Formula 2s tackle the Detroit River
TRENTON, Mich. — The allure of racing power boats in Trenton apparently is extending beyond the borders of North America.
Norwegian racer Rich Haakonsen has signed on to become the first European to enter the PNC Roar on the River, which typically features only drivers from the United States and Canada.
Haakonsen, who has won championships in multiple racing classes on both the Norwegian and Scandinavian racing circuits, also has raced in Italy and Spain, and finished second in the Formula 2000 world championship held in Malaysia in 2007. The Formula 2000 class boats are essentially the same as the SST 120s, and can attain speeds in the 110-120 mph range.
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The racing weekend will culminate Sunday afternoon with the crowning of new world champions in the Formula 2 SST 120 class and the SST 45 class, or “Formula Lights.”
While the Roar will be gaining a competitor from Europe, last year’s SST 120 champ and perennial contender Jay Fox will not be returning to defend his crown.
“Jay dominated the SST 120 class in 2009, winning both the worlds and nationals and being inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions,” Miller said. “Then he retired — much to his dad’s chagrin.” Jay Fox’s father, Jim Fox, has served as his son’s crew chief.
Fox’s main competition last year was Jimmi Merleau from Fennville, whom Miller pegs as one of the favorites to win this year.
“He has already won (the) Bay City (River Roar) and was leading in Pittsburgh when he had to pull off due to a gas tank leaking in the boat.”
Another SST 120 driver who is likely to be in contention is Kris Shepherd of Antioch Ill., who finished second at the Bay City race, which was held at the end of June.
“He was also second last year in Trenton and will definitely be in the hunt this year,” Miller said.
Donny Lick from Hastings, Minn., won a qualifying heat in Bay City and took third in the final, and could make a bid for the top spot in Trenton also.
Miller said Lick and Merleau are racing with the new, more environment-
Dan Orchard from Stratford, Ontario, has moved up to the SST 120 class after four years in the SST 45 class. He finished fifth in Trenton in the 45s last year, but has been competing well in the 120s, with four races under his belt.
“Dan took third in Port Neches, Texas, in May and had a bump-and-run incident with Merleau in Bay City and was forced to pull out early in the race with a hole in the right sponson,” Miller said. “He was leading in Pittsburgh when a mechanical problem took him out early. Dan is certainly an up and comer in 120 and will be tough in Trenton.”
Haakonsen’
The driver himself was expected to arrive in Trenton Tuesday and have only a few days to get his boat ready to race.
Haakonsen came to the United States as part of a four-man “Scandinavian Challenger” team that includes two mechanics from Finland and a radio man from Norway.
“The reason we are coming over to the U.S. is that we would like to try something new and different and hopefully make some contact with American power boating friends,” Haakonsen, 33, said via email after finalizing his shipping and travel plans.
A native of Lillesand, Norway, Haakonsen works as a project director for an engineering company. He said he has been racing boats since he was 13 years old. He watched his older brother participate in some local races, and then decided to give it a try himself.
“And since then it has been impossible to stop,” he said.
Haakonsen’
Along with the SST 120s and SSTs 45s, the Roar on the River will feature racing in three other boat classes, including the inflatables or “super lights,” stock outboard runabouts and the junior hydros.
Action on the water each day begins at 10:30 a.m. with junior hydro race heats. The 45s and 120s will hit the water in the early afternoon.
Other activity out on the water both days will include multiple appearances by Typhoon Tommy’s Jet Ski stunt competition.
There is no admission charge for the races, which are organized by Trenton Rotary Club. A $5 donation is requested to park inside Elizabeth Park to help support the park and offset the cost to produce the event.
What: 60th annual PNC Roar on the River
When: Friday, July 23, Saturday, July 24, Sunday, July 25
Where: Elizabeth Park, Trenton
Link to complete event schedule: http://www.trentonroarontheriver.com/
Additional information can be found on the official PNC Roar on the River Web site, http://www.trentonroarontheriver.com
