For one weekend, one of the many still, peaceful lakes in La Porte County—Stone Lake—is turned into a wavy, roving race track. Enthusiastic fans line the sandy shore and cheer on tunnel boats speeding past at over 100 miles per hour at the annual Maple City Grand Prix. Last year the event brought in over 10,000 spectators and that number is expected to grow this year considering the 80 degree weather and bright blue skies of the weekend.
The Maple City Grand Prix brings together the fastest tunnel boats to race in an exciting track of hairpin turns and quick-changing directions. The speed and atmosphere almost feels like the Indy 500 on water and half the time you are screaming and cheering and the other half you are holding your breath.
“It’s so cool having such a high profile event right on a lake in La Porte. The boats go so fast it’s unbelievable and scary at the same time,” Jaime Moore of La Porte said.
Friday evening included testing, autographs and a live performance by “High Noon.” On Saturday the opening ceremonies at noon included a flyover and both the Canadian and American National Anthem to honor the three Canadian racers and fifteen American racers. Then the time trails began followed by a day of intense water racing, family fun, and autographs. After a long day of racing and autographs, the evening will close with a firework show above the lake and another live performance by “Pointin’ Fingers.”
Tomorrow’s race will follow a similar schedule with one change; the end of the day will bring the finals. The Formula One Final Race will be 35 laps to victory with the award ceremony following immediately after. The racers come from all over the nation and along with their prep teams prepare all year. The one mile track at Stone Lake is an especially appealing track for the racers.
Chief Referee Doug Rea said, “La Porte brought us here because they wanted a world class event. We are the premier boat racing company in the country. This event brings excitement to the community and can act as a great fundraiser.”
The event kicked off Friday night with a boat parade, welcome ceremony and ribbon cutting downtown and will continue to keep the community engaged. All along the shore was a carnival complete with vendors, scrumptious fair food, bounce houses, and even pony rides.
The Maple City Grand Prix is the perfect kick-off for summer in our county that is so well known for its lakes and beaches. We are a boating town after all, and to be able to bring in such a huge boating event truly showcases what La Porte County has to offer.
Bob Pontek, Race Site Manager, said "We have had such a warm welcome to La Porte. Last night we had the parade and the ribbon cutting ceremony and it was just great. The local kids had so much fun and actually got to sit in the boat cockpits."
The US F1 Powerboat Tour Officiating Staff includes Doug Rea, John Schubert, Ken Scoville, Roger Carr, Darryl Beaulier, David McCormick, Monica Allen, Krysti Allen, Stephen Michael, Greg McCorkle, Bob Pontek, Fred Miller, and Laurie Vidal.