The Lynch Line

January 2006

Now that the holiday season is behind us, the real 2006 pre-season begins for ULHRA, Inc. But as noted in last month's "Line", there's no real off-season in ULHRA......just preparation for the next season.

Some things to watch for in the coming months. More teams signing on for the American Challenge Cup Series. The "G-Boats" as the series has come to be known started modestly last year but is gaining momentum as it gains teams. The first activity of the new year will likely be the initial test run of a new ACCS entry. The G-24 of Seattle's Mike Eacrett is expected to begin test runs in the next month or two. What was originally an unraced Ron Jones Jr. built Grand Prix hull has been completely redesigned by famed crew chief Ron Brown. Eacrett is looking forward to an extensive testing schedule as he returns to racing after a lengthy hiatus.

It's expected that another team will be announced in the next few weeks which would raise the scheduled fleet for the ACCS in 2006 to a solid core of 6 race boats. There are a handful of hulls around the country that could qualify for entry into the ACCS program so the potential for more than 6 teams exists in 2006. For a series launched on faith, without the support of vast sums of money, the American Challenge Cup Series is starting to gain a foothold on the racing calendar. A schedule for the ACCS program will be released in the near future. The announced teams include the G-10 High Pressure to be driven by Cal Phipps, the G-13 Tempo driven by George Woods Jr. and Dick Lynch, the G-24 of Mike Eacrett, and the G-329 Baker Equipment Co. of David Warren. The 5th boat would be the G-17 Ted's Red Apple Market of Rick & Shawn Bridgeman. The Bridgeman's have announced that they have contracted with Ron Jones Jr. for a new Unlimited Light that they intend to race on the entire 2006 UL circuit. Repairs to the G-17 following last summer's accident in Tri-Cities have not been completed and the Bridgeman's have said they will announce plans for their "G" team in the near future. They have said it is possible they could race both hulls and that Rick Bridgeman would pull "double duty" as driver if they decide to run both.

Meanwhile race fans, boating enthusiasts, and new to boating individuals have the opportunity to connect with ULHRA, Inc. at the 2006 Seattle Boat Show produced by the Northwest Marine Trade Association. The annual Seattle show is one of the larger such shows in the country, however it has had to undergo a very late date change due to the success of the National Football League's Seattle Seahawks. The Boat Show is now scheduled for the Qwest Field Exhibition Center which is part of the Qwest Field complex where the Seahawks play. The NFL team has a home playoff game the weekend of January 14-15 so the Boat Show had to move to earlier in January. It opens on Friday January 6 and will close on Friday January 13 or Saturday January 14 depending on which day the Seahawks playoff game is scheduled. ULHRA, Inc. will be represented by a variety of teams and staff and the display will feature three time ULHRA Champion (2000, 2001 & 2002) UL-72 Miss Boat Electric which came within 83 points of a fourth ULHRA title in 2005. Among those announced as appearing in person at the ULHRA display during various times of the show will be drivers Michael Flaherty, Paul Droullard, Paul Becker, Wil Muncey and Craig Fletcher along with several team owners,crew members, and ULHRA staff.

So, what's up with the "Carlos Collection"?: Interest is growing, but no purchase was made through the holiday season. 3 race ready Unlimited Lights plus 2 display boats and 5 engines are available. Inquiries have been received from areas as distant as the east coast of the U.S. and the gold coast of Australia. If a purchase or purchases are consummated soon, there could be another boost in the Unlimited Lights fleet, beyond the 6 new teams already announced for 2006. Click here for details on the racing program for sale by Mr. Carlos Buitron of Mexico City.

Another story on this website details the signing of an official radio station for "quicksilver" the 2nd year regatta and festival in Silverdale WA. KNBQ FM 102.9, a fast growing Country Music station owned by Clear Channel, the largest radio company in the world, will be extensively involved in promoting the event throughout western Washington State. Oh by the way, quicksilver with a lower case "q" is correct. Congratulations to Wil & Debi Muncey of Muncey Marketing for arranging this Official Station program.

Lighter than LIGHTS owner-driver Steve Clark of the E-222 Thunderstrucke has been tracking down "retired" hulls that previously raced in classes similar to the LTL program. Clark checks in with the following.

"Hidden off the road along the south shores of Hood Canal about a half mile west of Alderbrook Resort is a hull that was well known in the late 70s and 80s. Built by Jim Mowery, Team Manager of Paul Droullard's UL-9 American Eagle and raced by Jim and his brother Bruce, she was yellow with black trim. "Sabre Dance" was a rear engine 280 cu.in hydroplane."

"It was a regular and tough competitor in Pacific NW racing. Later, Sabre Dance was replaced by a newer hull and the original was sold to Wil and Debi Muncey. The hull was renamed Coursair, and also campaigned as Boatracing Magazine; the Muncey's publication in the decade of the 80's. The same Wil Muncey debuted in Unlimited Lights in 2005 and became Rookie of the Year. After changing hands and becoming idle, the former Sabre Dance hull now sits on the ground in front of a house on a hill near the Hood Canal town of Union."

Clark says the owner of the house where the hull currently rests told him that anyone who wants the hull can have it for free. It could be a nice restoration project for a vintage hydroplane enthusiast. Anyone interested in acquiring the ex Sabre Dance hydroplane can contact Steve Clark at 360-275-8245.

A look ahead. Spring Training, the annual Open Testing session for Unlimited Lights, ACCS, and Lighter than LIGHTS will be held the weekend of May 20th in Tri-Cities WA on the HAPO Community Credit Union Thundercup course. With the new UL teams and growth of ACCS, conceivably there could be 15 or more big and powerful thunderboats testing that weekend.

John Lynch
"Voice" of the Unlimited Lights, ACCS, and Lighter than LIGHTS.