But how many Hydros' will show up down South,
Y'all?
Once again it's Summertime, which invariably
means it's time for the Unlimited Hydroplanes to spin up Thar Turbines 'N G-O
Racing, by kicking off Thar season this weekend in "Sweet Home,
Alabama..."
Yet once again, the sport seems to simply be treading
water, with my very unofficial count of H1 Unlimited Hulls competing this
season being in the Single digits for the first time in years I can remember.
With a paltry nine Hulls currently listed upon the sport's Official H1
Unlimited website.
Although by my very unscientific count, I'm
expecting only six boats to arrive in Guntersville, Alabama for this year's
southern cup Lake Guntersville Hydrofest taking place June 28-30th. Since I'm unsure
of two Hydro's status, Thee U-3 Go Fast
Racing sponsored by Grig's Ace Hardware, the only remaining Piston powered
Unlimited Hydroplane in the Fleet. Propelled by a twin-turbocharged Allison
V-12 powerplant. along with the U-7 Spirit of Detroit; presumably as partial
season competitors? While the newly anointed U-99.9 Miss Rock won't debut 'til
Seafair.
Although it's great news learning that Rob
Graham, owner of the U-12 Graham Trucking has stepped up financially, not only
buying the old Miss Rock Hydroplane after its previous owner unexpectedly died!
But will also campaign two Hydros' this season with the addition of his team's
second entry, the U-98.
As hopefully the battle for this year's
National High Points Championship will be a three boat race between the newly anointed
U-1 Delta/REALTRAC, which I prefer knowing as the Northwest's Les Schwab Boat
with my favourite Driver Andrew Tate at its controls, vs. Jimmy Shane and his
U-6 Miss Home Street Bank and the aforementioned U-12 with perennial winner J.
Michael Kelly at its tiller. Which naturally, this trio were at the top of the
Testing Time Sheets.
Arguably, these three Hulls will run circles
round the U-11 J&B's presents Reliable Diamond Tools, with Tommy Thompson
at the controls, which has worked its way up to being the fourth fastest Boat.
Followed by the U-440 Bucket List Racing and the
U-98 Graham Trucking American dream with the season's only Rookie Pilot
Onboard, which is an unproven commodity at the moment.
As All of this uncertainty over Boat count is
part of the reason that Detroit elected to forego holding the Sport's Holy
Grail, the historic APBA Gold Cup this year, due to concerns over the lack of
Hydroplanes contesting it's storied race.
While Detroit's annual Hydrofest will Host the
lower tier Grand Prix Boats as Thar Headliner Act instead, which I guess Y'all
could consider as the Indy Lights contingent of Hydroplanes, Eh?
Lastly, it seems odd that the State's only
Hometown entity, the former U-27 Dalton Industries Hull driven by Cal Phipps,
which last competed at Seafair last year, running as the U-1861 in
commemoration of Seattle's longtime association with Fan favourite Jerky Boat'
Oh boy Oberto. Is apparently not contesting it's Home race?
Since I cannot find any information pertaining to either Wiggins Racing,
Headquartered in Rainbow City, Al or Cal Phipps current status...
NOTE
Just prior to publishing this story, I
finally discerned via H1 Unlimiteds somewhat annoying for "My Gal"
Lucy', my ARSE-Steamed Screen Reader to Navigate website, Hey! Just put All of
the Freakin' News in the News section wills Yuh! but I digress...
Indeed as predicted, jus six Hulls are
entered for this weekend's Season Opener, with the most glowing omission being
the defending National High Points Champion U-1 of Andrew Tate, due to a scheduling
conflict; WTF? As that's not a good way to start off your Championship Defense!
While Thee only KuhNuck' Boat Driver in the
field, Bert, "Not Ernie!" Henderson and the U-7 Spirit of Detroit
will make their H1 Unlimited Hydroplanes debut outside of Michigan...