2023 Fall Issue

Racing Boats Take Over Lake Hopatcong
Story and photos by KAREN FUCITO
Powerboat race enthusiasts experienced
two full weekends of roaring engines,
speed, rooster tails and competition during two
events held in September.
The Lake Hopatcong Grand Prix’s threeday
event at the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club
launched on Friday, September 8 with a parade
of boats around the lake. The parade, which
included stops at multiple lakefront restaurants,
featured several teams from Lake Hopatcong.
The following day, 21 racers from the Jersey
Shore Boat Racing organization competed in
six different classes before the larger, offshore
powerboats took to the water for warm-up
races.
During the final day of the Lake Hopatcong
Grand Prix, 30 boats competed in a variety of
classes, including Jay Muller’s Wicked, a 40-foot
Motion catamaran. A Jefferson resident and the
race organizer, Muller competed in the Super Cat
class, placing first.
“Despite the weather, the race [on Saturday]
went off great and the weather held out for all
the races on Sunday. I think we had the largest
amount of spectators of any other year,” said
Muller, who first brought the big boat race to the
lake in 2017.
The three-day event was sanctioned by the
Offshore Powerboat Association.
The following weekend saw the Lake
Hopatcong Powerboat Championship Races take
place at Hopatcong State Park in Landing. Hosted
by the Lake Hopatcong Racing Association, the
event also saw teams compete for the New
Jersey Governor’s Cup.
The competition, which was sanctioned by the
American Power Boat Association, saw 56 boats
take part in the event, with some coming from as
far away as Washington and Canada.
“Might be the most boats in any race in the
country this year,” said Bill Pierce, LHRA president
and race chairman.
The weather cooperated for the two-day
event, with spectators viewing from multiple
locations, including on top of the hill and along
the shore at the state park, from boats moored
in King Cove and from private docks around the
racecourse.
Lake Hopatcong native John Shaw, who
lives in Cambridge, Maryland, won the New
Top to bottom, left to right: In a Ski Boat class
heat, Lethal Weapon battles Plumb Crazy. Charlie
Bevilaqua with Jim Bevilaqua. Luca Milano sitting
with Claire McDonald, Bradley Gutwein with Randy
Gutwein and Savanah Milano sitting with Alicia
Milano. Generosa Villarrubia with Billy Mulhearn.
In the Stock Vee race, Typhoon and Wazzup ride
neck and neck. Chase Muller with Jay Muller.
Barbara Anne Dillon, O.D., P.A.
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LAKE HOPATCONG NEWS Fall 2023