Rod Smith at Spring Training
 

 

SUNBELT RENTALS ROLLS OUT THE GREEN CARPET

Get used to seeing a lot more green around the race course. The Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association is proud to announce that Sunbelt Rentals, the second largest equipment rental company in the U.S., has been named the Official Sponsor of the 2007 Race Site Hospitality Program.
All ULHRA races incorporate a hospitality feature providing the racing teams a business-to-business customer entertainment forum to offer to their sponsors. Sponsors and other VIPS can watch all action on the water while utilizing the comfortable, catered hospitality area to fortify relationships with important accounts, employee incentives, accelerate contract negotiations, and meet potential new customers in a casual and open setting. Most sponsors recognize the importance of social marketing, and Sunbelt Rentals is no exception.
Sunbelt Rentals prides itself on being the premier provider of rental solutions for the equipment needs of the industrial, construction and municipal markets, plus the weekend do-it-yourselfer. “The people at Sunbelt specialize in addressing the custom needs of our clientele. It would be difficult to get more customized than a boat race. We are looking forward to being an integral part of these events”, said Sunbelt District Manager, Verland Fluharty.
In addition to being in the hospitality area, Sunbelt’s mostly green rental equipment will be deployed strategically at the Washington ULHRA race sites, including generators, compressors, fork lifts, light towers and other products vital to conducting a complex marine motorsport event.
Sunbelt Rentals nationwide consists of over 450 branches, including 100 Lowe’s locations, in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Its extensive equipment fleet includes a wide range of general construction and industrial equipment.
For more information, visit www.sunbeltrentals.com.

Contact: Muncey Marketing
Telephone: 360-805-0805

 

Jerry Hopp at Spring Training
 

 

Winning driver returns to UL-72, with a co-driver.

There's an intriguing headline.  Winning driver returns to the UL-72, the Miss Boat Electric.  Well, let's see.  Phil Bononcini won 12 races and 3 championships plus a 4th driver's title and he's co-owner of the UL-72 with Joe Frauenheim.  Is it Phil?  No.

OK, Phil was succeeded by George Woods Jr. who won 3 times and the driver's title in 2004.  Is it George?  No, again.

OK, we know that the driver since 2005, Michael Flaherty, has moved on to the UL-8 Baker Equipment team......the former Kevin Aylesworth UL-5.... so what's the answer?  You have to go back to 2002 at Tri Cities WA.  Phil Bononcini had invited a guest driver to compete in the UL-72 and that guest went on to win the race;  none other than Valleyfield, Quebec native Patrick Haworth. In 2007 the talented and personable Haworth will return to the UL-72 cockpit.  In his parttime ULHRA career Haworth has two victories; the Tri Cities race in 2002 and driving the then UL-10 Frazee Paint of Milton & Charley Wiggins of Alabama at Valleyfield in 2003.  That hull is now the UL-33 Graham Trucking entry of Bob & Janet Estes of Shelton WA and driven by Mark Echols of Duvall WA.  The 33 hull and the 72 hull were both designed and built as Unlimited Light hydroplanes by Ron Jones Sr.

Haworth will drive the Miss Boat Electric at his home town Molson Dry Regates de Valleyfield in early July.  He is also expected to race at other select events to be announced, but not the entire season.   He won't be at Spring Training tomorrow in Renton WA......however the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric will be there and will be on the water.  So who's test driving tomorrow?  Haworth's co-driver in 2007 will be at the controls.  Kayleigh Perkins steps up from ULHRA's Lighter than LIGHTS series to become the first woman to compete on a regular basis in the premiere Unlimited Lights class.  Kayleigh will race the Miss Boat Electric at events Patrick Haworth is unable to attend.  The first woman to race in Unlimited Lights, Tracy Morgan, debuted at Valleyfield in 2004 but to date has not raced since. 

Ms. Perkins from Kent WA is a multiple race winner in LTL competition. She first test drove the UL-72 at Port Angeles last fall during the Victoria Express Strait Thunder event.  She will test at Gene Coulon Memorial Park in Renton tomorrow during ULHRA's annual Spring Training test session as the Boat Electric team and other ULHRA teams prepare for the season opener, Desert Thunder, at Richland WA on May 19th & 20th.

John Lynch
P.R. Director, ULHRA Inc.

 

Spring Training at Renton WA, tomorrow (4-26)
 
ULHRA’s annual Spring Training pre-season testing program will be conducted tomorrow on Lake Washington near Seattle.  The site is Gene Coulon Memorial Park.  It adjoins the Boeing Renton WA facility just off Interstate 405 and provides an outstanding opportunity for fans to view the ULHRA teams “up close” both in the pits and on the water.  Admission is free.
 
The goal of Spring Training is to provide teams an economical testing opportunity prior to the first race of the season.  Previously Spring Training was held the weekend prior to the Memorial Day holiday in the Tri Cities WA.  That event has now evolved to become ULHRA’s new Season Opener; Desert Thunder at Howard Amon Park on the Columbia River in downtown Richland WA……..one of the Tri Cities in southeast Washington State.  The Richland site is just a few miles upriver from the annual Atomic Cup event where the ULHRA teams will return at the end of July.
 
Spring Training is just like a race in one aspect.  This week teams are “thrashing” to complete off season repairs, upgrades, etc in time to test on Thursday.  The actual roster of teams participating won’t be known till Thursday morning.  Teams will arrive at Coulon Park around 8:00am.  A Drivers Meeting will be held at 9:30am and on the water testing will begin at 10am.  Testing can continue up till 5pm tomorrow afternoon or until all teams are done…..whichever comes first.
 
The largest turnout of teams at Spring Training may come from the Lighter than LIGHTS division.  There could be as many as eight of the 8 cylinder stock teams testing.  The 2007 season will include the largest number of LTL teams ever to compete in the growing ULHRA series.  A handful of 4 cylinder stock teams are also expected.  The Unlimited Lights class expects to have 15 teams for the season opener next month but due to a number of factors only about half that many teams may be testing tomorrow.  One factor is simple economics.  Teams are comprised of volunteers.  Those volunteers devote vacation time to racing and some have no more vacation days left to test on a workday (Thursday). The end result is those teams that are ready and able to test tomorrow will have an advantage over those teams that aren’t able to test when the season opener arrives in just over three weeks. 
 
The course will be shorter than a standard ULHRA course due to local agency requirements but those that do test will still have the opportunity to learn how successful was their off season work.  Getting the chance to put the boat in the water, run some laps and checkout all the systems on these complicated racing craft without the pressure of competition is a big advantage for the teams.  It also enables them to determine what remains to be done before Desert Thunder next month.
 
ULHRA Video will have live coverage throughout the day here at www.ulhra.org 
 
John Lynch
P.R. Director, ULHRA Inc.

 

Spring Training is here!

Spring Training, as we call it here at ULHRA Inc. is pre-season testing.  It's a day long test session on Lake Washington, at Renton WA and open to any ULHRA team.  It will be conducted this Thursday (4-26) from 10:0am till 5:00pm.  Spring Training is free to the public and fans get a real "up close" opportunity to see the ULHRA teams in action at this location.

Unlimited Lights, Thunderboats (G) from the North American Challenge Cup Series, and the Lighter than LIGHTS will be testing at Gene Coulon Memorial Park, just off I-405 near the Boeing Renton facility.  15-20 race teams are expected to test.  For some it's "down to the wire" as teams with offseason projects are trying to have them completed in time for Thursday's test.  After April 26th, the next outing is the season opener, the newly created event called Desert Thunder at Richland WA on May 19th & 20th. 

For those who cannot attend, ULHRA Video will provide live coverage via the internet at www.ulhra.org

 

Photos from Desert Thunder 2007 Press Conference
 

Wil Muncey speaks to KNDU TV Reporter about Desert Thunder coming to Richland May 19-20.

 

 

Bo Darling, Race Director for Desert Thunder, represented the ULHRA well, fielding questions about  the organization and the racing format.

 Race Sponsor, Sahara Pizza kept media representatives and on-lookers well-fed with gourmet pizza fresh from their store.
 

Desert Thunder will support and draw attention to the work of US Troop Care Packages.

 

 

 Sahara Pizza Representative, Pizza Slice, was a very friendly guy. And in that hot Richland sun, in that heavy pizza slice costume, he was one HOT slice of pizza too.

 

ULHRA Designates Sahara Pizza As The Official Pizza
 
As the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association continues to develop its national format, progressive partnerships evolve. Most recently, the franchise group of Sahara Pizza concluded negotiations to become the Official Pizza of the ULHRA.
 
With many franchise locations near ULHRA race sites, the arrangement is a very good fit. Often offering a cross section of menu options including fettuccine, fountain soda, buffalo wings, ice cream and of course traditional and gourmet pizzas, Sahara Pizza has rapidly expanded its presence to embrace locations as high as Colorado Springs and as remote as Bolivia.
 
Delivery drivers committed to preserving the quality of freshness that is an integral part of the Sahara reputation will support individual ULHRA regattas and events. There are plans to feature a floating kitchen for at least one regatta that will enable Sahara to make deliveries to the water bound spectators who prefer to watch the race from their boats instead of on shore. Personal watercraft vehicles will be utilized to effect deliveries. Sahara takes the delivery of their product very seriously. In addition the individual racing teams and affiliated racing organizations will be polled prior to the event for their orders so that delivery personnel can expedite access through security at the race sites.
 
Tom Wartinger, spokesman for Sahara said, "Marine motorsports have become an important feature in many communities and Sahara wants to participate and contribute. A pizza at the beach is as natural as a roostertail on a hydroplane. We take pride in our team members and our team members take pride in Sahara Pizza & Pasta! Being the best pizza delivery company in the world requires the best team members working together".  
 
Embracing the motorsports partnerships that are the hallmark of advertising today, Sahara is adding race site Hot Pit banners to their promotional arsenal of television ads and radio commercials. Delivered pizza box tops around the race site locales will feature flyers with the ULHRA schedule and information on watching the races via the ULHRA web streaming, so pizza fans/racing fans won't miss a single event. 
 
"A gourmet product in our hospitality area is an important aspect of the quality product that the ULHRA has to offer" said Joe Frauenheim, President of the ULHRA, Inc. We considered many companies before we decided on Sahara".
 
The Official license is not the only level of participation for Sahara. With two franchises in the Tri Cities area, a third store will be opened in Richland in time for the ULHRA Season Opener, Desert Thunder in Richland May 19-20. As one of the primary sponsors of Desert Thunder, Sahara Pizza will be participating and helping develop this first time regatta.
 
For more information on Sahara Pizza, including menus, locations, and delivery information, visit the website at www.saharapizza.com 
 
Contact:
Muncey Marketing
360-805-0805 or 360-794-8404

 

ULHRA Inc. and Sahara Pizza Present

 

DESERT THUNDER 2007

 

PRESS CONFERENCE

Howard Amon Park

Richland, WA

(Lee Blvd at Boat Dock)

Friday, April 20

11:00 AM

 

 

The Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association, Inc. (ULHRA Inc) announces the first ever Desert Thunder Regatta in Richland WA Howard Amon Park on May 19th & 20th, 2007.  This event becomes the new season opener for Unlimited Light Hydroplanes and the Lighter than LIGHTS series for smaller inboard hydroplanes.

 

This brand new event brings a second professional hydroplane regatta to the Tri Cities WA area, this time racing on the Columbia River at Richland.  The event will be free to the public and provide boat racing fans from around Washington, Oregon, and Idaho a second opportunity to witness the speed and excitement of what’s become known as “Racing, ULHRA Style”.  Just as major racing venues such as Daytona, Pomona, Charlotte and Indianapolis play host to multiple major racing events each year, so now will the Tri Cities area.

 

Fifteen Unlimited Lights are expected to compete for the first Desert Thunder Regatta trophy, along with up to 15 Lighter than LIGHTS teams. Unlimited Lights are automotive powered hydroplanes ranging from 20 to 26 feet in length and race along the Columbia River at speeds in excess of 150 mph.  Lighter than LIGHTS are two categories of limited inboard hydroplanes with 4 and 8 cylinder stock engines.  Media and fans alike can keep abreast of ULHRA Racing by logging on to www.ulhra.org  

 

On display at the Press Conference will be the famous UL-72 Miss Boat Electric hydroplane which has 3 ULHRA championships to its credit (2000, 2001 & 2002) and has finished second in the standings the past  four seasons.  In addition the first ULHRA team based in the Tri Cities, the UL-98 Miss Atomic Screen Printing owned by Greg and Lora Walden of Kennewick will also be on display.  Desert Thunder will be the competitive debut of the UL-98 team.  This craft, formerly owned and driven by Bellevue WA’s Paul Becker finished third in the ULHRA standings in 2006.  

 

Representing ULHRA Inc. will be Bo Darling, Event Coordinator for Desert Thunder, and Wil & Debi Muncey of Muncey Marketing and the UL-83 Racing Team, and Kennewick native and Kamiakin High School graduate Vince “X-Man” Xaudaro.  Muncey Marketing is directly involved in the production of Desert Thunder and Wil Muncey is the driver of the Muncey owned UL-83 team which finished 8th in the ULHRA standings in 2006.  Wil is also the son of hydroplane racing legend, the late Bill Muncey.  Xaudaro owns and drives the UL-929 in ULHRA competition.  He has one victory in his Unlimited Lights racing career at Evansville IN - 2005.  The X-Man has a personal goal to become the first “home grown” hydroplane race winner in Tri Cities history.

 

Sahara Pizza recently was named the “Official Pizza” of ULHRA Inc.  This rapidly growing gourmet Pizza franchise has two locations in the Tri Cities area and their third will be opening in Richland about the same time as the Desert Thunder Regatta.  This event  will promote the U.S. Troop Care Package Program based in the Tri Cities which supports our Troops deployed across the globe and also our wounded Troops through Care Packages from home.  http://www.ustroopcarepackage.com/  A key element of the Desert Thunder Regatta weekend will be the opportunity for area families with military members stationed overseas to send video “greetings” to their loved ones during the live webcast of Desert Thunder by ULHRA Video at www.ulhra.org   All ULHRA racing events are webcast live on the world wide web. 

 

ULHRA Racing in 2007 features a schedule of nine events that begins next Thursday, April 26th with Spring Training; the ULHRA’s own pre-season testing session which will be held at Renton WA on Lake Washington.  Desert Thunder is an outgrowth of Spring Training as the Tri Cities played host to 3 of the previous 4 Spring Training test sessions and now Desert Thunder becomes a full fledged ULHRA Regatta. 

 

ULHRA also produces Thunder & LIGHTS Magazine, the annual publication of ULHRA, Inc.  The 2007 edition of Thunder & LIGHTS Magazine will debut at Desert Thunder. 

UL-5 is now the UL-8 and heading for Desert Thunder.

Two avid supporters of ULHRA Racing have jumped into the 2007 season with both feet, or make that all four feet. Bob and Kathleen Baker are pleased to announce that Baker Equipment has purchased the UL-5 from Kevin Aylesworth, Jeffrey Johnson and Freedom Racing Inc.

The Bakers are co-owners of the G-329 with their friend and driver Dave Warren. The new number on the orange & black boat will be UL-8. and the team will debut at Desert Thunder at Richland WA on May 19th & 20th on the Columbia River at Howard Amon Park.

Bob Baker says "we are extremely happy and excited to announce the new driver of the UL-8 will be Michael Flaherty. Michael launched his hydroplane racing career in 2004 driving the then UL-51 (now G-329) earning Rookie of the Year honors. In the following 2 seasons he has impressively finished 2nd in high points both years driving the UL-72."  Flaherty has four victories on his racing resume including the Molson Dry Regates de Valleyfield and Graham Trucking Cup at Seafair in Seattle, both in 2006.

The boat has been completely rebuilt following a harrowing accident on Mission Bay in San Diego in 2005.  The finishing touches of the rebuild will keep the hull off the water for Spring Training on April 26th at Coulon Park on Lake Washington at Renton but Baker says they will be ready for Desert Thunder and the entire 2007 season  The hull began its racing life as a tandem wing design from Ron Jones Sr; built by original owner-driver Howie LaBrie of Tacoma WA.  LaBrie campaigned the boat at selected events until retiring from racing and selling the team to Kevin Aylesworth in 2001.  Aylesworth raced the boat from midway through the 2002 season till the accident in September 2005, scoring a victory at Valleyfield in 2004 and finishing a career high 4th in the Unlimited Lights Series Championship in 2003 and 2004.

Kevin Aylesworth says the new UL-8 most certainly will be "new & improved".  He expects the finished hull will come in under 3,000 lbs which would represent a reduction of more than 300 lbs from the hull that last raced in 2005.  The minimum weight for a supercharged Unlimited Light is 2700 lbs.

The Bakers added "we look forward to a very fun, exciting and rewarding year. Our goal is to enter every race of the season including Valleyfield, and have fun doing it."  Bob & Kathleen Baker join Greg & Lora Walden of Kennewick WA (UL-98) and Eric Christensen of Bremerton WA (UL-35) among new owners of Unlimited Light teams in 2007.

Sponsorship for the new UL-8 will be announced at a later date. 

Bob & Kathleen Baker contributed to this report along with ULHRA P.R. Director, John Lynch

Strait Thunder:  Straight through 2009!
 
The Peninsula Water Sports Association has signed a 3 year contract with ULHRA Inc. to continue producing Victoria Express Presents Strait Thunder.  PWSA President Mary Buck says the signing ensures the continuation of this successful event that’s become “Where Champions are crowned”.  The ULHRA season-ender has seen the Unlimited Lights Championship determined each year on the waters of Port Angeles Harbor off the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This year’s event will be expanded to nearly 4 days starting with a fund raiser for Toy’s for Tots on September 26th, an endurance run for Personal Watercraft across the Strait to Victoria B.C. on September 27th, and the Strait Thunder Regatta featuring the 150 mph Unlimited Lights and Lighter than LIGHTS hydroplanes on September 28th & 29th.  The event attracts participants from around the nation and draws visitors from the Pacific NW region and from Canada. 

You would be hard-pressed to find anybody in Port Angeles who is not aware of Strait Thunder. The community welcomes with great anticipation the return of the “Lights” every year. The event has attracted even more local support early on from surrounding businesses such as Wilder Auto, West Marine, Alki Stove & Spa, Countrywide Home Loans, Les Schwab, Pettit Oil, and Rite Bros Aviation to name a few.
   
This year's Victoria Express presents Strait Thunder starts with a fund-raiser for Toys for Tots at Mickey's Casino on Thursday evening. Mickey's Casino was also the first to step up to the Harbor Challenge. The Harbor Challenge will feature 8 cylinder Lighter than LIGHTS hydroplanes, each sponsored by a local business. The business sponsoring the winningest LTL of the weekend will take possession of the newly created Harbor Challenge trophy to call their own for one year.
 
Friday will feature an exciting endurance run for personal watercraft across the strait from Port Angeles to Victoria. Freestyle and Watercross competition will be added as a weekend long feature on the shores in front of the Red Lion Hotel, Port Angeles.
 
The Red Lion, dubbed the Center of Strait Thunder, will once again host capsule training in their pool on Friday evening before the event. It’s an excellent opportunity for racers to freshen up their capsule training certificate. An added twist is that at this capsule training it is open for the public to view and participate. Non-racers have the opportunity to go through the capsule training and start to get a feel for what is entailed in training to drive an Unlimited Light hydroplane. Last year KONP Radio announcer Dick Goodman joined the training. He has promised a return this September and claims he will even shave his famous beard to get a better from the air mask. On the other hand,  ULHRA “Voice” John Lynch joined in for the capsule training and has vowed “never again”!  And to think his brother Dick Lynch drives the G-13 Tempo in ULHRA’s “Thunderboats” North American Challenge Cup Series.
 
Once again, the floor-to-ceiling picture windows of the Red Lion meeting room overlooking the race course will be the featured attraction of the indoor VIP Hospitality Area. Sponsors and guests can fill a plate of fine Northwest foods, such as local clam chowder, and watch the race in style, courtesy of hospitality sponsor Jace Realty.

 
One of the favorite highlights of last year’s event – apart from the spectacular racing in the Strait – was the dinner and dance at the Elks Club Saturday night. The room is already reserved, and a repeat performance by local favorite, Jim Hoffman Band, is on the schedule.
           
Strait Thunder - for a season finale that wraps up the year in terrific ULHRA style… and now on the schedule through 2009!

 
Written by Land Washburn, Debi Muncey and John Lynch

G-15 on display at Snohomish Community Health Fair

Hopp Racing's G-15 Thunderboat was on display at the Snohomish Community Health Fair today, Saturday April 14th, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The health fair included vendors and demonstrations with special activities for children.

Jerry Hopp was there with the hydroplane for a two hour autograph session.

Attendees got new fresh spring ideas for helping yourself and family in Body, Mind, and Spirit.

1305 Pine Avenue, Snohomish, WA at Christ the King Lutheran Church. The fair runs from 11AM to 4PM.

ULHRA displays at Mercer Island ½ Marathon 
 
Three top performers from the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association were displayed recently at Mercer Island WA.  The island city which is part of Lake Washington near Seattle where the Graham Trucking Cup for Unlimited Lights is held, has hosted this half marathon event for many years.  Despite inclement weather over 4,000 runners participated.  At the finish line everyone had the chance to view up close the G-13 Tempo which will compete in the new North American Challenge Cup for Thunderboats (G) in 2007.  Also appearing were two of the top 6 teams from the 2006 Unlimited Lights series; the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric (2nd place) and Thunder Valley Racing’s UL40 (6th place). In addition, ULHRA President Joe Frauenheim also displayed his vintage Unlimited, the G-13 Tempo VI which Guy Lombardo drover to victory in the Gold Cup in 1948.

 

The next appearance by Thunderboats, Unlimited Lights and the Lighter than LIGHTS teams will be at Spring Training.  The all day test session is scheduled for Thursday, April 26th at Gene Coulon Memorial Park on Lake Washington at Renton.  Testing will be from 10am till 5pm or until all the teams are finished testing, whichever comes first, and admission is free.  More than a dozen teams have indicated they will test at Spring Training which precedes ULHRA’s season opener, River Rush at Richland WA on May 19 & 20. 
 
John Lynch
P.R. Director, ULHRA Inc
 

Click here for updates from March, 2007