FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
UAW-GM Presents the Spirit of Detroit HydroFest, August 22-23, 2015
DETROIT, MICHIGAN (July 7, 2015) – UAW-GM, the global automotive union brand, and Detroit Riverfront Events, Inc., announced a multi-year partnership to host the UAW-GM Spirit of Detroit HydroFest, featuring the H1 Unlimited hydroplane series, on the Detroit River, August 22 and 23, 2015.
The collaboration marks a commitment by title sponsor, UAW-GM, and host organization, Detroit Riverfront Events, Inc., to the City of Detroit. The UAW-GM Spirit of Detroit HydroFest will allow the city’s longest-running community sporting event — H1 Unlimited hydroplane racing – to continue.
“The UAW-GM partnership has contributed to the reshaping of the automotive world and its workers, and they are going to be a major contributor in reshaping the City of Detroit and its people,” said Mark Weber, president of Detroit Riverfront Events, Inc.
The H1 Unlimited hydroplanes are the fastest and most powerful, closed-course racing boats in the world. The turbine engines have the boats reaching speeds over 200 mph on the 2 ½ mile Detroit River course. And this class of boats are just one part of the UAW-GM Spirit of Detroit HydroFest excitement.
“This year, we will be bringing back the Grand Prix boats featuring the ACHA series, with the big block 1300 plus horsepower automotive engines with top speed of 170 MPH,” said Weber. “Not only will that bring back the thunder to the river with the noise, but it will be bringing those 500 cubic inch GM engines that power these boats back to the Motor City.”
In addition to the H1 Unlimited and Grand Prix hydroplanes, Formula 2 tunnel boats will be added to the Hydrofest. The tunnel hull boats powered by 200 HP outboard Mercury engines are not like the hydroplanes. Instead of a flying start, the tunnel boats use a LeMans standing start, racing on a tighter course with one-pin left and right turns. The winner-take-all final will be 25 laps.
The announcement of the UAW-GM Spirit of Detroit HydroFest means the City of Detroit will keep its standing as the longest continuously running unlimited hydroplane race on the H1 Unlimited circuit. The first sanctioned hydroplane race took place on the Detroit River in 1916. Since 1946, a minimum of one unlimited hydroplane race has been contested each year on the Detroit River. Only a hiatus from 1941 until 1945, during World War II, has kept Detroit from hosting a century of uninterrupted championship boat racing.
UAW-GM’s title sponsorship has ensured that all general admission parks will be free and open to the public. Grandstand seating starts at $45, with ticket prices increasing up to $175 for the VIP Club Gold Cup. There are a limited number of RV camping spots available on-site. To purchase tickets or reserve camping space, contact 313-329-8047.
For more information, visit detroitboatraces.com. Fans can also follow UAW-GM Spirit of Detroit HydroFest on Twitter.com/UAWGMHydroFest and Instagram.com/UAWGMHydroFest and Facebook.com/DetroitBoatRaces.