Drag Boat Races Return to San Angelo June 25

 

SAN ANGELO, TX — The annual drag boat races are returning to San Angelo in June. The organizers have negotiated an $8,000 rental of portions of Spring Creek and Middle Concho Parks at Lake Nasworthy with the City of San Angelo to hold the event June 25-27, 2021.

Named Showdown in San Angelo, this event is the third stop on the seven stop race tour for the Southern Drag Boat Association (SDBA). Races are scheduled in Bryan and Palestine the weeks prior to the San Angelo contest.

Last year's event was muted due to Covid, but this year's tour is "full on"." In 2020's Showdown, the top Alcohol Hydro racer was Rick Allen in his boat named Total Kaos. He scored 604 points and went on to place second overall in the league last year. Drag boats in the Alcohol Hydro class exceed 200 mph. In the video below is a cockpit cam view of drag boat racer Andy Reynolds driving the boat he christened Running with Scissors in a race last year in Missouri. Reynolds placed second at 2020's Showdown with 414 points but edged out Allen to win overall in last year's SBDA tour.

206 MPH in a Drag Boat with Andy Reynolds Driver of Running with Scissors Top Alcohol Hydro

The Showdown in San Angelo is an annual tradition in these parts held in the cove near Spring Creek Arena that is perfectly situated for high speed on-the-water races. There are several classes of drag boats as well as a race set for personal watercraft. The three day event usually starts Friday evening with a show and tell for the public to view the boats. Racing is generally all day Saturday and Sunday. More details about the actual schedule will be released as the Showdown date approaches.

The SDBA is requesting the use of Spring Creek and Middle Concho Parks, as well as part of the lake to host the annual races from the City.

The basic terms of the agreement would include:

  • a 1-year term, with no option to extend.
  • a "rental" fee for the use of the parks for the event of $8,000.
  • SDBA to coordinate, prepare, operate, manage and execute the event.
  • SDBA to clean and return the parks to the same condition before the events, after each event waiver of the applicable ordinances as previously done the years past (which will be brought to San Angelo City Council separately in Resolution format;
  • requested ordinance waivers include: coordination of camping and parking for the event, entrance gate fees, permits for street closures, tents, vendors and signs, provisions regulating the water of Lake Nasworthy, such as "No Wake" zones, and waiver to allow vendors within 500 feet of boat ramps and City-owned property leased for commercial purposes, which has been the practice of past races).
  • 1 event in June.
  • SDBA must complete and submit a Special Event Application to the City as part of the agreement.

Tuesday, April 6, the San Angelo City Council is expected to approve the Showdown contract.

Photo credit above: From the 2020 Showdown in San Angelo by D. Gillen Photography, from the SDBA website.

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Good to see it returning to town. It brings a lot of people and money to SA. My only misgiving is that of the residents who live nearby, the noise, especially top fuel, must be a huge nuisance.

Guess they weren't wanted elsewhere. That's too bad, nasworthy was finally fishable again. 

Jeff L, it's not as if they weren't wanted elsewhere, it is hard to find a lake location that has the facilities for RV's, suitable shoreline for spectators, water protected from chop caused by high winds, vendor locations and more. That spot on Nasworthy is perfect, if not just a little shorter distance than they prefer. As far as the fishing, one weekend of boat racing will not have an impact beyond that spot on that weekend. I attended a few years ago, and enjoyed it very much, the top fuel category is amazing, but not something I'd do every year.

You'd be surprised how much vegetation gets moved by those boats yes in just one week! If you don't fish it don't comment bud. 

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