Atchaflaya race features some of America’s fastest boats

A fully-loaded, revved up speed boat cruising at speeds exceeding 100 mph with nothing in the way except a strip of open water and a finish line.

Sound appealing?

That’s exactly what will be on display at the 2010 Deep South Racing Association’s Battle of the Basin Drag Races Aug. 21-22 on the Atchafalaya River in Morgan City.

“We’re going to have something like 50, 60 or 70 of some of the fastest drag boats in the country,” said one of the race’s coordinators, Marvin Catrett. “They’ll be coming from Texas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas. … We have contingency from all over. It’s a great weekend for racing.”

The event is organized similarly to the automobile drag racing events seen on TV.

Each type of boat allowed to compete is separated into categories, which keeps everyone racing a similar competitor.

The less powerful boats will peak at 80 mph, where the stronger engines will fire out at close to 120 mph in the quarter-mile strip of water.

Unlike being at a NASCAR event in person where one may only be able to see a portion of the race, Catrett said anyone who attends the Battle of the Basin will get a close look at the action.

“There’s not a bad seat,” he said. “The way it’s organized, everyone who gets in is able to see what they’re looking for.”

When it’s all said and done, the first prize in each class receives a hefty chunk of change, usually a few thousand dollars, according to Catrett.

“Every class is so close,” he said. “If you didn’t have a digital camera, a lot of the times, you can’t even tell who wins. … It’s very competitive.”

A fan favorite of those who usually attend the event is the “Outlaw Class.” What does it take to ride as an outlaw?

Not a whole lot, according to Catrett, who said the classification lives up to its rebellious name.

“There’s no rules, there’s no regulations, there’s no nothing in that class,” he said. “These guys will get up to 120 miles per hour in an eighth of a mile. They are wild. … It’s really wild to watch those guys go. We allow them to do whatever they want to their boat.”

In addition to the racing, fans in attendance will also be able to get a first-hand look at what makes the magic happen.

“Fans are able to mingle with the boaters while they’re in the pits,” Catrett said. “It’s an open area, you can go look at the boats, you can talk to the drivers, get autographs, you can do whatever you want to do … it’s an open setup. It’s a hands-on, spectator friendly sport.”

The Deep South Racing Association is the organization putting on the event. But proceeds will go to the Morgan City Volunteer Fire Department, who will also be selling food and drinks for anyone whose stomach gets rumbling after exercising their eyes on the banks of the Atchafalaya River.

“We have some of the best food you’ll ever eat in this country,” Catrett said. “They have that big wagon out there where they’re selling food. I’m telling you, it can’t be beat.”

The price of admission to the event is $10 per person. In addition, if a spectator wishes to bring an ice chest filled with ice-cold beverages, that costs $10, as well.

“For the $10 you pay to get in, and the $10 for your ice chest of beer, you can’t go anywhere in this country and find better entertainment for that price, I promise you,” Catrett said. “If anybody goes to a first boat race, they will come back.”

Last year more than 3,000 fans attended the event, many of whom are from the Tri-parish area.

“We have a large following from this area,” Catrett said. “We’ve always gotten great support from our people.”

Whether it be for the races, the food, or just the love of bathing in the sun for a weekend, the race coordinator urges the community to make this year’s event another special affair.

“We’re all looking forward to it,” he said. “If you come out there that first day, it will be very hard to not come back on Sunday, too.”