A Look at this year’s Long Beach Sprint Nationals

Photographs by Jim Heath

Ross Wallach, event promoter and owner of RPM Enterprises, had this to say, “A big Thank You! To all Racers, crews, families and fans that attended the 2008 Long Beach Sprint Nationals. The weather and racing at the stadium was awesome and if you missed it, you'll have to wait until August in 2009.”

“Congratulations to all of the winners on their National Championships and overall weekend championships. Thank you to all the SCSC staff, officials, volunteers, turn judges, patrol boats, rescue, Foothill Unity Center volunteers, Little "R" and Mike on the ramps our sponsors: ARP, Rex Marine, Sea-Doo, Sea-Tow, The Solder Joint, Mike Follmer Specialties, and Suncoast Framing.”

Pat Roque returned from a disappointing Long Beach to Catalina race to take the win at this year’s APBA Long Beach Sprint Nationals.

The Sprint Nationals are only part watercraft. In fact, most of the attention focuses on these outstanding high-performance boats.

Yamaha’s Mike Follmer took a nasty spill during practice, injuring his foot and ankle, but hung on for the weekend, earning 3rd Place.

Roque would have this one get-off but return to triumph over the event, thank in-part to Los Alamitos, California’s Nick Vanis who stopped to help Roque back to his Sea-Doo.

The Long Beach APBA Sprint Nationals Winners are:

1st- Pat Roque, #77 Huntington Beach, CA

2nd- Nick Vanis, #1, Los Alamitos, CA

3rd- Mike Follmer, #2, Fountain Valley, CA