Written by DOUG BISHOP
Kent Island Bay Times
GRASONVILLE — Kent Narrows Racing Association hosted the American Powerboat Association’s Region 4 awards banquet Saturday, Feb. 7, at Fisherman’s Inn. Some 80 people from around the region attended the winter meeting at the Best Western earlier Saturday and the awards that evening.
KNRA President Wheeler Baker welcomed everyone. Region 4 Chairman Steve Barrett presided at the awards ceremony, recognizing seven divisions of powerboat racing champions, everything from the huge 5-liter powerboats down to the traditional Jersey speed skiffs.
Region 4 includes the District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and the northern most portion of North Carolina. Among the awardees, Thompson Automotive Group of Baltimore won the 5-Liter National Championship as well as Eastern Division Champion and was High Point Region Champion. The group was represented by owner Ron Thompson and crew chief Ed Thompson at the banquet.
Looking at the future of powerboat racing, Kevin Gunther, 21, of West River, was recognized at “2014 Rookie of the Year.” 2014 was his first year driving a hydroplane, moving up from Jersey Speed Skiffs.
