All times are Eastern Daylight time.

5/22/00, 10:19 PM update...

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the teams that attended this weekend's race.  Our thanks are offered to the UL-10 Earl's Performance Products, the UL-15 Hopp Racing Team, the UL-17 Ted's Red Apple Markets, the UL-23 Miss River Palms (aka Team Pegasus), the UL-49 Hook Racing Team, the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic and the UL-110 Miss CompAir. 

From Steve Hook and others going out of their way to spend time and talk with fans at the autograph session to Charley and Milt Wiggins who took the UL-10 out on the water in extra heats to keep the show on the road while others made repairs, we offer our thanks.  We also want to thank Carl and Randy Haas, the only team to consistently attend every Unlimited Light event since the start of the series.  They're still flying high from their Seattle win toward the end of last season.  Let's not forget Bob Larimore, JW Myers, Jerry and Greg Hopp and Rick Bridgeman who each put so much work into their hulls to make the race.  Finally, we thank Phil Bononcini and Joe Frauenheim who took the UL-72 to victory and walked away with the show after an outstanding final heat of racing with the UL-10, the UL-49 and the UL-110.  We also thank all the other team members who we were unable to mention here.  Everyone put on an terrific show for the fans this weekend!

This will wrap up our coverage of the 2000 Mohave Unlimited Hydrofest.  Join us in a mere twelve days as the Unlimited Lights join up with the Tastin' n Racin' event on Lake Sammamish in Issaquah, Washington, June 3rd and 4th.  The Unlimited Lights will serve as the featured event for Tastin' n Racin' and we invite everyone to join us in Issaquah and here on ULRS.org!

5/22/00, 5:35 PM update...

Following the win, WORX carried a live post race interview with UL-72 pilot Phil Bononcini.  Click here to read the full transcript of their conversation!

Congratulations to the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic team!

The UL-72 Team	The UL-72	A team effort...	Preparing for the final	Phil Bononcini and Randy Haas

Thanks to Jack's photo work, here's a quick look at some of the racing that took place on Sunday...

Here's a good look at two hulls we haven't been able to show you this weekend...

Steve Hook's UL-49 Hook Racing Team		Rick Bridgeman's UL-17 Miss Ted's Red Apple Markets

Enjoy the photos?  Be sure to keeping checking back over the next few days.  We'll have a good mix of new photos from the event taken by the ULRS's own Cindy Moore starting tomorrow!

5/21/00, 6:55 update...

Phil Bononcini and the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic takes the win!  Charley Wiggins and the UL-10 Earl's Performance Products came in second with Randy Haas and the UL-110 Miss CompAir coming in third.  Steve Hook and the UL-49 Hook Racing did make it into the final, but were unable to finish. This was the first race win for an extremely excited Phil Bononcini.  As he returned to the shore he exploded from the cockpit.  Charley Wiggins was the first to congratulate Phil on the win.

5/21/00, 6:25 update...

If you're looking for Heat 4 results, they are not to be found.  The heat has been scratched.  We ran all the hulls in Heat 3 and are now looking toward the final.

The rough water has taken it's toll on the Unlimited Lights this weekend and the latest victim is the UL-15 Hopp Racing.  They've joined the UL-23 Miss River Palms and the UL-17 Ted's Red Apple Markets on the sidelines after a bit of underside damage from a rough bump on the course.

Running in the Unlimited Light  Empire Power Systems Mohave Unlimited Hydrofest-River Palms Resort & Casino Cup later today...

Charley Wiggins and the UL-10 Earl's Performance Products
Steve Hook and the UL-49 Hook Racing
Phil Bononcini and the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic
Randy Haas and the UL-110 Miss CompAir

Also, be sure to keep an eye on the WORX 96.7 FM internet webcast coverage.  If all goes as planned, the winning driver from today's final will be interviewedjust moments after the race ends!

5/21/00, 5:21 update...

Here's your order of finish for Unlimited Light Heat 3...

1st ... Charley Wiggins and the UL-10 Earl's Performance Products
2nd ... Randy Haas and the UL-110 Miss CompAir
3rd ... Phil Bononcini and the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic
4th ... Jerry Hopp and the UL-15 Hopp Racing
DNS ... Steve Hook and the UL-49 Hook Racing

The race almost started without Charley Wiggins and the UL-10 as fuel pressure problems plagued the team right up to the start of the race. He did make it out in time and ended up taking home the win.

The boats lined up with the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic on the inside, the UL-10 Earl's Performance Products in lane two, the UL-110 Miss CompAir in lane three and  the UL-15 Hopp Racing on the outside. In the early portion of the race Randy (UL-110) and Charley (UL-10) were side by side pulling away from the pack, but Charley began to edge out a lead then pulled away from the UL-110 to took the heat.

The UL-49 Hook Racing hull did make it out on the water, but engine problems continue to take their toll. Steve Hook made several attempts to fire up the hull, but it just wouldn't turn over for him.

5/21/00, 2:21 update...

Fire up that web browser and head on over to WORX 96.7 FM.  We're just minutes away from their first update of the day.  The station plans hydroplane reports from Jim Hendrick with the Unlimited Radio Network at 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM, 5:36 PM, and the live championship at 6:00 PM EST.  Madison, Indiana is on Eastern Standard Time (one hour behind our time).

Today after our 4:00 PM local news until the final heat completion join Tim Torrance and Jeff Ayler of WORX with special updates from Lake Havasu, Arizona. Their special guest in the studio will be Unlimited Hydroplane Historian Fred Farley.

Listeners with a historical question for Fred Farley can e-mail them to WORX.  Other hydroplane related questions or comments are welcomed as well.

5/21/00, 1:53 update...

Regrettably, both the UL-17 Ted's Red Apple Markets and the UL-23 Miss River Palms have scratched for the weekend.  The UL-17 has suffered a broken motor and the damage to the under side of the UL-23 was too much to repair for today's racing.

5/21/00, 12:55 update...

We are about thirty minutes into a scheduled Unlimited/Unlimied Light testing period this morning.  While we wait for word on this morning's action, here's a good shot of the UL-15 Hopp Racing hull and their pit area.  Jerry Hopp had a rough time getting the UL-15 here for this weekend's racing and we appreciate the effort he put forward for the series.

Also, if the look in the background, that's Bob Larimore and his son Zak working on the UL-23 Miss River Palms. 

5/21/00, 9:46 AM update...

Welcome to race day here in Lake Havasu!  Later today both the Unlimiteds and the Unlimited Lights will race for the Empire Power Systems Mohave Unlimited Hydrofest-River Palms Resort & Casino Cup.  Click here for a look at today's schedule.

Also this morning, Jack Lowe provided us with a couple great shots from yesterday's Unlimited Light racing.  We thought it would be a good way to kick off the morning...

5/20/00, 11:58 PM update...

Curious what took place in the Unlimited ranks today?  Hydros has posted a full wrap-up on all of today's Unlimited action!

5/20/00, 9:01 PM update...

The action on the water may be done for the night, but we're not done yet!  Thanks to Jack Lowe, here's a new set of photos from today's action...

Charley Wiggins returns to the docks.	Now that's a wall of water!	Bob Larimore hard at work on the UL-23 engine.	Greg and Jerry Hopp work on the UL-15.

Here are two additional shots of the UL-110 during a test session yesterday...

Randy Haas and a few of the UL-110 team.	The UL-110 Miss CompAir.

5/20/00, 7:24 PM update...

Close competition is back again with the Unlimited Lights!!!  The order for finish for Unlimited Light Heat 2...

1st ... Phil Bononcini and the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic
2nd ... Charley Wiggins and the UL-10 Earl's Performance Products
3rd ... Randy Haas and the UL-110 Miss CompAir
4th ... Jerry Hopp and the UL-15 Hopp Racing
DNS ... Steve Hook and the UL-49 Hook Racing

Deck to deck racing with Phil Bononcini pulling out the win over Charley Wiggins at the very last moment. Literally, Phil crossed the line to win this heat with Charley at his side! If this is any indication, we have a great season of Unlimited Light racing in store for you.

Randy Haas and the UL-110 took a one minute penalty for jumping the gun at the start. The UL-23 Miss River Palms was scheduled to run in this heat, but traded with Charley so they could run in Heat 4. It sounds as if the underside of the UL-23 may have taken a rough bump in Heat 1 and the team will benefit from a night to work on the hull. Finally, Steve Hook did get the UL-49 out on the water but didn't make it onto the course. It looks as if some engine gremlins may be plaguing the team.

5/20/00, 6:18 PM update...

After an agreed to last minute switch, the UL-10 moved into Heat 1 and the UL-15 moved into Heat 2.  The order for finish for Unlimited Light Heat 1...

1st ... Charley Wiggins and the UL-10 Earl's Performance Products
2nd ... Phil Bononcini and the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic
3rd ... Rick Bridgeman and the UL-17 Ted's Red Apple Market
DNF ... JW Myers and the UL-23 Miss River Palms
DNS ... Steve Hook and the UL-49 Hook Racing

From what I've heard it was a close race at times between the UL-10 and the UL-72.  Charley held the lead and pulled away for the win.  No word yet on what happened to the UL-23 or what kept the UL-49 sidelined.

5/20/00, 5:42 PM update...

We're about eighteen minutes away from Unlimited Light Heat 1.  We'll have results posted to the page as soon as possible following the action on the water.

Earlier today, UL-10 driver Charley Wiggins attended the Unlimited driver's meeting as he will be piloting the U-6 Miss Madison starting in Evansville.  Charley was selected as the drivers representative for this weekend's Unlimited racing.  Charley was also formally recognized as an Unlimited driver for the first time during the meeting.

Also getting his start with the Unlimiteds this season is former Unlimited Light driver George Stratton.  He will see his first heat of Unlimited competition in about forty-eight minutes during Unlimited Heat 1A.

As the entire series is about to take to the water and officially launch the 2000 season, we wish everyone a safe and competitive day out on the water!

5/20/00, 2:24 PM update...

We have the draws from the Unlimited Light driver's meeting.  Please note, we are running a special fan focused heat plan for the weekend.  We had an odd mix of problems with some of teams that prevented their joining us for the Lake Havasu race.  As such, we are running with seven boats this weekend.  For the heats, we'll have six boats running three times and one boat running twice.  For the boats running three times, only two runs will be for points.  This allows us to run four heats of solid competition plus a final.  It also makes for a nice mix of competition and presents a solid show for the fans.  All selections for heats and who would run when were made through the traditional draw.

Here are the Unlimited Light draws for the rest of the weekend...

Heat 1:  UL-15 Hopp Racing, UL-17 Ted's Red Apple Markets, UL-23 Miss River Palms, UL-49 Hook Racing, UL-72 Pocket Mechanic

Heat 2:  UL-10 Earl's Performance Products, UL-23 Miss River Palms, UL-49 Hook Racing, UL-72 Pocket Mechanic, UL-110 Miss CompAir

Heat 3:  UL-10 Earl's Performance Products, UL-15 Hopp Racing, UL-17 Ted's Red Apple Markets, UL-23 Miss River Palms, UL-110 Miss CompAir

Heat 4:  UL-10 Earl's Performance Products, UL-17 Ted's Red Apple Markets, UL-49 Hook Racing, UL-72 Pocket Mechanic, UL-110 Miss CompAir

Final:  All boats will run in the final!

5/20/00, 2:00 PM update...

5/20/00, 1:33 PM update...

The Unlimiteds have been out qualifying this morning and the Unlimited Light drivers meeting started about three minutes ago.  The first round of Unlimited Light qualifying is set to start in a little under an hour.

Here's an updated schedule for today's action...

Please note that I'm on the east coast and the race is out west.  Our site update times are in Eastern time and the race schedule is in Pacific time.  For it all to make sense with the schedule, just take three hours away from our time and you have the time at the course.

5/20/00, 10:45 AM update...

Welcome to Saturday in Lake Havasu!  Click here for a look at today's schedule.

During this weekend's race, former Unlimited Light driver George Stratton will be racing as an Unlimited driver for the first time as he pilot's the U-5 Appian Jeronimo.   The Las Vegas Review-Journal put together a story on George's debut titled "Driver ready for Ultimate test in Lake Havasu this weekend."  A good read!

5/19/00, 8:22 PM update...

One last hull did make it out on the water just before the end of the day.  The UL-17 Ted's Red Apple Market spent some time out on the course testing.  Water conditions at that point were extremely choppy and the UL-17 was described as "jumping straight up out of the water" as it made its way around the course.

5/19/00, 6:55 PM update...

In the pits so far this weekend we have the UL-10 Earl's Performance Products, the UL-15 Hopp Racing Team, the UL-17 Ted's Red Apple Market, UL-23 Miss River Palms, UL-49 Hook Racing, UL-72 Pocket Mechanic and the UL-110 Miss CompAir.

Only three boats took to the water during testing today.  The UL-110 Miss CompAir was first and ended the day with a time of 80.054 mph.  The UL-72 Pocket Mechanic had the fastest time of the afternoon with a speed of 89.194.  Charley Wiggins was also out on the water as he took his UL-10 Earl's Performance Products for a speed of 85.986.

More to come...

5/19/00, 2:20 PM update...

Here are a couple photos from yesterday afternoon depicting the UL-110 heading toward the pits.  Jack Lowe took these shots at that time, but a minor hick-up with an e-mail held them back until today.  I thought it would be fun to go ahead and let you take a look at the early hours of the Havasu race...

5/19/00, 1:30 PM update...

The UL-110 Miss CompAir with Randy Haas was the first out on the water during this morning's testing session.  It's been fairly quiet around the UL camps as the wind has picked up a bit and the water is now classified as choppy.  Those beautiful early morning water conditions have faded.  There's been no word on any other boats testing at this time.

5/19/00, 11:54 AM update...

Talking with Scott McGregor, we've learned that he and the UL-102 Propulsion Missile/Rocket team will be unable to make this weekend's race.  They had planned to be here, but a medical situation within Scott's family will keep him at home this weekend.  We wish him our best and hope that all is well.  

Scott also mentioned that he's looking forward to joining the fleet in Madison.  Scott owns the former High Pressure hull which he purchased from the Wiggins family.  Scott spent some time tuning and getting used to the hull last season and we look forward to having him with us at upcoming UHRA events.

5/19/00, 10:34 AM update...

Jack Lowe  just called us with an update on conditions at the course.  It's already a hot one in Lake Havasu this morning.  The best news we could hear related to the water conditions.  There is virtually no wind.  The water is calm and smooth.  It should make for some fast times during this morning's testing/qualifying sessions.  Just what we wanted to hear!

5/19/00, 10:11 AM update...

Want to follow all the Unlimited Light and Unlimited action on the water this weekend?  Why not add a bit of radio coverage to your weekend plan?  Thanks to Jeff Ayler, Tim Torrance and the entire WORX staff, you have that option!

WORX 96.7 FM in Madison, Indiana will have hydroplane reports this weekend from Lake Havasu, Arizona. Jim Hendrick with the Unlimited Radio Network will have a 5:00 PM EST report on Friday 5/19 and Saturday 5/20.  Sunday 5/21 reports will be at 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM, 5:36 PM, and the championship can be heard live at 6:00 PM EST with the Unlimited Radio Network.  Madison, Indiana is on Eastern Standard Time.

On Sunday 5/21 from 4:00 PM until the final heat completion join Tim Torrance and Jeff Ayler of WORX with special updates from Lake Havasu, Arizona.  Their special guest in the studio will be Unlimited Hydroplane Historian Fred Farley.

The WORX web address is www.worxradio.com
The WORX e-mail address is worxwxgo@seidata.com

Talking with Jeff during the off season, WORX plans for the Unlimited Lights to take an increased role in their coverage this season.  We thank them in advance for their help!

5/19/00, 1:17 AM update...

Thanks to Jack Lowe, we have photos!  Just click on any image to see the full size photo... 

5/18/00, 10:46 PM update...

On their way to Las Vegas, Patty and Bo Darling passed the UL-15 Hopp Racing hull heading toward River Palms.  Just before they left, Rick Bridgeman (UL-17 Ted's Red Apple Markets) arrived.  In the pits; Phil Bononcini and the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic, Bob Larimore and the UL-23 Team Pegasus, Randy Haas and the UL-110 Miss CompAir & Steve Hook's UL-49 Hook Racing.  Part of the Wiggins family has arrived and the UL-10 Earl's Performance Products is on the way.  Barry Pray, our Unlimited Light Inspector, has arrived and the rest of the UL gang is due in tomorrow.

5/18/00, 7:44 PM update....

We have your schedule for what took place today and what's planned for tomorrow.  The Unlimited Lights are set to test at 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM Havasu time.  Click here to take a look.

5/18/00, 7:20 PM update...

Just after last night's update, Steve Hook and the UL-49 Hook Racing Team arrived at the River Palms.  At about the same time, the U-10 York pulled into the lot.  The crews stayed the night at the Resort Casino and headed to the pits early today.

Details are really pouring in tonight and it's just a matter of sorting through everything.  Trust me when I say that more updates will follow.  Be sure to check back here on ULRS.org later this evening!

5/17/00, 10:40 PM update...  The kick-off party was a fun evening for all attending.  Bob Larimore's UL-23 Miss River Palms and Carl and Randy Haas' UL-110 Miss CompAir were the featured display hulls. ULRS Commissioner Patty Darling was on hand for the event along with Joan and Milton Wiggins of the UL-10 Earl's Performance Products Team.  Announcers Rick Allen and Steve Montgomery also joined in on the festivities.

Just before this update George Stratton, former UL driver and the new driver of the U-5 Appian Jeronimo, pulled into the casino parking lot with the U-5 in tow.  George was driving the truck!

If you haven't already noticed the UL-23 Team Pegasus has become the UL-23 Miss River Palms for this race!  Bob Larimore made the announcement earlier today on his UL-23 website.

Initial update...  Welcome to the 2000 season!  We will be posting updates to this area throughout the race weekend! This page will grow quickly so check back often.  In many cases we will offer moment by moment coverage of the racing excitement!

Why are we underway mid-week?  We launched this area on Wednesday rather than Friday because the race weekend has already begun for the Unlimited Lights! The River Palms Casino Resort will host a kick-off party tonight (Wednesday, May 17th). Unlimited Light hulls will be on display during the festivities and the public is invited to join us for this pre-race event.

Want to learn more about the River Palms Casino?

Just visit http://www.rvrpalm.com/ for all the details!

This evening we'll return with more information on the kick-off party and an update on all the action heading into the weekend!

You can contact the Unlimited Lights Racing Series
by e-mailing chuck@ulrs.org.