Sprint Boat Racing in Yakima: Your Chance to Join the Thrills with Us!

There is a new family-friendly sporting event coming to the Yakima Valley! Word of mouth is spreading and generating some excited racing fans ready for some heart-pounding action.

Sprint boat racing events are coming to State Fair Park. Qualifying races are on Saturday, August 16th, with eliminations continuing the next day up until the final race on Sunday afternoon, August 17th. Boat racing begins at 10 a.m. and ends around 5 p.m. each day.

You can meet the racers during the Free Show and Shine Event (details below)!

What Is Sprint Boat Racing?

Imagine sprint boats racing around a tiny water track obstacle course, aka the Rotation, and whichever driver and navigator have the fastest racing time wins. That's what sprint boat racing is all about. It's like NASCAR meets the water track! Keep reading to see how this race will be even MORE of a challenge for the drivers!

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What Makes Sprint Boat Racing Even More of a Challenge

The water track obstacle course is a "three-foot-deep channel, 20 feet wide, filled with water, winding throughout a series of islands." The layout is only given to drivers and navigators 24 hours before the race begins and they must memorize it!

"These boats can accelerate from zero to 80 mph in mere seconds, providing a thrilling spectacle for fans." - State Fair Park

If you want to score two passes with 94.5 KATS, enter to win in the contest entry form below. Contest ends Wednesday, August 13th at 11:59 p.m. All winners will be notified by email or by phone.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Gates open at 9 a.m. each day. No outside food or beverages are allowed inside the sprint boat races and you cannot bring in coolers. Bags will be searched by security.  No animals allowed other than service animals.

Lawn seating is available; you can bring in your own lawn chairs and blankets. Seating is also available in the terrace area and VIP boxes. Each guest is allowed to bring in one unopened water bottle or non-alcoholic beverage.

RV and tent camping lots are available on site.

VIP packages are on sale (in-person only) at the box office location at 1301 South Fair Avenue.

Racing Weekend: FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT

Valley Mall is hosting Show & Shine, an event where the public can meet the sprint boat racers, take pics, and get autographs! Friday, August 15th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. More details here.