Fantastic finish

POST FALLS - If it's not broken, don't slow down.

That motto helped Post Falls jet river boat racer Ross Schlotthauer finish atop the 2014 USA Jet River Racing Series standings.

Schlotthauer, 38, teamed up with navigator Chad Yackel, 40, Spokane Valley, to finish with the best overall time of 4 hours, 17 minutes and 5 seconds.

"We raced more than 1,000 river miles this year and finished 30 legs without a breakdown," Schlotthauer said.

He said the team, aboard the boat "Bat Outta Hell," reached a top speed of 143 mph during the series. The duo raced in the Unlimited class of turbine engines. This was the team's fourth year of jet boat racing.

The series was comprised of races on the Salmon, St. Joe and Snake rivers in Idaho. Drivers were required to compete in all three to be eligible for the overall title.

Schlotthauer said the team broke away from the field on Leg 31 with 100 miles left in the series. It was the first time the team finished atop the USA standings.

Schlotthauer owns Burly Products, a welding and fabrication firm in Post Falls.

The hull of the winning boat was created by Bratt Jet of Sylan Lake, Alberta, and modified by Schlotthauer's company.

Ryan Rogers of Clarkston, Wash., finished second in the standings at 4:34.38. Lewiston's Trever Yochum was third at 4:40.47.