LakeFest hits highs on noise and speed

August 14, 2012, 10:00 am by Mark Goodson

LakeFest 2012 provided plenty of noise, speed and a fair atmosphere.

The smell of grilled food and gas burning brought out big crowds to Lakeside and Johnson parks over the weekend for the 21^styear of drag boat racing on Lake Marble Falls.

The three-day event brought a lot of excitement and noise for both newcomers and hard-core drag boat racing fans. There was one wreck Sunday afternoon, but the driver was taken to the hospital and released and returned to the races before they ended.

In all more than 100 boats competed in 12 classes with the top fuel hydros getting the crowd most revved up.

V.J. Snyder of Odessa and his wife Marilyn were just two of the fans caught up in the atmosphere.

Did the loud noise and 100-degree temperatures bother him?

"I love it,’’ said the retired truck driver. "I used to go to the drag races a lot. I just love the small of it.’’

The trip to Marble Falls was the Snyder’s first. They spent the night in Llano on Friday and then took in the qualifying rounds on Saturday.

"We couldn’t get a room,’’ Snyder said. "We stayed in Llano and then drove over. We’re probably going to spend tonight (Saturday) in Fredericksburg and then go back home. This is a lot of fun, but one day is probably enough.’’

Danny Sharp, who works for a furniture company in Marble Falls, is a veteran of the races and came well prepared with fold-up chair and big water jug.

How many times have you been to the races?

"Twenty-one,’’ said Sharp. "That tree has been there a long time. I’ve sit under it every year. I sit right there in that bare spot last year. I just moved over one place.’’

The crowds were highlighted to plenty of noise and speed. Most of the drag boats were running in around 120 miles per hour. The most popular was the top fuel hydros that clocked 252 miles per hour.

The drag race motto was "loud, fast and safe’’ according to the announcer in the Lucas Oil van.

For the weekend, it went well with just the one wreck.

Tommy Thompson of Locust Grove, Okla. flipped his pro-modified boat in the early afternoon.

"It was a routine check,’’ said series director Ken Dollar of Lucas Oil. "He was treated and released and back at the races within two hours. He’s fine.’’

2012 LakeFest results

Modified eliminator

Roger Gaines, Lipan, Texas

Pro eliminator

Todd Ebert Warnego, Kan.

Pro modified

Dustin Nesloney, Orange Grove, Texas

Personal water craft 1

Dave Watkins, Lewisville

Personal water craft 2

Alyssa Fawks, Rockwall, Texas

River racer

Neal Lackey, Poolville, Texas

Stock eliminator

Mike Albright, Odessa, Texas

Top alcohol flat

Don Bausher, Las Vegas, Nev.

Top alcohol hydro

Joel Webber, Goddard, Kan.

Top eliminator

Sambo Smith, Moro Bay, Ark.

Top fuel eliminator

Daryl Ehrlich, Round Rock, Texas