OPA Eastlake-WIlloughby Grand Prix, July 14th, 15th, and 16th

[Serious News]

Friday, July 14, 2023

Arrival of Race Boats - Race Village - 1pm-5pm Chagrin Marine (226 E Island Dr, Eastlake, OH)

Crane Area - Chagrin Marine (226 E Island Dr, Eastlake, OH)
Ramp Area - East Bank Marine (35909 Lakeshore Blvd, Eastlake, OH)
Wet Pits -Chagrin Marine (226 E Island Dr, Eastlake, OH)
Dry Pits -Chagrin Marine (226 E Island Dr, Eastlake, OH)
Wash Down Area - Chagrin Marine (226 E Island Dr, Eastlake, OH)

Volunteer & Water Patrol Meeting - Chagrin Marine 6pm
Racer Meet & Greet @ Deck Lounge (35943 Lakeshore Blvd, Eastlake, OH) 6pm - 9pm

Saturday, July 15, 2023

Race Village open to the pubic 10am-4pm
RACER MEETING - Chagrin Marine 10am
RACER REGISTRATION - Chagrin Marine 10:30am-3pm
GPS REGISTRATION - Chagrin Marine 11am-2pm
Crane & Ramp Operational 11am-4pm
Race Control Operational (TBA) 11am
Race Boat Inspections - Race Village 11am-4pm
Race Boat testing 12pm-4pm
BOATS on DISPLAY DOWNTOWN on Erie Street 6:30pm-9pm
(Staging at 5:30pm) (6pm parade to Erie Street)
use 4077 Erie Street, Willoughby, Ohio 44094 for a GPS point

Sunday, July 16, 2023

Race Village open 10am-5pm
Team Physicals - Chagrin Marine 7am
Racer Meeting - Chagrin Marine 8am
Set Course Markers 9am
Medical and Dive Team briefing - Chagrin Marine 9:30am
Patrol Fleet Briefing - Chagrin Marine 9:30am
Race Control Operational 10am
Crane and Ramp operational 10am
Race Patrol Fleet & Course Support Fleet on station 11am
Race Times are Subject to Adjustment 12pm - 4pm
Awards Ceremony - Chagrin Tavern (196 S Iland Dr, Eastlake, OH) 7pm

 

[Serious News]

Logan’s Heroes scheduled to race in Eastlake Willoughby Offshore Grand Prix

In this year’s Eastlake Willoughby Offshore Grand Prix, a racing team by the name of Logan’s ♥ Heroes will be racing for Down syndrome and congenital heart disease awareness.

The team was created by Steve LaPinta, owner of the Class 6 powerboat, throttleman and the significant other of Christine Glasko, mother of Logan Glasko. Chuck Martin has been brought on as the driver, as well as Doug Pavelschak as the team’s crew chief. Earlier this month, the team won its first race at Lakes of the Ozarks in Missouri and now the Eastlake Willoughby event is set for July 14-16.

The heart in the team name symbolizes the three open heart surgeries Logan, who is 16 years old, has had, while the boat number, 614, represents his birthdate.

“With Steve having his own team and trying to bring awareness to (Down syndrome), I think it’s something we can build on and explore in the future,” said Kris Mendeszoon, co-chair of the powerboat racing event alongside LaPinta.

Racing with the Offshore Powerboat Association, LaPinta, his team and Logan have raced all over.

“The biggest thing I enjoy is the smile on Logan’s face when we win,” he said.

The team’s second race was scheduled to be in New Jersey, but had gotten canceled due to the wildfires in Canada.

“The Eastlake race is next up and then we go to Michigan,” LaPinta said. “The following weekend after that, we go to Indiana.”

Sept. 28 through Oct. 1, the team will participate in the national championship race in North Carolina and then the world championship in Florida.

“(Logan’s) ecstatic,” LaPinta said. “He’ll talk to all the racers. They’re his buddies.”

LaPinta has always been around boats, having grown up around them and having had parents who were boat owners.

“I’ve had a boat of my own since I was 12,” he said. “I raced for quite a while back in the late ’80s through the ’90s, and then I finally built my own boat.”

Other than checking off things on a schedule prior to every race, making sure the boat is clean for the parade and that the fluids are changed are among the basics that need to be done for preparation, LaPinta said.

“One of the big things about our sport is we always like to do the parades and the block parties not only for the kids to see the boats, but the parents as well,” he said. “The owners, drivers and crews are fantastically friendly people. The racing community has been tight knit.”

For this year’s Willoughby Eastlake race, the parade will once again start in Eastlake at Chagrin Marine, 226 E. Island Drive, travel down Lakeshore Boulevard, Euclid Avenue and into Erie Street in downtown Willoughby.

“I think we’ll have food vendors there, so we’re building on that more,” Mendeszoon said.

Last year, the supply chain was a major hiccup for many of the racers, Mendeszoon said, who hopes that 30 plus boats will be in attendance.

“Osborne Park is going to be all set up again, so you can view from there,” she said. “We had 28 last year. It’s not a cheap partaking. People like the adrenaline rush. They love the challenge.”

Racers always strive to put on as best of a show as they are able to everywhere they go, LaPinta said.

“Everybody gets along, everybody knows each other and everybody looks out for each other,” he said. “If you enjoy boating and going fast, I would encourage it.”

Interested sponsors for the race may call Mendeszoon at 216-970-0774.

https://www.news-herald.com/2023/06...e-in-eastlake-willoughby-offshore-grand-prix/

 

[Serious News]

RESULTS: 2023 Eastlake-Willoughby Grand Prix

VEE EXTREME
1st - 20 Knucklehead

MOD VEE
1st - 21 Shocker

STOCK VEE
1st - 26 Cigar Monster
2nd - 3 Wazzup

CLASS 3
1st - 388 Mr Herbotto

CLASS 4
1st - 420 Crazy Rhythm

CLASS 5
1st - 513 May Marine

CLASS 6
1st - 684 MDG Offshore
2nd - 614 Logan's Hereos

CLASS 7
1st - 721 Team Progression
2nd - 730 Red Rum
3rd - 700 The Punisher
4th - 766 Chug It
5th - 789 Indecisive
6th - 747 Bad Habit

 

[Serious News]

PHOTOS: Willoughby-Eastlake Offshore Grand Prix, July 16, 2023

https://www.news-herald.com/2023/07/16/photos-willoughby-eastlake-offshore-grand-prix-july-16-2023/

The News-Herald
By JOE BOJC |
PUBLISHED: July 16, 2023 at 7:24 p.m. | UPDATED: July 17, 2023 at 8:16 a.m.

 

[Serious News]