Water Depth Restrictions Cause Cancellation of Texas Thunder Racefest
P1 SuperStock USA officials announced today that the Texas Thunder Racefest scheduled for September 2-4 in Houston, TX on Clear Lake has been cancelled due to water depth restrictions resulting from drought-impacted water levels.
The United States Coast Guard has determined that the overall depth of the lake makes it unsuitable for powerboat races. This is based upon the minimum depths required as provided by P1 for course layouts.
The announcement comes just a week after the Air National Guard Hydroplane Series, P1 SuperStock USA’s partner series for three events, decided that the depth where the 2011 race was to be held was not conducive to the launching of the hydroplane boats.
Martin Sanborn, P1 USA Director of Operations, said, “P1's primary concern is the safety of our teams and spectators, and this has forced us to cancel the event on the lake. “
“We are looking at areas within the bay for a possible 2012 stop on the P1 SuperStock Championship, and look forward to working with all of the communities to build on the powerboat heritage of the area, and the professional powerboat events currently held in the region,” said Sanborn.
A number of key people from the surrounding communities were instrumental to the planning efforts of the event, paving the way to bring the Powerboat P1 SuperStock Championship Series to the Houston area, including Kathy Wheatley, President of Elite Production, and Paul Robinson of Offshore Thunder Productions. The local enthusiasm for a powerboat race is a driving factor for a 2012 opportunity to bring the thrill of powerboat racing back to Houston.
P1 SuperStock USA races in Morehead City this weekend at the 6th Annual Crystal Coast Grand Prix before traveling to San Diego Sept. 16-18 for the San Diego Bayfair.
P1 Officials have modified the 2011 10-round (5-event) championship series by adding a half of a round to the Morehead City race and half of a round being added to the San Diego race to replace the points that will be lost from Houston.
In addition to the Morehead City event points, an additional heat will run to accumulate an additional ½ event points, with the remaining ½ points being added to the San Diego event.
The final round will be at San Diego for the Bayfair event with the crowning of the overall 2011 SuperStock Champion.
