80 days may seem like a long countdown, but when the end goal is the landmark 20th running of one of the most iconic race events in the PWC race community, February 24 will be here before you know it.
In a post on the Mark Hahn Memorial 300 Facebook page this past Sunday, Ross Wallach, President of RPM Racing Enterprises, set out the parameters of the 2024 endurance race, and started the clock ticking on the countdown.
“The ‘World’s Longest Continuous PWC Race’ has reached a milestone, The 2024 race will be The 20th Annual Yamaha Mark Hahn Memorial – Havasu 300 presented by Hot Products, Jettrim, Impros, Riva, Ford Bros. Racing, Works H20, Wallach stated, urging those interested in taking part in this milestone race to register early, stating “your registration is what allows Hot Products to continue to raise prize money. Please pre-register. The entry list will be updated weekly and then daily the closer we get to race day.”
As The Watercraft Journal reported at about this time last year, “Ross Wallach, president of RPM Enterprises, will be replacing DSM Events as the promoter for the Annual IJSBA Mark Hahn Memorial 300- known as the “toughest, longest most challenging PWC endurance in the world.”
Last year, under Wallach’s watch, the event was moved from Crazy Horse Campground to Point Beach inside Lake Havasu State Park, and the 2024 race will likewise base from Point Beach.
In Sunday’s post, Wallach noted some of the ground rules and regulations relating to the use of the State Park. Lake Havasu State Park fee is $20/vehicle (towing a trailer or individual vehicle) with up to 4 people for the day use. Additional people are $3/adult, with the fee paid at the main gate upon entrance to the park. However, it is noted that fees are waived for Lake Havasu State Park Annual Passholders.
There is a no noise ordinance in effect until 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, and Wallach stated that camping may be available at Lake Havasu State Park. WCJ checked the park’s reservation website yesterday evening and all camping spots were reserved for the weekend of the 24th, but there may be cancellations, so it is always best to double check at www.azstateparks.com. (I have personally stayed at the Cattail Cove State Park Campground during several World Finals weeks, a little over 15 miles away, and it is a very nice campground and there appears to be a few spots still available for the weekend of the 24th as of last night.)
Logistics for the event posted by Wallach include a 6:30 a.m. start time for Saturday morning move-in.
Pits spots are the first 5-6 rows and will be organized with sponsor/advertiser teams and preferred pit parking available for a nominal fee for the first two rows, with ten Preferred Pit Spots available for purchase during online event registration.
As with last year’s race, all runabout race teams will use the Windsor boat launch ramp to enter and exit the course/pit stops/etc. once the race has started. Stand Ups will launch and retrieve from Point Beach.
The 2024 race will be a modified Le Man’s start as instituted last year, with all racers on their boats (no running to the boat), lanyards out, dead motor start in the water. Wallach noted that all race rules instituted for the 2023 race will be followed for the upcoming 20th anniversary race.
Both the Runabout N/A and Stand Up 2 Stroke classes have been removed from the lineup for 2024 due to no, or low, participation last year, but Wallach noted that, “Should there be interest in either of these two classes, a minimum of 4 entrants would be required to reinstate either class for the 2024 Mark Hahn Memorial Havasu 300.”
Those who have not yet registered for the event are invited to register online, with no money due until February 3. Any registrations received after Saturday, Feb. 3 will pay a $100 late fee.
For more information or to ask specific race-related questions, contact [email protected] or (310) 318-4012.
