Greg Hopp in the
UL-1 Mike's Hard Lemonade-Happy Go Lucky has won
the 66th running of the Molson Dry Regates De
Valleyfield. It becomes the 13th victory for
the Hopp Racing Team from Snohomish WA in the
last 21 Unlimited Lights races, dating back to
Seattle, 2002. Surprisingly, of those 13 wins,
and 14 overall wins in their ULHRA career, this
is their first ever victory at Valleyfield.
Hopp was in lane 1
for the start, as is his usual position.
However the start was won on the outside by
Kevin Aylesworth in the UL-5, and Canadian
rookie Pierre Maheu in Pingree Conflitti's
UL-559.
Out of turn 1,
Patrick Haworth in the UL-10 took the lead
briefly until Hopp took over in turn 2. They
stayed within a couple of roostertail lengths
for the balance of the 5 mile heat. Traffic in
the 7 boat final was tight. Aylesworth ran
afoul of another team's roostertail, and Dennis
Macy was penalized a minute for an overlap
infraction, while being lapped on the final
circuit. It was very crowded in turn 1 at the
start but all of the teams came out unscathed.
Wind conditions were roughly 20 mph.
Second place goes to
Valleyfield favorite Patrick Haworth in the
UL-10 Titeflex Special from Wiggins Hydroplane
Racing out of Rainbow City AL. For Haworth,
this second place goes with a third place finish
last year, and victory in 2003 all in the
UL-10. With that kind of record, it's hoped
that greater sponsorship opportunities will
develop for Haworth to compete on more of the
ULHRA circuit.
In third was 2004
Rookie of the Year Michael Flaherty driving the
UL-72 Espar Heater presents Miss Boat Electric.
Fourth place went to 2004 Valleyfield champion
Kevin Aylesworth in the UL-5 Baker Equipment
Co.-Freedom Racing Team entry.
Fifth place in the
Final Heat goes to first time ULHRA participant
Mario Maraldo from Detroit MI in the UL-59 Baby
Doll III. The longtime Grand Prix racer
transferred to ULHRA competition this season,
along with the UL-50 Pressure Transducer
presents DART Machinery driven by Ken Brodie and
Ken Brodie II, and the UL-7 Commander of Jay
Tolbert who is on a break from his contractor's
job as an Air Traffic Controller in
Afghanistan. The Brodie Motor Sports team had
to withdraw after Saturday's action, while the
Tolbert team qualified for the Final but did not
start.
Sixth place went to
Dennis Macy in the UL-445 The Menace. Macy
competes in the ULHRA series infrequently, but
as was the case this weekend, usually qualifies
for the Final Heat. A 6th place finish from the
trailer position was Macy's end result.
After an impressive
ULHRA debut this weekend, racing luck wasn't
with local favorite Pierre Maheu as the UL-559
Super Energex-Outlaw did not finish the Final.
He started well in the Final but the UL-559
expired after 1 lap.
Next up for the Unlimited Lights is the HAPO Community Thunder Cup at Tri Cities WA, July 29-31. That weekend will also mark the competitive debut of the brand new Thunderboats American Challenge Cup Series (ACCS).
Joe Frauenheim
After race #3 in the
8 race ULHRA 2005 season, here are the point
totals.
Valleyfield Final Heat Results
The lineup is complete for
the Unlimited Lights Final
Heat at the 66th annual
Molson Dry Regates De
Valleyfield.
It will be a big 8 boat
Final, with 6 boats on the
front line, and two teams,
the UL-7 of Jay Tolbert and
the UL-59 Baby Doll III with
Mario Maraldo, starting in
the trailer position one
roostertail length behind.
Each team collects points
from 2 of their 3
preliminary heats. Here is
the Final Heat Lineup, with
Valleyfield points prior to
the Final.
The front line will
include.........
UL-1 Mike's Hard
Lemonade-Happy Go Lucky,
driven by Greg Hopp. 800
pts
UL-72 Espar Heater presents
Miss Boat Electric, driven
by Michael Flaherty. 800
pts
UL-5 Baker Equipment Co -
Freedom Racing Team, driven
by Kevin Aylesworth. 700
pts
UL-10 Titeflex Special,
driven by Patrick Haworth.
700 pts
UL-445 The Menace, driven by
Dennis Macy. 525 pts
UL-559 Super Energex-Outlaw,
driven by Pierre Maheu,
469 pts.
UL-7 driven by Jay
Tolbert. 338 pts.
UL-59 Baby Doll III driven
by Mario Maraldo. 127 pts.
The UL-40 Miss Red Dot
Corporation driven by Harold
Mills finishes the weekend
with 300 points, and a
damaged air trap keeping it
from starting the Final
Heat.
The UL-929 driven by Vince
"X-Man" Xaudaro finished one
heat on Saturday for 225
points, but was not able to
compete on Sunday.
The UL-50 Pressure
Transducer presents DART
Machinery driven by Ken
Brodie II and the UL-19 Mz
ZipFizz Energy Drink Mix
driven by Steve Hook were
unable to finish a heat and
did not score ULHRA National
Points at Valleyfield.
With the large Final Heat
field, the start becomes
more crucial. In 2 of the
past 3 years, the
Valleyfield winner crossed
the line well back in the
pack, but was elevated to
the victory podium by
several teams "jumping the
gun" and being assessed 1
minute penalties. It's been
excellent warm weather for
race day Sunday and a large
crowd is enjoying the
action.
Joe Frauenheim
Valleyfield Report #7, July 10, 2005
Weather conditions improved so
racing could resume this morning
at the 66th annual Molson Dry
Regates De Valleyfield.
However, stiff winds have
adjusted the heat schedule, with
larger hydroplane classes such
as the Unlimited Lights, running
in place of smaller classes.
In
Heat 3A, 4 teams made the
start. Dennis Macy in The
Menace UL-445 took the lead in
lane one, with Harold Mills in
the Miss Red Dot Corporation
UL-40, and Kevin Aylesworth in
the Baker Equipment Co.-Freedom
Racing Team alongside. By the
end of lap 1, Mills took over
the lead, and then on lap 3 of
the 5 lap heat, Aylesworth was
able to take command and win
Heat 3A, followed by Mills and
Macy. 4th place was held for
three laps by Pierre Maheu in
the UL-559 Super Energex-Outlaw,
until the boat went dead in the
water. Maheu was a bit late at
the start and the rough water
conditions made for a difficult
drive for the Canadian rookie
driver. The UL-19 Mz ZipFizz
had engine problems so Steve
Hook returned to the pits prior
to the start.
In
Heat 3B, the two swift yellow
boats went at each other from
the start. Greg Hopp in the
UL-1 Mike's Hard Lemonade-Happy
Go Lucky held the inside line,
with Patrick Haworth in the
UL-10 Titeflex Special,
alongside. Out in lane 6 was
Michael Flaherty in the UL-72
Espar Heater presents Miss Boat
Electric.
Haworth held a slight lead out
of turn 1, but Hopp was able to
take the lead in turn 2 and
maintained that position for
victory in Heat 3B. Haworth
took second with Flaherty in
third. Jay Tolbert in the UL-7
and Mario Maraldo in the UL-59
Baby Doll III trailed in 4th &
5th respectively.
After the third heat section,
the UL-50 Brodie Motor Sports
entry is out of action for the
rest of the day. The UL-40 Miss
Red Dot Corporation has some
issues with the bottom of the
hull and the UL-559 Super
Energex-Outlaw is being
checked. The UL-929 of Vince
Xaudaro was declared out of
action after the close or racing
yesterday (Saturday)
Joe
Frauenheim
Valleyfield Heat 3A & 3B Results
E(Heat 3A)
UL 19
Mz ZipFizz
Steve Hook
UL 445 The Menace Dennis Macy UL 40 Miss Red Dot Corp. Harold Mills UL 559 Super Energex Pierre Maheu UL 5 Baker Equipment Kevin Aylesworth UL 50 Dart Machinery Ken Brodie II
F(Heat
3B)
UL 72 Espar Heater Michael Flaherty UL 7 Jay Tolbert UL 929 Xaudaro Racing Vince Xaudaro UL 59 Baby Doll III Mario Maraldo UL 1 Mike's Hard Lemonade Greg Hopp
At 3:30pm this afternoon,
Eastern Time, racing action
was called for the day at
the 66th annual Molson Dry
Regates De Valleyfield.
Drenching rain that had held
off till now, has come to
Bay St. Francios.
Today's scheduled Unlimited
Light Heats 3A & 3B have
been called off. They may
be rescheduled for early
tomorrow, prior to the big
Unlimited Lights Final
Heat.
So far it's been a perfect
weekend for 2004 Rookie of
the Year, Michael Flaherty.
The driver of the UL-72
Espar Heater presents Miss
Boat Electric has two
victories on this tricky one
mile race course.
Valleyfield's own Patrick
Haworth in the UL-10
Titeflex Special, and Greg
Hopp in the UL-1 Mike's Hard
Lemonade-Happy Go Lucky each
have a single heat victory.
It's also been quite a
successful debut for rookie
driver Pierre Maheu at the
wheel of Ping Conflitti's
UL-559 Super
Energex-0utlaw. Maheu was
promoted out of "probation
status" following a fine 4th
place finish yesterday in
Heat 1B. Today, he raced
side by side with Greg Hopp
in Heat 2B before settling
for 2nd place in Heat 2B.
Also with a solid
performance is occasional UL
competitor Dennis Macy in
his UL-445 The Menace with a
2nd and 3rd place finish so
far this weekend. Still
looking for their first
appearances on the water
this weekend are the UL-19
Mz ZipFizz driven by Steve
Hook, and the UL-40 Miss Red
Dot Corporation driven by
Harold Mills. The 19 has
been hampered by engine
woes, while the 40 has been
held back by rudder issues.
Joe Frauenheim, Becky
Maggard, and Marie
Frauenheim all contributed
to this report.
Valleyfield Report #5. July 9, 2005
For
those who successfully followed
the revised "score-up" procedure
that was outlined in the last
report, Heats 2A and 2B went
well. It made for a very
exciting run up to the start for
the tens of thousands of race
fans here alongside Bay St.
Francois.
Rookie Pierre Maheu in the
UL-559 Super Energex - Outlaw
made an excellent start in his
first "non probation" heat,
meaning Maheu could start on the
front line. He gave the UL-559
an excellent run, going "deck to
deck" with Greg Hopp for the
better part of 4 laps before
settling for second place. Hopp,
in the 2 time defending ULHRA
Champion UL-1 Mike's Hard
Lemonade took first in Heat 2A,
followed by Maheu and in third
was the UL-445 The Menace driven
by Dennis Macy and Jay Tolbert
in 4th with his UL-7. Ken
Brodie II did not finish in the
UL-50 Pressure Transducer
presents DART Machinery.
In
2B, those two "sister" Ron Jones
Sr. hulls went at it for 5
laps. Michael Flaherty, in the
UL-72 Espar Heater presents Miss
Boat Electric held a slight
advantage in lane 2, over
Patrick Haworth in the UL-10
Titeflex Special in lane 1. As
a result, Flaherty was able to
dictate the arc of the turns and
not give Haworth any extra
room. Flaherty held Haworth to
a tight line, and edged the
Valleyfield native at the finish
line. The two drivers were less
than a mile per hour apart.
Third place went to last year's
Molson Dry Regates De
Valleyfield winner Kevin
Aylesworth in the UL-5 Baker
Equipment Company-Freedom Racing
Team. Vince Xaudaro in his
UL-929 had a problem prior to
the start and did not cross the
line.
In
this section, The UL-19, UL-40,
and UL-59 were unable to start
but hope to be ready for this
afternoon's second section.
Joe
Frauenheim
Valleyfield Report #4 July 9, 2005
Racing
action is resuming today at the 66th
Annual Molson Dry Regates De
Valleyfield. Skies are a bit
threatening but it still looks
promising for a excellent day two of
Unlimited Light competition.
All 12
entries in the pits are ready to
go. The critical replacement rudder
for the UL-40 Miss Red Dot
Corporation, driven by Harold Mills,
made its appearance late last night
following an air cargo delivery.
Good news also for new ULHRA member
Jay Tolbert. While running strong
yesterday, the UL-7 went dead in the
water. Apparently, low fuel was the
cause. Plus, another former GP
racer, Mario Maraldo is expected to
be able to run today in his UL-59
Baby Doll III after showing some
flames yesterday in an aborted heat
race attempt.
To help
improve the starting procedure,
ULHRA has decided to return to a
plan conducted here last year. The
"score up" buoy; that's the buoy all
teams must pass after a designated
time, is now the starting line.
Each team must pass the starting
line buoy after the 1 minute "gun".
Teams also establish their lanes at
the same time and hold that lane
throughout the lap prior to the
start.
Based on
his performance yesterday, Pierre
Maheu in the UL-559 Super Energex -
Outlaw has been removed from
"probation" which all ULHRA "rookie"
drivers begin their careers in this
series. Maheu can now start on the
front line and it's great to welcome
this Canadian to the series. Three
years ago at this same race, Maheu's
team owner Pingree Conflitti concluded
his "rookie probation", started on
the front line, and won the 2002
Regates De Valleyfield in
Conflitti's other boat, the UL-58
Union Dooz. The "Dooz" is not here
this weekend due to engine damage
sustained at Evansville IN two weeks
ago.
The draw
for today's first heat section is as
follows.
C(Heat 2A)
UL
10 Titeflex Special
Patrick Haworth
UL
929 Xaudaro Racing
Vince Xaudaro
UL 19 Mz ZipFizz
Steve Hook
UL
59 Baby Doll III
Mario Maraldo
UL
5 Baker Equipment
Kevin Aylesworth
UL
72 Espar Heater
Michael Flaherty
D(Heat
2B)
UL 40 Miss Red Dot Corp.
Harold Mills
UL
559 Super Energex Pierre
Maheu
UL 7
Jay Tolbert
UL
1 Mike's Hard Lemonade
Greg Hopp
UL
445 The Menace
Dennis Macy
UL
50 Dart Machinery
Ken Brodie II
Two
heat sections are scheduled
today. The draw for Heats 3A &
3B will follow the conclusion of
Heat 2B
Joe
Frauenheim
ULHRA President
Becky Maggard-Gold Cup Video and
Marie Frauenheim also
contributed to this report.
Valleyfield Heat 2A & 2B Results
Valleyfield Heat 1A & 1B Results
Valleyfield Report
#3. July 8, 2005
As it's late
in the day Quebec time, activity on Bay
St. Francois at Valleyfield is on hold.
The first round of heat races for the
Unlimited Lights were scheduled for the
end of today, but may be postponed till
tomorrow morning. It's been an
interesting day to say the least.
Kevin
Aylesworth's UL-5 Freedom Racing Team
has changed engines after an on-course
failure in a test session. Following
his experience at Evansville, Aylesworth
walked to the rear of the hydroplane and
was pleased to see the boat was not
taking on water.
Tom
Eckenberg and the newest boat in the
Unlimited Lights fleet, the splendidly
painted UL-19 Mz ZipFizz Energy Drink
Mix team continues to work on their
engine. Driver Steve Hook is eager to
get the 19 on the water for some serious
running. Meanwhile the UL-40 Miss Red
Dot Corporation entry from Thunder
Valley Racing is awaiting delivery via
air cargo of a rudder following the
team's experience at Evansville where
twice their rudder was damaged due to
contact with submerged objects. Still,
driver Harold Mills was able to garner
third place at Thunder on the Ohio.
A total of
12 Unlimited Lights are on hand for the
66th annual Molson Dry Regates De
Valleyfield.
Joe
Frauenheim
Valleyfield report #1.
July 8, 2005
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