Future uncertain for Thunder in the Hills

The future of the annual Thunder in the Hills race is uncertain due to diminished funds, but organizers with the Southern Ohio Powerboat Association said the racers themselves are stepping in to make sure that one of the largest races in the nation can continue for its 25th year. 

Race director Dean Davis said that approximately $12,000 is needed to put on the event, which is slated for the weekend of Sep. 17-18.

"It's tentative," Davis said. "We had decided at our meeting this week that we didn't have enough money to have it this year. But now there are people calling, and we're hoping we might be able to raise the money. So, it's tentative. We're not saying for sure it's going to be canceled, and we're not saying for sure it's going to be on."

Paul Yinger, the commodore with the SOPA, which puts on the event each year, said it takes approximately $35,000 to put on the race, held at Rocky Fork Lake, each year. 

"The majority of our funds comes from the ads we sell in the program," Yinger said. 

In 2008, one day of racing had to be canceled after winds from Hurricane Ike caused severe winds and damage in the area. Yinger said the organization has not quite recovered from that financial loss. 

"That year, we lost a lot of money," Yinger said. "We usually start out the year with about $10,000 in the bank. This year we had a little over $2,000. We've never recovered from it."

Yinger said that the SOPA is planning on hiring a fundraising agent next year, but it's too late for the 2011 race. 

"When I called the American Powerboat Association to put the word out that we were going to cancel, the racers themselves said that they would put up some money, which is wonderful," Yinger said. "We've been promised about $15,000 to $20,000, and if that happens, we can have the race. So the race is not officially off."

With the area still coping with a struggling economy, Yinger said that he knows not every local business can help out, but lots of local people area great supporters of the race.

"It really benefits Highland County," Yinger said. "That weekend, there are no hotel rooms, no campgrounds. They're all full. One time we had as many as 105 boats, and they bring at least six people on their teams. They need to have some place to stay, they need to have food to eat. The race brings outside money into the area.

"This race is really good for the community," Yinger said. "No one has to pay to get in to see it, and it's a world-class event."

Because the race is held on state property, Yinger said they can't charge for admission.

Yinger said the racers are keen to see Thunder in the Hills continue because Rocky Fork Lake has proven to be a course on which world records can be set.

"There is a lake in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. that has the most records. The next best course is Rocky Fork Lake. We have 18 world records here, and the racers know it," Yinger said. "They want to race here because they can set records here. The course in Florida has more records because they've been racing there for longer."

A decision about whether or not the race will be held has to be made by the first week of August, Yinger said, which will give organizers a chance to raise some more funds. Anyone who wants to contribute to Thunder in the Hills can contact Yinger at (937) 763-2323 or Davis at (937) 393-1153.