STOCKTON, Ala. — Another round of powerboat racing returns to the Gulf Coast region this weekend with the side-by-side, short course racing thrills of outboard drag boats. The event is 'Duel on the Delta', sanctioned and organized by the national Outboard Drag Boat Association (ODBA Racing).

The drag boat teams take to the Delta waters July 18 for practice and testing. Full days of racing follow on July 19 and 20 at the Live Oak Landing recreation area near Stockton.

Unlike the offshore powerboat racing of Thunder on the Gulf, the ODBA boats will scream across the the relatively flat waters of the upper Mobile bay delta and the Tensaw River. Speeds will still be in the 110 mph range, or higher.

Racing will be held in seven (7) classes. You can see an example of each boat class in the accompanying photo gallery:

- V-6 Pro (speeds up to 102 mph) - Any production race hulls utilizing modified outboards with laser injection

- Lake Racer (speeds up to 108 mph) - Lake and Bass boats with high-performance and modified motors

- Super Stock (speeds up to 110 mph) - Racing hulls utilizing production Mercury outboards

- Modified Production (speeds up 114 mph) - Racing hulls with modified motors utilizing OEM parts

- Pro Gas (speeds up to 120 mpg) - Racing hulls utilizing modified motors with customized aftermarket parts allowed

- Outlaw (speeds up to 115 mph in 800 feet) - Racing hulls using modified motors with aftermarket parts and nitrous oxide fuel allowed

- Unlimited (speeds up to 125 mph in 800 feet) - Nitrous allowed, anything goes!

What: ODBA Racing outboard quarter-mile sprints

Location: Live Oak Landing at Tensaw Riverfront Recreation Area, Stockton AL

Schedule: Friday, July 18 -- Team arrivals, pre-race prep & testing

Saturday, July 19 -- Gates open 8 a.m.; 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Racing in all 7 classes of boats

Sunday, July 20 -- Gates open 8 a.m.; 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Racing in all 7 classes

Admission: $8 daily adult admission; Children 6-12 $5; under 6 FREE (accompanied by adult)