Saturday, August 31, 2024
PATEROS – The race results were not available at press time, but a scorecard was not necessary to judge that everyone enjoyed the roar and rooster tails at the annual Terry Troxel Memorial Hydro Classic on Saturday and Sunday, August 17-18.
The hydro pit is a hum of activity on Saturday morning, the first day of racing. The gathering of Pacific Northwest Boat Racing Association competitors is making last-minute adjustments to sleek water rockets that carpet Lakeshore Park in a rainbow of colors.
Cashmere’s Kyle Davenport owns/drives the fire engine red No. 6 Bantam 2.5 liter, powered by a four-cylinder Pinto engine capable of reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph.
His crew of six at this event includes crew chief Tony Parisi from Richland, Chris and JoAnn Carson from Hoodsport, Oregon, Matt Otulo from Wenatchee, and a grandfather/granddaughter duo, Azura Dugger and Randy Ogle from Cashmere.
Davenport has a GoPro action camera mounted behind his cockpit and posts videos of his races on YouTube channel, BozGoz (youtube.com/@BozGozRacing). Viewers can log on and speed around the course buoys from a favorite easy chair at 90-miles-plus without ever getting wet.
Davenport has been racing the Bantam for five years and is currently running second on the season.
“I used to run two classes,” said Davenport “I used to run this class (2.5 stock) and 2.5 mod.”
The mod is the faster of the two classes.
“The mod class is not very big,” explained Davenport. “They need three boats to make a class so I would bump up a class and race there, too.”
When Davenport decided to compete for a national high points championship, he gave up the mod portion.
“Two classes put too much wear and tear on me and the boat,” Davenport said.
Staying competitive and keeping the equipment likewise is more than a full-time commitment during the circuit.
“About midway through during the dog days of the season, I often ask myself why I am punishing myself like this?” said Davenport. “Then when it’s over, I miss it, start getting excited, and cannot wait until the season starts again.”
When he’s not behind the wheel of the Bantam, Davenport can be found at Rocky Reach Dam, where he has been the chief hydro (water, not boat) operator since 2018.
Dugger, the youngest of the crew members, accompanied her grandfather and crew member Ogle to only her second race so far. A Cashmere High senior this year, Dugger is pursuing an auto tech certificate at Wenatchee Valley College.
“I’d love to get into bodywork and maybe NASCAR,” said Duggar. “I like the racing environment, the competitiveness.”
The Bantam will race at the Tony Newton Memorial Regatta on Sept. 7-8 in Brewster and the Manson Hydrofest on Sept. 28-29 in Manson.
Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media
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