Annual NBRA Boat Races – Raccoon Lake
2025 NBRA National Championships/US Title Series – Centralia, Illinois – Raccoon Lake Information per Race Director, Alan Owen:
The 2025 NBRA National Championships/US Title Series will be Friday, August 22nd – Sunday, August 24th, 2025 in Centralia, Illinois on Raccoon Lake.
DIRECTIONS:
The GPS address to use is: 820 Country Club Road, Centralia, IL
CAUTION: If you enter Raccoon Reservoir in your GPS, it will take you to the opposite side of the lake in a residential area that is difficult to turn around in.
From the West: Take I-64 to HWY 161 at the New Baden exit, go East 30 miles to Centralia. In Centralia go through town to the East side at the last stop light and turn left on Country Club Road.
From the East, North, or South off of I-57: Exit 109 to HWY 161 Centralia, go West 9 miles to the first stop light and turn right on Country Club Road at the Dollar General.
SCHEDULE:
NOTICE: Arrivals in the park and pits/boat ramp area no earlier than the morning of Wednesday, August 20th.
Wednesday, August 20th:
The pits/boat ramp will be closed to the general public for race set-up. Arrivals will begin at this time. Trailer cannot be parked before Wednesday morning. No Testing on Wednesday.
Thursday, August 21st:
Testing will be from 11am – 5pm. All NBRA drivers, please pre-register online at http://www.NBRAracing.com before August 20th. For those not using the online registration process, there will be onsite registration and memberships available. You may not test until your membership, registration, and waivers are signed for both the NBRA & USTS.
Friday, August 22nd:
Drivers Meeting will be at 10am. Testing will be 11am – 12pm. No motors may be fired before 11am. Racing will be 12:30pm – 5:30pm.
Saturday, August 23rd:
Drivers Meeting will be at 10am. Testing will be 11am – 12pm. Racing will be 12:30pm – 5:30pm.
Sunday, August 24th:
Drivers Meeting will be at 10am. No Testing or motors fired. Racing will begin at 12pm.
HOTELS/CAMPING:
The host hotel is the Best Western Plus Centralia. Pets are allowed. For reservations, call: 618-918-2559 and ask for the “NBRA Boat Race Rate” ($139+tax for standard rooms, $149+tax for for suites.) Please make your reservation ASAP.
The only other local motel is Motel Centralia. Pets are allowed. Call: 618-532-7357. There is no room block or rate reserved.
The Holiday Inn Express in Salem, IL is about 20 minutes away North on I-57 from the Centralia exit. Call: 618-740-0913. Ask for the “Boat Race Event Rate” ($124+tax for king or double rooms.)
Camping will be allowed for drivers and crew in the park. There are some electrical hook ups available in the pits and camping area. There are no sewage disposal facilities in the area but there are two community water hydrants.
Please contact Alan Owen if you need any help or have questions: Call/Text: 618-322-1160 or Email: alanowen66@gmail.com
It is strongly advised to bring carts for your boats. The majority of the launching area is the boat ramp located at the end of the pits. All lot and road areas are asphalt paved.
Please come and enjoy the 2025 NBRA National Championships/US Title Series! This will be the 21st year of racing on Raccoon Lake. Our sponsor is Castle Ridge – Stonewater – III. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and/or their website for details on the bands and entertainment planned for Friday and Saturday evenings.
Tow Money is $6,000 and will be distributed based on mileage to all who towed their racing equipment and have at least one registered driving member registered in a class.
All legal NBRA classes will be $65 per class plus the one-time $30 weekend fee per driver. You must be a full 2025 NBRA Racing Member for this event to participate in any NBRA class. A Full NBRA Racing membership is $120. If you have already purchased a Single Event Racing Membership this year, it applies toward a full membership. You only pay the difference.
This is a single sanction, double points race awarding NBRA National Championships for 2025.
Stay tuned for more updates, additional information, and tentative racing schedules to follow soon!
Respectfully submitted,
Alan Owen – NBRA Commissioner & 2025 Centralia Race Director