The Upper Midwest Power Boat Association partnered up with Bullheads Bar and Grill to host its second race of the season in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. This race is always a big spectator turn out and all profits for the past seven years have gone to the Dewey volunteer fire department.
With a total of 50 race entries, the UMPBA attracted boat racers from Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. UMPBA’s brackets are determined by miles per hour, not engine, boat, or propulsion type. UMPBA Officials teamed up with LiveTime to fine tune their new Transponder System which will ultimately assist with enforcing speed break out rules.
The day began with the rescheduled final race of the 75-mph class from the UMPBA’s season opener. Weather and water conditions prohibited this race from happening last month at Pelican Lake. Ryan Pease in the Mercury powered Hydrostream Valero and Mark K hit the water and Ryan took home is first 1st place finish! Mark K took second before turning around and winning the class at Stevens Point!
Prior to the Lake Racer 1 class hitting the water at Stevens Point, the 65-mph class started us off with Steven Nelson’s 1978 Centurion taking second place and Marc Gajdos securing 1st with his Mercury powered 1974 “UFO”.
The 75-mph class hit the water with a total of eight boats and Mark K. found himself back on top with his first, first place win of the 2023 season. Jack Stanaszek raced his way to second place driving his Hydrostream Vector powered by a Mercury 175. After a prop change on his Mercury Powered 1974 “UFO” Marc Gajdos raced his way to third place.
Moving forward to the 85-mph class, Lake Racer 2 had a field of 11 boats. Kristian Kozan drove his Mercury Powered 1983 Sterling Tunnel to first place. Rich Latter finished second driving a 1996 Allison XB2002 with a 2023 Mercury 150. Taking third place in the competitive field was Gary Roholt 1992 Allison XB2002 powered by a 2000 Mercury 280.
As speeds increased, so did the competition, with 16 boats taking the water for Lake Racer 3 (95-mph). Chris Daniels swept the field driving his 2016 Allison Drag powered by a 280 Merc. Joe Peroceschi finished in second with his 1994 Mirage Wildcat powered by a 300 Mercury. Brad Rittenhouse, out of Michigan, took home third driving a 300 drag powered Quartermaster.
Lake Racer 4, with a total of 11 boats topping speeds of 105-mph, brought some very competitive racing. With multiple “photo finishes” Brad Rittenhouse drove his Quatermaster to first place. Alex Dougherty, also out of Michigan, came in a close second driving a Mercury powered 1998 Triad DR-20. Scott Bilda raced his way through the field coming in 3rd driving his 2002 quatershot T1.
Three boats entered into the Unlimited class. Jason Fandre driving a 1998 Tom Papp Edge Stealth reached top speeds of 110+ MPH took first place. Brett Seubert driving his 2023 Asylum boat project took second. Brad Rittenhouse took third driving his mercury powered quartermaster.
With a full day of competitive racing, the UMPBA and Bullheads Bar and Grill were able to put on a great show of drag racing and support the Dewey Fire Department.
There are two more events in the 2023 UMPBA season with Races on August 19 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and September 9 in Fremont, Wisconsin.
