The Lynch Line

The Lynch Line - February 2006 Hit Counter

The 2006 racing season gets underway in earnest this month. No, not Unlimited Lights racing. Actually NHRA Drag Racing and NASCAR Stock Car racing both have their season openers this month, meaning the ULHRA season can't be too far away.

Spring Training will be held on May 20th at Tri Cities WA on the Columbia River. While that is about 3 months away, in race team time that's more like 3 weeks away. There is an incredible amount of work that needs to be done in the off season to prepare for the grind of a 10 week schedule (9 races and Spring Training) from May to October. This will include 3 races in 4 weeks on the "Eastern Swing" (Evansville, Valley field and Detroit) plus the same scenario out west (Tri Cities, Seattle, and Silverdale) so from late June through mid August the Unlimited Lights teams will be racing 6 weeks out of 9.

In the ranks of NHRA and NASCAR that's not unusual or unexpected. They often race consecutive weekends. NASCAR races 36 weekends out of 39. Of course, that's how they derive their living. In the case of ULHRA teams, while they are fully professional in the ways they conduct themselves and their series, and in the value they deliver to race sites and fans, they just don't make their living from racing (yet) and as such have such "mundane" matters to deal with such as getting crews & drivers time off from their "real jobs". Yes, here in ULHRA, Inc. we all have to go back to our offices and manufacturing plants and warehouses on Monday (even the "Voice"). It also is a reason why some teams compete for the entire season and others compete "part time". Some teams can't get their crews free to race over the course of 9 races and Spring Training, but they run when they can and all are appreciated for their efforts. It's not just the race weekends either. As your humble correspondent experienced personally a couple years ago, there's also the time needed just to get the race team to the event. ULHRA races in 3 of the 4 time zones on the North American continent. Someone has to drive the team rig, towing the race boat to each event. The drive for west coast teams to Evansville takes 3 to 5 days and that's the start of the "Eastern Swing". Valleyfield takes 4-6 days, unless they drive around the clock. Having driven the UL-14 from Valleyfield Quebec to its homeport in Bellevue WA in the summer of 2004, I can report honestly that the drive is physically taxing. Then the driver of the rig has to be prepared to work on the boat all weekend after that long drive. Fortunately with the UL-14 team it was being returned home after racing so not only did I not have to work on the boat, anyone that knows me does not want me working on their boat! That's why I carry a microphone.

TEAM LINEUP, Adjusted.

With new teams coming on board for the 2006 racing season, ULHRA, Inc and our race site partners are anticipating a healthy "boat count" at each event. One of the previously announced "new teams" has undergone a change. Brodie Motorsports with Ken Brodie and Ken Brodie II have announced they will be racing one team this year instead of their plans to run two. According to Ken II their UL-50 craft which ran at Evansville and Valleyfield last year has more extensive damage than originally believed. It will likely be retired from active Unlimited Lights competition. This means the father & son team will campaign the UL-555 which they acquired this off season as a single boat entry instead of a two boat team, although they do plan to run a 2 boat program in the future.

ULHRA LIVE, on your computer.

Not only are the teams preparing for the 2006 racing season, ULHRA, Inc. is doing likewise. Our featured new element this year is live video web streaming from each of our races in 2006, starting with Spring Training. Technologically it's a leap from what we've done in the past, and it will be an exciting addition for hydroplane racing fans who will now know when the race is "on". If it's race weekend for ULHRA, Inc. it's "on" your computer. We'll be conducting a variety of tests, starting with last month's 30 minute program, leading up to our launch of live web stream programming from the race sites. Our first effort will be, fittingly, at Spring Training in Tri Cities WA, home to the HAPO Community Credit Union Thunder Cup on May 20. There is ample opportunity for fans to meet their favorite teams and drivers. No admission is charged and the event is hosted by the Tri Cities Water Follies organization. The Spring Training one day test session for ULHRA teams should attract more than ten teams, including 4 or more in the new Thunderboat Class, known as the American Challenge Cup Series.

CHIP HANAUER appearance.

One of the greatest names in hydroplane racing addressed the ULHRA teams last month. Chip Hanuaer, second on the all time list for wins in Unlimited Hydroplane racing and number one in Gold Cup victories, gave a 2 hour presentation that had the audience hanging onto every word. He represented what was the sport of hydroplane racing, and what ULHRA, Inc could ultimately return to hydroplane racing...that of the Professional Racer. Hanauer has stated many times that he would like to see one day, young drivers and crew chiefs have the opportunity he had in the 70's and 80's to pursue their dreams as professional hydroplane racers. .

Hanauer had quite a few entertaining stories from his time in boat racing. One of many that stood out took place in a small Washington State town. 20 years ago Hanauer, who replaced the late Bill Muncey as driver for Fran Muncey and Jim Lucero, was racing for sponsor Miller Brewing Co. He was doing one of those things that professional race drivers do much more than race. He was making an appearance on behalf of his sponsor and their local distributor. Hanauer and the Miller hydroplane were appearing in Yelm WA, not too far from the state capitol at what is known today as a convenience store. So, champion driver Chip Hanauer is working for his sponsor in a town where pickup trucks are standard vehicle fare. Yet, what drives up to the store is a big, dark Cadillac. Who steps of the car out is another racing representative for Miller; none other than team owner Roger Penske.....in Yelm WA. of all places! He happened to be in Washington State on business, saw the Miller hydroplane on the road, and curiosity got him to have his driver follow to wherever that boat was going. When he sees the boat on display at this small town store and driver Hanauer with it he was very impressed and informed their sponsor accordingly. As Hanauer noted, "When you do your job, do it well. You never know whom is going to notice."

WEBSITE new look

The change to our front page is just the beginning. Ed Nelson, Jim & Karon Wilmot and others are working to improve your enjoyment of our sport through www.ulhra.org Some changes have taken place and more are on the way. The categories are now cataloged in a way to make what you want to see or read, easier to find. For example, click on VIDEO and you can watch racing heats for the past several seasons from each of our race sites. Click on PHOTOS and enjoy the work of dozens of talented, contributing photographers. Want to become the next Unlimited Lights team owner. Click on FOR SALE. 3 race ready boats along with 2 display boats can be yours now, delivered to Laredo TX. from their Mexico City homeport. There's a turnkey program available right now in Detroit, plus several other hulls, engines, parts & pieces, and Lighter than LIGHTS hydroplanes. Makes for interesting reading whether you are, or are not "in the market". If you ARE "in the market", now's the time to act. First race is June 9-11.

Where is the next race? Click on SCHEDULE. Want to know more about how the racing is conducted, click on RULES. Want to join ULHRA, Inc. click on FORMS. Want to know where we came from and how we got here? Click on HISTORY. Check back often as you'll see more upgrades in the very near future, along with regular news updates.

Now it's time to sign off and get started on the 2006 edition of Thunder & LIGHTS Magazine. It will debut at Spring Training.

John Lynch

"Voice" of the Unlimited Lights, Thunderboats ACCS, and the Lighter than LIGHTS