Tri-Cities 2000 Event Coverage

Sunday Summary

Graham Trucking Unlimited Lights Final
UL-72 Budweiser/Pocket Mechanic presents
Graham Trucking
Phil Bononcini  110.029 
UL-38 Shields Auto Glass Dave Bender 106.026
UL-110 Miss CompAir Randy Haas 104.642
UL-15 Graham Trucking Jerry Hopp 95.253
NM-1 Stinger Terry Troxell 92.225
UL-21 Issaquah Signs Nick Badolato 91.071
UL-3 Miss Broadmoor RV Doug Brow 88.817
UL-17 Johnsville Brats presents
Ted's Red Apple Markets
Rick Bridgeman DSQ

Race Day Play-By-Play Coverage

2:29 PM update...
Graham Trucking Unlimited Lights Final
It was a good start as the Lights came to the start/finish line eight boats wide. What a sight to see! 

The UL-72 jumped out front with the early lead and held it looking very solid throughout the race.  Some of the early gremlins that plagued the hull we're gone for the final.  The UL-110 and the UL-38 put on a good battle for second, but it was the UL-38 Shields Auto Glass taking pulling ahead for second.  A one lap penalty was assessed against the UL-17 for changing lanes without sufficient overlap.  Their afternoon worsened when they ran out onto the Unlimited course and were disqualified.

Here's your order of finish...
1st ... UL-72 Budweiser/Pocket Mechanic presents Graham Trucking
2nd ... UL-38 Shields Auto Glass
3rd ... UL-110 Miss CompAir
4th ... UL-15 Graham Trucking
5th ... NM-1 Stinger
6th ... UL-21 LizardTech
7th ... UL-3 Broadmoore RV
DSQ ... UL-17 Johnsonville Brats presents Ted's Red Apple Markets

12:45 PM update...
Graham Trucking Unlimited Lights Heat 2A
The NM-1 Stinger, with new Unlimited pilot Terry Troxell at the helm, pulled out to the early lead, but was also early at the start.  Randy Haas and the UL-110 Miss CompAir battled with the NM-1 even though the hull was a lap down due to the penalty.  The UL-21 LizardTech was trailed the field several roostertails back. 

Your order of finish...
1st ... UL-110 Miss CompAir
2nd ... UL-21 LizardTech
3rd ... NM-1 Stinger
DNS ... UL-38 Shield's Auto Glass

The UL-23 Index Home Systems has withdrawn for the weekend.

12:20 PM update...
Graham Trucking Unlimited Lights Heat 2A
Doug Brow in the UL-3 Broadmoore RV and Phil Bononcini in the UL-72 Budweiser/Pocket Mechanic presents Graham Trucking battled for the lead, but it was Doug Brow in the UL-3 pulling away for the win at the end.  At the start it the UL-17 Johnsonville Brats presents Ted's Red Apple Markets  leading the field.  In the end they were penalized one lap for jumping the gun and finished fourth.  Gerry Hopp in the UL-15 Graham Trucking finished in the middle of the pack.

1st ... U-3 Broadmoore RV
2nd ... UL-72 Budweiser/Pocket Mechanic presents Graham Trucking
3rd ... UL-15 Graham Trucking
4th ... UL-17 Johnsonville Brats presents Ted's Red Apple Markets

9:54 AM update...
Here are your draws for the morning!

Unlimited Lights Heat 2A - UL-3, UL-72, UL-17, UL-15, UL-49
Unlimited Lights Heat 2B - UL-38, NM-1, UL-21, UL-23, UL-110

Doug Brow has the UL-3 Broadmoore RV out on the water now testing.

Saturday's Summary

Graham Trucking Unlimited Light Heats

Heat 1A Heat 1B
NM-1 Stinger ... Terry Troxell UL-38 Shield's Auto Glass ... Dave Bender
UL-72 Budweiser/Pocket Mechanic 
presents Graham Trucking ... Phil Bononcini
UL-110 Miss CompAir ... Randy Haas
UL-3 Broadmoore RV ... Doug Brow UL-21 LizardTech ... Nick Badolato
UL-17 Johnsonville Brats presents 
Ted's Red Apple Markets ... Rick Bridgeman
UL-15 Graham Trucking ... Jerry Hopp
UL-49 Lake Pateros Motor Inn ... Steve Hook UL-23 Index Home Systems ... JW Myers

Saturday's Play-By-Play Coverage

3:35 PM update...

We have the results from the Graham Trucking Unlimited Light 1B!

We had another close race for first in the Graham Trucking Unlimited Lights Heat 1B. This time it was the UL-38 Shield's Auto Glass and the UL-110 Miss CompAir contesting for first. The UL-23 Index Home Sytems closed with the leaders for a time, but it was the UL-38 and the UL-110 maintained their lead. The Lights put on a great show for the fans with deck-to-deck close racing! The UL-15 Graham Trucking and the UL-21 LizardTech were back off the lead. In the end, the UL-38 took the win. The UL-23 went down just before the finish of the race.

Final order of finish...
1st ... UL-38 Shield's Auto Glass
2nd ... UL-110 Miss CompAir
3rd ... UL-21 LizardTech
4th ... UL-15 Graham Trucking
DNF ... UL-23 Index Home Systems

3:04 PM update...

We have the results from the Graham Trucking Unlimited Light 1A!

It was a good start with the UL-72 Budweiser/Pocket Mechanic presents Graham Trucking and the NM-1 Stinger dueling it out early on.  Terry Troxell, who has qualified as an unlimited driver this weekend, was behind the wheel of the NM-1.  Right beside him was the Unlimited Lights High Points leading Phil Bononcini driving the UL-72.  The two traded leads off and on for the entire race with Doug Brow and the UL-3 Broadmoore RV following just behind the two leaders.  On back the UL-17 Johnsonville Brats presents Ted's Red Apple Markets and the UL-49 Lake Pateros Motor Inn followed.

At the end of lap one and two, the UL-72 was out front followed by the NM-1, the UL-3, the UL-17 and the UL-49.  In the end, the NM-1 Stinger pulled ahead of the UL-72 and took the heat win.  The UL-49 went down during the second lap in lane three just out of turn one.

Final order of finish...
1st ... NM-1 Stinger
2nd ... UL-72 Budweiser/Pocket Mechanic presents Graham Trucking
3rd ... UL-3 Broadmoore RV
4th ... UL-17 Johnsonville Brats presents Ted's Red Apple Markets
DNF ... UL-49 Lake Pateros Motor Inn

1:15 PM update...

Taking a look at the Lights schedule for tomorrow, 2A will run at 12:30 PM, 2B will run at 1:00 PM and the final will take place at 2:30 PM.  The Lights will have an eight boat final.  The Lights will run a mile and two-thirds course.

1:13 PM update...

While we the Unlimited Lights drivers meeting was taking place, the vintage boats were on the water.  David Williams (Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum) drove the vintage Miss Madison, Dr. Ken Muscatel (U-25) drove the Hawaii Kai and Mark Evans (U-16) drove the Atlas Van Lines.  I didn't see exhibition due to the Lights meeting, but there was no mistaking the sound heard throughout the pit as these classics took to the water.

12:45 PM update...

Here's the draw for the Unlimited Lights:

1A:  UL-3, UL-17, UL-49, UL-72, NM-1
1B:  UL-38, UL-110, UL-21, UL-23, UL-15 

8:28 AM update...

Here's a quick look back on the Unlimited Lights qualifying.  The UL-38 Shield's Auto Glass was the first on the water, but didn't make it far from the dock.  The UL-23 Index Home Systems went out second and set an impressive speed of 112.048.  They then followed with a 112.5.  The UL-15 Graham Trucking was third with speeds of 74.130 and 101.687, upping their 100+ qualifying lap from yesterday.  The UL-38 Shield's Auto Glass returned to the water after a bit of work setting a speed of 99.328.

Friday's Summary

Unlimited Lights Qualifying Results Following Day One

UL-72 Budweiser/Pocket Mechanic presents Graham Trucking Phil Bononcini 113.246
UL-110 Miss CompAir Randy Haas 110.384
UL-3 Broadmoore RV Doug Brow 108.446
UL-21 LizardTech Nick Badolato 104.892
UL-17 Johnsonville Brats presents Ted's Red Apple Markets Rick Bridgeman 102.500
UL-15 Graham Trucking Jerry Hopp 100.612
UL-49 Lake Pateros Motor Inn Steve Hook 92.888
UL-38 Shield's Auto Glass + Dave Bender no speed
NM-1 Stinger * Terry Troxell 107.776

+ mechanical difficulties
* not a legal UL

Friday's full play-by-play coverage

4:44 PM update...

The UL-3 Miss Broadmoore RV, the UL-38 Shield's Auto Glass, the UL-110 Miss CompAir and the NM-1 Stinger followed with qualification runs, but the speeds are unavailable at this time.

The Vintage Miss Madison is set to take to the water for a few laps at this time.  Following that we may have time for a few Unlimiteds to test.

4:20 PM update...

Some qualification speeds for the Unlimited Lights...
UL-15 Graham Trucking ... 98.109, 100.612
UL-17 Johnsonville Brats presents Ted's Red Apple Markets ... 89.096, 108.446
UL-21 LizardTech ... 95.102
UL-72 Budweiser/Pocket Mechanic presents the Graham Trucking ... 113.246
UL-49 Lake Pateros Motor Inn ... 81.255

After an unbelievable journey to the Tri-Cities course, the UL-23 Index Home Systems is in the pits.  

For those of you who haven't heard the tale, Bob Larimore (owner of the UL-23) explained "I received a call this morning from the Wyoming area.  Larry was driving in a rainstorm and looked in the mirrors to see.......nothing!  The trailer and boat were gone!!  Frantically backtracking, it was found, intact and unharmed, five miles back in the middle of the road with a cop directing traffic around it.  Somewhat bewildered, the officer took Larry and Zak's word that it belonged on the back of the truck and it was towed to a truck stop by a local wrecker.  The hitch on the truck had broken and the trailer had coasted and scraped to a stop without hitting anything or being hit by anything.  Repairs are underway and the team should still be in the pits Thursday!  Zak said it's "one to tell the grandchildren about."  Agreed.  I am one thankful person today.  No damage and no one hurt.  Wonderful!"

The next day, they broke an axle.  It was an adventure for the team and we welcome them!

4:02 PM update...

Here's the qualifying ladder for the Unlimited Lights...

UL-38, UL-15, UL-72, UL-17, UL-21, UL-49, UL-3, UL-23, UL-110

3:52 PM update...

The Unlimited Lights Qualifying session is on it's way.  The lights put on an impressive test session earlier this afternoon as a host of UL's took to the water three at a time filling the UL course.

11:08 AM update...
Let's take a look around the Unlimited Light pits.  From right to left we have the U-110 Miss CompAir, the UL-72 Budweiser/Pocket Mechanic presents the Graham Trucking, the UL-21 LizardTech, the UL-3 Miss Broadmoore RV, the UL-15 Graham Trucking, the UL-38 Shield's Auto Glass, UL-17 Johnsonville Brats presents Ted's Red Apple Markets, the UL-49 Lake Pateros Motor Inn and the NM-1 Stinger.  We know that the UL-23 Index Home Systems is on the way.

Pre-race rundown...
 
Boats expected:
Boat UL# Boat name Owner Driver Home town
3 Miss Broadmoor RV John Hoga Doug Brow Friday Harbor, Wash.
15 Graham Trucking Jerry Hopp Jerry Hopp Snohomish, Wash.
17 Johnsonville Brats Presents Ted's Red Apple Markets Rick Bridgeman Rick Bridgeman Olympia, Wash.
20 Overtime Wilsey Hamilton Wilsey Hamilton Kent, Wash.
21 LizardTech John O'Brien & J.C. Courtright Nick Badolato Maple Valley, Wash.
23 Index Homes Bob Larimore J.W. Myers San Diego
38 Shield's Auto Glass Gene Bender Dave Bender El Dorado, Calif.
49 Lake Pateros Moter Inn Steve Hook Steve Hook Pateros, Wash.
72 Budweiser/Pocket Mechanic Joe Frauenheim & Phil Bononcini Phil Bononcini Redmond, Wash.
102 McGregor Propulsion Scott McGregor Scott McGregor Troy, Mich.
110 Miss CompAir Carl Haas Randy Haas Toledo, Ohio
NM-1 Stinger Bob Schultz Terry Troxell Gig Harbor, Wash.
Tentatively scheduled boats:
10 Earl's Performance Products Milton Wiggins No driver at this time
136 Sanders Racing Dick Sanders Wayne Howard Auburn, Wash.