Rebecca Anna Lee Dorsey Williams
August 18, 2009
Jeanette A Bourgeois
August 20, 2009
Morgan City’s always been known for its racing, whether at the nearby drag strip or along the Atchafalaya River where boats reach speeds up to 120 miles per hour.
This weekend, the Deep South Racing Association makes its first trip to the area with the help of Morgan City’s Evolution Marine for the first annual “Battle of the Basin” outboard drag boat races.
Anywhere from 50 to 70 speed boats are expected to take to the waters of St. Mary Parish at Russo’s Landing in Morgan City for the two-day event (Aug. 22-23), competing in a variety of different classes and at different speeds.
Racing categories vary from Pro Stock to Performance Bass and Ski, 1/8-mile “Outlaws” and Pro Gas among several others that have yet to be determined.
Boat speeds will range from 80 to in excess of 120 miles per hour based on the class and style of the craft, according to Marvin Catrett of Evolution Marine.
Catrett, who is helping to put on the sanctioned event, said it is important to bring boat racing back to the area because it’s something locals enjoy.
“Morgan City has always had a big interest in boat racing since the first races were held on the lake years ago,” he explained. “We’ve had these drag races at Doiron’s Landing about two miles north of us before and also in Belle River. It was a real big success in Belle River, and I felt it was time to bring the event back.
“It’s a good site,” he added. “Morgan City is a great race town.”
Catrett doesn’t race but owns two of the boats that will participate in the weekend’s event. One is driven by his son Todd, and the other by an Evolution Marine employee. Both are in the Pro Stock category.
“Pro Stock class is a fuel-injected class,” he explained. “All boats have the same size motor and everybody runs the same style computers and equipment. We actually won the first race we had this year in Gulfport, so we’ve been able to compete with the others.”
For those who have never seen one, Catrett assures that the racing will be competitive, as photo finishes have become a common event during DSRA events.
“If we didn’t have digital cameras, we wouldn’t be able to tell who wins half the time because the races are so close,” he said. “We have a lot of photo finishes and a lot of dead heats.”
Perhaps the most intriguing part of boat racing is most of the people do it as a hobby. While the winners do net a little cash, it’s normally not even enough to purchase a new boat prop, Catrett said.
According to him, the weekend is about racers doing what they love to do while entertaining the audience at the same time.
“These boats cost a minimum of $35,000 to $40,000 and go up to $60,000,” he said. “It’s just a hobby. You don’t win much money at all; it’s just all in fun. These guys do what they have a passion for. They all have full-time jobs on the side and race on weekends.”
Nicholas Giardelli of Texas is the president of the DSRA and a racer himself. He confesses he is among the many who just enjoy being out on the water.
The three-year racer is bringing his self-sponsored boat to Morgan City this weekend and is looking forward to being in south Louisiana.
“There is nothing like going fast,” he said. “I just feel comfortable being out there on the water. It’s fun for me. It gives me a break and that’s why I do it.”
The DSRA is a regional racing-sanctioned organization based out of League City, Texas. The league sanctions boat races in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, and features racers from across those regions as well.
It was organized 25 years ago by “people who had a love for racing,” according to Giardelli.
Both Giardelli and Catrett expect the event to make an annual stop in Morgan City after this year.
Admission to Saturday and Sunday’s event is $10 per person. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be sold on site. However, outside food and beverages are allowed. Race-goers will be charged $10 per ice chest they bring to the event. All proceeds from the weekend’s event will benefit the Morgan City Volunteer Fire Department.
Todd Catrett of Stephensville (orange boat) races Shawn Jetton of Catahoula during a DSRA-sanctioned event in Gulfport, Miss. Catrett, the son of Marvin Catrett of Evolution Marine, will be racing this weekend for the “Battle of the Basin” at Russo’s Landing in Morgan City. * Photo courtesy of MARVIN CATRETT
