All times are Eastern Daylight Time....

6/6/00, 8:49 update...

A good take on the weekend from the driver that took the win:

"I don't know what to add about this weekend, but I sure had fun.  The comments I've seen about the crowd size of 50,000 for Saturday and Sunday are accurate and provided by the State Of Washington Parks Department.  At one point Sunday, the park reached it's capacity.  Park rangers would only allow one car in as one car left.  The back up of cars trying to get into the park on Sunday afternoon reached back half a mile!!!  The exposure of that many people to boat racing has got to be healthy for the whole APBA and especially inboards. - Phil Bononcini"

6/5/00, 10:14 update...

Results by heat for Sunday, June 4, 2000

6/5/00, 4:21 PM update...

Tastin' n Racin' may be behind us but our coverage from the event is not even close to complete.  Still on the way, you can expect photos thanks to Alan Lagervall, transcripts of the interviews that took place during WORX's coverage, the final points summary and a full wrap-up on all the weekend's action!

6/4/00, 7:25 PM update...

Phil Bononcini and the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic takes the win, but he had to work for it.  Phil described his own race on WORX during a post race interview just a few minutes ago.  This time out, Phil had three boats on his inside and felt a bit pushed out as he took the first turn.  He explained that he took home "a few lillypads" as he rounded the turn.  Phil then passed one boat per lap to eventually take the win.

Of note, the UL-15 Graham Trucking was assessed a penalty for illegally entering the backstretch.

6/4/00, 7:15 PM update...

Unlimited Light Final

Details are on the way...

6/4/00, 6:50 PM update...

In the water currently are the NM-1 The Stinger and the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic.  On the slings is the UL-15 Graham Trucking and others are getting ready!  We are 5 to the 5 and we have a new internet article to share... Eastside Journal:  Stocklin satisfies the need for speed!

6/4/00, 6:15 PM update...

We're about 45 minutes from the final and Doug McIntosh just updated everyone on the the crowd in Issaquah.  Early estimates indicate 20,000 spectators yesterday and they have "blown away that number today."  Doug put in a 25,000 to 30,000 estimate for today's attendance.

6/4/00, 5:54 PM update...

The special ninety minute Tastin' n Racin' show is ready to start!  WORX 96.7 can be found on the web at www.worxradio.com.  To hear the full show, go to their site now and click on the "Click to Listen" button.

6/4/00, 5:00 PM update...

Talking this morning with Phil Bononcini, driver of the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic...

6/4/00, 4:09 PM update...

Combined Unlimited Light Heat 3A & 3B

This was a traditional finish with the order being established early and holding throughout the heat.  Talking with Phil Bononcini after the heat, he explained that they hit the start, went around three times, kept it between the buoys and took home the win.  Phil joked, "Keeping it between the buoys is my only real problem these days."

On a good note, Doug Brow and the UL-3 Runway Bar and Grill team are working on their rudder and trying to put it back together.  The rudder, which was lost yesterday during Heat 2, was found earlier today.  While they cannot bump a team that already has a spot in the final, if there is an available spot, they would be able to take it.

6/4/00, 3:54 PM update...

While you keep your web browser set here for our coverage of the Unlimited Lights at Tastin' n Racin', don't miss the ESPN2 broadcast of the Lake Havasu race.  It starts in just a few minutes.  The one hour coverage will be rebroadcast on June 7th.

6/4/00, 3:03 PM update...

Results by heat for Saturday, June 3, 2000

* Based on best finish of Heats 1A or 1B and Heat 2A
** Points include qualifying

Final Qualifying Results and Speeds from Saturday

6/4/00, 1:46 PM update...

What did Doug McIntosh think of yesterday's action?  We asked him last night and he had this to say...

"The Hopp's have been running real good and the UL-21 gang did a great job.  The qualifying heat was the first time the boat had been in the water and the first time Nick Badaloto had been in a enclosed cockpit.  They lost their verticals yesterday but gave Jerry a great race. The people from Speedvision got it on film and even they were excited."

"The crowd was great and we expect a better turnout today. With this 85 degree temperature out here the Tastin' n Racin' event is going to be quite successful.  Looking forward to hooking up with Jeff Ayler and Tim Torrance this afternoon."

It was good to hear from Doug last night and we wish him a great day at the course!

6/4/00, 1:06 PM update...

It's the final day of racing in Issaquah!  

Quoting a race promoter, yesterday was the largest crowd Tastin' n Racin' has had to date for a Saturday.  It sounds like the food, fun and racing is really getting people down to the lake.  That is very good news.

We have a UL-49 update this afternoon.  Steve Hook says his problem is repaired and he will be with us racing throughout the day. 

Yesterday was gorgeous and the temperature made it up to the low 80's late in the day.  The bands, the food vendors, the petting zoo, the craft displays and a "climbing wall"have attracted a lot of people to the event.  Tastin' n Racin' is really a family affair!  Oh yea, don't miss the TWO Beer gardens if you make it down to the lake today.

6/3/00, 10:55 PM update...

A couple late evening updates following up on today's action...  

It looks like both the UL-3 and the UL-17 may be done for the weekend.  John Hogan's UL-3 lost a new rudder during the combined UL Heat 2.  Early reports indicate that it didn't damage the boat too badly when it let go, but it does appear the team will be sidelined as a result.  Also, the UL-17 Ted's Red Apple Markets is suffering from valve problems in the engine.

Doug McIntosh dropped us an e-mail this evening and let us know that the UL-3, which has been known as Miss Vnode.com, is actually no longer affiliated with the company.  The team has been renamed the UL-3 Miss Runway Bar & Grill.

6/3/00, 7:16 PM update...

Combined Unlimited Light Heat 2A & 2B

An amazing heat of racing.  Don't get me wrong, Phil Bononcini and the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic lead the entire race, but the battle for second "made the day" in the words of ULRS Commissioner Patricia Darling.  She shared with us that many still had "goose bumps from the finish".  At the very end, the UL-21 SolutionsIQ made a charge to the finish with the UL-15 Wizard Casino presents Graham Trucking that was simply unmatched.

Talking with Jerry Hopp after the heat, he explained that the team had just added a new wing to the front canard and were still dialing it in just before the heat.  The UL-15 went deck-to-deck with the UL-21 putting on a fantastic show.  Jerry had a slight lead into the last turn and nailed it which allowed him to win out a close, close finish.

For those of you wondering, Greg Hopp has been behind the wheel of the UL-15 once today.  He drove in Heat 1A, Jerry took over in heat 1B and just finished the day with the second place finish in our combined heat 2.

There were some concerns that the patch to the bottom of the UL-15 may have been damaged during the run.  Jerry left the phone to investigate the situation.

6/3/00, 5:33 PM update...

Unlimited Light Heat 1B

No odd finish for the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic this time out!  The Pocket Mechanic jumped out to the lead early and held it throughout the race.  The real race was between the UL-15 Wizard Casino presents Graham Trucking and the UL-21 SolutionsIQ with the UL-15 taking home a second in the end.  By the end of the heat, UL-21's uprights had become loose and were flapping.

6/3/00, 4:43 PM update...

Unlimited Light Heat 1A

The NM-1 The Stinger was in the lead for a quarter of a lap when the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic came on like gangbusters taking the lead and pulling ahead by a wide margin.  On the last lap the UL-72 went inside the start/finish buoy and was disqualified for the heat.  At that point NM-1 The Stinger came in first.  UL-15 Wizard Casino presents Graham Trucking took second and the UL-49 Lake Pateros Motor Inn presents Selman & Associates Realty came in third.

Heat 1B is set to run at this time.  Running in 1B will be the UL-72, the UL-15, the UL-49 and the UL-21.

6/3/00, 4:22 PM update...

A couple changes to the lineup for Heat 1A...

Heat 1A: UL-15, UL-72, NM-1, UL-49

Hey, we're flexible!

How about a quick look at NM-1 The Stinger?  Here's a shot of the NM-1 from our Western Divisions coverage provided by Alan Lagervall.

6/3/00, 3:59 PM update...

Here are the qualifying speeds...

UL-3 Miss Runway Bar & Grill did not go out during qualifying.
NM-1 The Stinger driven by Terry Troxell turned a 101.787 but does not qualify for points.

Heat 1A is about fifteen minutes away!

6/3/00, 3:03 PM update...

Qualifying is set to get under way and here is the qualifying ladder:

UL-17 Miss Ted's Red Apple Markets
UL-15 Wizard Casino presents Graham Trucking
UL-72 Pocket Mechanic
UL-3 Miss Runway Bar & Grill
UL-49 Lake Pateros Motor Inn presents Selman & Associates Realty
UL-21 SolutionsIQ

Also, we have the heat draws for this today's racing action.

Heat 1A: UL-17, UL-15, UL-3, UL-49
Heat 1B: UL-15, UL-72, UL-21, NM-1
Heat 2A: UL-17, UL-3, UL-72, UL-21
Heat 2B: UL-15, UL-72, UL-49, NM-1

Just a bit of other information...

Wayne Howard is the driver's representative.  He is the driver of the UL-136 Sanders Racing.  They had hoped their boat would be ready for this weekend, but came up a little short on time.

6/3/00, 12:48 PM update...

Yesterday we had a chance to check in with Steve Hook, owner and driver of the Pateros based UL-49 Hook Racing team.  Steve let us know that he's looking forward to the racing weekend.  Steve's team saw its launch in Lake Havasu and continues their tour of the 2000 circuit this weekend in Issaquah.

Earlier this week the team announced a new sponsorship for the UL-49.  Steve is very excited about this new title partnership with Lake Pateros Motor Inn and the possibilities for the future.  Lake Pateros Motor Inn is owned and operated by Jack Whitson of Pateros, WA.

Yesterday, Steve told us, "Jack has been a hydroplane mainstay in Pateros for many years.  Having hosted the racers, crew, and officials in his hotel for inboard, outboard and OPC events on the lake.  He picked up my sponsorship for the UL Tastin' n Racin' event and the Oroville and Banks Lake GNH events next month.  I'd like to show him how much we appreciate his help and future help!"  

Lake Pateros Motor Inn overlooks Lake Pateros and has its own boat dock.  The Inn is also close to downtown Pateros and just 17 miles north of Lake Chelan.  For more information on how you can spend a weekend on the lake, just contact their reservations line at (800) 444-1985 or call (509) 923-2203.

6/3/00, 11:21 AM update...

Regrettably, it appears that Wilsey Hamilton and the Overtime team will not be able to attend Tastin' n Racin' this weekend.  I had a chance to speak with Mr. Hamilton yesterday afternoon.  He regrets being unable to attend the event, but engine work took a bit longer than expected.

Wilsey had his Overtime team in action a few years ago, but the boat was sidelined after an accident.  Wilsey has redone the entire hull, but the motor is still sitting on the stand.  His team hails from Kent, Washington and he's both owner and driver.

The plan for the team includes finalizing the engine work, attending an upcoming GNH race to "get back in the saddle" and test everything.  They'll join the fleet in Seattle and Tri-Cities for this year's events!  We'll certainly miss the team this weekend, but were glad to her that they will be joining us later this summer.

One final note...  Wilsey was unable to obtain the UL-13 number he's run under in the past.  This season, the Overtime team will run as the UL-20.

6/3/00, 9:51 AM update...

Everyone in Issaquah is getting ready for our first day of racing.  It's almost 7:00 AM at the Tastin' n Racin' course (PST) and we're about three hours from the first test session of the weekend, four hours from qualifying and six hours from Unlimited Light Heat 1A.

Conditions at the course are great.  Doug McIntosh gave us a call about twenty minutes ago and described the day as "Blue skies, 75 degrees and no wind."   Sounds perfect!  Doug was heading out the door for the course.

Speaking with ULRS Commissioner Patricia Darling last night, the hardest decision she and others working with the event would face today was where to eat.  Tastin' n Racin' features a host of food vendors so it's not an easy choice!

6/2/00, 7:34 PM update...

Talking with Doug McIntosh earlier this afternoon, we learned that the UL-21 SolutionsIQ has tested their equipment and they are ready to race.  The engine is in the boat and they are extremely excited about this weekend's Tastin' n Racin' event.

Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, SolutionsIQ joins the Unlimited Lights as the new sponsor of the UL-21.  SolutionsIQ is a leading supplier of simplified data access software, professional technical staffing and systems integration consulting services.  The company maintains strategic relationships with industry-leading companies including Microsoft, IBM, and Digital Equipment Corp./Compaq.  Technical staffing and consulting clients include Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks and many others.  SolutionsIQ develops and markets CONNX, a suite of standards-based data access software used by companies worldwide to give PC clients single point, real-time read/write access to multiple databases. 

6/2/00, 9:30 AM update...

Tastin' n Racin' is almost here and press stories are turning up related to the race.  Here are a few of the morning's story links...

	Seattle Times - Lake Sammamish races set
	Seattle Times - Light hydros to roar at Racin' and Tastin'

6/1/00, 7:23 PM update...

Phil Bononcini, driver of the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic, is making the press rounds as the Tastin' n Racin' event approaches.  Phil was interviewed earlier today by the Seattle Times.  The story should run in tomorrow's paper.  In the morning, Phil will be on KCPQ Channel 13, Western Washington's FOX Station.

Great press for the Unlimited Lights, the UHRA and Tastin' n Racin'!

6/1/00, 11:50 AM update...

The weekend's racing action got a nice plug in this morning's Seattle P-I!  Down toward the bottom of this week's Motor Sports section (written by Holly Cain), Tastin' n Racin' is mentioned...

"The Unlimited Lights series will headline the 4th Annual Tastin' n Racin' at Issaquah's Lake Sammamish State Park this weekend. There will be 12 classes of American Power Boat Association boats competing, along with vintage boat displays and and a car show. Admission is free and there are about 2,000 parking spaces for the event. Gates open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday."

Our thanks are offered to Holly Cain and the Seattle P-I.

6/1/00, 8:17 AM update...

Here are a couple links to keep an eye on throughout the weekend...

	Official Tastin' n Racin' site
	Doug McIntosh's News and Tastin' n Racin' pages
	Seattle Inboard Racing Association
	Press - Issaquah Press
	Press - Seattle Post-Intelligencer
	Press - Seattle Times
	Press - Tri-City Herald

Currently the Seattle Inboard Racing Association site is featuring a nice shot of Jerry and Greg Hopp's UL-15 Graham Trucking hull on the front page! 

Initial coverage update...  Welcome to the second Unlimited Light race of the 2000 season!  We will be posting updates to this area throughout the race weekend! The page will grow quickly so check back often.

Here's who we expect to see during the racing weekend...

	UL-3 Miss Runway Bar & Grill (Doug Brow)
	UL-15 Graham Trucking (Jerry and Greg Hopp)
	UL-17 Ted`s Red Apple Markets (Rick Bridgeman)
	UL-21 Solutions IQ (Nick Badaloto)
	UL-49 Hook Racing (Steve Hook)
	UL-72 Pocket Mechanic (Phil Bononcini)
	UL-13 Overtime (Wilsey Hamilton)

Going into the weekend, Phil Bononcini and the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic took home the first race of the season, but Charley Wiggins and the UL-10 Earl's Performance Products lead the points race.  Charley and the Earl's Performance Products team will be home in Alabama this weekend as they were unable to make the trip west for the event.  Who will lead the points after this weekend and who will take home the awards?  Stay with us through the weekend as our full coverage continues.  We'll bring you all the details!

The recent news...

	Lake Pateros Motor Inn joins the UL-49 Hook Racing Team. - 5/30/00
	Repairs are complete and UL-17 update turns up on MMS. - 5/30/00
	Father and son set to race in Issaquah as the Graham Trucking team take to the water. - 5/29/00
	New sponsors come on-board for the upcoming Tastin' n  Racin' event! - 5/26/00
	SolutionsIQ joins the UL-21 Thunder Valley Racing team. - 5/25/00

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

is doing it again! - 5/29/00

First they brought you the pre-season interview show, next they were the first to talk live with Phil Bononcini following his win at Lake Havasu's Mohave Unlimited Hydrofest.  Now, Madison's WORX 96.7 will broadcast a special show dedicated to next weekend's Tastin' n Racin' event in Issaquah, Washington!  The special ninety minute show will take place on Sunday, June 4th starting at 5:00 PM EST (Madison time) and 3:00 PM PST (Tastin' n Racin' time). 

WORX 96.7 can be found on the web at www.worxradio.com.  Our thanks are offered to Jeff Ayler, Tim Torrance and the entire WORX crew for their continued support of the Unlimited Lights!

to film Tastin' n Racin'! - 5/24/00

H.I.D.R.O.S Inc. has announced the addition of the Speedvision Network!  The SpeedVision Network Package will add some 22 million viewers during it’s air time segments that will partnership with Tastin’ n Racin’ and KZOK - 102.5 The Classic Rock Station & Roy’s Roostertail Regatta featuring the Unlimited Lights Racing Series.  Click here for all the details!

The Unlimited Lights welcome  - 5/23/00

As we gear up to launch our full coverage of the upcoming Tastin' n Racin' race, news from the event is beginning to pour in!  The very latest news it good news indeed.  H.I.D.R.O.S Inc., the organizers of the event, have announced the partnership of Tastin’ n Racin’ and Seattle's KZOK - 102.5 FM!  Click here for all the details!

Tastin' n Racin' is shaping up to be an incredible show, on and off the water!  You can learn more about the upcoming event at the official race website, www.tastinracin.com.  For even more information visit Doug McIntosh's Tastin' n Racin' page.  To learn more about KZOK - 102.5 FM, just visit www.kzok.com.

Additional stories leading up to the event!

	City gets behind the event
	MMS launches page
	Early press release
	Tastin' n Racin' added
	Tastin' n Racin' on track

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