'Quake On The Lake' Hosts Hydroplane Championship Races

(WWJ) - This summer's 12th annual "Quake on the Lake" will host one of the nation's premier boat races - the 2011 National Inboard Hydroplane Championships. The last time the National Inboard Hydroplane Championships were held in Michigan was at Ford Lake near Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1969.

Quake on the Lake is scheduled for Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17 at the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area in White Lake and Waterford townships.

The racecourse at Pontiac Lake is recognized as the fastest one-mile racecourse in North America. Since Quake on the Lake's inception 11 years ago, 17 world speed records have been broken in 10 classes of inboard hydroplanes.

This year's hydroplane racing will feature classes that will run from 90 mph to those that approach 175 mph in the straight-aways.

The best part of Quake on the Lake remains the same: raising money for charity. Once again this year, all Quake On The Lake net proceeds will benefit The Rainbow Connection, a local charity founded by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson that grants wishes to Michigan children with terminal or life threatening illnesses and supports numerous other community-based programs.

In addition to the high-speed action on the water, there will be loads of family entertainment for all ages including musical entertainment from national and local acts, such as Rare Earth and The Verve Pipe with special guest The Infatuations. Sunday is Country Music Day at with Shotgun Willie, Billy Craig, Terrie Lea and The Mustangs, and Bullhonkey Deluxe.

Regular admission at the gate is $10 per adult, $5 for children ages 5-12 years, and children 4 and under are free. Gate admission includes viewing the national championship racing and the entertainment. Pit passes are available for $10 to get a close-up look at the race boats and meet the race teams.

For more information, visit quakeonthelake.org.