November, 2000
We are pleased to announce that an understanding is in place with AeroEFX Productions and Speedvision that will bring you a full ten race television package next year. It will be the same one hour format that was used for this year's fan pleasing Tastin' n Racin' show. It will also be the format for the upcoming San Diego broadcast set to debut on January 17th, 2001. Each race will feature the Unlimited Lights and will be aired at least three times.
The goal here is to offer fans several opportunities to catch the show and
present a premiere package for potential sponsors interested in joining the
Lights. During the 2001
season, three new segments will be added to the broadcasts including "Racer Profile",
"In the Cockpit" and "Action Rewind". Grand National / Unlimited Light For Sale Rick and Shawn Bridgeman dropped us an e-mail asking that we let everyone know that the UL-17 Miss Ted’s Red Apple Markets is up for sale!
All for just $17,000! If you are interested, you can contact the
Bridgemans at UL17@aol.com. From the desk of ULHRA Commissioner Patricia Darling...
My best wishes go to you and your families for a warm and happy Thanksgiving
Day. We are grateful for this sport that brings us together in a special
way. Let us stop for a moment and join hearts across the miles as racing
families and, as we give thanks, may we also recognize those who are not nearly
so blessed. Team Pegasus is going to run the kilo in March! The UL-23 Team Pegasus website has posted an update
on their winter plans. A quick visit to their "what's
new" page will reveal the latest on their progress toward running the
kilo in March, possible full sponsorship by Index Homes and Bob Larimore's
thoughts on a considered shift to a new Chrysler engine. Fred Leland and Znetix joins the Lights in 2001! Talking with ULHRA President Joe Frauenheim we have big news to share!
Following a recent conversation with Fred Leland, Joe has the go ahead to
announce that Fred will field an Unlimited Light in addition to his other
Unlimited boats next season. Fred will join the Unlimited Light fleet
racing the former "Alamo" hull owned by Carl and Randy Haas.
Chip Woods will join the team serving as their driver and Znetix intends to
sponsor the boat for the full season. Outstanding news as the 2001 fleet
begins to take shape. For more on Znetix team, be sure to visit www.web-visuals.com/znetix/. Taking a quick stop by the Grand Prix website, www.grandprixhydroplane.com,
you will find a full update on the series. The Grand Prix class recently
gathered for their annual awards banquet that played host to roughly one hundred
guests this year. In addition to the celebration, board members were
elected and rules were reviewed. Full all the latest along with a full
rundown of their season's final results, check the
site's news page. GNH/UL-15 Wins Region 10 High Points The GNH/UL-15 Ladyspy P.I./Graham
Trucking were awarded the 2000 High Points Championship trophy in the Region 10
GNH division at the recent awards banquet in Everett, Washington. Doug
McIntosh's MMS News page tells the tale of Jerry and Greg Hopp's outstanding
season finish. Click here
to take a look. Droullard Motorsports adds a new product sponsor for 2001 Paul Droullard worked through the 2000 season to build a new hull and prepare his new UL-9 to join the Unlimited Light fleet. As time ran out and work continued, Paul shifted his plans to 2001. Today, we are happy to report that the team has added Custom Metal Polishing as a new product sponsor. For more on Paul Droullard, the UL-9 Droullard Motorsports
team and the history that led up to their plan to run with the Lights, just
visit their team website. Security Race Products returns for 2001!
While we're talking about the team, don't miss the changes taking place on the B&B Racing website. The site is evolving and growing with new graphics and content. They just added a new page advertising their tow vehicle which is for sale (just visit www.bbracing.evisionsite.com/Truck_For_Sale.html for all the details). This is the same vehicle which will be listed in this month's Propeller magazine so don't wait if you are interested. B&B Racing Enterprises is family owned by the Benders;
Dave, Sandi, Gene, Elaine, Erik "Rudder", and Elizabeth. The
team is led by crew chief Clay Trueman. Gordon Grimm provides senior crew member
and back up driver duties. You can find B&B Racing on the web at www.bbracing.evisionsite.com.
You can find Security Race Products on the web at www.securityrace.com. UL-72 website takes a look at the classics... Phil Bononcini and Joe Frauenheim have purchased a new hull! It's not an unlimited light, it's a jersey speed skiff! You can take a look at their new boat on the UL-72 website, www.impacthydros.com. It's the first photo to be added to a new vintage/other boats section within the site. For those of you who didn't know, the UL-72 Budweiser/Pocket Mechanic team
originally came together restoring vintage boats. They have a lot of time
and history around the projects they have taken on over the years. Now,
through their website, you will be able to see what they are up to when not
racing with the Lights. Don't miss this weekend's first of two broadcasts covering the final race of our 2000 season. The Bayfair ESPN2 broadcast will debut this Sunday, November 12th, at 7:00 PM EST. Can't see it during the initial broadcast? The show will be rebroadcast on November 16th at 5:00 AM. Next on the schedule, Speedvision will feature a one hour show
in two months on January
17th. The Speedvision broadcast will feature the Lights and should contain a great
mix of interviews, commentary and racing action. George Stratton Benefit Auction An auction to benefit the George Stratton Memorial Trust, an educational fund that has been established for his children Christopher and Natalia, will be held on March 24, 2001. The live auction will feature "auctioneer extraordinaire" N. Mark Evans, and there will be a silent auction as well. Auction items will undoubtedly consist of rare Unlimited Hydroplane racing souvenirs, Red Wings items, NASCAR items, restaurant gift certificates, and much more. The event will be held at the Detroit Yacht Club on March 24,
2001, and is being put together by many organizations including the Detroit
Thunderfest, Unlimiteds Detroit,
USA Racing Partners, Marine
Propriders, as well as other individuals and groups. Please pass the word, and
contact the Detroit Thunderfest if you have something to donate to the auctions. Vince Xaudaro is working toward joining the Unlimited Light fleet in 2001. He crewed with Steve Hook's UL-49 Lake Pateros Motor Inn team in San Diego and a couple other events during the 2000 season. It was his chance to get a feel for the circuit and add his perspective to the discussions that framed what turned into a formative season in the future of the Unlimited Lights and the ULHRA. Vince still has his E-929 up for sale. That sale continues to be the hinge point on his joining the fleet in 2001, but we're convinced it can only be a matter of time until he is running with the Lights. Vince made it out onto the water in the UL-49 during our season finale at Bayfair. Regrettably, the boat had its problems through the weekend and the time spent on the water wasn't what Vince wanted, but he and Steve both kept a smile on their face and were great fun throughout the race weekend. We look forward to Steve's return in 2001 and Vince's new team in the near future. While we wait, here are a few shots of Vince as he took to the water for his first run...
A word from Unlimited Light Commissioner Patty Darling... Greetings of the day to all our teams....and I hope you are planning for a fine season in 2001. I realize there are many questions about the future and yet, few answers at this time. But don't think we're just sitting around!ULHRA President Joe Frauenheim is hard at work, along with Carl Haas (owner liaison to Gary Garbrecht and HYDRO-PROP) and John O'Brien, ULHRA Chief Counsel. I have written letters to race chairpersons to let them know of our interest in racing at their sites next year. We are very excited at the prospect of brand new races, in Tonawanda, New Jersey and Louisville, Kentucky. Gary has been under the weather and we all wish him a speedy recovery, and a plan for 2001 which will include the Unlimited Lights. Happy Hydroween and an early Thanksgiving to all, Click here for updates from October, 2000.
Questions, comments? E-mail the
site's webmaster. |
