Hydroplane makes waves in Itasca

Itasca has seen its share of unusual vehicles riding through town.

Santa has visited by helicopter at Christmas.

And the village has been home to a world-record Subaru parade during Itasca Fest.

Then on Tuesday, Itasca-based boat shipping company Peters & May USA and the U-11 Racing Group brought their new hydroplane to Orchard Street, just across from the Metra station.

The hydroplane will debut in the H! Unlimited Air National Guard Race series, which begins with the Madison Regatta on July 1 in Madison, Ind.

Village President Jeff Pruyn applied the village logo to the 26-foot hydroplane, which is powered by a T-55 Lycoming helicopter turbine that produces more than 2600 horsepower. Championship boats like this can achieve speeds of more than 200 mph and throw wakes that are several stories high.

Visitors checked out the boat, as well as its race support truck, and met driver JW Meyers and his crew. The group signed autographs, answered questions about the boat, hydroplane racing and race safety. The event also included give-a-ways and snacks for children.

Itasca police also were on hand to display the police department’s souped-up Subaru squad car.

Peters & May officials, as well as village leaders, say Tuesday’s event was a way to acknowledge the good relationship between the business and the village.