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.

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.

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 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.

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)

Latest Albany Photos: (05-06-08)

Brian's Favorite Sleeping Spot:

Product Review

Sea Specs extreme surf sunglasses

First practice laps run

By Jim DeFord

VANCOUVER, Wash. (June 3, 2008) — I received an email from this company a couple of weeks ago. Normally most of these unsolicited, "cold-call" aka SPAM email. messages get tossed in the trash and the sender's email address tagged forever for deletion.

This is one of the times I am glad I didn't pass this one up. SeaSpecs.com is currently promoting a buy 2 get one free offer and with each pair at just $55.00 that's not too bad for a pair of sunglasses.

After reading their specifications on these glasses and then reading the extensive number of absolutely glowing reviews on the Internet (Google: Sea Specs) I was sold, so I ordered 2 with the third pair being free.

My glasses were shipped within a few hours and I got them in one week from their home base in Florida. Each pair comes with its own carrying bag.

So, then it was time to wait for some sun! Geeze what whacky weather we're having. It feels like November. Must be Al Gore and his "global warming".

Anyway, I have had them a couple of weeks now and have to say they are now my fave sunglasses. And I also have a pair of Maui Jim and Serengeti, two of the best rated sunglasses on the market today.

The fit of the SeaSpecs are awesome. The become part of your head and they are so lightweight, it's not long where you forget you even have them on. Very comfortable rubberized nose and ear pads make all the difference here.

The head strap is easily adjustable and when adjusted there is not anything going to take these puppies off your head!

And now for the meat: SeaSpecs remove the glare off the water with their polarization and still leave your vision bright and clear. I have found many types of sunglasses mask glare by just darkening it, but also reducing the clarity of your vision. SeaSpecs do not use that method. Your vision stays ultra-clear and without glare.

They also work quite well on bright, cloudy days reducing that annoying glare but keeping your vision crisp. ANd they look cool too! So, I highly recommend these glasses by my experience. To take advantage of this buy 2 get 1 free offer, go to their website at www.seapecs.com.

Please note that I am not affilliated with this organization in any way, shape or form.

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.

Interview

Supercharging Tsunami

Interview with Bill Root

by Jim DeFord

CALDWELL, Idaho (May 7, 2008) — Team Tsunami recently announced that Bill Root will be moving up to the Super Boat class with a supercharged 406ci Chevy motor. I talked with Bill last week.

Jim: Congratulations on the move up Bill. Good to see another Super Boat in the series.

Bill: Thanks. I did start out in Super Boats 6-7 years ago and it's nice to be back and give them a run for their money.

Jim: Did you get a new motor?

>> READ MORE

Super Boat Update

Tsunami - BLOWN!

Bill Root enters the Super Boat class

By Jim DeFord

CALDWELL, Idaho (April 28, 2008) — In a surprise announcement today, Team Tsunami announced that its namesake sprint boat, Bill Root's Tsunami, will be entering the Super Boat class with a blown motor.

And that does mean that Bill will be breaking out the oars? Oh, I think not grasshopper! We're talking a full blown Supercharger here! To find out more about how a supercharger works, CLICK HERE.

Bill was very competitive in the super-hot Group A-400 class in 2007 with a very strong 4th place finish and claiming three consecutive podium finishes in races 3-5.

And now, with a newly supercharged beast who know what'll happen. The #70 Tsunami boat will cast off at the opening race on June 7, 2008 at the Marsing track.

Don't miss it!!!