Powerboat racing is returning to Springfield Lake.

The high-speed sport disappeared from the lake in the early 1990s, but will return during Lakemore and Springfield Township's three-day Rock the Docks celebration this summer.

Racers in outboard hydroplanes and runabouts will buzz along a mile-long course marked by buoys, with some boaters hitting speeds of more than 90 mph.

Hundreds of boaters from around the country are expected to visit the area because the regatta will be sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association. The races — to be held July 19-20 — will be sponsored by the Three Rivers Outboard Racing Association.

Racers are excited about
coming back to the lake in southeastern Summit County because of its size and smooth water, said Jeff Brewster of Ravenna, a member of the Three Rivers group and a nationally recognized hydroplane racer.

''We're able to lay out a course that's just the right size to where we can have good sweeping turns,'' he said. ''And with the lake shut down, we don't have to worry about rogue waves coming in out of nowhere. We can't hit a pleasure boat wake. If we do, we're on our heads pretty quick.''

The racers will enter the water on the south side of the lake.

Lakemore Mayor Mike Kolomichuk, who had pushed for the regatta, and others said they would like to make Springfield Lake an annual stop on the national boat-racing circuit, which is similar to NASCAR, with racers earning points through the year toward a championship.

The races could have a major economic impact on the region, Kolomichuk said. The Springfield Lake Mercury Challenge Regatta attracted about 400 participants in 1987.

The races will be one of the highlights of the Rock the Docks festival, which begins July 18. The free event will feature concerts, crafts, a 5K race, performances by the Star Boyz motorcycle riders, beer gardens, food and crafts on both the village and township sides of the lake.

Skydivers and fireworks also are planned.

Rock the Docks is a joint effort of Lakemore and Springfield. In the past, one or the other community took the lead.

''It is great that we are working together,'' village Councilman Pat Fiocca said. ''It's a new thing, and it should have been done years ago.''

The overarching goal is to promote the lake.

''We want to give a focus to Springfield Lake,'' township Trustee Dean Young said. ''It's a community asset. We want people to come and enjoy it.''

Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.