KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA | Scandal in Clarksville: Vandalized boat costs Kelly Shane a National Championship

Scandal in Clarksville: Vandalized boat costs Kelly Shane a National Championship

CLARKSVILLE, Virginia - Kelly Shane was racing for her second straight US National High Point Championship in the 1.5 Litre Stock category at Clarksville, Virginia when things got ugly.

In the final race of the season, all Kelly had to do was finish in 7th place to wrap up the high points crown.  But overnight before the finals at Clarksville, someone reportedly vandalized her T-1 Tangled Up in Blue boat preventing her from finishing the race.

Kelly started the final race, but after completing the first lap the engine failed, causing her to shut the boat down.  It was later reported that the boat's water pick up tube, which transports water to the engine to cool it down, had been filled with some kind of red silicone.  This prevented water from reaching the engine.  It over-heated and blew the engine.  The engine was destroyed.

Kelly finished second in the high points total for the season.

Police are involved and have gathered evidence, which is being tested.   The Shane family has offered a $1,000 cash reward for information that leads to identification and conviction.

The whole Shane family is involved in boat racing, including Kelly's brother Jimmy, who made his debut in the Unlimited Hydroplane ranks in 2007, filling in for the injured Mike Allen for the FormulaBoats.com team.