GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. — Guntersville Lake HydroFest is set to take place from June 29-30! Highlights of the event will include various boat races such as the Unlimiteds, Grand Prixs, Pro-Lites, Stock Outboards, and Vintage Unlimiteds, featuring iconic boats like the original Miss US 1, which broke the straightaway speed record in 1962.
HydroFest, an annual event known for its 2.5-mile oval course, which saw its turns widened last year, has now been declared the fastest in the world, promising speeds exceeding 200 mph. The boats are powered by helicopter engines. "It's just mind boggling a little bit how fast they can go," says Haley Butland, Communications Director for Marshall County Tourism and Sports, "It's just interesting to see how they took that engine and put it into this hydroplane boat."
Marshall County tourism officials say HydroFest brings around 20 thousand people to Lake Guntersville, along with $3.5 million in economic impact. But, it's it's not just an event the fans get excited for. The drivers are also excited to get back on the water, especially for the first race of the season. "We always look forward to coming down here. The water is fantastic. The race course is big. It's one of the fastest we ever run on and so we all look forward to this coming down and see how fast these things will go," says Dustin Echols, driver for Bucket-List Racing.
The action-packed schedule for Saturday includes:
- 8 am: HydroFest Gates Open
- 8 - 10 am: H1 Unlimited Qualifying
- 10 – 10:15 am: Opening Ceremonies
- 10:15 – 10:30 am: Exhibition run featuring Vintage Hydroplanes
- 10:30 – 11 am: Cutco Cutlery Grand Prix Heat 1A
- 11 – 11:30 am: Allen Land Surveying Unlimited Heat 1A
- 11:30 am – noon : Exhibition run featuring Vintage Hydroplanes
- Noon – 12:45 pm: Break on water
- 12:15 – 12:45 pm: Unlimited Driver Autograph Session
- 1 – 1:30 pm: Citizens Bank and Trust Stock Outboards Marathon
- 1:30 - 2 pm: Cutco Cutlery Grand Prix Heat 1B
- 2 – 2:30 pm: Exhibition run featuring Vintage Hydroplanes
- 2:30 – 3 pm: Allen Land Surveying Unlimited Heat 1B
- 3 – 3:30 pm: Randy Jones and Associates Grand Prix Heat 2A
- 3:30 - 4 pm: Exhibition run featuring Vintage Hydroplanes
- 4 – 4:30 pm: Randy Jones and Associates Grand Prix Heat 2B
- 4:30 pm: Gates Close
- 10 am – 4 pm: Pit Tours; Busing from ballfield parking area
Sunday schedule includes:
- 8 am: HydroFest Gates Open
- 8– 9:30 am: GPA and H1 Unlimited Testing
- 9:30 – 10 am: Farm Fresh Grand Prix Heat 3A
- 10– 10:30 am: Guntersville Water Board Unlimited Heat 2A
- 10:30 -11 am: Exhibition Run featuring Vintage Hydroplanes
- 11 – 11:30 am: Farm Fresh Grand Prix Heat 3B
- 11:30 – noon: Guntersville Water Board Unlimited Heat 2B
- Noon -12:45 pm: Break on the water
- 12:15 – 12:45 pm: Grand Prix Driver Autograph Session
- 1 – 1:30 pm: Citizens Bank and Trust Stock Outboard Marathon 2
- 1:30 – 2 pm: Grand Prix Last Chance Qualifier
- 2 – 2:30 pm: Electric Board of Guntersville Unlimited Heat 3A
- 2:30 – 3 pm: Exhibition Run featuring Vintage Hydroplanes
- 3 – 3:30 pm: Electric Board of Guntersville Unlimited Heat 3B
- 3:30 – 4 pm: Grand Prix Southern Nationals Championship
- 4 – 4:30 pm: Citizens Bank and Trust Stock Outboard Marathon 3
- 4:30 – 5 pm: Southern Cup Championship H1 Unlimited
- 5 pm: Awards Presentation
- 10 am – 4 pm: Pit Tours; Busing from ballfield parking area