MADISON, Indiana - An out-of-control car raced through the crowd hitting people and flew into the river forcing race officials to cancel the finals. Eleven people were injured - several seriously. Earlier, Six boats were damaged on the river, including the U-6 which hit something in the water and nearly hit a patrol boat.
River levels had dropped overnight and the amount of debris on the Ohio River was down. Race officials cleared the way for racing action. 60% of the racing fleet suffered damage during the day, a small fire broke out on the U-3, and the incident with the car sent race fans home without the 3A, 3B, or final races being run.
A rough start for a few boats Sunday morning: the U-10 lost power while on the river, the U-21 had some problem with the gearshaft and needs repair, the U-100 is also experiencing mechanical problems, and Jimmy King had to stop down in Heat 1-B when a small fire broke out aboard the U-3.
In Heat 2-B at the Madison Regatta, Steve David's u-6 Oh Boy! Oberto did a complete 360-degree revolution and just missed a patrol flag boat in the water. David was OK, but the boat was done for the weekend.
Heat 3-A and 3-B were canceled due to the river conditions and damaghe to boats. The finals were canceled because of the car accident and injuries.
Results
Heat 1-A
1. Dave Villwock, U-1 Miss Elam
2. Steve David, U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto
3. Mike Weber, U-5 FormulaBoats.com
Heat 1-B
1. Mike Allen, U-7 FormulaBoats.com II
2. Ken Muscatel, U-2.25 Superior Racing
3. Jean Theoret, U-37 Miss Seattle (one lap penalty)
DNF Jimmy King, U-3 Master Tire (fire on board)
Heat 2-A
1. Mike Weber, U-5 FormulaBoats.com
2. Mike Allen, U-7 FormulaBoats.com II
3. Jean Theoret, U-37 Miss Seattle (one lap penalty - hit buoy)
Heat 2-B
1. Dave Villwock, U-1 Miss Elam
2. Jimmy King, U-3 Master Tire
DNF Ken Muscatel, U-2.25 Superior Racing
Heat 3-A & Heat 3-B Canceled
Finals:
The finals were canceled when a car flew through the crowd, striking people, and running into the Ohio River. Dave Villwock was declared the winner of this year's Madison Regatta.
The finals field would have been:
Dave Villwock, U-1 Miss Elam
Mike Allen, U-7 FormulaBoats.com II
Mike Weber, U-5 FormulaBoats.com
Ken Muscatel, U-2.25 Superior Racing
U-37 Miss Seattle & U-3 Master Tire unable to start
Point leaders through Heat 2-B:
Dave Villwock, U-1 Miss Elam 800 points
Mike Allen, U-7 FormulaBoats.com II 700 points
Mike Weber, U-5 FormulaBoats.com 625 points
