Thunder on the Chain: A Saturday Race by NIDBA & Blarney Island
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Join the Northern Illinois Drag Boat Association (NIDBA) & Blarney Island for a Saturday Race Day!
This special event will run Blarney-Island style... bare-knuckles, heads-up, "race-what-you-brung" drag racing. The racecourse length is approximately 800 feet and it is located on an open lake. The notoriously choppy waters have given Blarney Island racers a reputation for being both fast and fearless - do our out-of-town guest drivers have what it takes?
🏁RACE CLASSES
The Saturday Race offers drivers entry into the fastest of our NIDBA Inboard and Outboard classes:
PWC
Pro Sport
Lake Racer Outboard
Lake Racer Inboard
River Mod
Pro Mod
Single Carb
Multi Carb
Open
Unlimited
👀WATCH THE RACES:
Come by boat or grab a shuttle from the Port of Blarney starting at 10AM.
>>Boat parking maps with free and fee-based parking options, including pre-paid seasonal spots can be found at https://blarneyisland.com/boatraces. We will be honoring weekly, prepaid, assigned Thursday night race spots.
>>Learn more about shuttle schedules and fees at https://blarneyisland.com/blarneyshuttle.html
🚤💨RACE AT BLARNEY ISLAND
A special Saturday Race registration packet is available at www.nidba.net. Drivers must pre-register online and fill/print/bring complete form and fees to Saturday Race registration & Tech.
🗓️EVENT DAY SCHEDULE
10AM Blarney Island Opens
10:15AM Driver's Meeting
11AM Racing Begins
2PM Awards - Special thanks to our 2026 Sponsors!
📋REMINDERS:
For your safety and the safety of our drivers swimming is NOT permitted during the races. Boat parking in the "horse shoe" in front of Blarney Island and designated overflow zones are reserved for racing watercraft only. All races are weather dependent, cancellations and other updates will be communicated via our social media channels. Spectators of all ages are welcome through the final race of the day, Blarney Island is a 21+ establishment after sunset.
This special event will run Blarney-Island style... bare-knuckles, heads-up, "race-what-you-brung" drag racing. The racecourse length is approximately 800 feet and it is located on an open lake. The notoriously choppy waters have given Blarney Island racers a reputation for being both fast and fearless - do our out-of-town guest drivers have what it takes?
🏁RACE CLASSES
The Saturday Race offers drivers entry into the fastest of our NIDBA Inboard and Outboard classes:
PWC
Pro Sport
Lake Racer Outboard
Lake Racer Inboard
River Mod
Pro Mod
Single Carb
Multi Carb
Open
Unlimited
👀WATCH THE RACES:
Come by boat or grab a shuttle from the Port of Blarney starting at 10AM.
>>Boat parking maps with free and fee-based parking options, including pre-paid seasonal spots can be found at https://blarneyisland.com/boatraces. We will be honoring weekly, prepaid, assigned Thursday night race spots.
>>Learn more about shuttle schedules and fees at https://blarneyisland.com/blarneyshuttle.html
🚤💨RACE AT BLARNEY ISLAND
A special Saturday Race registration packet is available at www.nidba.net. Drivers must pre-register online and fill/print/bring complete form and fees to Saturday Race registration & Tech.
🗓️EVENT DAY SCHEDULE
10AM Blarney Island Opens
10:15AM Driver's Meeting
11AM Racing Begins
2PM Awards - Special thanks to our 2026 Sponsors!
📋REMINDERS:
For your safety and the safety of our drivers swimming is NOT permitted during the races. Boat parking in the "horse shoe" in front of Blarney Island and designated overflow zones are reserved for racing watercraft only. All races are weather dependent, cancellations and other updates will be communicated via our social media channels. Spectators of all ages are welcome through the final race of the day, Blarney Island is a 21+ establishment after sunset.
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Where is it happening?
Blarney Island, Blarney Island, 27843 Grass Lake Rd, Antioch, IL 60002, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherNorthern Illinois Drag Boat Association
