Some great shots of the boats at Soap Lake by Marty Brault can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/martybrault/9082796530/in/set-72157634208849328/

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Posted: Thursday, June 20, 2013 9:05 am

SOAP LAKE - It's been 30 years since the hydro's had skimmed the waters at Soap Lake.

But the wait didn't put a damper on the excitement as 52 boats racing around the mile and a quarter course thrilled fans over the two-day Del Red Hydroplane Regatta held on Saturday and Sunday.

"The people in the community of Soap Lake were pumped," Race Director Terry Anderson said. "The 26 foot-long big block engine boats in the grand prix competition hit straightaway speeds of 160 mph and splashed up walls of water all along the course."

Anderson said the regatta was the biggest hydroplane event in the region so far this year, and expects the race to be an annual event in Soap Lake.

"I think we are on pretty secure ground to make it happen," he said. "It will be a bigger and better event next year."

More than 45 heats of highly competitive racing action was made possible by the American Powerboat Racing Association and Seattle Drag and Ski Sprint Boat Association.

The overall winner was Jerry Hopp of Snohomish. Dustin Echols of Sultan won both finals, but Hopp took the overall for the weekend based on points.

Class Winners

Grand Prix: 1st Jerry Hopp, Snohomish, 2nd Dustin Echols, Sultan, 3rd Kevin Eacret, Edmonds.

2.5 Mod: 1st Jared Knelleken, Eatonville, 2nd Karen Toulouse, Eatonville, Kevin Eacret, Edmonds.

1 Litre Mod: Corey Peabody, Fife, 2nd Kayleigh Mallory, Carnation, 3rd Nick Bononcini, Issaquah.

J Stock : 1st Travis Ulsh, Eatonville, 2nd Cameron Hein, Soap Lake, 3rd Cameron Hein, Soap Lake 4th Kierra Marquard, Puyallup, 5th Taylor Anderson Spokane 6th Jacob Mauldin, Friday Harbor

Vintage: 1st Jeff Schneider, Sammamish, 2nd David Kancianich, Tacoma, 3rd Shawn Kelson, Bonney Lake, 4th Wesley Gray, Ellensburg, 5th David Leach, Tacoma, 6th Jerry Kelson, Bothell, 7th Bob Bolman, Hayden Lake, Idaho.

2.5 Litre Stock: 1stJ Michael Kelly, Bonney Lake. 2nd Austin Eacret, Seattle. 3rd Steve Whisman, Des Moines

5 Litre: 1st Corey Peabody, Fife. 2nd Travis Johnston, Helena, Mt. 3rd Brian Perkins, North Bend

SE : 1st Marc Halvorsen, Olympia. 2nd Dave Hooker, Shelton

Pro Stock: 1st Lenny Baker, Edmonds, 2nd Brandon Cushing, Kennewick. 3rd Tim Hamilton, Tacoma

National Modified: 1st Brent Harnack, Spokane, 2nd Bill Strain , Auburn.

The Del Red Pub Soap Lake Hydroplane Regatta 2013 is history. As Race Director I am very pleased with the outcome on and off the water. After putting on a great show on the water and in town the community seems to be very pleased. As always in a “ new “ event there were hickups. A very slow start on Saturday was followed up by a well presented Sunday program that was completed by 3 PM which allowed most of our teams to be home before dark. When I went back to the park this Monday AM I found a nearly perfect park with very little signs of a boat race ever happening. I am very pleased with the racing community. The Chief of Police told me today that there was not a single incident that he or his department had to deal with all weekend that was race related. 
This event will continue in 2014. We as racers did our selves proud. Do we have some issues to clean up – absolutely. Many suggestions and concerns have already been presented to me. The lo...cal committee and city staff and I will have a wrap up meeting next week. Suggestions about the race site and program presented and controlled locally will be discussed. The on water racing issues and future needs will be address at a yet to be determined time in the near future. Your thoughts and suggestion are welcome. Please send them to me via E’mail so I will not overlook or misplace your suggestions.
This race like most races is primarily ran and managed by a single club. But this truly was a Region 10 race as I looked around to see all clubs well represented on and off the water.
Certain individuals will always find something that is in question or a concern. When that occurs that is fine, but please express those concerns to the Race Director or one of the Race committee. Be only positive when dealing with the locals, the local sponsors, and community leaders. If something is wrong or needs to be changed give your race committee the opportunity to solve and fix it.
Thank to everyone. We made this happen. Lets all work together to make our sport better
Terry Anderson
Race Director
DEL RED PUB Soap Lake Hydroplane Regatta 2013
Terryy50@hotmail.com
  • Shockwave Racing would like to Thank Terry J Anderson, Aaron Stevens, Bill Thompson, Russ & Carol Dodge, Jim Codling, Rob Hall, the Soap Lake community members, Seattle Drag & Ski and The Del Red Pub for all their hard work putting on a great event, we all had a blast and can't wait for next year. It takes a tremendous amount of work to put on an event and you all did a fantastic job, we appreciate it!
     
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Check out this link for last weekends Soap Lake revival race:

http://www.ifiberone.com/news/grantcounty/soaplake/soap-lake-hydroplane-regatta-creates-crowds-memories-for-many/article_86332130-d7ac-11e2-ae34-0019bb30f31a.html

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RACE WEEK IS HERE.  And like I have mentioned all along accommodations are very rare in the City of Soap Lake.  Masters Inn is full.  The Inn at Soap Lake only has two rooms available for Friday nite only ( 1 King , and 1 Queen) , nothing for Saturday evening. Notaras Lodge is full. I have explored a couple options.  There is a Best Western in Ephrata but they want $149 per night. (My opinion very over priced).  The Ephrata Inn Motel is low middle of the road accommodations ( A single queen is $75 per night and 2 Queens or and single King is 85. ) Ephrata is about 10miles from Soap Lake.  Our friends at AmeriStay Inn in Moses Lake ( 17 miles away )are willing to discount their now in effect summer rate to $100 per nite. They have doubles and kings available and one remaining Suite. Breakfast is included.
The Soap Lake RV Park still has many open camp spots.
Inn at Soap Lake 509 246 1299
Ephrata Inn Motel 509 754 3575
AmeriStay- Moses Lake  509 764 7500
 
Terry Anderson

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While the campground at the city park serves as the Hot Pit area for the Del Red Soap Lake Regatta please camp at the SOAP LAKE RV RESORT. on the north end of the lake. Support our great sponsors.

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I visited all the motels etc in Soap Lake today and here's the latest on available accomodations.
Masters Inn:   3 Duplex rooms left. 1 room will sleep 4 and the others 2 will sleep 6
509 246 1831  ,  888 412 8515  ,  fax 509 246 5204
Inn at Soap Lake:  1 king, 3 queens, 1 with a king and queen, Honeymoon Suite left
1 509 246 1132
Notaras Lodge: ( Luxury in Logs )  1 room left  for Saturday only. Sleeps 5
509 246 0462
Healing Water Retreat:  Sleeps 15. Presently closed for repairs, but may reopen in time for the race
509 246 1660
Soap Lake RV Park:  1 Cabin rental left.  Many full hook up RV spots. Outdoor hot tub and pool.
509 246 0413
 
I would suggest you call very soon. When these rooms fill up your next options will be in Ephrata 10 miles away or Moses Lake 17 miles away. Call me if I can assist.  509 760 3042  Terry's cell


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The Del Red Pub and Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce presented a very warm welcome to a group of Region 10 boat racers displaying their boats at the Soap Lake Hydroplane Regatta's Boat Display ( Please see past events for pictures of the participants) - Wine and Beer Walk. Many local residents attended and had pictures taken with the drivers and boat owners. Many had the opportunity to sit in the boats. Smiling faces young and old. A very special thanks to local organizer Carrie Farrel and her team of volunteers. And to the boat racers many that traveled over Snoqualime Pass in less than ideal conditions. What a group. Lenny and Dale Baker, Jim and Tandy Mauldin, Ed Kelson and Janet, Jeff Gibson and Pat, Aaron Murk, Brandon Cushing, Ben Anderson, Taylor Anderson, Mahkai Anderson and to the many other racers that came by to support the event. What a dedicated group of people all helping a new (old ) race site make a comeback. Seattle Drag and Ski Sprint Boat Association is proud to be associated with each of you.

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June 15-16, 2013       Soap Lake (pre race video)

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Its not too early to be thinking about accommodations of the Soap Lake Hydro Regatta June 15 and 16. Here are the three hotel/motels in Soap Lake. 

  • The Inn at Soap Lake 

www.innsoaplake.com
509 246 1132
800 557 8514
29 rooms and cottages. Medium prices. In town close to restaurants' and bar. All rooms open at this time. The Inn was built in 1905 and is a local landmark. 

  • Masters Inn 

www.Mastersinnsoaplake.com
509 246 1831
Across Highway 17 from race site . Nice , clean , variety or rooms recently remodeled , some with kitchenettes. Reasonably priced. All rooms open at this time 

  • Notaras Lodge 

www.notaraslodge.com
509 246 0462
509 246 1054 FAX
"Luxury in Logs" . First class accommodations. A few choices left at this time. Call soon if interested. In town. A Soap Lake Tradition.

Campgrounds: 
We are still making arrangements for the City of Soap Lake Campground. Approximated 25 spaces with full hookup. Tent spaces will be available. This is the campground that will double as the race site and pits. I do not have a number available at this time to reserve these spots. Be patient please. 
Please contact me directly if I can assist you. 
Terry Anderson 
Race Director
509 760 3042
terryy50@hotmail.com
and Facebook


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 LATEST NEWS FOR SOAP LAKE

EPHRATA (VIDEO) - The small group that showed up for a public meeting in Ephrata last night expressed support for a planned hydroplane boat race on Soap Lake.

Race Director Terry Anderson addressed issues like safety, water pollution and noise during the meeting.

To see this story, please click on the headline above.

This aired on iFIBER One News Wednesday, March 6.

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                                                                                          March 1, 2013 

                                             Water Quality Soap Lake

 

A few concerns have been expressed on the quality of the water in Soap Lake for the upcoming   SOAP LAKE HYDROPLANE REGATTA  June 15 and 16, 2013.   The following  statement addresses  those concerns:

 “The water of Soap Lake is different and special from what is in most freshwater lakes.  People have been traveling to Soap Lake for 100 years to swim, bathe, and play in the lake’s healing waters. Many people apply mud from the beaches to their bodies. Water from the lake is piped directly to some of the resorts in town.  The Race Committee and City of Soap Lake assure everyone the water is safe. But with that said and respecting concerns that some racers may have we are planning to provide wash stations in the pits to assist teams in flushing out their motors and washing their boats if they so wish. If you have special needs or concerns please feel free to contact Race Director Terry Anderson.”      

 

Sincerely

Terry Anderson   Race Director

 Raymond Gravelle, Mayor City of Soap Lake, WA.

 

http://www.soaplakewa.com/


Contact

Terry Anderson Race Director

509 760 3042


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