Blarney Island Report - 8/7/08

[Sam Baker]

I think I forgot last week's report, so here it is...Houghtaling wins Lake Racer and Mason wins ProGas...short and sweet.

For this week, the weather was perfect. A little breezy from the north, but what's new right?

First race up in Lake Racer was Jeff Houghtaling (Allison SS-2000/280 with 260 electronics) against Michael Geisler (GrandSport/280). Michael runs good, but he's had bad luck in being paired up with the unbeaten Houghtaling quite a bit this season...Houghtaling wins.

Next was Rich Latter (XB-2002/260) against newcomer Steve Singer (Baker 19'/Yamaha modified 150). Rich got the better of the rookie Singer and showed him the way to the finish line.

Next up was Houghtaling against first round bye recipient Brett Vanderwall (Mirage RR/E-tec 250HO). Houghtaling has been unbeatable this year and this race was no exception. He jumped out to a lead and the big 'Rude wasn't able to catch up.

This set up the final that we've seen for what seems like every week. Houghtaling against Latter. Latter did some prop testing over the weekend and it helped....but not quite enough as Houghtaling was still able to squeak out the win by a nose.

ProModified started off with the big, bad Evinrude V8 powered Seebold tunnel hull of Bruce Mason running against Nick Kaye in his Merc powered QuarterMaster. The V8 is humming and was able to hold on for the win despite Kaye's last second charge.

Next up was Chris Alby in his Mercury powered Mirage QuarterMaster against Tom Klement's Mercury powered Mirage PoleCat. Chris has been running well this year and this race was no exception as the PoleCat was a little overmatched by Alby's QuarterMaster.

Like Lake Racer, the ProModified outboard finals have been pretty repetitive with Chris Alby and Bruce Mason running neck and neck. This was a great race as Alby jumped out to an early 1 boat length lead, but the V8 hit its stride at mid-track and reached back for something extra to edge out the high flying QuarterMaster at the end to take a close victory.

Water Conditions: 10 MPH breeze from the north; typical 1'-2' wakes and holes.

Island Conditions: Big crowd with skin conditions at a 9 at first, but the sun went down along with the temps bringing out the pullovers and coverups :mad:

[Michael J Giesler]

You can say that again when you get the number 1 guy every week it gets bad I'd like to race brett or steve you anybody but jeff but it is fun going out but im sure the fans get board seeing the same guys race each other every week!

[john w]

hey mike,remember 1 thing,the owners of blarneys don't care about any body except themselves. The faster they can put you on the trailer and every body else. The bar gets packed and they make more money. Its all about cash flow.

[Sam Baker]

Wow, John W goes cynical. It doesn't matter who they line up against who...the races take the exact same amount of time whether they line Michael up against Jeff or up against Rich Latter or Brett Vanderwall. Michael, next Thursday, make sure you don't sign up just before or just after Jeff. I think they go down the list top to bottom or bottom to top to make the brackets. He switches it up every once in a while, but I was signing up right after Rich the first few weeks and we ended up running each other the first three weeks. Just a suggestion.

Personally, I'm thankful we have a place to race where I can drive 5 minutes, pay $20 and race in front of 1000+ people (600 of which are really hot women and 1 of which is a really tall guy who used to own a very yellow Allison) and even win a little bit of cash. Not to mention we get to do it 16 times a year (or 12 when we get flooded for the entire month of June). Not too many people have that luxury so I'm really glad Blarney Island makes money hand over fist.

We wouldn't be racing there if they didn't.

[MODVP22]

Wow, John W goes cynical. It doesn't matter who they line up against who...the races take the exact same amount of time whether they line Michael up against Jeff or up against Rich Latter or Brett Vanderwall. Michael, next Thursday, make sure you don't sign up just before or just after Jeff. I think they go down the list top to bottom or bottom to top to make the brackets. He switches it up every once in a while, but I was signing up right after Rich the first few weeks and we ended up running each other the first three weeks. Just a suggestion.

Personally, I'm thankful we have a place to race where I can drive 5 minutes, pay $20 and race in front of 1000+ people (600 of which are really hot women and 1 of which is a really tall guy who used to own a very yellow Allison) and even win a little bit of cash. Not to mention we get to do it 16 times a year (or 12 when we get flooded for the entire month of June). Not too many people have that luxury so I'm really glad Blarney Island makes money hand over fist.

We wouldn't be racing there if they didn't.

I couldn't agree more-that's what I drove 500 miles and 2 days off work twice a year just to experience it. Even thought I got sent to the trailer after 1 pass once. I wish we had something like that here in Ohio :(