<p>2005 FILE PHOTO Greg Hopp drives the UL-1 Mike's Hard Lemonade (right) past Michael Flaherty's UL-72 Miss Boat Electric in the final of unlimited light hydroplane class at the 2005 Silverdale festival on Dyes Inlet. KITSAP SUN FILE</p>

SHARE

By Josh Farley of the Kitsap Sun

BREMERTON — Hydroplane racing could come back to Kitsap in 2016, under a proposal hatched by regional race organizers and local volunteers.

Races involving a variety of hydroplane classes are possible in Sinclair Inlet in May if the recently formed Sinclair Thunderboats Committee can raise around $35,000 and attain approval from the Navy to do it.

“It takes a village to put on a boat race,” said Bob Wright, a race organizer and consultant helping the committee bring the event to Bremerton and Port Orchard.

Hydro racing was last in Kitsap County’s portion of Puget Sound in 2009 as part of the Silverdale Thunder races, put on in Dyes Inlet. Some smaller races have been held on Kitsap Lake, but the 2016 event would involve everything including the elite Grand Prix level, Wright said.

If they pull it off, Wright estimates that between 10,000 and 15,000 people could come to the county to watch the races, take in concerts, stay at area hotels and eat at local restaurants.

“It’s going to be pretty action-packed,” he said.

Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent said the event, slated for May 21-22 — also Armed Forces Day weekend — gives residents and tourists alike many reasons to hit the town. She envisions a Saturday where parade-goers stick around for some hydro-racing.

“This way they stay and they’ve got more to see and do,” she said.

The Port of Bremerton, which owns marinas on both sides of Sinclair Inlet, was briefed on the plan at an October meeting. Port Commissioner Larry Stokes said he’s hoping to be watching hydro races in May.

“I think it will be a great thing if they can get ’er done,” Stokes said.

Wright anticipates that some of the sports biggest stars, like Greg and Jerry Hopp, will attend and race. A 1 ¼-mile oval would be set up in the middle of Sinclair Inlet for the competition.

“It’ll be big time boat racing,” he said.