Soap Lake 2014 - Seattle Drag and Ski Sprint Boats Association

UPDATE ON ACCOMODATIONS-
DEL RED PUB SOAP LAKE HYDRO REGATTA MOTELS:

Like we earlier indicated all motels rooms in Soap Lake for Friday June 13 and Saturday June 14 are full. We have contacted the Ephrata Inn which is 7 miles away. Presently they have rooms available. Their accommodations are very similar to that of the Master Inn in Soap Lake. $60 plus for one queen and 70 plus for 2 queens or 1 king. 509 754 3575.

CAMPING: We have made arrangements with the City of Soap Lake for us to use the Water and Power hookups at the East Beach Park for RV camping. These hookups are normally used during community events for commercial vendors. Selected hookup sites will be assigned to preregistered campers prior to arrival race weekend. I anticipate 8 -10 of these spots being available. Your RV must be parked on the paved area but may be positioned so your doors/ awnings etc. will open on the lawn area. It might be to your benefit to bring and extra-long heavy duty RV electric cord. DO NOT DRIVE ON THE LAWN. There are not any sewer hookups but there is and RV dump station in the park. Please send me an e’mail if you are interested in one of these spots. terry@hotmail.com

SOAP LAKE RV PARK (north end of lake). The property is presently in bankruptcy. They are trying very hard to find a new owner but have nothing firm at this time. BUT. The park is open for “ drive in “ camping. One CAMP HOST is on site and will assign you a RV spot on a cash only basis. The office and pool are closed and will likely not open before race weekend. There is not a way to make reservations. The Camp Host worked there last year and he feels that the park will have ample open sites on race weekend. You would have power, electric, and sewer. There is no guarantee that this situation will continue but the real estate broker handling the property feels it will.
As always contact me if your have questions or assistance. Email is going to be the best way to contact me. Terryy50@hotmail.com Terry Anderson Race Director.

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Accommodations for: Del Red Pub Soap Lake Hydroplane Regatta 2014

Hotels and Motels

Masters Inn

509 246 1831

mastersinnsoaplake.com
Across Highway 17 from race site . Nice, clean, variety or rooms recently remodeled - some with kitchenettes. Reasonably priced.

The Inn at Soap Lake (may still be closed for winter- opening soon)

509 246 1132
800 557 8514

www.innsoaplake.com
29 rooms and cottages. Medium prices. In town close to restaurants' and bar. The Inn was built in 1905 and is a local landmark.

Notaras Lodge

509 246 0462
509 246 1054 FAX

www.notaraslodge.com

"Luxury in Logs" . First class accommodations. Call soon if interested. In town. A Soap Lake Tradition.

Campgrounds

All spots at the race site ( East Beach Park ) are already filled. If you had an RV spot at the 2013 race site and would like the same or similar spot this year please confirm by April 1. Terryy50@hotmail.com

Additional campground information will be posted soon.

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The Del Red Pub Soap Lake Hydro Regatta 2014 will commence on Saturday June 14th with a very special opening ceremony. Renowned boat designer & builder, Don Kelson and family will showcase five Don Kelson designed hulls out on the course. Four generations of the family will be on the water displaying the families tremendous contributions to our sport. Don will be on the course along with his sons, Ed and Jerry. Ed’s son Shaun and daughter Christina, Don's grand kids, will join them. At the beach, representing the fourth generation will be Don's great- granddaughter Emma, Christina's daughter. Emma will be in a Don Kelson / Ed Karelsen designed J Stock hydro. Don has shared over 60 years of his talents and boat building knowledge with our racing community. Parade laps will follow for photo opportunities. We encourage everyone who has been touched by these great boat racers to attend and show their respect to Don and his family. We especially wish to invite all who have a Don Kelson designed hull to attend and participate in the Vintage Class that weekend. Soap Lake and the race committee is honored to host the Kelson Family. Make your reservations early as overnight venues will likely fill. Contact me if I can assist. Terry Anderson Race Director 509 760 3042 terryy50@hotmail.com

Camping at the Del Red Pub Hydroplane Regatta 2014 race site will be more restricted and limited in 2014. I anticipate fewer "full hookups" being available than last year. In order to have a campspot ( full,dry, or tent) you must have pre-arranged with the Race Director prior to race weekend. I will give preference to those of you that had campspots in 2013. PAYMENT FOR THESE SPOTS NEED TO BE MADE ON RACE WEEKEND TO THE CITY OF SOAP LAKE. Please contact me via email terryy50@hotmail.

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Hydros to return to Soap Lake

By Joe Utter
Herald staff writer

SOAP LAKE — With the success of this year’s Soap Lake Regatta, hydroplane boat races will likely return next summer.
The Soap Lake City Council approved a permit to allow the race again in 2014.
Event organizer Terry Anderson said the regatta is planned for Father’s Day weekend, June 14-15, which drew more than 50 race teams this year for the mile and a quarter course. The event was the first time the hydros raced on Soap Lake in more than 30 years. Del Red’s Pub has again stepped up as the title sponsor for the event.

This year’s event was one of the biggest hydroplane events in the region last year, Anderson said, adding this year’s event could be even bigger. There will be a few changes during next year’s event, including allowing people to swim in a roped off area during the races, far enough back from the course to keep everyone safe, Anderson said.

This year, the Soap Lake, WA Chamber of Commerceheld a raffle to allow the winner to take a ride in one of the boats. Next year’s raffle will offer a different experience.
“We would like to have a raffle for the right to have a catered lunch during the boat race, in the center of the course, on the barge,” Anderson said. “Now watching the boat race from the beach is a lot of fun, but watching the boat race from the center of the course, with those boats going by and the spray literally coming down on top of you from time to time, is a whole ‘nother thrill.”

The campground at the City Park will again be reserved as the hot pit area and will be closed to the public during the two-day event.

There are also plans to again hold a kick-off event in March or April, bringing several race teams to Soap Lake to display hydros, giving people a chance to take photos.
This year’s kick-off event also included a beer and wine walk Organizers are also working to live broadcast the races next year to allow people to watch online. The Soap Lake Regatta is included in the race schedule through the Seattle Drag and Ski Sprint Boat Association.