LAKEPORT, Calif. – After a 35-year hiatus, sprint boat racing returned to Clear Lake this past weekend, and the event has been hailed as a success by city officials and the organizers.
The inaugural Lakeport Sprint Boat Grand Prix took place on Saturday and Sunday on Clear Lake, offshore of Library Park in Lakeport.
Five classes of boats thrilled the those who came to watch the event, with great weather and water conditions.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen, who ran a city police command center out of City Hall throughout the event, estimated about 1,000 people packed into downtown for the races.
Both Rasmussen and City Public Works Director Doug Grider said the event went smoothly, with no major issues.
Racing promoter Jack Long of Clear Lake Motorsport Enterprises said he was very pleased with the event overall.
“The racers came out in force, they could hear the cheers of the crowd over the engines and they were excited to put on a show,” he said. “We gave the Southern California Speedboat Club racers a taste of Lake County hospitality that they will not forget.”
At Tuesday’s Lakeport City Council meeting, council members and city officials praised the event, as well as the efforts of police, sheriff’s office personnel, fire and city staff to make sure the races went off without a hitch.
Mayor Stacey Mattina said some past councils have said no to bringing big events to town, but that view isn’t held by the current council.
“These events are wonderful and we will get more people coming to town who have never been here before,” Mattina said.
Long was equally appreciative of the efforts of local leaders to assist him with getting the event off the ground.
“We couldn’t have done this without the support of the Lake County government officials, the city of Lakeport government officials, and the police and first responders from all over Lake County that were there making sure that everything went according to plan. The feedback I received has been very positive,” Long said.
He said that the sponsors, his staff and volunteers all worked hard to put on a great event.
“This has been an amazing experience and I am proud to be a part of making this happen,” Long said.
Information on attendance and tickets sales was not immediately available, although city staff indicated on Tuesday that a debriefing meeting on the event is expected to take place with Long.
With hopes of reviving Lake County’s boat racing tradition, Long said plans are being made for the second annual Lakeport Sprint Boat Grand Prix in 2018.
Follow Sprint Boat Grand Prix on Facebook for the latest updates and information.
The results of the inaugural event are published below.
2017 Lakeport Sprint Boat Grand Prix results
GPS-100
First place: Tim Hoffman, Mesa, Ariz.
Second place: Jasper McDonald, Valley Center, Calif.
Third place: Dave Shaw, Temecula, Calif.
Fourth place: Jeff McLachlan, West Jordan, Utah
Formula Lights
First place: R.J. West, Manteca, Calif.
Second place: Jared Wallach, Redondo Beach, Calif.
Third place: Mark Halyak, Santa Clarita, Calif.
Fourth place: Spencer Love, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Fifth place: Colin Cross, Alameda, Calif.
Sixth place: Warren West, Manteca, Calif.
Unblown Flat
First place: Skip Tuttle, Oakley, Calif.
Second place: Dale Baker, Ferndale, Wash.
Third place: Tyler Roth, Concord, NC
Fourth place: Hal Jones, Layton, Utah
Sportsman Extreme Runabout
First place: Tim Hoffman, Mesa, Ariz.
Second place: Mike Stock/Tony Applegate, Boise, Idaho
Third place: Mike Purczynski, Hemet, Calif.
Fourth place: Dave Shaw, Temecula, Calif.
Fifth place: Jasper McDonald, Valley Center, Calif.
Sixth place: Lance Nicholls, Castaic, Calif.
K Racing Runabout
First place: Duff Daily, Boise, Idaho
Second place: Tyler Roth, Concord, NC
Third place: Michael Allen/Paul Fitzgerald, Concord, NC
Fourth place: Charley Hamill, Salt Lake City, Utah
Fifth place: Tony Scarlata, Perris, Calif.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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