News from February, 2003! Teams... It's your last
chance to get into this year's Skid Fin Magazine John Lynch offers a
board meeting update! Well, it's not baseball spring training. This is Unlimited Lights Spring Training. What's that? It's something the series has never had previously, but could prove to be a boon for the sport. The concept has worked in other motor sports and if final details are ironed out soon, Spring Training will be a reality. It will be an open testing weekend for the Unlimited Lights teams, scheduled for Saturday & Sunday May 10 & 11. But why Washington State you ask? Well, if your knowledge of the Evergreen State comes from the movie Sleepless in Seattle, where the line was uttered "it rains 9 months of the year in Seattle" your surprise is understandable. And if Spring Training were in Seattle that would be a concern. But when you cross the Cascade Mountains into eastern Washington, things are different....the weather is different. And the fast Tri Cities race course is as fine a place to conduct Spring Training as any course the Unlimited Lights race. That portion of the state is actually desert country, made "fruitful" by the irrigation provided by the series of Columbia River hydroelectric dams. In fact, that portion of Washington State not only produces fast racing, it is home to highly prized vineyards that produce some of the finest wines in the world. Yes, it's still tentative. But if it all comes together Spring Training will provide a valuable and very affordable opportunity for all of our teams to conduct two days of intensive testing. This will occur 4 weeks prior to the season opener, Tastin & Racin, at Issaquah WA (near Seattle, June 6, 7 & 8) on Lake Sammamish. New ULHRA Board member Vince "X-Man" Xaudaro, owner-driver of the UL929 has spearheaded the effort for Spring Training with Emily Janikowski, Director of the Tri Cities Water Follies which hosts the Columbia Cup at the Tri Cities (Kennewick, Pasco, Richland WA) in late July. Knowing the costs involved for out of state teams to travel to the State of Washington for testing, ULHRA Executive Vice President and General Manager Pat Malara announced that secured storage will be provided for those teams from outside of Washington State, for the period between Spring Training and Tastin & Racin. This will allow teams to test at the 1 2/3's mile Tri Cities race course, and race at the season opener near Seattle,with just one trip to the Pacific Northwest for those non Washington State based teams. In other business, the make-up of the ULHRA Board of Directors has been altered with the resignation of UL110 owner Carl Haas. According to ULHRA President Joe Frauenheim, Haas notified him that he's retired and relocated from his Toledo OH home to the State of Florida. He won't be campaigning the UL110 with his son and driver, Randy Haas. Frauenheim added that according to Haas, the team's equipment and very quick Jamie Auld hull will be put up for sale. Randy Haas' driving career in Unlimited Lights competition ends with 3 victories, tying him with Mark Weber for 7th all time in Unlimited Light Hydroplane wins. Haas' last victory occurred at San Diego CA in 2001 in a thrilling 3 lap deck to deck dual with Phil Bononcini. Haas Racing competed in two events in 2002, and came within 1/4 lap of victory at Valleyfield when their engine failed. The following week they nearly "ran the table" at Detroit as Randy won the Race for Taste and the Automotive Gold Cup, only to suffer a DNF in the Unlimited Lights final. The team was a fixture in the series from it's inception in 1995. Through that time, Randy Haas and the UL110 were always a top caliber contender, finishing second in series points 3 times, including 2001. The Haas family and their UL110 team will be greatly missed on the Unlimited Lights circuit. With Carl Haas' departure from the board, a replacement will be named to complete the final year of his term. In addition, a coin flip was conducted and the result is new board member Kelly Stocklin will serve three years on the board, and Jerry Hopp will serve two years. John Lynch Tastin' n Racin', the first
race of the 2003 season, is approaching! Patricia Darling offers a few parting thoughts on the series meetings in Detroit Pattricia Darling, Outgoing and only Unlimited Light Commissioner - Current Medical-Safety Coordinator, ULHRA: Dear Teams, Detroit was cold and snowing...but otherwise rather kind to us. Friday morning started with a Safety seminar, featuring Dr. Bob Hubbard (Inventor of the HANS device). Following that, was the Inboard Commission meeting. The new Inboard Chairman, John Shewbrooks, was receptive to the Lights and has appointed Kelly Stocklin and Mario Maraldo to work together on the prospect of the GPs and ULs racing together. Kelly and Mario held their first committee meeting at noon and it was very well attended. Some lively discussion ensued, but everyone there was desirous of a good show. The two will continue their talks. The ULHRA meeting, led by President Joe, followed. 1) Technical rules were approved and will be put on the website by John Lynch. 2) Mike St.Armand (formerly of SpeedVision and now with the Outdoor Channel) made a proposal to the group. 3) Race sites were reviewed. 4) Skid Fin magazine will, again, put the Lights in the new issue. SOOOOO get your photos and bios in NOW!!!! About half way through the meeting...a fellow named Dave Rydel walked in and said, "I've just delivered a boat to the front of the hotel". Whose? (Answer later). 5) Yours Truly was allowed to resign and the Commissioner position was retired. Pat Malara is now "Race Director" and has established a Competition Committee. He also appointed me as Medical-Safety Director. I will be working with Peter Thomson and others to establish some standards and guidelines aimed at keeping our sport a safer place to play in. Friday night was for the Inboard Reception and Awards. Congratulations to
Phil and Joe for receiving a major trophy for their High Point victory. So Joe and Land drove across the country--with the big boat--and the big Saturday I attended the Vintage meeting. Tom and Judy D'Eath have done a lot of work to get races/exhibitions set and set sensible guidelines for the participants. It was at that meeting we heard of the shuttle disaster. Like boat racers, those Astronauts were living their dream. God Bless us all, Pat Malara offers a few parting thoughts on the series meetings in Detroit Pat Malara, Vice President-General Manager,
ULHRA: The Inboard meetings were well attended. John Shewbrooks will do a great job as the Director of the Inboard Commissioners. We also had a very good UL Board meeting. The board has passed some new rules that pertain to blown motors and we now have new members on our board. Jerry Hopp and Kelly Stocklin and the X-man Vince Xaudaro. It was great to see that the Northwest is very well represented on the Board of Commissioners by two local racers, Kelly Stocklin and Jim Codling. Both members were very well spoken when it came to solving issues pertaining to Inboard Racing. It is February already and our racing season is just around the corner with our first race at Tastin' and Racin' in June. We are looking into putting a test session together in late April or early May so dust off the boats and pull out the can of wax and the WD40 and get the hull and engines lubed up for racing. In closing, I want to personally thank our friends from the UL58, Pingree Conflitti and Dawn, for being such great host and giving me a place to stay while in Detroit. Great friends in racing are friends for life! Join us tomorrow as Patricia
Darling looks back on Detroit... Paul Droullard offers an
update on the Eagle's return! The hardware is being completed now. We should be have everything to the plating shop shortly. We hope to start installing final systems and hardware in about 2-3 weeks. The motor is also being finished to meet the new rules for the supercharged engines and we hope to be installing it around the end of March or the first of April. We expect this to take 2-3 weeks. We are waiting for the fuel cell and the window to arrive soon. We found we needed to replace the transmission and the rear end in the hauler we purchased, so this set us back just a little. We are also acquiring propellers to start testing. We have secured several of our smaller sponsors for the 2003 season, we are now looking for a Title Sponsor and a couple of Supporting Sponsors!
Kelly Stocklin
shares details from the Port Angeles Race Kickoff Party! Also in attendance... The Port Angeles group is using the Tastin' & Racin' festival as a
template for this event. It was a great evening. This city really wants to have a great a race! Scenes from the Detroit Meetings! (Photos and captions by Tracy Morgan)
Scenes from the Detroit Meetings! (Photos taken by Patty Darling)
By-Law Revisions from the
APBA 100th Anniversary National Convention in Detroit
Off season with The Voice! Our web site has been keeping you up to date this offseason with key news pertaining to the Unlimited Lights series. A great job by webmaster Chuck Moore and partner in life, Cindy Moore. This year, 2003 is looking solid with 8 events planned including the popular season opener called Tastin' & Racin', and the huge Regates De Valleyfield in Quebec province near Montreal. This outstanding Canadian event, the largest hydroplane regatta in North America, also features the American Power Boat Association Nationals which may result in an all time record turnout for competitors at Valleyfield. By the way, that kind of excitement will be on display 4th of July weekend, so plan to be there if at all possible. Our series will also return to the three west coast Unlimited race sites, Tri Cities & Seattle WA along with San Diego. We're welcoming a brand new event at the northwest tip of Washington State in Port Angeles. Plus the Washington State Capital of Olympia will host it's second Speedfest. Of course there is the APBA Gold Cup, scheduled for a new date in June in Detroit (instead of July) which the Unlimited Lights are tentatively set to return. At the APBA 100th Anniversary National Convention in Detroit, quite a bit of key business was enacted for the ULHRA series. First of all, Patty Darling, the first and only Commissioner of the Unlimited Lights asked to be relieved of those duties, as part of a streamlining of the ULHRA administration. The board of directors adopted a recommendation to also retire the position of Commissioner, leaving Mrs. Darling as the one & only Commissioner in the history of the ULHRA. The position of Vice President - General Manager was clarified. This position was created a year ago when former Seafair (Seattle) Race Director Pat Malara was appointed the ULHRA's first ever VP-GM. In place of the Commissioner of Racing position, there will now be a Race Site Coordinator, appointed by the VP-GM with board approval. Patty Darling isn't leaving the ULHRA. She's accepted a new position as Medical-Safety Coordinator. In her new position she will take a leading role in improving medical services & coordination at race sites as well improving safety measures and equipment for the racers. But even though she's taking on this new position, for a number of us she'll always be The specific bylaw changes will be posted on this site. In other news, interest is high among race sites for the Unlimited Lights. Several venues inquired about getting on the schedule in the years ahead. The popularity of this series continues to grow. OK, I've taken up enough space on other matters. You really want to know, "what about the blower motors?! Well, since you asked, they're still here, still fast, powerful & loud, but different. First of all, the engine & hull specs for the carbureted Unlimited Lights haven't changed. Teams can still run a 468 cu.in V-8 GNH legal motor or a 468 with the larger "Dominator" carburetor, or run the 511 cu.in. V-8. Hull weights, without driver, are 2,000 lbs or 2,500 lbs depending on the motor combination chosen. Specifics can be found in the rules section of this website. The change is in the supercharger or "blower motor" option. For the past two years the specs included the use of a 671 or 871 Roots type supercharger. The 671 could be operated at 10% faster than crankshaft speed; commonly referred to as "10 over". The 871 could be run at 10% slower than crankshaft speed, or "10 under". The minimum weight for these 468 cu.in supercharged entries was 2,600 lbs. The new rules, developed by a committee appointed by VP-GM Pat Malara that included some of the series top engine builders, boat builders, and owners & drivers, eliminate use of the 871 supercharger. Meanwhile the 671 supercharger can be run no faster than 20% BELOW crankshaft speed, or "20 under". Plus, the minimum weight has been raised to 2,700 pounds. Maximum compression ratio is 9:1 and no more than 2 valves per cylinder. The concept of the "blower motor" option is to provide an engine combination that theoretically is less expensive to build & operate than a competitive carburetor motor. As such, aluminum blocks, titanium crankshafts, magnesium cases & rotors and titanium rotors are expressly prohibited. In addition there is a provision allowing the Director of Competition to change the drive ratio on an individual engine to maintain parity. Of the 3 supercharger boats from the 2002 season, this rule will immediately affect one....the UL15 of Hopp Racing. They may have to raise the weight of that boat slightly and they will be turning down the blower drive ratio. It should be noted that Jerry Hopp set the fastest qualifying speed at San Diego last season, 119 mph, but with a blower drive ratio of "10 under" instead of "10 over". Now, his ride will be 100 lbs heavier and operate at "20 under". The other two supercharger boats were from the Thunder Valley Racing Team. The UL21 may not be affected initially because as of this writing it is not scheduled to race. However it is possible the 21 may race either as a Thunder Valley entry or with one of a number of potential buyers. It may also require a bit of a weight adjustment. The primary Thunder Valley hull, the UL40 driven by 2002 Rookie of the Year Kelly Stocklin, weighed in around 3100 lbs. The team hopes to put the UL40 on a bit of a diet, but they know the ex GP hull won't be able to approach 2700 lbs. With the rules as written, the UL40 could theoretically be allowed to race with a blower drive ratio higher than "20 under" in an effort to achieve parity. Continuing on the supercharger front, the championship tandem of Joe Frauenheim and Phil Bononcini has acquired a 1981 GP Hull built by Ron Jones sr, which is very much along the lines, only smaller, of the famous "Griffon Budweiser" Unlimited. Also, work continues on the new Gary & Barbara Michael, Ron Jones sr. Unlimited Light, as well as the Dale Van Wierengen built Ray West entry, constructed of components from Ron Jones jr. Hull modifications, supervised by Ron Jones sr. are also being completed on the UL17 of Rick & Shawn Bridgeman that debuted last August. Plus the UL5 Team Freedom from San Diego hopes to convert their Jones 2- wing hull to supercharged power. What it means is we could have a cacophony of sound come June at Tastin' & Racin' in Issaquah WA. In 2002, three supercharged hulls competed out of the 9 entries in the season opener. This year it appears as many as a dozen hulls, or more, could compete with anywhere from 6-9 boats running with supercharged engines. I can't wait. And as the late Doug McIntosh would always say..... Let's go boat racing!
John Lynch Vince Xaudaro Vince Xaudaro “X-man”, is the owner/driver of theUL-929Unlimited Light Hydroplane. Vince began his racing career in 1988 racing in the 20SS Outboard Hydro class. The 2003 race season will be Vince’s 11th year of competitive hydroplane racing and 3rd season in the Unlimited Light series. Other classes he has raced in over the years include Grand National Hydro, National Modified, 5litre, C Stock Hydro, and D-Mod Runabout. Vince’s career accomplishments include 2001 Unlimited Light Rookie of the Year, 2001 Tacoma Inboard Racing Association Most Inspirational Award, 1999 Tacoma Inboard Racing Association Sportsmanship Award, 1999 Neil Yapachino Memorial Trophy “Outstanding Driver”. Originally from the Tri Cities WA, Vince is a graduate of Washington State University with a BA in Business Administration. When not racing, Vince enjoys a career as a Project Management and Controls Consultant. Kelley Stocklin Kelly Stocklin's racing career extends over 40 years. When most kids got their first bike, Kelly got his first 8 foot hydro. Kelly converted to the Unlimited Light series of hydroplanes after a stellar career in K-boats and Pro Stock runabouts. He finished second place in National high points in the late 70s. In 1997, he broke a 20 year old world record in the Pro Stock class of runabouts completing a five mile race in an average speed of 102.969 miles per hour. He holds that record today. Along with Thunder Valley member, Jon Courtright, Kelly crewed on the Squire Shop unlimited hydroplane in the mid 80s and later on Jim Harvey's T-Plus project. He also cuts propellers for a big red boat in its Tukwila, Washington boatshop that shall remain anonymous. Kelly is a charter stockholder of Thunder Valley Incorporated, the campaigners of UL-21 and UL-40, the first blown motor hydroplanes in the Unlimited Light fleet. Kelly was the Lights' Rookie of the Year in 2002 as Thunder Valley finished 5th in National High Points. He is again serving as an APBA Inboard Commissioner. He has also served as a member of the APBA Presidential Advisory Committee and Commodore of Seattle Drag and Ski Club. Jerry Hopp Three-Decade Racing Veteran! One of the most personable drivers in the sport, Jerry has been racing boats since 1969. Saving his money while serving in Vietnam, Jerry bought an A stock hydro. He raced this from 1969 to 1974 taking several 1st places... one of his competitors was Chip Hanhauer. He first competed in the 145 class of inboard hydroplanes in 1975 in an old hull that he rebuilt that resembled the Slo Mo IV. In 1980, he built his first 145 hull a Dick Black copy that ran as Pteranodon. The following year He built a Larry Campbell hull which was modified a bit. He drove this boat to 3 Region 10 hi-point championships, 1 national hi-point championship, second place in the 1983 national race and set a 1 1/4 mile competition record. The boat ran as the Miss McKinstry. Jerry accumulating over 100 race victories in nine consecutive years. In 1981 Jerry climbed into the cockpit of an Unlimited hydroplane and roared through the nation’s courses, winning the Unlimited Racing Commission’s “Outstanding Achievement Award” in 1984 for completing every heat he started! He placed third in the 1987 Gold Cup; second in San Diego in 1988; and through the years, first in the hearts of fans everywhere. In 1993 Jerry had his first turbine powered Unlimited ride in Bob Fender's 2 seat Miss Taco Time competing at Tricities and Seattle. At the Hawaii race He gave rides to the Commander of Pearl Harbor and the Commander of the Pacific Fleet. He also gave rides to a few of the local media. Jerry returned to Hawaii to race Bob's boat in 1994. Jerry drove Mike Jones’ Unlimited turbine powered boat for seven races during the 1995 season. Qualifying the boat at the fastest it had ever run. He also raced his way to place in three final heats finishing 22 out of 25 heats entered. The boat finished the season in seventh place with an all-volunteer crew. In 1997, Jerry drove Fred Leland’s “Miss Graham Trucking” Unlimited Turbine Hydroplane at the Seattle Seafair race. Although driving only in the one race, he qualified the boat at a respectable 154 miles per hour. He took a pair of third place finishes and won the provisional heat, advancing to the final heat where he took sixth place overall out of 14 boats racing. In 1999, Jerry took on a new challenge as he added vintage hydroplane stunt driver to his resume. He spent much of the season driving a piston-powered boat for the movie “Madison”. Although much of his time was absorbed in filming, he still managed to drive the UL-15 to sixth place overall in Unlimited Lights action. In 2000, he placed a very respectable third place in driver’s and boat points standing in the Unlimited Lights series. He did even better in 2001, taking second in boat points in the Unlimited Light category and first in Region 10 Grand National points. With the help of a fantastic team, the UL15 finished in the top three in every race last season. Jerry also secured the Unlimited Light World Speed straight-away record in October, reaching an average of 133.00 mph. Jerry also qualified and drove the U-20 Golden Nugget Casino Unlimited at Seafair. The 2002 racing season brought new challenges to Jerry and the Hopp team as they changed to supercharged motors to power the UL-15. Recognizing the appeal these motors have to the fans, media, and the economic value they represent to any team to build, maintain, and compete in this class, Jerry and Hopp Racing proved the point by winning the last three races of the 2002 season and again placing second in national high points. After the season ended, Jerry and the team raised their existing Kilo record to 161.980 mph. This fall, Jerry was asked to be a member of the ULHRA competition rules committee, as the Association continues to refine its rules to maintain parity for all teams. Jerry is honored to be elected to the ULHRA board of directors and looks forward to the challenges we face as this class continues to grow into the most exciting and competitive racing on the water. New members voted onto the Board of Directors
of the ULHRA! The initial Board was set up to be comprised of five members serving staggered terms of three years, two years and one year. The following members were elected to fill those terms:
The terms were staggered keep veterans on the Board as new members were elected and educated. Once the initial terms were served, Board positions became three-year terms. The terms of Gene Bender and Bob Larimore were up for election for three-year terms. The fifth position has never been filled and and was up for election for the balance of a two year term. To be eligible to serve on the Board, a member must have attended at least 60% of the scheduled races the previous year. Once on the Board, the member must continue attending 60% of the scheduled races. If he/she does not, then voting privileges are lost until the first meeting of the next season. If the member does not attend 60% of the races in year 2, the Board member will lose his/her seat on the Board. Only those members of the ULHRA that have participated in at least sixty percent (60%) of the UL races of the preceding season shall have the right to vote on rule/by-law changes that may come before the Association at any annual, regular or special meetings of the Association. Each member entitled to vote at an election of Directors may cast one vote for as many persons as there are Directors to be elected and for whose election such member has a right to vote. The following camps attended 60% of the 2002 season and were eligible to vote in this election and stand for election to the Board (one representative per camp).
The two candidates receiving the most votes will serve three-year terms. The third highest vote recipient will serve the two-year balance of the 5th Board position. Drum roll please... Joining Joe Frauenheim and Carl Haas, your new ULHRA Board of Directors are...
Vince "X-Man" Xaudaro received the most votes and will serve a three year term. Kelly Stocklin and Jerry Hopp actually tied for second place honors. As a result, a coin toss will decide which of these two will serve out a three year term and who will complete the 5th board seat, two year term. Referencing that these two will probably be together at the upcoming dunk tests, John O'Brien (of the UL-40 Thunder Valley Racing team) suggested "maybe they could have a breath holding contest instead of a coin flip." We'll stick with the coin toss. Join us tomorrow for bio's on each of your new
Directors! We welcome the new leadership of the ULHRA and are pleased to
see the organization in such outstanding hands. Click here for updates from January, 2003.
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