STUART — Those who have a need for speed will have a chance to quench it this weekend.
Saturday and Sunday at Stuart Causeway, the second annual Stuart Sailfish Regatta will feature inshore powerboat racing. Racegoers will see brightly colored, loud and fast vessels of all types speeding around the 1.1-mile oval course from 70 to 170 mph.
About 60 boats are expected in eight competition classes, said Bill Tetro, race director for the Sailfish Regatta.
Tetro said each class will run two heats each day and accumulate points based on which position they finish in each heat. The regatta is sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association, so racers will earn season points as well.
Thursday morning under the Ernie Lyons Bridge on the Stuart Causeway, one class of boats was eager to get settled into the designated pits and test the area waters. By 10 a.m., five entries in the P-1 Superstock class — a new class for the Sailfish Regatta — had been trailered in from as far away as Columbus, Ohio.
“This is our first race of the year and the first time we’ve been here,” said Bill Kingery, who handles the throttle duties aboard the Pier 57 while son Elijah Kingery is the driver.
Jason Morton of Morehead City, N.C., and his father, Tom Morton, are eager to begin this seasonthe same as last season ended — winning the last heat of the last race.
And a couple of local racers, Clyde McFarland and J.C. Wardell of Palm City, are eager to get the record-setting JS-132 boat out in front of the home crowd.
“I hope we can run really well, and I’m hoping for good weather,” said McFarland, who raced last year and used to race at the annual event at the Jensen Beach causeway in the 1990s.
“This town loves to have a good time. That’s why the sand bar is so popular. I’m just glad they brought boat racing back to this area, andI look forward to, once again, seeing those crowds like we saw back in the days the Sertoma Club ran them.”
JERSEY SPEED SKIFF
Expected entrants: 8
Minimum length: 16 feet
Drive: Inboard
Engine: 283- or 305-cubic-inch Chevrolet V-8
Minimum Weight: 1,650 pounds
Speed: 80 mph
P-1 SUPERSTOCK
Expected entrants: 8
Minimum length: 28 feet
Drive: Outboard
Engine: 250-horsepower Evinrude E-Tec
Minimum Weight: 3,550 pounds
Speed: 70 mph
SST 60
Expected entrants: 5
Minimum Length: 14 feet
Drive: Outboard
Engine: OMC 56.1 cubic inch
Minimum Weight: 825 pounds
Speed: 80-85 mph
PRO STOCK
Expected entrants: 6
Minimum Length: 16 feet
Drive: Inboard
Engine: V-8 automotive based, maximum displacement 500 cubic inches
Minimum Weight: 1,950 pounds
Speed: 120 mph
GRAND PRIX
Expected entrants: 6
Minimum Length: 23 feet
Drive: Inboard
Engine: Supercharged big block Chevrolet V-8, maximum displacement 468 cubic inches
Minimum Weight: 2,700 pounds
Speed: 170 mph
2.5-LITER STOCK
Expected entrants: 4
Minimum Length: 13 feet, 6 inches
Drive: Inboard
Engine: 2000 and 2300 Ford inline 4-cylinder
Minimum Weight: 1,025 pounds
Speed: 100+ mph
H350
Expected entrants: 4
Minimum Length: 16 feet
Drive: Inboard
Engine: 350-cubic-inch Chevrolet or Ford engine
Minimum Weight: 1,525 pounds
Speed: 115 mph
SUPER SPORT
Expected entrants: 7
Minimum Length: 16 feet
Drive: Inboard
Engine: 427-cubic-inch big block Chevrolet engine
Minimum Weight: 1,950 pounds
Speed: 100+ mph
STUART SAILFISH REGATTA
What: Inshore powerboat races
When: Saturday-Sunday
Hours: 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Where: Stuart Causeway, northeast end
Waterway: Indian River Lagoon
Who: More than 60 racing teams competing in 8 classes of boats
Viewing: The Stuart Causeway will be shut down to vehicle traffic from 7 p.m. Friday until 9 p.m. Sunday. Spectators can watch from the top of the bridge. There also will be grandstand seating.
Tickets: $15 at the gate and $12 in advance online at www.stuartsailfishregatta.organd at all branches of Seacoast National Bank and Chillin’ the Most on Hutchinson Island in Jensen Beach. Children 10 and younger are free. Military personnel with ID are $10. VIP tickets, which include premium seating, access to the pits, lunch, snacks, cold beverages and a full bar are $50 for one day or $75 for a two-day pass.
On The Water: Boaters will be able to view the races from the northwestern side of the course. Many are encouraged to dock along floating docks that will be set off 250 feet from the race course and a $20 fee is requested.
Parking: Free at Witham Field (airport), Monterey Road, Stuart with free shuttles to and from race site for spectators.
Portion of proceeds benefits: The Maritime and Classic Boat Museum, the Children’s Museum and the U.S. Sailing Center of Martin County.
Information: Go to www.sailfishregatta.org, follow the Sailfish Regatta on Twitter, or “Like” the Sailfish Regatta on Facebook.
WHAT TO BRING
Sunscreen, hat, umbrella, cameras, folding chairs or blankets/towels for seating
WHAT NOT TO BRING
Coolers, animals, food and beverages
For more about what to bring, go to www.sailfishregatta.org/What_To_Bring.html