Scenes from the hydro races

The 8-year-old boy, with his dad in hand, came from Spokane to see the hydroplane races for the first time, and he came to me to claim the souvenir prize he had been promised. After several calls, I found where he should go, and a smiling boy and his father enjoyed a fun race on Sunday. I believe this wide-eyed little boy will always remember the day when the Thunder boats returned.

I was asked with just 48 hours notice to be in charge of the grandstands - I couldn't say "yes" fast enough. I spent time with my volunteer team explaining that they were goodwill ambassadors to the Lake City. I showed them the bleachers and hospitality areas, that were spread over nearly two miles of waterfront - all locations provided great viewing areas. I reminded the volunteers that we might run into a few people that were drinking and having too much fun. With an estimated 70,000 spectators spread out over three days, we did not have one such incident (they had special areas marked off for those who wanted a beer; security was provided by another team).

Instead we got spectators from my era, and families eager to see the races return to Coeur d'Alene. Fans were treated to a host of vendors offering reasonably priced food and merchandise. Super 1 Foods was one of many that kept us all well fed.

For a few bucks, one could climb into a hydro with a simulator where the windshield was turned into a video screen, and a person could see what it's like to drive a hydro at 180 m.p.h. Between races, we watched champion wakeboarders.

I ventured into the pit area Thursday night to see the vintage hydros, like Miss Bardahl, Thriftway and Budweiser. When I heard the first engine fire up, I was totally choked up with emotion. I recalled, as a teenager, driving from Moscow in my friend's orange VW, camping on Tubbs Hill, and watching the races in 1964. I was impressed with how friendly the pit crews were this weekend, as they prepared their boats.

The races commenced with an emotional moment as the Hagadone sail boat arrived, and the "Star Spangled Banner" was sung.

Since the grandstands became such an easy project, I got roped into setting orange traffic tape and fence posts along the highway from the Beachouse to Tony's. I did manage to fall off the truck at one point - oh to be just 21 again! And to keep me humble, I got volunteered to help empty some two miles of trash cans that filled up fast.

On Sunday morning I heard there would be a brief church service. I walked down to the H1 pit area and at first was told that my credentials didn't permit me to enter. When I told the man that I wished to attend the church service, he quickly let me in.

With the H1 race soon approaching, I listened to Pastor Jim from Memphis talk about his relationship with his father, and the significance of the Lord's Prayer. Next to me, seated on a log, were members of the pit crews and drivers. I could not help but wonder what went through their minds, as they faced the challenge of racing at speeds of 180 mph or more. I silently prayed for their safety. Our prayers were answered, as this was an injury free weekend. It appeared to me that the racing teams were in this event for the love of the sport, not the money.

When I spoke to the highway traffic control, they reported that our area was an accident-free weekend.

Naturally, as a first-year event, we have room for improvement.

Many thanks to the staff at the Nickel's Worth for presenting a series of informative professional articles about the history of hydroplane racing in Coeur d'Alene.

There are things on my bucket list that probably will never get done. I still haven't hiked into the mountains above Lookout Pass, like I promise every year. As we picked up trash one last time on Monday after the race, I realized that I was a part of this race in one small way, and that something on my bucket list, just got inadvertently accomplished. There is a saying, "if you think that you are too small to make a difference, then you have never been in a tent with a mosquito."

Several hydro team members remarked to me how much they enjoyed the North Idaho friendliness and hospitality. Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." Many people in our city gave a lot to make this race possible.

Steve Bell is a resident of Coeur d'Alene.