National Drag Boat Race Hopes for Fresh Start

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A new promoter hopes this year will be a fresh start to the National Drag Boat Race in Oklahoma City.

The competition has had a checkered past. In 2005, a participant died after falling from his boat.

In 2007, organizers had to cancel events due to dangerous debris in the river.

City leaders got angry after disappointed ticket holders were told their wristbands would not be refunded. Instead, they were told the bands would be valid for the 2008 race. However, the promoter Glenn Brown, called off the event because of construction on Interstate 40 which he said made the event impossible.

Now, Mike McAuliffe is in charge and is hard at work making sure the return of the race goes off this weekend without problems.

"Even though I'm a new promoter, people who bought wristbands from the cancelled years have been able to exchange them for admission this year," McAuliffe said. "This is a huge deal for Oklahoma City, and generates a lot of revenue. We want to make sure everybody has fun and stays happy."

Buy tickets and learn more about the drag boat race.

Drivers travel from across the country to race in the event.

Matt Schubauer worked on one of the boats that will race this weekend.

"There aren't a lot of venues that allow for our racing. It's not like a racecar. We can't just drive to the nearest track so we enjoy any opportunity to get our boats in the water. The past is the past and we hope everyone comes out. We're going to put on a great show," Schubauer said.

The events begin Friday with "Test and Tune Day," which is followed by preliminary races on Saturday and finals on Sunday. Learn more about drag boat racing.