Webb's Slough to host title run

Webb’s Slough at St. John will host the second and last races for the American Sprint Boat racers Saturday. The slough emerged as the last track on the circuit this year after Extreme Sports Park in Port Angeles cancelled two race meets.

The boats had been slated to race at Port Angeles in mid summer and then return there for the championship round after this Saturday’s race card at the slough.

Association officials had talked about staging a third race card this year at St. John to provide the racers with more track time, but it just did not work out, according to Matt Webb.

He added the association has received inquiries about possible construction of other tracks, but nothing solid has emerged. The Port Angeles track is still available, but the race card there was believed to have been scratched because discord among the organizers.

The abbreviated two-stop season at St. John means the boats will start right where they left off at the last slough run in June. Boat crews figure to be raring to race after being out of action since the June races.

The Webbs expect more boats will be on the scene Saturday because some crews who were sidelined in the opener now have their boats ready. Most of those who could not make it for the June race were waiting for engine parts.

Boat count for Saturday’s races now stands at 27. One Montana entry was a late scratch because of concerns there over forest fires.

Because Saturday’s races are now the ASB championship round, the association will award double points to the winners. That means a team which bumps a winner from the first round at St. John will take the season championship.

Camping at the slough will begin Thursday. They had a total of 500 RVs on the scene at the June opener.

Practice runs will start at 9 a.m. Saturday, and time trials will begin at 10 a.m.

The racers will face a different rotation around the course with the new route revealed to the drivers at 4 p.m. Friday.

The Webbs have also booked the Tone Sober band from Colfax to play on the terraces Saturday beginning at dusk to entertain race fans and RVers who want to linger.