Saturday, 3:50 PM - Unlimited Light Final Presented by Graham Trucking
Before we even start on the description of the final, we want to assure you that Phil Bononcini is fine. He just walked past us here and gave us the a-okay. There was a flip involving the UL-72 Graham Trucking presents Budweiser/Pocket Mechanic. Oddly enough, the flip occurred after the Unlimited Light final ended. Phil Bononcini caught a stray wave that kicked him up into the air. As he went up sideways, the hull actually reversed in the air (left to right) and rolled backward landing upside down hard. When asked how the boat was at this time, we simply heard "upside down". Phil Bononcini is in attendance for the post race awards ceremony. Now on to the good stuff! What an amazing final. You couldn't ask for more than for a final to be the best race of the day. This one was! From the start it was a four boat race as the UL-72, the UL-15, the UL-23 and the UL-38 fought side-by-side for the lead. As the four came down from the start, both the UL-72 and the UL-15 looked loose jumping down the course. As the group exited the first turn, it was the UL-15 and the UL-38 contesting for the lead. The UL-23, running stronger than it has all season, would be the first to separate from the lead pack dropping back, but still holding a solid pace. As the fleet ended the first lap, the UL-72, UL-15 and UL-38 were together. These three would not quit. It would be the UL-38 in the lead, then the UL-15 and the UL-72 was always in the hunt. Amazing contest. The boats were light and as Jerry Hopp began to secure his lead in lap three, he actually went up into the air more than once. Jerry deserved the win. He rode the very edge to achieve it. Saturday, 3:50 PM - In the final, based on points, we will see the UL-5, the UL-15, the UL-19, the UL-23, the UL-25, the UL-38 and the UL-72. The UL-14 will run as a trailer running back from the field. The UL-40 will be the first alternate (should anyone not start) and the UL-929 will be the second alternate. The UL-40 and the UL-14 will be on the water and ready. Saturday, 1:50 PM - Unlimited Light Heat 2B Presented by Sicklesteel Cranes
This time out, the UL-72 and the UL-19 treated fans to a nice duel. Haworth in the UL-72 would not give up the lead at any point during the heat, but the UL-19 was right off his hip prepared to take over should the the leader slip. The UL-5 and the UL-25 succeeded in completing the heat, but were well off the lead pace. The UL-18 and the UL-40 made it out onto the water, but failed to make the start. Saturday, 1:32 PM - A couple notes between heats, The Budweiser team was able to help the UL-58 fix the strut. Now they are searching for possible shafts. The UL-929 team has made contact and may have help on the way in terms of their shaft. The missing UL-40 team members are back and the team recently trailer fired! A good sign!! Saturday, 1:08 PM - Unlimited Light Heat 2A Presented by Sicklesteel Cranes
At the start, the fleet was four wide this time out! Early on, it was a battle between the UL-38 and the UL-23. The 23, looking quite strong, but did falter and fall off the lead pace by the backstretch of lap one. As one battle ended, another emerged. The UL-15 quickly charged forward and would battle, side-by-side, with the UL-23 for the remainder of the race. Jerry Hopp, the winner of Heat 1A, would come in third, but it went down to the wire. A hard charging Jerry Hopp actually got fairly light several times and the UL-15 and the UL-23 almost bumped into each other in the second turn of lap two. A wild race and a fun one to watch. With the exception of the UL-25 Western Cascade / Patton Racing, the field looked strong this time out. The U-25 made it out on the water then returned as they weren't able to get on plane. The UL-72 took a vacant sport and raced for no points this time out to give Patrick Haworth some extra seat time. General Motors Cup at
Seafair 2A
- UL-5, UL-23, UL-25, UL-929, UL-15, UL-38 Saturday, 12:41 PM - We would like to offer a welcome to Gary and Debbie Pugh of Performance Engine Development who are on site this weekend helping the teams where they can and enjoying the Unlimited Light action in the pits and on the water. Saturday, 12:38 PM - Members of the Unlimited Miss Budweiser team have jumped over into the UL-58 Western Cascade Tank and Truck presents Union Dooz pits. They are working hard with the team to get the Union Dooz back on the water. Saturday, 12:25 PM - Checking with the UL-929 team, they broke a shaft and lost the prop. Word has it that Vince has been in contact with an inactive team that has similar equipment and may borrow hardware. Saturday, 11:42 AM - The UL-58 threw a blade, bent the shaft and tore the strut in Heat 1A. The UL-40 blew a head gasket in Heat 1B. Members of the UL-40 team are headed for an auto parts store in Renton to correct the problem. Saturday, 11:18 AM - Unlimited Light Heat 1B Presented by Graham Trucking
Dave Bender in the UL-38 Security Race Products/Silver Dollar Casino takes Unlimited Light Heat 1B. As the fleet dueled for the start, the UL-929 went down. That left the UL-40, UL-19 and the UL-38 dueling for position. As the three approached the start, the UL-40 wend down in the same turn as the UL-929. The remaining two would be close as they crossed the start/finish line, but the UL-38 would pull ahead and was quickly owned by Dave Bender in the UL-38 Security Race Products/Silver Dollar Casino. Saturday, 10:49 AM - Unlimited Light Heat 1A Presented by Graham Trucking
Jerry Hopp in the UL-15 Mike's Hard Lemonade/Happy Go Lucky takes Unlimited Light Heat 1A. In Heat 1A it was Jerry Hopp's race almost from the start. Hopp jumped to the early lead before the first turn and would not look back. The UL-15 has found a lot of strength this weekend that has been missing in weeks past. Patrick Haworth would contest, but could not catch the front running Mike's Hard Lemonade/Happy Go Lucky. No word yet on what brought the UL-58 to a stop. We were pleased to see the strong run by JW Myers and the UL-23 Pacific Crest Brewing Company presents No Fear.com. JW was in the hunt, but the front runners simply out paced him this time out. Saturday, 10:01 AM - Your tentative schedule for the day... 10:40 AM - Unlimited Light
Heat 1A Presented by Graham Trucking General Motors Cup at
Seafair 1A - UL-5, UL-15,
UL-23, UL-25, UL-58, UL-72 General Motors Cup at
Seafair
Saturday, 9:23 AM - The course closed to the Lights. Saturday, 9:20 AM - The UL-58 Western Cascade Tank and Truck presents Union Dooz was just out turning a single lap speed of 105.216 bettering their best time yesterday. Saturday, 9:16 AM - The UL-19 Aaron's Auto Wrecking is out at this time. Speeds? 69.997 and 76.248. Saturday, 9:05 AM - The UL-72 Graham Trucking presents Budweiser/Pocket Mechanic has been out for a few runs putting in times of 72.490, 75.140 and 80.859. Saturday, 8:58 AM - Good news for the UL-25 Western Cascade / Patton Racing... the hull made it up on place for the first time since Valleyfield. The team has been working hard on the hull and is enjoying some success this morning. Though no speed was recorded, the team returned to the docks pleased! Saturday, 8:54 AM - Lap speeds for Jerry Hopp and the UL-15? 70.500 and, kicking it up a notch, 110.987. That speed puts him third in the qualification race! Saturday, 8:51 AM - Next out during the hour's testing/qualification ... the UL-15 Mike's Hard Lemonade/Happy Go Lucky! Saturday, 8:43 AM - After a slight delay getting everyone into position, the Lights are taking to the water for another round of testing/qualification. We've staggered the ladder so teams that didn't get a chance to go out yesterday have first option. The U-40 will be the first out. Speeds? 100.993 MPH and 105.448 MPH. General Motors Cup at
Seafair
Friday, 4:31 PM - The Lights have made it back out under testing conditions. The UL-58, the UL-72, UL-23 and the UL-929 are all out on the water running together. Friday, 3:57 PM - The last UL out was is the UL-19 Aaron's Auto Wrecking (aka the former Pocket Mechanic hull). Steve Hook is at the helm. Lap one - 87.041. On lap two, the UL-19 returned to the docks. That closed the course to the Lights. Friday, 3:53 PM - The UL-5 San Diego Thunderboats (Kevin Aylesworth) is now on the water! After a slow lap around the course, the UL-5 returned to the pits. Friday, 3:52 PM - Much to the appreciation of the UL-14 team, they are holding the next UL to allow time to recover the lost cowling. Friday, 3:44 PM - The UL-14 lost its cowling as the hull took the first turn of lap one. Speed for lap two? 76.203. Friday, 3:38 PM - The UL-14 is back! Rookie pilot Paul Becker is behind the wheel this time out in the UL-14 Miss Aurora Rents. Lap speeds? No speed on the first lap as Becker took the UL-14 for a ride around the Unlimited turn. The boat does appear to be running well even though she's taking the long way around the course. Friday, 3:32 PM - Dave Bender didn't waste anytime taking over the lead in the UL-38 Security Race Products/Silver Dollar Casino! His first lap was 93.741, but is second knocked down the UL-72's speed advancing the bar to 112.786. His third and final lap came in at 93.261. Friday, 3:22 PM - JW Myers is heading out on the water at this time in the UL-23 Pacific Crest Brewing Company presents No Fear.com. This boat is the same one preciously campaigned by Bob Larimore under the Team Pegasus name. While we are covering the action here in Seattle, we would like to send over a quick hello to Bob and Rita Larimore who are watching on the web. We miss you guys! Speeds for the UL-23? 84.812 (WU), 105.624 (lap 1). JW is now second on the qualification list! Friday, 3:17 PM - Speeds for Ping? 99.522 (WU), 101.556 (L1) and 104.100 (L2). Friday, 3:13 PM - Pingree Conflitti and the UL-58 Western Cascade Tank and Truck presents Union Dooz is heading out next. The UL-23 was a bit slow getting onto the water and officials stepped up the order sending out the UL-58. The UL-23 should follow. Friday, 3:08 PM - The UL-929 Contour Aerospace (Vince Xaudaro) is out on the water. Vince took his time getting up to speed, but following his warm-up lap, really appeared to pick up the pace. First lap speed, 59.985 (WU), 99.134 (L1) and 98.879 (L2) Friday, 3:05 PM - The UL-25 Western Cascade / Patton Racing was the next out on the water (Wayne Howard Jr. at the helm), but was unable to get up on plane. The hull is returning to the pits at this time. Friday, 3:01 PM - The first Unlimited Light to touch the water this weekend is the UL-72 Graham Trucking presents Budweiser /Pocket Mechanic. Last weeks, winning driver Patrick Haworth is at the wheel. Speeds for the UL-72? 87.519 (warm-up), 109.427 (lap 1), 112.290 (lap 2). Friday, 1:40 PM - We have your ladder for this afternoon's qualification session - UL-72, UL-25, UL-929, UL-23, UL-58, UL-38, UL-40, UL-18, UL-14, UL-5, UL-19, UL-15. The UL-19 has joined us here in the pits! Friday, 12:11 AM - With the arrival of the UL-40 Thunder Valley Racing team (mere minutes ago), we have ten hulls in the pits. The UL-19 and the UL-15 are still expected. Friday, 12:11 AM - The UL-15 Mike's Hard Lemonade/Happy Go Lucky will be here soon. Jerry Hopp is on his way. Friday, 11:50 AM - The first order of business for the Lights today is a morning autograph session. The series has a testing/qualification session set for 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM later today. Friday, 11:41 AM - We've picked up the UL-38 Security Race Products/Silver Dollar Casino here in the pits and we've heard that the UL-40 Thunder Valley Racing Team is in the area. When we say "heard", we mean it. The Seafair Pirates are traveling with the team and you can hear them coming a mile away! They've been on parade outside the pits a couple times this morning. The Pirates "Duck" boat is towing the UL-40! Thursday update - New
Photos from Seattle
Wednesday update - Patricia Darling
reports from the pits of Seattle Bo and I had the good fortune to speak with Admiral and Mrs. Vernon Clark this evening. He spoke at the Officer's Reception, hosted by the Navy League and the Seafair Board of Directors. Admiral Clark is Chief of Navy Operations, and highest ranking Navy Officer (other than Chief of Staff). He is stationed at the Pentagon. We were proud to represent the Unlimited Lights. Patricia Darling - ULHRA Commissioner 
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