Riva backs 2010 HydroDrag event

Event headed to new venue

WaterTop Unlimited has announced that RIVA Racing will continue as the title sponsor of the HydroDrag National. BRP/Sea-Doo is a supporting sponsor of the 2010 HydroDrag National that will take place November 6-7 at the Water-Ski Hall-of-Fame & Museum venue in Polk City, Fla. The personal watercraft drag race and top speed events draw the fastest PWC riders and machines from all over North America and the Caribbean and will be utilizing a new venue in 2010.

Lake Grew, adjacent to the Water Ski Hall of Fame & Museum offers the ideal venue for this unique type of high speed PWC racing. The narrow 1800-foot long, watery runway is man-made and engineered for tournament water skiing and will provide PWC competitors ideal conditions for peak performance. The facility is located directly beside Interstate 4 and utilizes the same exit as the Fantasy of Flight aircraft museum.

Competitors will be vying to break the existing top speed record of 100.5 mph, set by Julio Rivera at the 2009 HydroDrag Spring Nationals in Fellsmere, Fla.

“The new venue will take the HydroDrags to the next level of professionalism,” says Tim McKercher, WaterTop Unlimited general manager. “We are only a couple of months away from seeing the fastest PWC in the world and we have had a steady flow of competitors from around the world contacting us about participating in this year’s event. We are looking for a solid turnout and new records to be set. It will be a spectacular event to close out the 2010 boating season.”

The RIVA Racing HydroDrag event includes head-to-head PWC drag racing on a 1/8th mile (660-feet) track utilizing the WaterTop “Launch Pad” starting system. The Launch Pad is a stationary starting mechanism that cradles two PWC on a dual bunk system and offers fans a look at which racer is “on the gas” with the Novi-Tec thrust meters sending an explosion of water into the sky upon every drop start. Speed Alley is the second aspect of the event in which competitors are given two straight-line runs to post their greatest top speed, recorded by a calibrated radar gun.

Early November weather is projected to be ideal for top speeds with comfortable climates providing riders from northern states one last hurrah for the 2010 boating season.

The HydroDrag Fall National will be sanctioned by the APBA (American Powerboat Association) and will offer six classes to competitors including:

Hydro Vintage 1997 and prior PWC
Hydro NA (Naturally aspirated PWC)
Box Stock (No modifications of any kind)
Hydro Recreation (Very basic modifications)
Hydro Pro Stock APBA Stock Rules
Hydro Superstock (high 70 – mid 80 mph PWC)
Hydro Unlimited (Modified hulls and/or top decks, conversion, turbo, nitrous, 2000 cc limit; mid 80 – 100mph PWC)

WaterTop is also looking to produce the Fishbowl Freestyle Throwdown Saturday night, November 6 on Lake Mirror in Downtown Lakeland. Details to be determined.

WaterTop Unlimited is looking for event sponsors who want to gain promotional value in a high-energy motorsports event atmosphere.

For complete event information including: Competition Guide w/rules, Entry Form, and event information sheet with hotel info, e-mail info@watertopunlimited.com

Related Reading
Sea-Doo racers shine at HydroDrags
2010 HydroDrag Fall National finds new home