In mid-July, Grass Lake hosted a Michigan Hydroplane Racing Association event.

The start of a hydroplane race is a little different: the boats are given a one-minute countdown to start, with a large clock at the starting line displaying the countdown.  Racers try to time their run to the start line so that they cross exactly when the clock hits zero.  If they cross before the clock hits zero, they’re disqualified.

One racer cut a corner too close and caught a buoy with his boat.

Another racer caught just a little bit too much air and flipped his boat; once it was towed back to shore, other racers helped flipped it over.  The racer suffered only a few bumps and bruises.