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What's Happening
The Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series is pleased to announce the return of Thunder on the River to Lake Havasu City, and once again, the competition promises to be fierce! This event brings some of the best professional drag boat race teams in the country to Lake Havasu City to battle it out the first weekend of October. Lake Havasu is the perfect venue with near constant water elevation and temperatures, providing for some of the fastest runs ever, especially in the Top Fuel Hydro category where speeds have already surpassed the 260 mile per hour mark in only 3.3-seconds on a 1,000-foot race course! Approximately 8,000 visitors converge on Rotary Park for a festive and fun weekend for race enthusiasts with many activities and displays on-hand, as well.
QUALIFYING SCHEDULE CHANGES
Due to the challenges of the winds in the past, one full round of qualifying will take place on Friday from 1pm-3:30pm. For a full schedule, please click on "more information" below. Saturday and Sunday racing start time is planned for 9am, but may change depending on wind conditions. For the most up-to-date information about race times and any changes, please visit www.facebook.com/LucasOilDragBoatRacingSeries (no Facebook account required to view) or www.facebook.com/groups/110401695669407 (must have a Facebook account to view).
EVENT VENUE DETAIL MAP | OVERVIEW MAP OF NO-WAKE ZONE
SHOW & SHINE PARTY
Come on out and meet the owners, drivers, and crews of the baddest machines ever to hit the liquid quarter mile. These racers will be showing off their Top Fuel Hydros, Top Alcohol Hydros, Top Alcohol Flats, and Pro-Modified racing boats from across the U.S. This high-octane motor sport street display showcases 8,000 horse power boats that will skim over Lake Havasu at speeds over 250 mph in under three and a half seconds.
Location: Rotary Park
Admission: Free
Time: 6:30 pm
ENTRANCE & PARKING
General Parking: Free (shuttle available)
Time: Gates open 7am
ADMISSION
Friday Pass:
$10
Saturday Pass: $20
Sunday Pass: $20
Weekend Pass:
$40
Teens: $5 off
Pre-teens: Free w/paid adult
Tickets can be purchased at the gate or anytime from September 22nd at CarQuest and Big O Tire. Refunds will not be given if races are called due to weather conditions.
Rotary Park is closed to traffic from 6am Friday until Sunday when the event is over. Parking to the event is at Park Avenue & Highway 95, near the Lake Havasu City Aquatic Center [map]. Entrance to the event south entrance of Rotary Park [map]. There is also available off-site parking free of charge just outside Rotary Park on city streets and empty lots. No parking allowed in Rotary Park except handicap and RVs that pay for a spot.
VIEWING
The spectator area will be located in Lake Havasu's Rotary Park, a 40-acre beach/park centrally located and easily accessible from Arizona's State Highway 95. Recognized as a local hot spot, the park is located on the shores of Lake Havasu and offers a variety of amenities that are sure to make for a festive and exciting spring happening and a fun weekend for families and race enthusiasts of all ages. Vendors, beer garden, and other activities and displays will also be on-hand.
VIEWING FROM SHORE
10x10 EZ-UP Spots: $300 (located at Rotary Beach along the shoreline and includes four All-Session passes)
VIP Cabanas: $500 (includes eight All-Session passes, eight available on a first-come, first-served basis)
VIEWING BY BOAT/THOMPSON BAY
There will be no anchoring in Thompson Bay during the races. All boat traffic through Thompson Bay will be by escort only. Please be aware that there will be delays if leaving The Nautical, the Lake Havasu Marina, exiting the Bridgewater Channel at the south end or boating through Thompson Bay.
NO WAKE ZONE
There will be a no-wake zone from south of Grass Island to The Islander/California side of the lake. Click here to view map. The lake will open during the race except within designated safety zones established in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard in order to eliminate boat wakes from the race course, helping to ensure the safety of the racers and staff.
RV CAMPING
Front Row RV Spot Rental: $600
Includes four All-Session passes and car pass (22 spots available, first-come, first-served basis)
RV Spot Rental (not front row): $500
Includes four All-Session passes and car pass (22 spots available, first-come, first-served basis)
Refunds will not be given if races are called due to weather conditions.
RESTRICTIONS/MORE INFORMATION
Beach chairs and towels permitted. No coolers or umbrellas allowed inside of Rotary Park. You may bring in your own snacks, just as long as they are not in a cooler. No dogs allowed. Rotary Park is closed to traffic beginning 6am Friday and will reopen on Sunday after the event is over. Rotary Park is strictly reserved for Lucas Oil during the event; those wanting to use the park must pay admission fees while the event is underway. Due to the delicate nature of this sport, wakes and waves can potentially cause drag boats to flip or crash. The safety of the boat drivers is of the utmost importance, therefore, there will be no access to the water for swimming throughout Rotary Park or London Bridge Beach inside of the No-Wake/Escort Zone. No kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, canoes, or other non-motorized watercraft will be allowed in the no-wake/escort zone. Normal boat access and swimming is permitted in the Bridgewater Channel north of the no-wake/escort zone. Refunds will not be given if races are called due to weather conditions.
Thursday: Beginning Thursday, October 9, vehicles will not be permitted within Rotary Park, and foot traffic through Rotary Park will remain open with restricted areas and no water access. Access to the event will be at the south entrance of Rotary Park only. There will be no access to the event from the walking path along the channel. The walking path around the ball fields and the bowl area will be open and free to the public even during event hours. Also, the large play structure near the ball fields is not within the paid event area and will remain open to the public.
Lions Dog Park will be closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am-5pm to ensure the safety of pets. The Tinnell Memorial Sports Park will be closed during the event hours but will reopen daily at 5pm.
For those who walk the path at Rotary Park, there will be access to the walking path until 9am on race days, but will need to pay for a ticket if you choose to stay for the event.
VOLUNTEERING
If you'd like to volunteer at this event, please visit the Volunteer Sign-up page for details.
QUALIFYING SCHEDULE CHANGES
Due to the challenges of the winds in the past, one full round of qualifying will take place on Friday from 1pm-3:30pm. For a full schedule, please click on "more information" below. Saturday and Sunday racing start time is planned for 9am, but may change depending on wind conditions. For the most up-to-date information about race times and any changes, please visit www.facebook.com/LucasOilDragBoatRacingSeries (no Facebook account required to view) or www.facebook.com/groups/110401695669407 (must have a Facebook account to view).
EVENT VENUE DETAIL MAP | OVERVIEW MAP OF NO-WAKE ZONE
SHOW & SHINE PARTY
Come on out and meet the owners, drivers, and crews of the baddest machines ever to hit the liquid quarter mile. These racers will be showing off their Top Fuel Hydros, Top Alcohol Hydros, Top Alcohol Flats, and Pro-Modified racing boats from across the U.S. This high-octane motor sport street display showcases 8,000 horse power boats that will skim over Lake Havasu at speeds over 250 mph in under three and a half seconds.
Location: Rotary Park
Admission: Free
Time: 6:30 pm
ENTRANCE & PARKING
General Parking: Free (shuttle available)
Time: Gates open 7am
ADMISSION
Friday Pass:
$10
Saturday Pass: $20
Sunday Pass: $20
Weekend Pass:
$40
Teens: $5 off
Pre-teens: Free w/paid adult
Tickets can be purchased at the gate or anytime from September 22nd at CarQuest and Big O Tire. Refunds will not be given if races are called due to weather conditions.
Rotary Park is closed to traffic from 6am Friday until Sunday when the event is over. Parking to the event is at Park Avenue & Highway 95, near the Lake Havasu City Aquatic Center [map]. Entrance to the event south entrance of Rotary Park [map]. There is also available off-site parking free of charge just outside Rotary Park on city streets and empty lots. No parking allowed in Rotary Park except handicap and RVs that pay for a spot.
VIEWING
The spectator area will be located in Lake Havasu's Rotary Park, a 40-acre beach/park centrally located and easily accessible from Arizona's State Highway 95. Recognized as a local hot spot, the park is located on the shores of Lake Havasu and offers a variety of amenities that are sure to make for a festive and exciting spring happening and a fun weekend for families and race enthusiasts of all ages. Vendors, beer garden, and other activities and displays will also be on-hand.
VIEWING FROM SHORE
10x10 EZ-UP Spots: $300 (located at Rotary Beach along the shoreline and includes four All-Session passes)
VIP Cabanas: $500 (includes eight All-Session passes, eight available on a first-come, first-served basis)
VIEWING BY BOAT/THOMPSON BAY
There will be no anchoring in Thompson Bay during the races. All boat traffic through Thompson Bay will be by escort only. Please be aware that there will be delays if leaving The Nautical, the Lake Havasu Marina, exiting the Bridgewater Channel at the south end or boating through Thompson Bay.
NO WAKE ZONE
There will be a no-wake zone from south of Grass Island to The Islander/California side of the lake. Click here to view map. The lake will open during the race except within designated safety zones established in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard in order to eliminate boat wakes from the race course, helping to ensure the safety of the racers and staff.
RV CAMPING
Front Row RV Spot Rental: $600
Includes four All-Session passes and car pass (22 spots available, first-come, first-served basis)
RV Spot Rental (not front row): $500
Includes four All-Session passes and car pass (22 spots available, first-come, first-served basis)
Refunds will not be given if races are called due to weather conditions.
RESTRICTIONS/MORE INFORMATION
Beach chairs and towels permitted. No coolers or umbrellas allowed inside of Rotary Park. You may bring in your own snacks, just as long as they are not in a cooler. No dogs allowed. Rotary Park is closed to traffic beginning 6am Friday and will reopen on Sunday after the event is over. Rotary Park is strictly reserved for Lucas Oil during the event; those wanting to use the park must pay admission fees while the event is underway. Due to the delicate nature of this sport, wakes and waves can potentially cause drag boats to flip or crash. The safety of the boat drivers is of the utmost importance, therefore, there will be no access to the water for swimming throughout Rotary Park or London Bridge Beach inside of the No-Wake/Escort Zone. No kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, canoes, or other non-motorized watercraft will be allowed in the no-wake/escort zone. Normal boat access and swimming is permitted in the Bridgewater Channel north of the no-wake/escort zone. Refunds will not be given if races are called due to weather conditions.
Thursday: Beginning Thursday, October 9, vehicles will not be permitted within Rotary Park, and foot traffic through Rotary Park will remain open with restricted areas and no water access. Access to the event will be at the south entrance of Rotary Park only. There will be no access to the event from the walking path along the channel. The walking path around the ball fields and the bowl area will be open and free to the public even during event hours. Also, the large play structure near the ball fields is not within the paid event area and will remain open to the public.
Lions Dog Park will be closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am-5pm to ensure the safety of pets. The Tinnell Memorial Sports Park will be closed during the event hours but will reopen daily at 5pm.
For those who walk the path at Rotary Park, there will be access to the walking path until 9am on race days, but will need to pay for a ticket if you choose to stay for the event.
VOLUNTEERING
If you'd like to volunteer at this event, please visit the Volunteer Sign-up page for details.
