NGK Spark Plugs F1 Powerboat Championship Race 5, Springfield, OH F1 Grand Prix

OSAGE BEACH, Mo., Aug. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Race fans will be entertained with a packed weekend filled with racing action featuring the 120-mph Formula One tunnel boats, Formula Lights, MOD division outboards, RC boat racing, Vintage race boat exhibitions and the junior race stars of J-Hydro.

As the 2018 series enters its final two races, racers who are still in the points chase are desperate to keep racking up as many points as possible. Consistent drivers, such as #20 Ashton Rinker of Riverview, Florida, #2 Tracy Hawkins of Willis, Texas, #53 Greg Foster of Orange, California, #24 Spencer Love of California and #4 Wesley Cheatham of Trinity, Texas, are under increasing pressure as the season winds down. With a season that has produced multiple winners and the tightest competition seen in years, who will win the race and the series championship title remains anybody's guess.

Dean Blair, executive director of the Clark County Fairgrounds told The Springfield News-Sun that the NGK F1 powerboat event was the key component in securing a multi-year title sponsorship with Coldwell Banker Heritage Roediger, which pledged a multi-year commitment to include real estate improvements on the grounds. "Through this boat race [connection], we're gaining this multi-year sponsorship and commitment that is going to yield us a brand-new building and it's all coming out of the boat race sponsorship."

In a special salute to racing history, one of the Formula One race boats competing over the weekend will be decked-out in graphics from the past – depicting one of the many notable boats from the stables of legendary team owner and local engineering genius, Bill Chatfield. This year, racer Chris Fairchild will don the colors and the number 201 of the late Ken Stevenson, who drove for Chatfield 35 years ago. Dana Potts, promoter of the Springfield F1 Grand Prix, was an employee and crew member for Bill Chatfield, a technology innovator who owned the machine shop "Micro Enterprises" across the street from the lake.

"We tend to forget our history and how special it all was," Potts explained, mentioning that during the late 1980's and 1990's, Chatfield was flying his racers from all over -- including Europe -- to test boats at their private lake, which was recently renamed "Lake at Champions Park". Mercury engineers came in from Wisconsin. Chatfield's drivers, including superstars Ken Stevenson, Mark Trotter, Chris Bush, Ben Robertson, Jr., Don Johnston and Rusty Campbell, put in many hours of test time on this lake. "Literally, they'd test and never get out of the boat. We'd switch props and switch motors and none of the drivers got out of the boats the whole day," Potts added.

During race weekend, a number of famous drivers from past as well as other dignitaries, are expected to make an appearance at "Wake the Lake", including long time boat racing sponsor, Bob Thompson of the legendary "Just Add Water" racing team. Thompson was the sponsor of the late tunnel boat ace, Ken Stevenson. Stevenson's son, Brandon, who will also be attending the weekend festivities, was just 7 years old when his father lost his life in a race in 1983, and subsequently stopped coming to the races. There is expected to be an emotional reintroduction when Brandon Stevenson and Bob Thompson reunite after 35 long years.

Along with the lightning fast race boats, dignitaries and all the festivities, there are even more delights for the fans at "Wake the Lake". A Jumbotron screen will be in view of the spectators, as well as a boat parade, concert, food vendors and even an opportunity to camp on-site or tailgate with your friends. Visit http://www.springfieldf1grandprix.com/ to make your reservations and get more information.

After the Springfield event, only one race will remain on the NGK F1 Powerboat Championship schedule for 2018; the final race in Orange, TX in September.

2018 The NGK Spark Plugs Formula One Powerboat Championship Racing Schedule:

May 4-6 Port Neches, TX - F1, F-Light, Tri Hull, J-Hydro
http://pnriverfest.com/
June 1-3 Gulfport, FL - F1, F-Light, Tri Hull
http://www.gulfportgrandprix.com/
June 15-16 Nashville, TN - F1, F-Light, Tri Hull, J-Hydro
http://thunderonthecumberland.com/
Aug. 3-5 Pittsburgh, PA - F1, F-Light
http://yougottaregatta.org/
Aug. 10-12 Springfield, OH - F1, F-Light
http://www.springfieldf1grandprix.com/
Sept. 14-16 Orange, TX - F1, F-Light, Tri Hull, J-Hydro
http://www.orangetexas.org/sport-tunnel-boat-races/

Greenlight TV will film the NGK Spark Plugs F1 racing action all season long, producing six 30-minute shows airing on CBS Sports Network. The "Wake the Lake" Springfield F1 Grand Prix will air on August 29th at 7:30 pm Central and repeats at 10:30 pm Central. Follow the series on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NGKF1PowerboatChampionship and watch the Live Feed of the F1 Final on Sunday at approximately 3:00 pm EST or visit http://www.ngkf1.com/ for further information about the NGK F1 Series.

The NGK Spark Plugs Formula 1 Powerboat Championship is ecstatic to have the strong commitment of title sponsor, NGK Spark Plugs - The Ignition Specialist. Since 1936, NGK Spark Plugs has been the world leader in technology, innovation, and world-class quality in the design of spark plugs and oxygen sensors. Today, NGK manufactures NGK Spark Plugs and NTK Oxygen Sensors for virtually every automotive manufacturer in the world.

NGK has built a reputation for quality and reliability, and a commitment to excellence continues to be the driving force behind the company's advanced research and development programs. In North America, NGK is headquartered in Wixom, MI and maintains manufacturing, inventory, and distribution facilities in Irvine, CA, Sissonville, WV, and Chicago, IL.

For more information about NGK Spark Plugs, (U.S.A), Inc., please visit our website http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/

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