Morgan City, LA to host 09 UIM

World Championship Powerboat Races

The Morgan City Power Boat Association will host the prestigious UIM 2009 Atchafalaya World Championship Powerboat Races on October 17 & 18, 2009 at the Lake Palourde Parkway, Morgan City, Louisiana.

Over 100 powerboats will be awaiting spectators at this year’s championship. According to Race Commodore, Oren Dupre, UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique - established in 1922) is the World governing body for power boat race.Through American Power Boat Association's (established in 1903) affiliation with UIM, APBA receives its designation as the U.S. National Authority for power boat racing. There is one organization in each country around the world that is designated by UIM as the National Authority for that country. All these countries are member National Authorities of UIM. It is truly interesting how the sport of power boat racing brings all these countries together for the good of boat racing

As the National Authority for the U.S. only the American Power Boat Association is granted approval by UIM to hold true World Championship events here in the United States. If a World Championship event is held in the U.S. for classes that participate around the world, drivers will come from many countries to participate. The Inboard classes are APBA classes only and not run around the world, so mostly just APBA members will attend the event. However, each of the owners/drivers that win will truly hold the distinction of being a true World Champion.

Dupre stated we expect around 110 boat entries this year for the festival on Lake Palourde, including several racers from Canada, New York, Virginia, California, Florida, Washington and many others, will travel to South Louisiana to compete. Sanctioned Classes include 1.5 Stock, 2.5 Modified, Jersey Speed Skiffs, Grand National Hydros, KRR, 1 Liter, 5 Liters, Super Stock, 2.5 Stock, National Mod, Pro Stock, G.P. and Cracker Box.

The course will be four 1 ¼ mile laps, approved for records. Thrills and spills will begin at 9:00 AM, ending at approximately 4:00 p.m. daily. Pre-ticket sales will be available at $8.00 per person/per day thru Friday, Oct 16th, and $10 at the gate per person/per day; children 12 and under are free all week-end when accompanied by parent or guardian.

Tickets can be purchased at M C Bank’s Colonial Plaza Branch, located at 6413 Hwy 90 East in Morgan City, American Supply, and St. Mary Chamber of Commerce.

Non Profit Organizations will man concessions with a variety of food and drink items; for this reason, the festival organizers have asked the community to refrain from bringing ice chest & food into the parkway. Parkway & City policy also states no glass, no open fires or BBQ pits, no pets, and no firearms are allowed on the property.

Sponsorships are being sought to assist with the VIP Tent, Racers Pit Party and each class of boats competing. Current sponsors include the Louisiana Lt. Governor’s Office of Culture Recreation & Tourism, The City of Morgan City, St. Mary Parish Government and the Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau.

Anyone interested in advance tickets, tee-shirts, or sponsorship information can contact the Morgan City Power Boat Association c/o American Supply, P. O. Box 2074, Morgan City, LA 70381, (985) 384-3000, Oren Dupre (985) 498-2926, or the Morgan City Chamber of Commerce at (985) 384-3830. Please visit their new web site http://www.mcpba.net/; visit it often, it’s ever changing with updates.

Hydroplane Racing – the greatest show on H2O