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History of the Hampton Cup Regatta
How long has the Hampton Cup Regatta been in existence, and is it the oldest race of it's type in North America?
Hampton Cup has run since 1926, putting us our 82nd consecutive year running. There were races began before Hampton but none have run for 82 consecutive years. This year's event will be August 8, 9, 10, 2008 hours from 10:00am to 5:00pm. There is also a bash on the bridge at Friday night at 7:00pm with a live band and refreshments.
We get racers from all over the United States and as far away as Canada, and even a driver from New Zealand. This brings pit crews, families and fans from all over as well.
How are the races sanctioned?
The Hampton Cup Regatta is the host this year to the North American Championships. We are sanctioned by the UIM which is the world powerboat racing sanctioning body, the American Powerboat Association, and this year by the Canadian Boatracing Federation. We fall in Region 4 of the APBA and our home host club is the Virginia Boat Racing Association.
Where was it first run?
The Hampton Cup began running in the Hampton River between the Hampton Marina Hotel and the mouth of the river.
History?
Originally some of the boats were driven over, raced and driven home and others were trailered. The boats were not as tightly regulated in classes but over the years as the hulls and engines developed, the classes became better defined. Eventually the boats were too fast to turn in the river and so a more open space was located.
The Dodge family was involved in boat racing at one time?
The Dodge automobile family ventured into boat building in Norfolk at one point and began presenting the Dodge Cup at the Hampton Cup Regatta. We hope that the trophy will eventually find its way to the new Hampton History Museum.
How many classes will you run this year?
We will run 9 classes this year from 1.5 litre stock up through the Grand National Hydros. The field will be approximately 100 boats from all across North America.
What speeds will they run?
Top speeds for the classes range from 110 to 170 mph.
Tell me about the Hampton Cup Regatta (HCR) organization itself?
The HCR is an all volunteer organization. Officially the Hampton Cup Regatta Committee operates under the Phoebus Civic Association. There are about 45 dedicated volunteers who meet year round to put on the event, as well as a huge number of race weekend volunteers, security personnel and others that support the event. We work in conjunction with the Virginia Boat Racing Association who have a number of members and volunteers to handle the actual racing part of the event.
We also receive a tremendous amount of support from Fort Monroe, the City of Hampton, the Hampton Department of Fire & Rescue, the Hampton Police and the Nightingale Helicopter.
At the event, what else is there to do besides watching racing.
This event is free and open to the public. There is a children's area with clowns and activities, displays by a number of different organizations, model boat flotilla, a local car club, and animal displays. Of course there is also lots of great food from different vendors, but the real attraction is the racing. Pit passes are available so you can go down into the pits, meet some of the drivers and crews, look at the boats and really get a feel for what goes into keeping these boats going. In preparation for a race there is a lot of work and energy that goes into getting the boats setup and engine just right.
You must have a lot of sponsors for the event.
Cox Cable, Old Point National Bank, Sentara Careplex, Lockwood Brothers, Peach Texaco, Wanchese Fish Company, Clarion Hotel, Gately Communitcations and of course, the City of Hampton and Fort Monroe.
So, where do people come to watch the races and how close are you to the actual action?
Fort Monroe and the Mercury Boulevard Bridge the prime vantage points. The Mercury Boulevard Bridge is where many fans have gotten wet over the years from the huge rooster tails from the boats in the outside lanes.
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