February 20, 2008 > Grand Prix Classic Grand Prix Classic Submitted By Roger Hooks On Saturday, Feb. 23, and Sunday, Feb. 24, the Sixth Annual Gary Johnson Grand Prix Classic will be at Kaiser Cove in Fremont starting at 9 a.m. and until 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 3 p.m. on Sunday. The event is sponsored by Kyosho, Horizon Hobby and Fremont's own Hobby Town. Remote control boat racing experts will travel from Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and Southern California to match driving skill, speed and mechanical know-how against some of the best in the nation. Racing speeds will reach as high as mph as these 1/8th scale replicas of the full size Unlimited Hydroplanes compete for the coveted Grand Prix Classic Championship. National champions, national record holders, world champions and world record holders are scheduled to compete in this premier event. Among these champions is Fremont's own Alfred Lanza, Contest Director of the event. He has been racing high-speed remote control boats for 10 years. In this short time he has won 12 national championships and set five national records. For the first time in the history of the event, Gas Nitro and Electric boats will compete in the same class. With the improvement in electric and gas performance it is expected that the combination will provide extremely competitive races. Fremont Mayor, Bob Wasserman, has been on hand in previous year's to participate as a concourse judge and will be joining the event again this year. The race is fun for the entire family as there are raffle prizes for racers and spectators alike. Radio controlled boat prizes with a value of more than $75 will be on hand to excited spectators just for participating. Proceeds from this race will go to the American Cancer Society. We suggest that you bring a lawn chair and a snack for your comfort and enjoyment. The Grand Prix Classic is a sanctioned event of NAMBA (North American Model Boat Association). NAMBA is a non-profit organization that provides racing and insurance and promotes friends and family fun and enjoyment through radio controlled boat racing. This event is dedicated to one of the fore-fathers of the sport of radio controlled boat racing, Gary Johnson. Gary passed-away as a result of cancer. He was the first president to serve the organization in 1971 and a resident of Santa Clara. It is free to attend Grand Prix Classic. For more information visit the website at www.grandprixclassic.com or call (408) 551-8881. Grand Prix Classic Saturday & Sunday, Feb 23 - 24 Sat: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Kaiser Cove (off Shinn St.), Fremont (408) 551-8881 Cost: Free