Articles about hydroplane racing
1973 Pay ‘N Pak (Photo: Patrick Gleason) The restored 1973 Pay ‘N Pak during the annual Mahogany & Merlot event in Chelan, Washington. By: Aaron Lynch – Reprinted from News has broken recently that Ken Muscatel has purchased the former…
The Saga of Dave Heerensperger By: Fred Farley – Unlimited Hydroplane Historian Unlimited hydroplane racing, at its best, represents the ultimate in “no holds barred” experimental boat racing. The door is always open to new ideas. Anything goes. Dave Heerensperger,…
The Saga of Dave Villwock (Photo: Patrick Gleason) Dave Villlwock aboard the U-16 Miss Elam Plus during the Columbia Cup in 2006. By: Fred Farley – Unlimited Hydroplane Historian Defending world driving champion Dave Villwock returns to the cockpit of…
Hydroplane Racing in Tri-Cities By: Fred Farley – Unlimited Hydroplane Historian For 47 years, the Tri-Cities of Eastern Washington have played host to “Water Racing’s Greatest Show,” the Unlimited hydroplanes–the Thunderboats of the racing world. Since 1966, the mighty Unlimiteds…
Hydro History at Folsom Lake By: Fred Farley – Unlimited Hydroplane Historian Unlimited hydroplane racing returned to Folsom Lake this May 31 – June 2 2013 as part of “Big Wake Weekend” at Granite Bay in Sacramento, California. The world’s…
Jones Launches Seattle Tradition By David Eskenazi and Steve Rudman Engineer Ted Jones harbored a lot of creative (even radical) ideas about boat design, which spawned one of Seattle’s most storied traditions — unlimited hydroplane racing. Every summer thousands of…
Marion Cooper Inducted Into Kentucky Hall of Fame By: Fred Farley – Unlimited Hydroplane Historian The late Marion Cooper of Louisville, Kentucky, was inducted into the Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame, on October 24, 2015, in ceremonies at Owensboro, Kentucky…
Bill Muncey Dunking of 1979 By: Don Mock It was the 1979 Jack-in-the-Box Regatta on San Diego’s Mission Bay where an interesting, yet little known event took place. But it wasn’t until 35 years later that the story became even…
The Saga of Ron Jones By: Fred Farley – Unlimited Hydroplane Historian Unlimited hydroplane racing owes a lot to Ron Jones, the Seattle area boat builder, who has revolutionized the sport so dramatically over the years. If anyone has any…
A Tribute to the Griffon Bud By: Fred Farley – Unlimited Hydroplane Historian The Rolls-Royce Griffon-powered MISS BUDWEISER of 1980 is one of the sport’s legendary champions. Nicknamed the “Juggernaut,” the Griffon BUD won 22 races and defined the state…