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NEWS
ABRA Makes Offer to Evansville Freedom Festival
November 21, 2008
During a teleconference on Friday, Nov. 21, the ABRA Board finalized an offer to the Freedom Festival and agreed to move forward with obtaining the necessary approvals and commitments needed to stage the race on Labor Day weekend. This includes alignment with an Evansville Charity, obtaining support from the City of Evansville for its services, coordination with Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville (GAGE) and securing commitments for sponsorship of the event.
"Today's action is a first step for ABRA," said Sam Cole, Chairman. "We have always said our first priority is to continue the tradition of the Evansville race. It has not been an easy process, but we see some daylight at the end of the tunnel."
"Ken Muscatel and Tom Sawyer have been instrumental in this process and there are others we will rely upon in the weeks ahead," Cole continued.
"Our Board understands the importance of this event and is moving forward to solidify all of the elements needed to ensure that we will race and bring the City of Evansville a first class event that will exceed everyone’s expectations."
posted from the ABRA website.
With the loss of Beacon Plumbing as their title sponsor Billy and Jane Schumacher, owners of the U-37, are looking for someone to purchase the team.
With the state of the economy it will be a tough sell. Schumacher has stated if the team is not sold and a new title sponsor is secured the U-37 will participate in 2009.
The U-37 is not the only team in question. With the tragic loss of Kim Gregory co-owner of the U-10 and the possible withdraw of the U-16 Miss Elam Plus due to their interest in the Middle East the total number of participants would be a big loss especially since all three teams are top contenders for the title.
Madison, Indiana, home of the 2008 national champion team, Oh Boy! Oberto/Miss Madison will host the 2009 American Boat Racing Association annual meeting and Awards Banquet February 13 and 14, 2009.
"We are excited to be able to host this annual event," said Madison Mayor Tim Armstrong. "We will do everything possible to roll out the red carpet and show the Hydroplane aficionados and racing fans that Madison is the best place in America to celebrate our first national championship."
ABRA President Sam Cole added “We have been looking for the right place to hold this year's dinner and this will give our fans in Madison and the Midwest an opportunity to attend a celebration they’ve waited more than forty years to have. We plan on this being one of the most memorable evenings in the sport's history."
The ABRA meetings will be held at the City of Madison office building the evening of the 13th and during the day of the 14th. The banquet will be held at Madison's Livery Stable on Broadway, the evening of the 14th.
A crowd of 250 is expected.
Details about tickets for the Awards Banquet, lodging information and specifics on the Annual Meeting will be forthcoming. Interested fans may contact the ABRA office at 877-783-RACE or via email taryn@abrahydroplanes.com.
There is a long heritage of unlimited racers having an interest in music. Gold Cup winner Guy Lombardo was much more famous for his music then his racing. Bill Muncey, the winningest driver in the history of the sport was a superlative musician.
There are a number of very talented musicians still associated with unlimited racing, and with that in mind we are turning the Museum into a night club on Friday, January 16th. We will provide the stage, sound systems and drinks. The hydroplane community will provide the talent! We’ve heard from a bunch of people who will be performing, including guitar legend Don Mock with his number one student, Chip Hanauer! Also on the bill will be Nate Brown and the SOB’s (short for Some Old Boat racers)
If you are interested in performing, call David Williams at (206) 764-9453 ASAP. Slots are filling up fast. If you just want to come on down and enjoy the fun, remember that the doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 7:00. Admission is free to Museum Members, all others pay $5.00.
The Board of Directors of the American Boat Racing Association voted to acquire the physical assets of the Evansville Freedom Festival along with specified liabilities as a first step towards holding the 31st running of Thunder on the Ohio next summer.
Open Microphone Night at the Museum January 16th
2008 ABRA Awards Banquet Announced
December 02, 2008
NEWS
Richard (Dick) T. Gordon of Harrison Township, Mich. passed away December 19, 2008 from complication from heart surgery. Gordon who started the family-owned Fairlane Tool Co. and American Aircraft Parts Manufacturing--makers of landing gear for US military fighters, both in Fraser, Mich. The family also run's Heat Safe a company that has been a sponsor on the U-16 Miss Elam and U-5/U-7 Formula Boats unlimited hydroplanes.
Tracy Bratvold, motor mastermind of the Ellstrom's race team said, "Dick Gordon has helped just about every team in unlimited hydroplane racing for the past twenty-five plus years, just like the Gordon family always does." He said the family has built, short, long shafts, case halves for both piston and turbine, and several turbine engine parts. He also generously gave team's space to work on their boats while on the mid-western series races.
He continued that with the loss of Rick Wayne Gordon in early August and now this unexpected death, the unlimited hydroplane has lost another of the sport's great Patriarch.
Dick Gordon is survived by his wife Laureen, sons Mark and Mike, several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
On August 8 and 9, 2009 Kelowna, British Columbia will host an exhibition of Unlimited Hydroplane racing. Unlimited hydroplanes last raced across the surface of Okanagan Lake in 1999. Sports for All Management and the ABRA have partnered up to bring the unlimited’s back with the hopes of increasing support for the unlimited racing series and to profile Kelowna as a top all year-round Canadian destination by bringing exciting, community-friendly events to Kelowna. [related article]
Hydroplanes Return to Kelowna B.C.
Hydroplane Racing Loses Another Friend: Dick Gordon
December 21, 2008 ABRA Website
U-10 USA Racing's Kim Gregory passed away Tuesday evening, September 2, of renal failure after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early August. Gregory was admitted to The Ronald Regan Medical Center at UCLA on August 21. Kim Gregory was 58 years old.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Kim Gregory. He was a true sportsman and had such a passion for boat racing which was only overshadowed by his love and devotion to his family. We will miss him very much. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family. Our prayers are with them all." -- Sam Cole, ABRA Chairman.
Remembering Kim Gregory
September 03, 2008
ABRA to Crown 2009 World Champion in Doha, Qatar
January 13, 2009 ABRA Website
Doha, Qatar - The American Boat Racing Association (ABRA) and the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) have agreed to have the final race of the 2009 ABRA unlimited hydroplane season in Doha, Qatar. Ten of the fastest racing boats in the world will travel here next November for the inaugural Oryx Cup event --the ABRA/UIM World Championship -- as a result of an Agreement in Principal reached January 9 between the ABRA and the QMSF.
The race date is among the items being finalized. It will be held in November (third or fourth weekend) and serve as the last stop on the 2009 series which begins on the Fourth of July weekend in Madison, Ind.
QMSF President Sheikh Hassan Bin Jabor Al Thani and ABRA Chairman Sam Cole reached the agreement that will take ABRA teams abroad for the first time in the sport's history to compete for the World Championship. [complete article]
December 23, 2008 ABRA Website
On August 8 and 9, 2009 Kelowna, British Columbia will host an exhibition of Unlimited Hydroplane racing. Unlimited hydroplanes last raced across the surface of Okanagan Lake in 1999. Sports for All Management and the ABRA have partnered up to bring the unlimited’s back with the hopes of increasing support for the unlimited racing series and to profile Kelowna as a top all year-round Canadian destination by bringing exciting, community-friendly events to Kelowna. [related article]
Kelowna B.C. Cancelled
July 21, 2009 ABRA Website
Jean Theoret returned to the cockpit of the U-37 Hoss Mortgage Investors at Seattle for a trial run. It was his first time in the boat since the blowover accident in Madison, Indiana which left him hospitalized for several days. Back-up driver JW Myers was the first to greet Theoret after the run. Asked how it felt Theoret replied, "You definitely have some questions in your heart and soul, But once you're out there everything's fine."
Theoret is scheduled to race at Evansville.
Theoret Ready to Race
July 31, 2009
Chip Hanauer Posts the Fastest Qualifying Speed with Bio-Fuel Power
July 31, 2009
Hanauer (61) retired from racing in 1999 after 35 years of boat racing and amassing 61 career unlimited hydroplane victories. Hanauer has been staying close to the action piloting the Experimental Boeing U-787 which has been converted into a Bio-Fuel powered boat. The bio-fuel is produced from oil extracted from the camelina plant. Most importantly the camelina plant is a non food source. At the press conference in Seattle Hanauer made a point to mention that you could cook with camelina oil but it would make whatever you were cooking taste terrible. At Seattle Hanauer posted the fastest qualifying lap of 153.691 mph.
Villwock wins 59
August 2, 2009
Dave Villwock wins at Seattle giving him his 59th career victory. This puts Villwock just 3 wins shy of all time career victories leader Bill Muncey and 2 shy of Chip Hanauer. With only two races left in the season Villwock will not be able to take the top spot but next year will most likely be his to win.
Steve David is Fighting to Keep his Title
August 2, 2009
Steve David and his U-1 Miss Madison/Oh Boy! Oberto leads the points race by a mere 249 points. The U-16 piloted by Dave Villwock captured the Chevrolet Cup in Seattle while David suffered turbine problems in the final limping the boat across in 6th place. Going into the last two races of the season it is anyones championship to win. Doha, Qatar will be the deciding arena and will give the world a chance to see what all this excitement is about surrounding Unlimited Hydroplane Racing.
By Fred Farley - ABRA Unlimited Historian
Unlimited hydroplane racing lost one of its most respected participants on June 13, 2009. Terry Troxell, the winner of the 2005 APBA Gold Cup with MISS AL DEEBY DODGE, passed away following a massive heart attack at his home in Gig Harbor, Washington. He was 61.
Terry didn’t step up to the Unlimited level until rather late in his career, but it didn’t take long for him to achieve the winner’s circle.
A graphic artist by profession, a boat racer by avocation, Troxell handled high-speed hydroplanes for four decades.
He was related by marriage to the racing Weber family. His three brothers-in-law (Mike, Mark, and Steve Weber) and stepson (U-5 pilot Jeff Bernard) all drive power boats. He was the father-in-law of U-17 driver Kip Brown.
A two-time inductee into the prestigious APBA Hall of Champions for Limited inboard racing in 1997 and 1998, Troxell accepted his first Unlimited Class assignment in 2000 with the Fred Leland team.
Terry scored his first Unlimited victory in the 2001 Tri-Cities Columbia Cup with ZNETIX II when he outran second-place Dave Villwock and MISS BUDWEISER by six seconds in the Final Heat.
Troxell had the satisfaction of winning at the same eastern Washington race site where he had qualified as an Unlimited driver the year before.
Terry's 2002 season highlights included second-place finishes at Evansville, Madison, and Detroit with Leland's variously named U-99 entry.
In 2003, he took the wheel of Jim Harvey's MISS TRENDWEST, a new boat plagued with handling problems. MISS TRENDWEST flipped upside-down at the Gold Cup in Detroit, but Troxell rebounded a month later to take third-place at San Diego.
As driver of the Ellstrom family's MISS E-LAM PLUS in 2004, Terry survived a very rough St. Clair River in Michigan to claim the St. Clair International Trophy, despite the battering wakes of ocean-going tankers in the vicinity.
Terry Troxell Remembered
June 13, 2009
The most prominent victory of Terry Troxell’s career has to be his 2005 triumph at Detroit with MISS AL DEEBY DODGE in the APBA Gold Cup, boat racing's most coveted award. Ironically, a week before the race, Troxell didn't have a ride because the team for which he drove didn't exist. Owner Dave Bartush purchased the back-up hull of the temporarily inactive Kim Gregory team. The boat was trucked from Las Vegas to Detroit with one turbine engine and a few spare parts. There wasn't even time to repaint the hull. Knowing that his equipment was severely limited, Terry ran conservatively in the preliminary heats, playing a waiting game and earning just enough points to qualify for the Final. The 2005 Gold Cup was marred by accidents and equipment damage. For the running of the Final Heat, only three boats were available
At the 2005 Seattle race, Terry had the opportunity to race against his stepson Jeff Bernard (who was making his Unlimited debut) in the Provisional Heat on Lake Washington. It was a wild affair indeed and brought the crowd to its feet. Bernard outran Troxell over the finish line by barely a boat length. It doesn't get much closer!
A minor stroke sidelined Terry in late 2005 but he returned to competition at the 2006 Chevrolet Cup in Seattle as driver of Leland's U-99. In 2008 at the Tri-Cities, Troxell finished third in the Unlimited Light hydroplane race as driver of NUMERICA CREDIT UNION (UL-8)
He was always eager to assist new participants in the sport. In the words of son-in-law Kip Brown, "Terry was a mentor to myself and to many other racers across the country."
Boat racing will miss Terry Troxell, a great driver and a good friend.
to answer the starting gun. Troxell and MISS AL DEEBY DODGE, after running under wraps all weekend, "let it all hang out." Terry crossed the starting line first in the outside lane and pulled to a decisive lead over J.W. Myers and MISS E-LAM PLUS. Myers and third-place Mike Weber in FORMULABOATS.COM were never a factor. "Detroit is awesome," exclaimed a jubilant Troxell. "This is the best drivers' course in all of boat racing." MISS AL DEEBY DODGE, amazingly, was the oldest boat in the race, having been built in 1987 as MILLER AMERICAN. It had previously won the Gold Cup in 1988 as MISS CIRCUS CIRCUS, in 1991 as WINSTON EAGLE, and in 1994 as SMOKIN' JOE'S.
The U-1 and U-16 Come Close Together Sending Villwocks U-16 Airborne
August 23, 2009
Steve David's National Champion U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto and Dave Villwock's U-16 Ellstrom Miss Elam Plus came close together exiting turn 4 in Heat 1-A at the Thunder On The Ohio in Evansville. The U-1 jumped in front of the U-16 and into its roostertail sending the U-16 airborne damaging the boat enough to take it out of commission for the remainder of the weekend. David and the U-1 was penalized for the incident which changed the complete outlook for the remainder of the race weekend and on the 2009 ABRA National High Points chase. David was disqualified from the heat and in addition penalized 150 points. By the end of the weekend David and the U-1 scored only 775 points enough to hold a slight lead over new second place finisher Jeff Bernard in the Formulaboats.com I.
The U-16 Elam and Villwock accumulated only the 80 points earned in qualifying and 264 points earned by Nate Brown in a renamed, renumbered U-17. The U-16 team purchased the U-17 boat from Nate Brown and the Our Gang Racing Team so that they could accumulate as many points possible to stay in touch of the leaders before heading to the final race in Doha. The U-16 team scrambled to get the U-17 fitted with their engines before the final heat. Villwock was unable to fit his 6’4” frame into the Nate Brown spec cockpit forcing the team to also hire Brown as the U-16 driver for the final heat.
It is unknown how much was paid for the U-17 but it is likely it was returned for a refund minus a usage fee.
Cooper Racing Will Not Go to Doha, Qatar
August 23, 2009
It appears the Cooper Racing U-3 has withdrawn its name from the race in Doha, Qatar giving the opportunity to the next in line U-22. The top 10 teams in the standings were invited to the event.
No. Boat Name Driver/Hometown Owner Hometown
U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto Steve David/Lighthouse Pt. Fla City of Madison/Indiana Madison, Ind
U-5 Formulaboats.com Jeff Bernard/Kent, Wash Ted Porter Family/Decatur, Ind
U-7 Graham Trucking J Michael Kelly/Puyallup, Wash Ted Porter Family/Decatur, Ind
U-16 Ellstrom Elam Plus Dave Villwock/Auburn, Wash Erick Ellstrom/Seattle, Wash
U-17 actiVwater Kip Brown/Maple Valley, Wash Nate Brown/Preston, Wash
U-22 Matrix Systems Mike Webster/Reading, Pa Steve & Sue Webster/Reading, Pa
U-25 Superior Racing Dr. Ken Muscatel/Seattle, Wash Dr Ken Muscatel/Seattle, Wash
U-37 Renton Coil Spring Jean Theoret/Maple Grove,Que Billy & Jane Schumacher/Seattle, Wash
U-48 Albert Lee Brian Perkins/Black Diamond, Wash Greg & Brian O'Farrell/Maple Valley, Wash
U-100 Mirageboats.com Greg Hopp/Snohomish, Wash Fred Leland/Kirkland, Wash
The race is scheduled to be held on November 19-21, 2009
Following is from the ABRA website.
The American Boat Racing Association has completed its North American tour and now 10 boats are getting ready to make the trek to Doha, Qatar for the Oryx Cup – November 19-21.
"We are so honored to be making this trip and crowning our series champion in a country that we want to become the international capital of our sport,” said ABRA Chairman Sam Cole. “Sheikh Hassan Al-Thani and the Qatar Marine Sports Federation have shown a great deal of confidence in our sport by hosting this event and we are looking forward to very competitive racing in a world class location."
“We have had a great season of competitive racing with three different race champions and now we are taking these boats to Qatar,” said Cole. “These fans absolutely love boat racing and now we have the opportunity to showcase the fastest race boats to the Middle East for the first time.”
The boats will be leaving via cargo ship from Jacksonville, Fla. on September 28th. Once the hydroplanes are placed on the ship, the team members will not see the boats until they arrive in Doha on October 28th. At that time, a few of the team transport drivers will arrive early and drive take the hydroplanes from the Doha port to a secure location until the other team members arrive.
“This is a massive undertaking but it is not unlike the days when teams prepared to race in Hawaii,” said Cole. “It is truly another world class destination for our race teams but it is 7,500 miles further than going to Honolulu.”
Cole expects approximately 15 or so ABRA officials will make the trip. He also expects the teams to take anywhere from six to 10 team members per boat.
“This is going to be fun,” added Cole. “It will be a new, exciting experience for the teams and the fans.”
Title Will Be Decided In Doha, Qatar
August 23, 2009
Steve David and his U-1 Miss Madison/Oh Boy! Oberto leads the points race by 316 points. The U-5 piloted by Jeff Bernard captured the Thunder On The Ohio in Evansville jumping pass Villwock taking second place in the standings. David was assessed a penalty for the incident with the U-16 in Heat 1A and sending him to the outside lanes for the remainder of the day. The Championship will be decided in Doha, Qatar and will most likely be between the U-1, U-5 and U-16.
1959 Miss Thriftway to be at Lake Chelan
August 28, 2009
The 1959 Miss Thriftway will grace the waters of Lake Chelan on October 3rd. The event is put on by the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum. This will be the first time the boat has run in Washington in over three years. The 1960, 1961 & 1962 National Champion boat is owned by boat enthusiast Barbara Carper.
The U-21 Finds A New Home
September 1, 2009
The Go Fast Turn Left Racing team shop in Maple Valley, Washington will be the new home of the Dale Van Wierengen designed and built race boat.
Greg and Brian O'Farrel finalized an agreement to purchase the boat and trailer from Jefferey Michael Johnson and Kevin Aylesworth today. The boat first raced in 2007.
Go Fast Turn Left Racing team driver Brian Perkins, who drove the boat for the Freedom Racing Team in 2007, is excited to have a new ride having wrestled an overweight U-48 around the circuit in 2009.
"The problem we had (in 2007) was with the gear boxes," said Perkins. "With a change there and Dale as part of our team to help tune the hull, I think we can take this boat up among the front runners."
Greg O'Farrel added, "We are committed to being competitive. I think this puts us well on our way to being just that."
"Today is the only day that there was any twinge of thinking, 'Maybe I still could do this,' " Hanauer said. "I never would, but that feeling came back. That lap today was the first time that it felt really natural. I wasn't driving with my head and thinking; this time I was driving like I used to drive, by nature." Boeing is not ready to race this one of a kind boat and with the conservative set up of the boat reaching 153 mph is amazing especially when the eventual winner Villwock in the U-16 ElamPlus qualified at 152.484 mph.
“We will take the feed from online and project it onto the big screen, so fans can come and watch it together. “This race, due to the 11 hour time difference, doesn’t begin until just after midnight on Friday, November 20th” comments David Williams, Executive Director of the Museum. “So we decided that this monumental event demanded a slumber party, where fans can come down and spend the night watching history being made.“
The price of admission is $10.00 per person, $15.00 per couple, and $6.00 for kids 12 and under. Tickets are available by calling the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum at 206 764-9453 or at the door. Seating is limited, so fans are encouraged to make a reservation.
Slumber Party at the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum
November 12, 2009
All ten of the challengers have arrived safely and have been placed into a secure area awaiting their call to the waters. Prior to the big event the boats will be placed at specified areas throughout Doha to hype the event.
Already there has been a huge buzz throughout the area and everyone is excited to see what these American hydroplanes are all about. The teams are ready to show them and put on a great show.
The Amercian Boat Racing Association hired Tampa Digital Studios to produce and broadcast live the inaugural Oryx Cup UIM World Championship, Nov. 19-21 in Doha, Qatar via the hydroplane racing series’ web site, www.abrahydroplanes.com.
Just Days Away the Race in the Middle East is Ready to Go
November 12, 2009
Prior to the start of today’s qualifying for the inaugural Oryx Cup UIM World Championship the announcement was made to change the name of the series. With Sheikh Hassan Bin Jabor Al Thani, host of the Oryx Cup and President of Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) at his side Sam Cole, President of the formerly named ABRA made the announcement.
“We are honored to be able to make this new announcement, creating a new ‘brand ‘ for our sport which reflects our status as the number one hydroplane sport in the world,” Cole said.
ABRA changes its name to H1 Unlimited at Press Conference
November 19, 2009 H1 Unlimited Press Release
Cole and Sheikh Hassan agree the series presence in Doha, Qatar signifies the growth beyond being known as just an American sport.
As Cole and the H1 Unlimited board of director’s studied various racing entities around the world it became important to focus on developing a brand name for these powerboats rather than creating another association acronym. Other highly popular powerboat racing series Class One (offshore), P1 (offshore) and F1 (tunnel boats), are international in scope and enjoy immediate recognition internationally.
The legal structure of H1 Unlimited has not changed, the board will remain the same and the series will run under the sanction of the American Power Boat Association based in Eastpointe, Mich.
Photo by Bill Osborne/H1 Unlimited
Dave Villwock (Auburn, Wash.) in the U-16 Ellstrom Elam Plus raced around the two-mile course at Doha Bay at an average speed of 146.427 mph (235.651 km/h) to claim the top qualifying position for the 2009 Oryx Cup UIM World Championship, the final stop on the newly renamed H1 Unlimited series.
The Washington State driver is chasing his 60th victory in unlimited hydroplane racing, a number that will put him within two wins of the late Bill Muncey, the most successful unlimited hydroplane racer inthe sport’s history in terms of race wins.
Standing in Villwock’s way is Steve David (Lighthouse Pt., Fla.) in the U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto. The defending National High Points champion finished second on the qualification ladder with a speed of 145.096 mph (233.509 km/h). The Oberto hull has a 660 point lead over the orange and blue Ellstrom hydroplane in the 2009 team High Point standings.
Jeff Bernard (Kent, Wash.), currently second in the National High points chase, in the U-5 Formulaboats.com could only manage the sixth qualification spot with a speed of 126.957 mph (204.317 km/h).
The three leaders in the High Points chase will face off head-to-head in Heat 1B, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. (GMT +3).
Jean Theoret in the U-37 Peters & May Racing finished the qualification session in third place with an average speed of 137.654 (221.533 km/h). J. Michael Kelly in the U-7 Graham Trucking followed in fourth, turning 135.320 mph (217.776 km/h).
Brian Perkins struggled with a lack of power in the U-48 Go Fast Turn Left managing a best lap of 124.776 (200.808 km/h), good for seventh position trailing Nate Brown in the U-17 Our Gang Racing 134.386 mph (216.273 km/h) and Bernard.
Rookie Mike Webster couldn’t break the 200 kilometers per hour mark, settling in at 192.877 or 119.848 mph. Ken Muscatel in the U-25 Superior Racing received a fuel flow violation and did not record a qualification speed.
The wind, at times causing havoc on Doha Bay, died down completely during the final 30 minutes of the qualifying session, but Greg Hopp was unable to get the U-100 Leland Racing started.
Qualification Speeds
2009 Oryx Cup UIM World Championship
Doha, Qatar
U-16 Ellstrom Elam Plus, Dave Villwock 146.427
U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto, Steve David 145.096
U-37 Miss Peters & May, Jean Theoret 137.654
U-7 Graham Trucking, J. Michael Kelly 135.320
U-17 Our Gang Racing, Kip Brown 134.386
U-5 FormulaBoats.com, Jeff Bernard 126.957
U-48 Go Fast Turn Left, Brian Perkins 124.776
U-22 Matrix System Automotive Finishes, Mike Webster 119.848
U-25 Superior Racing, Ken Muscatel 0.0 N2 Violation
U-100 Leland Unlimited Greg Hopp 0.0 DNS
Villwock takes top qualification spot
November 19, 2009 H1 Unlimited Press Release
J. Michael Kelly (Puyallup) in U-7 Graham Trucking upset the field to clinch a dramatic late victory in the Oryx Cup UIM World Championship race in fading light in Doha Bay on Saturday afternoon. It marked the end of one of the most exciting H1 Unlimited races in history and a first H1 Unlimited career win for the Washington state driver.
All attention focused on the thrilling six-boat winner-take-all final of the inaugural Oryx Cup UIM World Championship race and to decide the outcome of the National High Point titles. The six boats that amassed the most points in the heats qualified for the final, meaning that, Hopp, Perkins, Muscatel and Webster missed out on the finale.
David and Bernard were set for a head-to-head showdown for the driver title, with Villwock joining the drama in the teams’ battle and all three aiming to claim the prestigious Oryx Cup. Villwock edged in front through lap one, where Brown ground to a halt and Bernard turned too early into the leader’s rooster tail and barrel-flipped out of the race for the title. Kelly managed to miss the carnage, but the race was stopped and a delay ensued before the restart.
In fading light, Villwock made the early running in the final from a hard-charging J. Michael Kelly, but a cruel engine flame-out on lap four of five handed the race lead and the inaugural Oryx Cup title to Kelly, as David slipped past in the dying seconds to confirm the National High Point Team title in thrilling fashion.
Qatar’s successful first steps into H1 Unlimited racing were a testimony to the hard work put in by both the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF), under the presidency of His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani, and H1 Unlimited officials.
The Oryx Cup marked the first time that H1 Unlimited boats have ever raced outside the Americas and has led to plans for global expansion into 2010 and beyond. Large numbers of international visitors joined an impressive head count of local spectators to witness the thrilling race action.
“I would like to congratulate my team at the QMSF for their efforts in staging this event over the last few days and also pass on my best wishes to all the American teams and international visitors who made the H1 Unlimited race such a success,” said Sheikh Hassan. “We hope to see everyone again next year.”
J. Michael Kelly Gets Monkey Off His Back
November 21, 2009 H1 Unlimited Press Release
Florida-based Steve David (Lighthouse Pt., Fla.) secured his second successive H1 Unlimited National High Points Drivers’ Championship when Jeff Bernard (Kent, Wash.) crashed out of the first Oryx Cup final.
The race was immediately stopped and David sealed the National High Point Teams’ series win and the Martini & Rossi Trophy when arch rival Dave Villwock (Auburn, Wash.) – who had been the fastest driver on the course over race weekend (151.171 mph, 243.286 k/ph) - suffered a spectacular engine flame-out on the final lap of the restarted race and limped to finish in third place.
At the helm of U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto, David began the final day with a 431-point advantage over Jeff Bernard in U-5Formulaboats.com and secured his fourth drivers’ title, despite a dramatic accident in his final heat which threatened to derail the title bid.
David did a 360 degree flip in preliminary heat 4A landing right-side up. The boat was only slightly damaged, so H1 Unlimited’s safety inspector allowed him in the final heat.
Villwock’s had the day’s consolation of a new course race record of 141.417 mph (227.589 km/h) for competition.
Steve David Takes The National Championship
November 21, 2009 H1 Unlimited Press Release
