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By Diana Renee Williams, The Augusta Chronicle
Considered the NASCAR of boating, the 2016 Augusta Southern Nationals will bring high performance and supercharged boats to Augusta to zoom down the Savannah River for the liquid quarter-mile.
With drag boats barreling down the river at speeds exceeding 240 mph, the race promises a weekend of pure adrenaline and the thrill of one of the world’s most dangerous sports.
The 30th annual Augusta Southern Nationals will be held July 15-17 at Augusta Riverfront Marina, 101 Riverfront Drive. Gates open at 8 a.m. and races start at 9 a.m. each day.
The thrill of the ride is the biggest factor that lures drivers and fans alike.
“These pro class racers and top fuel guys are developing in excess of 10,000 horsepower and when they mash on the throttle you can feel it in your bones, as much as you can hear it, and you can definitely hear it,” said Ken Dollar, the race director. “We just came off of our race in San Angelo, Texas, and our final round competition on Sunday had the fastest and the quickest in the history of our sport. Brian Sanders driving Nitrochondriac and Scott Lumbert driving The Spirit of Texas were both by side.”
Last year, Lumbert covered the quarter mile (1,320 feet) in 3.5 seconds at 262 mph driving the Spirit of Texas to become 2015 Augusta Southern National Champion.
Speed is definitely a big part of the strategy when it comes to drag boat racing, but it is not the only component. A good racer is not the one with the fastest boat, but one with good reaction time and the ability to maneuver with precision. Professional drag boat racers must learn their boats well and keep them fine-tuned prior to a race.
Unlike drag racing on land, drag racing on water begins from a short rolling start to a terrain that is ever changing from the direction of the wind to the currents in the water. In preparation for possible dangers, various systems and procedures are put in to place for the driver’s protection.
“Water is extremely critical so we watch water conditions second by second over the weekend,” Dollar said. “In the last 15 years, we have made tremendous strides in driver safety and equipment for both personal equipment and boat equipment. Anything that runs quicker than seven seconds is required to have a safety capsule.”
Dollar explained that the safety capsule is completely enclosed and designed, in case of an accident, to break away from the boat so the rescue personnel can retrieve it in seconds and assist the driver.
“These guys have specially designed helmets with air systems in them, too. We haven’t had one sink in a lot of years,” he said.
Some drivers also use parachutes that can be released to pull them from the boat should it get out of their control, and many drivers carry oxygen tanks, which will allow them to breathe up to 30 minutes underwater.
Augusta will host travelers from all over the world with more than 25,000 spectators expected to turn out. The event will benefit the local area chapter of the Georgia Special Olympics.
A special Night of Fire will be held from 7-9 p.m. Friday, July 15, at the Augusta Common, 836 Reynolds St. Spectators can walk among drag boats for a closer look. Boats will fire up their engines at dusk.
Dollar added, “This is a great family event and a ticket also gets you in the pits where the racers are. There are some other motor sports where you really just can not get up close to the competitors or their equipment, but here you can walk right in to the pit. The racers are very open to spectators and will visit with them about their boats, about themselves and what they do. … The racers often end up putting the kids in the boats and you can take pictures of them.”
Tickets for Friday’s qualifying day are $15. One-day tickets for Saturday or Sunday are $20. Series tickets (Friday-Sunday) are $30. Patron Badges cost $70 and include preferred parking, admission to the air-conditioned Riverfront Pavilion with indoor concessions, closed circuit TV, bar, and restrooms. Pit access is available for all tickets. Children ages 10 and younger are admitted free with an adult. No coolers or food, or pets, are allowed.
Purchase tickets at Greg’s Gas Plus locations, Georgia Bank & Trust, Four Seasons Food and Fuel, Windsor Jewelers or online at: augustasouthernnationals.org.
http://m.chronicle.augusta.com/thin...-drag-boat-races-bring-rumble-river#gsc.tab=0
Considered the NASCAR of boating, the 2016 Augusta Southern Nationals will bring high performance and supercharged boats to Augusta to zoom down the Savannah River for the liquid quarter-mile.
With drag boats barreling down the river at speeds exceeding 240 mph, the race promises a weekend of pure adrenaline and the thrill of one of the world’s most dangerous sports.
The 30th annual Augusta Southern Nationals will be held July 15-17 at Augusta Riverfront Marina, 101 Riverfront Drive. Gates open at 8 a.m. and races start at 9 a.m. each day.
The thrill of the ride is the biggest factor that lures drivers and fans alike.
“These pro class racers and top fuel guys are developing in excess of 10,000 horsepower and when they mash on the throttle you can feel it in your bones, as much as you can hear it, and you can definitely hear it,” said Ken Dollar, the race director. “We just came off of our race in San Angelo, Texas, and our final round competition on Sunday had the fastest and the quickest in the history of our sport. Brian Sanders driving Nitrochondriac and Scott Lumbert driving The Spirit of Texas were both by side.”
Last year, Lumbert covered the quarter mile (1,320 feet) in 3.5 seconds at 262 mph driving the Spirit of Texas to become 2015 Augusta Southern National Champion.
Speed is definitely a big part of the strategy when it comes to drag boat racing, but it is not the only component. A good racer is not the one with the fastest boat, but one with good reaction time and the ability to maneuver with precision. Professional drag boat racers must learn their boats well and keep them fine-tuned prior to a race.
Unlike drag racing on land, drag racing on water begins from a short rolling start to a terrain that is ever changing from the direction of the wind to the currents in the water. In preparation for possible dangers, various systems and procedures are put in to place for the driver’s protection.
“Water is extremely critical so we watch water conditions second by second over the weekend,” Dollar said. “In the last 15 years, we have made tremendous strides in driver safety and equipment for both personal equipment and boat equipment. Anything that runs quicker than seven seconds is required to have a safety capsule.”
Dollar explained that the safety capsule is completely enclosed and designed, in case of an accident, to break away from the boat so the rescue personnel can retrieve it in seconds and assist the driver.
“These guys have specially designed helmets with air systems in them, too. We haven’t had one sink in a lot of years,” he said.
Some drivers also use parachutes that can be released to pull them from the boat should it get out of their control, and many drivers carry oxygen tanks, which will allow them to breathe up to 30 minutes underwater.
Augusta will host travelers from all over the world with more than 25,000 spectators expected to turn out. The event will benefit the local area chapter of the Georgia Special Olympics.
A special Night of Fire will be held from 7-9 p.m. Friday, July 15, at the Augusta Common, 836 Reynolds St. Spectators can walk among drag boats for a closer look. Boats will fire up their engines at dusk.
Dollar added, “This is a great family event and a ticket also gets you in the pits where the racers are. There are some other motor sports where you really just can not get up close to the competitors or their equipment, but here you can walk right in to the pit. The racers are very open to spectators and will visit with them about their boats, about themselves and what they do. … The racers often end up putting the kids in the boats and you can take pictures of them.”
Tickets for Friday’s qualifying day are $15. One-day tickets for Saturday or Sunday are $20. Series tickets (Friday-Sunday) are $30. Patron Badges cost $70 and include preferred parking, admission to the air-conditioned Riverfront Pavilion with indoor concessions, closed circuit TV, bar, and restrooms. Pit access is available for all tickets. Children ages 10 and younger are admitted free with an adult. No coolers or food, or pets, are allowed.
Purchase tickets at Greg’s Gas Plus locations, Georgia Bank & Trust, Four Seasons Food and Fuel, Windsor Jewelers or online at: augustasouthernnationals.org.
http://m.chronicle.augusta.com/thin...-drag-boat-races-bring-rumble-river#gsc.tab=0
