Sprint Boats, racers will return to Webb’s slough

Sprints boat racing teams are expected to roll into St. John Friday and Saturday to open the fourth year of competition at Webb’s Slough. Between 20 and 25 racing teams are expected.

The US Sprint Boat Association now rates Webbs’ Slough, with its tight corners and spectator facilities as the “Mecca” for the circuit, according to Jim DeFord’s preview on the USSBA web site.

The boat teams started their series June 5 in Marsing, Idaho.

Amanda Webb said the big change this year is in the superboat class which has been lagging for the last couple of years. The class this time out is expected to have up to seven boats in action.

Some of the super racers are returning to the sports, and other have moved up to the big class.

Facilities at the slough have been evolving. Webb said a big gain this year is extension of electrical service at the facility. That should help officials and crew present the show.

The boats and teams will again line Front Street in St. John Friday starting at 5 p.m. The downtown event doubles as a safety inspection for the crews and provide a close-up for St. John and other area fans.

Gates at the slough open Saturday at 9 a.m. and racing should get underway at 10. Last year the slough attracted approximately 6,200 fans in the two sessions.

The second round at St. John is set for Aug. 28.

Ackerman wins

Scott Ackerman of Colfax took the title in the opening race of the United States Sprint Boat Association season two weeks ago at Marsing, Idaho.

Ackerman ran a full second faster than the team of Dillon and Teri Cummings of Sequim in the final run to take the title.

After the first rounds, the Ackerman team was in second behind the Liquid Addiction boat driven by Cory Johnson-Gary McNeil of Maple Ridge, B. C. Liquid Addiction found the bank after missing a turn in the finals, clearing the way for Ackerman’s Two Pump Chump to take the title.

The Ackerman team is hitting the circuit this year in their refurbished Two Pump Chump which was crumpled in a wreck at St. John at the end of the 2008 season.

Ackerman rebuilt the hull of the Chump last year while competing in his Bad Medicine boat.