by Kathy Johnson
With the opening races for the season just a little over a month away, it’s shaping up to be another barnburner this year for the Nova Scotia Boat Racers Association (NSBRA).
“It’s shaping up to be a very good year,” said association president Eddie Nickerson, estimating the number of boats competing in all classes this year will be “at least double” over last season.
“I’m going to say there will be between 18 to 22 (stock class boats) at any given race and about eight to 10 outboards on top of that,” predicted Nickerson.
The season opens Saturday, June 9 with the Lobster Fest Race at the Cape Sable Island Causeway. The season schedule will be 10 or 11 races, said Nickerson, including eight points’ races.
Also confirmed are: Race for a Cause, June 16 at the C.S.I. Causeway and the Canada Day Race on June 30 in Clark’s Harbour.
The NSBRA will also be taking it on the road again this year, with tentative plans for races in Argyle, Shelburne, Liverpool, Pugwash and the Digby Wharf Rat Rally.
“We’re just waiting to hear back from Pugwash and Digby,” said Nickerson, adding it’s pretty much confirmed the races will be on in Liverpool on July 1.
Races will also be held in the Shag Harbour/Woods Harbour area.
In addition to local racers, as many as four Pictou County boats are expected to take part in the races this year, and maybe one from P.E.I., said Nickerson.
Nickerson said this year more people and businesses seem to be catching the boat racing fever, which is a good thing for the community.
“We’re getting more people involved, more of the community, more of the businesses,” said Nickerson, adding the NSBRA is “encouraging more non-profit organizations to do their fundraisers at the races… to get involved. It helps them out and it helps us out,” said Nickerson.
This will be third season for boat racing in Shelburne County.
