Echols earns first Wyatt's Watch of 2007

Mark Echols driving the UL-33 Miss Graham Trucking earned the first Wyatt's Watches Best Start of the Race Award for his performance at the inaugural Desert Thunder Regatta at Richland WA.  Wyatt's Watches of Monroe WA presents one of their elegant fine watches to the driver who makes the best start of the weekend at each ULHRA event.

Hydroplane race starts are a big challenge because they are timed, there are 5-8 teams battling for lanes each heat, and an Unlimited Light can speed the length of a football field in just over a second. There is a 5 minute warm-up period with the goal of each team to hit the starting line at full throttle in the lane they choose to occupy.  Echols did the best of all the teams at Desert Thunder and he received his first Wyatt's Watch.  Team Co-Owner and former driver Bob Estes earned the same award last year at San Diego. 

The exclusive Wyatt's Watch is presented to the UL, G or LTL team that is judged to have made the best start of the weekend. (visit Wyatt's)

The next event on the West Coast Series presented by Powerboats NW schedule is the 11th annual Tastin n Racin Festival at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah, just east of Seattle WA. The 3 day event is Friday through Sunday, June 8th through the 10th. The Unlimited Lights will be on the water qualifying on Saturday morning and racing on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.

John Lynch
P.R. Director, ULHRA Inc.

Capsule training, KNDU style

Tri Cities WA KNDU TV 25 Reporter Patrick Noland became the story, not just the reporter, as he experienced first hand what it takes to become "capsule certified" in Unlimited Light Hydroplane racing. (click here)

Capsule certifications are good for two years but it's recommended that drivers "test" more often to sharpen their skills and awareness should an accident occur.

Gold Cup Video at Desert Thunder

Griffith Cup Footage from Downunder

I have produced a DVD of the recent Griffith Cup down here in Australia. The Cup is very prestigious down this way, here is a teaser from the DVD which is about 2.5 hrs from the weekend.

It is available in NTSC format and price will be US$65 including postage from Australia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRBdNBw5Aes

Hope your season goes well.

Chris Kuznetsoff
SportsFilm Pty Ltd
Level 1, 12 Carlotta St
ARTARMON  NSW  2064
ph:     9901 4666
Fax:    9901 4824
mob:    0418 975 819
www.sportsfilm.com.au

Cal Phipps returns to Unlimited Lights series.

Detroit's Cal Phipps has agreed to be the new driver for the Thunder Valley Racing UL-40.  Phipps has driven in the series for a number of years, most recently in his own boat at Detroit last year and since 2002 for Wiggins Hydroplane Racing out of Rainbow City AL.  He holds one career victory in UL competition and it was a memorable win; the Graham Trucking Cup at Seafair in 2003 when he came from behind on the final straightaway to edge Dave Bender for the win.  Phipps will also be driving the G-10 Thunderboat for Milton & Charley Wiggins in ULHRA's North American Challenge Cup Series for ULHRA G & Valleyfield GP teams.

Thunder Valley has undergone significant changes but the UL-40 remains a capable player.  Last year Brian Perkins drove the hull to its fastest speed ever, a lap at over 114 mph at Tri Cities WA.  Perkins has now moved on to the U-21 for Freedom Racing Team in the Unlimited ranks. Perkins' sister Kayleigh debuted in Unlimited Lights competition at Desert Thunder at Richland on May 19th & 20th in the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric.  She took third in the final heat as a rookie UL driver and with 2 firsts and a second in the preliminary heats the 18 year old Ms. Perkins currently leads the Unlimited Lights Championship points race.

The changes at Thunder Valley involve a major acquisition by Chuck Dow, the team's engine builder.  Dow is prepping supercharged UL engines for the season and now he's acquired nearly all of the outstanding stock in the program from the group of previous owners.  As Dow notes "most of you are aware there have been some changes at TVR. For the record, as has been announced elsewhere the core group has moved on to an exciting new project.  They, along with Red Dot Corporation have joined forces with Nate Brown and the Our Gang Racing group in building a revolutionary new unlimited hydroplane."

As Dow explains "I have chosen to remain in the UL class and have purchased all the shares of the corporation, with the exception of those owned by Kelly Stocklin whose status remains unchanged."  Stocklin is a member of the ULHRA Board of Directors and he will also be returning to UL competition this season behind the wheel of the UL-11 Executiff III.  Both the 40 and the 11 are expected to be among the 15 or more Unlimited Lights competing at Tastin' n Racin', the second event in the 2007 ULHRA season, on June 9th and 10th at Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah WA.

Chuck Dow added "thankfully some of our former group have consented to remain with the 40 as time away from their new project allows and their help is greatly appreciated. We expect some challenges along the way and want to thank everyone in advance for their patience and guidance as we learn new responsibilities. The UL-40 will be at Issaquah ready to contribute to the excitement of
Racing, ULHRA style!" 

John Lynch
P.R. Director, ULHRA Inc.

Bob Schellhase at Desert Thunder

Jerry Hopp at Desert Thunder

Thunder & LIGHTS 2007 now available.
 
Thunder & LIGHTS Magazine is the official publication of ULHRA Inc.  The 4th annual edition has been released and will be available on newsstands in select markets and race sites around the USA.  For the 4th consecutive year the magazine is larger, more informative and with even more colorful photography; 112 pages in all.
 
The magazine covers the 3 categories of ULHRA Racing including Unlimited Lights (UL), Thunderboats (G) and Lighter than LIGHTS (LTL).  Thunder & LIGHTS also covers the 2007 racing season, site by site, and includes several feature articles; including Dixon Smith on “When Things Go Wrong”, Land Washburn on vintage Jersey Speed Skiffs, Debi Muncey with “Wil & Joe’s Excellent Adventure” , Jim Wilmot on ULHRA Video which produces live video webcast coverage on your computer of each ULHRA event and J.Craig Fletcher on his first race as a UL owner-driver.
 
Thunder & LIGHTS is also available for purchase from the offices of ULHRA Inc.  Send $4.95 per copy (U.S funds) for domestic U.S. orders and $6.95 per copy (U.S. funds) for orders delivered outside the USA to……

ULHRA Inc.
Thunder & LIGHTS Magazine
12065 44th Place, South
Tukwila, WA 98178

HOPP WINS DESERT THUNDER; PERKINS LEADS POINTS
 
Driving the Auld reliable UL-1, Greg Hopp raced from the outside lane to overcome Vince “X-Man” Xaudaro to capture the first Desert Thunder Regatta at Richland WA on Sunday (5-20).  In the first race with new Unlimited Lights rules that require UL’s with supercharged engines to start outside of boats with naturally aspirated engines the crowd was treated to excellent racing all weekend long on the Columbia River.  It was the first race of the Unlimited Lights Northwest Series presented by Powerboats Northwest.
 
Greg Hopp, in the Hopp Racing – Happy Go Lucky elected to start each heat including the Final in the outside lane even though he had options.  In the sometimes rough water Hopp later said he found the outside to be the best water for his boat which allowed the Jamie Auld hydroplane to maintain boat speed through the corners and not get crossed up in the rougher inside lane water. Hopp told the fans at Howard Amon Park, listening on Tri Cities Radio KONA 610AM and on ULHRA Video on this website that not everyone has the luxury of a “backup boat” that’s won the most races in the series.  Hopp Racing ran the Auld hull while the Bob Schellhase owned Ron Jones Jr. - Paul Droullard hull was having the cockpit changed and other updates. Vince Xaudaro, meanwhile, showed tremendous chute speed and was able to stay with Hopp for better than 2 laps as they swapped the lead multiple times in the 3 lap Final.  In the last turn Xaudaro’s UL-929 Xaudaro Racing entry went airborne and hooked upon landing in the churned up Columbia and the X-Man could not recover in time to stay with Hopp.  He did finish 2nd in a very solid start for the season.
 
Yes, Perkins leads the points; 18 year old Kayleigh Perkins that is.  The first time Unlimited Lights driver won her very first heat in the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric on Saturday despite the rookie driver handicap of starting 5 seconds behind the clock.  That was not only a first for Perkins, it’s a first in UL racing to win the first heat of one’s career while starting behind the front line of teams. She also won a preliminary and finished 2nd in her Sunday preliminaries to advance to the Final as the #1 seed where she was allowed by Chief Referee Rick Sandstrom to start on the front line in any lane except lane 1. While she is not the first woman to race an Unlimited Light she is the first with a regular “ride” in the series and the first to win a heat, qualify for and compete in a UL Final and all in the span of her debut race in Unlimited Lights competition.. In an emotional awards presentation Ms. Perkins thanked her team and co-owners Joe Frauenheim and Phil Bononcini for the opportunity to drive the UL-72 which has finished first or second in the points every year since 2000.  Bononcini, himself a 3 time UL series champion was her radio “coach” throughout the weekend.
 
Fourth place at Desert Thunder was earned by Rod Bourke in the UL-62 Benz Electric presents IRS Environmental.  It was Bourke’s first Final Heat appearance in his brief ULHRA career and he also earned his first preliminary heat victory in the vastly improved hydroplane.
 
  Fifth place and the Wyatt’s Watches Best Start of the Weekend award went to Mark Echols in the UL-33 Miss Graham Trucking.  Echols has taken over fulltime race driving responsibilities in the Bob & Janet Estes owned race craft after backing up Estes in 2006. Sixth place went to the just completed in time UL-8 Baker Equipment Co.  Michael Flaherty in his first appearance with his new team performed well and took a close second place to Greg Hopp in the B-Main to advance to the Final. He hadn’t initially qualified to run the B-Main due to no points.  However three starts of the B-Main were required. Flaherty finished 4th on the course in the Final but was relegated to sixth due to a one minute penalty for jumping the gun.  Flaherty missed the mark on the start by just a half boat length. 
           
The 3 starts of the B-Main were caused first by Joe Turner’s UL-18 Countrywide presents Strait Thunder.com. which just prior to the entrance pin of turn #2 on lap #1 hit a wake and landed awkwardly, sheering off the right sponson.  ULHRA Rescue was quickly on the scene and Turner was assisted from the cockpit with no injuries.  He didn’t require a hospital visit.  Turner praised the ULHRA Rescue Team and the ULHRA mandated safety systems as they performed as designed.  He also credited multiple “capsule training” sessions for giving him the confidence that allowed him to stay calm in the cockpit and await assistance. At the awards ceremony Turner said Desert Thunder is the last race for this craft, the oldest in the UL fleet dating back to 1973.
 
In the first re-start of the B-Main Wil Muncey's UL-83 Power Punch went dead in the water in the racing lanes just prior to the starting line creating a hazardous condition and that forced another restart.  Because the 83 was the cause of the stoppage the team was disqualified from the 2nd restart. Then the new UL-14 of Paul Becker (former UL-110 hull) and the UL-20 Smetco-Overtime of Bob Smets and the brand new  UL-17 Schucks Auto Supply Ron Jones Jr. built hull which debuted with UL Rookie driver Dustin Echols (son of Mark Echols) at the controls were each offered the B-Main position.  All three declined.  That opened the door to the UL-8 Baker Equipment team and they accepted. 
 
Thirteen UL’s at Desert Thunder marked the largest turnout for a season opener in Unlimited Lights history and several teams that will be seen this year were unable to compete at Richland.  The victory by Greg Hopp marked his 15th appearance in victory lane in his ULHRA career and his race craft’s 32nd victory, both all time bests in the Unlimited Lights Racing Series dating back to the inaugural season, 1995. 
 
Next up for the Unlimited Lights will be Tastin’ n Racin’ at Issaquah WA, June 9th & 10th.

Current Point Standings

UL 72	Kayleigh Perkins	Miss Boat Electric	1325
UL 929	Vince Xaudaro	Xaudaro Racing	1225
UL 1	Greg Hopp	Hopp Racing - Happy Go Lucky	1200
UL 62	Rod Bourke	IRS Environmental presents Benz Electric	1169
UL 33	Mark Echols	Estes Racing Presents; Miss Graham Trucking	977
UL 19	Ryan Mallow	5 Star Racing	700
UL 98	Charles Xaudaro	Atomic Screen Printing	638
UL 18	Joe Turner	Countrywide presents Straitthunder.com	525
UL 83	Wil Muncey	Power Punch	525
UL 14	Paul Becker	Compuware's Miss Critical Logic	352
UL 20	Bob Smets	Smetco/Overtime	225
UL 17	Dustin Echols	Schucks Auto Supply	169
UL 8	Michael Flaherty	Baker Equipment	95

 

In Memoriam;

Racers and fans around the Pacific Northwest were saddened to learn on Tuesday (5-15) that hydroplane racer Michael J. Bartholomew was killed in a traffic accident near Tacoma WA that morning. The 39 year old from Edgewood WA was scheduled to make his Unlimited Lights debut this season behind the wheel of the UL-94 Union Pride, owned by his father David Bartholomew.

Fellow racer and co-driver for the UL-94 Mike Jack says that Bartholomew “was like a brother to me and was the kind of person who’d give you the shirt off his back”

The Bartholomew family had been active in hydroplane racing for many years and was looking forward to a return to the Unlimited Lights with their race craft that competed most recently in 1999.

Mike Jack says “services are scheduled for Tuesday morning (5-22) at Dryers Funeral Home in Parkland WA at 11:00. Graveside services will be conducted at Bethany Lutheran on Mountain Highway with a wake to follow”.

The entire family of racers and volunteer staff of the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association Inc. extend our sincere condolences to the Bartholomew family.

 

Desert Thunder Schedule.
 
The 2007 season opener for the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association is this weekend in Richland WA.  The first ever Desert Thunder Regatta will be held at Howard Amon Park in downtown Richland on the Columbia River on Saturday and Sunday.  Activity begins early in the morning with teams moving into the pit area.  Qualifying for the Unlimited Lights will take place up till noon and that’s a key component of UL Racing.  While qualifying doesn’t earn teams a particular starting “lane” it does award points to the top 8 teams in qualifying.  Those points over the course of the season can make a difference, as was the case in 2005 when Greg Hopp’s performance in qualifying was the difference in his championship season that year.
 
Racing will begin on Saturday at 12:30pm and run most of the afternoon.  As of Tuesday (5-15) a total of fifteen Unlimited Lights teams had committed to racing at Desert Thunder.  That number breaks the all time record of 12 Unlimited Lights for a season opener, set at twelve teams in 2006.  In addition, fifteen teams is just one boat shy of the all time event UL boat record set last year at the HAPO Community Thunder Cup at Tri Cities WA.  The Unlimited Lights will be returning to the Tri Cities event in late July.
 
Joining the UL’s will be the Lighter than LIGHTS series for smaller 4 cylinder and 8 cylinder stock powered hydroplanes.  The LTL program is showcasing a changing of the guard.  Last year’s 8 cylinder champion, Bud McKay from Belfair WA sustained damage to his race craft last weekend and will be unable to compete at Desert Thunder.  Also, last year’s 4 cylinder champion, Eric Christensen of Bremerton WA has moved up to the Unlimited Lights series although his new team won’t be competing this weekend.  The LTL teams will be competing at Desert Thunder on Saturday while the Unlimited Lights will race both days. 
 
Admission is free. 
 
Unlimited Light hydroplanes scheduled to compete include………….
 

UL-1  Hopp Racing presents Happy Go Lucky	Driver, Greg Hopp	4 time defending UL Champion
UL-8  Baker Equipment Co.	Driver, Michael Flaherty	4 time winner on UL circuit moves to the former UL-5 hull
UL-13 Celtic Racing	Driver, J. Craig Fletcher	2nd year team & driver
UL-14 Compuware’s Miss Critical Logic	Driver, Paul Becker	3rd place team last season.  Newly acquired hull, ex UL-110, sister hull of UL-1
UL-17 Schucks Auto Supply	Driver, Dustin Echols	Brand new boat, rookie driver with 2 limited World Championships.
UL-18 Countrywide presents Straitthunder.com	Driver, Joe Turner	Oldest hull in the fleet. Turner & Co. get better each season.
UL-19 Five Stars Racing	Driver, Ryan Mallow	2nd year driver, won twice in rookie season 2006
UL-20 Smetco-Overtime	Driver, Bob Smets	Veteran limited driver, now first time UL owner-driver.
UL-33 Miss Graham Trucking	Driver, Mark Echols	2nd year team, Echols moves up from backup driver in 2006. sister hull to UL-72
UL-56 Miss Diagnosed	Driver, Bill Strain	Spectacular flip at Seattle in 2006.  Returns to racing this weekend, fully repaired.
UL-62 Benz Electric – IRS Environmental	Driver, Rod Bourke	Quickest run for this team set last weekend, 111mph.  Definite improvement
UL-72 Miss Boat Electric	Driver, Kayleigh Perkins	Former LTL race winner moves to #2 UL team from 2006.  Rookie turns 19 next month
UL-83 Power Punch	Driver, Wil Muncey	Son of hydro legend Bill Muncey. "Little Boat that Could"   8th place team in 2006.
UL-98 Atomic Screen Printing	Driver, Charles Xaudaro	Ex UL-14 with new owners and rookie driver. First UL team with Kennewick ownership.
UL-929 Xaudaro Racing	Driver, Vince Xaudaro	Kamiakin HS grad really wants to win here.  Seeks 2nd UL race win.

 

Details on each of these teams can be found at www.ulhra.org and also in Thunder & LIGHTS Magazine; 2007 edition debuts at Desert Thunder.
 
KONA Radio 610AM will provide live radio coverage and ULHRA Video will provide a live video webcast at www.ulhra.org  
 
John Lynch
P.R. Director ULHRA Inc.

 

	RICHLAND SCHEDULE (as of 5/16/07)
	MAY 19 - 20, 2007
	SATURDAY			SUNDAY
7:30	Driver Physicals	7:30		Driver Physicals
8:30	Driver's Meeting	8:30		Driver's Meeting
9:00	Trailer Fire	9:00		Chapel
9:00 - 9:55	Testing and Qualifying	9:30		Trailer Fire
10:00	Cruise Boat Leaves Medical Dock	10:15		UL Heat 2A
10:10 - 11:15	Testing and Qualifying	10:45		UL Heat 2B
11:15 - 12:00	Opening Ceremonies	11:15		UL Heat 2C
12:00 - 12:15	KONA "Time Out"	11:30		G Boat/Skiff Demo
12:30	UL Heat 1A	12:00		Opening Ceremonies
1:00	4 Cylinder 1A	12:15		UL Heat 3A
1:30	8 Cylinder 1A	12:45		UL Heat 3B
2:00	4 Cylinder 2A	1:15		UL Heat 3C
2:30	8 Cylinder 2A	1:30		G Boat/Skiff Demo
3:00	UL Heat 1B	2:30		B Main
3:30	4 Cylinder Final	2:45		G Boat/Skiff Demo
4:00	8 Cylinder Final	3:45		UL Final
4:30	UL Heat 1C

 

National Emblem, latest CAP sponsor to the ULHRA

 

The camera zooms in on the face of the driver as she takes her helmet off to debrief with the crew chief. Animated but unmonitored conversation ensues with knowing nods and pats on the back. How did these two professionals promote their team without saying a word? Adorning the shoulder and chest areas on both uniforms are patches of sponsors logos that can speak louder than words. Subliminally shouting or subtly suggesting a trademark or product was accomplished effectively by careful and strategic placement. The art of sports marketing demands a canvas with little left to chance. “A sponsor is paying to see that his team projects a competent and capable image to his customer”, said Shawn Dean , Vice President of Business Development for National Emblem, “Very often the order of finish has little to do with a sponsors satisfaction.”

Any team that projects a professional image or any team that wants to project a professional image appreciates the need for state of the art patches and embroidery. The latest CAP sponsor to the ULHRA specializes in doing that. Sometimes just being able to field a potential sponsors questions about these topics can convince them that sponsoring a given team is a good investment. National Emblem has been helping teams building brand and image since 1972 working with apparel manufacturers such as Nike, D.J Safety and Russell. Taking pride in a reputation as a company that is flexible and friendly even when deadlines aren’t. With two plants in North America, National Emblem supplies emblems and other products to organizations such as MLB , the NFL and the ULHRA and teams such as the Yankees, t he Steelers and the Lakers.

Accessible at www.NationalEmblem.com they provide a wide range of products intended to secure the sponsors presence in a given arena. From hats to keychains, embroidered emblems to lapel pins National Emblem can tender an estimate that is guaranteed to be competitive with local producers.
 

 

Power Punch presents the Parts Plus Patrol

An enthusiastic crewman washes the boat while the valve covers are off. Its ten o’clock in the morning on race day and your first heat is in an hour. Then it’s spotted. Water in the oil! You don’t remember where your vehicle is blocked in much less where the nearest parts store is. With a glistening valve cover in your hand you look up at the sky and somberly shake your head. But there, coming over the ridge- it looks like John Wayne and Henry Fonda on horseback again. A trumpet in the Dukes hand sounding the charge while Hank waves the cavalry banner. The Parts Plus Patrol to the rescue!

Presented by Power Punch, the Parts Plus Patrol is an on-site program intended to provide an avenue of supply for racing teams during the course of an event. In addition to being in attendance at a vendor type location at the event, Parts Plus employees will be regularly conducting runs back to the nearest shop in order to fill orders. Crew chiefs have merely to place the order at the vendor location and the Parts Plus Patrol will do the rest. Golf carts or “ gators “ have been dedicated to the patrol and can expedite delivery through the crowded spectator areas, through security with the appropriate passes and right up to the Hot Pit gate. In Richland, Denise Enebrad is the co-owner of the local Parts Plus store and is looking forward to helping the teams. “ Boat racing is an exciting part of our summer and we are happy to help the teams any way we can.”.

The collaboration between Power Punch and Parts Plus has been ongoing for years. “Parts Plus has been introducing our product to our customers for some time now “, said Pete Morey of Power Punch, “ and we are delighted to introduce Parts Plus to boat racing.” The autoparts organization numbers in the thousands of outlets in North America with a respectable concentration in the Pacific Northwest. Power Punch began its involvement last season as a CAP sponsor and went onto increase it participation. Although no stranger to motorsports this will be Parts Plus’ first foray into marine motorsports.

 

What’s new in hydroplane racing?  You’ll find it in ULHRA, Inc; the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association, and it will be on display this weekend in Richland WA.
 
The 2007 season opener is upon us and May 19 & 20 is the earliest season opener in Unlimited Lights history, dating to 1995.  The new season opener welcomes a new site: Richland WA’s Howard Amon Park near downtown Richland, just upriver on the Columbia from the site where the Unlimited Lights compete along with the turbine hydros at Kennewick and Pasco WA at the end of July.
 
New boats and new teams will be featured at this new race site.  Among them……………
 
UL-17 Schucks Auto Supply.  Shockwave Racing from Olympia WA debuts their brand new Ron Jones Jr. Unlimited Light hydroplane to be driven by 2 time limited World Champion, Dustin Echols.  The Tri Cities haven’t been the best for the Shockwave team the past couple of years.  In 2005 and 2006 they found their team featured on the front page of the Tri City Herald; unfortunately because their boat was involved in two spectacular “blowover” accidents.  That boat, from the Thunderboats North American Challenge Cup Series is inactive this year in favor of the brand new Unlimited Light. 
 
UL-8 Baker Equipment Co.  Bob & Kathleen Baker, longtime sponsors and supporters of ULHRA Inc and sponsors of the Freedom Racing Team out of San Diego CA, have purchased the former UL-5 from Kevin Aylesworth and Jeffrey Johnson.  The Freedom Racing team is racing to complete repairs from a devastating flip in San Diego in 2005 so that the team can debut the virtually all new UL-8 this weekend in Richland.  Michael Flaherty moves over from the UL-72 team to take the wheel of the Baker Equipment entry.  Flaherty has won 4 races in the past two seasons and finished 2nd in points both years. 
 
UL-98 is one of the oldest boats in the fleet but now is part of a brand new team and driver. Greg & Lora Walden and their Atomic Screen Printing Co. of Kennewick will campaign the 1974 vintage Ron Jones Sr. hull that Paul Becker drove to 3rd place in the series points in 2007.  Charles Xaudaro will debut as driver.  Xaudaro is the younger brother of UL veteran Vince “X Man” Xaudaro and both grew up in the Tri Cities area.  The Walden owned team becomes the first Tri Cities owned & operated team in ULHRA history.
 
A new driver will be behind the wheel of the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric.  Kayleigh Perkins who turns 19 next month moves up from the ULHRA’s Lighter than LIGHTS Series to drive the winningest carburetor engine hull in UL history with a total of 20 race wins since the year 2000.
 
Up to 15 Unlimited Lights could contest for the first Desert Thunder trophy this weekend, all chasing 4 time ULHRA champion Greg Hopp.  For Hopp it’ll be something old, or rather Auld this weekend. Off season upgrades on the team’s Bob Schellhase owned UL-1 hull, the former “American Eagle”, haven’t been completed so the Jamie Auld built UL-1 that Greg and his father Jerry have driven to 19 of their 20 team wins since 2002 will be entered this weekend as the UL-1 Hopp Racing presents Happy Go Lucky.  The Hopp team is entering 2007 without a season long Title Sponsor for the first time in 3 years and they may have individual sponsorships at a variety of events.  For that matter there is the opportunity for a local Tri Cities area company to step up to sponsor Hopp Racing this weekend.
 
A boat that hasn’t competed since 2003 re-emerges as the new Compuware’s Miss Critical Logic of retired airline pilot Paul Becker.  He acquired from a Mexico City area businessman the former UL-110 hull build by Jamie Auld, and a sister hull to the UL-1 of Hopp Racing.  It won 4 times in Unlimited Lights competition including its final appearance in Detroit in 2003 before the Haas family of Toledo OH retired from racing. 
 
One of the organizers of the event this weekend will also be driving in the race.  Wil Muncey, son of racing legend Bill Muncey will be behind the wheel of his team’s UL-83 Power Punch.  Muncey and his wife Debi own the UL-83 as part of Muncey Racing.  Their Muncey Marketing firm has also created something new in hydroplane racing; the ULHRA Contingency Awards Program (CAP).  Contingency programs are standard fare in auto racing but haven’t been as common in hydroplanes, particularly in the Unlimiteds due to their reliance on “war surplus” engines and turbines.  ULHRA uses current automotive technology racing engines and the automotive aftermarket is jumping on board the 2nd year CAP, more than doubling the size of the program from 2006 and more than doubling the benefits to the teams involved.  Contingency programs reward performance.  Traditionally in auto racing Contingency benefits go to the winner and sometimes the runner-up.  In the ULHRA CAP program the sponsors recognize the extraordinary accomplishment just to qualify for a Final Heat so all 6 Final Heat participants share equally in the CAP program benefits at each ULHRA event in the Unlimited Lights, and the Lighter than LIGHTS series, both of which will be contested this weekend in Richland. 
 
Vince Xaudaro, UL-929 and Mark Echols, UL-33 Miss Graham Trucking are two other entries expected to contend for wins and the points title in 2007.  Xaudaro is expecting to rebound from a less than satisfying 2006 campaign even though he did finish 6th in driver points and 7th in team points last season.  He was 3rd in both categories in 2005 and second in driver points in 2004.  Echols, who is the father of Dustin Echols driving the UL-17, not only becomes the second father & son driving combo in the Unlimited Lights, the Echols are on different teams so unlike Jerry & Greg Hopp who’ve shared driving duties with their team, Mark & Dustin will compete against each other this season.  Echols team, owned by Bob & Janet Estes, has an excellent hull built by Ron Jones Sr. that has 9 UL victories.  It’s also the sister hull to the UL-72.  With a year’s experience the Miss Graham Trucking team should be a formidable foe on the UL circuit.
 
One team that’s expected to enter the Richland event is still formalizing their crew roster and driver.  Call it the New Thunder Valley Racing Team.  Engine builder and TVR member Chuck Dow has acquired most of the stock from the other team members who’ve elected to work on a new turbine hull project.  Dow says they’ll be ready to run the UL-40 this weekend, but who will drive………….that’s still to be announced.  The UL-40 won its first ever UL race last year at Issaquah and also turned the boat’s fastest lap in UL qualifying……over 114 mph on the Tri Cities course last July. 
 
J. Craig Fletcher, a rookie in 2006 returns in 2007 with his UL-13 Celtic Racing Team.  Fletcher says they’ll be ready if their parts arrive in time………..a familiar refrain from boat racing teams this time of year.  Many of the components used in Unlimited Light racing can’t be purchased “off the rack” and to get custom pieces completed and delivered in time for the race season can be a challenging experience. 
 
UL-56 team owner-driver, “Wild Bill” Strain is ready to get back on the water following a harrowing flip at Seattle last year.  Strain does most of his own work and has been diligently bringing back the “Miss Diagnosed” from the damage that occurred last August. 
 
Rod Bourke and his UL-62 Benz Electric presents IRS Environmental plans to make Desert Thunder his first Tri Cities area entry.  Bourke had a difficult 2006 season cut short by engine damage in the season opener and steering issues at Silverdale.  In between the UL-62 showed flashes of speed including an excellent 108 mph qualifying effort at Tri Cities, only to fail to finish a heat in that race. If Bourke’s hull and engine combination can be more consistent he could have a very interesting 2007 season. 
 
Joe Turner in the UL-18 Countrywide Presents Strait Thunder.com expects to have an improved 2007 season.  A popular performer in a boat that’s not much over the minimum length for an Unlimited Light, Turner’s team has had a way of getting something out of little.  A team highlight was a 5th place finish at Olympia in 2004 and 4th place at Silverdale in 2005.  Last year, as they saying goes, “if it wasn’t for bad luck they’d have had no luck at all”.  The boat practically sank at Seattle, didn’t run well at San Diego and had a variety of issues.  Turner was recognized with ULHRA’s “Burnt Piston Award”, signifying a tough season.  However, history shows teams that “earn” the Burnt Piston Award one year have a tendency to come back with a much stronger season the following year and that is the goal and intent of Turner Racing. 
 
Another new team in ULHRA brings back a former competitor.  The UL-20 Smetco-Overtime team of Bob Smets out of Wilsonville OR will race the former UL-20 Overtime campaigned by Wilsey Hamilton from Kent WA till the year 2000. This Karelsen hull was acquired by Smets in the off-season.  He’s a veteran Pacific NW limited racer who’s competed in the Lighter than LIGHTS Series.  This will be his first extensive participation in the UL class.  He drove Pingree Conflitti’s UL-58 Union Dooz at Port Angeles in 2005. 
 
Another potential entrant is the two time race winner from 2006, the UL-19 of Tom Eckenberg’s Five Stars Racing out of Everett WA.  The “19” won at Silverdale and Port Angeles last year but is “on the beach” pending sponsorship.  It’s possible that a late local sponsorship may surface and bring the UL-19 to Richland. 
 
KONA Radio 610AM will provide live radio coverage and audio streaming of Desert Thunder anchored by Sports Director and morning host, Michael McDonnal.  ULHRA Video which debuted live video webcasting of hydroplane racing in 2006 returns for the entire 2007 season.  You can watch Desert Thunder live on your computer, right here at www.ulhra.org.   Check in on Saturday and Sunday (May 19 & 20) for instructions on how to “log on”. 
 
John Lynch
P.R. Director, ULHRA Inc.

 

Capsule Training at Desert Thunder

 

Friday, May 18
7-8 pm

Outdoor Pool
Columbia Basin Racquet Club
1776 Terminal Drive
Richland, WA

(509) 943-8416
 

Visit their website: http://www.my-cbrc.com

Their website also has a map: http://www.my-cbrc.com/location.htm
 

IT’S A GREAT TIME TO BE OUT ON THE WATER!

You would be hard-pressed to find bigger boating enthusiasts than West Marine associates so it was almost inevitable their paths would cross with the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association. West Marine has announced their position as the Official Patrol Boat Sponsor for the Washington ULHRA Races in 2007 at Richland, Issaquah, Tri-Cities, Seattle, Silverdale, and Port Angeles.

West Marine’s blue & white logo will be visible along the sides of patrol boats and on the buoys marking the course at ULHRA races this summer. Associates at the Seattle store on Mercer are busy filling welcome bags for all the racing teams arriving in Richland for the season opener “Desert Thunder” May 19 and 20th to help announce West Marine’s enthusiastic involvement. Pacific Northwest District Manager Tom Walchli said, “West Marine is proud to support the exciting Unlimited Lights 2007 racing season! We look forward to seeing racing fans at the races and on the water this boating season!”

Walchli was introduced to the Unlimited Lights through the Strait Thunder hydroplane races in Port Angeles a few years ago and as is often the case, just a taste of the thundering hydros leaves you wanting more. Each year their sponsorship level and involvement has increased.

The Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association has beginnings with modest roots in common with West Marine. The Unlimited Lights class formed in 1995 grew out of a select group of 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 wasn't long before the Unlimited Lights Racing Series was born. ULHRA Inc. was formed in 2000 and assumed command of the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Series with the 2001 season. Since then the Unlimited Light series has grown steadily. Fifteen Unlimited Light hydroplanes are expected in Richland next week, the largest field for a season opener.

Similarly, what has become the world's largest boating supply retailer started modestly enough in a garage in Sunnyvale, CA. in 1968 when founder Randy Repass began selling nylon rope by mail order under the name West Coast Ropes. Today, West Marine has more than 380 stores operating in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The company now carries more than 50,000 products, ranging from the rope that started it all, to the latest in marine electronics. In addition to its retail stores and Port Supply wholesale divisions, the company serves boaters in more than 150 countries worldwide through its mail order and Internet divisions. For more information visit www.WestMarine.com or call 1-800 BOATING

CONTACT:
Muncey Marketing
360.805.0805

 

Desert Thunder, just ahead
 

 

PITBOXES.com joins ULHRA as CAP sponsor.

Whether it’s Gasoline Alley in Indianapolis or Piston Park on the Detroit River, the hot pit area is the nerve center of activity at a motorsport event. A ULHRA pit area is particularly dramatic in that cranes are required to hoist and swing racing craft off of their trailers and into the water while crews can be frantically preparing for the next duel on the course. Scurrying back and forth from race truck to boat often involves a considerable distance. While it is often true that time is money, in racing- time is time. This scene can demonstrate to the untrained eye a substantial argument that marine motorsports are especially chaotic and disorganized. While some may want to debate this none would debate the need to keep organized in a hectic situation, especially if you want to be competitive.

To the trained eye, details such as toolboxes that can actually be rolled right up to the trailer offer benefits beyond time saved. PITBOXES.com of Stockbridge, Georgia, a division of Ricky Sanders Racing, Inc. provides a very effective method to keep the needed tools and equipment in the right place at the right time. Filling the field of sponsors for the Contingency Awards Program (CAP) PITBOXES.com has devised several rolling arsenals that can address the varied needs and demands of marine motorsports. ”Sometimes the boat and trailer can be as far away as a quarter mile from the support vehicle”, says Ricky Sanders. “Transporting the needed tools and equipment and keeping them organized can be a challenge. Our PITBOXES can also serve as an excellent workbench”.

Air filled tires capable of neutralizing the most determined gravel beach front will transport tools, air bottles, propellers and other vital necessities. All aluminum construction with powder coat finish ensures the lightest possible weight. Any teams specific needs and instructions can be customized into the creation of exactly what is required to stay organized and competitive right up to the five minute gun.


PITBOXES.com can be seen directly supporting teams at NASCAR, SCCA, and NHRA events. This season will see them expand their presence into the maritime arena on the ULHRA circuit for the first time.

For details, log on to www.PITBOXES.com

 

NEW SPONSORSHIP FOR TURNER RACING

A cooperative sponsorship agreement has just recently been finalized on behalf of the UL-18, Turner Racing. The team based out of Allyn Washington, formerly known as Jackie’s Purple Thunder, will campaign their Unlimited Light hydroplane in 2007 as Countrywide presents Straitthunder.com.

Owner/Driver Joe Turner said, “To be associated with a national brand - Countrywide Home Loans - and one of our favorite races - Strait Thunder - both in the same year puts a smile on the faces of all the Turner Racing team. The boat's paint has been touched up, the engine completely rebuilt.”

The Countrywide offices on the Washington State peninsula around the Strait Thunder and ‘quicksilver’ hydroplane races have been increasingly involved with Unlimited Light racing over the last few years.

“Countrywide Home Loans is excited to be sponsoring the Strait Thunder event for a second year in a row! We are dedicated to building and shaping communities and Strait Thunder provides us with the perfect opportunity to showcase a great local sport and help the community contribute to a wonderful charity, the Marines Toys for Tots. We look forward to the events surrounding the races and now cheering on the Turners as well” said Michele Mallari-Adkisson, Sales Manager, Countrywide Home Loans, Sequim. Ryan Christian, Countrywide Branch Manager in Bremerton, has been heavily involved with the production of the ‘quicksilver’ race in July since its inception and has had the opportunity to get to know the Turner Racing Team. Christian said, “I have been impressed by this team’s heart and perseverance. They represent Countrywide’s attitude about teamwork very well.”

The partnership between Countrywide and a local race site came about when the Board at Strait Thunder reviewed their marketing plan. The recent surge in motorsports marketing as an advertising medium is well known, much of it fueled by the popularity of NASCAR. The board concurred that a direct association with a marine motorsport team would achieve a more significant level of name recognition than some of the advertising programs they have been utilizing in the past. Mary Buck, President of Peninsula Water Sports Association which produces the Strait Thunder hydroplane races in Port Angeles, Washington said, "All of us here at Straitthunder.com are very excited to be in partnership with Countrywide in sponsoring Turner Racing. We were already acquainted with Joe and Jackie Turner. They are great to work with and have true love and dedication to the sport. Heart, determination, and team work are things Turner Racing, Countrywide and Peninsula Water Sports Association have in common, making this an excellent match-up."

Strait Thunder will be sponsoring the UL18 at four races on the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association circuit – Tastin’ n Racin’, Seafair, ‘quicksilver’, and of course, Strait Thunder in Port Angeles. For more information about the ULHRA and schedule information, please visit www.ulhra.org or www.straitthunder.com

For more information regarding the UL-18 Countrywide presents Straitthunder.com please contact Muncey Marketing at 360-805-0805.

 

Celtic Racing teams with Washington Asset Management

Celtic Racing is pleased to announce that Washington Asset Management has signed on as the Presenting Sponsor for the 2007 Tastin’ and Racin’ event. Washington Asset Management is a Northwest investment management company that directs a great deal of time and energy in identifying Northwest companies that provide significant growth potential and they recognized that same potential in the Northwest based Celtic Racing Team.

Washington Asset Management provides full service account management with both fee and commissioned based programs tailored to fit each client’s own individual financial goals and objectives. Washington Asset Management strives to be your “closest ear to the ground” when it comes to understanding and investing in the best local companies in the Northwest. Established nearly 15 years ago, Washington Asset Management has endured all types of market environments and collectively have over 100 years of experience helping local investors manage their money.

                                  Washington Asset Management investment professionals are there to provide
   Retirement Plan Management
   Investment Policy Statements
   Fee Based Managed Money Managers
   Tax-Free and Taxable Bonds
   Government Bonds
   Mutual Funds
   Life Insurance/ Estate Planning
   Fixed and Variable Annuities
   Venture Capital/ Corporate Finance
           Option/ Margin Trading Capabilities

For more information on Washington Asset Management, visit the website at: www.wambellevue.com. For more information on the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Series, the schedule and the teams, visit www.ulhra.org.

For more information
CONTACT: Celtic Racing LLC
206.999.7129

Race for the cure
A percentage of all Celtic Racing Team sponsorship dollars are donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation – we “Race for the cure” spreading awareness and information about breast cancer, treatment and preventative measures that women of all ages benefit from.



www.celticracingteam.com                                                                                                           www.ulhra.org 

 

Desert Thunder 2007.  May 19^th & 20^th. 

 

Howard Amon Park, Columbia River, Richland WA

 

The inaugural Desert Thunder event may prove to be a record setter for sanctioning body and race producer, the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association, Inc.

 

ULHRA Inc. was formed in 2000 and assumed command of the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Series with the 2001 season.  Since then the Unlimited Light series has grown impressively and the organization added the Lighter than LIGHTS series for smaller race craft in 2003.  Both series will kick off the 2007 season at Richland on May 19^th. 

 

The potential record is the largest field of Unlimited Light hydroplanes for a season opener.  Last year a dozen teams attended the season opener at Issaquah WA while the all time record of 16 UL teams was established at the Tri Cities race last July.  Both records are expected to fall this season as new teams have joined ULHRA Inc.

 

Desert Thunder will be headlined by the two top teams in ULHRA Racing since ULHRA Inc. was formed.  UL-1 Hopp Racing-Happy Go Lucky with Greg Hopp at the wheel will be out to secure their 5^th consecutive Unlimited Lights series championship.  Hopp Racing with 20 victories has more trophies than any other team in Unlimited Lights history which dates back to 1995.  The second place team in wins (19) is the team that’s finished second in the standings the past 4 years, and won the title from 2000 through 2002.  The UL-72 Miss Boat Electric will have a pair of new drivers this season.  Debuting at Desert Thunder will be 19 year old rookie Kayleigh Perkins, and multiple winner moving up from the Lighter than LIGHTS series.  Ms Perkins becomes the first woman named to a regular ride in the Unlimited Lights.  Tracy Morgan was the first woman to compete in UL racing at Valleyfield in 2004 but to date has not competed since.  Perkins will share the ride with 2 time Unlimited Light race winner Patrick Haworth from Valleyfield, Quebec.  Haworth is unavailable for Desert Thunder so Ms. Perkins will have the opportunity to complete her rookie driving requirements which include starting in the outside lane for her initial heats of competition.

 

In 2007 there is much more competition for the top 2.  A brand new UL-17 Miss Ted’s Red Apple Market is slated to debut at Desert Thunder.  The Ron Jones Jr. craft is expected to be a top contender at some point during the season.  Dustin Echols will drive, a past 2 time World Champion in limited racing.  The Shockwave Racing Team from Olympia WA is hoping for better luck on the Columbia River.  The past two years their entry in the Thunderboats G category flipped, with owner Rick Bridgeman driving in 2005 and Echols driving last year. 

 

The third place team returns intact from 2006 with one notable exception.  Owner-Driver Paul Becker has turned in his 34 year old hull for a newer model, and one with a strong history in this series.  Becker’s new hull is the sister ship to the winningest hull in Unlimited Lights history and was built by Jamie Auld in the late 90’s.  Randy Haas of Toledo OH drove this hull to 4 victories from 1999 to 2002.  In previous years Becker has relied on consistency and guile.  Now Becker has a boat capable of running with the swiftest of UL entries.  No need to shed a tear for the former UL-14 Compuware’s Critical Logic hull.  It now resurfaces as the Kennewick owned Miss Atomic Screen Printing owned by Greg & Lora Walden and to be driven by Charles Xaudaro.  This Ron Jones Sr. hull, built in 1974 just keeps going, and going, and going…………………..

 

Charles Xaudaro at the wheel of the UL-98 joins older brother Vince “X-Man” Xaudaro in the ranks of Unlimited Lights drivers and both are natives of the Tri Cities area.   Charles is moving up from the Lighter than LIGHTS Series.  Meantime older brother Vince has his “all black, all the time” UL-929 back in top form.  After a less than Xaudaro like season in 2006 expect this team to rebound and once again be a contender. The X-Man has one victory in his ULHRA career, at Evansville in 2005.

 

An intriguing entry is the return of the Freedom Racing Team……..in a manner of speaking.  The team co-owned by southern California’s Kevin Aylesworth and Jeffrey Johnson has been sold to Bob & Kathleen Baker and their Baker Equipment Co……….a long time ULHRA sponsor and supporter.  The boat has been renumbered UL-8 after racing as the UL-5 since 2002. With the Baker’s purchase the Freedom Racing team will continue to crew and manage the boat, and new driver Michael Flaherty moves over from the UL-72 team where he earned 4 victories in the past 2 seasons.  This is the same hull that driver Kevin Aylesworth was seriously injured in a spectacular flip at San Diego in 2005.  The Freedom Racing team is completing the rebuild of the hull and will be in Richland for Desert Thunder and the entire 2007 ULHRA season.  This is a hull that has one victory at Valleyfield in 2004 and Aylesworth says the rebuilding process has reduced the weight of this hull by several hundred pounds. 

 

Another team expected to contend is the 2^nd year entry of Bob & Janet Estes, the UL-33 Miss Graham Trucking.  Mark Echols, Dustin’s father, steps into the fulltime driving role after backing up Bob Estes in 2006.  This hull is the sister hull to the UL-72 and has 12 victories in Unlimited Lights competition.  With a year’s experience the UL-33 team expects to be in the thick of things in 2007.

 

Fifteen Unlimited Lights teams are expected for Desert Thunder and they will be joined by up to 15 Lighter than LIGHTS series teams in 4 cylinder and 8 cylinder stock classes.

 

John Lynch

P.R. Director, ULHRA Inc.