Hydroplanes At Shores of Onondaga Lake

For years, the shores of Onondaga Lake were flocked by crowds to watch as rowers from a host of colleges competed in the International Rowing Regatta. However, the IRA soon moved on to another locale. High-powered engines have now replaced the oars therefore as hydroplanes found a home on the lake.

Vintage hydro racer Owner Bill Fisk said that because very seldom do you have wind problems here, therefore it has always been a great race on this lake. He added that guys know they are going to race on the weekend, rather than sit and watch the wind blow and they can come here and tow eight to 10 hours to get here.

For a time it appeared that hydro racing was on the way out. The year 2010 was the last of those events. There is word that the racers are coming back. The American-Canadian Hydroplane Association claims to bring the races back.

Onondaga County Parks Commissioner William Lansley said that on Father’s Day weekend, June 16-17, they are going to have these racers, all the way from the Grand Prix of the large boats. The goal of this race is to draw thousands to Onondaga Lake Park. The races will also have musical concerts, food and a shopping village. To an annual event in Quebec, Canada, the races themselves will be staged by the same group that draws close to 100,000 people.

Michel Poirer of the American-Canadian Hydroplane Association said that the race is like a NASCAR show. He added that he is sure that they will have a great, great, great event. He further said that they want to bring their knowledge, their experience here in Syracuse. Bill Fisk’s vintage boat, the Irishman, will be there. Fisk said he could not wait to come back.

Fisk added that he was right here in Syracuse for his first hydroplane race in the early 80s, when they ran the unlimiteds here. He added that the show was great and all the guys, who are still involved on the unlimited circuit would like to someday come back here to Syracuse.

The return begins on June 16th, 2012.

Charley Bradley to Race Again for First Time in Seven Years

On Saturday, when New Smyrna Beach’s Charley Bradley races a hydroplane for the first time in seven years, the technology will seem unfamiliar. However, he will be surrounded by all his old friends on the shore and in the water

Bradley, 58, said earlier this week while taking a break from working on his two boats that it was like a family reunion when he spent some time away and every time he goes back. He added that all his old friends are still there and they are still competitive.

Bradley will race this weekend on Lake Cannon in Winter Haven, in a Race for the Kids Foundation U.S. Title Series event that will benefit the Citrus Center Boys & Girls Club. He won the American Power Boat Association‘s national high points championships in the 250cc class in 1987 and ’88.

On Saturday, he will reach speeds in excess of 100 mph in his 350cc hydroplane. On Sunday, he will reach speeds of about 85 mph and he will race in his 175cc hydroplane. Bradley said that there is going to be (80) of the fastest people in the world there (in 11 racing categories) and it will be a learning experience for him to get back into it.

The third-generation powerboat racer returns from retirement for the second time. In 1961, Bradley started racing at age 8. In 1978, his father convinced him to quit, when he was exceeding 100 mph in a 700cc hydro. He followed his father’s wishes and when in 1987, Charles Jr. passed away; Bradley got a new boat and returned to the sport.

In 2005, he thought his retirement would be final. Last year, he and his girlfriend, June Perry, both reassessed their feelings.

Bradley said the boats today are immensely safer than they were when Ed Perry was killed in his 1100cc “firebreather”, despite the crashes at the Tavares regatta. This weekend, his expectations are low as he tries to catch up from seven years away from the sport. He is racing used boats this weekend. Bradley said that he got his 175cc boat from Ralph Donald, a 14-time high-point champ, who just recently retired at age 82.

Bradley added that the new technology is so different than it was five, six years ago. He added that it is a continuous learning experience for being 58 years old and getting back in. He further added that the experience is good for him, as he love learning things.

U-17 to be sponsored by Red Dot

The Red Dot Corporation team pronounced that for the complete 2011 Air National Guard H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Racing series, they would return as the title sponsor for the U-17 Our Gang Racing team.

During the construction and first season of the U-17, Red Dot was a title sponsor and it returned as the title sponsor in 2010. Since 2007, Our Gang Racing, led by Nate Brown, has been racing on the H1 Unlimited circuit.

Vice president of Red Dot, Gary Hansen said that prolonged support of key business partners has made all of this achievable. He added that Fastenal, Eaton Aero Quip, Spal USA, Que and OSI Consulting all will come back as associate sponsors of the Miss Red Dot.

Hansen said that they are thrilled to be returning for the entire 2011 season. He wished all the success for this season to Nate, driver Kip Brown and Our Gang Racing. He added that he is once again proud to support such an excellent team.

Red Dot is based in Seattle and has roughly 400 employees in the United States, Europe, Mexico, and China. It has more than 175 aftermarket distributor locations in North America. It builds and designs integrated systems, aftermarket units, premium climate control components, replacement parts for vehicles in demanding work environments all over the world.

Everett Man Still Zealous about Hydroplane Racing

Tom Eckenberg, when he was a kid, hydroplanes racing on Lake Washington in Seattle delighted him. As an owner, fifty years later the Everett man is still zealous about the sport. In the Grand Prix class, his Miss Everett competes one size below the unlimited. For Eckenberg it is a pricey hobby although it is exhilarating.

Eckenberg has a long association with the sport, although he has never raced hydros himself. He was a crewmember on the unlimited circuit, for 10 years in the 1980s and ’90s and in the last 10 years, he has owned two boats, including a Grand Prix hydro.

Owning a hydro costs a whole lot of money, although it is a whole lot of fun too. The annual operating costs are between $80,000 and $100,000 and initial expenditure for Eckenberg was around $250,000 financed, in large part, by the sale of a trucking company he owned.

In Moses Lake, the first race on the Grand Prix West circuit was held recently and the Miss Everett came in second in the final heat. From May to October in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California, eleven other boats compete in 10 races. With “Miss Everett” finishing second in Sunday’s final heat, the first race was this past weekend in Moses Lake. There were concerns with an out of order blower belt and a failed throttle cable. Eckenberg said that they are really looking forward to the next race and they are optimistic about the fact that they have a real good chance to do well.

Hydroplane Race Boat Catches Fire

The roar of hydroplane racing nearly concluded too early after a boat caught fire in the water. The hydroplane was in the Lake Washington for a spring training event Thursday.

At Stan Sayres Park boat launch in Seattle for a pre-racing season event, Unlimited Light Hydroplanes Racing Association (ULHRA) teams had assembled before beginning their six-race season May 7 in Eniat. After carrying out several test laps in the water between Mercer Island and Seattle, Hydroplane pilot Kayleigh Perkins Mallory, racing a red “Foster Care” team Unlimited Light craft, was returning to the dock when an explosion and fire occurred.

Starting to reconstruct the hydroplane from scrape is not an option for the team, as it is too pricey and the harm done to the hydroplane is nearly total. To salvage what can be done, Perkins and her team will get right to work. They will now have to reconstruct the carbon fiber hull, the motor and everything in between.

In this racing class, a new addition to the safety features was the fireboat that acted in response to the scene. The damage and injuries could have been much worse, had this accident happened last year.

Shortly after the fire and explosion, the 22-year-old Perkins said that she was okay. She said that she was very lucky, as the hydroplane exploded and blew off the decks. Fortunately, it did not get to the motor and harm it. She added that she was able to jump out and swim across for safety. She was pulled to the shore by her husband, James Mallory. She said that a fuel tank leakage might have been the root cause of the crisis, even though she added that the accurate cause is yet to be established.

NBRA Accepts E10 Ethanol Blend As Official Fuel For 2011 Series Event Races

It was announced by the National Boat Racing Association and the Renewable Fuels Association that hydroplane and runabout racing boats will compete in 2011 NBRA series event races with E10 fuel, which contains 10 percent ethanol.

To the first 200 attendees at each event fan packs of ethanol information will be given. Including the near refueling areas of all boats and on signs throughout the viewing area, the renewable fuels group’s “Fueled With Pride” logo will be displayed on uniforms, course buoys and flags, T-shirts sold at the races by the racing association and trophies presented at national events.

Cash awards will be given to those who promote their use of E10 through the Ethanol Driver Contingency Program.

Including the National Marine Manufacturers Association, many groups in the recreational marine industry have said studies show ethanol can be damaging to marine engines. With 15 percent ethanol for cars in model years 2001 or newer, these groups are currently fighting the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent approval of fuel.

Even though industry groups say the distinction could be confusing for consumers the EPA did not approve E15 for boat engines.

In the United States, nearly every gallon of gasoline sold is blended with ethanol, most commonly in the E10 formulation. Including marine equipment, automobiles, and small or non road engines, this blend of fuel has been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for use in all engine types. By reaching top notch speeds operating on E10 fuel purchased from the same retail fuel locations as local consumers, these two stroke engine boats will be taking engine performance to the next level.

Schumacher Racing’s Crew Chief Announces New Crew Chief

On Monday, an end was brought to the long awaited expectation on who will be U-37 Schumacher Racing‘s crew chief. Jeff Weiding was pronounced by the Hydroplane team owners Jane and Billy Schumacher as their new crew chief, who will be in charge of a group of maintenance specialists that make up the crew.

Weiding, a Lynnwood, Washington inhabitant has been with the team for five years and he was promoted from within the ranks of Schumacher Racing. He replaced Scott Raney, as the latter had left Schumacher Racing and begun his own team.

For a 24-year-old kid born and raised just outside Seattle, it is a prospect of a lifetime as he got the opportunity to be crew chief of an H1 Unlimited hydroplane team, which is one of the biggest teams in hydro racing and an area icon.

In the H1 Unlimited Series, Weiding is the youngest crew chief ever. He is more than a few decades younger than his peers are and is now habituated of being called “young.” He began racing a sprint car, but because of his young age and no driving license, he was kicked off the track.

He was back legally, a year later and had the nickname of “Crazy J”. For four years, he raced and setup sprint cars.

Billy Schumacher said that Jeff is a bright young man and it is a delight to have him leading his crew. He added that when making decisions, Jeff has the team’s finest interests in his mind. He also said that in this sport, more youthful people like him are required. He said that for his team and the H1 Unlimited Series, youth is the future.

Billy Schumacher and his wife Jane formed Schumacher Racing in 2006. Billy is a two-time Gold Cup trophy winner and three-time National Champion driver. The team has four victories and it is based in the Seattle neighborhood of Magnolia.

Highlights Of 2011 Australasian Hydroplane Championship

The 2011 Australasian Hydroplane Championship final was held at Lake Karapiro. Due Bad weather at Tauranga two weeks ago the championship was shifted to Karapiro.

The North Island Formula One Championship, the North Island Unlimited Unrestricted Championship, heats of the AE Baker Australasian Hydroplane Championship and the King of the Lake race were the other races in that event.

The big meeting had attracted big names to the lake, including world champion Warwick Lupton. He won the 2010 UIM World Grand Prix Hydroplane Championship in Australia last year in Annihilator and it was a successful meeting overall for the Annihilator team, with his cousin, David Alexander, finishing third in Annihilator 2.

Graeme Weller thinks he might have created a first in New Zealand grand prix hydroplane racing. Before defending the EC Griffith Cup at Mangere Bridge, Auckland, from March 5-6, now the Auckland owner driver of G-Force has a month to prepare for all comers including the Australians.

Weller did just enough to clinch the AE Baker Australasian hydroplane title at Lake Karapiro after dominating the Masport Cup with wins in both heats, which meant he also took out the North Island grand prix title which was run in conjunction with it.

Weller said, “We couldn’t ask for anything better. The whole season we’ve been struggling, trying to get a new engine package together and it’s just been one thing after another.”

A couple of weeks ago, G-Force team went to Tauranga for the originally scheduled Masport Cup but after impressing in practice and finally getting the engine to produce the “numbers” they wanted the meeting was cancelled due to bad weather.

He further added, “This weekend we wanted to come away with both pieces of silver and hey, we’ve done it. I’m not sure but I don’t think anyone’s ever had the Griffiths, the AE Baker and the Masport in one hit”.

Hydroplane Racing – Masport Cup – Hydroplane Engines Roar

This weekend, the Strand is alive with the sound of hydroplanes with the start of Grand Prix class boats contest the Masport Cup. Featuring two heats of four laps, the Masport Cup for GP hydroplanes and tunnels is on Sunday.

From four-time winner David Alexander (Annihilator 2) and world GP recordholder Graeme Weller (G-Force), Ken Lupton (Annihilator 3) will defend his title. With the best vantage points along the Strand, the event is free, with a $5 adult entry to anyone wanting to get inside the pits.

On Sunday, Pollock and Sons have put up a trophy for the King of the Harbor involving the quickest craft from all the classes. This weekend, world champion Warwick Lupton wants a piece of the action for himself, although a year ago, it was Ken Lupton doing the damage on Tauranga Harbor.

In Tauranga as New Zealand’s fastest hydroplane pilots compete for the prized Masport Cup, the Waverley pace ace will drive his new Annihilator race boat, which resembles a spaceship.

Winning the world GP hydroplane title on Victoria’s Lake Yarrawonga, Lupton, the son of 1983 Melbourne Cup winning trainer Snow Lupton, took on and beat Australia’s best two months ago. Lupton said that they were moving up as the day went and it was always going to be a war of attrition. He added that it is about the crew and making sure, they keep the gear working, to win a world series over five races, which is not about the driving.

This weekend, with the formula one and jet boats, the modified hydroplanes will race except in the Flamecrusher trophy race on Sunday. On Saturday, the Big Grand Prix Hydroplane boats will be on the water testing three times in readiness for the two Masport Cup races on Sunday.

Ann Fitzgerald Coordinates Every Aspect of October’s Wildwoods Hydrofest

The thundering engines of powerboats on Wildwood Crest’s Sunset Lake may seem the farthest thought from anyone’s mind, but for one woman, Ann Fitzgeral, October’s Wildwoods Hydrofest is the first order of business each January morning.

From contacting potential volunteers and booking vendors to advertising and attending to the special needs of the world’s most celebrated powerboat racers, Ann Fitzgerald coordinates every aspect of this international event. From 1996 until its cancelation in 2000, the New Jersey Hotrod Association managed the event.

To manage the event for them, Fitzgerald asked the city of Wildwood Crest for their approval. With the help of many key volunteers and under her management, The Wildwoods NJ Governor’s Cup Hydrofest has gone from a local event to an international racing phenomenon.

From the borough’s Tourism Development Commission, Sunset Lake Hydrofest received $10,000. Race organizers Ann Fitzgerald said they are happy the commission decided to support the annual event. During a high tide weekend, the races must be held, typically in September or early October, and must be coordinated with the powerboat racing circuit. Hydrofest was sanctioned by the Canadian Boating Federation and the American Power Boat Association.

In addition to the number of tourists, the event draws, along with racers from New England, Canada, Michigan, Ohio and Florida, it brings 60 to 75 participants from the Northeast. At a recent borough meeting, Commissioner Joyce Gould questioned the funds.

Commission members also questioned the amount, at a recent Tourism Development Commission (TDC) meeting. The members also debated whether to give the event the entire requested amount, said Commissioner Don Cabrera.

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