9th Annual Northern Kentucky Outboard Challenge
May 31/June 1 2008
Pre-Race Article
For the second time in the 9 year history of the Northern Kentucky Outboard Challenge, Alexandria, Kentucky will play host to the Stock/J Central Divisional Championships later this month. Race teams from Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania are gearing up for their shot at claiming a hard fought victory, which will assure them a spot in the finals at the National Championships later this summer in Whitney Point, New York.
More than 125 entries are expected to churn up the normally docile waters of A.J. Jolly Lake, May 31-June 1. Several past National Champions will be in attendance, which will make any type of win here that much more difficult. In addition to the Stock and Junior classes, several Modified classes will be on the schedule as well. Speeds of the slowest classes, Junior Hydro and Runabout, are in the low 40 mph range, while the fastest class, Formula ‘E’ Hydro, will top out well over 90 mph.
In an effort to make racing conditions better, the race committee has decided to alter the course layout from previous years. This year, the starting clock will be on the opposite side of the lake. By repositioning the judge’s stand, racers will now mill in the turn closest to the pits. Because of this, the water in the first turn on the far end of the lake should be extremely calm, making for a safer first turn.
Also, the race committee is planning a BARBAQUE DINNER in the pits on Saturday night. This will coincide with the awards presentation. Each Divisional champion will receive a winner’s plaque.
As always, free camping is allowed in the pits. There will be no testing at the race site, so come prepared. With a large turnout expected and such high stakes on the line, time will be of the essence. The plan is to begin racing each day at 10:30am.
For more information on the Northern Kentucky Outboard Challenge, contact Race Director Dana Holt at dholt@wkrc.com or 513-703-6145
Post-Race Article
Despite record high gas prices, more than 110 Stock, J and Modified boats from all across the Midwest and East Coast converged on A.J. Jolly Lake in Alexandria, Kentucky for the Stock/J Central Divisional Championships in late May. At stake for the Stock drivers were double points and a qualifying spot for the Nationals later this summer in Whitney Point, N.Y Junior and AXS drivers would not secure a finals slot, but double points were there for the taking.
This was the 9th year Three Rivers Outboard Racing Association has been conducting races in Alexandria. In that time, only one race day had been cancelled due to weather. Apparently, we were due to roll craps again, as extremely high winds made A.J. Jolly Lake look more like Lake Erie. Three heats ran in the morning before racing was stopped. After waiting till 5pm Saturday, the race committee cancelled racing for the day. The steak dinner in the pits soothed everyone’s hunger for the racing that didn’t occur. Fingers were promptly crossed for better weather on Sunday.
When dawn broke, all eyes peered toward the water. Not a ripple was seen and the great racing conditions continued throughout the day. After a quick driver’s meeting, racing resumed at 10am. The first class out on the water was a full field of ASH. Heat one had been completed on Saturday, with Ed Harrington coming out on top. Heat two saw Amy Sweeney in the lead, with Harrington battling in fourth. A late race incident dashed Harrington’s hopes for an overall win and Sweeney nabbed a well earned Divisional championship.
Four other classes had enough boats to qualify as a race for a spot in the Nationals. Next up was 20ssH. Eleven boats hit the first turn, with Matt D’Agostino leading the way. Mike Pavlick and Dana Holt were battling each other close behind, with Holt taking second at the line. But D’Agostino, along with two others, had jumped the gun, giving Holt the win. In heat two, gun jumpers again thinned the legal finishers. In the end, Holt grabbed the overall win.
In the first heat of ASR, Michigan’s Brian Trolian banged the start and held off seven other fast rigs for the win. In heat two, Trolian got caught in the wash and Team Racecraft teammate (and brother-in-law) Terry Kerr was out front. Trolian fought to gain ground, but couldn’t get higher than fourth. That wasn’t enough and Kerr earned the win and a spot in the Nationals final.
The nearly full field of CSH was mostly comprised of drivers in the division. But it was an east coaster who came away with the win and proved to be the spoiler. New Jersey’s Troy Gladkowski made the long drive worthwhile, as he claimed the win and prevented a qualifier from the Central division.
The final qualifying class was BSR. Eight rigs were on hand, all very evenly matched in speed. The first heat was claimed by Winter Nationals Champion Davey Hemp, with Ed Hearn second. In the second heat, Hemp laid back just a bit too much at the start. Hearn nailed it and took the win. Hemp battled to pass Dominic Difebo for second, but couldn’t quite pull it off. Hearn took the overall win.
Of the non-Divisional Championship classes, DMH clearly provided the best racing. With eight entries, the hills were alive with the sound of megaphone music. The second heat was a real dog fight between Eric Vanover, Shawn Brill and Kevin Besonen. Vanover came out on top in that heat, along with the first go-around. Always entertaining, DMH is truly a can’t miss race at Alexandria.
Drivers and crew are already looking forward to a return trip to Alexandria, Kentucky in 2009. Making this year’s event a success under trying circumstances were referees Brian Williams and Jack Brewster, Chief Scorer Shannon Hoover, Inspectors Jeff Williams and Larry Spencer and all the volunteers who stepped up to lend a hand.
