APBA PWC RACING RECAP – SAN DIEGO THUNDERBOAT REGATTA

By Mike Follmer

On a sunny and clear 80 degree weekend at the famed San Diego Thunderboat Regatta, aptly named "Bayfair" in front a crowd of rabid race fans estimated to be approximately 168.500 (over the 3 days) watching the spectacle of the various forms of boat racing, from the worlds fastest boats, the Unlimited Hydroplanes to Drag Boats, Offshore, flatbottom circle boats, nimble Tunnel Boats to the PWC Endurance Sprint racers. Sea Doo, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Hydrospace were well represented by some of the best endurance racers in the county gathered to compete in this the biggest spectator event of the year.

This years PWC Endurance Sprint Racing started off with a the first of four 10-lap Sprint races on a 8 turn 1 .5 mile course in front of the huge crowd. The "dead engine" true Le Mans style start made it an all out run for the first turn the field of super charged 4 stroke and standup and the lone two-stroke Yamaha GP1300R of Mike Follmer, Factory Yamaha R & D.

With the drop of the flag, the boats took off with the lead going to former World Champion and Lake Havasu City resident Chris Fischetti, on his Sea Doo, with Glendale Arizona native, Steve West, also on a Sea Doo, with Mike Follmer Factory Yamaha R & D going at it for 10 high speed laps of the weekend’s closest racing. Veteran Firefighter (fresh off the line) and La Mesa CA resident Dave Hardenburger piloting the Hydrospace Stand Up entry grabbing he holeshot and giving a great show against the runabouts. Dave Hardenburger may have taken the holeshot but it was short lived. After rounding the second turn it was all Sea Doo's and the Yamaha. Fresno, CA Cheng Leu and Tom Clarke, Huntington Beach and rookie Robert Carreon diced it out with Vinnie Ferrara, Phoenix, AZ rounding out the first heat second heat it was Vinnie Ferrera and second place 2 stroke Factory Yamaha Mike Follmer third to Steve West. Sunday saw the two heat winer going to Steve West and second Place to Mike Follmer and third to Chang Leu and Dave Hardenburger and Matt Owens on the Stand Ups.

The crowd were thrilled with the action on the water and the exposure that the PWC racers received to again be a part of such a prestigous event made the experience for all those in attendence worthwhile.

The Overall Standings for the weekend:
1st Place Overall and Pro/Am 4 Stroke Champion - Steve West,# 2, AZ On-Site, Metro Motorsports RPM Racing Glendale,AZ 
2nd Place Overall and Pro/Am 2 Stroke Champion - Mike Follmer, #1,Yamaha Motor Corp.USA, R & D, MOTUL, OAKLEY, NGK, RIVA Fountain Valley, CA 
3rd Place Overall and 2nd Place Pro/Am- Cheng Leu #411, Clawson Motorsports, Riva Racing, Fresno, CA
3rd Place Pro/Am 4 Stroke-Chris Fischetti #300, Walt's Motorsports, R & D, Lake Havasu City, AZ
4rth Place Pro/Am 4 Stroke- Vinnie Ferrara #10, JSU Racing, JP Designs, LGI, Sin Gear Clothing, Sun City, AZ
1st Place Vet/Master Open- Tom Clarke, #371Wolverine Brass, Huntington Beach, CA 
1st Place Novice Open- Robert Carreon #338 La Mirada, CA
1st Place Stand Up- Dave "Looter" Hardenburger, Looter Productions, La Mesa Firemen's Association, La Mesa, CA
2nd Place Stand Up- Matt Owens, Looter Productions, La Mesa, CA