Boat racers from coast to coast gathered in the ethanol-producing town of Garnett, Kansas over the weekend to speed around Cedar Valley Reservoir on ten percent ethanol fuel (E10) at the National Boat Racing Association (NBRA) “Garnett Ethanol Hydroplane Nationals.”

“This was an opportunity to tell our story that E10 blends will run in any commercial type of vehicle, whether boats, auto or whatever,” said Steve Gardner, general manager of Garnett’s ethanol plant East Kansas Agri-Energy. “If this will run in racing boats, it will run in any type of boats.”

Gardner (pictured here in the middle) is on the board of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) which partnered with NBRA earlier this year to help dispel concerns about the use of ethanol fuel in boat engines. The partnership includes the use of the RFA “Fueled with Pride” logo on signage around the racing events, as well as on all the racers boats and haulers.

Representatives from RFA, East Kansas Agri-Energy, and the Kansas Corn Growers Association had a hospitality tent at the race this past weekend and handed out fan bags to help provide information and answer questions about the use of ethanol in marine engines.

Listen to my interview with Steve Gardner here: East Kansas Agri-Energy at NBRA Boat Race

Get an idea of how loud and fast these speed boats are here: NBRA Boat Race

See photos from the race here: NBRA Ethanol Boat Race