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What's Happening
GENESEE TWP, Mich. — For 363 days in the year, the C. S. Mott Lake is a no-wake lake. The exception this year being on Aug 9 and 10 during the third annual Mott Lake Regatta, "War of the Wake."
Hosted by Marine Prop Riders, the event featured racing Hydroplane boats, or motorboats that use a combination of aerodynamic lift and speed to skim the top of the water.
The event began Saturday with refurbished, vintage hydroplane boats in a friendly race, waving to the crowd and creating large wakes.
Then the competitive races began, with boats ranging in size from the Y class which are powered by snowmobile engines to the Grand Prix class which sport supercharged Chevrolet big-block engines.
Before each heat, the crafts were lowered into the water by massive cranes. Then, the racers and their crew synchronized watches once at the six-minute gun, and then for a second time at the-five minute gun.
After the five-minute gun fired, the hydroplane boats took to the course for practice, timing their laps and planning their route. These practice laps also allowed their engines to heat up before the race began.
Once the one minute gun fired, the pilots aimed to maintain their speed and keep their poll position while making sure they did not jump the starting gun and incur a one minute penalty.
Then the race began with a flying start as all the boats crossed the starting line at full speed.
The boats skipped across the water as spectators cheered on, reaching speeds on the straightaways of 95 MPH to 120 MPH.
Each race consisted of five laps around a one mile course, with a checkered flag being waved to signal the end of the race.
The Mott Lake Regatta is happening from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Admission to the event is $20 per carload. Attendees can also enjoy food trucks, live music, a beer tent and driver autograph sessions.
Hosted by Marine Prop Riders, the event featured racing Hydroplane boats, or motorboats that use a combination of aerodynamic lift and speed to skim the top of the water.
The event began Saturday with refurbished, vintage hydroplane boats in a friendly race, waving to the crowd and creating large wakes.
Then the competitive races began, with boats ranging in size from the Y class which are powered by snowmobile engines to the Grand Prix class which sport supercharged Chevrolet big-block engines.
Before each heat, the crafts were lowered into the water by massive cranes. Then, the racers and their crew synchronized watches once at the six-minute gun, and then for a second time at the-five minute gun.
After the five-minute gun fired, the hydroplane boats took to the course for practice, timing their laps and planning their route. These practice laps also allowed their engines to heat up before the race began.
Once the one minute gun fired, the pilots aimed to maintain their speed and keep their poll position while making sure they did not jump the starting gun and incur a one minute penalty.
Then the race began with a flying start as all the boats crossed the starting line at full speed.
The boats skipped across the water as spectators cheered on, reaching speeds on the straightaways of 95 MPH to 120 MPH.
Each race consisted of five laps around a one mile course, with a checkered flag being waved to signal the end of the race.
The Mott Lake Regatta is happening from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Admission to the event is $20 per carload. Attendees can also enjoy food trucks, live music, a beer tent and driver autograph sessions.
