218 Boats Registered for the Race - With the new additional features more entries are participating in the race than last year.

With the addition of race tracking, a new rating handicap option, new course option to Cove Island, running of the Super Mac, and most importantly the partnership with Pure Michigan, the number of entries has increased from last year's race. This in spite of the downturn in the economy shows that interest in this classic event is higher than ever.

Deposit Form for Tracking Units is Now Online Although the unit is being provided at no cost to all yachts, in order to receive unit the deposit form must be filled out.

Notice of Race Amendment 2 is now posted on the Pure Michigan Bayview Mackinac Race website:

Race Tracking Application, to be completed on-line via the Bayview Mackinac Race website, www.byc.com/mack.

1) The following is added to Section 8 "Entry":

h. Race Tracking Application - Electronic submission of a completed Race Tracking Application, to be completed on-line via the Bayview Mackinac Race website, www.byc.com/mack.

2) The following is added to Section 16 "Communications While Racing":

c. The Race Committee is requiring the use of position transponders for all boats. Transponders will be supplied by the Race Committee at boat registration. It shall be the responsibility of the Person-In-Charge to ensure that the transponder is installed according to supplied directions, and must make every effort to ensure it is functional for the duration of the race. The Person-In-Charge is also responsible for returning the transponder to the Race Committee after the race.

The deposit form can be filled out by logging in on the boat's "Logging In / Update Your Info" under the Register / Docs menu. The competitors will be able to pick up the Iboat transponders at boat check-in at Port Huron and Bayview Yacht Club in mac trackerDetroit. In order for the boats to receive the unit, IBoats will take a credit card number to serve as a $495 deposit. There will be no charge when the transponder is returned at the Mackinac Island check-in and the credit card number will be destroyed. Yachts that race in the Super Mac using a transponder will be able to keep the same unit and use it in the Pure Michigan Bayview Mackinac Race. Competitors who carry a transponder in the Chicago Race to Mackinac and stop at Mackinac Island will be required to turn in their transponder there and pick up a new one for the Lake Huron Mackinac at boat check-in.

Skippers Don't Forget - Entry deadline is fast approaching on June 9th. You must submit your boat entry, proof of insurance, handicap certificate,  liability waiver, and entry fee. All this information can be submitted online, avoiding the hassle of sending all the required documents by mail.

More Sponsors Climb Aboard - By supporting our sponsors you support the race. The Pure Michigan Bayview Mackinac Race would like to recognize the following new and returning sponsors to help make this one of the best events in the country. We hope you patronize these organizations in return for their contributions:

Although the Cove Island buoy is owned by Bayview Yacht Club, there are expenses that are associated with the location placement. TradeFirst has stepped forward to cover this cost. With locations in Michigan, Ohio, and Florida TradeFirst.com is a privately owned company that both maintains account records and promotes transactions for its member clients.These businesses buy & sell products and services from each other using an internal currency. Businesses earn trade credits (instead of cash) that are deposited into their account. They then have the ability to purchase goods and services from other members utilizing their trade credits. TradeFirst.com plays an important role safekeeping transactions as well as brokering services to each member. More information can be found at www.tradefirst.com.

The Pure Michigan Bayview Mackinac has become internationally known as one of the best post regatta parties anywhere. To again make that happen, Doyle Sails is sponsoring the return of the band "Endless Summer". Doyle Sailmakers has become recognized as a world leader in sailmaking through practical on the water experience combined with one of the largest investments in the industry for ongoing R&D and product development. Their commitment to the customer means that even for the offshore sailor or one design champion, they are seen around the world on leading yachts. The ability to offer some of the world's top sailors is two fold - they offer the experience of winning combinations as well as learning what makes for the best option and the fastest sail in the real world. Doyle Sailmakers takes great pride in the sails they make for our local market. Some of the most successful yachts on the local racing scene choose Doyle as their sail supplier - and for good reason! If you think you're not getting the support you deserve from your current sailmaker, give one of their experienced consultants a call and find out what you've been missing. More information can be found at www.doylesails.com.

Bell's Brewery, Inc. formerly Kalamazoo Brewing Company, was founded by Larry Bell as a home-brewing supply shop in 1983, and sold its first beer in 1985. Originally brewing in a 15-gallon soup kettle, the company has grown remarkably from its production of 135 barrels in 1986 to over 90,000 barrels in 2007. Bell's Brewery has grown from a tiny operation renting part of a former plumbing supply warehouse to a bustling, regional craft brewery. Over twenty years of brewing, Bell's Brewery has built a nationwide reputation as a creative and talented brewery, playing a significant role in changing the beerscape of the nation. The brewery, which produces the famous Oberon Ale, currently sells its products across a fifteen-state area, through a network of over fifty quality wholesalers. The Pure Michigan Bayview Mackinac Race is proud of the support of this fine Michigan company and will be serving their product at the post regatta party. Bayview Yacht Club is now serving Bell's Beer on tap. More information can be found at www.bellsbeer.com.

Armadillo Printware has donated the 2009 Pure Michigan Bayview Mackinac committee shirts. Armadillo provides custom embroidered clothing and sportswear for teams and groups. Located in Berkley, Michigan more information can be found at www.goarmadillo.com.

Earl Smith Distributing will be assisting the race committee with the entertainment tent in Port Huron before the race. Headquartered in Port Huron, Michigan, Earl Smith is a wholesale distributor of wines, beverages, beers, and ales in the bluewater area.

A variety of sponsorship packages are still available for corporations that desire to effect a positive impression on the hard to access upscale group that follow and participate in the race. Whether advertising in the Bayview Yacht Club Burgee or interest in becoming a presenting, contributing, or supporting sponsor you can still be accommodated. Inquiries should be made to Bruce Babiarz at babiarz@comcast.net
 

New Title Sponsor Announced
Bayview Yacht Club is proud to be associated with this fine organization

Detroit, MI (May 14, 2009) - The "Pure Michigan Bayview Mackinac Race" title was chosen by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's (MEDC) Travel Bureau and Bayview Yacht Club as the official name of the 85th sailing of the 2009 race that starts in Port Huron.

"This race is truly 'Pure Michigan' and it draws thousands of people to the magic of Michigan summers each and Mac Race Start Small Boats every year," said George Zimmermann, Vice President of the Travel Bureau of the MEDC. "The race is based out of Detroit, starts in Port Huron and takes everyone 'Up North' to Mackinac Island so it is a perfect fit with our highly successful national advertising program to draw tourism to our great state."

Zimmermann added that this year's race will also feature a "Super Mac" with the Chicago Yacht Club and Michigan-based sailors starting in Chicago on July 18, and racing to Mackinac but skipping the finish there to complete the optional race in Port Huron - some 564 statute miles - before racing back to Mackinac Island in the Pure Michigan Bayview Mackinac Race.
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"This race will feature sailing in two Great Lakes and showcases the natural beauty and fresh water resources that are unique to Michigan," said Zimmermann. "Our studies show that for every dollar spent on this type of promotion there is a substantial return on investment in state revenues. There are millions of Americans who know little or nothing about the vibrancy, heritage, culture, arts and entertainment in our great cities, the sandy beaches and stunning overlooks along America's longest fresh-water coastline, or the majesty and recreation in our 19 million acres of magnificent forests."

"Bayview is absolutely thrilled to have Pure Michigan as our title sponsor for this regatta," said Dr. Robert Amsler, Commodore of Bayview Yacht Club. "We literally draw people from around the world to sail in Michigan waters and our members are Michigan's ambassadors to the world by participating in regattas on the seven seas."

"For sailors we have two separate courses this year as well as the Super Mac race," said Race Chairman Frank Kern. "For fans and spectators we are excited to be able to use the latest 21st century technology to bring this exciting race to their laptops in addition to the majestic experience of being at Port Huron for the pageantry and fun this race brings every year. The Pure Michigan Bayview Mackinac Race for many marks the rite of summer in Michigan. It is one of the most challenging and exciting sail boat races in the world on one of the most unpredictable bodies of fresh water in the world."

Commodore Amsler, a veteran of 25 races and a recently inducted "Old Goat", said the world class sailboat race is "steeped in generations of sportsmanship and family tradition that touches everyone who lives here or who has ever sailed the Great Lakes."

Prior to heading out into the open waters of Lake Huron, the sailors will be sent off from their docking area in the mouth of the Black River. An estimated 100,000 fans on both the U.S. and Canadian shores will cheer the sailboats on as the fleet of race-ready yachts - with flags and penants flying - parade past in the grand tradition and excitement that is offshore sailboat racing.

Pure Michigan Bayview Mackinac Race to Provide Race Tracking
All yachts are to be provided with GPS trackers

For the first time ever, with the assistance of our title sponsor Pure Michigan, each yacht will be fitted out with a gps transmitter
to give vital information about each yacht's position, direction, and speed in the race. This data will be displayed online. In addition the user will be able to observe the yachts against wind and/or radar maps provided by NOAA. Users will be also be able to see the yachts on either a google map or nautical chart. Although the web site is not yet published, examples of the format used in other races can be seen by going to http://www.iboattrack.com. The yachts will each carry a hard cover book size transmitter that will send hourly signals to a satellite and on to the website. Along with critical data from each yacht throughout the race, there will be an unofficial leader board. It will provide information regarding the distance to the finish line. A simple "percentage of race completion bar" (based on distance to finish) will be shown that will give fans of the race a indication of how their favorite boat is doing in the race.

We will provide more details at the Pure Michigan Bayview Mackinac Race website as they become available. All units will be provided at no charge to every competitor in the race.
 

Clark Deroy Trophy Announced
First Time in Many Years That the Winners Will Be Determined Under Same Rating System

Bayview Yacht Club and Chicago Yacht Club have announced the criteria of the 2009 Clark Deroy Trophy. The winner of the trophy will be the combination of highest rank sailboat in all divisions in the Chicago Race to Mackinac and the best in Division I (Cove Island ORR) for the Bayview Port Huron to Mackinac Race. The winning yacht of this trophy is considered the overall champion of both races.

SuperMac registration is now online at this link.

Mackinac Race Committee Sails Down to Lake Erie - Last Race Seminar Date for New Race Participants

Please Note Date Change!

Edgewater Yacht Club - Friday, April 24th - 7:30 pm
in Cleveland, OH - Directions Link

For those thinking about racing offshore, a presentation will be made to show you what it is all about. This is a seminar that has benefited a number of attendees already. We will give the sailor an introduction to what is needed to sail in an offshore contest and morMac Race Sailing Pepe Bannere specifically the Bayview Mackinac. We will demonstrate how an offshore competition can be for the casual cruiser or the serious racer.A video will be shown that will give the first time participant the story of the pageantry of Port Huron Race Week concluding with the colorful parade of boats. There will be interviews on the island from different sailors that will describe the race and how friends and family join together in this memorable tradition. The video will illustrate how the 2009 Bayview Port Huron to Mackinac Race is one of the great events of the summer not to be missed.
Other subject matters will include:

* Pointers, Tips, and Costs
* Safety Regulations
* Course (Thunder Bay or Cove)
* Which Rating System is Best (ORR, IRC, PHRF, or GLMRA)
* How to Register
* Sail selection
* Cruising Class Rules

We will give the first time offshore sailor all the things that need to be done to get prepared and have some additional tips for the experienced sailor. Although information is available on the BYC Mackinac website we can help you get started.
 

Bayview Yacht Club and Chicago Yacht Club To Stage Super Mac in 2009
Website for registration will be posted April 21st

Bayview Yacht Club and Chicago Yacht Club are announcing that they will jointly sponsor a 490 nautical mile sailing race known as the "Super Mac" in July of 2009. The start of the Super Mac will coincide with the start of the 101st Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac on July 18, 2009. The Super Mac will finish in Port Huron, Michigan, and serve as a feeder race for the 85th sailing of the Bayview Mackinac Race, which will start on July 25, 2009. Our partner, the Port Huron Yacht Club, located in Port Huron, Michigan, will provide critical logistical support for the Super Mac.

The Super Mac was last run in 2000, starting in Port Huron and ending in Chicago. This year, the Super Mac will reverse course, beginning in Chicago, up Lake Michigan, through the finish line of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, cross to the north of Bois Blanc Island and continuing on through Lake Huron. The Super Mac will finish in front of the Acheson Venture's Maritime Center at the intersection of the Black and St. Clair Rivers and across from the Port Huron Yacht Club in Port Huron, Michigan.

"The 'Super Mac' will offer a unique challenge to sailors around the world," Frank Kern, Chairman of the Bayview Mackinac Race, noted. "This 490 nautical mile event will be the world's longest and most challenging freshwater race in 2009," Kern added. "We are proud to collaborate with Bayview Yacht Club on the 2009 Super Mac," Greg Miarecki, Chairman of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, noted.

All entries must be officially entered and participate in the Chicago Race to Mackinac to qualify for the Super Mac. Registration will begin April 9th. A link to the registration website and notice of race will be provided at www.chicagoyachtclub.org/racetomackinac and www.byc.com/mack. The entry fee will be $135 per yacht to cover incidentals and flags.