1999 Budweiser Columbia Cup with Wings
Columbia River, Tri-Cities, Washington, August 1, 1999

THE TRI-CITY HERALD: Photos, Video, News, Commentary and the Web Lizards... 
The Tri-City Herald online has it all.

ALSO: Visit the Official Website of the Budweiser Columbia Cup with Wings at www.Columbiacup.com

Photos : 1) Dave Villwock.  2) Miss PICO.  
3) Charley Wiggins.  4) Brothers Mark and Mike Weber.
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Photos : 1) Pocket Mechanic.  2) Miss E-Lam Plus.
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FINAL RESULTS FOR THE RALPHS UNLIMITED HYDROPLANE THUNDER TOUR '99 
PRESENTED BY LAS VEGAS
Budweiser Columbia Cup With Wings in Tri-Cities, WA

Dave Villwock in the Miss Budweiser won all heats he entered including the final of the Budweiser Columbia Cup with Wings. Winning this race puts him in a tie with Dean Chenoweth's career record 25 final heat wins.

Dean Chenoweth lost his life on the Columbia River in 1982 while at the helm of a Miss Budweiser. Villwock, a fan of the late driver, dedicated the win in Dean's memory.

But the day wasn't without incident.

In Heat 3A, Chip Hanauer, driving the Miss Pico, flipped the boat in the second turn. He suffered no broken bones, but is being treated for a sore neck and back. 

One would think that the Pico camp would have packed its bags and headed for the barn. But not this group.  With a very limited time frame the Pico crew, under the guidance of Ken Dryden, repaired the 98-1 hull just good enough to put back it into action. It was good enough for back up driver Mike Weber  to take second in the final.

Weber, who is the primary driver for the Piston-powered Master Tire, had only spent one testing session in the hull prior to today's race. On top of that handicap, he had to contend with the reminder that Hanauer had just been injured in the same hull.

"You just forget what you're sitting in and who you're racing against, and drive like it's any other heat on the Ohio River back home," said Weber. "I tried to get the best start I could. I got a good start, but unfortunately it's not where I would have liked to be. I would have liked to have been on the inside lane from Dave. But they were up so early and I didn't want to get in the middle of that. So we just said 'lets go outside and stay out of trouble.'"

Villwock said he had Weber right where he wanted him, always nipping at his heels.

"I was just waiting up," he said. "Frankly I had control of the race then and I didn't want to get him too far behind. I wanted to keep him back behind for a lap and wait for the water to clean up  and press ahead a little."

Villwock was just ahead of Hanauer when he flipped. 

"I saw it," he said. "Frankly I was just making some room for him. The water was getting rough right in there and I moved over. Then I looked in my mirror and saw he was a couple of boat lengths back. I moved over again and looked back and I saw nothing but the bottom of his boat."

The tour continues next week at The General Motors Cup at Seafair, Seattle, WA.

         UNLIMITED FINAL HEAT:
         Team, Driver, Sponsor, Speed, Points
         U1   Dave Villwock, Miss Budweiser, 144.617, 1600
         U100 Mike Weber, Miss PICO, 140.827, 1100
         U10  Mark Weber, York Intl./Miss NBC-25, 138.956, 1052
         U15  Greg Hopp, Ms. Tri-Cities, 137.221, 994
         U9   Mike Hanson, Miss Go Bowling, 128.985, 821
         U2   Steve David, Freddie's Club, 124.021, 747
         U8   Nate Brown, LLumar Window Films, DNF, 577

UNLIMITED PROVISIONAL:

Brothers Mark and Mitch gave the fans an exciting deck to deck dual for four laps with Mark edging Mitch at the Finish Line, too bad the race was only for three laps! The Evans' brothers jumped the gun giving the race to Nate Brown in the U8. Brown will now run in the provisional slot for the 4:40pm Unlimited final.

UNLIMITED LIGHT FINAL HEAT:

Charley Wiggins gave an appreciative crowd an amazing "come from behind" final heat victory. Terry Troxel led the first two laps with Wiggins in the UL10 and Bo Schide in the UL16 close on his heels. Wiggins hooked in turn two of lap number two and Schide took over second place. On lap three in turn one, Troxell, in lane one,  went wide forcing Schide farther out. Wiggins took advantage and grabed lane one and the lead. Wiggins led going away at the finish line with Schide second.

UNLIMITED LIGHT FINAL HEAT RESULTS:
Team, Driver, Sponsor, Points
UL10  Charley Wiggins, Freddie's Club Light, 103.546, 1000
UL16  Allan "Bo" Schide, ALAMO, 101.352, 700
UL110 Randy Haas, Miss CompAir, 95.904, 794
UL72  Phil Bononcini, Graham Trucking/Pocket Mechanic, 94.113, 969 
UL3   Doug Brow, Miss Vnode.com, 92.979, 127
UL38  Dave Bender, Shield's Auto Glass/Aqua Tropics, 85.605, 620
UL15  Jerry Hopp, Miss Graham Trucking, 81.684, 450
UL23  Terry Troxell, Apex Laser, DSQ, 394

FAST LAP: #2, UL10, Charley Wiggins, 106.988

HEAT3

Heat 3A ended abruptly with a terrifying accident involving Chip Hanauer in the U100 Miss PICO caused the stoppage of Heat 3A. Hanauer was loose heading into the entrance of Turn 2 on Lap 1 of Heat 3A. The right sponson of Hanauer's craft lifted into the air and the boat tumbled through the roostertail of Dave Villwock's U1 Miss Budweiser. Early indications are that Hanauer is ok. He has been taken to a local hospital for observation.

Dave Villwock led the restart of Heat 3A wire to wire. Greg Hopp in the Ms. Tri-Cities placed second. Nate Brown needed a second place finish to be eligible for the front row of the Final Heat, he finished third. If PICO withdraws from the Final Nate Brown can move up.

Mark Weber in the U10 easily won Heat 3B.
 

HEAT 3A RESTART: 3:30pm (unofficial)
Team, Driver, Sponsor, Speed, Points
U1   Dave Villwock, Miss Budweiser, 148.426,  1200 
U15  Greg Hopp, Ms. Tri-Cities, 140.831, 825
U8   Nate Brown, LLumar Window Films, 126.824, 577
U19  Jerry Hale, Tveten's RV/Jack-son's Sports Bar, 124.000, 507
U2   Steve David, Freddie's Club, 118.914, 652
U100 Chip Hanauer, Miss PICO, DSQ*

FAST LAP: #1, U1, Dave Villwock, 151.917

*DSQ for stopping heat. Flip in Turn 2, Lap 1

HEAT 3B: 3:10pm (unofficial)
Team, Driver, Sponsor, Speed, Points
U10  Mark Weber, York Intl./Miss NBC25, 146.179, 827
U16  N. Mark Evans, Miss E-Lam Plus, 141.967, 427
U9   Mike Hanson, Miss Go Bowling, 133.791, 694
U20  Mitch Evans, Appian Jeronimo, 132.491, 394
U3   Mike Weber, Graham Trucking, 119.717, 349
U14  Dr. Ken Muscatel, The Tire Factory, 119.057, 264

FAST LAP: #2, U10, Mark Weber, 148.351mph

HEAT 2:

Miss PICO driver Chip Hanauer takes the win  in Heat 2A with the fastest race lap of the day. PICO easily led through the race, and had a fast first lap speed of 156.557 mph. Grabbing second was Mark Weber in the York International  presents the Miss NBC 25. An exciting competition for fourth and fifth was had by Nate Brown in the LLumar Window Films and the rookie Greg Hopp in Miss Tri -Cities. 

Weber was penalized $500 for squeezing in between the PICO and Miss Tri-Cities boats just prior to the start.

Dr. Ken Muscatel, and his boat the Tire Factory, decided to sit out the heat due to mechanical problems.

In Heat 2B action, Dave Villwock in the Miss Budweiser took first place with a fastest lap speed of 151.730 mph. Taking second was the Freddie's Club boat, piloted by Steve David. 

N. Mark Evans in the Miss E-Lam did not make it to the starting line due to engine difficulties in the second turn. Evans, always the showman, brought the crowd to its feet, but it was by his antics at the end of a tow line.

HEAT 2A: 1:00pm (unofficial)
Team, Driver, Sponsor, Speed, Points
U100 Chip Hanauer, Miss PICO, 151.244 , 800
U10  Mark Weber, York Intl./Miss NBC25, 143.133, 427 
U15  Greg Hopp, Ms. Tri-Cities, 138.608, 525
U9   Mike Hanson, Miss Go Bowling, 134.427, 469
U8   Nate Brown, LLumar Window Films, 134.087, 352
U14  Dr. Ken Muscatel, The Tire Factory, DNS, 169

FAST LAP: #1, U100, Chip Hanauer, 156.557mph

HEAT 2B: 1:30pm (unofficial)
Team, Driver, Sponsor, Speed, Points
U1   Dave Villwock, Miss Budweiser, 147.195, 800
U2   Steve David, Freddie's Club, 139.622, 525
U20  Mitch Evans, Appian Jeronimo, 134.297,  225
U19  Jerry Hale, Tveten's RV/Jack-son's Sports Bar, 130.035, 338 
U3   Mike Weber, Graham Trucking, 128.498, 222
U16  N. Mark Evans, Miss E-Lam Plus, DNS, 127

FAST LAP: #1, U1, Dave Villwock, 151.730mph
 

HEAT 1:

Chip Hanauer, driving  the Pico's American Dream, won Heat 1A with an average speed of 137.462 mph.  Mike Hanson, driving the Miss Go Bowling, finished a close second with an average of 136.165 mph, while Steve David finished in third place.  Mark Weber had the fasted average speed but finished fifth due to an encroachment penalty taking place in the first turn. Weber's roostertail  apparently stopped Mitch Evans' campaign  in The Appian Jeronimo in the first turn of the race. The fastest lap was set by Hanauer on lap two with an average speed of 153.048 mph.

Dave Villwock in the Miss Budweiser took an easy first place win in Heat 1B with an average speed of  148.383 mph. Coming in second was Nate Brown in the LLumar Window Films boat. Mark Evans, in his first heat as pilot of the Miss E-Lam, jumped the start and was penalized an extra lap. He came in fifth place. Fastest lap speed of 156.351 mph was set by Miss Budweiser in the first lap.

HEAT1A: 11:30am (unofficial)
Team, Driver, Sponsor, Speed, Points
U100 Chip Hanauer, Miss PICO, 137.462,  400
U9   Mike Hanson, Miss Go Bowling, 136.165, 300
U2   Steve David, Freddie's Club, 124.542, 225
U14  Dr. Ken Muscatel, The Tire Factory, 121.036, 169
U10  Mark Weber, York Intl./Miss NBC25, NA*, 127
U20  Mitch Evans, Appian Jeronimo, DNS, 0

FAST LAP: #2, U100, Chip Hanauer, 153.048mph

*One lap penalty

HEAT 1B: 12:00pm (unofficial)
Team, Driver, Sponsor, Speed, Points
U1   Dave Villwock, Miss Budweiser, 148.383, 400
U15  Greg Hopp, Ms. Tri-Cities, 138.575, 300
U8   Nate Brown, LLumar Window Films, 128.953, 225
U19  Jerry Hale, Tveten's RV/Jack-son's Sports Bar, 124.143, 169
U16  N. Mark Evans, Miss E-Lam Plus, NA*, 127
U3   Mike Weber, Graham Trucking, 101.607,  101.607, 95

FAST LAP: #1, U1, Dave Villwock, 156.351mph

*One lap penalty

HEAT 1 DRAW:
1A: U100, U14, U9, U2, U20, U10
1B: U8, U16, U15, U1, U3, U19*

* Jerry Hale is in the show. After several unsuccessful attempts to get the U19 up on a plane, Hale was forced to return to the pits. At 10:15am Hale returned to the Columbia River course and qualified the U19 at 142.597 mph. The U19 will run in  Heat 1B at 12:00pm.

UNLIMITED LIGHT NOTES:
The UL-17 has a broken crankshaft, which moves UL-24 into the final.  If another boat were to encounter a problem, UL-3 is ready to run.

Current UL Final Heat Lineup:
Team, Driver, Sponsor
UL10  Charley Wiggins, Freddie's Club Light
UL15  Jerry Hopp, Miss Graham Trucking
UL16  Allan "Bo" Schide, ALAMO
UL23  Terry Troxell, APEX Laser
UL24  David Bibby, Emerald Queen Casino
UL38  Dave Bender, Aqua Tropics Pet Shops
UL72  Phil Bononcini, Pocket Mechanic
UL110 Randy Haas, Miss LeROI

SUNDAY SCHEDULE:
7 a.m. Admission Gates Open 
8 a.m. Water Follies Church Service 
8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Unlimited Testing 
9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. Cracker Box Racers 
10:30 a.m. Hydro Drivers Parade 
11:00 a.m. Opening Ceremonies 
11:30 a.m. Unlimited Heat 1A 
Noon Unlimited Heat 1B 
1:00 p.m. Unlimited Heat 2A 
1:30 p.m. Unlimited Heat 2B 
2:30 p.m. Unlimited Heat 3A 
3:00 p.m. Unlimited Heat 3B 
3:15 p.m. Unlimited Lights Final Heat 
3:40 p.m. Unlimited Provisional Heat 
4:10 p.m. Budweiser Columbia Cup Championship 
5 p.m. Trophy Award Presentation 

Saturday's Report:

Miss Budweiser driver Dave Villwock promised Friday that his boat would be faster on Saturday. It was.

In the era of fuel and N2 restrictions, breaking existing course records has become a rare occurrence. Villwock amazed many of his fans this morning when he shattered the Columbia Cup course record by 1.416 mph at the helm of the T-5.

"We wanted the course record and we knew the record was attainable," said Villwock. "I was really going to have to drive the boat hard, the horsepower is down from when guys used to run those speeds. You literally can't touch the water the whole way around."

Villwock's speed of 170.471 mph is 3.721 mph faster than that of current second place qualifier Chip Hanauer in the Miss Pico. He upped his qualifying time to 166.750 late Saturday afternoon.

Driver          U#   Boat                          Speed
Dave Villwock   U1   Miss Budweiser(T5)            170.471
Chip Hanauer    U100 Miss Pico(98-1)               166.750
Mark Weber      U10  York Intl.-Miss 25 NBC        162.631
N. Mark Evans   U16  Miss E-Lam                    158.136
Nate Brown      U8   LLumar Window Film            155.130
Mitch Evans     U20  Appian Jeronimo               153.225
Mike Hanson     U9   Miss Go Bowling               152.843
Steve David     U2   Freddie's Club                151.950
Greg Hopp       U15  Robert Young Apts.and Suites  150.135
Ken Muscatel    U14  The Tire Factory              134.497
Mike Weber      U3   Graham Trucking               132.326

Yet to qualify is the U19 Tveten's RV/Jack-sons Sports Bar driven by Jerry Hale. Jerry Hale will have one last chance to qualify on Sunday morning. The team is not eligible for a provisional starting position.

In Unlimited Light action, Phil Bononcini and Randy Haas scored surpising heat victories over series point leaders Bo Schide and Charley Wiggins.

Heat 1A saw UL72 Graham Trucking presents Pocket Mechanic driver Phil Bononcini trail UL16 Alamo driver Bo Schide in the U16 for nearly three laps. Schide lost power on the final turn and Bononcini went on to win by a comfortable margin over second place finisher Rick Bridgeman, driving the UL17 Miss Ted's Red Apple Markets.

Charley Wiggins, driver of the UL10 Freddie's Club Light, led most of Heat 1B while Randy Haas, in the UL110 Miss Comp-Air, worked his way up through the pack. At the apex of the final turn Haas, on the outside, pulled even with Wiggins. Then it was a drag race to the checkered flag with Haas as the victor with an average speed of 98.613 mph.

It was a "must win" situation for Bo Schide in Heat 2A and he met the challenge. Schide's DNF in Heat 1A left him dangerously behind in points. A less than perfect finish could have possibly eliminated him from the Unlimited Light Final.

Phil Bononcini scored his second Heat win of the day in impressive fashion. Bononcini led Heat 2B wire to wire. Winning by a comfortable margin.

Unlimited Lights Heat 1 Results:

Heat 1A
Driver   UL#   Boat   Speed  Pts.
Phil Bononcini  UL 72, Graham Trucking/Pocket Mechanic  126.765  400
Rick Bridgeman  UL 17, Miss Ted's Red Apple 120.116  300
Jerry Hopp      UL 15, Miss Graham Trucking 102.848  225
Bo Schide       UL 16, Alamo, dnf, 0
Doug Brow       UL 3, Miss VNODE.com, dns, 0
FAST LAP:#1, UL72, Phil Bononcini, Pocket Mechanic, 128.732 mph* 
*speed unofficial

Heat 1B
Randy Haas      UL 110, Miss CompAir, 98.613, 400
Charley Wiggins UL 10, Freddie's Club Light, 97.586, 300
Dave Bender     UL 38, Shield's Autoglass/Miss Aqua Tropics, 93.998, 225 
Terry Troxell   UL 23, Apex Laser, 93.316, 169
Dave Bibby      UL 24, Emerald Queen Casino, 84.154, 127
FAST LAP: #3, UL110, Randy Haas, Miss CompAir, 106.111

Heat 2A
Bo Schide        UL16,ALAMO,108.868,400
Charley Wiggins  UL10,Freddie's Club Light,106.060,600
Terry Troxel     UL23,Apex Laser, 99.678, 394
Randy Haas       UL110, Miss CompAir, 99.267, 569
FAST LAP: #1, UL16, Bo Schide, ALAMO, 112.706 mph

Heat 2B
Phil Bononcini  UL 72, Graham Trucking/Pocket Mechanic, 100.731, 800 
Dave Bender     UL 38, Shields-Autoglass/Miss Aqua Tropics, 95.187, 525
Jerry Hopp      UL 15, Miss Graham Trucking, 91.596, 450
David Bibby     UL 24, Emerald Queen Casino, 85.001, 296
Rick Bridgeman  UL 17, Miss Ted's Red Apple Market, DNF, 300

FAST LAP: #1, UL72, Phil Bononcini, Pocket Mechanic, 102.068 mph

Heat 1A for the Unlimiteds is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Sunday. 
 

SATURDAY SCHEDULE:
7 a.m. Admission Gates Open 
7 - 8 a.m. Unlimited Lights Testing 
7:45 - 9:45 a.m. Unlimited Testing
9 - 5 p.m. Pit Tours & Bergstrom Aircraft Tours 
9:45 - 10:45 a.m. Unlimited Qualifying Session B 
10 a.m. Air Show pilot briefing - Bergstrom's 
10 a.m. R/C Unlimiteds Racing (at Family Fishing Pond) 
10:45 a.m. Unlimited Lights Heat 1A 
11:15 a.m. Unlimited Lights Heat 1B 
11:45 - 12:15 p.m. Ski in the Sky - Pasco / Cracker Box Racers - Columbia Park 
12:15 - 2:15 p.m. Air Show sponsored by Robert Young Apartments and Suites 
1:15 - 4:15 p.m. Hydrojamm '99 
1 p.m. Drivers & Pilots Autograph Session 
2:15 - 4:15 p.m. Unlimited Qualifying Session C 
4:15 p.m. Unlimited Lights Heat 2A 
4:45 p.m. Unlimited Lights Heat 2B 
4:45 - 5:15 p.m. Ski in the Sky - Columbia Park / Cracker Box Racers - Pasco 
5 p.m. Unlimited Drivers Meeting in pit area 
 

FRIDAY:

1) U9 Miss Go Bowling.  2) U16's Mark Evans.  
3) UL10's Charley Wiggins.  
Click image for larger view (use browser to return).

QUALIFYING RESULTS:

Dave Villwock in the Miss Budweiser  leads in qualifying for the Budweiser Columbia Cup with a speed of 166.417 mph. His time is less than three mph (2.638 mph to be exact) of the course record set by Mark Tate in 1995 in the Smokin Joes. 

But Villwock wasn't the only driver to have a fast ride. Nine of the 12 boats here have clocked more than 150 mph.

Mark Weber drove his Miss York International Unlimited Hydroplane to a second fastest time of 162.631 mph. 

"We made some changes. The crew went back after Havasu and made some hull changes and we had some new hardware bolted on, and the boat likes 2.5 mile racecourses. So when you put all of that together, we just had a really good day," said Weber.

Long time driver and crowd favorite N. Mark Evans returns this weekend as skipper of the Miss Elam. Evans replaces Jimmy King as driver. He took fourth place in qualifying with a time of 156.481mph. Evans had not expected to participate in Unlimited driving this season.

"I was twitching around a lot every race weekend knowing the guys were running around," said Evans. "It was making me a little ancie. I thought I'd be all right taking a year off. I've been in it for so long. But it wasn't the case. I'm glad to be back." 

Unlimiteds:
Team, Driver, Sponsor, Speed (MPH)
U1   Dave Villwock, Miss Budweiser (T-5), 166.417
U1   Dave Villwock, Miss Budweiser (T-3), 166.116
U10  Mark Weber, YORK Intl. presents Miss 25 NBC, 162.631
U100 Chip Hanauer, Miss PICO, 159.492
U16  N. Mark Evans, Miss E-Lam Plus, 156.481
U20  Mitch Evans, Appian Jeronimo, 153.225
U9   Mike Hanson, Miss Go Bowling,152.843
U2   Steve David, Freddie's Club, 151.950 
U15  Greg Hopp, Miss Tri-Cities/Robert Young Apt. & Suites, 150.135
U14  Dr. Ken Muscatel, The Tire Factory, 134.497
U3   Mike Weber, Graham Trucking, 132.326
U8   Nate Brown, LLumar Window Films, 130.000* (156.179)

Yet to Qualify:
U19  Jerry Hale, Tveten's RV/Jack-son's Sports Bar

*N2 Violation

Unlimited Lights:
Team, Driver, Sponsor, Speed (mph)
UL3   Doug Brow, Miss VNODE.com
UL10  Charley Wiggins, Freddie's Club Light, 114.901
UL15  Jerry Hopp, Miss Graham Trucking
UL16  Allan "Bo" Schide, ALAMO, 118.430
UL17  Rick Bridgeman, Ted's Red Apple Markets
UL23  Terry Troxell, APEX Laser, 102.983
UL24  David Bibby, Emerald Queen Casino, 90.408
UL38  Dave Bender, Aqua Tropics Pet Shops
UL-72 Phil Bononcini, Pocket Mechanic
UL110 Randy Haas, Miss LeROI, 104.108

Possible entry:
UL00  Mike Eacrett

Budweiser Columbia Cup Schedule:
Friday 

7 a.m.:         Admission gates open 
8-10 a.m.:      Unlimited Testing 
9 a.m.-5 p.m.:  Pit tours
10-11 a.m.:     Unlimited Lights Testing 
10 a.m.:        Radio-controlled Unlimiteds testing-Family Fishing Pond 
11-11:30 a.m.:  Ski in the Sky-Columbia Park/Cracker Boxes-Pasco 
11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Hydrojamm '99 
11:30-Noon:     Ski in the Sky-Pasco/Cracker Boxes-Columbia Park 
Noon-1:30 p.m.: Air Show performances 
1:30-3:30 p.m.: Unlimited Qualifying Session A 
3:30-5 p.m.:    Unlimited and Unlimited Lights Testing
5-5:30 p.m.:    Ski in the Sky-Columbia Park/CrackerBoxes-Pasco 
5 p.m.:         Unlimited Lights Drivers meeting in pit area 

Tri-Cities poised for Hanauer’s record
The Budweiser Columbia Cup with Wings could be a historic race this year. Hanauer needs only one victory to tie the all-time record of 62 set by the late Bill Muncey.

NEW: Ski-in-the-Sky 
Fans can expect gnarly stunts high above the water when Ski-in-the-Sky takes to the water - or rather to the air. Ski-in-the-Sky is a waterski with a seat on top and foil underneath. It allows the skier to perform flips and rolls with ease. They perform Friday and Saturday on both sides of the Columbia River.

Booster buttons, programs on sale
The Booster Buttons cost $3 and are good for a guided tour of the Neil F. Lampson Pits or the air-show planes at Bergstrom Aircraft. They are available at numerous businesses throughout the Tri-Cities. They come in white, gold and blue. Race programs are sold at most of our ticket outlets. They feature color photography, the latest scoop on boat teams and the low down on all the new events at the races this year. Programs are also sold at Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

Hydro golf sign-up deadline
T-shirts for Hydro Golf have been ordered, but sign-ups are still being taken. The best-ball tournament costs $99, including a steak dinner. The tournament is a good chance to rub shoulders with the hydros™ drivers and owners in a relaxed atmosphere. Call the office at 547-2203.

Hydros come in all sizes at Budweiser Columbia Cup
From RC to Unlimited, hydroplanes come in all sizes

The Tri-Cities’ hydroplane races and air show, which annually draws about 60,000people, is scheduled for the weekend of July 29-Aug. 1 in the Tri-Cities. This year, new entertainment performances means there are all sizes of hydros and plenty of fun for everybody.

First, there’s the Unlimiteds, the turbine-powered big boats that seem to almost sing asthey take the course at nearly 200 miles per hour. A fleet of 13 are expected, with new drivers and teams all hunting for the trophy. The biggest change is legendary driver Chip Hanauer returning from retirement to pilot the U-100 Miss PICO.
Qualifying will be Friday and Saturday on the Columbia River. Race day will be Sunday, August 1.

Then there’s the unlimited lights, smaller versions of the Unlimiteds, which are powered by automotive engines. Their roar shakes the ground when they attack the river. All sights are on two-time world champion Bo Schide in the UL-16 Alamo. The lights are sponsored by Graham Trucking.

Last but not least are the tiny RC hydros, radio-controlled versions that race on the family fishing pond. Technically speaking, if they were full size, they would reach speeds of 480 miles per hour. They actually travel about 60 miles per hour - pretty good considering they are only one-eighth the size of their turbine-powered counterparts. Testing for this year’s Columbia Cup (the radio-controlled version) will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, July 30. Racing will begin 10 a.m.Saturday. The races are free to watch with park admission.

Also new to the hydro races is Hydrojamm ‘99 - Battle of the Bands. The rock ‘n roll contest will be held Friday and Saturday afternoon on a stage near the flag pole in Columbia Park.Winners are decided by crowd response.

Overhead is the annual air show, sponsored by Robert Young Apartments and Suites. The headline act could be called “T-Bone and the Warthog.” T-Bone is the call sign for Major Jeff Lowery of the U.S. Air Force. His plane is the Warthog, technically named the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Air Force pilots have affectionately nicknamed the A-10 the Warthog because of its unique look and capabilities. The A-10 is designed for close range combat and support of ground troops.It is known for high maneuverability at low speeds and altitude. The Warthog will join five other acts in performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Other events include the community luncheon, a good place for autographs and pictures as the teams roll into town; Hydro Golf, the annual tournament with owners and drivers; Pit Tours; and Fan Fair, a cool acre of entertainment concessions for all ages.

Tickets are on sale at: Local Albertson’s stores, Tri-City Sun Marts and Uniquely Nor’west at the Broadmoor Park Outlet Mall. Or call G&B Select-A-Seat at 800-325-SEAT. The Columbia Center ticket booth opens July 16.

Prices range from $12 to $40 for various passes, with three-day general admission going for $20. Ticket packages and hotel packages are available.

Call the Tri-City Water Follies at 509-547-2203 for more information.

(Republished from Hydros™; text and images ©Hydros™; used by permission)

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