Who will host the annual Shootout?

Who will host the annual Shootout boat races will be decided by the end of this week, according to Missouri Water Patrol representatives.

While the future of the race remains unclear, there is no question about the level of interest in keeping the race at Lake of the Ozarks.

The race has raised tens of thousands of dollars over the years for water-related rescue services. It has also turned into a major attraction every August that draws thousands of spectators.

Missouri Water Patrol officials are aware of the interest in keeping the tradition of the Shootout races alive -- the issue is location.

The applicants have been assured that the Water Patrol will make a decision by the end of the week. All of the applications were reviewed at a hearing Monday at Osage Beach City Hall.

The committee in charge of making a decision includes Col. Rad Talburt, the head of the Water Patrol; Maj. Joe Hughes and Capt. Matt Walz of the Water Patrol and Lake of the Ozarks State Park Superintendent Floyd Lee.

Three applications were filed to host the popular time-trials event that lets participants race against the clock on a controlled course.

Dog Days Bar and Grill is partnering with Topsider to hold the races on the Grand Glaize Arm of the lake between Pin Oak and the state park.

Between the two lakefront venues, they have 400 parking spaces and more than 100 boat slips.

Merlyn Vandervort presented an application to hold the event on the main channel between the 6.5- and 8.5-mile markers.

Vandervort said the lake area could not afford to lose the Shootout. He also highlighted his organization s experience with the Offshore Super Series boat races.

The third application was presented by Ron Duggan, who is proposing to hold the races between the 32.5- and the 34.5-mile markers.

Duggan said he has commitments from volunteer organizations willing to help, the Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association and the Lake West Chamber of Commerce.

One application was withdrawn from consideration.

The race was traditionally held at the 21-mile marker in late August.

The owner of Shooter's 21 announced last August that he was moving forward with demolition of the complex that had served as race headquarters for two decades to make way for a residential development.

Shortly after that announcement, representatives of the fire districts who have organized the event and were the beneficiaries of the proceeds said they could no longer commit the time and resources needed to make the race a success.

The fire districts said they would continue to support the races if someone else stepped forward to sponsor and organize the event.

They could no longer shoulder the responsibility on their own, they said.

Contact this reporter at joycem@lakesunleader.com.