Dear Friends of Detroit Boat Racing,
Welcome to the 2019 Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers
Hydrofest. The Motor City has hosted boat racing on
the Detroit River since 1916. We are proud to continue
the tradition of hosting the Motor City’s longest-running
community sporting event.
The format is slightly different this year—Hydrofest will
be an all piston-powered event. Spectators seeking the
thrill of hydroplane motorboat racing will be pleased to
hear the roar of the Chevrolet engines AND enjoy the white
water of the roostertails. Add the new, action-packed
format to have boats racing on the water every 20 minutes
from noon until 4 p.m. to create a fast-paced event to keep
everyone excited.
The Hydroplane Racing League is bringing 13 to 15 boats from Canada, New Zealand,
and the United States to headline the event as they will race for the President’s Cup—a
trophy that has been in boat racing since 1926. These Grand Prix boats are 24-feet long
with 468 cu. in. supercharged, big-block V8 Chevrolet piston engines producing
as much as 1,500 horsepower and reaching speeds of 160 mph. Along with GP boats,
20 to 22 H-350 hydroplanes from the HRL will join the show. These boats span 19 feet in
length and feature a 350 cubic inch Chevrolet powered engine, reaching speeds of 120
mph.
Also joining Hydrofest in 2019 will be eight of the famous, flat bottom Jersey Speed
Skiffs and several Vintage Hydroplanes. Speed Skiffs are 16-foot, V-8 powered fireballs.
When running at top speed, they create an up and down, wild bounce—making them
one of the big draws at major boat racing events.
We also are proud to have the Hope Network as a partner. The Hope Network is a
non-profit Christian organization in Michigan that helps people with disabilities live
independently. Hope Network provides services for people with brain injury and spinal
cord injury, mental illness, developmental disabilities, drug and alcohol addictions, and
other disadvantages. Hope Network also provides transportation, low-income housing,
and job training.
With our charity partner aboard, we have added former Detroit Lions kicker, Eddie
Murray (now working with Hope) along with Hope Network’s CEO Michelle O’Connor-
Tekinski, as this year’s Grand Marshalls.
Add Michigan’s boat racing legend Tom D’Eath as Honorary Race Chairman and we
have an All Star group to serve in these positions. Of course, Tom is a three-time Gold
Cup champion (‘76, ‘89 and ‘90) and Grand Prix national champion. He also served as
the Detroit River Regatta Association (DRRA) President, executing a sharp turn-around
of the race financial structure and saved the boat race in 2003.
This race continues to be one of the significant community events in the City of
Detroit. With that in mind, we need to give a special thanks to the Metro Detroit Chevy
Dealers, the many units of the City of Detroit, the Coast Guard, the race teams, the fans
and especially the volunteers of the host organization, the Detroit Riverfront Events,
Inc., that have allowed this great Motor City tradition to continue.
Please be safe, have fun, and enjoy the 2019 Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Hydrofest.
Sincerely,
CHRIS DENSLO 2019 Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Hydrofest 3
Mark Weber
Event Director and President
Detroit Riverfront Events, Inc.