The Lynch Line

April 2006

AND THE HITS (hydros) JUST KEEP ON COMING!

Nothing like borrowing from late 60's - early 70's Rock n Roll radio.

Yes, the hydros just keep on coming......to ULHRA. When we last checked in there were 7 new teams announced as joining the Unlimited Lights in 2006. Now, we're awaiting the filing of registration papers by 3 more new teams who've said they are joining the Unlimited Lights series in 2006. Two of the teams are Pacific NW based and one is a Michigan based team. All 3 teams have indicated they would run in their own section of the country this year to gain experience before launching a full season campaign in 2007. All 3 are transferring from the National Modified class with their existing hulls so they'll be just over the minimum size and weight for UL's. It's a solid plan they have to experience this touring professional series in 2006 in order to be prepared to upgrade equipment for a full series effort in the future. We'll identify the three teams after papers have been filed.

With new teams in the Unlimited Lights Hydroplane Racing Series approaching double digits, fans may well see event record numbers of entrants at several 2006 races.

The X-Man's UL-929 will run the full season again in 2006, however Vince Xaudaro won't be driving at most events. Vince's business and personal responsibilities won't permit him to race the entire season, so former UL-40 pilot Kelly Stocklin will fill in. Stocklin brings both crew and driving talent to the UL-929. The former Miss Budweiser crewman and machine shop owner-operator will supply his own engine to the team when he's driving.

Stocklin and Xaudaro may share driving duties at the season opener in Issaquah. Stocklin and the 929 crew will go on the road for the 3 eastern events. Then Xaudaro will return to the cockpit with his engine at Tri Cities and Seattle, with sponsorship from Graham Trucking. Yes, the same Graham Trucking Co. that is sponsoring the UL-33 of Bob Estes in the 5 Washington State races. Why? Well a number of reasons but one of the most important is Rob Graham's personal desire to have two solid opportunities to win the race he sponsors; the Graham Trucking Cup at Seafair in Seattle.

Teams and local race officials are eagerly looking forward to a scheduled UL exhibition to begin the month of July. The weekend prior to Valleyfield a select number of Unlimited Lights teams will be in Ogdensburg NY, which happens to be less than a 2 hour drive from Valleyfield. ULHRA and the local officials are examining the potential of adding Ogdensburg to the UL racing series in 2007, which if that takes place would create a NY-Quebec back to back pair of races convenient for thousands of fans to attend both events.

Testing is key to success in major motor sports. Unfortunately, testing in hydroplane racing traditionally has been done at the first race of the season due to the cost involved in one team going testing. Between crane rental, rescue team, insurance, local permits etc. the costs for a single team to test can run into many thousands of dollars. The end result has been many teams are unprepared and the first race of the season is a competitive disappointment. That still is the case in other hydroplane racing series, but not here.

ULHRA, Inc. created Spring Training 4 years ago as a means of providing teams an inexpensive way to test prior to the season opener. It works, as the performances at Tastin n Racin at Issaquah WA, ULHRA's traditional season opener, have recently demonstrated.

Spring Training will be on Saturday May 20th at Columbia Park in Kennewick WA where the HAPO Community Credit Union Thunder Cup for Unlimited Lights will be conducted in late July. In addition, several teams, including American Challenge Cup teams, will share the costs of testing on Lake Washington at Coulon Park in Renton, near Seattle, scheduled for April 19th. The G-13 Tempo, driven by Dick Lynch, he of the surgically repaired right shoulder that was discussed on the last ULHRA video stream test will be at the test session. Lynch will be backed up in 2006 by last year's G-13 driver, and Unlimited Lights driving champion in 2004, George Woods Jr who's decided to cut back on his racing activities. Woods and Lynch are longtime friends, and they both work for the same dealership in Federal Way, WA: Jet Chevrolet. Lynch also owns a former 225 cu.in hydroplane that he raced more than a decade ago. The craft is being upgraded for a return to racing by Ron Jones Jr's CLS company Building the modified 4 cylinder engine for that craft: none other than George Woods.

The G-24 driven by owner-driver Michael Eacrett, and the G-329 Baker Equipment Co. driven by owner-driver David Warren have announced they will too will test this month at Spring Training. Unfortunately, the G-17 Miss Ted's Red Apple Market of Rick Bridgeman won't be on hand in April but they expect to be ready to test at Spring Training next month. Replacement cockpit glass recently shipped to the Shockwave racing team was delayed in transit, costing the team time to be prepared for April 19th.

Also planning to test on the 19th are at least 2 of the new Unlimited Lights teams: UL-13 Celtic Racing with owner-driver J. Craig Fletcher (formerly UL-559 Outlaw) and UL-33 Graham Trucking with owner-driver Bob Estes (formerly UL-10 Wiggins Hydroplane Racing).

ULHRA, Inc. will provide live video streaming from Spring Training on May 20th from Tri Cities WA. If a suitable high speed connection can be acquired at Coulon Park we will also provide live video streaming on April 19th from Renton WA.

John Lynch

"Voice" of ULHRA, Inc.