The ULHRA display at the 2006 Seattle Boat Show.  We share a space just outside the main entrance with General Motors, who are displaying a couple of Chevy Tahoes.	No generation gap in ULHRA...  a kid, and a kid-at-heart, both enjoy an up-close look at UL 72.	Michael Flaherty, Driver of the UL-72, 'Miss Boat Electric' (far left), and Paul Becker, Owner/Driver of the UL-14, 'Miss Software Prototype' (far right), discuss the display with the Boat Electric folks.	The kids usually wanted to know, "How fast does it go?". Mike must have fielded that question hundreds of times. Adults seemed most amazed by the apparent tight quarters of the cockpit, with many commenting, "I could never fit in there...!". They seemed genuinely surprised when Mike told them that he fits into it.

My Farewell to a sport and a group of people I have had the honor of being associated with, both actively and inactively since the conception in 1994 of the NASBOATS, (now known as Unlimited Lights) that first exhibition year.

As many people already know the UL-9 American Eagle has been sold due to the fact I can no longer financially afford to compete at a level the boat and team deserve.

First of all I would like to publicly say thank you to Jim Mowrey who has worked alongside of me throughout the construction and went on to be the crew chief for this team. His dedication to what was sometimes a very discouraging and very long process of building our own hull, is second to no one in the sport that I know. I would also like to thank Richard Vivas for his dedication to keeping the Eagle looking her best at all times, and to Dean Hendrickson and wife Kathy for all their work and for giving the Eagle a dry, warm home this past year, and last but certainly not least Jim's wife Donna that put up with the many hours Jim spent working on the boat and then her help and enthusiasm as the voice on my radio for the past two years. I also need to thank Ron Jones Jr, Gordy Gillmer, Rick and Ryan Campbell, Dan DeFranco and again last but certainly not least Ed Trihey (Ed's Automotive and Machine) for his limitless help creating the Eagle's heart (her 468 c.i. supercharged engine), that propelled her to world class speeds. I am certain I have forgotten someone, and for that I apologize. All these people are what made this team capable of the never before done task of completely building their own UL hull, making her a competitive force during our relatively short tenure, and I am sure for some time into the future with her new owner.

We leave you after competing in 9 total events over the past two years. Along with the ups and downs that every race team experiences we were able to set two course records, establish a new ULHRA qualifying lap speed record, and we pushed my friend Greg Hopp and the UL-1 to the fastest competition lap ever in Evansville and the fastest competition heat ever in San Diego, 116.887 mph.  In the process we also topped the old record. 

We were never able to win a race however we did finish second twice and secured 6th place over all in 2005.  At the current level of competition among the Unlimited Lights, those second place trophies make me proud to have been associated with the American Eagle team.

This experience will remain in my memory and my heart for the rest of my life. I would like to wish all the competitors in this wonderful sport continual growth and safe fun. My wish for the future is the Unlimited Light fan base continues to grow in numbers and loyalty.  The fans are what will make the ULHRA the finest and most popular form of water sports entertainment.

Once again thank you to our sponsors, the race promoters, the ULHRA volunteers, the race site volunteers, the safety and rescue people, all the other race teams, and especially to the fans that made the last couple of years so memorable for us.

I would like to ask my fellow competitors, their team members, and the fans to walk up to every person you see in those well known purple shirts and say thank you. The hours they work for us is immeasurable and I know we each appreciate them, but I am also sure they would like to hear it once in awhile.

So goodbye and thank you for letting me play.
Paul Droullard UL-9 owner/driver

Gold Cup Video at "Boats That Fly"

Gold Cup Video had the privilege of touring the "Boats That Fly" exhibit at the Seattle Museum of Flight on the day after the ULHRA Awards Banquet in November. As guests of Joe and Marie Frauenheim, it was an impressive display of Hydroplane History. On display were the 1938 G-13 Tempo VI, owned by Joe and Marie; The 1951 U-37 Slo-Mo-Shun V; And the 1962 U-40 Miss Bardahl. Besides the three famous race boats there were engines, models, photographs and memorabilia highlighting the history of thunderboat racing. Of special interest to Tom Maggard, was the 1962 Miss Bardahl. As a 15 year-old, Tom took a bus from Yakima, WA to Seattle to watch his first ever Unlimited Hydroplane event, the 1963 Seafair Race.  One of the boats in the pits that day was the U-40 Miss Bardahl. 42 years later they meet up again in Seattle. The Miss Bardahl looks just like Tom remembered it, although he has changed slightly! It is a great a opportunity to see up close three of the most famous of all the Unlimiteds of the past. If you happen to be in Seattle, take advantage of the once in a life opportunity. But you must act quickly, the display lasts only until January 15th.
 

‘QUICKSILVER’ JOINS WITH Q-COUNTRY

Silverdale, WA….December 15, 2005 Muncey Marketing is pleased to announce that the ‘quicksilver” (spelled with a lower-case ‘q’) regatta has named Q-Country KNBQ 102.9 Radio as its Official Radio Station for 2006.

The hydroplane races and watersports festival which was born in Silverdale, Washington on August 13, 2005 is quickly growing up. Silverdale Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Sam Granato said, “We are excited about the collaboration with Q-Country and our upcoming ‘quicksilver’ regatta.”

Providing heart-pounding excitement and entertainment for nearly 10,000 spectators last summer, the stars of the festival are the Unlimited Lights hydroplanes. 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 in 1994. The thunder of the automotive engines caught the ear of fans and it was not long before the Unlimited Lights Racing Series was brought into being. Over the course of the next several years, the series grew and has offered some of the finest racing on the water. Close competition and a sound that echoes back to the classic days of Unlimited racing enhances the spectacle of any racing event. Regarding the announcement of KNBQ’s involvement, PR Director and “Voice” of the Unlimited Lights, John Lynch, noted, “This is a major development for our growing series of races here in Washington State. With the power of Q-Country 102.9, many more fans will learn of ‘quicksilver” which had such a spectacular first year that it was named the Race Site of the Year by the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association (ULHRA, Inc.). The people of Silverdale will welcome and entertain even more race fans in 2006 at their downtown race site on Dyes Inlet.”

Q-Country 102.9 KNBQ is the Northwest’s newest contemporary hits country music radio station. Broadcasting from Centralia to Seattle, it is as country as country gets. The station’s format is designed to be family-friendly, fun, local and genuine – all attributes that tie in perfectly with the ‘quicksilver’ festival. Shellie Hart Operations manager for KNBQ, said, “Q-Country is excited to be a part of something fast and furiously fun for all! And, something the Southsound can call their own."

The 2006 running of "quicksilver" will occur on August 18, 19 & 20. In addition to the larger Unlimited Lights hydroplanes, the popular "Lighter-than-LIGHTS" (LTL) Series hydroplanes will return to the picturesque inlet, with Mount Rainier to the east and the Olympic Mountains to the west. Lighter-than-LIGHTS are the smaller hydros racing in multiple classes powered by 4 or 8 cylinder engines. These are the race craft where the future stars of Unlimited Lights hydroplane racing hone their skill and often provide fans with some exciting deck-to-deck racing action in the process. Virtually all of today’s top hydroplane racers got their start at the "LTL" level.

More information about last year’s regatta can be found at www.quicksilverhydroraces.com. This same web site will be updated with ’06 information, media contact information and additional details regarding the upcoming festival as the race committee finalizes details. For more information on the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association, Inc. and the UL and LTL racing series, log on to www.ulhra.org.
For more information on KNBQ, tune your radio into 102.9 FM.

UL-51 permanently in the lobby.