tom Nelson's new, Jim Nelson built powerplant.
See it first here.
USSBA Off-Season News
Silly Season Report II
New rookies
trimming their boats and more!
By Jim DeFord
VANCOUVER, Washington (November 29, 2008) — While the
Psyco and Wicked racing teams congregate and strategize to dominate the 2009
USSBA Racing Series, there are some rookies that are set to punch a hole in
their dreams of racing domination.
The K&N Wicked Racing Team, the first organized team in the
history of the USSBA, is poised to dominate the series, having three of the
top boats in each racing class. However, Psyco Racing may have a say in that
case.
Rumors persist that Scott Ackerman is forming a team with Don
Smith and possibly another boat or two from the Colfax/St. John area.
Psyco Racing is ultra-quiet. Kyle always has been, but if you
gauge the selling off of parts that may be an indication of the monies
needed to upgrade.
Or not. He just may be cleaning out the garage.
Meanwhile, several hulls are being built in several
countries, for several drivers. No one will talk about their powerplants.
They will display all in June 2009 at Webb's Slough.
Media Update
Photo CD's now available!
VANCOUVER, Washington (September 13, 2008) — Due to
popular demand, unlimited use photo CD's are now available. That's right!
Full size photos for you to use for whatever use you want. No limitations.
No contracts.
50 photos: $100 ($2.00 per photo)
25 photos: $60 ($2.40 per photo)
15 photos: $45 ($3.00 per photo)
Shipping: $7.50 per disk
Custom label: No cost
We can also do custom shoots of your team for autograph cards
for example. We can also setup season long photo packages for every race. We
have over 100,000 photos on file since June 2003 and shoot an average of 200
photos of every boat per race.
Place your orders before October 17th and save all shipping
costs!!! email:
jim@defordphoto.com for more information and/or to place your
order. See the forum for more information:
CLICK
HERE!
Note that this offer is for team owners/members only and
you can only order photos of your own boat(s).
USSBA News
Jack Yeager passes away
Served as Crew Chief for Adrenalin Rush
By Jim DeFord
LONGVIEW, Washington (October 19, 2008) —
 Longtime
Longview resident Jack Leon Yeager, 81, passed away Oct. 14, 2008, at home.
He married his wife, Odetta, Aug. 23, 1952 and celebrated
their 56th wedding anniversary in August. For the past 53 years, they lived
in the home he built with the help of his grandfather, father and
father-in-law.
Jack is survived by his wife, Odetta; three sons, Dale (Lois)
Yeager, Dean (Kim) Yeager and Wayne (Carrie) Yeager; seven grandchildren,
Mikah, Nick, Jason, David, Nikki Jo, Tara and Cody; and four
great-grandchildren.
Jack served as the Crew Chief for the #29, Adrenaline Rush
boat (which is for sale). On behalf of the USSBA, our prayers go out to
Jack's family and friends at this time of loss.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at Longview
Community Church. A reception will follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to the church.
Arrangements are by Columbia Funeral Service.
Please sign the guest book at
www.tdn.com/obits.
Cool stuff from Webb's Slough
Webb's Slough June race photos!
Crash sequences and speed-tape repairs now
online!
By Jim DeFord
WEBB'S SLOUGH (St. John), Washington (August 20, 2008) —
Rod Jeffers of RB Images sent me a (literal) slough of photos from the
June race at Webb's Slough. In addition, Sheila Trapp shot a couple of
photos of the innovative repairs the crew made that amazingly, after this
violent crash, Jeepers Creepers still made it out to the track to sail
once again!
See these amazing photos
HERE.
Pre-Race News
Konrad Scott to visit USSBA racers at
Webb's Slough
CEO of Scott Design & Manufacture to offer
advice & setup assistance
By Jim DeFord
WEBB'S SLOUGH (St. John), Washington (August 13, 2008) —
Native New Zealander, former champion sprint boat racer and CEO of world
renowned Scott Design & Manufacture Ltd, Konrad Scott will personally attend
the weekend events at the United States Sprint Boat Association's round #4
at Webb's Slough.
Konrad will be available at the track Friday, August 22 from
Noon to 5pm and then will also attend the tech-in and show & shine in
downtown St. John. He will also attend the race on Saturday. Jeff Schlagel,
the US supplier of Scott Jet Pumps will also be attending the weekend's
events.
Konrad will be available for personal, one-on-one pump and
setup advice both Friday and during the race on Saturday.
Now is your chance to bounce those questions about your pump
off the designer himself. You're not going to want to miss this unique
opportunity.
Press Release
Enthusiasm abounds from United States
Sprint Boat Association's teams as they anticipate their return to Webb's
Slough in St. John, Washington on August 23rd
Photo courtesy Lisa Blumenshein, Artistic
Images ©2008
ST. JOHN, Washington (August 7, 2008) — A very succe ssful
first race of the 2008 race season on June 21st thrilled the owners of
Webb's Slough and has them working very hard on a bigger and better second
race.
Over 3,000 spectators came to St. John in June to enjoy a
weekend of fast-paced, high-octane racing fun. The USSBA, sprint boat racing
teams and the town of St. John can't wait for the August event.
Tickets are now available at all TicketsWest outlets, by calling 1-800-325
SEAT or online at
www.ticketswest.com. If you are in St.
John before the race you can purchase them at our office located at 23 E.
Front Street. Ticket prices are $15 for Adults, $12 for youth ages 17-6 and
5 and under are free. Purchasing your tickets in advance is recommended.
On Friday, August 22nd teams will arrive downtown St. John starting at 5pm
for their safety and technical inspections. Fans are encouraged to come out
to meet the teams, see the boats up-close and enjoy downtown St. John. Race
tickets and Webb's Slough
merchandise will be available at our office until 8pm. On Saturday, August
23rd the gates at the Slough will open to the public at 9am. Racing will
begin at 10am. Parking is just $1. Dry camping is available for $10 for the
weekend starting Friday at 10am. No reservations are needed.
There will be lots of food vendors and a very large beer
garden. Webb's Slough is a family friendly environment and spectators are
encouraged to bring their lawn chairs or
blankets. Please visit
www.webbsslough.com for more information.
Download the Webb's Slough Press Release
HERE.
Pre-Race News
Jack Bright issues warning
King of The Slough aims high at keeping
title
By Jim DeFord
ONTARIO, Oregon (August 7, 2008) — The premier race at
Webb's Slough on July 27, 2007, was one of the most anticipated events in
USSBA history. Not only was there some of the best prize money seen in
awhile, but to win the first race at any track is a trophy any driver will
always hold high above the others, and a title that is carved in the history
books forever.
Jack Bright, who pilots the A-400 class
Rock Chucker, and his Navigator/Son,
Jack Bright Jr. were as focused as any other teams to claim that title. And
oh boy did the two Jacks set the crowd of over 3,500 fans hair on end!
In the elimination rounds it looked like the Bright's were
done for the day as their boat flew over an island and
_small.jpg) flipped
sideways 360°. A very scary moment, but the only damage was the infamous
Little Chucker Troll was decapitated!
However, the elimination of Doug Hendrickson due to leaving
the air cleaner cover on left Jack and Jack still in the running for the
finals. Who would have thought?
So, it was local favorite Don Smith vs. Jack Bright and it
was Jack who pulled off the most thrilling win of his sprint boat racing
career.
At the second race held earlier this season on June 21st,
Jack again took the win in the A-400 class. However, Jack gave up the points
lead in the class when he had a catastrophic oil failure at Albany that
destroyed three main bearings.
In an interview last night Jack said, "The engine has been
fully repaired, the engine oil issue taken care of, and we have added a few
surprises for the competition at Webb's Slough on August 23rd."
When I queried about the changes made Jack replied, "You know
Jim, I could tell you, but then of course I would have to kill you."
Obviously wishing to see the upcoming race at Webb's Slough in two weeks, I
opted to not push the subject further.
However, Jack issued the following warning to both the A-400
class and the Super-Mod class: "I will take the fastest lap of the day. No
Super-Mod or another A-400 boat will be able to match me for the fast lap of
the day."
I said, "That's a pretty bold statement don't you think?"
Jack quickly retorted, "The first race I spun-and-won. I crashed, came back
and won the race. The last race I won flat out, no crashes, no flips. But, I
was beat by Dan Morrison for the fast lap of the day. That is not going to
happen on August 23rd, I'll tell you that right now. What we put into this
motor will all but guarantee us the fast lap and the win."
Jack also mentioned that Matt Webb could save time at the
awards ceremony by writing out the winning check for the A-400 class in his
name now.
See Rock Chucker and the rest of the USSBA Sprint Boats at
their next race on Saturday, August 23rd at Webb's Slough.
USSBA News
Albany permits issued by unanimous
decision
Field of Dreams races now a reality
By Jim DeFord with excerpts from the
Albany Democrat Herald
ALBANY, Oregon (May 29, 2008) — The track was dug and
filled with water, but there was still a major hurdle to jump before races
could be conducted at the United States Sprint Boat Association's newest
race track; Permits.
Oregon JetSprint LLC was issued the necessary permits to
conduct races on July 19th and September 6th on the new track in Albany,
Oregon. The decision was unanimous.
The was one neighbor who was present with some concerns about
noise, security and other very valid issues. Each and every concern was
dealt with in a very professional manner by Kyle Patrick, of Oregon
JetSprint, LLC., and the neighbor left with a huge smile on his face and a
reserved boat ride on July 19th.
Also note that when participating at the event on July 19th,
whether a racer or a fan, you will be part of history as it will be the
first Sprint Boat race ever held in the state of Oregon. The boats have
appeared the last few years at an exhibition event in Grants Pass, Oregon,
but that is not an official race.
Gary Weaver, organizer of the River Gone Wild events of
previous years, will serve as chairman of fundraising for the races.
Weaver is soliciting sponsorships from businesses, with about 50 percent of
funds raised going to the Boys & Girls Club and Linn County Search and
Rescue. The other funds will help finance the races, he said.
During similar events, spectators have spent an average of
$153 per day on incidentals or $3.3 million at local businesses.
Patrick said he hopes the jet sprint boat races will become an annual Linn
County event.
Read more at the
Democrat Herald Website.
USSBA News
Wet weather delays Albany dig
By Jim DeFord
ALBANY, Oregon (April 28, 2008) — Between unusually
late snow flurries and a bucketload of rain, the groundbreaking ceremonies
have been delayed until the turf dries out a bit more. And with more rain
scheduled for later this week and through the weekend, it could still be a
couple of weeks before the ground movers can do their work.
However, that will not have any effect on the exciting,
upcoming schedule that will have the first Oregon based track in years. As
soon as the ground breaks everything else will fall into place and you'll be
witness to the hottest racing event to grace the great state of Oregon.
While you're waiting, don't forget to visit the track's
website at:
OregonJetSprint.com
Albany's 2008 races are scheduled for July 19th and September
6th.
Be there!
USSBA News
Webb's Slough tickets available Feb. 5,
2008!
By Jim DeFord
ST. JOHN, Wash (January 31, 2008) — Fans will be able
to buy
their tickets to one of the most incredible racing events you'd ever see!
Online or by phone! Place your reservations now!!!
Screaming fast boats on skinny, little tracks. Enough to make
your head explode!
That is USSBA Racing!
To buy your Webb's Slough tickets, navigate to:
TicketsWest.com or call 1-800.325.SEAT (7328)
USSBA News
Sequim race canceled
By Jim DeFord
SEQUIM, Wash. (May 28, 2008) —
Due to unforeseen hurdles the July 5th race at Sequim
had to be cancelled. There is just too much risk that the permit process and
track construction will not be completed on time to continue with the
proposed race date. At this time the September 20th race will remain on the
schedule and we all look forward to racing in Sequim.
USSBA News
A Mother of a Dig
By Jim DeFord
ALBANY, Oregon (May 11, 2008) — Mother's Day
 weekend
didn't slow down the Oregon Jet Sprint track workers one bit. They have been
super busy and track is looking fantastic! It's HUGE!!! You might have to
bring a few extra gallons of gas to get around this bad boy.
Kyle said, "Theresa was
our first DNF. She missed this finish in her new H2 and spun out." Kyle also
said, "Thanks to Dan Morrison and Brian of the hard work in getting it dug
as fast as they did. They are awesome!"
They are also putting out a call to anyone willing to
volunteer to help with the fencing, grooming and anything else. Contact Pat
or Kyle for more information. Sleeping on the sidewalk would be optional for
all volunteers.
Please click
HERE
of the latest photos.
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