ROANOKE RAPIDS —  It has been over four decades since the rumbling of racing engines have been heard on the lake. However, that all came to an end as racers young and old a like piled into the grounds of Roanoke Rapids Lake Park for the a weekend of boat racing.

The first annual Roanoke Rapids Lake Power Boat race got underway Saturday as racers from across the country took to the waters beside the Roanoke Rapids Dam to test their skills in the small, high-speed crafts. Todd Wetherington | Daily Herald Advertisement

Racers from New Jersey, Tennessee, Delaware and Maryland all travelled to Roanoke Rapids to support the American Power Boat Racing Association.

Racers from nine-year old Bailey Outlaw, who is just getting his feet wet in the sport, to 50-year veteran 72-year old Dave Ausgustine.

“This is a fun family sport and this is the only motorsport where the regular working man can compete on a national level and not break the bank,” says Augustine.

The hulls look the same but the motors and classes vary. The J-stocks is what children from ages nine-14 run. A 15 hp motor is used but is restricted to only about 8 hp with a  restrictor plate. However, the youngsters will hit speeds of up to 50 mph.

The runabout modifieds will turn speeds on average of 85 mph, but have been known to clock speeds of 100 plus with the right conditions.

The format is fairly simple, the track is one mile, the racers mill about the course until everyone is on the track. Once the line up is to the Judges liking the flagged is dropped. Then it’s go for what you know in an all out three lap dash to the finish line.

Once a particular class has finished they come in refuel and wait to run their second heat while another class takes to the course.

As in most any sport there are stories to be told and the APBA is no different with New Jersey native Earl Desiato getting back into the sport after a 21 year absence.  “I used to help coach my sons, but now that they have gone and my daughter is out of school I told my wife that I wanted to go racing again, so here I am,” said Desiato. “We really wanted to be here this weekend  to give support since it’s the first time here in Roanoke Rapids.”

Although, it’s mainly men that race it is not an exclusive all boys club.

Bowie, Maryland native Valerie Dagostino has 12 years under her belt and started at the age of nine. Her racing career started when her dad a car racer was lent a boat and then it was on.

A weekend of racing for Dagostino is a busy one by running in four different classes: the AX hydro, A and B stock plus the D modified runabouts. The Ax Hydro is the favorite of the classes in just a four year span of running the class Dagostino has collected three National Championships.

Plus she has the distinction of being the only girl to be inducted into the Hall of Champions the year she was nominated. When asked about competing in so many classes she said, “You have to get water time. We only due this once a week and only race about 10 a year, so if you have a boat, I’ll race it. All of the racers carry a pink ribbon on their boats in support of the fight against breast cancer. Another day of racing is schedule for 12 noon Sunday.