Coming up on Labor Day means one thing in the world of Stock Outboard, the annual Lock Haven Regatta. Held on the Susquehanna River in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. 2019 will be the 49th running of the regatta. What makes this race so special that it draws in racers from as far as Washington state and international drivers from England and Poland? It could be the midway across the bridge, featuring carnival rides and food, perhaps it is the live music being played all day on the Jaycees stage. It just might be the level of competition in every class providing non stop action over the long weekend.
For myself, Lock Haven is the boat race of the summer. Crossing the bridge on the way to the pits, one gets the same feeling as a child entering Disney World. When I was four years old, I attended my first race there and have had many great memories in the small river town in the twenty two years since that Labor Day. Lock Haven has gained the title the "Nationals after the Nationals", for the amount of boats that show up for the three day regatta. Last year, it was the largest attended race in the entire country and this year it could very well take that title again. When walking through the pits, it will be no surprise to see the usual crowd of New jersey, Pennsylvania and New England boats but you will also be greeted by drivers from states such as Washington, Texas, Florida, Wisconsin and Illinois just to name a few.
While most classes draw large boat numbers, one of the biggest draws to the Lock Haven is the famed "Dash for the Cash", which is run on Sunday at noon and takes place in the C Stock Hydro class. Drivers from all over the country, will be racing for a cash prize of over $1000. Usually C Stock Hydro is an exciting class to watch on any given weekend, but dangle a cash prize in front of these drivers and you will see a whole new side of them. 2019 marks the 25th consecutive year of running the "Dash" and the competition has been strong every one of those twenty five years. It is a gamble who will win but it is more of gamble who will make it out of the first turn! We should see the 2018 winner, Tim Sidor of Rockford, Michigan eyeing up a repeat but will Billy Allen of Quincy, Massachusetts be able to capture his fourth Dash win? I wouldn't count out drivers like Dustin Pearson, Mac Pfalzer, Dave Breisacher, Brent Tate or will veteran of the class, Matt Dagostino take home his first "Dash" win on Sunday afternoon.
It should be another Lock Haven for the record books and 2020 will be the 50th running of the race and we plan on making it even better. So if you can not attend this summer, make plans for Labor Day 2020 and we will plan on seeing you there.
-JW
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