'NASCAR on the water' in Elgin
Elgin resident Curt Phillips was happy to welcome powerboat racing to his hometown Saturday.
Phillips and his 3-year-old son Ricky, along with Ricky's uncle Matt Phillips, hung out under a Chicago Bears tent to watch the qualifying heats for the “Thunder on the Fox” race, the first tunnel boat racing event in Elgin.
The Phillips brothers said they like to follow powerboat racing, and describe the sport as “something that families do.” An estimated 1,500 people attended Saturday's event, held just north of the Gail Borden Public Library. The race, featuring Formula Two and Formula Three powerboats, takes place today.
Brendon Hedlund and his friend Evan Podgorski, both of St. Charles, said they were surprised at how wide the Fox River is in Elgin.
On the other hand, Craig Buth of Bolingbrook, who actively follows powerboat racing, said it was actually a narrower course than most.
Buth said he thought overall the event was “OK,” but pointed out it lacked the usual “day in the park” feel of powerboat races because organizers didn't allow people to bring in coolers or grills. The $10 per person entry price seemed a bit steep, he added, since such events usually charge $10 or $15 per carload.
Barb Keselica, special events and community engagement coordinator for the city of Elgin, said organizer McGrath Motorsports set the rules and the admission prices.
Yenneceli Gonzalez, who lives across the street on North Grove, was looking forward to watching the race today along with her husband and some friends.
On Saturday, she walked over to take a peek at the event with her 2-year-old daughter Jaylen.
“I think it's really cool,” she said. “It puts the land that they have here to good use. It's been empty for a while and it's nice to have an event here.”
Ÿ Gates open at 10 a.m. today; races begins at 1 p.m. The entrance is off Ann Street, just north of the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for 7- to 12-year-olds and free for those younger than 6. For details, visit thunderonthefox.com.