March, 2000

UL-72 adds photos to their site and announces a testing date!
Our thanks are offered to Phil Bononcini for pointing us to a new set of photos on the team's site.  Phil's Issaquah, Washington based team has been hard at work preparing the UL-72 for the 2000 season.  

We are pleased to announce that the Pocket Mechanic team has set a tentative testing date of April 27th.  This is great news as the UL-72 required quite a bit of work over the winter as they repaired damage sustained during the '99 season and the final race in Hawaii.  Phil told us by e-mail that the team still has quite a bit of work ahead as they prepare to test.  We wish them the best in putting the UL-72 back on the water and look forward to seeing the team out running with us in 2000.

To see the new photos, just visit the face page of the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic site.  They've added four new photos.
 

Live Radio Web Cast Scheduled from 4/13!
The Unlimited Lights Racing Series and WORX Radio are very pleased to announce that plans have been made to bring hydroplane race fans a one hour series of live interviews with the drivers and teams of the ULRS.  Here's the full press release...

Live Radio Web Cast Scheduled for 4/13
Unlimited Lights Racing Series - 2000 Preview
 

Madison, IN --- The Unlimited Lights Racing Series and WORX Radio are very pleased to announce that plans have been made to bring hydroplane race fans a one hour series of live interviews with the drivers and teams of the ULRS.

We feel that this is a great opportunity for fans who are just getting to know the series to hear from the drivers and get a taste of the racing excitement that's in store for the upcoming season.  At this time we are finalizing the interview participants for the show so you can expect further announcements.

The Unlimited Lights class, formed in 1995, grew out of a select group of Grand National Hydros that thrilled crowds in a series of exhibition races run with the Unlimited Hydroplanes. The thunder of the automotive engines caught the ear of fans and the attention of the Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Association. It wasn't long before the Unlimited Lights Racing Series was born.  Close competition and a sound that echoes back to the classic days of Unlimited racing enhances the spectacle of any UHRA event and has contributed to the steady growth of the series.

Jeff Ayler and his partner Tim Torrance have become household names on the hydro circuit for their outstanding coverage of the Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Association.  The live internet broadcasts presented by WORX over the last two years have brought the excitement of a UHRA event to many fans who couldn't be there to experience the event in person.

The April 13 broadcast is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm EST and last for one hour. 

The link to WORX Radio is http://www.worxradio.com/
Date: Thursday, April 13, 2000
Time: 7:00 pm EST
Duration: One hour

For any questions or additional information, please contact:
 
Chuck Moore, Unlimited Lights Racing Series
E-Mail: chuck@ulrs.org
Web: http://www.ulrs.org/
Phone: (606) 271-3213

Jeff Ayler, WORX Radio
Email: jayler@hsonline.net
Web: http://www.worxradio.com/
Phone: (812) 265-3322
 

Tow Vehicle for sale...
Carl and Randy Haas need a bigger truck these days and have decided to put their 1995, E-350 Ford up for sale.  It's in excellent condition.  Here are all the details...

1995, E-350 Ford Tow Vehicle Make: Ford Model: E-350 Year: 1995 Mileage: 75,000 miles Color: White Price: $25,000 This truck is in excellent condition. The only reason for us to get rid of it is that we need a bigger truck. For more information, contact: Carl F. Haas (419) 536-0780 (home) (419) 865-5539 (work) Randy Haas (419) 537-6735 (home)

Features Diesel Power Stroke Spare tire and wheel Air conditioning (120 volt) and heat Power steering Automatic transmission Trailer brake control 16’ body box (type) Roll–up door Side door and step (right side) Center partition Microwave oven and coffee pot Cupboards Hanging closets Seat storage, table makes into a bed Port-a-pot, water tank, and hot water tank 7.5kw Onan gasoline generator Wired for an outside power source Stainless wheel covers

The Evansville Thunder Festival is back on the web!
After a short absence, the Evansville Thunder Festival website has retuned to the web!  You can check out the new look, new logo and updated information at http://www.evvthunderfest.org/.  The event has been renamed itself ThunderFestival Y2K and this popular race site has added a new Thunder Air 2000 Show featuring Air Force F-16 Vipers, an Army Jump Team, static displays and more.  The official site has all the details.
 

A couple new photos of the UL-110 Miss CompAir
Over on Hydrofest, we just loaded a new set of photos taken by Bill Allardyce from this year's Hawaii race.  The set focuses on the Hawaii Kai, but the UL-110's position in the pit area during the race put the familiar blue hull right in the middle of a couple shots.  Click here and here to visit the photos containing the UL-110.  Click here to visit Hydrofest's entire Hawaii '99 gallery and here to visit our own photo gallery.
 

GP Homepage updated with the very latest...
The Grand Prix Hydroplane site just posted a full March update with five new stories relating to race sites, sponsors, equipment and more.  Once on their site, just click on "News - Results" for the very latest.
 

Steve Hook and the UL-49 Team getting ready to race!
The UL-49 Hook Racing team is well on its way to finalizing the boat for the season ahead.  From the sound of the update just posted to MMS News, they're in the home stretch of pre-season preparations and looking toward their first race of the year, the Western Divisionals in Renton, WA.  

The UL-49 Hook Racing Team will join our fleet for the first time as Steve Hook begins his "rookie" season as a UL driver.  Steve has been successfully racing in the 5 litre ranks and is looking forward to the fast paced competition we expect from the upcoming season.

The team is based in Pateros, Washington and sponsored by Forney Insurance Agency Inc.  To learn more about the UL-49 team, be sure to visit their team page.
 

Columbiacup.com
The Tri-City Water Follies has launched a new website!  Just visit http://www.columbiacup.com/ for all the latest event and ticket information for this summer’s Thunder festivities.  The new site is loaded with information on this year's event!
 

Dave Czerwinski honored as the Grand Prix Class comes to Detroit!
Recently, representatives of the Unlimited Lights Racing Series and the Detroit race committee met with Ken Brodie, Chairman of the Grand Prix Class.  Plans are now in motion to have four to six Grand Prix boats join us for this year’s Detroit event.  The Grand Prix teams will race with the Unlimited Lights in all heats except the final and the Automotive Gold Cup.  In place of the final, the GP’s will run a special heat as a memorial dedicated to late Dave Czerwinski.  Dave Czerwinski was the Senior U.S. Director for the Grand Prix Class and owner of two Grand Prix Hydroplanes.
 

An update on the Philpot, Kentucky based UL-4 McCormick Racing team!
After talking to Jack Hinton, team manager for the UL-4, we have an update on the team's preparations for the 2000 season!  

They are progressing slowly, but steadfastly working toward getting the boat ready for the coming season.  Jack informed us that the team's primary motor is in machine shop being tooled at this time. The decks are ready to go on as soon as hull modifications are complete.  The modifications are taking time due to the unique nature of the technique they are employing to make the changes.

To quote Jack, "In other words, we could be ready to race in as little as three weeks if we had a good sponsor.  But we all have at least one kidney left to sell and come hell or high-water, we are going to make a darn good show this year."

The team is currently working to finalize a potential sponsorship and we wish them well as they continue to work toward the approaching season.
 

Madison Regatta Inc. Secures Title Sponsor
This year's 50th Anniversary Madison Regatta is starting to really take shape as the Regatta announces that Belterra Resort & Casino has signed on as the Title Sponsor of the 2000 event.  On the new Madison Regatta website you can read the full press release, check out the new official Madison Regatta logo and catch a glimpse of today's press conference through photos from the event.

It's also worth noting that the Regatta website has it's own section dedicated to the Lights and the site's photo gallery already features Unlimited Light photos from last year's race!
 

Listen live to the Madison Regatta press conference!
Madison Regatta, Inc. will name the title sponsor for the 2000 Madison Regatta in a press conference Monday 3/20/2000 at 10:00 AM EST and WORX 96.7 FM will be covering it live from City Hall in downtown Madison, Indiana.  WORX is also on the web at www.worxradio.com and has an internet feed for those not in the Madison area.  Be sure to tune in a little before 10:00 AM EST on Monday to hear the press conference live on WORX.
 

The Unlimited Lights turn up in the Issaquah Press!
Already looking toward this year's Tastin' N Racin' event on Lake Sammamish, the Issaquah Press has begun building excitement over the UL's as they spread the word that we're coming to town June 3rd and 4th.

You can read the full text of the story on the Issaquah Press site under the article title "Locals push for unlimited light hydro circuit."  We applaud the Issaquah Press' enthusiasm for the series and respect the authors opinions on the future of the ULRS, but as you read the article we ask that you keep in mind that the Unlimited Lights are a support class created to run with the UHRA and some of the opinions raised are just that, opinions of the author.

We here at ULRS.org offer our thanks to the Issaquah Press for their coverage of the Lights and look forward to visiting our new stop on the UHRA tour.

Norfolk Cancels 2000 Race - Unlimited Hydros expected to return in 2001
UHRA Commissioner Ken Muscatel announced today that the Unlimited Hydroplane race in Norfolk, VA, scheduled for July 14-16, has been cancelled for this coming season.

"The City of Norfolk has expressed its continued support for Unlimited Hydroplane racing in the future, but a combination of circumstances including too many other city events this summer and the recent loss of key city personnel, have made it impossible for them to pull off the event this July.  In the next few weeks, the UHRA will create a task force to assist the City of Norfolk in planning for the return of Unlimited Hydroplane racing in 2001."

Thunder on the Bay has hosted three successful races, beginning in 1997.  An estimated 75,000 Unlimited Hydroplane fans lined the shores of Willoughby Bay to see Miss Budweiser driver Dave Villwock take his third win for the 1999 season.

"We regret that we have had to bow out of the Ralphs Unlimited Hydroplane Thunder Tour this year.  But the culmination of several things has forced us to look toward seeing the Unlimiteds back in 2001," said Councilman Randy Wright of the City of Norfolk.

An update on the UL-23 Team Pegasus...
Bob Larimore just sent us an update on the UL-23.  Just look for the "what's new" text link on their front page for the latest update.
 

ULRS.org offers our thanks for outstanding web coverage
If you haven't stopped by Bob Jensen's MotorSports Bulletin Board area, we invite you take a look.  Bob has been carrying our stories and reporting our news for sometime now and is working hard to build an additional internet resource for powerboat news.  Just look under Airplane, Boat & Land Speed Racing for the latest.  We offer our thanks to Bob for the outstanding work.
 

Early UL count for Lake Havasu!
Our first stop of the season will be the Mohave Unlimited Hydrofest, May 18th through the 21st, on Lake Havasu in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.  I am very happy to report, after a preliminary boat count, we are expecting twelve teams to attend the race.  This should add up to an amazing show for the fans.  The following is a brief list of the teams we're expecting at this point:

We'll update this information as we get closer to the race. 
 

Haas Racing has purchased the Alamo!
In a move that will further ensure close competition throughout the 2000 season, Carl and Randy Haas of the Toledo, Ohio based UL-110 Miss CompAir team announced that they have acquired the three time National High Points Championship Alamo team.  This move ends a winter of speculation over what will happen to the resources of the former UL-16 and marks an outstanding start to the UL-110's 2000 season.
 

UL-2 Country Boy Update...
In talking with Robert Niebuer via e-mail, we've learned that the new UL-2 hull is complete and engine work on their Ford motors continues.  The team hopes to test at Kent Island, Maryland in April or in Dayton, Ohio.

Recently we helped Robert get back in contact with Mike Wiener and the UL-2 team.  Robert had been away from the team for about eight years and lost contact.  Robert has now rejoined the UL-2 team as a crew member.
 

Madison Regatta site launched!
We would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to visit the new Madison Regatta website!  You can find it at http://www.madisonregatta.com/.  The regatta festival is gearing up to celebrate 50 years of hydroplane racing hosted by the City of Madison, Indiana.  A proud Ohio River tradition!

The new site will offer the latest regatta news, race results, photos and much, much more. During the race weekend you can expect a constant flow of information to keep you tuned into all the racing action.  There's already quite a bit of content in place, but expect even more as the site continues to grow.
 

Early word on the Western Divisionals...
Though not a stop on the ULRS schedule, many of our teams make it a point to visit and race at the Western Divisionals each year.  The event takes place in Gene Coulon Park on Lake Washington in Renton, Washington.  This year the boats will be on the water May 13th and 14th from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily.  Admission is free to the public.

For more information on the event, be sure to visit the new Western Divisionals webpage!  It looks like an exciting way to spend a weekend.

Want a look at some of the UL's that have attended the event in years past?  Click here to visit the Western Divisionals gallery on Hydrofest.
 

A final wrap-up on the recent Grand Prix racing in New Zealand!
As we reported earlier this week and last week, the Grand Prix World Championships were taking place in New Zealand on Lake Karapiro.  Over on the Grand Prix Hydroplane homepage, they've added the final results from the two weekends of racing.  Click here to visit their news/results page.  Just look for the 2/28/00 update containing the final word.
 

Capsule Training at the Bush River Yacht Club
Capsule training will take place on Sunday, March 5th from 10 am to 2 PM.  This training will take place at the Bush River Yacht Club in Bush River, Maryland.  If you are interested and want more information, please contact Robin Shane at [410] 939-3184 (h) or Ken Smith at [410] 376-0207 (h), driver@dmv.com.  

Our thanks to the APBA for their recent update offering all the details.
 

Seattle Seafair Kick-Off Dinner!
Last Friday evening was the official kick-off dinner for Seafair.  The Seafair Boat Club, representatives from the USN, the USCG and representatives from the Seafair Staff were in attendance.  In all, about 200 people enjoyed the event.  It was a "Thanksgiving in February" turkey dinner.  The guest speaker for the event was UHRA Chief Operating Officer, Bo Darling.  Bo spoke about the newly organized UHRA Sales Team and some of their contacts then detailed the new Competition Rules.  Eric Corning followed with a short report on the progress of Seafair's Race which is looking good.  Finally, Patty Darling followed with a brief, very positive account of the ULRS.  She indicated that she expects eleven boats at the Havasu Race and more than that for Seafair.  She also talked about the Tastin' n Racin' event set for June 3rd and 4th.  Those in attendance appeared very anxious to work with the UHRA.  There was also a bit of nostalgia in the air as the film clips of the "Madison" movie and a "Through the Years" video were shown. 

Click here for updates from February, 2000.

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