Mark Sharley has joined NW Speedshots

Northwest SpeedShots is proud to welcome Mark Sharley to our staff of motorsports photographers!  We're pleased that Mark has chosen us to present his work to the world, as he is not only one of the most talented hydroplane photographers in the country, but is a long time contributor and Photo Editor/Editor of Thunder & Lights magazine and staff member of the ULHRA.  Following each ULHRA event, galleries will be posted at www.nwspeedshots.com highlighting the best shots of the weekend.  Mark also has an incredible archive of historic photos from past seasons that will posted as time permits.

Northwest SpeedShots covers all types of motorsports, including SCCA, Champ Car, F1, ALMS, NHRA, SOVREN, OMRRA, ULHRA, ABRA, APBA, and air shows.  Our staff is available for assignment to almost all motorsports events in the Northwest.  For schedule information and credentialing, please contact walt@nwspeedshots.com
 

KING AND BUNNY ENTER SEAFAIR
 
King and Bunny, the popular family-owned appliance store from Renton, Washington recently announced their decision to sponsor the UL-40 Unlimited Light hydroplane. King and Bunny graphics will be applied to the Thunder Valley Racing Team’s big-block Chevy powered Unlimited Light hydroplane this week before the team heads out on the long trek to Valleyfield, Quebec. The next race on the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Season circuit takes the team 2916 miles from their Auburn, Washington boat shop to Les Regates de Valleyfield just outside Montreal, Quebec.  After three days of racing there June 6-8th, the team should have earned enough points to solidly secure its position in the coveted 14-boat field at Seafair.
 
And the Seafair festivities in Seattle, Washington August 3-5 are what store owner King Parker is anticipating eagerly. King said, “We are really excited to be part of the UL-40 team. I have watched the hydros for years and years and now I finally get a chance to be a part of the spectacular action.” King and his wife Bunny opened King and Bunny's Appliances in July 1982 in a small portable building.  Since then its location on Sunset Blvd has become known as “the little red store with the great big warehouse.”
 
Chuck Dow, the UL-40 Owner/Crew Chief said, “I am absolutely thrilled to be able to represent such an active and involved local business like King and Bunny this year at Seafair.  Seafair is such an important tradition in the Northwest and it’s great to see new local businesses getting involved.”  
 
In the 2006 season, the UL-40 finished a very respectable fifth in the nation in Unlimited Light point standings.  Cal Phipps of Lapeer, Michigan has been brought on board to the drive the UL-40 for the 2007 season.

Muncey Marketing
360-805-0805

A NEW SPONSOR IN THE NEWEST CLASS OF BOAT RACING
 
Festool Supply NW has announced its sponsorship of the G-15 “Thunderboat” of Hopp Racing for the annual Seafair competition in Seattle, WA August 3, 4, 5th.  Festool is a German manufacturer of innovative power tools, air tools, tool accessories and consumables offering quality high end power tools in that country for 75 years. The local family-owned U.S. distributorship is run by Bill and Darcy Niedermeyer of Mountlake Terrace, Washington .  Niedermeyer said, “The Hopp Racing team and their proven winning record are the perfect match to the Festool brand of tools. Both are the best quality, fast, tough, finish first and are in the race for the long term!”
 
Thunderboats (G) and the North American Challenge Cup Series were authorized as a developmental series in the fall of 2003 by the Board of Directors of the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association, Inc.  After two seasons of demonstrations the NACCS debuts as a championship point series in 2007.
 
The term “Thunderboats” was first coined by Seattle Times Sports Editor George N. Meyers in the 1950’s because of the powerful roar of Unlimited Hydroplanes in those days that used Allison and Rolls Royce engines from WWII fighter planes before being replaced by the quieter turbine engines.
 
Today Thunderboats and the North American Challenge Cup Series merges the power and strength of current technology automotive-based engines with the “thunder” from hydroplane racing from days gone by.  To power the larger sized craft, Thunderboats (and yes they do “thunder”) can utilize engines up to 572 cubic inches plus a larger, faster turning supercharger compared to the Thunderboats' cousins, the Unlimited Light hydroplanes. The letter designation “G” stems from the old Gold Cup Class of the early 20th Century that included the G-13 Tempo VI, owned and driven by band leader Guy Lombardo to victory in the famous Gold Cup regatta in 1946.
 
The Festool Supply NW Thunderboat is scheduled to be on display at the Hydro-Mania event at the Seattle Center on Tuesday July 31, 2007 from 3:00 to 8:00 PM.  On-the-water testing at Seafair will begin Friday August 3rd. The G Class boats have two racing heats scheduled on Saturday and a final heat on Sunday. In 2006 in Seattle the G-15 edged the G-13 from Impact Racing on the Lake Washington race course in a deck-to-deck duel that was decided on the final straightaway. Those two teams will be among 6 or more Thunderboats contesting for the Seafair Thunderboat Trophy in 2007.  When asked for his thoughts about this new sponsorship, Niedermeyer said, “We know tools. The Hopp family knows hydroplanes. Two winning teams, working together!”  For more information on Festool, visit www.FestoolSupply.com . For more information on the racing schedule and the ACCS Series, visit www.ulhra.org or www.hoppracing.com .
 
Contact: Muncey Marketing
360-805-0805

Pier 66 'Classic Weekend' images

As promised, here are images of fans who had their picture taken in the cockpit of the UL-1 at the Pier 66 'Classic Weekend' on June 16th and 17th. (click here)  Due to space restraints, the hi-res files could not be posted, however, if you would like the print-ready file, email the file number to Mark Sharley at mcsharley@wamail.net.

Xaudaro Racing announces Seafair Sponsorships:

Vince Xaudaro and his UL-929 will carry new sponsorships into the Graham Trucking Cup at Seafair for Unlimited Lights.  The "X-Man" is off to his best start ever in his Unlimited Lights racing career as he trails Powerboats NW Series leader Greg Hopp by a mere 50 points after 2 races. In Unlimited Lights racing 50 points is a virtual tie as that represents fewer points than are earned with one 8th place heat finish. 
The UL-929 "Microsoft Office Project 2007" Unlimited Light Hydroplane will also be adorned by presenting sponsor First Tech Credit Union.  First Tech provides financial services to high tech and telecommunications industries in the Northwest as well as government employees with state and local municipalities. First Tech is a not-for-profit credit union which has enjoyed a 12 year relationship working with Microsoft employees. First Tech provides Microsoft employees with financial and staff relocation services.
 Together, First Tech Credit Union and Microsoft contribute to Hopelink, Children's Hospital, Cancer Society of America, Hurricane Katrina Relief, March of Dimes and the Susan G Komen Foundation along with others.
The UL-929 "First Tech Credit Union presents Microsoft Office Project 2007" Unlimited Light Hydroplane will be on display at various events prior to Seafair weekend, August 3, 4 & 5.

IT’S GRAHAM TRUCKING…AGAIN!

Robert Graham of Graham Trucking, Inc. has announced he is re-uniting with an old friend. The next two Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association events are being held on opposite sides of the continent. Graham, who frequently backs several classes of hydroplane races and is a major sponsor of the Seafair race itself, is applying his logo to the UL-1 defending national champion today.

With veteran Unlimited and Unlimited Light driver Jerry Hopp behind the wheel, the UL-1 will run as the Miss Graham Trucking GT on the St Lawrence River at Regates de Valleyfield, Quebec July 6-8 and again on Lake Washington in Seattle at the Graham Trucking Cup at Seafair for Unlimited Lights, August 3-5. Graham has been a long-time backer of the Hopp Racing Team. For decades since Hopp’s early days racing smaller inboard hydros Graham has been an avid supporter. Company owner, Rob Graham said, "I have known Jerry for years and I am very pleased about this reunion."

The father/son driving team of Jerry and Greg Hopp will be split up for at least the next few races, while Greg assumes the helm of a turbine-powered hydroplane. With wins at the first two races of the ULHRA season, the UL-1 currently sits in first place in national point standings as they seek their fifth consecutive Powerboats NW Unlimited Lights Championship.  However the challenge is greater than ever as the 2007 fleet of Unlimited Light racing teams is the deepest and most competitive in history. 

Rob Graham's sponsorship of the Hopp Racing Team doubles his potential to achieve a longtime goal..........win the race he sponsors.  His company also sponsors the vastly improved UL-33 Miss Graham Trucking of Bob & Janet Estes and driven by Mark Echols.  With this tandem of the Hopp and Estes racing teams Graham likes his chances in the race that bears his company's name.  Both teams will be at peak performance levels the first weekend of August.

Robert Graham purchased his first semi tractor in 1983 and shortly after formed the company GRAHAM TRUCKING INC. Today Graham Trucking owns one of the largest super chassis fleets in the Pacific Northwest. The company is based in South Park just a couple miles south of the Port of Seattle piers right in the heart of boat racing country.

For race updates, live video streaming and race results, visit www.ulhra.org 

Written by Debi Muncey, Muncey Marketing
John Lynch, ULHRA P.R. contributed to this story.

Contact: Muncey Marketing
360-805-0805

Turner & Wilmot team up for Seafair and beyond.
 
The saga of the UL-18 team continues.  First, the original 36 year old boat was destroyed in an accident at the season opener, Desert Thunder, at Richland WA in May.  In June, Joe Turner teamed up with longtime friend and competitor Jerry Hopp to run the Hopp’s Jamie Auld hull as the UL-18 Straitthunder.com.  With Seafair ahead and Turner safely in the field by points there became the matter of what to drive as the Hopp’s boat would not be available.  Enter Jim & Karon Wilmot and their UL-21. 
 
The 21 hull was the original supercharged hydroplane in the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Series when it was campaigned by Thunder Valley Racing in 2001 & 2002, driven by Nick Badolato.  After being acquired last winter from a Tula Mexico businessman in an epic that became “Wil & Joe’s Excellent Adventure”. ULHRA Video volunteers Jim & Karon Wilmot purchased the UL-21 from Muncey Racing.  Their intent was to slowly prepare the hull for racing in 2008 to promote their new business that features the Meta-Lax process that increases strength and durability of metal components.  Now with the need for Turner Racing to have a hull to race on behalf of their Countrywide and Straitthunder.com sponsorships the Turner team will speed up the prep process.  The Turner Racing drive train will be installed in the UL-21 and Joe and Jackie Bush-Turner will represent their sponsors in the 21 hull, renumbered UL-18 for the balance of Powerboats NW season. 

The 21 hull was rated by members of the Thunder Valley team as an “incomplete project” when sold to Carlos Buitron in 2003.  They believed the boat had more to give in competition. The 21 was “parked” after a brief appearance at the Tri Cities Water Follies in 2002 ended in a blown engine and the team concentrated on their UL-40 program. Some significant changes had been made to the 21 hull that the team believed improved its competitiveness but they didn’t have the time, finances or crew to fully pursue that project in addition to running their self proclaimed “Fabulous 40”.

In its last racing appearance the 21 and driver Nick Badolato finished third at the 2002 season opener at Issaquah WA.  Now, for the first time in five years a race team will have the opportunity to further develop this hull.  The Turner team will install their naturally aspirated (carburetor) engine rather than supercharged power that Thunder Valley ran in 2002.  This is a hull that should be interesting to watch as this team and driver adapt to a larger race boat compared to the “Purple Thunder” hull.  Joe Turner and this “new” UL-18 will first compete at Seattle in the Unlimited Lights Championship presented by Graham Trucking, August 3, 4 & 5.
Turner Racing is sponsored by Straitthunder.com, the growing and popular event in Port Angeles WA, September 29th & 30th on the famous Strait of Juan de Fuca. Following the Seattle race the team will also be sponsored by Countrywide Home Mortgage at Silverdale, August 18 & 19 and at Port Angeles.
 
John Lynch
P.R. Director, ULHRA Inc.

M&M Returns to ULHRA
 
In the first years of ULHRA Racing the title sponsorship was from M&M Deli, a Washington State firm operated by Matt & Marie Randish longtime friends of hydroplane racing and the “Unlimited Lights”.  This weekend the M&M label returns on the bright new M Street Grocery in Seattle. 
 
This Saturday & Sunday for their Grand Opening the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric and the G-13 M-Street Grocery/Tempo will be on display.  Drivers Kayleigh Perkins and Dick Lynch will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs and copies of Thunder & LIGHTS Magazine will be available.  Two major Seattle radio stations, 103.7 The Mountain and 107.7 The End have events planned for the Grand Opening during the autograph signing period from 12:00 noon till 2:00pm each day. 

The Randish family has created the M Street Grocery for the burgeoning condo and apartment residences of First Hill & Capital Hill in Seattle.  M Street Grocery is located at 8th & Madison, right off Interstate 5 in downtown Seattle. 

Matt & Marie are also conducting a benefit BBQ with a hamburger or hot dog plus chips & soda for $1.99 with all proceeds going to Children’s Hospital.  For more information log on to www.mstreetgrocery.com 

Alan Lagervall at Tastin' n Racin'

Dads Matter day

Hydroplane race team crew member Land Washburn helps Hayley Robinson while she is in the cockpit. Hayley was afforded the opportunity to get a hands-on
learning experience at Sequim’s Dads Matter day, in part due to moving into
a local foster home several years ago and then being adopted.

Classic Fun at Pier 66, Seattle
 
In spite of a less than promising weather forecast, attendance for day one of the Pier 66 Classic Weekend in downtown Seattle was good.  Fortunately the rain stayed away all day and the Seattle waterfront was quite pleasant. 
 
Land Washburn and Bob Schellhase helped many curious fans climb into the cockpit of the UL-1 Hopp Racing-Happy Go Lucky for a photo-op with ULHRA Photographer Mark Sharley. Most people were surprised how confined the space is inside the cockpit of a hydroplane and were quick to acknowledge it’s not a career for claustrophobics. Visitors to the marina had the opportunity to chat about boat racing with owner/driver Paul Becker at the UL-14 Compuware’s Miss Critical Logic or pose for family pictures in front of the UL-83 Power Punch while getting their souvenir copy of Thunder & LIGHTS magazine.  

The Classic Weekend is an annual event which includes classic cars as well as vintage motoryachts, food vendors, a beer & wine garden and Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association hydroplanes.  This year the event features beautifully restored Nash Metropolitans for the car portion of the show. The Classic Yacht Association which is dedicated to the preservation of fine power driven craft celebrates the classic vessels of Stephens Brothers as this year’s Marquee Class. After viewing the vessels on display, a “People’s Choice” ballot can be completed and dropped off at the gangway.  Megan Deinas, Port of Seattle Marketing Assistant said, “This is a great annual event which is free and open to the public. It’s a great way to spend a weekend with the family at a beautiful downtown location, and of course, the hydroplanes are a family favorite!” 

Four ULHRA hydroplanes are featured at the Pier 66/Bell Street Pier. To get there from I-5, take the Mercer Street Exit. Stay in the right lane and turn right onto Fairview Ave North. At the next light turn left onto Valley which becomes Broad Street. Continue on Broad Street past the Seattle Center and down to the waterfront. Turn left on Alaskan Way. Pier 66 is approximately three blocks on your right. With the brightly-colored G-13 Tempo Thunderboat at the entrance, the location is easy to spot.  Copies of 2007 Thunder & LIGHTS magazines are available as well as hydroplane photos – all free to the public. The show resumes today, June 17th)  starting at 10:00AM and running until 4:00PM.
 
Debi Muncey

UL-8 video from Tastin & Racin

As a test of what is just about the coolest video technology available today (for a reasonable price anyway), we wired and mounted a very small video camera to the tail of the the UL-8 during every heat it ran at TNR. The footage from the final heat at TNR is mind-blowing! Check out the video page at NW Speedshots at http://www.nwspeedshots.com/video/video.htm for links to not only TNR footage, but three clips taken from the tail of the Miss Burien taken at the historic hydro test on Lake Washington on June 7th. You WON'T be disappointed! For more information and to check on packages and availability for the ChaseCam, please contact Walt Ottenad at walt@nwspeedshots.com.

ULHRA featured at Port of Seattle “Classic Weekend”
 
Four teams from the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association are on display today & tomorrow (6-16 & 6-17) at the Port of Seattle’s Classic Weekend presented by ULHRA sponsor West Marine.
 
The event is on the waterfront at Pier 66 Bell Street Harbor & Plaza.  The Unlimited Light Hydroplanes are on display including defending champion UL-1 Hopp Racing-Happy Go Lucky.  The Hopp Racing entry is available for kids to try out the cockpit and have a photo taken by ULHRA’s Photo Editor, Mark Sharley.
Also on display are the UL-14 Compuware’s Miss Critical Logic, UL-83 Power Punch, and the Thunderboat G-13 Tempo.  All of these teams and many more will be competing at the Unlimited Lights Championship presented by Graham Trucking during Seafair weekend August 3, 4 & 5. 
 
Classic weekend features hydroplanes along with about 60 classic yachts and many of them are open for boarding, plus classic automobiles.  Admission is free and the program is open from 10:00am till 5:00pm today (Saturday 6-16) and tomorrow from 10:00am – 4:00pm (Sunday 6-17). 

X-Man and Microsoft reunite for Seattle race.

In 2003 Microsoft Corporation began an association with the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association to help launch its Microsoft Office System product line.  In 2007, one of the teams involved in that 2003 launch is again working with Microsoft to showcase a new product.

Vince "X-Man" Xaudaro and his UL-929 Xaudaro Racing Team will again sport the colors of Microsoft Project for the Unlimited Light Championship presented by Graham Trucking at Seafair in Seattle this August.  In 2003 Xaudaro's team was the Microsoft Office Project 2003.  This year at Seafair the "all black, all the time" racing craft will be known as Microsoft Office Project 2007. 

Xaudaro's team is off to their best start in their ULHRA history which began in 2001. Currently the UL-929 ranks second in the Unlimited Lights points standings, a mere 50 points behind leader Greg Hopp in the UL-1.  In Unlimited Lights racing each heat victory is worth 400 points while a sixth place finish is worth 95 points.

The next race on the ULHRA calendar is the annual Regates de Valleyfield in Quebec Province near Montreal, July 6, 7 & 8.  Then the Unlimited Lights return to the Powerboats NW series at the Graham Trucking sponsored race at Seafair on August 3, 4 & 5.

Klahanie Fitness display

Jerry Hopp
 

Border Inventory Form

This form click here is the one to use as an inventory form for sign-off by US Customs and Border Protection before you cross the border into Canada. Present the signed-off form to US-CBP upon your return, and life should be easier. Also available on the Forms page.

Land Washburn

Mr. Inside has become Mr. Outside.

Greg Hopp and the UL-1 Klahanie Fitness - Happy Go Lucky won the Comcast Cup at the 11th annual Tastin n Racin Festival at Issaquah WA.  Hopp, known for a preference to make starts from lane 1 has been forced to change tactics by a ULHRA rules change.  That change mandates that supercharged Unlimited Lights must start outside of naturally aspirated (carburetor) teams as well as maintain that same lane for one complete lap. 

Just as he did at Desert Thunder 3 weeks ago, Hopp chose the outside lane in the Final heat. He had one supercharged UL to his left, Ryan Mallow in the UL-19 Five Star Racing.  Inside of the 19 were Kayleigh Perkins in the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric, Vince Xaudaro in the UL-929 and in lane 1, Wil Muncey in the "The Little Boat That Could"...... UL-83 Power Punch.  The trailer boat 5 seconds behind was Michael Flaherty in the UL-8 Eastside Harley Davidson.

The 5 front line teams all hit the starting line together with a large crowd roaring its approval.  They all made it cleanly through turn number one.  Up the backstretch Xaudaro took the lead with Muncey, Hopp and Mallow all within a roostertail length.  At the end of the first lap it was 3 wide deck to deck racing with Xaudaro, Mallow and Hopp with Muncey about a roostertail length behind.  Through 4 laps Hopp gained a slight advantage over Mallow to his inside with Xaudaro settling into third place.  Kayleigh Perkins was fourth throughout the heat.  Michael Flaherty was able to pass Muncey for 5th place in the final turn. 

Hopp's blistering winning speed of 121.097 mph on the approximate 1 1/4 mile course was the fastest heat of the weekend.  Mallow's 119.7 mph second place run was the third quickest of the weekend, just one fifth of a mile per hour slower than Vince Xaudaro ran in Heat 2B when he edged Mallow in another thrilling deck to deck dual.

With the victory Greg Hopp moves to the top of the Powerboats NW Unlimited Light Racing Series points standings with 2700.  Right behind is Vince Xaudaro at 2650.  Kayleigh Perkins picked up two heat victories in the preliminaries but also had one did not finish which dropped her from first to third in the standings.  More details to follow.

Next up for the Unlimited Lights will be the annual Regates de Valleyfield in Quebec Province near Montreal.  The Valleyfield Regatta will be held July 6th, 7th & 8th. 

John Lynch
Public Relations Director, ULHRA Inc.