Submitted photo: Trophies

SYCAMORE — International Model Power Boat Racers arrived from far-flung places such as New York to Puerto Rico to find themselves parked beside a pond on a dirt road in Sycamore, Georgia on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.

“They come from Puerto Rico, lots from Florida, our president lives a mile from Lake Ontario in New York,” said property owner and one of the main organizers for the event, Julie Gilley.

With 90 racers and 290 boats registered, this June’s event is special because it’s the National Championship and also the 75th anniversary of the International Model Power Boat Association or IMPBA.

With over 100 miles per hour with every turn, the boats compete in two-minute heats. As of 3 p.m. on the first day of the competition, they had 62 heats thus far.

The event runs from Thursday to Saturday with a possible make-up day on Sunday.

“I drove for 18 hours to get here, I don’t want to lose another day to rain,” joked association president Doug Smart.

After the association’s pond in Atlanta changed ownership and with Jacksonville still working on their pond, the Gilley’s central location serves as a perfect host for the races several times a year at their private pond.

Some racers also double as vendors selling parts, boat hulls, and covers. Their inside mechanics and motors resemble the small ACME bombs Wiley Coyote would drop on the Road Runner.

“Ready to run, these boats start at about a thousand dollars,” said Gilley.

The competition seems to attract a mixed bag of people from all over the nation of various backgrounds and ages.

“The youngest competing is Gavin, they threw him out with the big boys early on and he smokes them,” said Gilley, calling for Gavin to come down from the permanent 2-story tower built for the judges and racers to use.

“I’ve been doing it about 3 years now,” said 13-year-old Gavin, “And I almost always win.”

The distance is rewarded with a small trophy and bragging rights on Saturday, June 22nd, only if they win.