Former Unlimited Light team Freedom Racing exiting boat racing.   You could call Kevin Aylesworth one of the real Pied Pipers of hydroplane racing.  Where Kevin went, kids followed en masse.  His team’s motto “When We Race, Children Win” was part and parcel of their focus while racing here with the UL-5, and for the past two seasons after they transferred to the Unlimited circuit. In their 6 years of racing the team raised a lot of money for Children’s hospitals and other charities.   Freedom Racing Team began modestly in 2002 with the acquisition of the former UL-45 Hey Baby from Tacoma, Washington’s Howie Labrie…….one of the early Unlimited Light Hydroplane competitors.  Their first half season was really a lengthy test session getting used to their boat and ULHRA.  Starting in 2003 when they converted that hull to supercharged horsepower the UL-5 became a contender.  Kevin and the UL-5 won at Valleyfield in 2004 for their only victory to date.  They came very close a couple more times.  In 2004 Aylesworth had the field covered in the Final at Port Angeles when the supercharger belt loosened in the last turn taking away most of the boat’s horsepower. That allowed Greg Hopp to come from way back to take the victory.  In 2005 Kevin and Greg staged a dandy duel on live television in Seattle as Hopp edged Aylesworth for the Graham Trucking Cup.  Then there was the San Diego race in 2005.    A promising start turned fateful and nearly fatal that weekend.  Kevin was the number two qualifier with a team record 116 plus mph lap.  In the second heat getting set for the start, the UL-5 was collected by the UL-9 causing damage to the rear of the boat including the loss of a vertical stabilizer.  Nonetheless Kevin finished third in that heat.  An all night repair effort culminated in the boat being sent out for the start of the B-Main in an attempt to reach the Final and have the chance to win his home town race.  Battling with Greg Hopp deck to deck into the Sea World turn on lap one, the UL-5 went airborne in a spectacular blowover accident.  Kevin’s helmet air hose was dislodged by a blast of water and while he had no serious physical injuries from the crash, he nearly drowned.  He ingested a lot of salt water and motor oil while escaping his safety capsule due to the lack of air supply.  Doctors say his full recovery was made possible because he was in tremendous physical condition at the time of the accident.  Incidentally, after a forensic study of the accident some good did occur.  The style and placement of capsule air vents has been altered and a new locking ring air hose coupler is now the accepted standard.     ULHRA extends best wishes in their future endeavors to Kevin Aylesworth, Jeffrey Johnson, Crew Chief Kevin Braun, former UL driver Jon Church and all of the members of Freedom Racing Team.   John Lynch P.R. Director and “Voice” of ULHRA Racing.   Gerald Theoret was legend in everyone's mind   Gerald Theoret was a legend in everyone’s mind in Canada except his own!  On Friday November 16 he went to be with his Lord.  His family was by his side.  Jean’s call to me was a mix of sadness and joy.  He will be greatly missed and on Thanksgiving Day here in America the family will have the joy of celebrating his life among them.  His neighbors and fellow boat racers will be there in abundance.  It will be a tribute to a delightful man who loved his family and loved his boat racing and above all loved his Lord.    The look in his eyes when he watched his son Jean race was one of delight and joy but not fear.  He told me that once all the checklists were complete that he trusted Jean to God’s hands on the water.  “Prepare the boat, prepare the driver and the results will be as they should.”  His real trust in God gave him the blessing of being able to truly enjoy watching the exciting racing in spite of the danger of his son Jean’s special talent.  This talent was visited upon the family before and his faith was tested and found true.  While showing me some photos on display at Regattes de Valleyfield, where his family was prominently featured, Gerald pointed to one photo with pride as well as a touch of sadness.  “Jim, this is the boat the Lord took my son home in.”  He was speaking of Jean’s older brother Pierre who was killed while racing and in his memory Jean’s son is named.    What a racing family called Theoret!  Many will know of their enormous success in several classes including the Grand Prix boats.  As with the display at Valleyfield their name is listed throughout the record books of boat racing in Canada.  I saw the older generations at the display go up to Gerald with near awe.  His just smiled that sort of knowing smile when he saw me watching.  “It’s okay they are proud for me…to God be the glory.”   He leaves Mariette, Jean, Danielle, Pierre and Samuel from the part of the family who joined us racing along with their dear friend Claude.  Other members of the family, the Canadian boat racing community, business associates and friends should know that we were blessed to have him among us for such a short time.  It is my hope that many of us will remember them all as we give thanks for so many blessings.  To God be the glory.   Jim Riley Chaplain   Kayleigh Perkins, there's more to ULHRA than just driving "Driving an Unlimited Light Hydroplane up to 150 mph is only part of the job.  Public Relations, being an ambassador of the sport, relating to new fans; it's all part of the ULHRA driver experience.  Thanks to Jerry Werdal from Tucson AZ for this photo array featuring Kayleigh Perkins at Firebird International Raceway near Phoenix."     Unlimited Lights a “hit” with drag boat fans    Six Unlimited Light Hydroplane teams made the trek from cold and damp northern climates to 85 degrees and sunny Chandler, Arizona, near Phoenix.  They participated in an exhibition of Racing, ULHRA Style at Firebird International Raceway as part of the International Hot Boat Association’s Coors Light World Finals of the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series.  The 6 teams in the TRAFFICADE sponsored exhibition included the new champion of Unlimited Lights racing, Kayleigh Perkins and the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric, the UL-15 Festool Woodcraft Happy Go Lucky driven by Jerry & Greg Hopp, the UL-83 Power Punch Oil Supplements presented by Wyatt’s Diamond Jewelers driven by Wil Muncey, the UL-17 Miss Ted’s Red Apple Market driven by Dustin Echols and the UL-21 from Xaudaro-Wilmot Racing driven by Vince “X-Man” Xaudaro from Washington State, and the UL-93 Trafficade – Desperado driven by Marty Wolfe from Illinois.    The Final had everyone in the grandstands on their feet cheering loudly as Greg Hopp passed Kayleigh Perkins for the win on the last straightaway with Marty Wolfe close behind. Greg went through the drag course speed traps at just under 145 mph on that short straightaway and needed every one of those mph's to win. When Greg stopped his boat in front of the grandstands to step out on the deck to acknowledge the crowd, the stands erupted a second time, and then a third time when he cranked up that blower motor to return to the pits. Drag racing fans love those superchargers!     Greg Hopp’s victory was anything but certain prior to Sunday.  In fact racing at all was a big question mark on Saturday.  The team ran into some uncharacteristic (for them) engine issues on Saturday morning. They pulled an all-nighter and were ready for action on Sunday.    Preliminary heats were mostly 2 boat contests around the 1 ¼ mile course divided by a rock & dirt “berm” or centerline.  The drag boats race on one side of the berm while the Unlimited Lights course encircles the berm……which removes any chance of “cutting the course” during heat warm-ups.  For this exhibition of 3 lap heats the teams took 2 warmup laps and then raced from a flag start.  The Final, pitting the boats of Greg Hopp, Kayleigh Perkins and Marty Wolfe was a 3 wide start and that may be the maximum for the UL’s on this race course.  No matter, the fans enjoyed all of the action be it two wide or three.   At Firebird it’s the closest that hydroplane racing fans can get to the action and those 60,000 drag boat fans really appreciated the excitement from the ULHRA teams.  In addition there are excellent pit facilities along with great access for the fans.  Plenty of ULHRA members and supporters were on hand simply to watch the action and enjoy the escape from a weekend of Seattle area rain.   ULHRA Inc. thanks Charlie Fegan and the IHBA, and Charlie Allen and Firebird International Raceway for the invitation and their hospitality.  It was the Unlimited Lights first appearance at Firebird since 1996 and the first time ever at an IHBA sanctioned event.  Ideally this won’t be the last.   John Lynch P.R. Director and “Voice” of ULHRA Racing. Phoenix preview #2   The forecast is for two weather fronts to cover the area with wind and rain over the next several days.  The area is Seattle and as of Thursday afternoon the inundation of rain had already started.  So what to do?   Phoenix is a good idea this time of year.  The weekend forecast........Sunny and mid 80 degree temperatures.  Just the thing to break up the November gray skies around Puget Sound.   Now you know why five Unlimited Lights from near Seattle and one from Illinois are being presented this weekend by TRAFFICADE in the Valley of the Sun.  At Firebird Raceway on Firebird Lake 6 Unlimited Light Hydroplane teams will compete in this exhibition event as part of the IHBA Coors Light World Finals of the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series.   This event draws nearly 60,000 fans each year and up to 200 drag boats.  It'll be the first time that ULHRA & IHBA have collaborated on an event and both sanctioning bodies expect that this won't be the last time.  The tight 1 1/4 mile course at Chandler AZ provides a very stern test for the Unlimited Light drivers, most of whom have never driven on this course.  Jerry & Greg Hopp with the UL-15 Festool Supply NW - Graham Trucking GT - Happy Go Lucky drove here in 1995 and 1996 when the "Lights" were in Phoenix previously.  For Wil Muncey, Vince Xaudaro, Marty Wolfe, Dustin Echols and 2007 Champion Kayleigh Perkins this will be their first time on Firebird Lake in a UL.  It is good training for the next visit, scheduled in mid April for a full ULHRA event.   Due to the drag boat lane separator that runs the length of the oval course infield there is no possibility of "cutting the course".  So, instead of "timing runs" that go from a certain buoy on the course to the starting line the teams will make timing runs that begin when they leave the pits.  Miss the start by a little and a team will find themselves an entire lap behind the field.   Three teams including Hopp Racing, Muncey Motorsports UL-83 Power Punch-Wyatt's Diamond Jewelers, and the 2007 Champion UL-72 Miss Boat Electric were on display Wednesday at Sanderson Ford in Glendale AZ.  The UL-21 to be driven by Vince Xaudaro is due to arrive in Phoenix on Friday and the UL-17 Schucks Auto Supply - Ted's Red Apple Market driven by Dustin Echols will also be on hand, joined by the Marty Wolfe driven UL-93 Trafficade-Desperado.   Friday afternoon there will be testing on the lake between drag boat heats.  Racing will be on Saturday and Sunday with 2 heat sections of racing on Saturday, a third section on Sunday, and the Final Heat.   Live webcast coverage of the Unlimited Lights at Phoenix presented by TRAFFICADE can be seen here on Saturday & Sunday.  Check the home page of this website over the weekend for projected webcast times.  Firebird Lake Unlimited Lights schedule.   Friday,     11-16.  Testing 2:45pm.   Saturday, 11-17   Heat 1A 10:15am   Heat 1B  11:00am   Webcast begins at 10:00am                           Heat 2A 12:45pm   Heat 2B    1:00pm   Webcast begins at 12:30pm   Sunday,   11-18   Heat 3A 10:15am   Heat 3B   10:30am   Webcast beings at 10:00am                                                    FINAL:    2:30pm    All times Mountain Standard.  Webcast begins at 2:00pm.     John Lynch P.R. Director & "Voice" of ULHRA Racing

Back to the Future? 

On November 16, 17 & 18 the Unlimited Light Hydroplanes return where it all began, and preview the future.  In 1995 the very first Unlimited Light Hydroplane race was conducted on Firebird Lake at Chandler, near Phoenix AZ.  On a race course just about as tight as Valleyfield in Quebec, Canada, Dave Bender won the very first Unlimited Light regatta. In 1996 the “Lights” returned for a second visit and Bender again triumphed.  Now it will be the third ever Unlimited Lights appearance on Firebird Lake with a couple differences.  First, Dave Bender won’t be attempting to make it 3 in a row since he’s retired from competitive driving and, Second, this appearance is officially an exhibition as a prelude to a new Unlimited Lights event at Phoenix in April 2008.  This appearance by the Unlimited Light Hydroplanes is presented by Trafficade Work Zone Services, a brand new Series Partner with ULHRA Inc. This Phoenix based company provides signage, barriers, traffic cones safety vests, hard hats and virtually anything else needed to enhance worker safety at road and building construction sites.  

Six teams will make the trek to Arizona, led by 19 year old sensation Kayleigh Perkins.  Driving the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric in her debut season in Unlimited Lights, Ms. Perkins became the first woman to win an Unlimited Light Hydroplane Race.  In fact she also won the Driver’s Championship, earned the 2007 Rookie of the Year award and along with co-driver Patrick Haworth of Valleyfield, Quebec the UL-72 team secured the Powerboats NW Unlimited Lights Series Championship in 2007.  That title carries the right to be UL-1 in 2008 if the Impact Racing Team so chooses.  

Father and son Jerry & Greg Hopp will be on hand with the UL-1 Jamie Auld built hydroplane from Hopp Racing; the Festool Supply NW, Graham Trucking G.T. Happy Go Lucky.  This is the winningest hull in Unlimited Light history with a total of 31 race victories dating back to 1997 including the first ever Desert Thunder Regatta in Richland WA last May. The Auld hull will be filling in for the Paul Droullard, Jim Mowrey, Ron Jones Jr. built UL-1 hull that was damaged in a flip at Port Angeles at the end of September.  Ron Jones Jr’s CLS company is repairing the hull and it is expected to be ready by Spring Training 2008.  The Hopp team had won 4 consecutive titles in Unlimited Lights racing and was in position for an unprecedented 5^th straight title when the accident occurred in qualifying at the final race of the 2007 season.

The newest generation Unlimited Light will be driven by Dustin Echols.  The UL-17 Schucks Auto Supply – Ted’s Red Apple Market debuted this season, built by Ron Jones Jr. for Rick & Shawn Bridgeman’s Shockwave racing team.  This supercharged team is looking to build on a successful 8^th place season finish that was hampered by engine issues that hadn’t plagued this team in past years.  “New-boatitis” is what it’s called.  On Firebird Lake the team will begin to administer the “cure”.    

ULHRA is welcoming the newest entry in Unlimited Lights at Phoenix. Well, technically it’s a re-welcome.  Marty Wolfe returns with his UL-93 Trafficade-Desperado.  The last time Marty appeared with the Lights was his impressive UL debut in 2006 at Detroit.  Marty’s boat has been upgraded for this event plus next season the 93 team will debut a new Unlimited Light hull. 

Joining Wolfe and the UL-93 will be another debut of sorts.  Vince “X-Man” Xaudaro will drive the UL-21 owned by Jim & Karon Wilmot of Issaquah WA.  This is the hull that debuted supercharged horsepower in Unlimited Lights racing back in 2001 when it was owned by Thunder Valley Racing and driven by Nick Badolato.  The Wilmot’s acquired the hull last winter and leased it to Joe Turner for the final races of the 2007 season as the Countrywide Home Loans presents Straitthunder.com.  Now, the Xaudaro and Wilmot organizations are combining forces and assets for this event in Phoenix with a look toward possibly continuing this collaboration in 2008.  Xaudaro’s UL-929 hull was damaged at Silverdale WA back in August.  The center section and cockpit survived but the sponsons were torn away.  It’s now listed For Sale on this website.  It’s a “fixer-upper” but it’s certainly repairable and has a solid UL performance history including a race victory at Evansville in 2005 after being lengthened and widened Xaudaro's team.  The hull originally built by Nate Brown won twice in 1996 at Seattle and at Kelowna BC. 

Rounding out the field will be Wil Muncey in the UL-83 Power Punch Oil Supplements presented by Wyatt’s Diamond Jewelers.  Wil is the son of the legendary Bill Muncey who won more races than any driver in Unlimited Hydroplane racing.  Muncey, driving the racecraft dubbed “The Little Boat that Could” was challenging for 6^th position in the final standings only to be interrupted by a violent spin at Port Angeles WA.  Unable to finish the race the team owned by Wil’s wife Debi finished 9^th in the UL points standings. 

For the Unlimited Lights the Firebird oval at 1 ¼ miles presents a unique challenge.  Of the teams entered only Jerry & Greg Hopp have ever driven on this course.  Not only is it very tight, there is a concrete pier that runs the entire length of the course down the center.  Traditionally at the Driver’s Meeting on race day the referee would instruct the drivers on which direction and which area the teams could cross the center of the course.  In Phoenix there will be no such instruction as there is nowhere to go.  Once on the course the teams must stay on the course or risk “high centering” on the concrete which actually happened to an Unlimited hydroplane back in 1975.  As a result, timing for the start is extra critical.  In hydroplane racing there is a clock start beginning with a 5 minute warm-up period.  The goal is to the hit the starting line at full speed in a driver’s lane of choice just as the clock strikes zero.  There’s no “crossing the infield” to make up for an error in timing as happens at the other Unlimited Light venues.

Three of the Unlimited Lights will be arriving early for an appearance at Sanderson Ford in Glendale on Wednesday, November 14 along with drivers Jerry Hopp and Will Muncey who will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs while appearing on KNIX Country 102.5 FM from 4-6pm.

This appearance by the Unlimited Lights is part of the Coors Light World Finals of the IHBA Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series.  Up to 200 drag boats will be competing all weekend while the Unlimited Lights have 2 testing sessions on Friday, with 2 sections of heats on Saturday plus a third heat section and Final Heat on Sunday.  http://www.ihbaracing.com/     http://www.firebirdraceway.com/06web/07CLWF.html

John Lynch

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