The Hotter the Spark, the Better the Burn

 

A better burn means greater power from the same amount of gasoline. As the aircraft industry learned a long time ago, a more complete combustion can make more than twenty per cent more revolutions per minute. The V-12’s of legend accomplished this by adding a spark plug and a separate side to the magneto. Performance Distributors does it a lot more simply. Hotter spark.

For years, the idea of increasing the voltage to the plug has been gaining wider acceptance. Even your average GM alternator is putting out 14.7 volts. By increasing the voltage up to 18 volts, the plug gap can be widened and the burn is bigger, hotter and more complete.

Performance Distributors is a new Contingency Awards Program ( CAP ) sponsor for 2008 that is blazing a path in racing circles with 18 volt technology. Without a lot of extra expense or complicated procedures, Steve Davis is bringing several types of applications and components within affordable reach of the most modest racing budget.

Founded in the mid seventies by the late legendary racer and ignition wizard Kelly Davis, Performance Distributors has established an enviable record of product innovation. Their aggressive research and development department has developed some of the industry’s most advanced line of high performance and racing ignition systems. As an example, Performance Distributors was the first company to make a performance H.E.I. distributor aptly and appropriately named the Davis Unified Ignition ( DUI ) distributor. It is now available for most applications. Kelly’s son, Steve insists that every distributor is hand prepared, calibrated on a distributor machine and test fired.

“ Marine motorsports is especially demanding on electronic elements. “ Steve said, “ By contributing consistent performance in hydroplane competition, Performance Distributors will continue to provide the type of industry leadership that has been our hallmark. By offering virtually everything for your ignition needs, we garner the feedback from our customers literally needed to be competitive.”

Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee Steve was encouraged to see ULHRA events move eastward to locations such as Pickwick Landing. A ninety minute drive away enables Memphis area fans and sponsors alike to get closer to the competition.

From batteries to rev limiters, from marine grade distributors to ignition coils Performance Distributors can address many of the electronic needs in marine motorsports. “We recognize that the ULHRA can not only maintain brands awareness for us in new markets” Steve said, “ but actually represents earnest customers that demand our  level of quality in order to be competitive. “

John Lynch, Director of Public Relations for the ULHRA went on to say “ The ULHRA does a good job of maintaining brand awareness in challenging markets such as the Pacific Northwest. It’s encouraging to see aftermarket manufacturers such as Performance Distributors utilizing our series to penetrate markets that can stifle other motorsports.”   

 

Wil Muncey
Muncey Marketing
 

 

Xaudaro and Wilmot Racing Team to test at Spring Training.

 

In these photos you see the final paint scheme coming together on the Jim & Karon Wilmot owned UL-929 hydroplane that will be driven by Vince “X-Man” Xaudaro.  The look is completely different from how this boat has appeared in the past. 

 

 

This photo shows the current UL-929 when it raced in 2000 at San Diego as the UL-21.  The Green & Black UL-23 is the new UL-00 of Muncey Racing.  Also in the photo are the current UL-98 (the far white boat, UL-14) and the 2007 UL-83 (the red boat, UL136).  

 

 

Here is the current UL-929 as it raced at San Diego in 2001 as the first ever supercharged Unlimited Light hydroplane and driven by the now retired Nick Badolato. The boat’s look was basically the same when this hull came out of “mothballs” last season.  Now, this entirely new black & red paint scheme will be seen on the water for the first time at ULHRA’s annual Spring Training test session.  Spring Training, held in conjunction with the Hydroplane and Race Boat Museum and Seafair will feature hydroplane testing from 11:00am till 2:00pm on Tuesday, April 15th at Stan Sayers Pits on Lake Washington.  Several Unlimited Light teams will participate along with a pair of vintage Unlimiteds from the museum fleet in a program sanctioned by ULHRA, Inc.

 

John Lynch

P.R. Director and “Voice” of ULHRA Racing

 

The Lone Star State prepares for ULHRA          

 

Odessa Texas’ Bob Scribner and his UL-39 “Pressure’s On” are preparing to join the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Series at the season opener in Chandler AZ near Phoenix.  Here are some photos of on-going hull preparation prior to painting and installation of a new cockpit canopy.  This craft was built originally as a GNH hydroplane by Seattle’s Ed Karelsen and later became Vince Xaudaro’s first Unlimited Light UL-929 hull which he raced from 2001 till 2003.  At the end of the 2003 season Xaudaro sold the hull to Tula, Mexico businessman Carlos Buitron who at one time owned 5 hulls in his effort to start a racing program in his country.  Due to health issues Sr. Buitron’s dream never materialized but all five of those hulls have found there way back to the USA and all are either competing now or soon will be competing in ULHRA races. 

 

Driver, and former UL Owner Joe Souza from Lakewood WA, along with another former hydroplane owner-driver Tom Bock from Lake Havasu AZ will be going to Odessa to supervise the installation of the team’s engine and hardware in time for the Trafficade presents Unlimited Light Hydroplanes at Firebird International Raceway, April 25-27.  This will be a bit of a departure from the boat’s history.  When Xaudaro raced the craft he had a very reliable, but relatively “soft” engine, producing around 700 hp.  Xaudaro’s talent for excellent starts got a lot out of a little. 

 

Recently Scribner acquired a 509 cubic inch engine from Wiggins Hydroplane Racing Team from Rainbow City AL……..an engine that has won in Unlimited Lights racing and should generate close to 900 hp. With the extra horsepower from the larger engine the hull is being “beefed up” in accordance with ULHRA rules and regulations.  A 509 cubic inch carburetor engine must be housed in a hull that weighs at least 2,500 lbs, while the ex 929 used to race a couple hundred pounds lighter.

 

One other thing; that relatively “soft” but reliable engine that Xaudaro raced won’t be “soft” any longer.  It is owned by Muncey Racing and is being prepped by Ed Trihey of Ed’s Automotive and Machine in Mukilteo WA to be the debut “gasoline fueled” supercharged engine in Unlimited Lights racing and is expected to be raced by Wil Muncey in the team’s “big red boat” UL-00 during the 2008 season. 

 

John Lynch

P.R. Director and “Voice” of ULHRA Racing

The Final Phase of Painting the UL 929 Updated 03.28.08

What's happening is that we are building a paint booth using painters plastic hung over a greenhouse structure that Tim VanHollebeke had at his house and donated to the team. He and  his son Jordan brought over to Vince's.  Vince and Sara had sanded the boat in front of the shop and then he primered it outside. 
 
We then rolled it back inside and the whole crew prepped it for paint and then Vince painted the underside.  To paint the top side and not mess up the shop completely with over-spray, we needed the greenhouse between the boat and the shop area. If all goes well, Vince will be spraying the red and black between now and the weekend.  The deck hatches are being painted separately, so the green and blue tape is used to cover the holes so paint doesn't get into critical areas.  Sara trimmed and tapped in a special plastic cover for the engine well and Karon taped over all the cockpit glass.  The wings have been totally rebuilt (shortened about 3-4 inches and the top squared up to be parallel with the deck) and a new engine cover constructed and they will also be painted off the boat.  The boat is now sitting on two cradles (built by Tim) holding stacks of styrofoam and the transom is held up by chains and an engine crane.
 
By next week some time, we will be looking at a boat that closely resembles the photoshopped version everyone has seen.  The major difference is that the red will be quite a bit darker than the photoshop version (we really didn't want to be JARB -  "Just another red boat"!) and there will probably be more gold trim than it shows.
 
We will also be picking up the refurbished 509 "Alamo" engine from Ed Trihey this weekend and Vince will install it after the paint is done.  By the way, we're supporting our CAP sponsor Bullet Cams by adding a new Bullet camshaft while the engine was being repaired. 
 
We hope to be ready by spring training, and so far, it looks like that's realistic.
 

 

 

 

The second sequence shows the progression from primer to red. I also show the pile of hatch covers that will need to be painted red. This was happening tonight 3-27.  Tomorrow the black and clearcoat will be applied. Then we'll have gold stripes, sponsor decals, and numbers to add to complete the package.

Jim Wilmot
UL 929

Return of a top competitor

 
Bob Larimore of Springfield OH was the first Unlimited Lights Racing Series Champion.  His Pegasus Racing Team won the title in 1995 and again in 1996.  His second Pegasus hull, built in the late 90's by Steve Balcer of Michigan, became a top Unlimited Lights competitor until it was taken out of competition by a sale to a businessman in Mexico. 
 
The UL-23 was last campaigned in ULHRA competition by JW Myers Extreme Racing Team  in 2002.  People remember the historic three boat battle for the Graham Trucking Cup at Seafair in Seattle in 2002 where Jerry Hopp edged Phil Bononcini and Dave Bender for the win.  Many forget that at the white flag, signifying one lap to go, Myers in the UL-23 was in contention and wound up with a strong fourth place finish. One week later JW took a UL career best second place at Olympia WA and then at San Diego Myers was the #3 qualifier at 113.114 mph.  That speed would've been the number 2 qualifier last year at San Diego and a top 4 speed every year since 2002. 
 
In 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 the boat sat idle in a Tula, Mexico warehouse till it was purchased a year ago by Muncey Racing and was the focal point of a series of articles titled "Wil & Joe's Excellent Adventure" recapping the trials and tribulations of Wil Muncey and Joe Souza trailering two boats, including the UL-23, from Laredo TX to Monroe WA. 
 
After a year of preparation the former UL-23 hull will return to competition this season with Wil Muncey at the helm.  The Muncey Racing team will compete as the UL-00 with two race craft; the other being last year's UL-83 entry.  The ex-83 hull is about 4 feet shorter than the former UL-23 and will be campaigned on shorter courses such as Chandler AZ April 25-27 when Trafficade presents the Unlimited Lights at Firebird International Raceway.  The larger hull (we'll call them the little red boat and the big red boat) will race at sites such as Richland & Tri Cities WA and in Seattle.  The big red boat is expected to be the first UL later this season to compete with a gasoline fueled supercharged engine.  To date the supercharged teams in Unlimited Lights competition have all used Methanol. 


 
John Lynch
P.R. Director and "Voice" of ULHRA Racing

 

 

GOODRIDGE Gets Wet with the ULHRA 

 

The band clamp said "Stainless Steel" and that certainly sounds strong enough. The marine high performance environment needs the best equipment one can put in the boat, right? What the clamp didn't say was that the tightening screw wasn't stainless steel. Mild steel is rust’s best friend. 

             

Almost indiscernible to the naked eye, an Unlimited Light hydroplane will leap out of the water over thirty-five times a corner in hot pursuit of victory. That kind of punishment will twist and tear at any lines and fittings below decks that make that pursuit possible. Those lines need to stay connected and the band clamp just can't get the job done. The engine can seize, the fuel line can dump high octane pressurized fuel into the bilge, and the water overboard can fill up the boat. None of these is a performance enhancing scenario, but they aren't unusual either.

 

The good people at Goodridge fittings have in depth experience with high performance fluid transfer systems. Commonly referred to as A N fittings, they sidestep the issues listed above by not using band clamps in the first place. With high performance technology developed from combat situations in the skies during World War II, the A N fitting is still considered the best method to secure lines. The other way that they side step the concerns of a marine environment is the fact they offer their products in aluminum. Pretty simple, huh? Not only does www.GOODRIDGE.net offer excellent fittings, they offer the hose that goes with them

 

Gary Plover, a representative of Goodridge said, "We are pleased to be one of the newest Contingency Award Program (CAP) sponsors on the ULHRA circuit. The high profile of hydroplane racing demonstrates a demanding environment in which Goodridge will be comfortable." 

 

John Lynch, Public Relations Director of the ULHRA, went on to say," Goodridge has contributed to the success of the NHRA and we are excited to work with them.  Every boat has been towed back to the pits on the end of a rope at one time or another and those teams will appreciate the reliability that Goodridge can provide."

 

For more information about Goodridge contact US_Sales@Goodridge.net.   

 

Hopp Racing Repairs, Part 3

 

Jerry Hopp of Hopp Racing, 4 time ULHRA champions, checks in with his third installment of off season repairs and upgrades to the Hopp Racing UL-15 hull built by Jamie Auld that debuted 11 years ago.  This hull with 32 victories in Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing dating back to 1997 has won 5 UL titles (1997-1999, plus 2003 & 2004) and shared in UL titles with the UL-12 hull owned by Bob Schellhase in 2005 and 2006 as Hopp Racing-Schellhase Racing.  In fact the UL-15 hull is one of only 4 boats that has ever won an Unlimited Lights championship, dating back to the first season; 1995. This craft secured its most recent victory at the inaugural Desert Thunder Regatta in Richland WA in May of 2007.  The hull is being repaired and prepared for the ULHRA season opener, Trafficade presents the Unlimited Lights at Firebird International Raceway at Chandler AZ near Phoenix, April 25-27, followed by Desert Thunder II at Richland WA May 17 & 18. 

 

First group of pictures is putting every thing back together. Pictured are Greg, Randy, Bob D, Brent and Bill Niedermeyer with Festool. Bill is using his cool Festool saw to cut the deck piece out.

 

Second group of pictures is mixing the Hysol glue and gluing the deck piece in. Spy Scott Main with the UL-11 pictured taking notes or laughing, can't tell which. Brent puts the heavy foot to the deck piece to "nail" it down. Pictured are Greg, Brent, Randy, Travis and Bob D. Don't really know who "Glove Head" the sponson guard is.

 

 

Jerry Hopp
Hopp Racing

 

 

Water Gear and Treadway provide Official Apparel of the ULHRA

 

In an arrangement unprecedented by the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association, an agreement was reached this week with the parent company, Water Gear, Incorporated to recognize the brand name apparel line, Lake Trash as the Official Apparel of the ULHRA. This line of clothes features casual wear that ranges from swim suits to polo shirts in the latest styles and trends. Furthermore, much of the sportswear lends itself well to the kind of travel attire racing teams will be interested in as they follow their boats across the country on the expanding ULHRA circuit. From April in Arizona, May at Tennessee to Washington in August, the Official ULHRA products can be seen gracing the airports or enhancing the beach.

The Lake Trash concept originated the summer of 1988 while anchored in Geist Reservoir in Indianapolis. A group of people, including the founder and CEO, decided to take their jet-skis out for a spin. After a bit of "hot doggin", they noticed a woman on her boat who decided to give them a piece of her mind. "You boys are trash. Nothing, but Lake Trash," she yelled. Thus became the name: Lake Trash. Over the years and many social events later, this group of friends and boaters has become known as "Lake Trash."

 

Representing a family that has a long tradition of motorsport interest on land and water, is the CEO and founder of Water Gear, Incorporated , Ricky Treadway. Ricks family has been attending the boat races on the Ohio for three generations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana he has recently enlisted the marketing horsepower of marine motorsports to promote Lake Trash Apparel (LTA).

Offshore-type powerboat racing has shared the limelight with LTA over the last several seasons and generated the kind of return that compels an enhanced presence on an expanding circuit such as offered by the ULHRA. Himself being an accomplished Indy Racing League (IRL) driver having driven in the Indianapolis 500 in 2002, Ricky appreciates the higher public profile that motorsports can bring to LTA. "We like to feel that our products not only project a comfortable way to look" said Ricky, "but actually can encourage activities and a lifestyle that feature a healthy, aquatic, and light hearted attitude."

"By attending the www.LakeTrash.com  web site, a visitor will see that the Work hard, play extreme family offers much more than excellent apparel. Family oriented water borne programs and activities are some of the features and benefits of becoming affiliated with the LTA network." "We offer a social club" as Ricky went on, "for people who like to celebrate their passion for the water."

The Treadway family has strong competitive ties to motorsports beyond driving. The Treadway family fielded the team that won the Indianapolis 500 in 1997. Subsequently partnering with Roger Penske, the team went on to maintain a formidable and competitive presence on the circuit.

Diverting their attention to the ULHRA can be accredited to an east coast UL team owner and driver named Mike Sadlon. Mike had the opportunity to get acquainted with Ricky Treadway while participating on the Offshore circuit."I could see where an expanding company like LTA would gain a marketing benefit" Sadlon said,  "by promoting itself to the hundreds of thousands of fans and spectators at ULHRA events." The driver of the UL 89, formerly sponsored by Jones Soda, went on to say, "It will be a progressive promotional step to see the ULHRA and LTA sell products to the fans together at upcoming events."

About the Official Apparel designation, John Lynch the Director of Public Relations of the ULHRA said,  "I am delighted to see national companies such as LTA getting involved with the ULHRA. As our circuit expands so will the marketing benefits that we can provide. It is encouraging to see more mainstream companies promote their products and services through marine motorsports."

 

 

Tacoma Dome Boat Show

March 27-30

Check out the Tacoma Dome Boat Show with the UL 8 - Boattrader.com. The UL 8 will be located in the Exhibition Hall. Come get an autograph from the UL 8 drivers, Kip Brown and Kevin Eacret on Saturday. If you have a question about the boat, now is the time to talk to the entire crew of the UL 8.

For more information, go to www.otshows.com

 

 

Creating the 2008 UL 929

 

This is a computer generated photo of the up coming UL 929

 

 

If you can't remember the dramatic exit Vince Xaudaro tried making at Silverdale, Washington in 2007. Here is a recap of the fall of "The Black Beauty". Vince Xaudaro took a nose dive right into the water after hitting a roller. The two sponsons were ripped from the boat by the force of the impact. On the lighter side, Vince walked away with only a broken tail bone.

 

For 2008 Vince Xaudaro and the UL 929 crew have teamed up with Jim and Karon Wilmot, owners of the UL 21.

 

How it all got started:

 

It started as a GP built by Steve Balcer called "Canada Boy", was sold and became "The Assassin", was sold again to Thunder Valley Racing and was numbered UL-21 and driven by Nick Badoloto where it became the first UL to run a super-charged engine. 

 

Thunder Valley made the choice to keep the UL-40 and sell the 21 and Nick retired.  Carlos Buitron bought it and took it to Mexico where it basically sat in a warehouse for several years. 

 

John Lynch was tapped by Carlos to help resell the numerous hulls he had bought, when he began having health problems.  Wil Muncey and Joe Souza went to the Texas/Mexaco border at Lorado ("Wil and Joe's Excellent Adventure") and picked up the boat (along with the former UL-23 now Muncey's UL-00) and brought it back to Monroe, WA. 

 

Karon and I were crewing for Wil at the time as well as doing the live streaming video for the ULHRA. We wanted a billboard for our new company and Wil wanted to sell the 21 so we made the deal. 

 

Last year Joe Turner and his crew got the boat into competition as the UL-18 (replacing his boat which was destroyed at last year's Desert Thunder event in Richland). In it's initial outing at Silverdale it nade the final and finished 5th out of 14 entrants. 

 

Troubles plagued them at Port Angeles and we DNF.  I wanted to run a full ULHRA schedule this year and Joe and Co. felt they couldn't do that.  Vince had hurt the Nate Brown built 929 very badly at Silverdale and was thinking about how to continue. 

 

Wil and some other folks suggested that we combine forces and we did just that. We had teething problems at the exhibition in Phoenix but we're determined to really get it all right in '08. 

 

We have two very competitive 509s, mine was originally one of the Alamo team's Roush built engines.  I had Ed Trihey freshen and improve it a bit. Vince is working with Gary Pugh of PED and has perhaps and even stronger 509 than mine. One really cool thing is that the headers I bought for my engine from Ed Nelson originally were on the famous Jerry Bangs driven "Champagne Lady" 7 liter! 

 

The boat has a Jones cockpit and many carbon composite sections including the vertical wings.  The engine cover is essentially the same as the one used by the UL-72 "Red Rocket".  We thank Joe Frauenheim and crew for the use of the mould. 

 

Vince has a great history of knowing how to make a boat fly and get the most out of it.  Karon and I couldn't be happier to have Vince and the 929 crew in charge of our hull!  By the way it's the 929 because Vince's Dad's birthday is September 29th, a tribute to him. Karon and I put our UL-21 number on hold indefinitely out of respect for Vince.

 

Jim Wilmot

 

 

Spring Training is on April 15, 2008.

 

 

The Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association, Inc. along with Seafair and the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum announced today (March 10th) they will jointly produce Spring Training, 2008. 

 

The event which has been ULHRA’s pre-season open testing session since 2003 will be held at Stan Sayers Pits on Lake Washington at Genessee Park.  Unlimited Lights, Thunderboats (G) and Lighter than LIGHTS teams from the three ULHRA racing series will be testing along with vintage Unlimiteds from H&RM. 

 

Testing will be conducted on Lake Washington from 11:00am till 2:00pm on Tuesday, April 15th and the public is invited to attend.  This will be the ULHRA teams’ opportunity to test the results of their off season work.  They are preparing for the 2008 season opener, “Trafficade presents the Unlimited Lights at Firebird International Raceway” near Phoenix AZ, April 25th through April 27th.  Unlimited Lights teams will compete for the annual Graham Trucking Cup at Seafair this August.

 

Further details will be announced soon. 

 

 

John Lynch

P.R. Director and “Voice” of ULHRA Racing.  

 

 

Victoria Express Travel News

 

Travel News and Updates

March 2008

 

 

 

Victoria Express  2008 ULHRA Series Sponsor
Unlimited hydro logo
Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Associaiton

 

Clallam County Side Kick Fares

 

If you are a resident of Clallam or Jefferson County and purchase a round trip ticket during the 2008 Victoria Express sailing season to Victoria or Friday Harbor, you will receive 50% off the second round trip ticket.

Please mention "Side Kick Fare" and be prepared to show proof of residency. Not valid with other offers. Good from May 24th, 2008th September 21st, 2008

 

 

 

March Events in Victoria, B.C.

 

March 4th & 5th

Royal Winnipeg Ballet - The Sleeping Beauty

 

March 5th

Avril Lavigne at Save On Foods Memorial Centre

 

March 9th

1st Annual Esquimalt 5K Fun Run & Walk.

 

March 9th

Signature 4 Concert at the Royal Theatre

 

March 11th

Ron James at the Port Theatre

 

March 13th - 16th

Victoria Frenc h Fest

 

March 15th

Davy Jones Attic - Maritime Museum of BC

 

March 16th

The Victoria Symphony Orchestra

 

March 20 & 21st

Henry Rollins at the Port Theater

 

March 22nd & 23rd

Peter Pan on Ice

 

For more inforation on these and many other events in and around Victoria, please visit Tourism Victoria's site by clicking HERE

 

 

 

Contact information:

Victoria Express

PO Box 1928

115 Railroad Ave # 108

Port Angeles, WA 98362

 

Reservations:

(360) 452-8088

info@victoriaexpress.com

www.victoriaexpress.com
::

 

Dear Mary & Scott Buck,

 

Welcome to our innagural edition of  Travel News. We hope to keep you informed and up to date regarding industry events and news, and to provide an opportunity reach out to our partners in the community. I welcome any suggestions you many have, and am happy to talk with you about furthering our partnerships to better promote our beautiful area. You can reach me by email at victoria@victoriaexress.com or by calling me at (360) 457-9617 x 206

 

Best,

Victoria McDonald

Sales & Marketing Director

Victoria Express

 

ID Requirments

 

The new Washinton State Enhanced Drivers License (EDL) will allow U.S. citizens that reside in Washington State to return from Canada or Mexico via land or sea. The EDL program will be implemented January 31st, 2008. You will be able to obtain an Enhanced Drivers License and/or State Identification Card at any of the 11 participating Licensing Service Office locations around the state. Click HERE for more information.

 


Identification Requirement for border crossing - Depending on your citizenship, you will need one of the following:

- Washington State Enhanced Drivers License - for more information about this, click HERE.

- A Passport (some countries also need a Visa)

- Birth Certificate and Valid Photo ID (for U.S. born citizens)

Children: Be prepared to have ID information for kids such as a Passport or a Birth Certificate

Children under the age of 18 traveling without his/her parents must carry the written permission of both parents (includes divorced parents) to cross the border.

 

Currency Exchange for Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce Members

 

 

Victoria Express is proud to offer special wholesale exchange rates to Retail Members of the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce. We will set exchange rates daily, and are accepting Canadian coin and paper money. There is a minimum $150 exchange, and for security purposes, we will have a limited amount of funds available per day. Should we exhaust our daily limit, we will be happy to exchange the following business day. Exchanges can be made through Maria Harmon or Terry Messenger Monday through Friday 9am to 4pm only. You can reach them by calling (360) 452-8088:

 

 

Victoria Express Expands its Marketing with a National Racing Circuit

 

Port Angeles, WA - January, 28 2008 - , Victoria Express is expanding its market reach by coming on board the  ULHRA racing association as a 2008 Series Partner. Jack and Terri Harmon, owners and operators of Port Angeles based Victoria Express presented General Manager Pat Malara with a  giant paper check made payable to the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association at the organizations Annual Awards Banquet in January.