Lake Havasu, Arizona will come alive this April with the sound of thundering Grand Prix hydroplanes during the 1st Annual Havasu World Cup. There will be a one mile course set up in the protected waters of Thompson Bay right in front of the host hotel, The Nautical Beachfront Resort. Scheduled during Spring Break weekend April 6-8, huge crowds, along with 80 degree weather, will witness the East vs West Grand Prix Shootout. On Friday April 6, after the open testing has concluded, the “Holiday Motorsports Dash for Cash” will take place. It will include the six fastest boats in lap times in the Grand Prix class. These boats will be invited to compete in a one heat shootout for $3,000 dollars that afternoon.
Twelve Grand Prix boats have already confirmed their participation for the East vs West shootout! The eight West Coast teams include GP-5, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19, 35 & 329. The four East Coast teams include GP-10, 50, 93 & 777. Plus, there are additional Grand Prix teams showing interest in this event. This will be the largest gathering of Grand Prix boats anywhere in the world, in over a decade.
This APBA sanctioned event will start Friday April 6 with seven hours of open testing for all classes from 9am till 4pm. Heat races on the one mile course are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, with the possibility of additional morning testing on Sat. and Sun. Other classes scheduled to be in the event are 1 litre, 2.5 stock, 5 litre, and Super Stock. Additional classes may include 350, Cracker Box, and Grand National Endurance.
We welcome all ACHA teams, including the Hydro350 class, to come and enjoy the free testing day on Friday, and racing all weekend. Kelly Shane from Havre de Grace, MD will be in attendance taking advantage of testing her new 350 hydroplane, and she will also race in the 5 litre class.
Lake Havasu City is located in Western Arizona residing in the Chemehuevi Valley along the Colorado River, west of the Mohave Mountains. Lake Havasu has been voted as one of the top 5 places in the world for Spring Break, and has numerous marine-related activities throughout the year which include Poker Runs to boat parades, and other sanctioned events.
Major sponsors for this event include: Trafficade, El Centro Motors Ford/Lincoln, Lake Havasu Convention & Visitors Bureau, DSM Events & Budweiser. Additional sponsor and host resort is the Nautical Beachfront Resort http://nauticalinn.com/. This beautiful resort which boasts 139 beachfront suites is located right on the race course making walking distance to and from the pits a breeze. There are blocks on rooms for this event so book your stay ASAP!
The goal for creating the Havasu World Cup is to showcase the largest gathering of Grand Prix boats in the world for a weekend in April. We understand and respect the goals of the GPW and the ACHA organizations, and applaud them both in their efforts to support and promote the Grand Prix class. At the Havasu World Cup we are offering good times, great weather, good people, and the most exciting gathering of Grand Prix boats anywhere in the world. So come join us for the “East vs West shootout” in the desert and come on in, the waters fine!!
Stay tuned for more information on this exciting event, which will be announced on HydroplaneQuebec.com over the next few months.
