The Madison Courier reported in their Friday on-line edition that more laps will be added to the newly structured 1 2/3 mile Bill Cantrell Memorial race course.

The Madison-Milton bridge construction forced Madison Regatta officials to reduce the course from the 2.5 mile oval in years past, to the current 1 2/3 miles. Laps now will consist of 5 for all preliminary heats and the final heat will be a 7 lapper.

Madison Courier article link

According to the Madison Regatta Facebook page on Thursday, the race course for 2011 has been approved.

The Wild Bill Cantrell Memorial Course will be 1 2/3 miles in length, down considerably from the 2.5 mile oval for many years. Drivers and teams will have a lot to prepare for the H1 Unlimited series opener July 1-3.

The Detroit Free Press is reporting the 2011 APBA Gold Cup may be in doubt this year. Lack of sponsorship dollars is the on going problem. The Detroit River Regatta Association has faced this before. One organization has stepped up this year though. The Detroit Yacht Club is helping with sponsorship. But, last year's title sponsor, Jarvis Property Restoration, did not renew for this summer. The folks at the DRRA are busy trying to secure a title sponsor and have made Memorial Day their unofficial deadline. The event could be cancelled this year if enough additional sponsorship dollars are not found.

"To have a company step up, so far, has been a challenge we have not conquered."--Mark Weber, Event Director

Read the entire Detroit Free Press story here.

Photo by Roger Schaaf