Sexy Seat Belts
Inverted,
pitch black and underwater. Disoriented and dizzy the driver
tries to stay calm as the boat settles and the water
continues to fill his canopy and equalize the pressure with
the outside so that he can open the canopy door or swing the
hatch in the floor open. Procedure dictates that the first
thing he does is to ensure an adequate seal with his air
mask and then pull the steering wheel off the column to
increase mobility within the canopy. The second step is to
attempt to open the floor hatch so that the pressure is
equalized and won’t restrict the ability to open the larger
door hatch. The absolutely last thing that he is supposed to
do is release his seatbelts. When this becomes appropriate,
that release must be fast and unencumbered.
Enter
Status Racing. Manufacturer and distributor of certified and
respected seat belt systems, Status Racing brings more than
just seat belts and cam lock latching systems to the sport
of hydroplane racing. Participating on the 2010 ULHRA
circuit as a CAP sponsor, Status is seeing its products
immediately integrated into cockpits preparing for the
annual Spring Training event held every April.
Although
cam lock systems have been used on the circuit before,
Status Racing is the first distributor to officially
participate as a sponsor of the growing Unlimited Light
hydroplane racing circuit.
“We are
delighted to work hand in hand with some of the teams to try
and help them address some of their safety needs,” said Greg
Milholland of Status Racing. “Hydroplane racing is
especially demanding of safety products and we’re pleased to
see that our products meet those demands.”
Due to the
unusual cockpit issues of hydroplane racing such as a moist
environment, prolonged exposure to ultra violet rays and a
high salt water presence the need to constantly update or
upgrade the seat belts is a greater concern than in
automotive competition. “It’s great that a company like
Status is taking an active interest in our sport and trying
hard to make it safer”, said Joe Frauenheim President of the
ULHRA. “Having a fresh perspective and new ideas toward
something as important as safety can’t help but create and
maintain an overall safer environment for our drivers.” For
more information on Status Racing visit
www.statusracing.com . Status Racing offers seat belts
that are FIA approved in four, five and six point
applications and in the colors of black, silver, blue, or
red.
NEWS RELEASE—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CP PISTONS POSTS
OVER $6200 IN CONTINGENCY DOLLARS WITH ULHRA SERIES
April
28, 2010, Irvine , CA —CP Pistons is proud to
announce that it has signed a sponsorship agreement with the Unlimited
Light
Hydroplane Series, and will post over $6,200 in contingency
payouts across all categories Thunderboat (G), Unlimited Light (UL),
Eight Cylinder, and Four Cylinder Stock classes in 2010.
“We
are excited about our new partnership with the ULHRA series,” stated CP
Piston’s Cindy Verkooij, “In addition to being the premiere series for
competitive
boat racing; it is an ideal proving ground for our racing piston
technology.” Verkooij further adds s
ome
of this technology consists of sealing up cylinders better than anyone
in the industry. New skirt shapes that we’ve developed have introduced
the most stable piston available, which translates into better ring seal
and reduced harmonics in the bore. This along with our in-house ability
to create a 3D mirror image of any chamber on top of the piston, as well
as our 3D underhead milling options give you the lightest, most stable
high compression piston money can buy.
ABOUT
THE ULHRA SERIES
The
Unlimited Lights class, formed in 1995, grew out of a select group of
Grand National Hydros that thrilled crowds in a series of
exhibition races run with the Unlimited Hydroplanes in 1994. The
thunder of the automotive engines caught the ear of fans and the
attention of the
Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Association, which was looking to
create a support class. They found a group of energetic teams with a
desire to expand their racing options and their class. It wasn't long
before the Unlimited Lights Racing Series was born.
Over the
course of the next five years, the series matured and offered some of
the finest racing on the water. Close competition and a sound that
echoes back to the classic days of Unlimited racing enhances the
spectacle of any racing event.
At the
end of October 2000, the Unlimited Lights began operating under the
aegis of their own
corporate identity -- the Unlimited
Light Hydroplane Racing
Association (ULHRA). The ULHRA has spent the last few years
improving upon the proud tradition of the series.
ABOUT CP
PISTONS
CP
Pistons, founded in 1999, is celebrating its 11th
anniversary. CP Pistons was founded with the mission of servicing the
needs of enthusiasts and racers who desire to build the
highest quality engines.
CP Pistons ensures the highest quality by using the latest technology to
manufacture its products, including state-of-the-art equipment,
proprietary tooling and dedicated cutters. Along with unique fixturing,
computer modeling, and five-axis machining, CP employs a multi-level
inspection process that includes an advanced climate-controlled
inspection department to guarantee that each piston is second to none.
CP Pistons is a member of PANKL Racing Systems.
# # #
Cindy Verkooi
j
Marketing & Promotions Manager
Tenth Season of Racing, ULHRA Style begins
this weekend.
Unlimited
Lig
ht
hydroplane teams, joined by Lighter than LIGHTS and Crackerbox Pro teams
will kick off the 2010 racing season this weekend in the "Valley of the
Sun". Firebird Lake, part of Firebird International Raceway in Chandler
AZ, just outside of Phoenix opens the ULHRA racing season for the third
consecutive year.
Friday (4-30) will be a testing day for all classes, including the drag
racing teams from the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series which again will share
the unique Firebird course with ULHRA teams. This weekend provides a
real variety for marine motorsports , and the close-in viewing afforded
by Firebird International Raceway makes this site a race fan favorite.
Eight UL teams have announced they'll be competing, led by defending
race and series champion, Kayleigh Perkins in the UL-72 from Impact
Racing. In just three seasons Ms. Perkins has scored nine race
victories, three driver titles and two team championships. Those nine
wins put her fourth all time in the Unlimited Lights Racing Series which
began in 1995. One big change for the UL-72 in 2010. They are debuting a
Triad Racing Technologies Toyota NASCAR engine. This 358 cu. in engine
is 150 cubic inches smaller than the team's regular V-8 power plant and
it turns higher RPM's. The engine package is about 175 lbs lighter than
the 509 V-8's, and by NASCAR rules it burns unleaded gas compared to
leaded racing gasoline in the bigger V-8's.
The driver who was runner up to Perkins in 2009 returns to Phoenix in a
ride that, for him, is as comfortable as an old shoe. Wil Muncey and the
UL-00 WarningPower.com bring the smaller of the two boats from their
"fleet" to Phoenix. It's just over 20 feet in length compared to
Perkins' ride which is about four feet longer. Muncey prefers their
"Lil" 00 over the larger craft on this tight 1 1/4 course. For Muncey
this hull is the first Unlimited Light he ever raced when he earned
Rookie of the Year in 2005. Last year, another shorter UL with a small
block V-8 similar to Muncey's, nearly scored a victory as Elizabeth
Wolfe in the UL-93 Trafficade-Desperado finished second in the Phoenix
event.
Rounding into form at the end of 2009, Paul Becker and the UL-14 Miss
Critical Logic presents a tough challenger. After a disastrous accident
in 2008 it took all of the 2009 season before this craft was back to
pre-accident form. With a winter's prep time the 14 team and its airline
pilot owner-driver are ready for a major push toward the championship in
2010. Becker was leading the points in the next to last race of 2008,
when the flip occurred, and the team is determined to get back to the
front of the field in 2010.
A comeback and debut are both featured by the same team in 2010. The
comeback is the return of Darren Bartel's UL-11 Power Punch, ROXY Radio
94.5 K&N Filters hull. This is the craft that broke a propeller and
subsequently broke out the entire back end of the race boat at Polson MT
last summer. It returns for its first racing action this weekend with
Rookie of the Year candidate Kevin Eacret behind the wheel. Eacret, the
14th driver graduate from ULHRA's Lighter than LIGHTS series won the
Lighter than LIGHTS eight cylinder title last year and is the only
driver to have won both class titles, four cylinder and eight cylinder,
in the LTL program. After the damage in Montana owner Bartels contracted
with other teams to meet his sponsor requirements and the 11 team wound
up in second place in the team standings in 2009.
Consistency was the hallmark in 2009 of the UL-3 Grant Racing team
driven by Chris Grant. The team finished nearly all of their
heats in 2009, beginning with a fourth place finish at Phoenix. In 2010
the third year team looks to build upon their consistency with stronger
performances from the tandem wing hull, one of two Unlimited Lights with
a single tail, aka vertical stabilizer. Twin tails are required in
Unlimited Lights competition except for two hulls that were constructed
prior to the establishment of the Unlimited Lights series. Those two
hulls are the UL-3, and the UL-98 Miss Atomic Screen Printing out of
Kennewick WA, built originally in 1974. The 98 team will start their
season later this year.
Another smaller UL will be very interesting to watch. Oregon's Bob Smets
and the UL-20 Smetco ran their best race in three years in the Unlimited
Lights series, capturing fourth place at San Diego last September. It
was the team's first race that they were able to start and finish four
heats. It also was the most competitive performance by that team to
date. Going to Phoenix the UL-20 may be right at home and a contender.
UL-77 is a new number for the former UL-58 owned by driven by Dan
McCulloch from Coulee Dam, WA. McCulloch acquired this team nearly a
year ago and debuted at Polson MT. Rookie
McCulloch and his team improved with each outing and made an excellent
drive in finishing second in the B-Main at Silverdale WA in August. This
craft is also shorter than many UL racing craft and could find the
Firebird course very inviting.
Rounding out the field is a brand new hull, driven by a bit of a
surprise entrant. The new hull is a Steve Balcer creation out of Detroit
and owned by Pat Rankin. For this race, Vince "X-Man Xaudaro and his
team, along with the UL-72 team have completed this craft that was
delivered to Washington State last winter with lots of finish work
remaining. The boat will race as the UL-10 this season except for this
weekend it will have the familiar Xaudaro number of UL-929. Xaudaro is
returning with his own team and own boat this season. His hull has been
rebuilt since a devastating 2007 accident but couldn't be completed in
time for the Firebird race. This weekend will mark the first ever time
on the water for this race craft, making the trip to Phoenix from the
Seattle area one long test session excursion. The difference? At Phoenix
the team will earn 2010 championship points, including 1,000 Bonus
Points for a legal start which will help the UL-929 in its effort to
qualify for the Graham Trucking Cup for Unlimited Lights at Seafair in
Seattle. The top 14 teams in the Unlimited Lights series, based on
points earned in the 2010 season prior to the Seattle race, will qualify
for the biggest racing event in hydroplane racing. At Seattle, teams
race in front of about 300,000 fans plus another million or so on live
television.
ULHRA Video will have live coverage of racing from Phoenix this weekend,
including coverage of ULHRA hydroplanes, the Cracker Box Pro teams and
the drag boat series. Check the home page of this website for times and
link to the webcast.
John Lynch
"Voice" of ULHRA Racing
2010 Thunder & LIGHTS Magazine Available Now!
Thunder
& LIGHTS Magazine brings you the 2010 Racing Season. Inside you will
find history, stats and 10 Years of Racing - ULHRA Style. 112 pages
of photos, team and venue profiles, a Spectator's Guide to following the
races, engine prep, and more!
On
Newsstands $4.95 each
To order individual
copies by mail within the U.S. , please send $8.00 to cover cost of
magazine and first class
postage to:
Unlimited
Light Hydroplane
Racing Association
375 East Sunset Way
Issaquah , WA 98027
For Immediate Release:
April 27th, 2010
Miss Executif Racing Enters Competition At Firebird Raceway in Phoenix
The
UL-11 Miss Executif lll, Racing under the banner of Power Punch Race
Team / ROXY Radio 94 five F.M. / K&N Filters, will attend races this
weekend at Firebird Raceway in Chandler Arizona. Darren Bartels, owner
of the team said “ Its been a long off season rebuilding the hull from
the damage we sustained last summer in Polson. We have strengthened the
transom, redesigned the shaft strut, and improved the engine. We hope to
compete with one hull this season, and believe this boat is up to the
task.
With the Help of drivers Michael Flaherty, Dan McCullough, Rod Bourke,
Brian Perkins
and N. Mark Evans, the UL-11 team placed second overall in
2009 team points, also winning the “Burnt Piston Award” for Persistence
in the face of Adversity. Through a series of lease arrangements and
marketing efforts, the team successfully campaigned for their sponsors
despite not operating with their own hull.
Kevin Eacret, two time
past LtL Champion and Rookie UL driver for the UL-11
Contact: Darren Bartels
253-797-4369
darren.bartels@yahoo.com
www.UL11.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 23, 2010
Contact: Muncey Marketing 360-805-0805
UL-00 Returns to the
Land of the Sun
Sponsor Loyalty Overcomes a Fickle Economy
Photo: Paul Kemiel
Muncey
Racing has entered the UL-00 for competition at Firebird International
Raceways near Phoenix Arizona and will continue to fly the colors of
WarningPower.com. Muncey Racing has been supported by the Phoenix-based
business since 2008. Phoenix , Arizona was especially hard hit by the
recent recession ranking only slightly above the
automobile-industry-dependent-Detroit area (according to a Phoenix
business journal), leaving some uncertainty regarding sponsorship
commitments until the final decision announced today.
Muncey Racing, a two-boat team, will enter its smaller 20 foot-version
Unlimited Light hydroplane for the tight, smaller course at Firebird
International Raceways. Muncey Racing also own a 25-foot version
Unlimited Light hydroplane, both boats painted in identical red color
schemes.
The drag boat racing series and the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing
Association are returning to Firebird Raceways April 1-2 with an action
packed combined event. The course at Firebird is considerably smaller
than the courses the UL’s normally use on waterways like the Missouri or
Columbia Rivers . In the “Firebird Format”, lane position is determined
by luck of the draw. With a course so small that only three boats run at
a time, instead of the usual six and up to eight per heat, at Firebird
the final heat consist of two flights, which combined, constitute the
final. Finishers are scored according to their position in each flight;
any non-finishing boat being relegated to a position behind all
finishing boats in both flights.
The Firebird event carries with it 1,000 bonus points. In ULHRA scoring,
bonus points may be made available at certain events; for example, this
the earliest race of the season. Call it an incentive to get the racing
equipment out of the shop while there may still be ice on the ground in
the mornings in the Pacific Northwest , where the majority of the ULHRA
teams are headquartered. The team which accumulates the highest total
points, Competition Points plus Bonus Points, at the end of a completed
racing season becomes the Unlimited Light Points Champion and is awarded
the right to bear the UL-1 designation the following season. More
information on racing rules and regulations can be found at
www.ulhra.org.
The driver for the UL-00 WarningPower.com entry will be Wil Muncey, who
finished in second place driver standings in the 2009 season. Muncey
said, “I am honored to drive for WarningPower.com and extremely pleased
that the sponsorship has renewed for the Firebird event. I and the rest
of the UL-00 racing team are looking forward to the returning to the
“land of sun” and visiting our good friends in Phoenix .”
Schedule and ticket information for the event can be located at
www.firebirdraceway.com.
#####
Seafair Signs With Unlimited Lights
Renews, Increases and Extends ULHRA Program
The Unlimited Light Hydroplane
Racing Association announces a renewed accord with Seafair for 2010 thru
2012. Seafair, the premier festival in the Pacific Northwest, has
contracted with the ULHRA for three days August 6, 7, and 8. Named the
Graham Trucking Cup, the races on Lake Washington are the culmination of
the month-long Seafair Festival attended by crowds numbering into the
hundreds of thousands.
As part of the 3-year contract, Seafair will provide 14 slots in Stan
Sayres pits for the trendy high performance automotive hydroplane class.
The hydroplanes sound much like their yesteryear predecessors with a
thunder reminiscent of the old V12
aircraft engines used in the classic Atlas Van Lines and Thriftway
hydroplane racing days. However, these race boats utilize today’s high
performance automotive engines, much of the technology gleaned from
NASCAR racing. The defending champion driver Kayleigh P
erkins,
the first female driver to ever win at Seafair, recently tested on the
Lake Washington race course making three successful runs with the newly
acquired Triad Racing Technologies Toyota NASCAR engine.
In addition, for the first time in many years, the hydroplanes will also
be featured in the Alaska Airlines Torchlight Parade. The parade,
now in its 61st year, traverses a two-and-a-half mile route through
downtown Seattle on Saturday July 31 from 7:30 to 9:00PM.
Advance race weekend tickets go on sale May 3 at 9AM through
Ticketmasters. Individual tickets for the hydroplane race and air show
featuring the US Navy Blue Angels will be available for $15 in an
advance 12 hour sale. For more information, visit Seafair.com.
The Unlimited Light hydroplanes kick off their 2010 season May 1-2 at
Firebird International Raceways near Phoenix, Arizona. The entire
Unlimited Light racing schedule can be found at www.ulhra.org.
The Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association is a high performance
automotive-powered class of inboard hydroplanes that continues to gain
popularity especially with fans seeking affordable, exciting family
entertainment. The thundering engines produce a sound that turns heads,
pumps adrenaline, and compels innocent bystanders to transform into
hard-core racers. For more information regarding the Unlimited Light
Hydroplane Racing Association, please visit www.ulhra.org.
Update on the UL-9. Can the return of Nick Badolato
be far behind?
Answer: Probably not but it would be nice.
Nick
Badolato was an excellent and well respected hydroplane race driver in
the Pacific Northwest for many years and was part of the Thunder Valley
Racing Team in the early days of Unlimited Lights racing. On top of that
Nick is a quality guy. Why do I bring up his name? Read on.
Nick Badolato was the driver of Thunder Valley's UL-21 when that boat
and team introduced supercharged engines to the Unlimited Lights racing
series back in ULHRA's first season, 2001.Now, ULHRA is into its tenth
season and while Badolato hasn't announced any intention to return to
competition, his "ride" from those days is returning; to supercharged
horsepower.
The UL-9 US Army sponsored Unlimited Light driven by "Smokin Joe" Souza
and owned by Jim & Karon Wilmot recently acquired components from Muncey
Racing to convert their "naturally aspirated" 509 cu. in. power plant
into a supercharged (80% blower speed) methanol fueled468 cu. in racing
engine. The package of components includes a new supercharger from ULHRA
Thunder and LIGHTS magazine advertiser Dyers Blowers, and a dual
carburetor setup from past Contingency sponsor, John's Carburetors out
of California plus Child's & Albert pistons, also from the ULHRA family
of sponsors.
Wil Muncey of Muncey Racing says their team's original intent was to
create a gasoline powered supercharged engine for their UL-00 racing
team. However with the success they had in 2009 where Muncey finished
second in the Driver standings and the team finished fourth, they've
elected to continue with their naturally aspirated 509's powering the
UL-00 Trafficade-WarningPower.com and made these components available to
the Wilmot team.
Another current ULHRA Contingency sponsor, Willy's Carburetors and Dyno
Shop from Illinois will be consulted on converting these gasoline carbs
to operate on methanol (alcohol) as do the other supercharged teams in
the Unlimited Lights series. Willys is a major supplier to NASCAR teams.
The UL-9 of today was the UL-21 in 2001 driven by Nick Badolato. It's
a bit different today in that the original rules for supercharged
engines allowed 110% blower speed, meaning the supercharger could be
spun up to 10% faster than the engine. A couple years later the rules
were first modified and now the supercharger speed in Unlimited Lights
is limited to 80% (20 under) of the engine crankshaft speed to keep
competitive equity between "blown and unblown" engines in the Unlimited
Lights series.
That first season was a real learning curve for the Thunder Valley team.
They showed glimpses of speed and competitiveness but they had trouble
finishing their early heats because of parts failure or sometimes they
simply ran out of fuel! Ultimately they installed larger fuel cells and
those cells are now being reinstalled into the 9 hull. One of the real
highlights that year was in San Diego, but unfortunately we don't have
any video to show.
In UL Heat #4 Badaloto was racing Phil Bononcini and Jerry Hopp. I was
calling the race from Fiesta Island at the start-finish line. Starting
the final lap Bononcini had a modest lead on Hopp as they approached
Wayne Howard in the UL-14 (now the UL-98) to put him a lap down. After
starting a bit behind and outside, Badaloto had been gaining on the
leaders when they approached Howard's boat in turn one. Both leaders
were able to duck inside the UL-14 but Badolato had to go outside and
lost a good deal of distance.
It must've been frustrating for Badolato to seemingly be taken out of
contention for the win but he decided to make one last try. .Up the
backstretch in front of Ski Beach, Nick really lived up to the phrase "haulin'
the mail" as the UL-21 was gaining hugely on both Bononcini and Hopp and
was within a roostertail length of the lead with a long straightaway to
the finish line still to come. Unfortunately a Cinderella ending didn't
happen as the shaft coupler failed and the UL-21 went dead in the water
midway through the Sea World turn. But while it lasted that was one
impressive backstretch dash!
Now the UL-9 team goes "back to the future". They finished fifth in the
season points standings in 2009 which were career bests both for the
owners as well as driver Joe Souza (Vince Xaudaro co-drove the UL-9 in
2009), himself an Unlimited Lights original. Souza was part of the first
UL season back in 1995.
The team plans to have their supercharged engine ready in time for the
third annual Pepsi Racing Power Cup Challenge at Chamberlain-Oacoma SD,
June 19th & 20th on Lake Francis Case. That's where Interstate 90
crosses the Missouri River and where you'll find "Great Faces, Great
Places", and we now add "Great Races..........South Dakota!"
The season opener for ULHRA and the Unlimited Lights series is at
Phoenix (Chandler) AZ at Firebird International Raceway, Friday through
Sunday, April 30ththrough May 2nd. ULHRA Video will have live coverage
of all Unlimited Lights events in 2010 on this website.
John Lynch
"Voice" of ULHRA Racing
Spring Training Recap: "That's why
we test"
Photos: Chris Denslow
Spring
Training 2010 for the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association
preceded the season opener by two weeks. The Unlimited Light Hydroplane
Racing Series for 2010 commences on April 30th, May 1st & 2nd at Phoenix
(Chandler) AZ at Firebird International Raceway when ULHRA and the Lucas
Oil Drag Boat Racing Series combine for a hydroplane and drag boat
regatta which will also include the Lighter than LIGHTS and CRACKERBOX
PRO™ racers.
First of all to anyone who thinks hydroplane racing isn't a good "draw"
any longer, perish the thought. Spring Training was in the middle of a
Thursday work day in Seattle and hundreds of fans turned out just to
watch boats testing.
Secondly, Spring Training accomplished exactly what was needed for three
UL teams.
The UL-00 Muncey Racing Team driven by Wil Muncey had a very successful
day. They brought their smaller 00 hull
which was originally built for the National Modified class. The reason?
The tight Firebird race course lends itself well to the capabilities of
the smaller hull. Example: Elizabeth Wolfe took second place at Phoenix
a year ago in the UL-93 Trafficade-WarningPower.com Desperado which is
about the same size and horsepower as the UL-00.
Muncey made only one test run with this craft which has undergone
significant work in the offseason. He commented afterward that the "boat
ran very well and never had as much horsepower as it did (today), never!
" Drivers being the type they are, they are constantly looking for more
power and it would appear the Muncey Racing Team has found more. Always
the marketing type, Wil, who doubles as ULHRA's Director of Marketing
noted that all of the 2010 CAP (Contingency Awards Program) sponsors
were depicted on the UL-00. The CAP awards cash and/or discounts on
products that racers use from the various sponsors, to all participating
teams that qualify for the Final Heat at every ULHRA event. To
participate in the CAP, teams merely have to sign up and place the
decals on their boats as described in the program.
Rookie of the Year candidate Kevin Eacret got his first ride in the
UL-11 Power Punch Racing Team entry. The supercharged Unlimited Light
was severely damaged by a broken propeller last July at Polson MT and
this was the first time back on the water for that hull. Eacret ran
several laps, increasing his speed each time in his "shakedown cruise".
A second test was attempted by last season's driver Michael Flaherty to
compare the hull to how it operated when he drove the 11. However the
boat did not start for that second run. Why? That's something the crew
will determine. They know it's much better for a non start to happen at
Spring Training than at the first race.
The
defending champion UL-72 with driver Kayleigh Perkins made three runs
with their newly acquired Triad Racing Technologies Toyota NASCAR
engine. Toyota recently introduced their third generation engine for the
NASCAR series and all Toyota teams now use the new version. The engine
in the 72 is from the previous generation. In fact all engine
manufacturers in that series have introduced new engines over the last
couple of years so there are a lot of previous generation models
available to other forms of racing such as Unlimited Light hydroplanes.
The 72 team is trying out this engine to evaluate its capabilities and
adaptability to the Unlimited Lights series.
Following the test runs team co-owner Joe Frauenheim said "the Triad
Racing Technology engine ran three times on the course with three
different propeller setups. We are taking the opportunity to get some
time on the engine so that we, as a crew, can utilize its potential".
The obvious difference from the team's highly successful 509 cu. in
power plants from Gary Pugh at Performance Engine Development (PED) in
Fife WA is the size. The Triad engine is 358 cu. in. and turns higher
rpm's. One not so obvious difference but one the team will try to
quickly adapt is the NASCAR engines run on unleaded fuel while the
traditional ULHRA engines use leaded racing fuel. Frauenheim said "it is
hard to get the (carburetor) jetting proper for a crew that is used to
high lead race gas. Idle is 2200 rpm so it does not like to putt-putt.
The exhaust is set up as a 4 to 2 to 1 pipe and has a very snappy
sound". Frauenheim went on to say "the power is unbelievable for its
(358 cu. in) size and we have not even begun to use the higher RPM
range. The motor is very efficient because somehow it is making more
power with less fuel".
ULHRA Video will have live coverage of every Unlimited Lights race on
this website in 2010, starting at Firebird International Raceway in
Chandler AZ, followed by Chamberlain-Oacoma SD, Tri Cities WA, Seattle
WA, Polson MT and San Diego CA.
John Lynch
"Voice" of ULHRA Racing
Spring Training, 2010
Thursday, April 15th is not just
the IRS deadline this year. It's Spring Training for the Unlimited Light
Hydroplane Racing Association, Inc.
Spring Training will feature Unlimited Light hydroplanes preparing for
the 2010 season opener at Phoenix (Chandler) AZ on April 30, May 1st &
2nd. It will also feature vintage Unlimited hydroplanes including Dixon
Smith in the 1962 Miss Bardahl and Steve Compton in the new version of
the 1955 Miss Thriftway. ULHRA Lighter than LIGHTS teams are also
expected.
A primary highlight will be the debut of NASCAR technology in Unlimited
Lights. The defending champion UL-72 driven Kayleigh Perkins will be
testing a TRIAD Racing Development engine built for Toyota in NASCAR.
TRIAD builds Toyota badged racing engines for the likes of Joe Gibbs
Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing, Red Bull, Robby Gordon and othes in the
Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. Among their
customers is Kyle Busch who won the Truck race in his own team at
Nashville this month. Busch's second truck team is driven by Sammamish'
own Taylor Malsam.
The Toyota NASCAR engine is built for racing up to five hundred miles.
Unlimited Light hydroplanes race in five mile heats. A big difference is
tires vs propellers. While NASCAR racers stay on pavement, the propeller
of an Unlimited Light hydroplane is constantly in and out of the water
which can widely vary the revolutions per minute and create an entirely
different stress levels on the engine. The same applies to the engine
builder.
The TRIAD engine is a 358 cu.in. V-8. The UL-72 team has been racing 509
cu.in V-8 engines built by Gary Pugh of PED in Fife WA since the late
90's and they've compiled the second highest number of race victories of
any Unlimited Lights team; 30 wins.
One primary difference of the smaller displacement V-8 built for NASCAR
racing is it can turn higher rpm's, approaching 9,000, whereas the 509
engines generally turn between 7,000 and 7,500 rpm. Another difference
is weight. The TRIAD Toyota checks in about 175 lbs lighter than the
509. In Unlimited Lights, where the weight minimum is 2500 lbs compared
to a turbine at 6700 lbs, a 175 pound difference has a substantial
effect and the 72 team will begin to discover the differences at Spring
Training.
Among other UL teams expected to test is Darren Bartel's UL-11 Power
Punch Racing Team with Rookie of the Year candidate Kevin Eacret, fresh
from winning the LTL 8 cylinder championship in 2009. Eacret is the only
driver in history to have won championships in both the 4 cylinder and 8
cylinder LTL categories.
Spring Training will be conducted on Lake Washington in Seattle at Stan
Sayers Pits on Thursday, April 15th from 10am till 1:00pm. There is no
admission charge. Spring Training is co-produced by ULHRA, Inc and the
Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum (HARM) in Kent WA, with assistance from
Seafair Inc. The top fourteen Unlimited Light hydroplanes by points will
qualify for the Graham Trucking Cup for Unlimited Lights at Seafair in
Seattle, August 6-8. Combined with the turbine hydroplanes there is room
for only fourteen UL's in the pits, thus the restriction on total UL
entries.
John Lynch
"Voice" of ULHRA Racing
A New Series Partner… well, sort of
Power
Punch Oil Supplements has increased it’s participation on the Unlimited
Light Racing circuit to the level of Series Partner for 2010. What
started out as a Contingency Awards Program (CAP) sponsorship evolved
into boat sponsorships and is now attaining a forefront position of
Series Partner.
As the economy continues to thaw, some industries continue to prosper.
While the economic challenges were a concern for some, they were a
benefit for others. When a new family car was not in the foreseeable
budget, many Americans took better care of their existing vehicles and
better car care meant the use of products that enhance the maintenance
factor - such as Power Punch oil supplements.
“The first time that I attended a ULHRA event and heard an Unlimited
Light go from zero to five thousand rpm just to get up on a plane when
leaving the dock, I knew that marine motorsports was a great place to
demonstrate Power Punch products.” said Pete Morey, CEO of Power Punch.
Already distributed throughout the Pacific Northwest, Power Punch has
focused the benefits of its recent prosperity to expand into newer
markets such as the American Southwest and upper Midwest. “The ULHRA
circuit lends itself well to our marketing plans and enables us to
support our dealers with consistent support in the important area of
branding and brand awareness”, said Morey. “Power Punch does well, as an
example, in agricultural areas such as South Dakota and eastern
Washington. As a Series Partner we can more effectively support sales in
those areas.”
One of the benefits of being a Series Partner is the option of being a
presenting sponsor for one of the races on the ULHRA circuit. Morey has
chosen to the presenting sponsor at the annual Graham Trucking Cup on
Lake Washington this August in Seattle, Washington.
In addition to branding, Morey has always utilized the
business-to-business benefits of marine motorsports by applying the
considerable hospitality pavilions available at all ULHRA events to
opportunities to meet-and-greet current and potential customers. This
year once again the Pacific Northwest’s Bay Bank will sponsor the ULHRA
Hospitality Pavilion at Seafair. Power Punch has been very effective in
attracting attention to products and marine motorsports in general by
entertaining representatives of automotive parts distributors such as
NAPA and Sturdevant’s. “It’s a very low pressure environment where we
can meet potential partners and customers.” Morey said. “Although there
is no obligation on the part of the guest, attendance provides a great
way to get better acquainted and often provides a chance to turn a
‘voice on the phone’ into a handshake and a friend.”
Another benefit of being a Series Partner with the ULHRA means that
every boat on its circuit will display the Power Punch logo on their
“tails” or vertical stabilizers. Power Punch had already renewed its
participation in the ULHRA Contingency Awards Program for 2010 and has
maintained the posture that it will continue to sponsor racing teams in
both the Unlimited Light and Lighter-than-Light classes. This recent
move makes Power Punch one of the most dominant sponsors in marine
motorsports today. For more information about Power Punch go to
www.POWERPUNCH.biz .
Annual Congress of International Council of
Motorsport Sciences
A major new event for the 2010 PRI Trade show is the Annual Congress of
the International Council of Motorsport Sciences, one of the premier
race safety organizations in the world.
Tuesday - Wednesday, December 7-8, 2010
The International Council of Motorsport Sciences (ICMS), an association
of medical professionals, scientific, motorsports health personnel and
other interested persons concerned with the improvement in performance
and safety in racing, announced that it will hold its annual congress in
conjunction with the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Orlando
this December. The organization is based in Indianapolis.
The 2010 Annual Congress of the ICMS will take place Tuesday and
Wednesday, December 7-8, 2010, in the Orange County Convention Center,
Orlando, Florida.
Formed in 1988, the ICMS promotes research and discussion relating to
safety and performance in motorsports and to disseminate that
information to the motorsports participant, race team management,
organizing bodies and federations. According to its mission statement,
"The ICMS purpose is to inform the international motorsport community,
the different scientific and medical disciplines, the automobile
manufactures as well as the general public of the latest innovations and
scientific research on human performance and safety in motorsport."
In last summer's congress at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Congress
addressed such issues as heat and carbon monoxide in stock cars, the use
of hypothermia in the management of trauma, seat design in open cockpit
race cars, emergency response in rally racing, education and training
issues for motorsport medicine, and much more.
Dr. Hugh Scully, the surgeon who served as president of the Canadian
Medical Association, is chairman of the ICMS. "The ICMS is very pleased
to have its 2010 Annual Congress in Orlando in association with the PRI
Trade Show because of the natural link between the ICMS and its great
interest in performance in motorsport and PRI's interest in motorsport
safety," said Dr. Scully.
Steve Lewis, producer of the PRI Trade Show, said, "Much of the growth
of the racing industry in the past quarter of a century has been based
on the fact that the sport has come to be widely recognized as safe. The
work of the ICMS and its members play a big role in making racing safe
today, and it's with great respect and appreciation that we welcome the
ICMS Annual Congress to PRI Trade Show Week."
Arnie Kuhns, president of the SFI, serves as vice chairman of the ICMS;
Dan Andrews serves as ICMS vice chair/secretary, and Dr. Terry Trammel,
serves as ICMS treasurer.
Further details will be forthcoming in regard to curriculum and
additional details. For more information on the ICMS Annual Congress,
contact Jon Potter at 317/567-1484 or email icmsin@aol.com or visit
www.icmsmotorsportsafety.org.
For more information on the PRI Trade Show, go to
www.performancracing.com or call 949/499-5413.
