Pateros,WA(MVT) - With temperatures in triple digits this weekend, Pateros, Wash., was already going to be a hot place to visit. Add almost 50 inboard hydroplanes racing on this popular racecourse and it's going to be a scorching weekend in Pateros.

The Tacoma Inboard Racing Association hosts the annual "Pateros Hydro Classic" on a picturesque 1-and-a-quarter-mile liquid oval. Racing starts around 10:30 a.m. both days. The action on the water promises to be fierce as more than 20 of the hydroplanes at Pateros are battling for national high points titles in their respective classes as the season heads into the final stretches.

In the 140-mph National Modified class, 2005 unlimited hydroplane Gold Cup champion Terry Troxell, from Gig Harbor, is one of five of the local area racers in the top 10 in national high points expected to compete at Pateros. this includes last year's American Power Boat Association's National Rookie of the Year, Spokane's Brent Harnack.

In the always competitive 5-Litre class, six of the top 10 boats in the nation are expected to compete. Leading the way is the 2007 national high points champion Wally Johnston, from Helena, Mont. He's sitting atop the leaderboard in the class with 2,385 points, but he's got company. Whidbey Island's Jim Mauldin sits just two points back of Johnston at 2,383. And if either of them so much as hiccup, Travis Johnston is just 250 points behind his father. East Wenatchee's Craig Bonar sits in sixth place in season high points. And Manson's Marty Porter is knocking at the door to crack the top 10 in national high points currently sitting in 12th place nationally.

And like their 8-cylinder cousins, the smaller 2.5-Litre Stock hydroplanes are chomping at the bit to get on the water. Eight of the top 10 racers in the national high points race in the local Region 10 -- and they're all expected to compete this weekend at Pateros. Mike Hofhine, from Wyoming, who calls Region 10 home, leads the nation in high points. The always fast and consistent Brian Hajny, from Orting, is breathing down Hofhine's neck. And knocking at the door for bragging rights for the top in the nation are Bellevue's Joe Gutierrez and Seattle's Jesse Robertson.

More classes of hydroplanes and flatbottom boats are on schedule including the fan-favorite Vintage Hulls. The pits will be open to the general public after the race.