Tunnel boats set to storm the Sabine

Photo: The 11th annual “Showdown on the Sabine” tunnel boat races will be held Friday afternoon and all day Saturday and Sunday Sept. 14-16 at the City of Orange Boat Ramp.

Dave Rogers

For The News

The Orange Convention and Visitors Bureau will be hosting the 11^th annual “Showdown on the Sabine” SPORT Tunnel Boat Races.

The event at the City of Orange Boat Ramp Friday through Sunday, Sept. 14-16, is free to the public.

This Southern Professional Outboard Racing Tour (SPORT) event will include 50 to 60 racers from the United States and Canada. Food and drink vendors will be located on site, as well as a variety of children’s activities.

The Orange Convention & Visitors Bureau is hosting the event, which will include live entertainment by Mixx Fixxer beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15.

Boats will run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

SPORT Racing incorporates four classes of powerboat racing into all of its events: SPORT F1, Formula Lights, Tri-Hull and J-Hydro.

The SPORT F1 class features tunnel boats that can turn on a dime and accelerate to speeds of over 120 mph.

Formula Lights are basically a smaller version of the SPORT F1 class in appearance and handling characteristics. The Formula Light boats are shorter with smaller horsepower engines. They operate with a top speed of about 75 mph.

The Tri-Hull class is based off of vintage walk-through windshield