1968 UIM World Championship
Lake Washington, Seattle, Washington, August 4, 1968

Muncey Qualifies Miss U. S. High on Ladder
By Bud Livesley

History of Thrills, Spills Gardner, Eagle Electric Miss Speed Record by Tick Muncey Qualifies Miss U. S. High on Ladder 1968 Unlimited Hydroplane Roster A Persistent Game Miss U.S. Fastest Entry in 1B Bardahl, Eagle Electric in Same Heat Hydro Ladder Hydroplane Handicap Regatta Rules Time the Hydroplanes Bill Muncey Wins Hydro Title Muncey Luck Changes for Better Consistency Paid Off Feverish Battle Waged Backstage in the Pits Gardner Pushes Electric to Near-Record 120.267 ‘Mom’s Going to be Upset’ But Wracked-Up Regas Won’t Retire Muncey, Simon Celebrate Miss U.S. Victory Patriotic Parable Steady-Running U.S. Hydro Champ Miss U.S. Wins World Championship Hydro Race It's Diamonds For Miss Bardahl Statistics

Bill Muncey was late getting the Miss U. S. qualified, but when he got around to it it was a speedy, no-fuss performance.

Muncey, with a fast lap of 114.165, was the 11th qualifier for tomorrow's World Championship unlimited hydroplane regatta on Lake Washington. Muncey had a second lap at 113.684.

The 12th and final boat trying to get into the field, Savair's Mist, also was out but after one very slow lap, Walt Kade returned to the pits.

Muncey's qualification placed him fourth on the ladder behind Miss Eagle Electric, Miss Bardahl and the Notre Dame.

Jim McCormick also had Harrah's Club on the course for a requalification. He upped his average from 103.250 to 111.340.

Bob Miller also bettered the Atlas Van Lines previous qualifying average, bumping it from 104.449 to 106.719.

For an "old" man of 53 (July 25th), Warner Gardner gets around — quickly.

He went for a boat ride yesterday and enjoyed every minute of it. He told his boss, Dave Heerensperger, and his crew chief, Jack Cockran: "If the boat feels right, I might go for the record. But don't be disappointed if I don't turn more than when we qualified (116.379 miles an hour).

Heerensperger and Cockran weren't disappointed. The Miss Eagle Electric almost didn't have enough "oomph" to carry Gardner back to the pits after 1¼ laps on Lake Washington after popping a sparkplug, but before that he came within an eyelash of the record.

The target for the day was 120.536 miles an hour; the Eagle screeched three miles at an average of 120.267.

And, as Heerensperger said to his driver, among other things, "that ain't bad."

Gardner went out around noon today for another try at the record, but was frustrated again. A combination of bad water and a south wind made the boat "fly" and Warner didn't push it. He had a first lap of 115.800, then came back to the pits without finishing a second lap.

Gardner said after his fast-lap ride:

"I had no idea I was running that quick. Maybe it's because I was too busy driving. Anyway, it was great fun, but now I'm ready to concentrate on the championship race."

(Reprinted from The Seattle Times, August 3, 1968)

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