The Sorel-Tracy Regatta finally offered the expected spectacle after 2023 was canceled due to high winds. A day of breathtaking racing which ended after an accident in which veteran Bert Henderson was injured.
While he was riding in third place in the Hydro 350 final, his H-924 Game On jumped onto a wave and then hit the water hard. The left pontoon shattered, cutting short his hopes of a podium finish.
The race was able to end (see below) as the Brockville, Ontario driver mentioned being injured, but the five laps could be completed. As he was injured in the back and neck, the emergency services spared no recourse. He was repatriated, immobilized in his cockpit. Firefighters and paramedics were called and he was extricated from the cockpit with great caution. Tyler Kaddatz said during the trophy presentation that his brother was moving his extremities and had some serious back pain.
Given the time needed to rescue the veteran pilot, after discussions with the various rescuers involved, the Hydroplane Regatta League decided to put an end to the racing program. The Grand Prix final then remained to take place.
Twists and turns
The Hydro 350 final gave rise to the unexpected. Karl St-Vincent of H-37 Bull Shark Racing had the inside lane for his first final in this class. However, he was too hasty at the start, like Danny Léger of H-666 Charpentek and Kent Henderson of H-519 Team Toban. Éric McKenna was then riding in the lead; the pilot of the H-999 The Black Beast, however, hit a buoy during the event. A penalty was imposed on him, so he was relegated to fourth position.
In the final, Kaddatz in the H-195 Ahh Sum Secret was declared the winner ahead of Frédéric Couturier in the H-14 Legacy 1. Due to other penalties to competitors, St-Vincent still reached the podium, a third place .
Shaw recovers
Defeated at Cambridge last month, John Shaw reclaimed the top spot, a position he is accustomed to, in Formula 2500. The F-92 Tenacity driver saw his main rival, Eddie Kanfoush of the F-500 Centless 16, struggle difficulties in the first turn. Shaw took advantage of this opportunity to go alone and win the race, more than four seconds ahead of Samuel Tremblay of the F-113 Another One. Owen Henderson of F-3 Secretly Ahh $um joined them on the podium.
Haineault again
In 2.5 liters, Jacob Haineault of S-2 Novo Racing was declared the winner of a second consecutive final. The driver unleashed the power of his Honda engine to win at the end of the five-lap race. He moved ahead of Kyle Hayes of the S-35 TKO Motorpsort and Ken Brodie III of the S-50 Centless 15 in the order.
One of the favorites, Mathis-Gabriel Chiasson, was the victim of a swerve during qualifying. The hull of the S-57 How? suffered some damage which, however, does not compromise its participation in the next race.
Tate even faster
On Saturday, Ken Lupton completed four laps of the track in 2:20.05. Andrew Tate did even better than the New Zealander on Sunday. While the gusts were non-existent, the GP-71 pilot The Wild One flew over the course in 2:12:02.
The cumulative points determined the podium at Sorel-Tracy, and the American was declared champion, ahead of Jack Lupton of GP-33 Lupton Motorsport and Éric Langevin of GP-212 Plomberie Sylco.
Stewart and Ewancio
The JSS-10 Yumpin’ Yiminy was perfect on Sunday to take the victory. Jimmie Stewart and Peg Ewancio were ahead of Max and Samantha Ewancio of JSS-45 In the Red and Dave Greenlaw and Alexandre DeRoy of JSS-99 Veri Cheri.
Guillet in Novices
In the next generation class, Médérk Guillet was crowned winner. The pilot of the N-66 Thunderboat set the best time in qualifying, a time he then beat in the final.
In the outboard type boats, Olivier Maisonneuve of the N-109 Angle of Attack and Sydney Manessis of the N-244 Miss Virgo followed in order.
The next HRL meeting will take place on June 29 and 30 in Brockville.
