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Stocklin back behind the wheel.
  The UL-929 Xaudaro Racing Team is teaming up with Kelly Stocklin and his firm, K&K Machine, for the 2006 race season. Team owner Vince "X-Man" Xaudaro says "Kelly brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team and has been a great supporter of ours since we entered the ULHRA series in 2001.  Xaudaro tells www.ulhra.org that the team remains intact with the same personnel as last year, and will compete on the full ULHRA tour. However, the X-Man will be unable to make the eastern trip so Stocklin will substitute behind the wheel. Stocklin previously drove the UL-40 for Thunder Valley Racing in 2002 and 2003. Near the end of that 2003 campaign Stocklin was injured in a construction accident and missed the final two races of the season. Stocklin earned a career best 5th place in UL points in 2002 and finished a career best third place that year at Valleyfield.  Xaudaro won his first ULHRA event at Evansville in 2005 and says "we believe that Mr. Stocklin will do an admirable job running the team in my absence". Vince will be at the helm at Seafair with a forthcoming sponsorship soon to be announced. Xaudaro may share driving duties at the season opener, Tastin and Racin' in June and could possibly re-join the team by the San Diego race to assist the team in preparation for a full time return in 2007. John Lynch "Voice" of the Unlimited Lights Performance Coatings Contingency Sponsorship. 
The Northwest's Premiere Ceramic Header and Exhaust Coatings Specialists have become the newest member of the growing ULHRA Contingency Sponsor program.
Performance Coatings of Auburn WA is that company and they service a clientele that stretches every bit of distance that the UL race schedule traverses.
President Brad Gua explains that their product line is much more than just a fancy look. Having headers and exhaust systems treated with their high heat ceramic coatings improves engine performance, whether for the street or the race course. These coatings provide a dramatic reduction in radiated heat, accelerates exhaust gas velocities and extends the life of exhaust systems. Put another way, they look spectacular and perform spectacularly.
Their famous Chromex coating is the choice of those who want the absolute highest polish available on the market today, and it withstands temperatures of up to 1300 degrees Fahrenheit. Performance Coatings Satin finishes, available in 6 colors, go even further by withstanding temperatures up to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, the process is so thorough yet quick, an Unlimited Lights team can send in their headers after Sunday's race and be ready for the following Sunday's race, with shipping to anywhere the client, or the race may be located.
Performance Coatings also offers the finest in friction control and thermal management coatings for various engine components. Anti Friction Coatings, Thermal Barrier Coatings, Thermal Dispersant Coatings, and their popular Piston Tri Coat Package which reduces heat penetration and promotes a more even combustion of the fuel/air mixture. The Tri Coat process gives you the maximum in performance and protection.
Check out Performance Coatings yourself at www.performancecoatings.com or call them at 253 735 1919 Monday through Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm Pacific Time.
‘QUICKSILVER’ BUILDING MOMENTUM BCS moving into new shop.
Can you please remind everyone that Jim & I will be putting on another capsule training on the 25th Of March, 2006. It will be at Fife Pool in Tacoma at 6:30-9pm. IT is open for anyone. Contact Jim at jimhightower1@worldnet.att.net
Wanda Power Punch joins the Growing family of ULHRA Contingency Sponsors.  Power Punch lubricants is the latest company to join the Contingency Sponsorship program of ULHRA, Inc. A leader in the field of lubricant and treatment technologies that improve the performance and life of automotive and industrial equipment.
Power Punch began in 1952, and adopted the Power Punch brand name in 1957. This firm is located in Bremerton WA, just a short drive from ULHRA's Silverdale WA quicksilver Regatta, and just a ferry boat ride across Elliott Bay from Seattle.
General Manager Peter Morey notes that Power Punch has an extensive product line. They are best known for Power Punch Oil Supplements which use the latest in Petroleum Polymer technology to increase the film strength of any oil. As noted at www.powerpunch.biz, it provides a better surface for sealing of piston rings and therefore more power available at the crankshaft. Higher compression, less contamination and lower heat all lead to more power, greater efficiency and lower emissions.
The company produces Power Punch Extreme Pressure Gear Oil Additive which can reduce gear noise and whine and add significant life to any manual transmission, differential, transfer case, gear drive and steering gear regardless of its condition or age. A key factor in the growth of Power Punch is it's clinging power, creating a protective film of oil that remains adhered to your equipment's critical parts - even if it sits for a long time. This film provides corrosion protection until you use it and provides full lubrication until the oil is circulating fully.
The company also produces a very popular chain & bar oil, used extensively in the tree service industry, plus greases, automatic transmission treatment and power steering treatment, plus a truly unique two cycle oil.
The General Manager says you could call it the "science of lubrication". But he prefers to be more plain spoken. Ask Peter Morey and he'll simply tell you that "Power Punch products' superior film strength prevents metal pieces from banging into each other and wearing each other out!"
The company has been around for over 50 years because they do what they say they'll do, and they don't promise what they cannot deliver.
Available where automotive products are sold in the western United States. If Power Punch is not available where you shop, ask for it by name. You can also purchase online at www.powerpunch.biz
Power Punch can be reached toll free at 877 GO 4 LUBE. (877-464- 5823)
3 Time ULHRA Champions featured as Kendall "Racer of the Month".
Hopp Racing, led by father & son Jerry & Greg Hopp, have won the Unlimited Lights championship for three consecutive years. Recently the team was featured by Kendall Motor Oil as their Racer of the Month. Read here about the team which began when Unlimited Lights began, but found success mostly in "little victories" till they broke through for their first race wins in 2002 and first of three championships in 2003.
ULHRA, Inc. has been a hydroplane racing sanctioning body since 2003. From the beginning we've worked with the leading insurance experts in this field in order to best serve our racers, race sites, and this organization.
K&K Insurance, "Insuring the world's fun" is well known as one of the largest Managing General Underwriters in the United States. Hawk Race Consultants and President Rick Felsen is ULHRA's Broker and Risk Consultant. As a marine motorsports racer himself, Rick is well versed in this field.
Click here for details on the ULHRA, Inc. 2006 Insurance Program or visit the Forms page.
SOLD: GP-7
The Theoret Family from Quebec has announced they have sold their Jamie Auld built GP-7 hydroplane, driven to record speeds and many victories in the former Grand Prix class by Jean Theoret. The new owner will release details of the acquisition soon.
GP-7 has been featured in the For Sale section of this website. With the sale of the boat, the family says the cockpit canopy glass listed on this website remains available for purchase.
click here
Graham Trucking to Sponsor New Unlimited Light Team Muncey Marketing is delighted to announce that Graham Trucking has joined forces with Estes Racing/UL-33 for the 2006 racing season.  Graham Trucking, one of the most well-respected trucking companies in the state and a long-time player in the hydroplane racing community, has been sponsoring racing teams since the mid-1980’s. At that time, Graham Trucking began sponsoring a small 2.5 litre hydroplane owned by Jerry Hopp. That sponsorship helped nurture Hopp Racing along to bigger and better equipment eventually developing into a major contender on the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing circuit. Graham Trucking has over the years expanded its level of participation to include race site sponsorship. Races in Tri-Cities have enjoyed the support of Graham Trucking and Graham has sponsored the Unlimited Lights at Seafair every year since 1996.  This year in addition to sponsoring the race in Seattle, Graham Trucking will be sponsoring the UL-33 Estes Racing Team at all the Washington ULHRA races, starting with Tastin N Racin’ in Issaquah in June. The Miss Graham Trucking will also be racing at Tri-Cities, Seattle, Silverdale, and Port Angeles, Washington. President Robert Graham said, “I am excited about this sponsorship and the prospects it brings. We anticipate seeing really great things from this team.”Estes Racing, the UL-33 is a new arrival on the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing scene. In 2005 driver Bob Estes took the National High Points Championship in the Lighter-than-LIGHTS Series 8-cylinder modified class. Onlookers have been impressed with the level of professionalism that this team has brought with it and the Estes have been inspired by the growth and proficiency of the ULHRA organization. That provided the stimulus for co-owners Bob and Janet Estes to step up their racing commitment in 2006 with the purchase of the very competitive boat previously owned by Milt Wiggins.   Now with the newly acquired hull sporting a flashy new paint job driver/owner Bob Estes welcomes his new sponsor. “Receiving the sponsorship of Graham Trucking is a very positive endorsement of our team and we believe we are up to the task at hand. I think this will be the beginning of a long and mutually-rewarding relationship”, said Bob.
Look for the Miss Graham Trucking to be a major player this year on the ULHRA racing circuit. The circuit begins June 10 in Issaquah, Washington before heading to the other side of the country for the Eastern swing of the circuit. The team returns to Washington State with the Tri-Cities race on July 28-30, followed by the Graham Trucking Cup at Seafair in Seattle the next weekend. The entire ULHRA race schedule can be found on the web site at www.ulhra.org. photos by Mark SharleyGold Cup Video with more "lighter side"
Thunder Valley – Life Saving Lessons
The Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association Inc. and Muncey Marketing are pleased to announce the first ever ULHRA Contingency Sponsor program.
Today's announcement welcomes the first of what will be several Contingency Sponsors in 2006, in a program that we expect will grow tremendously in the years ahead. Other participants in the 2006 program have committed and more will be added. They will be announced in the days and weeks ahead.
In essence, a contingency sponsorship program allows various companies to participate in a touring professional racing series such as ULHRA in a fashion that is effective and economical for the companies involved, and rewards performance to teams in the series. ULHRA hydroplanes will wear the logos of the participating sponsors and ULHRA will promote their association with this series.
Traditionally, a contingency sponsor pays a benefit to the winner of a race and sometimes to the runner-up, if those teams "wear" the sponsors logo. To some this means, "the rich get richer" The concept for ULHRA teams and Contingency Sponsors is exciting in its key difference.
ULHRA Contingency Sponsors will provide their benefits equally to ALL teams that qualify for the Final Heat of a given race event, so long as those teams sport the participating sponsors' logos. ULHRA and the participating sponsors all recognize the extraordinary accomplishment of reaching a final heat in our style of motorsport. Further, this program covers all ULHRA categories of racing at all of our events. You'll see the Contingency Sponsors' logos displayed on Unlimited Lights, Thunderboats in the American Challenge Cup Series, and the Lighter than LIGHTS series.
John Lynch
P.R. Director, ULHRA Inc.
 Popular driver of the UL-19, Steve Hook, has announced he's backing away from the cockpit in 2006. As Hook notes here, it's a business related move because his business career is flourishing and won't allow for a full commitment to the race team in 2006. In Steve's own words.....
"I'm stepping away as the driver of Tom Eckenberg's UL-19 race team. Our firm, Conover Insurance, has been blessed with substantial growth on the West Coast and I need to dedicate more time to ensure that our company's success continues.
I'll still be around when I can to give the guys a hard time and cheer on the 19. I would hope to return to the tour some day but we'll see what happens down the road. I've met some of my best friends while racing on the UL tour. I've been blessed with a great owner and friend in Tom Eckenberg and can't thank him enough for the opportunity to race his boat and to spend my summers with him. Thanks to all of the ULHRA staff for their support and friendship over the years. These folks are simply the best and are the reason ULHRA is the best show on water." Steve Hook  As Hook departs he attained a solid record of success in ULHRA Competition. While never wheeling the quickest boat on tour and with a career best of one 3rd place finish at Detroit in 2003, Steve and the UL-19 were able to produce consistent finishes in preliminary heats and qualifying to garner 4th place in 2002 and 5th place in 2003 in the Unlimited Lights season standings.  Steve Hook began his UL career with his own team in the year 2000 after competing in Limited hydros. His then UL-49 is now the UL-18 of Joe & Jackie Turner. Hook finished 12th in an abbreviated campaign that year. In 2001 he and the UL-49 entered the season opening Tastin n Racin at Issaquah WA but failed to finish a single heat. That was it for the year, and might have been it for Hook in  Unlimited Lights competition. However, just days before Tastin n Racin 2002, Steve got "the call" to drive the UL-19, and quite a collaboration developed. In his first race Hook finished 5th in a boat he'd never even sat in till race weekend. In those days, the UL-19 team competed with what is now the UL-117 Escapeius Maximus hull. The team took off 2004 while their new boat was under construction In 2005 Tom Eckenberg's team debuted a brand new Dale Van Wierengen hull; the brightly colored UL-19. It was quite a learning curve. Not only did the team go with a brand new hull, they entered the world of "supercharged" power at the same time. Thus despite their best efforts it wasn't until race #4 at Tri Cities before the team scored their first heat finish. From that point on till the team's season ended with a damaged engine in their second heat at San Diego, the UL-19 showed excellent reliability and improving speeds. That progress culminated with an exciting B-Main victory over the Miss Red Dot Corporation at Silverdale WA in August. It was a 4 lap side by side duel won by Hook with less than a boat length advantage.
Steve Hook withdraws from the UL-19 without a victory as a driver, but also with the desire to return to competition as soon as 2007. In 2006 as his schedule allows, Hook will be in attendance at ULHRA events, and you can expect to see him on some of our live web video streaming programs here at www.ulhra.org
Who will replace Hook behind the wheel of the UL-19? Tom Eckenberg says no decision has been made. He learned of Hook's departure a few days before this story was posted. Considering that the UL-19 hull is the newest hull currently on the circuit and is regarded as having a lot of upside potential, you can expect that Eckenberg will be sorting through a large number of driver applications and resumes.
John Lynch
"Voice" of the Unlimited Lights
Click here for updates from February, 2006
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KIBBI LLC of Bristol IN becomes the first ULHRA, Inc. Contingency Sponsor. KIBBI LLC manufacturers the Renegade brand of Custom Coaches and Trailers. The Renegade line includes Motorhomes, Toterhomes, and Transporters that are rugged, durable, and innovative. As the company says, "When you rule the road, you Dominate". 