Latest News - February, 2001

February, 2001

2001 Technical Rules
With the launch of the ULHRA, the Unlimited Light Rulebook has been revisited and updated for the 2001 season. If you are with a team and you would like a copy of the current rules, e-mail ULHRA Administrator Cindy Moore, and let her know. A portion of the news rules, the 2001 technical rules, have been posted to the site. To take a look simply visit our rules area!

UL-23 gearing up for the Kilo run
The UL-23 Index Homes sponsored Team Pegasus is gearing up for the kilo run event scheduled, tentatively, for March 10th and 11th. The attempt will take place in Orriville, California. Speaking with owner Bob Larimore, "Mercury Marine is helping out as a sponsor for the record attempt." Outstanding news as Mercury has been synonymous with racing for years and is actually the only major marine manufacturer to maintain an active racing development facility. A great partner for the upcoming record attempt. You can visit them on the web at www.mercurymarine.com. Talks are also underway with Speedvision and we may have a special record run broadcast to enjoy before it is all said and done. We'll let you know as soon as we hear anything solid.

While talking about Team Pegasus, did you know that owner Bob Larimore was recently quoted in the Kelowna Daily Courier? In a February 22nd article titled "Hydroplane racer owes his life to HANS", Bob discusses the device and his support of its use. As a byproduct of the tragic loss of Dale Earnhardt, there has been a lot of discussion on the merits of the HANS device developed by Dr. Robert Hubbard. The Head And Neck Safety (aka HANS) device is worn while racing and serves to lesson the pressure placed on the neck and base of the skull during an accident. Bob, an early advocate of the use of the device, was wearing it during the 1997 flip that almost cost him is life. The Courier quotes Bob frequently through he story. Here are a few of his thoughts on the device...

"The HANS is probably why I'm talking with you today. I owe my life to it." Bob goes on to explain, "I was inverted, hitting nose-in at about 150 (MPH). I went down about 20 feet so it wasn't like Earnhardt hitting a wall, but it was a pretty quick deceleration. I landed going forward and down, which is the worst case if you're in a boat. After that I became a Kelowna resident (at Kelowna General Hospital) for a couple weeks."

Bob goes on to describe the limits he experienced working with the device, but in the end feels certain that "anything to protect your head is a good idea." Bob was the first to use the device in a boat.

Dr. Hubbard received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Duke University and his Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from the University of Illinois. His doctoral thesis research was done on the mechanical properties of cranial bone. For six years, Dr. Hubbard worked at the General Motors Research Laboratories on crash test dummy development. In 1977, he joined Michigan State University with joint appointments in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, and in the College of Engineering. The need for the HANS head and neck support was recognized by Jim Downing, a long-time race driver, car builder and Dr. Hubbard's brother-in-law. Since, the invention of the HANS in the mid-1980's, he has been working with Downing to develop, make and sell the device.

Information on Dr. Hubbard and the HANS device provided by the International Council of Motorsports Sciences, found on the web at www.motorsportsafety.org. You can find Team Pegasus on the web at www.ulrs.org/ul23.htm.

UL-333 Demon Chaser ... coming in 2001!
David Coes will join the Unlimited Light fleet for the first time in 2001. The UL/GNH-333 is owned by Coes and Maureen Connors. If you are looking for more information on the team, check their website at www.demonchaserracing.com. The site made it's way onto the web a short time back and has been steadily growing. Quoting Coes, "Ray Downs has been working hard and we have quite a bit more done." In a very short span, they've added a lot of new content. Most notably, take a look at the driver, driver's commentary, history, renovation and specifications sections.

Also, it's great to see a bit of GNH news on the web. It has been particularly difficult to keep up with that fleet as their internet presence has been minimal in the past. Coes has a full section of his site dedicated to tracking what's taking place in their series.

New link --- GNH-150
Dale Bartley, GNH-150, contacted us to let us know that he's gotten "enthused about boat racing" and has a new website dedicated to his boat and team. You can find it on the web at www.pro-motionracing.com.

Congratulations are in order!
First, we've learned that Steve Hook, owner/driver of the UL-49 Lake Pateros Motor Inn team, is engaged to be married to Vivian Suchacki. Plans are being made for a wedding in the Fall.

Also, Rita Larimore's daughter gave birth to a 7 lb 8 oz baby boy on February 3rd. His name is Kyle Allen Smith. Rita's daughter doing fine and the baby is home. Bob's granddaughter is now 8 months old and named Madison! Bob and Rita Larimore (UL-23 Team Pegasus) are a "very proud grandmother and grandpa".

Want to send a word of congratulations? Click here to send Steve an e-mail or here to send Bob & Rita an e-mail.

Meeting with the West Coast teams...
Representatives of the ULHRA met with west coast teams during the Region 10 meeting over the weekend. The meeting was led by ULHRA President Joe Frauenheim with presentations by John O'Brien and FB Darling. We counted representatives of 11 teams!!! Trying not to leave anyone out, Doug McIntosh, Wayne Howard, Paul Droullard, Gordy Gilmore, Jerry Hopp, Joe Souza (representing the Tom Bock/Mike Fitzsimmons team), Kip Brown (Nates' nephew and one of our new drivers in 2001), Steve Hook, Vince Xaudaro (who has a new boat), John O'Brien, Phil Bononcini and Joe Frauenheim were all in attendance. Also, the Bridgemans phoned to say they had another commitment but were definitely on board for the upcoming season. Also joining us were Rick Sandstrom and Dave Cossette. -- ULHRA Commissioner Patricia Darling

The meeting was part of a two step plan to share some face-to-face time with all the teams. The first of the two meetings took place last month during the APBA meetings in St. Louis.

Following the meeting, Doug McIntosh of McIntosh Marketing Services had this to say about the upcoming season... "I think it's going to be a great year for the UL's. The new ULHRA team is doing a great job. Keep it up!!" His enthusiasm is shared my many of the fleet as the UL's stand poised for their biggest season in years. Race sites are coming on board and the fleet continues to grow as they look toward the first race of the season.

More updates to the 2001 season schedule!
The Toronto or Tonawanda question for the weekend of June 23rd & 24th has been decided. The fleet will be racing in Tonawanda in the "Niagara Thunder" event. Additionally, a new race has been added to the already packed 2001 schedule. The new event will be the Apple Cup at Chelan, Washington on September 22nd & 23rd. It's shaping up to be a great year for the Lights!

A request of support from the series...
Jim Riley is an individual who many of you know well from his travels with the Unlimiteds and the Lights over the last few years as a representative of MRO (Motor Racing Outreach). Jim attended our meeting in St. Louis and Joe Frauenheim had a chance to talk with him at that time. Jim has been at the races the last three years at no cost to the racers or the promoters. His expenses were paid by MRO (Motor Racing Outreach). Since the change of ownership, MRO will now fund the pastor who had previously been attending the Formula 1 races. Laurie Vidal will serve as the minister for Hydro-Prop. This leaves Jim with no funding to attend the races. We would like to see Jim travel with the Lights in 2001 and he would like to attend our races and be a part of our program helping us in launching, radio, media and ministering.

Speaking on the topic, Joe added "I personally feel he adds a lot to our sport. Jim has a potential sponsor that he feels would pay a part of his expenses. What I would like to request is that any of the racers that had a moment to meet Jim or attend his services, please write him an email expressing their thanks and let him know that we would like him to attend the races next year. Jim's email is riley@hppc.org. Please note that Jim is not asking for money from the racers. These letters will be given to his potential sponsor to show a need. Thanks, Joe"

Valleyfield is on for 2001!
The ULHRA has reached an agreement with representative from Valleyfield and we are pleased to announce that the Unlimited Light fleet will be attending their race this year! We are extremely excited to be participating in an event that has such a history of fast and furious racing watched by a full crowd of enthused fans. This means we will be racing just one week apart in two great north American cities; Valleyfield and Detroit.

For all the latest on the 2001 schedule, just click here.

A R/C UL of a different color...
Andy Kunz of www.rc-hydros.com pointed us to a UL model with a slightly different paint job. "This is from one of my customers, Kevin Snell, who detailed the UL (Pocket Mechanic/Wild Fire/Earl's) model a little differently than expected." Check out what a DeWalt sponsored Unlimited Light might look like at www.rc-hydros.com/customers/snell1.jpg. Pretty slick!

The new super-charged motor option
You've heard the rumors that the Lights will adopt a "blown" motor rule in 2001. It's no long a rumor. Read all about the new motor option in our latest rules update!

Howie LaBrie announces his retirement
Speaking with Mr. LaBrie's wife Dana via e-mail, she let us know that she and her husband Howie have decided to retire from racing. In addition to today's announcement, they will be selling their boat. Dana is in the process of forwarding us all the details on the sale and we will post it to the site as soon as we receive the information.

Having raced in both Tri-Cities and Seattle during previous seasons, Howie LaBrie was no stranger to the series. His boat is a Jones two-winger, and has run as the "Hey Baby!".

We wish both Howie and Dana LaBrie the very best in their retirement from the sport.

St. Louis, from the desk of Joe Frauenheim...
Thanks to all our fans, race teams and the ULHRA organizational team we had a very productive meeting at St. Louis. I realize cell phones and email are great methods of communication but there is no question that getting face to face (at a venue other than a busy race weekend) allows us to coordinate our efforts as in no other way. Our meeting ran all day Thursday and concluded with a showing of the San Diego Speedvision show in our meeting room. The meeting was attended by Patty Darling, Howard Shaw, Angela Harris, Randy Haas, Bo Darling, Bob Larimore, Gene Bender, Carl Haas, Jim Garza, Rick Sandstrom, John O'Brien, Joe Frauenheim, and John Courtright. During the meeting we...

reviewed the 2001 races in detail
reviewed and approved a new set of bylaws to reflect our non profit status
changed our engine rules to allow a crank trigger ignition
reviewed and approved a conditional blown motor rule
reviewed our marketing plan
discussed the assistance that the Speedvision programs will give our teams to get sponsors

Jim Garza gave us a full report on the 2001 Detroit race and announced that he has five to seven Detroit Companies that want to sponsor Light boats this year. Any teams who need a sponsor to come to Detroit contact Joe Frauenheim.

Okay, in "after meeting" meetings, we met with representatives from Detroit, Madison, Valleyfield, Tri Cities, San Diego, Seattle, and Louisville. Mike St.Amand from AeroFX, our television production company , was on hand for a meeting with John O'Brien and in camera interviews with drivers Phil Bononcini and Randy Haas. Prior to the awards Hydro-Prop dinner, we met with Gary Garbrecht and established race site procedures that mirror last years coordinated efforts to put on a great show for the fans of hydroplane racing.

We will continue to expand on the meeting results and publish the revised rules and expanded schedule over the next week. Again Thanks to Cindy and Chuck Moore, Kelly Stocklin, Phil Bononcini, and the meeting attendees who are spending time and money to make this happen. We are coordinating a west coast UL "interested parties" meeting with the Region 10 meeting on February 17 to personally update teams on the St Louis meeting.

Joe Frauenheim
President, ULHRA

Wednesday's broadcast rescheduled
In checking the latest Speedvision listings for this week, we now see that Havasu Speedweek is scheduled for this Wednesday rather than a rebroadcast of the San Diego race. It's a change from last week. We'll continue to watch for additional rebroadcasts, but you can keep an eye as well by visiting the Speedvision Weekly Schedule.

A quick rundown of the Unlimited Light awards presented at the Hydro-Prop Banquet...

Unlimited Lights Sponsor of the Year - Graham Trucking
Unlimited Lights Rookie of the Year - Nick Badolato
Unlimited Lights 2000 Third Place - Jerry Hopp - Graham Trucking
Unlimited Lights 2000 Second Place - Carl and Randy Haas - Miss CompAir
Unlimited Lights Driving Champion - Phil Bononcini - Budweiser/Pocket Mechanic
Unlimited Lights Series Champion - Budweiser/Pocket Mechanic
Outstanding Contribution - Cindy and Chuck Moore

Miss the San Diego broadcast last week?
If you missed last week's, we've heard that there will be a rebroadcast on February 7th at 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM PST. It was a great show and one that you will not want to miss!

UL meetings in St. Louis taking place...
The Unlimited Lights are meeting today (2/1/01) as part of the APBA Annual Meeting in St. Louis. We expect to hear a lot following the meetings and we should have quite a bit to share over the weekend. Stay tuned to the site for more as we hear it!

Click here for updates from January, 2001.