'Battle on the Basin' set for this weekend

Deep South Racing Association’s “Battle on the Basin” will be held Saturday and Sunday at Russo’s Landing.
The event will have racing each day beginning at 11 a.m.
Admission will be $10 for adults and $5 for children. While alcohol will not be sold onsite, spectators may bring ice chests for $10 per day.
This weekend’s event is the final of six in the Deep South Racing circuit for this season, meaning competitors will be competing for championships.
While it will be a weekend of competition, Deep South Racing Association President/Owner Jed Angelle said it also will be a time of mourning as Marvin Catrett, who was involved locally with this race, recently passed away, Angelle said.
“He was instrumental in getting this race on, I can tell you,” Angelle said. “Marvin was instrumental in making this race here in Morgan City happen. He and I worked hand and hand, and Marvin was the backbone for making this race come to Morgan City.”
Angelle said he hopes to add Catrett’s name to the title of this race in the future.
As for the weekend’s action, Angelle said boats ranging from bass and lake boats to boats in the Outlaw class will be participating.
Angelle said fans can expect speeds from 90 mph to 120 mph.
The different classes on the race track this weekend will be Performance Bass and Ski, Lake Racer, Modified Production, Super Stock, Super Comp, Pro Stock, Pro Gas and Outlaw.
Pro Gas and Outlaw run 660 feet (an 8th of a mile), while the remainder of the classes run a quarter of a mile.
Angelle said he expects 45 to 55 boats competing.
As far as competitors, Angelle expects competitors from various states.
“We’ve got racers as far north I think as Wisconsin coming to this race,” he said.
Other areas racers are expected from are Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Texas, Angelle said.
Locally racers also are expected to participate.
“You probably have … 10 to 12 local (racers),” he said.
Among those are Catrett’s son, Todd, who is the points leader in the Super Comp, as well as Paul Gautreaux, who is the points leader in modified, while Blake Melancon will compete in the Super Stock class, and Scott Alleman, in the Performance Bass & Ski.
As for weather, Angelle said the races will continue as long as there is no factors like lightning, torrential rains or strong winds.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Morgan City Volunteer Fire Department.
Angelle said that in each of the six stops, race proceeds are given to better the area or for an organization.
“All the proceeds go to some sort of charity or something to promote the city,” he said.