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Rutland Raceway is all revved up
By KRISTEN LEIGH PORTER RUTLAND -- It's been two years since Rutland Raceway had a race. That will change Saturday, when the airboat drag strip is filled with gentlemen and ladies ready to start their engines. Rutland owner Robert Graham had wanted to make airboat competition a common sight when he transformed his pasture into a racing strip. But Graham faced drought restrictions and opposition from some residents in Sumter County, so it has remained race-less since 2000. The summer rains have more than filled the raceway, which is 400 feet long with a runout of about 1,200 feet. "We've got plenty of water now, a foot or so more than when we had to pump water in," Graham said. "It's all Mother Nature's water." Airboats are capable of exceeding 100 mph, and it takes just 4-6 seconds to complete the track. The event is being sanctioned by the National Airboat Racers Club. Graham hopes to have about 2,000 spectators for the noon race. About 3,000 people were on hand for the raceway's first sanctioned event, in July, 2000. However, most of Saturday's racers will be traveling from other parts of Florida. "Probably the majority will come out of Polk County, Cocoa, Ft. Lauderdale or Miami," Graham said. The boats will be entered in categories ranging from the ladies-only Powder Puff class to the Unlimited division. Graham expects 50-100 vessels, and registration is scheduled for 7-10:30 a.m. Airboat racing can be fairly expensive. Some craft have $40-50,000 engines and are worth upwards of $100,000. Although a purse of about $25,000-30,000 will be awarded for winning the Unlimited category, compensation is not near what other motor-powered craft earn. "Not until we get up there with NASCAR," Graham said. "It seems like a lot of money until you think that you might blow out a $50,000 engine." Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers in each class. Graham thinks the closest airboat raceway is in Kissimmee, but said that Sumter and Citrus county are popular areas -- especially Lake Panasoffkee. "It's always been big around here," he said. Rutland Raceway is located in Sumter County off state road 44, seven miles west of I-75. General admission is $12, a pit pass is $20 and children under 10 will be admitted free. Parking is free. Although no coolers are allowed, the raceway will have a full concession stand. For information, call (352) 330-2222 or go online to www.rutlandraceway.com. -- Kristen Leigh Porter can be reached at 564-3628 or porter@sptimes.com.
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