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Round 5 Harbor Beach, Michigan
Chris Orgyski's series of Articles on the
Maritime Festival
Introduction
by Al Kleinknecht
Volume 1 - Can-Am
Cup hysteria invades Maritime Festival
Volume 2 - Top
Watercraft Mechanic could give Canada the edge at the Can-Am Cup.
Volume 3 - Canadians
look to avenge Can-Am Cup loss.
Volume 4 - The Future of the Can-Am Cup
Volume 5 - Maritime
Festival just keeps getting better.
Volume 6 - Poker run offers recreation riders a chance to be involved.
Volume 7 - A special weekend of music.
Volume 8 - Budweiser continues support of Maritime Festival.
Volume 9 - Maritime Festival offers fun for the whole family.
Round 5
– Harbor Beach, Michigan
Maritime Festival
Thumb
Watercross Challenge
Bud Light / Sea Doo Invitational
Budweiser Can-Am Cup
2004 U.S. Grand National
Watercross Championships
Harbor Beach, Michigan
July 16 - 18, 2004
View
2003 Competition Guide here
View 2003 Can Am Cup Race Recap here
Registration
Form
(pdf)
Harbor
Beach Hotel/Motel Information
2004 Can-Am Cup Poster
2004 Can-Am Cup Commercial (1.4mg)
After a three-week break, the tour
heads north for the 4th Annual Thumb Watercross Shootout run in
conjunction with the 4th Annual Harbor Beach Maritime Festival in Harbor
Beach, Michigan. This is definitely the racer's favorite site year after
year as the Harbor Beach locals put on an outstanding event and show
tremendous hospitality. The
event will take place in their Harbor on Lake
Huron on the Harbor of Lake
Huron, and is a perfect site for a watercraft race, and guaranteed to be a
lot of fun. The 1,000 foot long pier provides great viewing for the
thousands of spectators that come to watch the Midwest's, and Canada’s
finest watercraft racers.
At this Event some of the finest
Watercraft Riders from Canada and the U.S.A. will compete in the popular Budweiser
Can-Am Cup providing Spectators some of the finest Personal Watercraft
Racing in the Nation. This
Maritime Festival in Harbor Beach, Michigan has become the 2nd
largest spectator Event of Personal Watercraft Racing in the country,
second only to the World Championships in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Over 5,000 spectators will be on hand to watch the Hot Racing
Action that weekend making the pier
standing room only.
The crowd is electrified Saturday Night during the Budweiser
Can-Am Cup as thousands of spectators wildly cheer for favorite team.
The
Ski Class, 800 Runabout Class, and the 1200 Runabout Class make up the 3
Main Events. Nine of the best riders from Canada, and Nine of the
best riders from the U.S.A. in each class, compete for the Overall Team
Can-Am Cup. Last year's event was highly successful with riders from
each country battling it out for bragging rights, and a piece of the
Can-Am Cup. The pier was packed with cheering spectators as they
were treated to some hot racing action. Freestyle riders performed
in between each of the 3 races, and treated the crowd to some highflying
Freestyle action. Last year's Can-Am Cup was won by the U.S.A., but
this year’s event promises to be even more exciting as the Canadian's
will be coming in full force to take back the Can-Am Cup.
In
2003, Riders started arriving on Thursday morning for the upcoming Weekend
Events. There were 152
Riders in attendance last year from; Missouri, Kentucky, North Dakota,
Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois, 
Wisconsin, West Virginia, Michigan, Indiana,
Pennsylvania, New York, and Canada. In
another popular Event, the 2003 Bud Light Invitational had 12 Teams with
48 participants. Over 200
Riders Total competed in this year’s 3rd Annual Harbor
Beach Maritime Festival, making it the 2nd Largest
Personal Watercross Racing Event in the Nation.
The weekend festivities gets under way a growing and popular Event will be taking place on Friday night. The 3rd Annual Bud Light / Sea Doo Invitational will be in full swing as local Personal Watercraft Enthusiasts will compete in Team Competition on the Jacque Bryant prepared racecourse. Each Team will consist of 4 Riders that will each run 2 laps in a Timed Event. All scored times from each individual of each team will then be calculated, and the Team that has the best overall time will be the Bud Light / Sea Doo Invitational Champions.
In
a single year, the teams increased from 4 Teams in 2002 , to 12 Teams
total for 2003. Each Rider
ran a lap around the racecourse for time.
All 4 Riders then combined their times for an overall Team Time.
A lot of participants found out that it is much harder to negotiate
buoys around a racecourse then it looks.
Each participant was all smiles after their respective run, coupled
with the fact they were on a brand new Kawasaki that was donated by Team
Kawasaki. A big thank you
goes out to Kawasaki for their generosity in the donation of 3 Runabouts
for the participants to use. The
Harbor Drug Team ended up the team to beat, as they were the 2003
Bud Light – Kawasaki Invitational Champions.
James Pawlowski, Albert Wolschegar, Jim Lewis, and Scott
Pawlowski all had the best-combined Team Time for the Win.
It was a tight battle as you can see only 25 seconds separated 1st
through 11th place as the final results were tabulated.
For
2004, Sea-Doo and Ray Cs
Extreme Motor Sport of Lapeer
will provide the machines for this shot at the big time.
So far, over 60 entries have signed up for this popular event with
many more entrants expected as the big date draws near.
2003 Bud Light - Kawasaki Invitational Final Team Standings
|
1. |
Harbor
Drug |
222.67 |
|
2. |
Team
Bud |
230.07 |
|
3. |
Wade
Trim |
236.38 |
|
4. |
Lakeshore
Guardian |
238.85 |
|
5. |
Harbor
Beach Chamber |
240.50 |
|
6. |
City
of Harbor Beach |
240.68 |
|
7. |
LK
Creations |
242.19 |
|
8. |
Sensient
Flavors |
244.14 |
|
9. |
Harbor
Beach Audio |
247.75 |
|
10. |
Canadian
Connection |
252.67 |
|
11. |
Thumb
Cellular |
264.40 |
|
12. |
Cellular
One |
291.45 |
2003 Bud Light - Kawasaki
Invitational Top 10 Fastest Times
|
1. |
Albert
Wolschegar |
Bad
Axe, MI |
Harbor
Drug |
48.32 |
|
2. |
Grant
"Radar" Kadar |
Harbor
Beach, MI |
Team
Bud |
51.98 |
|
3. |
Scott
Pawlowski |
Ann
Arbor, MI |
Harbor
Drug |
52.16 |
|
4. |
James
Pawlowski |
Port
Hope, MI |
Harbor
Drug |
52.72 |
|
5. |
Tom
Grates |
Harbor
Beach, MI |
City
of Harbor Beach |
53.95 |
|
6. |
Dan
Behnke |
Harbor
Beach, MI |
Harbor
Beach Audio |
54.06 |
|
7. |
Brad
Wruble |
Harbor
Beach, MI |
Wade
Trim |
54.20 |
|
8. |
Jeff
Booms |
Harbor
Beach, MI |
Team
Bud |
54.37 |
|
9. |
Mariette
Kouwenberg |
Ontario,
Canada |
Canadian
Connection |
54.81 |
|
10. |
Derik
Eppenbrock |
Evans,
GA |
City
of Harbor Beach |
55.04 |
The Light House Poker Run:
Something new for 2004,
This year in an attempt to draw even more
watercraft enthusiasts to the Maritime Festival a Poker Run is being
planned that will include
several events that while being fun, will also test you abilities as a
watercraft operator. Also
along with the competition, a joint tour out into Lake Huron and a trip
down to one of our many beautiful parks for a BBQ, prize give away, and
some good conversations will round out this event.
Winners of the event will be by the luck of the draw with the main
award being given out at the Can-Am Presentation.
Times for this event are tentatively set a 11:00 to 3:00 on July 17th.
For the early birds, come join
the fun for the first ever “War
on the Shore? Battle of the bands on Thursday, July 15 This will be the first ever Competition between
bands at the Maritime festival and promises to be a great start to what
some say is an event long
overdue in Harbor Beach.
The Thumb Watercross Challenge will be another Event taking place that weekend. Come watch the hottest Riders of Region 6, and the Midwest as they compete in Round 5 of the 2004 U.S. Grand National Watercross Championships. After 4 Rounds there are many tight Season Points battles underway and some Championships at stake, as the Riders take to the waters for some Hot Racing Action. Over 200 Personal Watercraft Racers are anticipated to attend making this the biggest Race Weekend of the Year. The last 3 Years, the Racing Action coupled with the many Festival Activities make this weekend one of the most enjoyable weekends for Personal Watercraft enthusiasts. As a result, many Riders look forward to coming back to Harbor Beach, Michigan each year. Come see some great Personal Watercraft Racing, and along with the many other great Activities planned, you will not be disappointed.
|
“Family and Friends of all ages will find out about the wonderful world of Personal Watercraft, and the great people, who enjoy them.” Al Kleinknecht, Maritime Festival Official |
Can-Am Cup Format -
There
are 3 Classes that make up
the Can-Am Cup. There is the
Ski Open, 800 Runabout Open, and the 1200 Runabout Open.
Novice, Expert, and Pro Riders are eligible to participate in all 3
classes of the Can-Am Cup. All
Riders will have to qualify for Saturday Night’s Main Event’s.
Heat Races will be ran on Saturday morning taking the top 9 Riders
from each Country for Saturday Evening’s Main Event’s.
Each of the Main Event’s will have 18 Riders participating, 9
from Canada, and 9 from U.S.A., who will be scoring Team Points towards
the Overall Can-Am Cup Championship.
We will have a 20 point Scoring system for each Class, that
contributes to the Overall Team’s Score toward the Can-Am Cup
Championship. A running score
will be kept after each of the Main Event’s, showing which country is
currently leading in Points.
In
between each Main Event Race, we will have 2 short Freestyle Shows
for the crowd. Here all the
Freestyle Riders will perform their many tricks, and routine’s for the
spectators during the short intermissions in between the Main Event Races. See Riders perform Aerial Barrel Rolls, along with high
flying water fountains during the Freestyle Shows.
This was a real crowd pleaser last year for those in attendance.
Below is a Schedule of Events for the Budweiser Can-Am Cup Championships. You can get a Budweiser Can-Am Cup Registration Form online at www.watercross.com .
Saturday - Can-Am Cup Schedule
|
7:00 am - 8:00
am |
Can-Am Cup Sign-in, and Registration. |
|
7:30 am - 7:30
am
|
Can-Am Cup Tech Inspection. |
|
8:00 am - 8:30
am |
Can-Am Cup Riders Meeting. If a Rider is in a Can-Am Cup Qualifying for a Heat
Race on Saturday morning, then
they need to attend the regular Riders Meeting on Saturday morning. |
|
9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Ski Class, 800cc Class, and 1200cc Class Can-Am Cup
Qualifying |
|
5:00 pm |
Riders
Meeting for all Can-Am Cup participants.
During this short Riders Meeting all Can-Am Cup
participants will be given a 5x7 decal of the respective
country they’re representing.
This will be placed on the left side of the Riders
watercraft. This will
make it easily identifiable for the spectators to distinguish
between Canada vs U.S.A. Riders in the Main Events. |
|
5:30 pm
|
National
Anthem’s. Each country
will have they’re National Anthem played prior to the start of
Can-Am Cup Main Event’s. |
|
5:35 pm – 5:45 pm
|
Can-Am
Cup Ski Open Class Rider Introductions. Each Rider will have his Name, and Sponsors announced in
front of 5,000 spectators, as the Rider makes a parade lap around
the quarter mile long pier, prior to the Race.
Hear the crowd go wild as each Rider takes his/her parade
lap. |
|
5:45 pm - 6:05
pm |
Can-Am Cup Ski Open Class Main Event. |
|
6:05 pm - 6:15
pm |
Freestyle Show. Here all the Freestyle Riders will perform their many
tricks, and routine’s for the spectators during the short
intermissions in between the Main Event Races. |
|
6:05 pm - 6:15
pm
|
Can-Am
Cup Ski Open Class Post Race Interviews. During the Freestyle Show, we will be having
Post Race Interviews of the winners of the Ski Open Class.
Jamie Deer from Xtreme Outlaw Video Productions will also be doing
interviews as well. |
|
6:15 pm – 6:25 pm
|
Can-Am
Cup 800cc Open Class Rider Introductions. Each Rider will have his Name, and Sponsors announced in
front of 5,000 spectators, as the Rider makes a parade lap around
the quarter mile long pier, prior to the Race.
Hear the crowd go wild as each Rider takes his/her parade
lap. |
|
6:25 pm - 6:45
pm
|
Can-Am Cup 800cc Open Class Main Event. |
|
6:45 pm - 6:55
pm
|
Freestyle Show. Here all the Freestyle Riders will perform their many
tricks, and routine’s for the spectators during the short
intermissions in between the Main Event Races. |
|
6:45 pm - 6:55
pm |
Can-Am
Cup 800 R/A Open Class Post Race Interviews.
During the Freestyle Show, we will be having Post Race Interviews of
the winners of the 800 R/A Open Class. Jamie Deer from Xtreme
Outlaw Video Productions will also be doing interviews as well. |
|
6:55 pm - 7:05
pm
|
Can-Am
Cup 1200cc Open Class Rider Introductions. Each Rider will have his Name, and Sponsors announced in
front of 5,000 spectators, as the Rider makes a parade lap around
the quarter mile long pier, prior to the Race.
Hear the crowd go wild as each Rider takes his/her parade
lap. |
|
7:05 pm - 7:25
pm
|
Can-Am Cup 1200cc R/A Open Class Main Event. |
|
7:25 pm - 7:30
pm
|
Can-Am
Cup 1200 R/A Open Class Post Race Interviews.
During the Freestyle Show, we will be having Post Race Interviews of
the winners of the 1200 R/A Open Class. Jamie Deer from Xtreme
Outlaw Video Productions will also be doing interviews as well. |
|
7:30 pm - 8:00
pm
|
Can-Am
Cup Awards Ceremony. The top 3 Riders of each Class will be given an award in a
podium presentation by Mike Remar. There will be also several
presentations in addition, including the Mayor of Harbor Beach, Ed
Ramsey. Neil Essenmacher of Budweiser will also be on hand to
present the winning country with the prestigious Can-Am Cup.
Pictures and Video Interviews will also be included in the Awards
Presentations. |
|
8:00 pm |
Live Concert. The Band starts playing from the stage on the beach
immediately following the Awards Ceremony. |
|
10:00 pm
|
Spectacular Fireworks Display.
Tom Youatt, Maritime Committee Fireworks Chairman stated the
2004 Fireworks Display promises to be the best one ever. |
Budweiser
Can-Am Cup
2003 Ski Class Results
July 19th, 2003
|
1. |
Derek
Powell |
Syracuse,
IN |
USA |
Kawasaki |
|
2. |
Justin
Labonte |
Val
D'OR, Quebec |
CAN |
Kawasaki |
|
3. |
Nic
Wallis |
Burlington,
Ontario |
CAN |
Yamaha |
|
4. |
Jack
Hammer |
Noblesville,
IN |
USA |
Kawasaki |
|
5. |
Tim
Carlson |
Orland
Park, IL |
USA |
Yamaha |
|
6. |
John
Eidt |
Beverly
Hills, MI |
USA |
Kawasaki |
|
7. |
James
Cook |
Harrison
Twp, MI |
USA |
Kawasaki |
|
8. |
Mike
Janssen |
Glencoe,
Ontario |
CAN |
Yamaha |
|
9. |
Michael
Winn |
Oakville,
Ontario |
CAN |
Yamaha |
|
10. |
Matt
Conner |
Washington,
MI |
USA |
Yamaha |
|
11. |
John
Shuper |
Allegan,
MI |
USA |
Polaris |
|
12. |
Jeff
Clark |
Monroe,
MI |
USA |
Kawasaki |
|
13. |
Fred
Reimer |
Mississauga,
Ontario |
CAN |
Polaris |
|
14. |
Erik
Hahr |
Defiance,
OH |
USA |
Yamaha |
|
15. |
Paul
Green |
Mississauga,
Ontario |
CAN |
Polaris |
|
16. |
Melanie
Wallis |
Burlington,
Ontario |
CAN |
Yamaha |
Budweiser
Can-Am Cup
2003 800 R/A Class Results
July 19th, 2003
|
1. |
Eric
Swann |
Arnold,
MO |
USA |
Polaris |
|
2. |
Jeff
Lingenfelter, JR |
Noblesville,
IN |
USA |
Sea
Doo |
|
3. |
Russell
Waite |
Hamburg,
NY |
CAN |
Sea
Doo |
|
4. |
Cole
Wagner |
Waterford,
MI |
USA |
Sea
Doo |
|
5. |
Sandy
McIsaac |
Innisfil,
Ontario |
CAN |
Sea
Doo |
|
6. |
Thomas
Hunt |
Lansing,
MI |
USA |
Polaris |
|
7. |
Geoffrey
Swann |
Arnold,
MO |
USA |
Polaris |
|
8. |
Brian
Strohsack |
Lorain,
OH |
USA |
Sea
Doo |
|
9. |
Rick
Maj |
Toronto,
Ontario |
CAN |
Sea
Doo |
|
10. |
DJ
Thompson |
New
Market, Ontario |
CAN |
Sea
Doo |
|
11. |
Rubbie
McBride |
Toronto,
Ontario |
CAN |
Sea
Doo |
|
12. |
Ryan
Dalli |
Ontario |
CAN |
Sea
Doo |
|
13. |
Paolo
Colini |
Windsor,
Ontario |
CAN |
Sea
Doo |
|
14. |
Cameron
Frame |
Charleston,
WV |
USA |
Sea
Doo |
|
15. |
Jayme
Cheney |
West
Fargo, ND |
USA |
Sea
Doo |
|
16. |
Ray
Proulx |
Belle
River, Ontario |
CAN |
Sea
Doo |
|
17. |
Eric
Lys |
Essex,
Ontario |
CAN |
Sea
Doo |
|
17. |
Greg Radulski |