The weekend of July 3 – 5 marks the 65th Anniversary of Unlimited Hydroplane Racing in Madison, Indiana and race fans will be here watching up to eleven unlimited hydroplanes vie for the Indiana Governor’s Cup, the first stop on the H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Series schedule.

Local fans are eagerly awaiting the battles among these thundering 200-mph-plus competitors to cheer on the hometown team (reigning Gold Cup and H1 Unlimited Driver’s and High Points Champion) Jimmy Shane and the U-1 Oberto / Miss Madison go against a strong field of contenders which includes the defending Indiana Governor’s Cup winner in the U-5 Graham Trucking team out of Decatur, Indiana with J. Michael Kelly driving. Will there be a new contender that races to the front of the pack? With so many teams within a couple of mph of each other, you never know who might be lifting the Indiana Governor’s Cup trophy at the end of the weekend. Up to eleven of the world’s fastest race boats are ready to race deck-to-deck along the Bill Cantrell Memorial Race Course with qualifying set for Friday, and multiple heats scheduled for Saturday & Sunday leading up to the coveted Indiana Governor’s Cup final heat set for 5:30pm on Sunday, July 5th. Madison is one of four race sites on the 2015 H1 Unlimited calendar.

Testing and Qualifying occur on Friday, July 3rd with the popular “Pole Position” Unlimited Qualifications set between 4:00pm – 5:00pm. Saturday, July 4th brings more testing in the morning, a driver’s autograph session midday, with the first sets of unlimited heat racing starting at 4:00pm with more heat racing all day Sunday, July 5th, leading up to the final heat for the Indiana Governor’s Cup at 5:30 p.m. (EDT). Unlimited Heat Sponsors for this year’s Madison Regatta include Clifty Engineering & Tool Company & Morgan Foods with Official Product Sponsors of the event being Budweiser (Official Beer), Papa John’s Pizza (Official Pizza), Thomas Family Winery (Official Wine & Cider Provider), and Toyota (Official Car).

BRAND NEW to the 2015 race schedule are the Grand Prix West hydroplanes making their debut at the Madison Regatta. You do not want to miss the thundering power of their big block, methanol powered engines that will shake the riverfront! The GPW’s will be testing on Friday, July 3rd with 2 sets of heat action starting at 11:10am Saturday, July 4th with the finals set for 2:40pm on Sunday, July 5th.

A very popular event occurring at night on Saturday, July 4th is the Fireworks Spectacular, co-sponsored by the American Legion Post No. 9, the City of Madison Indiana & the Jefferson County Board of Tourism. The same company that conducts the world famous “Thunder Over Louisville” will be back and one thing is for sure, music will fill your ears this year!

While talking about entertainment, the Music on the River program kicks-off on Wednesday, July 1 – 8:00pm to 11:00pm, and on Thursday, July 2 – 5:00pm to 12:00am. Music continues Friday, July 3 – 5:00pm to 12:00am and also on Saturday, July 4 – 5:00pm to 12:00am. The City Stage at Fireman’s Park will be the staging place for all of the music programs. Co-Sponsors of the Music on the River program include Arvin Sango, Big O Tires & Northside Liquors.

The Music on the River program for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday require a Madison Regatta admission wristband or a $5.00 limited-edition, collectible race boat button that can be bought at the gate. Each night includes a different collectible button used for admission. Saturday night activities are free of charge.

More activities during Regatta Weekend include the River Valley Financial Bank Madison Regatta Parade, two days of air shows by aerobatic pilot Brett Hunter sponsored by Grote Industries with a twilight air show Saturday evening before the fireworks, the driver’s autograph sessions on Saturday & Sunday, food and commercial vendors, and much more! Some notable vendor displays will be the Oberto Beef Jerky, Toyota, and the Papa John’s Pizza Mobile Kitchen.

Admission Wristbands to the Madison Regatta are $25.00 each and can be purchased by calling the Regatta office at 812-274-0400, visiting www.madisonregatta.com (click on Race Passes), or at any one of the Entrance Gates during the event. An admission wristband is required for daytime access to Vaughn Drive and the riverfront from 6 a.m. Friday, July 3 until after the final race on Sunday, July 5. Children 10 and under are free. Special seating for viewing the 2015 Madison Regatta includes a VIP Tent area, Hospitality Tent area, Tarp Space areas, and RV Parking to name a few. Pit Tours, sponsored by Comfort Inn of Madison, will be conducted on Friday and Saturday, while Cold Pit Passes can be bought for $20.00. Collector edition 65th Anniversary Madison Regatta race programs will be available at $6.00 to keep as a souvenir and make sure to get your Official Madison Regatta Merchandise located in front of the Regatta Office all weekend long.

For more information on the activities, race and event schedules, sponsors, merchandise, pricing and ticket information, and much more, call the Regatta office at 812-274-0400 or visit www.madisonregatta.com.