The second test in San Diego told us what changes we need to make to get more speed out of the U-37 Degree Men, with Jon grabbing a top speed of 141.752mph.

U-37 flies high at San Diego - 2008

Among the racing classes joining the H1 Unlimited hydroplanes at San Diego Bayfair on Mission Bay, Sept. 17-19, includes Grand Prix and offshore boats, PWC, Cracker Boxes and tunnel boats.

Several titles will be on the line as teams compete under American Power Boat Association (APBA) sanctioning at the 46^th running of the San Diego Bayfair. At least classes will be taking to the water during the three-day event.

“If you like boat racing, we’ve got boats for every taste,” said Jeff Thomas, chairman of the San Diego Bayfair Board of Directors. “With championships on the line in some of the classes, the competition is going to be fierce.”

Leading the way is the H1 Unlimiteds returning to San Diego after a one-year hiatus. Oh Boy! Oberto driver Steve David hopes to extend his 500-point lead at the Air Guard Championship presented by Degree Men.

Twelve boats, running at speeds of 200 mph, are expected to battle it out on the 2.5-mile course named after the legendary hydroplane driver Bill Muncey. David, who has won the drivers’ points title four of the last five years, knows that second-place driver Dave Villwock in the Spirit of Qatar will be taking aim at cutting the points’ lead.

“Our motto going into Bayfair is maintain and gain,” David said. “Our team has always had a strong showing on the saltwater of Mission Bay. We hope to keep that going.”

Here’s a brief overview of the other classes participating in San Diego Bayfair:

Grand Prix—Featuring supercharged big-block engines, Grand Prix boats are a smaller version of an Unlimited hydroplane. The boats run up to 160 mph in straightaways. Competitors from the West Coast and Canada will be making their way to San Diego to run the 26-foot hydroplanes.

Offshore Boats—As many as 12 V-bottoms and catamarans will converge on Mission Bay for the third stop of the Pacific Offshore Powerboat Racing Association (POPRA). Many of the piston-powered boats run speeds that top 100 mph in the straightaways.

PWC—Some of the biggest names in PWC racing including Craig Warner and Chris Macclugage will take over Crown Point for some closed course competition. More than 100 racers will compete in 15 classes as a warm-up for World Championships in October.

Stock Outboards—As the name implies, these boats used outboard engines that have not been modified. Racers kneel in the boats that weigh a mere 125 pounds. The slightest wake or driver movement can affect the balance of the boat that top speeds of 60 mph.

SST-45 Tunnel Boats—The smaller cousin to the Formula 1 tunnel boats, many of the sport’s stars started in the SST-45 ranks. Boats can accelerate to top speed in just a few seconds and because they can turn so sharply, they are an instant favorite with boat racing fans.

Cracker Boxes—The oldest inboard class in the APBA, Cracker Boxes feature the engine in front of the driver and observer. The flat-bottom runabouts have the exact same bottom design as the boats when they made their debut in the 1930s. These boats can run speeds up to 100 mph.

Classic Outboard Runabouts—With a modified V-bottom, these boats will post speeds of 80 mph on the course. Powered by a V-6, 150-horsepower outboard, the Outboard Runabouts have a loyal following in San Diego.

“All of these classes are great fun to watch in person,” said promoter Ross Wallach, who will oversee the various classes for San Diego Bayfair. “You have amateurs drivers competing against veteran racers, which can make for great racing.”

Besides racing, the San Diego Bayfair will include entertainment and music for the entire family. Vendor booths will be selling food and for those over 21, there are beer gardens set up on Vacation Isle and Crown Point.

Active military personnel and reservists with valid ID will be admitted free to Bayfair. To purchase advance tickets or for more information, call 619-434-8260.

About San Diego Bayfair: This year celebrates the 45^th year of Bayfair on Mission Bay. Thunderboats Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization to promote powerboat racing in San Diego and tourism in the beach area. Profits from the four-day festival go to San Diego area charities. Past charities include South Bay Community Services, San Diego Youth & Community Services, and YMCA Youth and Family Services. For more information, visit Bayfair’s website or social media pages Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

San Diego’s Bayfair could see some big changes this year including the potential return of the Unlimited hydroplanes and the addition of a major poker run.

The annual event, which takes place Sept. 17-19, has seen its attendance decline in recent years and organizers hope the changes will bring race fans back to Mission Bay. Also in the works is a one-hour television show based on the weekend.

Although a final contract hasn’t been signed, H1 Unlimited is expected to return to San Diego after a one-year hiatus, said Brett Seber, a member of the Board of Governors for Thunderboats Unlimited of San Diego, which puts on the event.

“The (contract) numbers worked out, so I feel very comfortable that it’s going to happen,” Seber said.

In addition to the Unlimited hydroplanes, Bayfair is expected to have tunnel boats, Unlimited Lights and offshore races. But Seber is looking forward to the addition of a poker run, which is being organized by Desert Storm promoter Jim Nichols.

The poker-run event is expected to include a Puttin’ on the Wish event Thursday after the boats take over a section of Paradise Point. Nichols said they will have a fun run Friday and on Saturday they will run north to Oceanside. The biggest treat for the poker runners is that they will get a chance to run the 2 1/2-mile Unlimited course as part of the opening festivities.

Still up in the air is whether the drag boats will return to the event. Seber said they have had discussions with the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series but so far nothing has been worked out.

“We really want to turn it into a festival based around the water,” Seber said. “We’re excited with the direction it’s heading.”—Gregg Mansfield

(courtesy Powerboat magazine)