PREPARES TO KICK-OFF THE 2012 FESTIVITIES (www.madisonregatta.com)

The weekend of July 6 - 8 marks the 62nd Anniversary of Unlimited Racing in Madison, and race fans will be here watching thirteen unlimited hydroplanes vie for the LUCAS OIL Indiana Governor’s Cup, the first stop on the Air National Guard Series schedule.

Local fans are eagerly awaiting the battles among these thundering 200-mph-plus competitors to see whether the hometown team, Oh Boy! Oberto / , will defend their 2011 Indiana Governor’s Cup trophy, or will there be a new contender that races to the front of the pack. With so many teams within a couple of mph of each other, you never know who might be lifting the Lucas Oil Indiana Governor’s Cup trophy at the end of the weekend. Thirteen of the world’s fastest race boats are ready to race deck-to-deck along the Bill Cantrell Memorial Race Course with qualifying set for Friday, and multiple heats scheduled for Saturday and Sunday leading up to the coveted LUCAS OIL Indiana Governor’s Cup final heat set for 4:20pm on Sunday, July 8th. Madison is one of six race sites on the 2012 Air National Guard H1 Unlimited calendar.

Testing and Qualifying occur on Friday, July 6th with the popular “Pole Position” Unlimited Qualifications set between 3:00pm – 5:00pm. Saturday, July 7th brings more testing in the morning with the first sets of heat racing starting at 1:30pm with more heat racing all day Sunday, July 8th, leading up to the final heat for the LUCAS OIL Indiana Governor’s Cup at 4:20 p.m. (EDT). Heat Sponsors for this year’s Madison Regatta include Clifty Engineering & Tool Company and Morgan Foods with Official Product Sponsors of the event being Budweiser (Official Beer), Papa John’s Pizza (Official Pizza), Sparkling ICE (Official Sparkling Water Beverage), Thomas Family Winery (Official Wine & Cider Provider), and Toyota (Official Car).

Returning to the Madison Regatta lineup after a couple year hiatus are ten exciting and thunderous vintage hydroplane race boats – for more details on who is coming, go to the Madison Regatta website or Facebook page.

A very popular event occurring at night on Saturday, July 7th is the Fireworks Spectacular, co-sponsored by the American Legion Post No. 9 and Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre. The same company that conducts the world famous “Thunder Over Louisville” will be back and one thing is for sure, music will fill your ears this year!

While talking about entertainment, the Music on the River program kicks-off on Wednesday, July 4 - 8:00pm to 11:00pm, and on Thursday, July 5 - 5:00pm to 11:30pm. Music continues Friday, July 6 - 7:30pm to 11:15pm and also on Saturday, July 7 - 5:00pm to 12:00am. Thursday’s schedule features an array of bands playing rock-n-roll. Friday’s schedule features the Texaco Country Showdown finals featuring the winners from the regional contests. Saturday features a variety of bands playing all night long. The City Stage at Fireman’s Park will be the staging place for all of the music programs. Co-Sponsors of the Music on the River program include Arvin Sango, Big O Tires, Miller Automotive, and Northside Liquors.

The Music on the River program for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday require a Madison Regatta admission wristband or a $5.00 limited-edition, collectible race boat button that can be bought at the gate. Each night includes a different collectible button used for admission. Saturday night activities are free of charge.

More activities during Regatta Weekend include the Madison Regatta Parade, two days of air shows by aerobatic pilot Brett Hunter sponsored by Grote Industries with an air show Saturday evening before the fireworks, VFW Post 1969 and the Men’s Auxiliary driver’s autograph sessions on Saturday & Sunday, food and commercial vendors, and much more! Some notable vendor displays will be the Air National Guard, Oh Boy! Oberto Beef Jerky, Lucas Oil, Toyota, Sparkling ICE and the Papa John’s Pizza Mobile Kitchen. Coming back after a hiatus is the popular Indianapolis “Colts-in-Motion” display and will only be onsite on Sunday, July 8th from 12:00 Noon – 2:00pm in front of Bicentennial Park.

Admission Wristbands to the Madison Regatta are now on sale at local outlets. The public can also call the Regatta office at 812-265-5000 or visit www.madisonregatta.com to purchase wristbands, or see the list of outlets where they may be purchased. A wristband is required for daytime access to Vaughn Drive and the riverfront from 6 a.m. Friday, July 6 until after the final race on Sunday, July 8. Children 10 and under are free.

Special seating for viewing the 2012 Madison Regatta includes a VIP Tent area, Hospitality Tent area, Tarp Space areas, and RV Parking to name a few. Pit Tours, sponsored by Comfort Inn of Madison, will be conducted on Friday and Saturday, while Cold Pit Passes can be bought for $20.00. Collector edition 62nd Anniversary Madison Regatta race programs will be available at $5.00 to keep as a souvenir and make sure to get your Official Madison Regatta Merchandise located in front of the Regatta Office all weekend long.

For more information on the activities, race and event schedules, sponsors, merchandise, pricing and ticket information, and much more, call the Regatta office at 812-265-5000 or visit www.madisonregatta.com.

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