Powerboat races coming to Elgin
Fans of powerboat racing rejoice: a professional circuit event is coming to Elgin this summer.
The Thunder on the Fox powerboat event will take place the weekend of June 18 and 19 and will feature Formula Two and Formula Three races on the Powerboat Superleague circuit, which is sanctioned and insured by the American Power Boat Association.
Powerboats — whose speeds go up to 130 mph on straightaways — will race along the Fox River, as spectators gather along the river just north the of the Kimball Street bridge, behind the Gail Borden Public Library, said promoter Jim McGrath, of McGrath Motorsports in Elgin.
McGrath expects a minimum of 20 boats, but possibly up to 35, to take part in the event.
There will be food and beer for sale, and plenty of activities for children, including a rock-climbing wall and a blowup maze. Free parking will be available for cars, motorcycles and motor homes.
“Elgin has never seen anything like this. It's like a NASCAR race,” said McGrath, a racer himself who discovered the sport about two years ago.
Cherie Murphy, the Elgin city manager's assistant for community engagement, said the city is excited about finally hosting an event on the Fox River. “We've had events downtown and along the river, but nothing on the river,” she said. “It's great that Jim saw the potential for this, and he is doing a really good job of promoting the event.”
This is the first time an event will take place at the location behind the library, all city-owned land that was cleaned up and restored a few years ago, Murphy said.
Tickets for Thunder on the Fox will be available beginning March 1 at thunderonthefox.com. Advance prices are $10 for adults, and $7 for children 12 and younger.
A black-tie event will take place Friday, June 17, at the library, 270 N. Grove Ave. Tickets are $250 and include four race tickets (two for each day).
Business owners interested in Thunder on the Fox can attend an informational meeting hosted by the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, at the Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St. Reservations are, needed by 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17 by calling (847) 488-1456 or e-mailing jpawlowski@elginil.org.