Wayne Peeters of Lake Goodwin and his son John Peeters of Stanwood recently captured two separate classifications at the Outboard Motor National Championships, held August 6-11 in Moses Lake, Wash.
Outboard racing divides out into two distinct styles of boat, hydroplanes and runabouts. Hydroplane drivers like the Peeters run over a cushion of air above the water, enjoying a smooth ride. However, they also face tougher challenges in sharp turning.
Wayne Peeters competed in the 45 Super Stock division at Nationals, requiring a minimum boat weight of 675 pounds. Top speed for the 45 SS division is roughly 80 mph.
Ive been racing since 1969, said Wayne, Every year people come from all over the country and Canada to race.
The Nationals hydroplane track is an oval, three-quarter mile course, outlined with buoys. There are two heats of three laps each leading up to the finals. More than 50 boats qualify for nationals in each category and whittle their way down to 12 for the final.
Depending on who has won from other races around the country, most of us are fighting for eight or nine spots in the final, said Wayne, That means you have to finish in the top four to qualify.
With all the fast boats and such a short race, luck also plays a major factor in who gains top honors.
We all get a flying start at the opening line so jockeying for position is important. You cruise around the course for two minutes and try to time it correctly so that you get a good start.
The start is critical to the race, but effort and preparation are also critical. John Peeters won the 20 SS division and finished in the top four of several others. John felt that he had done everything possible to be ready for the races. He harkened back to some advice from the great hydroplane racer Bill Muncy.
I heard a quote from Bill Muncy where he said its all about preparation and opportunity, said John, We wanted to be as prepared as possible for Nationals so we spent the last few weeks out on Lake Washington training. The lake was still partially frozen so we had to watch for ice chunks.
The preparation obviously paid off as the men showed their skills on the National stage. John took part in several different boat classifications, earning honors in each of them.
John was one of the few racers that competed in so many different events, said Wayne, Thats impressive to me that he did so well in each of them.
Nationals brought out the best in both men as they each captured a title. The spirit of racing in the Peeters family is alive and well.
Its all go, no holds back, at the nationals, said John, I think it was the first time I actually led from the first corner of the track. You go into the corner with 12 other boats, get sprayed with water, and see if you come out of it ahead.