A pair of drag boats race to the finish line Sunday during the fourth annual Flint River Showdown in Bainbridge. — Powell Cobb

The Decatur County Firefighters Association raised more than $5,000 last weekend at the fourth annual Flint River Showdown Drag Boat Races, where 41 racers put their boats to the test.

DCFA president and event organizer Frank Kay said other than a rainy Saturday, he considered the weekend to be a success.

“I think it was a great weekend,” Kay said. “It was a good turnout as far as boaters. We had three more boats this year and totaled 41.”

Bainbridge residents Terry Heard, Gary Smith, Randy Harrell and Dusty Anderson competed in the races.

Winners from the various events and their respective categories were Taylor Crabtree in Superstock, Greg Steadham in Lake Racer, John Gore in Modified Production, Shane Stovall in Pro Gas and Pro Mod, Mike Bishop in River Racer, Steve Kimble in Unlimited and Greg Scott in Pro Drag.

Kay said his favorite part of the weekend was getting to relax and enjoy the event and three months of work and preparation.

As for next year, Kay said he had ideas of how to make the races draw a bigger crowd—a name change. Kay spoke to another race organizer from Tennessee who was at the Flint River Showdown and collected a few ideas, he said.

“Possibly looking at changing name to Bainbridge Southern Nationals instead,” Kay said. “Makes the event sound bigger and draws more people.”

Kay said the DCFA is also looking for a corporate sponsor for next year’s race, including one for prize money.

This year’s purse was around $9,000 and handled by the Outboard Drag Boat Association.

Racers will finish the ODBA season in Jasper, Tennessee, Oct. 10-11.