Sports
Thunder In The Channel III Rumbles Lake Elsinore
Saturday morning saw hundreds of spectators and 25 vendors line the shores of the Lake Elsinore levee to rally the event that is seeing high decibel levels and speeds topping 200 mph.
PHOTO GALLERY INCLUDED.
A picklefork is not just for the dining room table.
Sixty-five serious drag boat competitors with elaborate V-drive flat bottom hull and picklefork racing rigs are in town for this weekend’s second annual “Thunder in the Channel III” on Lake Elsinore.
Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Saturday morning saw hundreds of spectators and 25 vendors line the shores of the Lake Elsinore levee to rally the event that is seeing high decibel levels and speeds topping 200 mph.
Corona residents Mike Hogan and Todd and Nicky Guthrie eagerly watched the action from bed of their pick-up truck Saturday.
Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Today is qualifying with the final race on Sunday,” Todd explained. “Sunday’s race will be less of a field.”
As the morning unfolded, master drag boat racer Mike Fry operated his Promod “MeanStreak” and turned in an unofficial (light issue) time of more than 200 mph over the 1,000-foot course.
“Whatever that was, I’ll do better next time,” Fry said as he was coming off the water.
The weekend event, sponsored by the National Jet Boat Association, has returned to Lake Elsinore after a one-year hiatus. In 2010, the event was cancelled due to low lake levels.
Jim Guthrie, secretary of the National Jet Boat Association, said Thunder in the Channel III is an important contest for racers.
“This season opening event offers both points and cash prizes totaling up to $10,000,” he said.
Dave Lipinski of Madera, Calif., owner/driver of “Hot Shot,” echoed Guthrie’s comments.
“(The) NJBA club is family oriented, offering 19 qualifying categories at varying levels,” he said.
The event really has something for everyone. Spectators even included a 13-member teenage community service crew coordinated through Brad Curtis and the Elsinore Valley Youth Court.
“Our program aims to re-align youths before they enter into the Juvenile Justice System,” Curtis explained. “The crew here today consists of a peer reviewed youth court-ordered community service team.”
Thunder in the Channel III continues through Sunday.
