October, 2000 There are two new boats for sale this evening! The GP-101 P.C. Racing
and the GP-25 Shameless are boat fast and on the market for new owners.
Just visit Doug's "What's for
sale?" page for all the details. We have a few hulls that are up for sale and the details can be found right here on the internet. First, Jerry Hopp wants to move into a new hull and has his UL-15 up for sale on his team's website. This is the same hull that finished third in Unlimited Light high points this season. For all the details, just visit the team's news page and pan a short way down the page watching for the section titled "UL-15 Hydroplane for Sale". Additionally, there are a few National Modified hulls listed on the McIntosh Marketing Services site. Available at this time are the NM-1 Stinger, NM-33 Honey Hush IV and Vince Xaudaro's NM/5 litre. To take a look, just visit the "What's for sale?" section of the site. Have a hull you want to sell? Let us
know and we might be able to help get you listed on the internet as well. For a quick look back on the Lake Hopatcong race and the latest on this
weekend's upcoming 2000 Grand Prix Convention and Banquet, just visit www.grandprixhydroplane.com
and click on their News
- Results page section. It's time to end the speculation. At this point we are planning on a twelve race 2001 season for the Lights! The schedule is still tentative in places, but this should allow everyone to firm up their 2001 plans.
Checking in with one of the National Modified teams... Whenever possible, we like to feature other classes where our Unlimited Light drivers (or future drivers) like to complete. The National Modifieds have joined us on the water racing with us a couple times this season. Now, thanks to an e-mail from Jack Sipila and six photos taken by Alan Lagervall, we can feature a nice series of Lake Lawrence shots focusing Jack Sipila's own Jack Attack hull. Jack suggested we consider a "little Brother section" for the site. That isn't a bad idea at all. Speaking for his boat running with the series, Jack explained that he looks forward to running with the lights when the opportunity exists next year. Here's a quick look at his hull...
Racing with the Jack Attack in the photos is Terry Troxell in the Stinger, Roby Otwall's Honey Hush II, Val Lisk's "Casino boat". Also in attendance during the Lake Lawrence race weekend was the newest
driver on the Unlimited circuit, Russ Wicks. Russ put
in about 35-40 laps during the event and was certified by
American Power Boat Association (APBA) Chief referee, Jim Codling for competing
in "at least four heats in a 5 liter, 6 liter, Grand National or Unlimited
Light hydroplane." This is a requirement for Unlimited qualification. You never know who you will see... While visiting this weekend's Miracle Toyota Formula One Shoot Out in Cypress Gardens, Florida we bumped into former UL-16 Alamo owner Ned Allen and teammate Duff Taylor. Good to see Duff still sports his former UL-16 hat and race wear...
Where are we heading? Here's the first part of the answer!
ULHRA PRESS RELEASE The Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association (ULHRA) was formed at the end of July as a non-profit business league corporation in Washington State. Joe Frauenheim, from the Washington based UL-72 camp was named President and the current UL Board of Directors will remain in office. The ULHRA also has in place the Race Site Liaison Committee, comprised of: Carl Haas, from the Ohio based UL-110 camp, Joe Frauenheim, and John O'Brien of the Washington based UL-21 camp. John is also Chief Counsel for the ULHRA. Patty Darling has been named Commissioner for the series and Bo Darling will serve as the National Marketing Director. Patty will work with the Liaison Committee, and will continue her relationship with established race sites. Both Chuck and Cindy Moore will continue to work with the series at the same time they assume new responsibilities within HYDRO-PROP, Inc. Within the ULHRA, Chuck will continue to serve as the Director of Communications and Cindy will be in charge of Administration. The ULHRA will work in close cooperation with HYDRO-PROP, to help meet their shared goals of providing the highest value, highest quality motor sport entertainment package possible.The
ULHRA has established a relationship with Speedvision, a national cable channel.
They have already produced a fine one-hour television show of each of two UL
races. Speedvision has an estimated 25 million viewers, compared to ESPN's
"70 million", but their numbers are climbing and they do an excellent
job of meeting the needs of the Unlimited Light sponsors. The expanded
length of national exposure is extremely attractive to smaller businesses that
sponsor our Class. Steve Hook looks back on the 2000 season Steve Hook and his UL-49 Hook Racing team were a welcome ddition to the 2000
fleet. Over on the MMS News page, Steve looks back on the season and
racing with the Unlimited Lights. A great read. Check it out at http://www.seanet.com/~mms/news.htm. Early word on the We've heard that Speedvision will feature a one hour show on January
17th. The broadcast will be shown three times and should contain a great
mix of interviews, commentary and racing action. All our heats will be
covered during the broadcast! Inboard capsule training scheduled Capsule training has been scheduled for
November
19, 2000. The training will take place in central Florida and is scheduled
to start at 1:00 PM. It has been organized by the Water Rescue Response
Team of Central Florida, Inc. For more
information, please visit the full
release on the APBA website! Thunder Valley Upsets the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic UL-21 Thunder Valley and the National high point champion UL-72 Pocket Mechanic/Budweiser Unlimited Light hydro teams crossed blades one more time as the 2000 race season came to a close. Both boats entered the 31st running of the annual Salmon Days parade in their home port of Issaquah, Washington last weekend. With over 60,000 people witnessing the event, the Salmon Days organizers awarded trophies for the top three entries in such classes as "Marching Bands, Cheerleaders, Equestrian entries , etc. Thunder Valley came away with the second place trophy for "Best Wheeled Entry" having to knock off such competitors as a 1931 Fire Engine, Model T Fords, stainless steel DeLoreans, 25 Harley Davidsons and yes, the Pocket Mechanic! "We're just ecstatic", said driver Nick Badolato. "The crew thrashed all night by hand buffing an extra coat of wax on the deck and even got all the B2 out of the bilge! They really gave me a race boat I could work with". The team over came severe adversity early in the parade when crew members JC Courtright and Chuck Dow walked to close to the back end of the John Wayne Horse Riders equestrian entry prior to the poop scooper patrol completing their rounds. "Yes, we jumped the gun in the preliminaries and could have been penalized severely for the odor of our uniforms", said team president JC Courtright. We knew we could beat the Pocket Mechanic if we could find some water, and Jerry Hopp's sponsor, Talking Rain, came to our aid". UL-72 owner Joe Frauenheim, although skunked in the competition, was gracious
in defeat. "I have to hand it to the Thunder Valley guys", he said.
"They have been on our heals all season and they finally got us. I
think it was the armor-all on their tires that gave them the edge this
time". Teamwork, a series concept in the Lights (aka why we love this series)! Doug McIntosh touched base with Jerry Hopp earlier this weekend and let us know that the UL-15 Hopp Racing team has loaned their back-up engine to Steve Hook and the UL-49 Lake Pateros Motor Inn team. Steve Hook is based in Pateros, Washington and joined the UL fleet for the first time this season running at Lake Havasu, Lake Sammamish, Tri-Cities and San Diego. Steve ran into a bit of engine trouble during the season finale in San Diego, but never let the smile leave his face. He came to the event to support the series and worked hard to present a solid show on the water. With the use of Jerry's engine this weekend, Steve took his UL-49 to Moses Lake in Washington. This may seem like a simple story, but it's a great example of
why so many people love the Lights. It's more than just the close
competition. You see, if a team makes it to an event and is short a hand
or two, it's not unusual to see others jumping to help. Equipment changes
hands and trucks take to the road for no other reason than to get a friend on
the water. It's about a fleet of drivers and teams that are out there for
the love of the race. It isn't just about winning. Just visit the
Unlimited Light pits at an event and you'll walk away a fan. There's clear
competition, but there's also a great group of drivers, owners and teams that
share friendship, going beyond the sport. George Stratton honored in Seattle In a public ceremony, the life of George Stratton was celebrated by friends and fans. It was a beautiful, sunny day in Seattle this afternoon with temperatures reported in the seventies with a clear blue sky. The service was opened with a welcome and invocation by Bo Darling. Bo spoke from a podium set up on Jerry Rice's yacht docked in the pit area. A wreath stood mounted on the bow of the ship adorned with purple and ivory flowers in honor of the U-5 team colors. Speaking during the ceremony were Steve Montgomery, Phil Bononcini, Mark Evans and Kim Gregory. Refreshments for the event were provided by Gai's and Tully's. An estimated 250 people attended the event. David Holmer, a long time friend of the series, attended today's ceremony. Here are his impressions from the service... "Family, friends, fellow racers, and fans gathered today at Seattle's Stan Sayers Pits to remember George Herbert Stratton. From the bow of Jerry Rise's yacht Jeronimo, former UHRA COO Bo Darling lead the welcome and invocation. Bo's kind words were followed by tributes from hydro announcer Steve Montgomery, friends and fellow racers Phil Bononcini and N. Mark Evans, and friend and long-time boat owner Kim Gregory. Each shared their unique experiences as friends of George. Steve Montgomery recounted his experiences with George and spoke about the pain of losing someone held dear. Recalling his friendship with another driver who lost his life doing what he loved, Steve's late friend Jerry Bangs. Phil Bononcini spoke of the inspirational words George shared with him as the two competed on the Unlimited Light circuit. Mark Evans shared the pain and tears he shed during the days after George's accident. But emphasized that his tears were over and it was time to celebrate George's life and memory. Long time friend and owner Kim Gregory shared his memories of George. Emphasizing that George was a racer at heart and he will honor his memory by continuing on with George's passion, boat racing. All remembered George as a fierce competitor and one heck of a nice guy. The ceremony closed with a benediction performed by Patricia Darling and a checkered flag lap and laying of the wreath from the deck of the Jeronimo. An educational fund, the George Stratton Memorial Trust, has been established for his children, Christopher and Natalia. Donations may be made to: Nevada State Bank Trust #0610012711 UL-21 Thunder Valley Racing update! If you point your browser to the UL-21
webpage on Doug McIntosh's MMS website, they've just updated with a full
2000 season recap. They also offer a quick update on what they are doing
now. Great reading! UL-23 pilot, JW Myers, set to race this weekend We want to extend our best wishes and good luck to UL-23 Team Pegasus pilot JW Myers. JW will be racing in the 18th Annual Shadow Cliff Fall Regatta in Pleasanton, California this weekend. Checking with him last night to make sure he was headed that way, he replied "You bet I am!!! This is where I am from and where my true passion will always be. Outboards, this is where boys become men."Classes racing this weekend include Stock,
Modified and PRO Outboard, OPC, APBA J and the Summer Nationals for the
Crackerboxes. For more information on the event, visit the APBA race
circular at www.apba.org/circulars/43.html.
More more information on Team Pegasus, visit the UL-23
website. A new e-mail discussion list keeps fan up to date on the Inboards! Dan Kanfoush has taken the lead and started a new e-mail discussion group focusing on the inboard class. If interested, you can sign up at www.egroups.com/group/inboardhydros. It might make for some good reading through the winter months ahead. You can receive each post as it comes down the pipe or sign up for a daily digest of the discussion. A great new resource for fans of the inboard class. The listserv is powered by egroups, the same service that hosts to the 1.5 litre discussion group.Grand Prix season end update... The Grand Prix class joined the Lights for a successful weekend of racing in Detroit this year. Could 2001 offer additional GP/UL mixed events? Only time will tell. Any Light teams wanting to attend the Grand Prix owner/director meeting, we have the details. It will take place on Saturday, October 28th at the Nautic Club on Victoria Street in Valleyfield, Quebec. In the session starting at 1:30 PM, the owners and directors of the Grand Prix class will welcome the Light folks to join them. The meeting is preceded Friday night with a Welcome Aboard Party from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM. After the meeting on Saturday, there will be a banquet starting at 6:30 PM, in which the 2000 Grand Prix trophies will be presented. The evening will end with a dance. All events will take place at the Nautic Club. It is possible that that the meeting could continue into Sunday. If you are interested in attending, please contact Ken Brodie. If you need his number, drop us an e-mail. For more on the Grand Prix class, be sure to visit www.grandprixhydroplane.com. We welcome the Spirit of Coeur d'Alene to the 2001 fleet! We have a new Unlimited Light team joining the fleet! We just heard from Phil Bononcini and it is with great pleasure that the UL-72 team announces that John Tietz, John Nichols, and Tom Eckenberg have purchased their 1985 Ron Jones hull. This is the former Pocket Mechanic that they ran in 1996, 1997 and 1998. The "Sprit of Coeur d'Alene" team intends to join the series next year. The team's racing experience comes from the time when they were with the U-19 team.
UL-72 celebrates in San Diego Click here for updates from September, 2000.
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