"Cell Phones for Soldiers" at Strait Thunder

Namron Racing Team, Mickey’s Sports Bar and Grill and ‘Cell Phones for Soldiers’ all connect for Victoria Express Strait Thunder

BELFAIR, Wash. – As Belfair’s Mickey’s Sports Bar and Grill Presents the GEICO Racing Team, gets ready to defend its 2006 Port Angeles title this weekend at the  “Victoria Express Strait Thunder” hydroplane race, team owners Bud McKay and Brandon Payne hope to find themselves going through piles of cell phones rather than piles of racing equipment. The team, the 2006 Unlimited Lights Hydroplane Racing Association 8-cylindar stock Lighter-Than-Lights High Points defending champion, Namron Racing Team, sponsored locally for this race by Mickey’s Sports Bar and Grill, has partnered with the "Cell Phones for Soldiers" program for the 2007 season.

"Cell Phones for Soldiers," started by teenage siblings Brittany and Robbie Bergquist from Massachusetts, collects used and outdated cell phones and recycles them to earn pre-paid calling cards they donate to deployed military members and their families. The goal for 2007, is to earn 12 million minutes of pre-paid calling cards. To do so, "Cell Phones for Soldiers" expects to collect 15,000 cell phones each month from all over the country.

McKay hopes fans coming to the City Pier for the “Strait Thunder” will bring their old cell phones to the race Saturday and Sunday.

"We’ll have a collection bin at our boat in the pits over the weekend," McKay said, a retired Air Force Reserve master sergeant. Both McKay and Payne are current civil service employees at McChord Air Force Base. "We’ve got quite the collection of cell phones from all over the race sites this year, but Port Angeles has always had one of the largest turnouts of fan support on the circuit. So I’m sure we’re going to get hammered with cell phones – that’s a good thing in this case.”

The “Lighter-Than-Lights,” are smaller versions of the headlining Unlimited Lights hydroplanes. The 8-cylindar stock class hydroplanes are capable of reaching 115 mph. Coming into this weekend’s race, the McKay-Payne duo are winless for the 2007 season after earning three wins and the series high points crown in 2006. Still, they are leading the 2007 series high points race with a slim 388-point lead.

“Maybe running with a ‘Mickey’s’ logo on the hull this weekend will give us the added punch we need,” McKay said. “There are 1,600 points up for grabs this weekend, so the series title is going to come down to the final heat.”

McKay’s dad, Norman “Mickey” McKay, is the reason he started the Namron Racing Team in 2005 – Namron is simply Norman spelled backward.  “Mickey” passed away from cancer in 2003. The Namron Racing Team donates all prize money to cancer support programs in honor of “Mickey.”

“We’ve got some great, ‘good luck’ decals on the boat already with our sponsors,” McKay said. “With the GEICO Gecko on the sponsons, the McDonough and Son’s Inc.’s leprechaun logo by our engine, I think we’ll put the Mickey’s Sports Bar and Grill decal right next to the cockpit. It’s going to be a battle this weekend, and we need all the good karma we can get.”

They say that Port Angeles is where champions are crowned, and McKay hopes to be back in the winner’s circle when it’s all over this weekend with new two crowns – the win at Strait Thunder and the 2007 “Lighter Than Lights” series title.

"But we also hope to have an even more impressive showing in collecting old cell phones for our deployed loved ones,” McKay said.

For the fans who can’t make the race, a collection bin will be at Mickey’s Sports Bar and Grill, 536 Marine Dr., in Port Angeles. The boat is scheduled to be on display at Mickey’s Thursday night for the “Toys for Tots” drive.

For more information about the "Cell Phones for Soldiers" program, visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com or call McKay at 360-801-1626. For the latest schedule of events and more about the race, visit www.ulhra.org.

CUTLINE INFORMATION: Belfair's Bud McKay skims over Lake Spanaway on Sept. 9. Mickey’s Sports Bar and Grill Presents the GEICO Racing Team hopes to defend its 2006 title.  (Photo by Julie Roth)

Heading for a big finish at Port Angeles

September 29^th & 30^th the event that’s become known as “Where Champions are Crowned” takes place on the Strait of Juan de Fuca at Port Angeles WA.  It’s Strait Thunder presented by Victoria Express and this year more than ever the moniker has been earned. 

Going into the final race weekend both the Team Title and the Driver’s Championship are too close to call.  For the coveted team championship, Hopp Racing and Schellhase Racing’s UL-1 FestoolSupply.com presents Graham Trucking G.T. – Happy Go Lucky holds a very slim 132 point advantage.  That’s just 5 points above a single fifth place finish (127 pts) in one heat so the team driven by Greg & Jerry Hopp can ill afford a DNF (Did Not Finish).  Meanwhile, teenage sensation Kayleigh Perkins returns to the cockpit of the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric knowing that a strong weekend showing and solid qualifying effort could boost the Impact Racing Team to their first title since co-owner Phil Bononcini won his third consecutive title in 2002.  In 2003 Hopp Racing began their streak of 4 consecutive titles and this weekend they try for an unprecedented fifth Powerboats NW Unlimited Lights Championship. 

Unlimited Light Hydroplane racing began in 1995.  Over the course of 12 years only 4 teams and 4 boats have won the championship.  The first two years the Bob Larimore Pegasus team from Springfield OH took top honors with a boat that has since been retired.  Then it was 3 consecutive wins by the Jamie Auld built, Bo Schide driven Alamo Rent A Car campaigned by Floridian Ned Allen.  Another 3 year streak found the UL-72 on top then Hopp Racing began their streak with the same hull that Allen and Schide won with in the late 90’s.  Now, the Bob Schellhase owned Paul Droullard-Jim Mowrey built Ron Jones Jr. designed UL-1 is the team’s primary race craft, although “Auld reliable” entered and won the season opener at Richland WA.

The Driver’s Championship race is just as exciting, and in fact, intriguing.  First of all, Greg Hopp leads Kayleigh Perkins by 222 points.  That is exactly the same gap that followed the Silverdale race 6 weeks ago.  How come?  Well, the UL-72 has had two drivers this year and at San Diego in mid September it was Canadian Patrick Haworth’s turn.  He drove to an exciting second place finish.  Meantime, Greg Hopp had to sit out the San Diego race due to bruised ribs sustained in a family boating incident where he was thrown off an inner tube and his right elbow was jammed into his right side.  “Grandpa” Jerry Hopp filled in at San Diego and completed a thrilling come from behind effort to edge Haworth by less than a roostertail length. It was the senior Hopp’s 7^th career win in Unlimited Lights, while son Greg has 17 UL victories.  24 wins by Hopp Racing with Schellhase Racing is the most of any ULHRA team; but just in front of the Impact Racing UL-72 team with 22 victories by drivers Bononcini, Haworth, Perkins plus Michael Flaherty and George Woods Jr.

So the driver’s championship comes down to a Greg Hopp and Kayleigh Perkins this weekend, right?  Not exactly.  First, Hopp needs to be cleared medically to drive and that won’t be determined till testing on Saturday morning.  Second, lurking in the weeds is the X-Man.  Now wait a minute; didn’t Vince Xaudaro lose his boat and suffer a broken tailbone at Silverdale in mid August?  Correct.  No, Xaudaro won’t be driving his notable “All Black, All the Time” entry.  Instead he will be substituting for Cal Phipps in the UL-40 Boat Trader.com presents presents King & Bunny's Appliances.   Xaudaro enters Strait Thunder 331 points behind leader Greg Hopp and by driving the 40 he has a legitimate shot to win his first Unlimited Lights Driver's Title after leading in the standings for half the season.

There are plenty of other stories at the final 2007 event this weekend. Paul Becker and his UL-14 Compuware presents Miss Critical Logic tries for his first career victory and hopes to finish third in the points.  Ryan Mallow and the UL-19 have had a somewhat disappointing season compared to their 2 victories in 2006 and hope to rebound this weekend and possibly leap into 4^th place in the points.  Bob & Janet Estes will end their two years in Unlimited Lights racing with the UL-33 Miss Graham Trucking.  Before heading off to retirement the Estes and driver Mark Echols have been working hard toward a first career victory.  While the Estes Racing program is For Sale, driver Echols hopes to attract a new ride for 2008.  His son Dustin Echols is also hoping for a big finish to 2007 in the Shockwave Racing UL-17…..the new supercharged Unlimited Light built by Ron Jones Jr. which debuted this season.  Wil Muncey and the UL-83 Wyatt’s Diamond Jewelers presents Power Punch Oil Supplements could, with a very successful weekend, jump as high as fifth in the points.  

One other team that's looking to end their season on an up note is the Joe Turner driven UL-18 Countrywide Home Loans presents Straitthunder.com. Turner and UL-21 team owners Jim & Karon Wilmot formed an alliance to operate the Wilmot hull as the UL-18 beginning at Silverdale.  This will be Turner’s second race behind the wheel of the boat that launched supercharged power in Unlimited Lights racing back in 2001.  Turner’s naturally aspirated engine program from his retired “Purple Thunder” hull that ended it’s 35 year racing career with a wreck at Richland back in May, has proven to be a solid program.  Adjusting to this hull and “dialing it in” will have a lot to do with Turner’s success this weekend.

Entry number eleven at Port Angeles will be the UL-94 Union Pride driven by “Smokin Joe” Souza and rookie Mike Jack.  It was Jack who tried to race at Silverdale but the engine sustained piston damage before making a heat start.  The team learned a good deal from that effort at Silverdale and expect to have a solid weekend in the former record holding H-24 U-Bet which last competed in Unlimited Lights at Seattle in 1999.

For some of the best racing in ULHRA head to Port Angeles WA this weekend.  If you can’t attend follow our coverage right here on this website including our live video web cast both Saturday and Sunday.

John Lynch

P.R. Director and “Voice” of ULHRA Racing.

ULHRA Driver featured on Seattle Television, (Monday 9-24)

Evening Magazine on KING TV Channel 5 in Seattle WA will feature Unlimited Lights driver Kayleigh Perkins this evening.  From the KING 5 website, "in a sport dominated by men, the newest star might be a teenage girl. We'll follow her as she competes in her first Seafair hydro race."

The 19 year old rookie from Black Diamond WA currently ranks second in the ULHRA Driver's Standings in the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric; 222 points behind Greg Hopp of Snohomish in the UL-1 FestoolSupply.com presents Graham Trucking GT/Happy Go Lucky.  There are up to 1640 points available in this weekend's season finale, the Victoria Express Strait Thunder Regatta at Port Angeles WA.  1640 points represents 4 heat victories and the #1 qualifying position.

The team title race between the UL-1 & UL-72 teams is even closer.  A mere 132 points separates the two, the closest the series title points has been going into the Final race.  The reason for the difference between the driver numbers and the team numbers is neither Perkins nor Hopp have driven all of the races.  Patrick Haworth of Valleyfield Quebec has driven the UL-72 twice this year and Jerry Hopp has done likewise in the UL-1.  Both drivers have one victory and one second place finish. 

Unlimited Light and Lighter than LIGHTS Teams will move into the Port Angeles pit area on Friday after a series of display appearances in the Port Angeles-Sequim vicinity.  Qualifying will be held Saturday morning followed by racing on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.

John Lynch
P.R. Director and "Voice" of ULHRA Racing

Kerry Beynon rescue at Silverdale by Tim Crowley

Here is a gallery of pictures that shows an aerial view of the rescue of Kerry Beynon after the UL-6 flip at Silverdale. It really shows our rescue people in action and all the things that happen as a water rescue plays out.

www.pbase.com/irishman_e_1/silvres2007

Tim Crowley

On the Lighter side…

by Bud McKay

Making his own dreams come true

When Shane Pratt brought his hydroplane back to the pits at the Graham Trucking Cup at Silverdale Thunder Aug. 18, he hugged his wife Vicki for almost as long as his first-ever race lasted. He wasn’t holding onto her because he was glad he survived one of the roughest courses on the Unlimited Lights Hydroplane Racing Association’s circuit. He was holding onto her to thank her for letting him follow his dream of being a hydroplane racer.

“I never in my mind believed that I would be living my dream,” said Pratt, a 36-year-old rookie driver from Port Angeles in the ULHRA’s Lighter Than Lights 8-cylindar stock class. “The first time I saw Seafair on TV, I was really interested in the sport, but I was taught that the only thing important in life was work, so I never perused it – but it was always in the back of my mind. And then when the hydroplane race first came to Port Angeles, it kicked me right in my hind parts, and I told my wife ‘That's what I want to do.’”

And to Pratt’s surprise, his wife was all for it.

“I said, ‘You’re kidding, right?’ And she said, ‘No, if this is what you want to do, go for it,’ I almost cried,” Pratt said.

Before Pratt took the big leap as a driver, he volunteered to crew for Belfair’s Kerry Beynon’s and Al Carstensen’s Unlimited Light hydroplane team. For the last two seasons, he’s been the UL-6’s truck driver as well as crew member. He learned the ropes about the sport and then took the plunge and sought out a hull to purchase.

But he found out hydroplane racing was more expensive than he bargained for and was having a hard time finding a hull with the equipment he could afford. But then he found some help.

Another Port Angeles couple, Gary and Tresa McCallister, stepped up and financed the purchase and worked out a payment plan for the Pratts.

“These two did everything that they could to get the loan for this boat,” Pratt said. “Without them I wouldn't be racing.”

And on Sept. 29-30, Pratt will be racing in front of his friends and family on his hometown water for the Victoria Express Strait Thunder. And he hopes having a local boat on the water will help put an extra charge in the air for the people from Port Angeles.

“I realize it's not an Unlimited Light, but this is really what PA needs,” Pratt said. “But give me some more time and I will do my hometown proud.”

Capable of speeds up to 115 mph, this will only be Pratt’s second hydroplane race as a driver. As a rookie, he’ll still be regulated to stay to the outside and at least 5 seconds behind the field at the start, at least through the first two preliminary heats on Saturday. But on Sunday, if the officials allow it, Pratt could be allowed to run for the all-important inside lane and right along side the other boats for the start – and that includes the winner-take-all final heat.

“I just hope to help make it an exciting event,” Pratt said.

But Vicki hopes that it’s not too exciting.

“When Shane first took off in the boat (at Silverdale), I thought I was going to throw up,” Vicki said. “But when he came into the dock, got out of the boat, and just hugged me and didn't let go, it was so worth everything that we went through to get him into the boat. I am so proud of him, and I am so happy for him.

“It is not every day that someone makes their dreams come true.”


From even a little lighter side…

By Bud McKay

‘I’d like to thank…’

It’s a tradition of the Unlimited Lights Hydroplane Racing Association to turn over the microphone for the public address system to final-heat winners of its races. This is where the driver usually thanks his sponsors and his team for making it all possible.

It’s not a matter of if, but when that time is going to come for Port Angeles’ Shane Pratt. But after just one race under his belt, he wanted to take the time to thank those who have helped him live his dream.

“First, Gary and Tresa McCallister, these two did everything that they could to get the loan for this boat, without them I wouldn't be racing. Thank you so much! Second, my family. My wife Vicki, my sons "D" and Mini-me, my daughters Kaity and Allie, my mother Enid Humphrey, my brother Brandon Pratt, my sisters Gabby Rutherford and Megon Jones, my brother-in-law Drew Jones and my "sister-in-law Thelma Freet"

And he’s just starting to warm up. He continues.

“Third, to my support crew, Jack Badgley, Randy Stout, Davy and Crystal Schaumburg.

“Fourth, everyone in the ULHRA. I have learned a lot the last two years from everyone, even though I might not have talked with you personally, it doesn't mean I haven't learned anything from you guys. (No disrespect Miss (Kayleigh) Perkins).”

At the Academy Awards acceptance speeches, this is when the producers would crank up the band.

“To my mentors – Kerry Beynon and Al Carstensen – I don't think I could have been set up with a better couple of guys. These guys are awesome! They don't have the money like the other teams, yet they are right there with the best of them, and that demands a lot of respect.

“My thanks to Mike and Bill Hermann, and all the guys and girls from Hermann Brothers Logging and Construction. Without your support, this would not have happened. Thanks Guys.”

The end is near.

“Finally, our great sponsors who I hope we make proud – Victoria Express, Maxxim Power Sports & Adly Moto, Roadrunner 76, Hermann Brothers Logging & Construction.”

And to think, this was all from a third-place finish at Pratt’s very first race.


Team Profile
E-53 Victoria Express presents Maximm Power Sports and Adly Moto
Owners: Garry and Tresa McCallister and Shane and Vicki Pratt
Driver: Shane Pratt, 36 (rookie)
Homeport: Port Angeles, Wash.
Sponsors: Victoria Express, Maxxim Power Sports & Adly Moto, Roadrunner 76, Hermann Brothers Logging & Construction
Crew members: Jack Badgley – Crew Chief (Sequim); Davy Schaumburg – Engine Chief (Port Angeles); Crystal Schaumburg (Port Angeles); Randy Stout (Port Angeles); Megon Jones (Port Angeles) and Drew Jones (Port Angeles)
Best finish: 3rd Place, Graham Trucking Cup at Silverdale Thunder, August 2007 (debut)

How Jim and Karon Wilmot watched the ULs at San Diego

Center of It All article in the Peninsula Daily News

Unfortunately this document from Straitthunder didn't duplicate onto our website to the caliber we normally like.  However we wanted our readers to see what all is taking place the weekend of September 28-30 in Port Angeles WA.

SAN DIEGO WRAP

CAREER WIN #7 FOR "GRANDPA JERRY"

STORY: Despite starting last in a field of 5, Jerry Hopp overhauled the entire field to take top honors at the Compuware-Critical Logic Thunderboat Regatta for Unlimited Light Hydroplanes.

Hopp, driving the UL-1 Festool Supply.com – Graham Trucking G.T. – Happy Go Lucky raced down the backstretch even with Cal Phipps in the UL-40 Boat Trader.com presents King & Bunny’s Appliances. Phipps, with the strongest run of the weekend for the Thunder Valley team ran into difficulties and did not finish. Meanwhile, Hopp passed Phipps then took on Wil Muncey and passed the UL-83 Wyatt’s Diamond Jewelers presents Power Punch Oil Supplements and Paul Becker in the UL-14 Compuware presents Miss Critical Logic by the end of lap #1. At that point it was Hopp vs Haworth, UL-1 vs UL-72. Canadian Patrick Haworth driving the Miss Boat Electric took control of the heat in turn number one and stretched his lead to two roostertails by the end of lap 1. Then the senior Hopp, filling in for son Greg Hopp who was inactive this weekend due to bruised ribs, got to work.

Turn #1 on the second lap was crucial. Despite being a lane and a half outside of Haworth, Hopp cut the Canadian driver’s lead by more than 50%. At the end of the backstretch on lap two they were 3 boat lengths apart. Then on the final backstretch Hopp took the lead and maintained a 4 boat length advantage to the finish.

Following Hopp and Haworth was Paul Becker in third, Wil Muncey, who surprised many by sliding the UL-83 into Lane 1just before the score-up pin finished a strong 4^th place while Cal Phipps did not finish.

With the victory today, Hopp Racing and Schellhase Racing increased their slim lead in the Powerboats Northwest Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Series to 132 points. The 2007 championship won’t be decided until the race known as "Where Champions Are Crowned"; Straitthunder presented by Victoria Express at Port Angeles WA, on the famous Strait of Juan de Fuca, September 29^th & 30^th.

Live webcast coverage of Straitthunder from Port Angeles will be presented here on www.ulhra.org

John Lynch
P.R. Director and "Voice" of ULHRA Racing

UL FINAL HEAT BROUGHT TO YOU BY: COMPUWARE/CRITICAL LOGIC

Place	Boat	Driver	Team	Speed	Points
1	UL 1	Jerry Hopp	Festool Supply.com presents Graham Trucking GT/Happy Go Lucky	112.301	400
2	UL 72	Patrick Haworth	Miss Boat Electric	110.879	300
3	UL 14	Paul Becker	Compuware presents Miss Critical Logic	101.522	225
4	UL 83	Wil Muncey	Wyatt's Diamond Jewelers/Power Punch Oil Supplements	96.378	169
	UL 40	Cal Phipps	Boat Trader.com presents King & Bunny's Appliances	DNF

UL TESTING SUNDAY

Boat	Driver	Team	Speed
UL 1	Jerry Hopp	Festool Supply.com presents Graham Trucking GT/Happy Go Lucky	80.090
UL 72	Patrick Haworth	Miss Boat Electric	86.228
UL 14	Paul Becker	Compuware presents Miss Critical Logic	97.288
UL 40	Cal Phipps	Boat Trader.com presents King & Bunny's Appliances	93.387

SAN DIEGO SUNDAY PRE-RACE REPORT

A field of 5 Unlimited Lights are set to challenge for the Compuware-Critical Logic Thunderboat Regatta trophy at 12:45pm this afternoon (Pacific Daylight Time)

Two preliminary heats were conducted on Saturday afternoon with Paul Becker in the UL-14 Compuware presents Miss Critical Logic capturing the first heat over Jerry Hopp in the UL-1 Festool Supply.com - Graham Trucking G.T/- Happy Go Lucky . In the second heat Hopp edged Patrick Haworth in the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric. In both heats Wil Muncey in the UL-83 Wyatt’s Diamond Jewelers presents Power Punch Oil Supplements challenged for the lead before settling for a pair of close 3^rd place finishes.

In the second heat Paul Becker’s UL-14 lost an oil gasket and shut down, causing at least minor engine damage so the team has changed engines for today’s Final.

After 5^th and 4^th place finishes on Saturday J. Craig Fletcher’s UL-13 Washington Asset Management - Celtic Racing was withdrawn from today’s Final due to hull damage. The boat struck debris in the water, breaking the "bellypan". Readers may recall that the UL-13 sustained hull damage at Valleyfield in July and yesterday’s incident broke the repaired section of the hull. For the UL-13 this ends their 2007 season but gets them an early start on 2008 preparations.

The UL-40 Boat Trader.com presents King & Bunny’s Appliances did not start for either heat on Saturday. Team members say there were two problems relating to ignition and fuel delivery. They believe both issues have been resolved and they expect Cal Phipps to have a very competitive ride today.

Due to the short field of boats in San Diego it was declared by referee Howard Shaw that all teams finishing heats on Saturday would get 3^rd place points. So the national championship battle between the UL-1 and UL-72 teams finds each team adding 450 points to their total and the gap remains 32 points. The Final Heat today at 12:45pm will be a full points heat with 400 to the winner, 300 for second place, 225 for third, 169 for fourth and 127 points for fifth place.

Live webcast coverage will begin here at 12:30pm Pacific Daylight Time.

John Lynch

P.R. Director and "Voice" of ULHRA Racing

Late Breaking Development

J. Craig Fletcher in the UL-13 Washington Asset Management – Celtic Racing has been forced to withdraw from further competition due to hull damage.

SAN DIEGO SATURDAY RECAP

The Preliminary heats are concluded, setting up an exciting Final Heat tomorrow in the Powerboats Northwest Unlimited Light Racing Series.

San Diego’s Mission Bay is the site for the Compuware-Critical Logic Thunderboat Regatta for Unlimited Light Hydroplanes. In the first heat 3 boats battled to the finish line with Paul Becker, driving the UL-14 Compuware Presents Miss Critical Logic edging Jerry Hopp in the UL-1 Festool Supply.com – Graham Trucking G.T. – Happy Go Lucky. Right behind in third, sandwiched between the two leaders, was Wil Muncey in the UL-83 Power Punch Oil Supplements presented by Wyatt’s Diamond Jewelers. The son of Bill Muncey for whom this race course is named was in the thick of the race and finished less than a roostertail length behind the winner Paul Becker.

In 4^th place was Patrick Haworth in the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric. Haworth led the race for the first lap but ran into difficulties in the second turn on lap 2, winding up fourth. J. Craig Fletcher in the UL-13 Washington Asset Management – Celtic Racing took fifth while Cal Phipps in the UL-40 Boat Trader.com presents King & Bunny’s Appliances did not start.

In Heat two, Wil Muncey slid into lane one for the start in the Power Punch and led the field to the starting line. Alongside was Patrick Haworth in the Boat Electric who took the lead in turn number one with Muncey on his inside, Paul Becker in the middle and Jerry Hopp in lane 5 by rule as his was the only supercharged engine entry in the heat. Toward the end of lap one Paul Becker’s boat went dead in the water but the other three challengers stayed together. In fact, going into turn two on the second lap they were deck to deck to deck. On lap 3 Muncey dropped back just a bit while Haworth and Hopp battled for the lead. It became a final straightaway drag race with Hopp edging Haworth at the finish line, with Muncey in third and J. Craig Fletcher in the Washington Asset Management taking fourth.

The Final Heat of the Compuware-Critical Logic Thunderboat Regatta for Unlimited Light Hydroplanes will feature all 6 boats on Sunday afternoon at approximately 12:40pm Pacific Daylight Time.

John Lynch

P.R. Director and "Voice" of ULHRA Racing

UL HEAT 2 BROUGHT TO YOU BY: WEST MARINE

Place	Boat	Driver	Team	Speed	Points
1	UL 1	Jerry Hopp	Festool Supply.com presents Graham Trucking GT/Happy Go Lucky	105.630	225
2	UL 72	Patrick Haworth	Miss Boat Electric	105.112	225
3	UL 83	Wil Muncey	Wyatt's Diamond Jewelers/Power Punch Oil Supplements	100.332	225
4	UL 13	J Craig Fletcher	Washington Asset Management - Celtic Racing	91.300	225
	UL 14	Paul Becker	Compuware presents Miss Critical Logic	dnf
	UL 40	Cal Phipps	Boat Trader.com presents King & Bunny's Appliances	dns

UL HEAT 1 BROUGHT TO YOU BY: BEST WESTERN HOTELS

Place	Boat	Driver	Team	Speed	Points
1	UL 14	Paul Becker	Compuware presents Miss Critical Logic	102.175	225
2	UL 1	Jerry Hopp	Festool Supply.com presents Graham Trucking GT/Happy go Lucky	101.554	225
3	UL 83	Wil Muncey	Wyatt's Diamond Jewelers/Power Punch Oil Supplements	100.945	225
4	UL 72	Patrick Haworth	Miss Boat Electric	97.48	225
5	UL 13	J Craig Fletcher	Washington Asset Management - Celtic Racing	79.053	225
	UL 40	Cal Phipps	Boat Trader.com presents King & Bunny's Appliances	DNS

SAN DIEGO QUALIFYING REPORT

Jerry Hopp is the fastest qualifier for the Compuware-Critical Logic Thunderboat Regatta on Mission Bay in San Diego. Hopp, driving the UL-1 Festool Supply.com-Graham Trucking G.T. – Happy Go Lucky raised his qualifying speed nearly by nearly 3 miles per hour, clocking a speed a 121.510 mph. As fastest qualifier Hopp earns 40 points for the Hopp Racing-Schellhase Racing team.

Second fastest qualifier is Patrick Haworth, the Valleyfield, Quebec driver in the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric at 113.487 mph. That earns the 72 team 30 points from qualifying and going into heat racing they trail the UL-1 by just 32 points.

Paul Becker in the UL-14 Compuware presents Miss Critical Logic took third place in qualifying with a speed of 110.805 mph, followed by J. Craig Fletcher in the UL-13 Washington Asset Management-Celtic Racing at 102.400 mph. Wil Muncey in the UL-83 Wyatt’s Diamond Jewelers presents Power Punch Oil Supplements ran 101.813 mph and Cal Phipps in the UL-40 Boat Trader.com - King & Bunny’s Appliances did not finish his "hot lap" so the qualifying speed is their warmup lap of 86.240 mph.

All 6 teams will compete in 2 heats this afternoon at 1:15pm and 3:50pm Pacific Daylight Time. ULHRA’s Live webcasts will begin at 1:00pm and 3:30pm.

John Lynch

P.R. Director and "Voice" of ULHRA Racing

QUALIFYING FINAL RESULTS

Boat	Name	Team Name	Fastest Lap	Points
UL 1	Jerry Hopp	Festool Supply.com presents Graham Trucking GT/Happy Go Lucky	121.510	40
UL 72	Patrick Haworth	Miss Boat Electric	112.316	30
UL 14	Paul Becker	Compuware presents Miss Critical Logic	110.805	23
UL 13	J Craig Fletcher	Washington Asset Management - Celtic Racing	102.400	17
UL 83	Wil Muncey	Wyatt's Diamond Jewelers/Power Punch Oil Supplements	101.813	13
UL 40	Cal Phipps	Boat Trader.com presents King & Bunny's Appliances	86.240	7

Friday Test 3

Boat	Driver	Sponsor/Name	Fastest Lap
UL 83	Wil Muncey	Wyatt's Diamond Jewelers/Power Punch Oil Supplements	106.166
UL 72	Kayleigh Perkins	Miss Boat Electric	104.527
UL 13	J Craig Fletcher	Washington Asset Management - Celtic Racing	102.895

Friday Test 2

Boat	Name	Team Name	Fastest Lap
UL 1	Jerry Hopp	Festool Supply.com presents Graham Trucking GT/Happy Go Lucky	118.141
UL 72	Patrick Haworth	Miss Boat Electric	113.487
UL 13	J Craig Fletcher	Washington Asset Management - Celtic Racing	102.4
UL 83	Wil Muncey	Wyatt's Diamond Jewelers/Power Punch Oil Supplements	101.813
UL 40	Cal Phipps	Boat Trader.com presents King & Bunny's Appliances	86.24

Friday Test 1

Boat	Driver	Sponsor/Name	Fastest Lap
UL 1	Jerry Hopp	Festool Supply.com presents Graham Trucking GT/Happy Go Lucky	122.934
UL 14	Paul Becker	Compuware presents Miss Critical Logic	112.248
UL 72	Patrick Haworth	Miss Boat Electric	104.871
UL 83	Wil Muncey	Wyatt's Diamond Jewelers/Power Punch Oil Supplements	98.497
UL 13	J Craig Fletcher	Washington Asset Management - Celtic Racing	95.658

2007 UL title MAY become clearer at San Diego.

That's a big MAY.  You see the two teams battling for the Powerboats NW Unlimited Light Hydroplane Championship in 2007 are separated by a mere 22 points.  In boat racing circles that's a virtual tie.  After 5 races, Greg Hopp and the 4 time defending champion UL-1 Festool Supply.com - Graham Trucking G.T. - Happy Go Lucky has 5549 points and 3 victories.  Right behind with 5527 points and 2 victories is the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric.  Both drivers in the 72, Canadian Patrick Haworth and Black Diamond WA's Kayleigh Perkins have driven to victory; Ms Perkins at the most recent race in Silverdale WA where she became the first woman to ever win an Unlimited Lights race on August 19th ,and Haworth at his home race, the Regates de Valleyfield near Montreal on July 8th.  In San Diego Haworth returns to the cockpit of the 72 hull, in which he's earned two of his 3 career Unlimited Light victories; the other at Tri Cities WA in 2002. 

When you realize that each heat victory is worth 400 points, with 300 for second, 225 for third, 169 for fourth, 127 for fifth and 95 points for 6th.......a 22 point gap really is a virtual "tie". 

At Silverdale the 72 team raced strongly without incident.  In the Final, Perkins and Hopp dueled deck to deck for 3 laps until Hopp's boat threw a propeller blade on the final lap and did not finish.  The exact same scenario occurred last year in the Silverdale final but this year team owner Jerry Hopp says the hull damage was much less severe, because of the team's effort to "beef up" the transom following last year's incident.  The UL-1 is ready  to go for San Diego, as is the UL-72.

However, they are not alone and no one should be surprised if another Unlimited Light team knocks off the two title contenders for the Compuware-Critical Logic ULHRA San Diego trophy.  One of the leading contenders is the race title sponsor's own team.  The UL-14 Compuware presents Miss Critical Logic, a boat that Randy Haas drove to victory in San Diego in 2001, served notice at Seattle the Paul Becker owned & driven team is ready for their first win.  In the Seattle three lap Final, Becker led the field for over 2 laps before his UL-14 went dead in the water.  A repeat performance on the very fast Mission Bay course is certainly a strong possibility, only Becker wants to "seal the deal".  The former Navy and Airline pilot has two career second place finishes and with the former UL-110 hull combined with Ed Trihey horsepower, Becker knows he has an excellent opportunity.  Plus with the new starting line procedure instigated by ULHRA Inc. this year, Becker knows he'll be starting inside of Hopp, and battling Haworth for lane one. 

There's another driver at San Diego this weekend who likes battling for lane one, much as his famous father, Bill Muncey used to do.  Wil Muncey drives the Muncey Racing owned Wyatt's Diamond Jewelers presents Power Punch Oil Supplements.  This is Wil's third appearance at the San Diego race in an Unlimited Light.........in fact the same Unlimited Light hydroplane.  He debuted in 2005 when this boat was owned by San Diego's Pat Roach and last year Wil and his wife Debi acquired from Roach the UL-83 known as "The Little Boat that Could".  At Silverdale last month the Muncey Racing team showed a glimpse of what fans may see this weekend...........a little boat that still can.......when Muncey charged from third place out of turn one in a preliminary heat to take the lead going into turn two only to be stymied by a spinout at the exit pin.  Still, that one straightaway run had some jaws dropping on the shoreline and a repeat performance, minus the spinout , could see Muncey in a challenging position. 

The UL-40 Boat Trader.com presents King & Bunny's Appliances is a team that could be a surprise......although it wouldn't be that big of a surprise.  This hull two years ago qualified third and won Heat 1A in San Diego with Harold Mills at the wheel.  Last year with Brian Perkins driving the team picked up their first ever victory in UL racing at Issaquah WA.  Now with Detroit's Cal Phipps behind the wheel and a couple of Chuck Dow engines available, Phipps, Dow, and the Thunder Valley Team expect to contend on the big San Diego course.

Up till now it's been a rather forgettable year for second year team owner-driver J.Craig Fletcher and the UL-13 Celtic Racing entry.  Damage to the hull at Valleyfield in July wound up knocking the team out of the Seattle race and electrical problems plagued the team at Silverdale.  However a test this past weekend went very well and now the Fletcher owned team from Mercer Island WA is ready for their second visit to San Diego, where last year a broken stub shaft kept them on the beach after a successful qualifying run.

Sadly, four very capable teams were knocked out of San Diego by events at Silverdale WA last month.  One, the brand new UL-17 Schucks Auto Supply built by Ron Jones Jr. and driven by rookie Dustin Echols lost both engines at Silverdale.  Frantic efforts by the Shockwave Racing Team to get custom made engine parts delivered in time for this weekend came up just short. 
For the UL-8 Boat Trader.com presents Baker Equipment, that team lost a propeller at Silverdale and unlike the Hopp Racing's UL-1, the 8 hull was severely damaged.  The team hopes to return for the final race of the season at Port Angeles WA in two weeks. 
The third team, the UL-6 from BCS Racing Enterprises had a promising return to competition when the substantially rebuilt hydroplane took third place at Seattle in its first outing of the year.  Two weeks later at Silverdale, driver Kerry Beynon was leading the field by a roostertail at the start of Heat 1A when the boat went skyward into a blowover accident.  Beynon is fine, and the boat sustained an amazingly light amount of damage all things considered, but the BCS team is out of action for the rest of the season.

Then there's the X-Man.  Vince Xaudaro and his UL-929 won't be racing any more this season.  In the Final Heat at Silverdale the hull leaped off a roller and "stuffed the nose".  The effect was similar to a wishbone.  Both sponsons split off the hull.  Fortunately Xaudaro was not seriously hurt but the "all black, all the time" hydroplane is done for the year.  That's unfortunate because going into the Silverdale race, Xaudaro led the driver's standings for the first time in his Unlimited Lights career.

John Lynch
P.R. Director and "Voice" of ULHRA Racing

1929 Antique Outboard Sold

 The antique boat used in the Museum scene of the movie Madison has been sold, and will soon be on display at its new home The Bubble Room Restaurant located in Captvia Fl. http://www.bubbleroomrestaurant.com/

Maintenance and Inspection

So you lost a blade on the propeller and it tore the back of the boat. Strut too maybe? End of the line right? Wrong. You need to check the prop shaft for straight also. That vibration also goes up into the engine and shakes the crankshaft too. After loosing a blade at Silverdale we pulled the pan off the engine and checked the bearings. Pictured is the center main bearing of our engine. Note the shiny marks on the outside edges of the top and bottom bearing shells. That is where the crankshaft flexed like a soda straw than you hold both ends of and bow in the middle. The crank actually went metal to metal and made the marks on the bearings. No damage to the crank but one of the shells started to show a little bit of heat damage. How do you make an engine last for 5 seasons? Constant maintenance and inspection.

Kayleigh and fans at Silverdale plus RCs by Jerry Hopp

Click here for updates from August, 2007