As thousands of power boat fans and aficionados decent upon the waters of Rocky Fork Lake State Park for the annual Thunder in the Hills boating event Sept. 18-19, they will have the additional opportunity to watch the North American Championships of the American Powerboat Association.
"We are going to run the North American Championships," said Dean Davis, and event organizer with the local Southern Ohio Power Boat Association.
Originally scheduled to be held at Grand Lake at St. Marys State Park northwest of Dayton, algae in the water, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, made it unsafe for recreational activities, including boating.
"We usually have about 40 boats," Davis said of the annual Thunder in the Hills. "This year we're going to have between 80 and 100 boats, which is double the amount of people who are going to be in town, looking for places to stay, places to eat."
Estimating the number of people who will line the shores of Rocky Fork Lake and spend their time and money in establishments across Highland County is difficult, according to Davis.
"We don't have a counter," he said. "But we'd estimate between 15,000 to 20,000. There are people constantly coming and going. Some may come for two hours and leave and come back two hours later."
In addition to the boating events there are food vendors, a flea market and a company giving helicopter rides over the area, Davis said.
"We normally have people who come from all over the United States," Davis said. "Since this is the North American Championships, we're really going to have people from all over North America, and because there will be APBA (American Power Boat Association) points awarded also."
For area residents who have never turned out for the annual race, Davis said spectators can get right on the water, "fairly close to where the boats go by. We'll run 1 liter modifieds, 2.5 liter modifieds and national modified and grand national hydroplane. The bigger ones can hit around 150 mph on the straightaways."
In the years since the Thunder in the Hills event began, "We have set 18 world speed records here. With these boats (in the national championships) I really imagine there are going to be some new ones set that weekend. It depends on the weather and if the water is right and the amount of boats, but we're going to have the top and the fastest boats here," Davis said.
Vendors at the flea market usually open around 8 a.m., he said, with racing starting around 10 a.m., and finishing up between 5-6 p.m.
As thousands of power boat fans and aficionados decent upon the waters of Rocky Fork Lake State Park for the annual Thunder in the Hills boating event Sept. 18-19, they will have the additional opportunity to watch the North American Championships of the American Powerboat Association.
