News from September, 2003! Jerry Hopp successfully
defends, and takes the points lead
Second went to George Woods in the UL51 Security Race Products who had the power & speed to keep up with Hopp in the chutes, but couldn't get his 22 year old hull to turn with Hopp's more modern hydroplane. Still, it was an outstanding return to the fastest race water in North America for the 1988 Unlimited Hydroplane winner at San Diego. And to top it off, Woods ran the fastest Unlimited Lights lap of the weekend in testing at over 115 mph. At the end of racing on Saturday, the host UL5 San Diego Thunderboat Presents Freedom Racing of Kevin Aylesworth knew they had a problem. Their very reliable supercharged engine, originally built by George Woods, was down on power. An overnight session led to a Sunday morning test run; a test run that brought big smiles to the faces of the exhausted crew and driver Aylesworth. That afternoon, Aylesworth ran a strong third place, just behind Woods, while fourth place went to Phil Bononcini in the UL72 Graham Trucking, and fifth to Rick Bridgeman and the UL17 Miss Ted's Red Apple Market. Three other boats were scheduled for the Final. The UL136 La Cucaracha Llumar Window Film, with UL rookie Brian Perkins from the Llumar Window Film U8 team, was unable to start due to ignition trouble. Cal Phipps and the UL10 Frazee Paint went dead in the water just prior to the start, and Vince Xaudaro in the UL929 Microsoft Office Project went dead in the water on the first lap. The weekend was quite eventful, including the debut of Lighter than LIGHTS competitor Brian Perkins in Pat Roach's UL136, and Harold Mills rookie performance in the UL40 Front Page 2003. The 136 is actually a National Modified class hydroplane that just meets the minimum 20 foot length for the UL series. But this boat also won in San Diego three years ago, and the ULHRA teams were happy to welcome new owner Pat Roach. He named his boat La Cucaracha IV in honor of his father "Doc" Roach who campaigned with distinction the La Cucaracha hydroplanes in the 150 cubic inch and 280 cubic inch classes from the mid 60's to the early 80's. After the U8 Unlimited hydroplane was knocked out of action before racing began, members of the Llumar team assisted Roach and former owner Dick Sanders on behalf of their own Brian Perkins. As a "thank you", the boat was renamed for racing as the La Cucaracha Llumar Window Film. Another welcome addition to the series was driver Harold Mills. The 50 year old "rookie" had won the 2.5 Liter Modified Hydroplane National High Point Championship in 2000. For the past three years he'd attempted at several events to gain his Unlimited Hydroplane driver's qualification with the U25 team. Unfortunately for Mills he didn't complete the minimum number of laps at the minimum required speed. But in the UL40, Mills seemed right at home. In fact he commented that this ex Grand Prix hydroplane drove much like his 2.5 modified hydro, and he was able to circle the Mission Bay 1 2/3's mile course at just under 104 mph...one of the best laps of the season for this hull. While engine problems befell the Thunder Valley team, Mills was able to "nail" the start in his first heat and lead the field to the first turn, before returning to the pits after 2 1/2 laps because of low oil pressure. Following an engine swap, the same problem hit the team in testing on Sunday morning. But for a while, the "fabulous 40" as the team calls it, looked as good as it has all season long, matching the performance shown briefly in Seattle with regular driver Kelly Stocklin; a performance that was also cut short by engine woes. Stocklin was in attendance helping the Thunder Valley team as he recuperates from hand surgery following a table saw accident in August while working at his home. Second fastest qualifier, Cal Phipps, looked to be in position for his second UL victory of the season, and his UL10 Frazee Paint it's third win of 2003. But after setting the second fastest qualifying speed, and finishing a very close second to Phil Bononcini in the Ul72 Graham Trucking in Heat 1A, Phipps team ran into mechanical woes in the second heat and finished 4th. Then on Sunday in the final, the UL10 went dead in the water in turn two just prior to the start. Meanwhile, the virtual "sister ship" to the UL10, Bononcini's UL72 also appeared capable of ending Phil's "0 for San Diego" record. But after a strong qualifying effort and two preliminary heat victories, the UL72 faded to 4th place in the final, and never was in contention for the win after the start. Two other teams looked their best of the season, but had disappointing endings. For the first time all summer, the UL19 Windows SharePoint Services failed to finish a heat for driver Steve Hook. In talking to the driver afterward, the report was reminiscent of what happened to Jerry Hopp at Valleyfield in 2002. First of all, Hook drove the 19 to its best qualifying effort, at better than 108 mph. Primed to race, Hook was driving hard into turn #1 with all signs positive. However while he was concentrating on turning the 19, a first time problem for this team occurred. The oil filter gasket failed, sending oil flying out of the engine, and the motor was "toast" by the time Hook reached the exit pin...a period of just a few seconds. The other team with its best performance of the year, till its engine "blew" was the UL58 SharePoint Portal Services of Pingree Conflitti. It might have been the end of the line for 2003 for the Union Dooz Racing Team, but on Saturday Sept. 27th, the team announced they will race in Port Angeles. The UL 19 team indicated the same on the flight home from San Diego. Looking ahead to Port Angeles WA and the first STRAIT THUNDER, named for the Strait of Juan De Fuca which separates Washington State and British Columbia, Canada, a dozen UL entries are expected. Paul Becker and the UL14 Miss Software Prototype team had to miss the San Diego event but will be competing at Strait Thunder. Also, Joe Turner in the UL18 will appear. Turner acquired the former UL49 from Steve Hook in 2002 but so far, appearances at Seattle in 2002 & 2003 were unsuccessful and the craft failed to qualify. Since Seattle, Turner reports positive progress and they expect to race for the first time at Port Angeles, the race closest to the Turner's home. Ten boats from the San DIego race will be in Port Angeles; the only one unable to attend is the UL10 Frazee Paint team of Milton & Charley Wiggins of Alabama, driven by Detroit's Cal Phipps. Also joining in what should be an outstanding weekend of racing, is the final installment of the Lighter than LIGHTS series for limited hydros. It promises to be a weekend full of racing and other activities in the picturesque coastal city of Port Angeles, on the NW tip of Washington State's Olympic Peninsula. John Lynch Looking ahead to this weekend ... Our 2003 San Diego preview!
Jerry Hopp in the UL15 Mike's Hard Lemonade/Happy Go Lucky leads 3 time defending champion Phil Bononcini in the UL72 Graham Trucking by 671 pts. In the driver's points chase, Bononcini leads Hopp by 169 pts. All Unlimited Light hydroplane heats are scored in the traditional manner; 400 pts for 1st, 300 for 2nd, 225 for third, 169 for fourth, 127 for fifth and 95 for 6th. Bononcini's slight lead in driver points is due to Jerry Hopp alternating with son Greg earlier in the UL season, until Greg sustained season ending injuries in an Unlimited hydroplane accident at Madison IN. Through 5 races in 2003 the revised and restricted supercharged engine rules have had their desired effect. Starting in Seattle last year, the Hopp Racing entry won the final 3 races of the season. Since then, and with the involvement of Jerry Hopp, ULHRA officials adjusted the "blower motor" specifcations by reducing the speed of the supercharger and adding 100 lbs to the minimum hull weight for a supercharged hydroplane. So far in 2003, supercharged entries have won 2 races, and non supercharged entries have won 3 events, demonstrating that the effort to maintain a competitive opportunity for both engine types is succeeding. What's surprising is that of those 3 non supercharged victories this year, none of them belong to Phil Bononcini and the UL72 . Two wins were achieved by the UL10 Frazee Paint entry of Milton & Charley Wiggins out of Gadsden AL, with the other victory in Detroit going to Toledo OH racer Randy Haas in the UL110 Windows Server 2003. Haas won the San Diego event in 2001 but is not expected to be on hand this year. Phil Bononcini and Joe Frauenheim's bright red UL72 has been the leading team on the circuit since the year 2000. That year, the team won 5 of 7 events. Those were the first 5 victories in their Unlimited Light career which began in the mid 90's. Since then, the team has added 8 more victories; 7 by Bononcini and one by 2002 "guest driver" Patrick Haworth at Tri Cities WA. Bononcini, with 12 career UL victories, is tied atop the career wins column with retired Bo Schide who garnered 12 titles in the 90's. But that's history, and Bononcini is after the present. So he's on a mission to Mission Bay. Not only is he without a race victory in 2003, the UL72 driver & co-owner is winless for his career in San Diego. The Wiggins' Racing UL10 team scored their first victory of this year with Canadian Patrick Haworth driving at Valleyfield, Quebec. The second victory was with Detroit's Cal Phipps at the wheel, coming from behind on the final straightaway to edge the now retired Dave Bender of El Dorado CA at the Seafair event in Seattle. It was Bender's final race and he finished with 4 career UL victories and was second in last year's driver's points race. Phipps will be at the helm in San Diego. He drove Frazee Paint to a second place finish in San Diego last year, right behind the UL15 of Jerry Hopp. The Alabama team has raced in only 3 of the first 5 events this season, yet they hold 5th place in the team standings and are certainly a threat to win on Mission Bay.
Returning to San Diego to race for the first time since 1992 is 1988 Unlimited Winner, George Woods Jr. Woods was idle for 10 seasons due to injuries sustained in an Unlimited accident in 1993. Now physically able to race again , the supremely talented Woods has steered a 20 year old, heavy and outdated hull to 4th place in the season standings. The UL51 Security Race Products, a teammate to Phil Bononcini's UL72 is supercharged but weighs about 500 lbs more than the minimum. However as Unlimited Light drivers rediscover every time out, Woods always has a chance if he's in the race. The San Diego course could also work to his advantage. We're also told the UL51 will sport a splashy new paint scheme in time for San Diego. Racing in San Diego for the second time in his career is Rick Bridgeman. Co-owner and driver of the supercharged UL17 Miss Ted's Red Apple Market, Bridgeman is coming off his team's best performance since they ran at San Diego in 1995. Competing on their home track in Olympia WA, Bridgeman took second place at Speedfest in August, despite racing the final heat with no vertical stabilizers due to damage sustained earlier in the event. Back in 95, Bridgeman also took second place on Mission Bay in his previous hull which was non supercharged, as were all Unlimited Lights until 2001. This team is rounding into shape, and the UL17 is another hull that may find the big Mission Bay course to its liking. The distinctive and striking black, yellow and red paint scheme could well be visible at the front of the pack in San Diego. Then there's the team no one seems to talk about much. All they do is continue to pile up points. The UL19 Windows SharePoint Services, driven by Steve Hook currently sits in 3rd position in the team and driver standings. Starting at the season opener, Hook picked up two heat victories and the team has been solid ever since. Hook will be the first to tell you that the San Diego course, the fastest race water for the Unlimited Lights, at 1 2/3's miles isn't ideal for the UL19. It's one of the shorter hulls in the fleet, and has shown tendencies to get very light on its sponsons at the end of longer straight-aways. But the aggressive driving Hook, and co-owners John Tietz and Tom Eckenberg always enjoy racing in San Diego and they'll do everything they can to put the UL19 out front. From Detroit MI, the Hard Hat Racing team of Pingree Conflitti and the UL58 SharePoint Portal Server 2003 look to build upon recent improvements. In 2002, the team won in their second ever UL event, but then sustained mechanical and structural problems later in the season. In 2003, after a disappointing start in race number one at Issaquah WA, the team struggled in Valleyfield, Quebec, and broke an engine in Detroit. Seattle wasn't much better, but in Olympia the team began to return to their early 2002 form and captured 6th place. With a 5 week break since the Olympia race, Conflitti and the UL58 should be primed for more. The newest owner in Unlimited Light competition is airline pilot Paul Becker. He debuted as driver of the UL14 for Hopp Racing at Seattle last year, and then competed this year in the season opener at Issaquah The UL14 went on to race at Valleyfield and Detroit with other drivers, then returned to Seattle where Becker purchased the oldest hull in the UL fleet. In Becker's 3 races he's reached the Final Heat each time, with a best finish of fourth place. Racing in San Diego as the Miss Software Prototype, this 1971 vintage Ron Jones hull returns to Mission Bay for the first time since taking 2nd place with Jerry Hopp in 2000.
Meanwhile trying to create lemonade out of a lemon of a 2003 season is the Thunder Valley Racing Team and its UL40 Front Page 2003. One member of the ownership group, John O'Brien, summed up the season by saying, "We haven't exactly had a story book year. Fuel problems at Tastin & Racin, crashing the boat in Valleyfield, staying up till 1 in the morning for 5 nights under a tree in Detroit to limp it through the Silver Cup race, shredding a coupler at Seafair and tweaking a motor at Olympia". . So, what else could go wrong? Driver Kelly Stocklin was injured in a table saw accident while working at his home. Stocklin will be helping on the UL40 crew at San Diego and hopes to return to the cockpit, pending healing of his surgically repaired left hand. Doctors are cautiously optimistic for a full recovery. Filling in for Stocklin will be former 2.5 Modified Hydroplane National High Point Champion, Harold Mills. The 50 year old Seattleite is known to some in San Diego. For the past couple of years he's been part of Dr. Ken Muscatel's U-25 Turbine team and has nearly completed qualifications as an Unlimited race driver. As John O'Brien noted, "after Kelly got hurt, we met as a team and asked ourselves, "Who can we bring in to this menagerie called Thunder Valley AND do something positive to finish out the year"? We all know Harold from the limited ranks and his efforts in the U boats. We know him as an ambassador of the sport and as a really likeable guy. He was on the top of the priority list to join Thunder Valley. and drive the Microsoft Front Page 2003 (a/k/a The Fabulous 40). When I called him I said, "Harold, T.V. met and put you at the top of our preferred driver list. Now, I don't know whether it's good or bad to be at the top of the Thunder Valley list with the season we've had, but we want you to drive our boat". We are very happy he said yes and that Harold Mills will be joining the International family known as the ULHRA". As the saying goes, if it wasn't for bad luck, Thunder Valley would've had no luck at all this season. This is a pairing that could fill needs for all concerned. The Front Page 2003 team hopes to mount a strong run to break their string of less than stellar performances, and the affable Harold Mills is very deserving of an opportunity to show what he can do in the highly competitive Unlimited Light Hydroplane series. John Lynch ROSTER of teams expected for San Diego Our deepest sympathies
to Ned and Suzanne Allen and their family Ned and Suzanne Allen's recent decision to make a major financial commitment to the Make-A-Wish organization, and help lead the Foundation’s national major giving initiative, has been reaffirmed by this tragedy. Said Suzanne, "When we decided to make this commitment to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, we had no idea that we would personally experience what it feels like to be at Children's Hospital losing a precious child. Our empathy has grown for what others endure." Along with Chip's parents, John and Laine, Suzanne and Ned have decided to earmark a gift to the Foundation to serve as an enduring legacy in Chip’s honor. They are asking family and friends to join them in building an endowment to underwrite wishes in perpetuity. Contributions to the Chip Allen Memorial Endowment Fund may be made either via the web at
www.wish.org; via mail to the Chip Allen Memorial Endowment Fund, c/o Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, 3550 N. Central Ave., Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85012; or by calling 1-800-722-9474 Harold Mills takes the helm
of the UL-40 Microsoft Front Page 2003 Mills began his racing career in 1979 when he acquired his own 145 cubic inch stock hydroplane, the Harold's Club, which he raced until 1986. He drove to victory in 1985 at Lake Sammamish in Issaquah WA, now the home of Tastin & Racin. Later he hooked up with Nick Badolato and his 7 liter Div 1 Pussycat. It's interesting how things can evolve because a few years later, Badolato became part of the Thunder Valley Racing Team, and 2 years ago was the first driver in Unlimited Light Hydroplane racing to compete with a supercharged engine. Now, with Badolato semi-retired and Stocklin out with injury, the Issaquah WA based Thunder Valley team has called on Mills to take over in the supercharged UL40. Mills told ulhra.org "it's a great opportunity to fill in for Kelly in the Front Page 2003 and I'm looking forward to racing in San Diego. I wish Kelly all the best in recovery and hope he gets well soon.". When asked if this could be the start of an extended involvement with the Unlimited Light series, Mills borrowed a popular thought from former Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Chuck Knox by saying, "I'm going to take this deal one race at a time". For the past 7 seasons, Mills has driven for his step son, Fred Olson, in the 2.5 modified hydroplane Fast Freddy. Mills was driving Fast Freddy on Saturday (9-6) at Lake Lawrence in Yelm WA and won the first heat. However the motor was damaged and the team was finished for the weekend. His first lap was just off the national record, but as the motor softened, so went the speed record attempt. The 50 year old has been racing half his life. In his weekday career he's also a driver; for DHL Airborne Express Worldwide. He's married to Vicki Mills and resides in the south Seattle area. In addition to race driving, Mills is respected by his peers; having been elected to leadership posts several times with his Seattle racing organization as well as taking on race director duties. John O'Brien, one of the owners of the consortium known at Thunder Valley Racing (TV) commented for ultra.org on the appointment of Harold Mills as replacement driver for the injured Kelly Stocking. "We haven't exactly had a story book year. Fuel problems at Tastin' & Racin' , crashing the boat in Valleyfield, staying up til 1 in the morning for 5 nights under a tree in Detroit to limp it through the Silver Cup race, shredding a coupler at Seafair and tweaking a motor at Olympia. Kelly hurting himself was the icing on the cake. After Kelly got hurt, we met as a team and asked ourselves, "Who can we bring in to this menagerie called Thunder Valley AND do something positive to finish out the year?" We all know Harold from the limited ranks and his efforts in the U boats. We know him as an ambassador of the sport and as a really likable guy. He was on the top of the priority list to join T.V. and drive the Microsoft Front Page 2003 (a/k/a The Fabulous 40). When I called him I said, "Harold, T.V. met and put you at the top of our preferred driver list. Now, I don't know whether it's good or bad to be at the top of the Thunder Valley list with the season we've had, but we want you to drive our boat". We are very happy he said yes and that Harold Mills will be joining the International family known as the ULHRA". John Lynch 2002 Rookie of the Year injured; will miss San Diego race
The good news is, surgeons have reattached the muscles, tendons, and nerves, and doctors are cautiously optimistic for Stocklin's recovery. Kelly told ulhra.org that passive therapy is all he can do with the forefinger at this time while the thumb has been immobilized until the bone heals. But Stocklin will be on hand to assist the Thunder Valley Racing Team in San Diego. For Stocklin, the bad news is Kelly's career as a nuclear machinist requires deft handiwork. As he put it, "everything worthwhile I've done in my life, I've done with my hands." Thunder Valley's John O'Brien has announced the appointment of 2000 2.5 Modified Hydroplane National Champion Harold Mills to substitute for Stocklin. Mills has attempted to qualify as an Unlimited Hydroplane driver over the past 3 years, but did not complete the required number of laps at the minimum speed. His qualifications to be an Unlimited Light race driver are solid with over 25 years of racing experience. As any new UL driver, He'll be reviewed by the race referee during testing and qualifying. It's likely that he'll be required to start his first heat(s) on the outside. This will be Mills' first experience in driving a supercharged hydroplane. More on this story to come. John Lynch Victoria Express presents The setting will be unparalleled for the first annual STRAIT THUNDER Unlimited Light Hydroplane races in Port Angeles. The backdrop - The majestic Olympic mountains. STRAIT THUNDER Unlimited Light Hydroplane Race is presented by the Peninsula Water Sports Association (P.W.S. A.) a non-profit corporation. The event is sanctioned by the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association (U.L.H.R.A.), a non profit Washington State registered corporation. Strait Thunder is the final race on the ULHRA's national points circuit with teams and drivers competing for championship honors in 2003. The Racing Action begins Saturday, October 4 at noon. See complete race day schedules enclosed. The U.L.H.R.A. will have at least a dozen boats competing both days. The action will be continuous, with the "Lighter than LIGHTS" classes of race boats staged between Unlimited Light Hydroplane heats. The Strait Will Roar with the Thunder These are the same Thunder Boats that race at Seattle, Detroit, San Diego, Issaquah, and Quebec, Canada. Unlimited Light Hydroplanes are 20 - 26 feet long and up to 12 feet wide. Some have carbureted racing gas engines developing up to 900hp. Others run restricted superchargers with methanol fuel engines that develop up to 950 hp. These supercharged entries must weigh at least 200 lbs more than the non supercharged hydroplanes in order to maintain parity in racing. The superchargers also create a fan thrilling roar. The straightaway speed record for this series is over 161 mph. The excitement will be electric as you watch the races from one of several vantage points along the race course or from the log boom or aboard the Victoria Express Ferry anchored right out on the water in the harbor in the middle of the race course! Come watch the racing, tour the pits and see the boats and drivers up close. You can meet the drivers at an autograph signing and cheer on your favorite boat. Throughout the weekend you can check out vintage hydroplanes including the Miss Budweiser. Tickets are available in advance through Tickets West at ticketswest.com or at Swains General Store in Port Angeles, Sequim and Port Townsend. Advance ticket prices are:
There’ll be many exciting things to do for the entire family. Parking There’ll be free parking with free shuttle buses available and paid on-site parking at former Rayonier site. Follow the signs or check the website for maps. The P.W.S.A. invites hydroplane racing fans from all over the state to come to the Olympic Peninsula for a spectacular weekend of racing and sampling the ambiance of the Olympic Peninsula. There’s so much to see and do while you’re here – hiking, kayaking, fishing, sightseeing, shopping. Plan a visit to Olympic National Park, Lake Crescent, stroll or bike along the Olympic Discovery & Waterfront Trail. For more things to see and do while visiting the Olympic Peninsula click on over to the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce website at: portangeles.org. Sponsors for the first annual Victoria Express Strait Thunder Hydroplane race:
Community Sponsors include: City of Port Angeles Parks & Recreation Dept. Strait Thunder Schedule of Events Friday, October 3 Strait Thunder Contacts & Promotion Peninsula Water Sports Association Jack Harmon Terry MacDonald There are a limited number of t-shirts, hats, and tickets available for promotional use. Also limited number of prize packages available. For more information on obtaining the above for promotional use contact Terry MacDonald, 360-452-7070 or
otmm1@msn.com. Click here for updates from August, 2003
Questions, comments? E-mail the
site's webmaster. |
Great
racing throughout Saturday at San Diego. Then Sunday, a looonnnggg wait till the
4pm Unlimited Lights Final Heat. The schedule was a bit different, but Jerry
Hopp captured his second straight Mission Bay victory with a wire to wire win in
his UL15 Mike's Hard Lemonade/Happy Go Lucky. On top of that, Hopp took the lead
in driver's points over 3 time defending champion, Phil Bononcini. Just as Hopp
had never won in Unlimited or Unlimited Light competition, dating back to his
debut in 1981, until he won at Seattle last year... now, Hopp leads the driver's
standings for the first time ever
Seattleite Harold
Mills takes the helm of the UL40 Microsoft Front Page 2003 for the Thunder Valley Racing Team, at San Diego CA September 19-21. Mills will be substituting for regular driver Kelly Stocklin, who sustained serious hand injuries in a table saw accident while working at his home on August 16th. 
Kelly
Stocklin, driver and part owner of the UL40 Front Page 2003 was injured August 16th while working on his house. A table saw accident virtually severed his left thumb, and severely cut his left forefinger at the base of the knuckle. 