Rocky Fork Thunder roars back for 2014 competition
By CAITLIN RYAN
The Highland County Press
Rocky Fork Thunder will be “making noise on Friday night” to signal the return of the popular annual hydroplane boat races, race chairman Dean Armstrong announced.
Slated for Sept. 19-21, the 25th Rocky Fork Thunder, formerly known as Thunder in the Hills, will be the first time the race will be held for three days.
Armstrong said the races Friday night at Rocky Fork Lake will include “some of the loudest and fastest” competitors, including Grand National, 2.5-Liter Modified and 2.5-Liter Stock, among others.
“We wanted to do the fastest and loudest first to let people know we’re in town,” Armstrong said. “That’s never been done before.”
The 25th Rocky Fork Thunder will also honor the memory of Thunder in the Hills founder Dr. Paul Richard Yinger, as racers will participate in the The Paul Richard “Doc” Yinger Memorial Race.
Dr. Yinger passed away March 21, 2013. This is the first time the race has been held since his passing, as the event saw a one-year hiatus in 2013.
Dr. Yinger’s wife, Wahnita Yinger, will be the guest of honor for the three-day event.
The boat races will feature an estimated 47 to 52 high-quality boats this year.
“People can come in that weekend and sign up and go,” Armstrong said. “These are just people who have verbally committed.”
Armstrong said competitors enjoy racing on Rocky Fork Lake due to its “smooth and fast water.”
Among the competitors in this year’s Rocky Fork Thunder will be the Grant Boat Racing team in the Grand Prix category.
The team purchased Dr. Yinger’s NM 333 and placed seventh in the nation in Grand Prix racing in 2013.
Armstrong said another racer – a 10-time national champion – will be retiring after this year’s race.
As racers top speeds on the water of close to 150 miles per hour, Armstrong said there have been approximately 25 official world records broken at the event, with some additional records broken even by those not winning their respective races.
“One year I broke a world record with Doc’s boat, but I was in second place, so it didn’t count,” Armstrong said. “Another year, we had a family set three world records in the same weekend.”
“We expect a good solid field coming out in all classes, and we’ll also have the vintages coming out,” Armstrong said.
The event is sponsored by: the Visitors Bureau of Highland County, Atkinson Automotive, Five Points Implement, Bayview Campground and Cottages & Bait and Tackle, Elli May’s Grooming, Lerch’s Barnlot LTD, Electronic Commodity Corporation, Lakeside Real Estate & Auctioneers, M and S Goat Farm, Ohio Valley Motor Boat Racing Association, Tim’s Tires and Accessories LLC, The Rockhold Brown and Co. Bank, WKFI AM, Paxton Restaurant, Halterman Equipment, Rocky Fork Concrete, Preferred Midwest Title, Merchants National
Bank and Frank Schoolcraft Home Repair.
Additional sponsors are still needed, Armstrong said.
Any businesses or individuals interested in sponsoring Rocky Fork Thunder can visit rockyforkthunder.com or email Armstrong at dean@rockyforkthunder.com.
In addition to sponsors, the Rocky Fork Thunder is also looking for vendors to sell concessions.
“We want this to be a community event, a family event,” Armstrong said.
The races are free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring a folding chair and umbrella. Concessions will be available.
For more information on competing, vendor and sponsorship opportunities or watching the races, visit www.rockyforkthunder.com.