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By Randy Strong

Special to The Orange Leader

Pro racers from around the country came together this past Saturday and Sunday at the Riverside Pavilion on Simmons Drive in Orange to kick off the Deep South Racing Association’s 2025 racing season with the City’s annual ‘Shootout on the Sabine’ for 2 days of excitement. 

Deep South Racing Association (DSRA) boasts multiple classes of various combinations of outboard dragboat racing and has been a staple of the racing community for many years and has enjoyed bringing this particular form of high-performance racing to Orange for the past 10 years. 

Commentator Russ Rogers who’s been the man behind the microphone during Shootout on the Sabine for a decade says the Sabine is a great place to hold these races. 

“The city of Orange is among my top 3 favorite places to host the races” Rogers explains “There’s ample viewing areas along the bank for spectators, the Orange community is always very welcoming and the Sabine allows for fast, exciting races”. 

Veteran racer Paul Freeman from McMinnville Tennessee agrees. 

“The food and people here are fantastic and the boat ramps are well made and allow for easy access when getting in and out of the water”. Freeman said. “Over the years I’ve made some good friends from this area and I look forward to coming back every year.

Saturday’s checkered flags in each boat class went to Blake Decota-Mod 90, Paul Freeman-Super Mod, Kade Wheat-Bass & Ski and Randy Wheat-Pro Stock.

Sunday’s checkered flags in each boat class went to Beau Landry-Lake Racer, Mike Lovett-Mod 90, Clay Bourdier-Lake Racer, Kade Wheat-Bass & Ski, Randy Wheat-Pro Stock and Paul Freeman-Super Mod.