By Grant Clark
Some of Jason Aslakson’s first memories of life are visiting his grandparent’s house. The couple lived on Black Lake. The house’s backyard nearly spilled right into the water.
So, each summer when it was time to watch the Black Lake Regatta, Aslakson always had the best view.
These just weren’t boat races to him. It was an annual gathering of family and friends.
“It was our Christmas,” Aslakson said. “Every year that was the one date we would circle on the calendar.”
For nearly four decades, boats have competitively raced over Black Lake’s usually calm waters. Aslakson can’t remember ever missing the event.
This year, however, the 40-year-old Aslakson is going to experience the races from a significantly different vantage point than years’ past.
Aslakson will no longer be among the spectators. Instead the Tumwater resident will be driving his own hydroplane as part of the 38th Annual Black Lake Regatta & 2015 APBA Western Divisionals.
Racing begins at 10:00 a.m. Saturday July 11 and Sunday July 12 and will continue until approximately 5:30 p.m. each day.
Spectators can watch the races from the Evergreen Shores Resort on Black Lake Boulevard or at the new Spectator Property at 7305 Fairview RD SW, Olympia, which features the best view of the start/finish line and control tower.
Black Lake’s 1.25-mile course has been the site for nearly 40 national records – and several world marks – the most of any lake in the United States.
“The water’s calm, there’s not a lot of wind coming through,” said Jim Codling, an APBA official, about the course. “It all sets up perfectly for faster times.”
Aslakson will drive in the 2.5 Liter Stock Hydro division, one of 13 classes that will compete over the two-day event.
This will mark Aslakson’s first time competing on Black Lake. He started his driving career a week after last year’s Regatta by racing in Oak Harbor.
“It was just something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Aslakson, who lived on Black Lake until recently moving to Tumwater a few weeks ago. “I’ve always been passionate about it. It took me a little bit longer to get into the game than other drivers. I just decided it was the right time to make the move.”
Once Aslakson decided to turn fandom into a reality all he needed to do was determine which class of boat he wanted to buy.
Prices helped out with that decision.
“The 2.5 stock is relatively cheaper than other boats,” Aslakson said with a laugh. “I didn’t want to bankrupt my son’s college fund. So, we went with the 2.5. Plus they don’t get up to 150 miles an hour. Maybe we will build up to those.”
The 2.5 Liter Stock, one of the more popular classes, is a limited inboard hydroplane that can reach speeds of 100 mph on straightaways with an average lap speed of 70-75 mph. The hull has to at least be 13 1/2 feet in length and weigh a minimum of 975 pounds.
“This is really the race we’ve been looking forward to,” Aslakson said. “We will have a ton of friends and family members out watching. Hopefully, we have some kind of home course advantage.”
The highlight for the last six years at the Black Lake Regatta is always the Grand Prix West classification.
“They’re the biggest, fastest and loudest boats around,” said GPW president Larry Linn about the 25-foot limited hydroplanes with sport 1,500 horsepower. “They fire those motors up and people come running.”
Grand Prix West has made a habit out of breaking world records on Black Lake since the class was included in 2010.
Shockwave Racing’s GP-17, owned by Olympia’s Rick and Shawn Bridgeman, set a world record average lap speed of 116.129 mph in 2010.
The record lasted four years until the Scott Pierce-owned GP-55, driven by Jamie Nelson, bettered the mark at last year’s Regatta, covering the course with a 116.84 average lap speed.
Shockwave Racing captured the overall title for the two-day event last year with a pair of second-place finishes over the two heats.
Linn anticipates six boats to compete in the Grand Prix West division.
In addition to the 2.5 Liter Stock and Grand Prix division, the Black Lake Regatta will also feature National Modified, LTR Modified, 5 LTR, J Classes, Vintage and Inboard Endurance races.
Admission is $10 a day or $15 for the weekend. Active and retired military receive a $5 discount. Parking is $5.
