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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 27, 2010

Contact: Muncey Marketing 360-805-0805

Hyundai Dealers Enter Seafair

Local Dealers to Sponsor Unlimited Light Team at Seattle Race

Select Hyundai dealers of Western Washington are pooling their efforts and resources to partner with an Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing team at the 2010 Seafair hydroplane race in Seattle , Washington . The regatta that has been held traditionally in August on Lake Washington for over sixty years draws over three hundred thousand spectators to the perimeter of the race course and is enjoyed by over a million viewers through the CBS affiliate, KIRO-TV.

Gary Micallef representing Skagit Valley Hyundai said, “We are looking forward to participating again with this long-standing Northwest institution. To many of our customers and employees, Seafair represents the peak of summer. Hyundai has a competitive product in a competitive market and we are especially pleased to demonstrate that attitude to the thrill and entertainment of the race fans.”

Only fourteen Unlimited Light teams earn their way into the Stan Sayers Pit area to compete every year, and one of the most competitive will represent Hyundai. Owner/Driver, Vince Xaudaro said, “The UL-929 Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Team is excited to have the Hyundai Dealers on board for the 2010 Seafair Festival. The long tradition of Seafair and the Torchlight Parade are an important part of the cultural fabric that brings Seattle and the surrounding communities together each summer. The Hyundai brand is one that has become synonymous with automotive quality and reliability around the world. We feel privileged to be teaming with Hyundai at Seafair and look forward to representing them with the same professionalism as they do with their family of satisfied customers. See you at the races!”

The last time that the UL 929 campaigned its own hull on the ULHRA circuit, Vince drove to a third place in national standings in spite of a catastrophic accident at the Silverdale, WA regatta immediately following Seafair. Capably guided by 2009 Crew Chief of the Year, Tim VanHollebeke, who has enjoyed support from Hyundai in the past, the UL 929 has climbed back from that disaster and created a stronger more competitive boat. As if to prove that sponsorship bears a healthy return on investment VanHollebeke said, “I am extremely pleased to be partnering with Hyundai. I have a large family. Over the last five years we have purchased ELEVEN cars all from Hyundai. Their reputation is outstanding. Besides their vehicles being economical and reliable, they have one of the highest safety ratings in the auto industry. It is my hope that this is the beginning of a long and solid relationship."

The reconstruction of the UL929 hydroplane since the Silverdale accident has been detailed and time consuming. Product support from manufacturers such as the Whelen Engineering Company with their 14-volt helicopter strobe system and North American Composites has helped create a stronger more formidable team. Look for Hyundai and the UL 929 team to be in the hunt for the winners circle at Seafair in 2010.

ULHRA Series Partner Power Punch will present the Graham Trucking Cup for the Unlimited Lights at Seafair August 6 – 8, 2010. For more information, visit www.ulhra.org or www.seafair.com/events/hydro/unlimitedlights.asp

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.

#####

Now THAT's a Race Site

When is "good enough" not good enough? When you're Tom Davis and the River City Racin' organization in Chamberlain-Oacoma SD.

For two years, they've conducted an outstanding event on the Oacoma side of Lake Francis Case. That's the Missouri River where Interstate 90 crosses in South Dakota, separating the two towns that total less than 3,000 populations combined. Yet, they've found ways of producing two memorable hydroplane regattas that larger venues would like to emulate.

The big change in 2010 is the race will be conducted on the Chamberlain side of the river, at American Creek Campgrounds. This is a facility on city-owned land that has everything you'd like to see in a hydroplane regatta site. Plenty of grass covered ground that's above the water line and tiered so thousands of race fans can enjoy views of "close-up" racing. Plenty of shade trees; plenty of space for the pit area; with easy access for fans to see the boats and teams "up close" with the purchase of pit passes. In addition, a real hallmark of the River City Racin' experience is the people. When you attend the Pepsi Racing Power Cup Challenge as a race team or a spectator, you'll find a tremendous group of individuals working to build a fabulous, destination-racing event. As Tom Davis commented after seeing in person a few years ago the Seattle race, and this was two years before the first River City Racin' event,” we can do that". Understand that Seattle is the biggest event in boat racing with tremendous fan and sponsor support, entertainment, great racing, plus live television. Well, except for the live TV and 300,000 fans, River City Racin' has shown "we can do that".

For race fans heading to South Dakota, there are several excellent hotels and motels available in the area.

While there, take in some of the other "sights & sounds" in South Dakota. They say, and it's true that in South Dakota you'll find "Great Faces, Great Places (and we add Great Races), South Dakota"! The state is known well for the many iconic destinations such as Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial; the Badlands and the Black Hills; Deadwood where Wild Bill Hickok’s luck ran out; Sturgis for the famous motorcycle rally now in it's 70th year; Wall Drug; the Air & Space Museum at Ellsworth AFB; and the next great South Dakota icon - Chamberlain-Oacoma for River City Racin', June 19-20.

By the way, it doesn't take quite as long to get there as you might think. Most of I-90 across South Dakota has a speed limit of 75 mph.

John Lynch
"Voice" of ULHRA Racing

On the Lighter Side

When the Lighter-than-Lights Series was born, the thought was new teams could see a pathway for growth, from the LTL to UL and the NACCS (G Boats) classes. Mission accomplished! For the second time in ULHRA history, we have had someone graduate to the ULHRA Lights, climb into a race craft, and in his first competition go to the Winners Circle. Congratulations to Kevin Eacret for his first win at Firebird International Raceway. The program is working.

In 2009, after losing the points race two years in a row to the venerable Bud McKay and his Namron Racing team, Kevin Eacret finally ran him down at San Diego, the last race of the ’09 season, and prevented McKay from capturing an unprecedented fourth title. That enabled Kevin to earn his first 8-cylinder title. Now, in the UL-11 Unlimited Light hydroplane, rookie driver Eacret seems to be off to a fast start as he attempts to dethrone the National Champion UL-72.

This year the outcome for the Lighter than Lights winners is tough to predict. Some of the boats are well sponsored with backing such as the E-10’s Commercial Driver Services, the E-222 with Power Punch Performance Lubricants, and a new sponsor this season on the E-36 boat - Kidd Mechanical out of Ontario. These programs are very important to the survival of a long racing season.

A little on the players….The Bononcini’s came out of the gate strong in the 1 liter mod division at Firebird Raceways near Phoenix, AZ as the new female star-on-the-rise Bianca Bononcini bested brother Nick, to take the win.

The Eacret Racing team crew-chiefed by Paul Eacret stayed at home, as their conversion from the 2.5 class Ford motor to the highly powerful Polaris watercraft motor is still going through some growing pains. After some testing and a new computer for the motor, and some valuable help from Jim Dalhquist, they have it up and running. Look out Bianca, the boat looks very fast. Paul is also overseeing work on the S-6. An appearance in South Dakota is to-be-determined, pending sponsorship dollars.

Team Toothpick. Wow! Where do we start with the “Big Dog” team? Let’s go with “Dollar Dave” Selway and his new Henderson Hull. Well, this is as fast as Dave has ever gone! He has placed very well so far this year in his new boat, currently leading the country in APBA Points Standings. The Team Toothpick crew will be at South Dakota armed and dangerous with Leslie “Poodle” Warren at the control. Leslie Warren grew up on a small farm in Montrose, SD. She will be driving the S-137 in the 4-cylinder class at River City Racing in Chamberlain on June 19-20. Her entire family, many of whom live in Sioux Falls, will attend to support the racing effort. This South Dakota girl has already garnered a lot of attention for this race. Warren currently has an interview scheduled with the Sioux Falls Argus Leader on the Friday before the race.

Perkins Racing has been quiet. We do know that they have the old sister ship to the S-6 and that project is coming along nicely with the help of Mark Mallory and of course Brian Perkins. If they do decide to come out and compete, that and the “Perkin’s Navy” could cause serious problems for Bononcini’s goal of capturing their second title.

Dahlquist Racing? Robby’s Polaris-powered craft has already shown the other boat camps they had better go back and do their home work. It is a rocket ship!

Onto the 5-liter/eight-cylinder class: The season started at Phoenix with Steve Clark in his suddenly fast Power Punch/Mattson Construction craft. Then we had Mike Schroder and his fast Ford-powered E-22 “Tight Spot.” In addition, after expecting Bud McKay to show up (boat still in repair status) and Shane Pratt with his new Jones a no show, we were left with the Eacret Racing E-36 “Kidd Mechanical” sponsored Henderson. The competition was close. Schroder came out on top and took the flag as he had just a little bit more power than Clark’s Power Punch-sponsored hydroplane. Kevin Eacret filled in the driving position for the Kidd Mechanical but was a surprising third as all they could muster was 5000 rpm due to a faulty carb.

Now we are off to the second LTL race of the season with high expectations. The Pepsi Racing Power Cup Challenge, Presented by River City Racin’ in Chamberlain, South Dakota is a 1-1/4 mile course on the Missouri River. This is also an APBA Points race with 1.0 liter, 2.5 liter, 5.0 liter, and National Modified classes on the sanction. Expect to see a lot of deck-to-deck action. Racing….ULHRA style.

See ya there

Bear Eacret

The ULHRA “Lighter-than-LIGHTS” Rep

Welcome to the 3^rd year of the Pepsi Racing Power Cup Challenge

Welcome to the 3^rd year of the Pepsi Racing Power Cup Challenge presented by River City Racin’ to be held June 19-20,2010 at the American Creek park & Campground in Chamberlain, SD. Last year was a fun-filled, exciting year and we plan to do our best to raise the bar again this year.

For those of you returning to our event site there will be a significant change this year. The event will be held on the Chamberlain side of the Missouri River, (go to www.rivercityracin.org for an aerial view of the event site). We have phenomenal viewing for the spectators with an unobstructed, parallel view of the entire front stretch of the track, and the backstretch is able to accommodate 1000’s of spectators in private boats. The pit area is adjacent to the main event site, providing maximum convenience for teams and for spectator enjoyment. The new pit is asphalt and grass. We have a great dock system with adequate length to support the “heat burst” concept – allowing one heat to be racing while the next one or two heats will be in the water awaiting their turn.

Entertainment: Some additional highlights for the weekend are a live outdoor concert Sat evening, Car & bike show, local IHRA drag strip cars on display, NASCAR simulator, Live main stage entertainment throughout the day, Children’s PlayZone with games and entertainment, and much, much more.

There will be a VIP hospitality tent, a variety of vendors with great food and drinks nearby, along with beer gardens, and other entertainment.

On-site RV parking, with full hook-ups, will be available at $80 for two nights (Fri-Sat). Additional nights will be $35 ea niter. Tent sites are available as well for $25 a niter. The campground is in the event site (go to RCR website www.rivercityracin.org for event site map). Pets are allowed at the campsite but not in the event site. Space is limited.

Photos: TRAFFICADE presents Unlimited Lights at Firebird

ULHRA in a Sand Storm by Julie Sparrowgrove

For more pictures from Julie, go to http://julie-a-sparrowgrove.smugmug.com/Hydroplane-Racing or

For more pictures from Tim Crowley, go to www.pbase.com/irishman_e_1/fb2010

Crackerbox Pros by Mr Buzz Miller - Firebird Raceway Photographer

Phoenix winner? Mother Nature

ULHRA racers can race when it rains. They can race when it's very hot, like it can be in Phoenix, AZ. However, throw in high winds and a sand storm, well that's where flexibility ends, if not for the racers themselves, certainly for the crane operators that cannot lift heavy hydroplanes in high winds and maintain control. Thus, the 2010 season opener presented by Trafficade and WarningPower.com at Firebird International Raceway, just outside of Phoenix AZ. was ended prior to running the Final Heat.

Declared winner of the race was rookie driver Kevin Eacret in the UL-11 Power Punch Performance

Lubricants-ROXY Radio 94.5-K&N Filters. Eacret outscored Wil Muncey in the

UL-00 WarningPower.com and Bob Smets in the UL-20 Smetco.com. Those three qualified for the F1 Final on the three boat Firebird course, but high winds prevented the running of the Final.

Fourth place went to Kayleigh Perkins in the UL-72 Foster Care-Change a Lifetime. She and Smets tied for third place with 800 points but Smets had the faster overall elapsed time. Fifth Place went to Paul Becker in the GO NAVY-Miss Critical Logic UL-14 and sixth place to Dan McCulloch in the UL-77 Coulee Miss. Perkins, Becker and McCulloch would have been in the F2 Final competing for fourth place if the winds had subsided.

In other ULHRA racing at Firebird, Arizona's own Mike Schroeder in the E-23 Hot Spot took top honors in 8 cylinder stock in the Lighter than LIGHTS series, followed by Steve Clark in the E-222 Mattson Construction - Power Punch while Kevin Eacret and Joey Perkins shared the ride in the E-36 Kidd Mechanical and wound up third.

Bianca Bononcini was declared the victor in the four cylinder modified LTL series, outpointing Nick Bononcini by 1000 to 925.

The Crackerbox Pro series did complete its event before the winds made racing impossible. Jim Mathew driving P-87 In the Mood defeated Brett Marshall in the P-144 The Rebel. Matt Bookey in P-45 Sparkler took third with Bob Overcash in P-80 Hot Cinders taking fourth place.

Race number two for ULHRA racers will be at Chamberlain Oacoma SD on June 19th & 20th.

John Lynch
"Voice" of ULHRA Racing

Sunday Results at Firebird

Trafficade presents Unlimited Lights at Firebird
Phoenix, AZ (Chandler)
May 1-2, 2010

UL TOTAL POINTS AND STANDINGS
			SAT	SUN	BONUS	TOTAL
BOAT#	DRIVER	TEAM	POINTS	POINTS	POINTS	POINTS
UL 11	KEVIN EACRET	POWER PUNCH/ROXY RADIO	625	400	1000	2025
UL 00	WILL MUNCEY	WARNING POWER.COM	600	300	1000	1900
UL 20	BOB SMETS	SMETCO	400	400	1000	1800
UL 72	KAYLEIGH PERKINS	FOSTER CARE	800		1000	1800
UL 14	PAUL BECKER	US NAVY/MISS CRITICAL LOGIC	300	300	1000	1600
UL 77	DAN MCCULLOCH	MISS COULEE	400		1000	1400
UL 929	VINCE XAUDARO	SPONSORNET.COM	0		1000	1000


8 CYL TOTAL POINTS AND STANDINGS
			SAT	SUN	TOTAL
BOAT #	DRIVER	TEAM	POINTS	POINTS	POINTS
E 23	MIKE SCHRODER	TIGHT SPOT	800	400	1200
E 222	STEVE CLARK	MATTSON CONSTRUCTION-POWER PUNCH	700	300	1000
E 36	KEVIN EACRET	KIDD MECHANICAL	525	225	750



4 CYL TOTAL POINTS AND STANDINGS
			SAT	SUN	TOTAL
BOAT #	DRIVER	TEAM	POINTS	POINTS	POINTS
Y6	BIANCA BONONCINI		700	300	1000
Y8	NICK BONONCINI		525	400	925


CRACKERBOX PROS TOTAL POINTS AND STANDINGS
			SAT	SUN	TOTAL
BOAT #	DRIVER	TEAM	POINTS	POINTS	POINTS
P 87	JIM MATTHEW	IN THE MOOD	625	800	1425
P 144	BRETT MARSHALL	THE REBEL	800	600	1400
P 44	MATT BOOKEY	SPARKLER	600	450	1050
P 37	GARY SORNBORGER	WISECRACKER 2	700	0	700
P 85	BRANDON BODECKI	WOOD BOX RACING	525	0	525
P 80	BOB OVERCASH	HOT CINDERS	225	169	394
P30	JIMMY CALTON		225	0	225
P 66	DWIGHT MOODY	MR MAGOO	0	0	0


	UNLIMITED LIGHTS	SUNDAY
HEAT 7			POINTS
UL 11	KEVIN EACRET	POWER PUNCH/ROXY RADIO	400
UL 00	WILL MUNCEY	WARNING POWER.COM	300


HEAT 8
UL 20	BOB SMETS	SMETCO	400
UL 14	PAUL BECKER	US NAVY/MISS CRITICAL LOGIC	300


FINALS		REMAINDER OF RACE CALLED FOR WIND


	8 CYL & 4 CYL LTL
HEAT 7			POINTS
E 23	MIKE SCHRODER	TIGHT SPOT	400
E 222	STEVE CLARK	MATTSON CONSTRUCTION-POWER PUNCH	300
E 36	KEVIN EACRET	KIDD MECHANICAL	225

HEAT 8
Y8	NICK BONONCINI		400
Y6	BIANCA BONONCINI		300


FINALS		REMAINDER OF RACE CALLED FOR WIND


	CRACKERBOX
HEAT 7			POINTS
P 87	JIM MATTHEW	IN THE MOOD	400
P 144	BRETT MARSHALL	THE REBEL	300
P 44	MATT BOOKEY	SPARKLER	225
P 80	BOB OVERCASH	HOT CINDERS	169
P 85	BRANDON BODECKI	WOOD BOX RACING	DNF

HEAT 8
P 87	JIM MATTHEW	IN THE MOOD	400
P 144	BRETT MARSHALL	THE REBEL	300
P 44	MATT BOOKEY	SPARKLER	225
P 80	BOB OVERCASH	HOT CINDERS	DNF
P 85	BRANDON BODECKI	WOOD BOX RACING	DNS

FINALS		REMAINDER OF RACE CALLED FOR WIND

Sunday 2:30 PM PDT

The balance of the racing in the Trafficade presents Unlimited Lights at Firebird has been cancelled due to high winds.

Perkins wins two heats while Eacret and Smets each win their first.

Day one of season number ten for the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association, Inc. kicked off in Phoenix (Chandler) AZ at Firebird International Raceway on Saturday (May 1). Season ten started the same as season nine with Kayleigh Perkins winning two heats in the UL-72 Foster Care-Change a Lifetime. In other heats, surprises were the norm.

Oregon's Bob Smets in the UL-20 Smetco.com picked up where he left off at San Diego last September. Smets team has really improved from where they were a year ago and have become contenders. Smets won Heat 1B, defeating Wil Muncey and Kevin Eacret with a strong outside lane drive on the tight 1 1/4 mile course. Eacret, who later would win his first UL heat in the UL-11 Power Punch-ROXY Radio 94.5-K&N FIlters drew the inside lane in the heat and in turn one the boat wouldn't hold its lane. By bearing out on Muncey in the UL-00 Warning Power.com, Eacret was penalized one minute which dropped him to third place in the heat. However the rebuilt UL-11 hull showed a great deal of strength and speed, which Eacret put on display in winning Heat 2A, defeating Paul Becker in the UL-14 Go Navy - Miss Critical Logic, and Smets who's boat hooked in lane one in the first turn and was unable to finish. After the heat Smets commented that the team will be ready for Sunday's racing.

In the Lighter than LIGHTS series the eight cylinder stock first heat was won by Mike Schroeder in the E-23 Tight Spot, and the second heat was won by the E-222 Power Punch - Mattson Construction driven by Steve Clark. In the 1.0 liter category Bianca Bononcini defeated Nick Bononcini in two very competitive heats driving the Pile Contractos I and Pile Contractors II respectively. In the Crackerbox Pro series Brett Marshall driving The Rebel won two heats while Jim Mathew driving "In the Mood" and Gary Sornborger in "Wisecracker 2" each scored one heat victory. The only incident involved a barrel rolling P-66 Mr. Magoo. The boat sustained only modest damage, and was swamped but will be able to race again, soon. The Crackerbox Pro series will be part of the second ULHRA race of the season, June 19th & 20th at Chamberlain-Oacoma SD

The Sunday schedule will be officially posted on Sunday with preliminary indications that the ULHRA portion of the program will be conducted at 12 noon and 4:00pm Pacific time.

John Lynch
"Voice" of ULHRA Racing

Results from Saturday at Firebird

Trafficade presents Unlimited Lights at Firebird
Phoenix, AZ (Chandler)
May 1-2, 2010

UL SATURDAY POINTS

BOAT#	DRIVER	TEAM	POINTS
UL 72	KAYLEIGH PERKINS	FOSTER CARE	800
UL 11	KEVIN EACRET	POWER PUNCH/ROXY RADIO	625
UL 00	WILL MUNCEY	WARNING POWER.COM	600
UL 20	BOB SMETS	SMETCO	400
UL 77	DAN MCCULLOCH	COULEE MISS	400
UL 14	PAUL BECKER	US NAVY/MISS CRITICAL LOGIC	300
UL 3	CHRIS GRANT	T MACHINE/GRANT FAMILY	0
UL 929	VINCE XAUDARO	SPONSORNET.COM	0


8 CYL SATURDAY POINTS

BOAT #	DRIVER	TEAM	POINTS
E 23	MIKE SCHRODER	TIGHT SPOT	800
E 222	STEVE CLARK	MATTSON CONSTRUCTION-POWER PUNCH	700
E 36	KEVIN EACRET	KIDD MECHANICAL	525


4 CYL SATURDAY POINTS

BOAT #	DRIVER	TEAM	POINTS
Y6	BIANCA BONONCINI		700
Y8	NICK BONONCINI		525


CRACKERBOX SATURDAY POINTS

BOAT #	DRIVER	TEAM	POINTS
P 144	BRETT MARSHALL	THE REBEL	800
P 37	GARY SORNBORGER	WISECRACKER 2	700
P 87	JIM MATTHEW	IN THE MOOD	625
P 44	MATT BOOKEY	SPARKLER	600
P 85	BRANDON BODECKI	WOOD BOX RACING	525
P30	JIMMY CALTON		225
P 80	BOB OVERCASH	HOT CINDERS	225
P 66	DWIGHT MOODY	MR MAGOO	0


	UNLIMITED LIGHTS
HEAT 1
UL 72	KAYLEIGH PERKINS	FOSTER CARE	400
UL 3	DAVID GRANT	CHRIS GRANT	DNS
UL 14	PAUL BECKER	US NAVY/MISS CRITICAL LOGIC	DNF

HEAT 2
UL 20	BOB SMETS	SMETCO	400
UL 00	WILL MUNCEY	WARNING POWER.COM	300
UL 11	KEVIN EACRET	POWER PUNCH/ROXY RADIO	225

HEAT 3
UL 77	DAN MCCULLOCH	COULEE MISS	400
UL 929	VINCE XAUDARO	SPONSORNET.COM	DNF

HEAT 4
UL 11	KEVIN EACRET	POWER PUNCH/ROXY RADIO	400
UL 14	PAUL BECKER	US NAVY/MISS CRITICAL LOGIC	300
UL 20	BOB SMETS	SMETCO	DNF

HEAT 5
UL 72	KAYLEIGH PERKINS	FOSTER CARE	400
UL 00	WILL MUNCEY	WARNING POWER.COM	300

HEAT 6
UL 3	DAVID GRANT	CHRIS GRANT	DNS
UL 77	DAN MCCULLOCH	COULEE MISS	DNF
UL 929	VINCE XAUDARO	SPONSORNET.COM	DNS

	8 CYL & 4 CYL LTL
HEAT 1
E 23	MIKE SCHRODER	TIGHT SPOT	400
E 222	STEVE CLARK	MATTSON CONSTRUCTION-POWER PUNCH	300
E 36	KEVIN EACRET	KID MECHANICAL	225

HEAT 2
E 23	MIKE SCHRODER	TIGHT SPOT	400
Y6	BIANCA BONONCINI		300
Y8	NICK BONONCINI		225

HEAT 3
E 222	STEVE CLARK	MATTSON CONSTRUCTION-POWER PUNCH	400
E 36	KEVIN EACRET	KID MECHANICAL	300
Y6	BIANCA BONONCINI		400
Y8	NICK BONONCINI		300


	CRACKERBOX
HEAT 1
P 87	JIM MATTHEW	IN THE MOOD	400
P 37	GARY SORNBORGER	WISECRACKER 2	300
P 85	BRANDON BODECKI	WOOD BOX RACING	225
P 66	DWIGHT MOODY	MR MAGOO	DNF

HEAT 2
P 144	BRETT MARSHALL	THE REBEL	400
P 44	MATT BOOKEY	SPARKLER	300
P 80	BOB OVERCASH	HOT CINDERS	225
P30	JIMMY CALTON		DNF

HEAT 3
P 144	BRETT MARSHALL	THE REBEL	400
P 44	MATT BOOKEY	SPARKLER	300
P 87	JIM MATTHEW	IN THE MOOD	225

HEAT 4
P 37	GARY SORNBORGER	WISECRACKER 2	400
P 85	BRANDON BODECKI	WOOD BOX RACING	300
P30	JIMMY CALTON		225

Testing complete. Time to go racing in the Valley of the Sun

(Chandler, AZ) Eight Unlimited Lights teams, joined by eight Crackerbox Pro teams, and six Lighter than LIGHTS teams are set to open the ULHRA 2010 season. The season opener is at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix (Chandler) AZ.

Based on testing speeds the competition should be very interesting on this tight 1 1/4 race course. For NASCAR racing fans the Firebird Lake course would be the Unlimited Light's equivalent to Martinsville VA. The comparison is more appropos this year because the defending series champion, UL-72 Foster Care-Change a Lifetime driven by Kayleigh Perkins is competing with a NASCAR engine built by Triad Racing Technologies, the leading Toyota engine supplier to NASCAR teams. Perkins and the 72 were on the course a couple times. Team co-owner Joe Frauenheim commented that carburetor settings are particularly different for this engine compared with their very successful 509 cu. in V-8 engine program from Gary Pugh and PED in Fife WA. The 72 team has won more races with a naturally aspirated engine than any other team in Unlimited Lights history, and ranks second overall in race victories with thirty. The Triad engine program is an evaluation project to determine the feasibility of racing engines built for NASCAR competition in an Unlimited Light hydroplane.

Two particularly strong entrants on Friday were the UL-00 Warning Power.com driven by Wil Muncey, and the UL-20 Smetco driven by Bob Smets. The Muncey Racing Team is operating this season in the manner they've planned for three seasons. Their smaller Ron Jones Sr. UL-00 hull at just over 20 feet in length, is in Phoenix for the tight race course and looked very swift in testing. Their bigger hull, nearly 25 feet in length will be used on larger race courses.

For Smets Oregon based team, Friday testing was a continuation of their success from last September at San Diego where the team had its most competitive outing to date; finishing a strong fourth place. The veteran 22 1/2 foot long Ed Karelsen hull looked just as strong as the Muncey boat on the 600 foot turns in Phoenix, exactly half the radius of the turns in Tri Cities and San Diego.

Another top contender is Paul Becker and the UL-14 US Navy - Miss Critical Logic. Assisting his crew are Navy recruting personnel from the Phoenix area. Becker, himself a former Navy pilot, has the UL-14 back to competitive form after the disastrous 2008 blow-over accident in Silverdale WA.

Dan McCulloch and his UL-77 "Coulee Miss" from Coulee Dam, WA is experiencing this course for the first time. McCulloch joined the series at Polson MT last July after purchasing this racing program from Detroit's Pingree Conflitti. Chris Grant in the UL-3 T-Machine/Grant Family Racing will try to reprise last year's successful 4th place finish at Phoenix. The team has installed a small block V-8 for this race.

Kevin Eacret in the supercharged UL-11 Power Punch Performance Lubricants-ROXY Radio 94.5-K&N Filters made several laps of the course to familiarize himself with his new ride. Eacret has competed on this race course in the Lighter than LIGHTS series and won the 8 cylinder stock series championship in 2009. Now, as the 14th LTL driver graduate since 2003 into the Unlimited Light ranks, Eacret takes over behind the wheel of the UL-11. This craft was severely damaged by a broken propeller and shaft at the Montana race last July and has been substantially rebuilt and upgraded.

Rounding out the field is a brand new Steve Balcer hull owned by Pat Rankin of Florida. The boat is being campaigned this weekend by Vince "X-Man" Xaudaro as the UL-929. Xaudaro's own rebuilt UL-929, known many fans as the "all black, all the time" hydroplane, is nearly ready to resume racing and is expected to be on hand for the Chamberlain - Oacoma SD race in mid June. This hull, built two years ago in Detroit, will mark its first time on the water on Saturday in Phoenix. Xaudaro's team and the UL-72 crew have combined efforts over the past month to finish this hull and make it ready for competition. What can they expect? Everyone will find out, starting on Saturday (May 1st).

Live webcast coverage of the race on Firebird Lake is available on this website. Check the home page Saturday morning (5-1) for webcast times and a link to the live program.

John Lynch
"Voice" of ULHRA Racing

Click here for updates from April 2010