1999 Jaspers Engines & Transmissions
Indiana Governor’s Cup
Ohio River, Madison, Indiana, July 4, 1999


SUNDAY:

Many thanks to Kay King and, Charles and Cindy Moore for all the help this weekend.

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Hanauer Celebrates 60th  Career Win, Takes Miss Pico to Victory in Madison
Villwock Uninjured in Flip on First Lap of Final, Retains Points Lead

(Madison, Indiana)---Chip Hanauer moved another step closer to the legendary Bill Muncey’s all-time career victory record taking his 60th career win here in the Jaspers Engines & Transmissions  Indiana Governor’s Cup.

Driving the U-100 Miss Pico, Hanauer grabbed the lead on the original start of the final heat. The heat was stopped when top rival Dave Villwock in Miss Budweiser flipped entering turn one. Villwock was uninjured. 

On the restart, Hanauer again took the lead on the start and pulled away to score his second victory in four 1999 Ralph’s Unlimited Hydro’s Thunder Tour events. 

“We got a good start and never looked back,” said Hanauer, who celebrated his 45th birthday on Thursday.  “I didn’t really see what happened to Dave (Villwock). 

Hanauer’s 60th career win moves him to within two wins of the late Bill Muncey’s record 62 victories.

Finishing second was Mitch Evans in the U-20 Appian Jeronimo, followed by Nate Brown in the U-8 Llumar Window Film.  

After early season disappointments, Evans sees his team improving. “The team is really working hard and we’re finally coming around,” said Evans.

Next stop on the 1999 Ralph’s Unlimited Hydros Thunder Tour will be the Chrysler Jeep American Power Boat Association Gold Cup in Detroit, July 8-11.

Unlimited Hydroplane Championship Final:

July 4, 1999 - Madison, IN -- The Miss Budweiser flipped in the first turn at the start of this afternoon's championship final setting the stage for a dramatic finish in Madison, IN.  With driver Dave Villwock unhurt and the U-1 race boat back in the hydroplane pits, the fans on the beach were left with hopes for an exciting re-start featuring four very evenly matched unlimited hydroplanes and four very hungry drivers. 

Steve David put himself out the hunt early by jumping the gun which would have left three contenders -  but Nate Brown had already hooked and spun out exiting the final turn for the start. 

Brown eventually re-started but was a lap down when he officially made his start and his timing could not have better for the race fans as he was now situated in the middle of the competitors running their second lap. Chip Hanauer in Miss PICO stayed away from the confusion by staying out in front and led the remaining laps of the Jasper Engines & Transmission regatta.  Mitch Evans in the U-20 "Appian Jeronimo held close to the rooster of the PICO and easily took second place.

Place Boat # Boat Name Driver MPH Pts.
1st U-100 Miss Pico Chip Hanauer 133.351 400
2nd  U-20 Appian Jeronimo Mitch Evans 132.297 300
3rd U-8 Llumar Window Film Nate Brown 130.459 225
4th U-2 Jim Harvey Motorsports Steve David 130.524 169
5th U-15 Mariann Travel Inn Greg Hopp Did not finish ---
Fast Lap: Lap 4 /  U-100 / 144.220

 The Championship Final of the Jasper Engines & Transmissions Indiana Governor's Cup is currently re-scheduled to 4:45 pm due to a race stoppage of the 4:10 final event.  Dave Villwock, driver of the Miss Budweiser flipped in the first turn at the start of the race.  Dave is fine and they are currently bringing the Miss Budweiser back to the pits. 

Unlimited Last Chance Heat Results:
 

Place Boat # Boat Name Driver MPH Pts.
1st U-8 Llumar Window Film Nate Brown 133.220 ---
2nd U-6 Miss Madison Todd Yarling 132.175 ---
DNF  U-10 YORK International Mark Weber --- ---
Fast Lap: Lap 1 /  U-15 / 141.265

Unlimited Lights Championship Final: - Un-official Results!
 

Place Boat # Boat Name Driver MPH Pts.
1st UL-16 Alamo Bo Schide 112.255 400
2nd UL-10 Earl's Performance Products Charley Wiggins 100.876 300
3rd  UL-110 Miss CompAir - Coleman Engineering Randy Haas 98.827 225
4th UL-15 Sedam Contracting Jerry Hopp 89.894 169
5th UL-317 The Irishman Steve Kuhr 88.425 ---
6th UL-72 Pocket Mechanic Phil Bononcini 108.059 127
7th UL-32 Steinhardt Heating Mike McCormick 62.442 ---
Fast Lap: Lap 2 /  UL-16 / 113.833

Unlimited Heat 3B Results:
 

Place Boat # Boat Name Driver MPH Pts.
1st U-15 Mariann Travel Inn Greg Hopp 138.790 400
2nd U-2 Jim Harvey Motorsports Steve David 136.313 300
3rd  U-8 Llumar Window Film Nate Brown 130.390 225
4th U-20 Appian Jeronimo Mitch Evans 128.332 169
5th U-3 Master Tire Mike Weber 109.776 127
Fast Lap: Lap 1 /  U-15 / 139.125

Unlimited Heat 3A Results:

Place Boat # Boat Name Driver MPH Pts.
1st U-1 Miss Budweiser Dave Villwock 142.546 400
2nd U-100 Miss Pico Chip Hanauer 135.052 300
3rd  U-9 Jones Racing Mike Hanson 129.032 225
4th U-6 Miss Madison Todd Yarling 123.865 169
*5th U-10 U-10 YORK International Mark Weber 115.456* 127
U-10 received a one lap penalty for hitting a buoy
Fast Lap: Lap 1 /U-1 / 146.130

Heat 2C:

Rookie Greg  Hopp continues his "dream season" on the Unlimited Hydros Tour as he captured another 400 points and the checkered flag in today's Heat 2 racing.  Mitch Evans in the Appian Jeronimo kept just behind Hopp's rooster tail for one lap and then settled back to second place.  Mike Weber, driving Ed Cooper's Master Tire, took third.
 

Place Boat # Boat Name Driver MPH Pts.
1st U-15 Mariann Travel Inn Greg Hopp 140.750 400
2nd U-20 Appian Jeronimo Mitch Evans 134.149 300
3rd  U-3 Master Tire Mike Weber 119.583 225
Fast Lap: Lap 1 /  U-15 / 141.265

Heat 2B:

Chip Hananuer took an easy victory in Heat 2B and Miss Madison now has hope for making the Championship Final in today's Jaspers Engines Indiania Governors Cup in Madison, IN.  The Miss Pico easily took the first place spot and the Miss Madision captured second place points as the U-10 YORK International did not make the start of the event.  According to U-10 team owner Kim Gregory, "We have no clue what happened.  There was no power to starter but all the batteries were up."   The U-10 crew was busy working on the problem as the next heat of racing begins at 2:30 pm.
 

Place Boat # Boat Name Driver MPH Pts.
1st U-100 Miss Pico Chip Hanauer 144.2532 400
2nd U-6 Miss Madison Todd Yarling 128.956 300
DNS U-10 YORK International Mark Weber Did Not Start 225
Fast Lap: Lap 2 /  U-100 / 145.026

Heat 2A:

The Miss Budwesier repeated their earlier performance today, capturing another checkered flag in Heat 2A.  Steve David in the U-2 Unlimited Hydro named "Jim Harvey's Motorsports" gave a good chase but driver Dave Villwock was able to add an additional 400 pts to his national point standings.

Place Boat # Boat Name Driver MPH Pts.
1st U-1 Miss Budweiser Dave Villwock 141.781 400
2nd U-2 Jim Harvey's Motorsports Steve David 136.597 300
3rd  U-9 Jones Racing Mike Hanson 128.934 225
4th U-8 Llumar Window Film Nate Brown 116.730
Fast Lap: Lap 1 /  U-1 / 144.120

 Results - Heat 1C:

The Miss Budweiser and the Jim Harvey's Motorsports Unlimited Hydroplanes hit the mark this morning in Heat 1C with the U-10 YORK International just a second behind.  Miss Budweiser had control of the race course by the end of first turn and continued to pull away from the U-2 driven by Steve David.  Driver Mark Weber was assessed a one lap penalty prior to the start of the race for hitting a buoy during the five minute warm up period.

Place Boat # Boat Name Driver MPH Pts.
1st U-1 Miss Budweiser Dave Villwock 136.658 400
2nd U-2 Jim Harvey Motorsports Steve David 132.831 300
3rd  U-10 YORK International Mark Weber 118.187 225
Fast Lap: Lap 1 /  U-1 / 146.585

Results - Heat 1B:

In the second heat of racing today, Chip Hanauer took the lead by the first turn and easily led the way around the course the remaining two laps.   The battle however was for second place through laps one and two as Greg Hopp in the U-15 "Marian Travel Inn" and Mike Hanson in the U-9 entry "Jones Racing" kept it side-by-side through the first two laps.  Hopp finally was able to pull away taking second place and Hanson third.

Place Boat # Boat Name Driver MPH Pts.
1st U-100 Miss Pico Chip Hanauer 141.677 400
2nd U-15 Mariann Travel Greg Hopp 130.832 300
3rd  U-9 Jones Racing Mike Hanson 127.926 225
Fast Lap - Lap 3 / U-100 / 142.214 mph

Results - Heat 1A:

Nate Brown and Mitch Evans had all the makings of a boat race this morning during the first heat of racing in Madison.  The U-8 Llumar Window Film crossed the start line just barely ahead of the U-20 Appian Jeronimo.  Out of the first corner, Evans had the lead and though Llumar Window Film challenged the entire first lap, Appian Jeronimo pulled away, first by a rooster tail on lap two and then by several boat lengths on the final lap.  The local favorite, Miss Madison, held onto third place and Master Tire driven by Mike Weber finished fourth. 

Notes: The U-20 Appian Jeronimo was assessed a monetary fine for going into the exit turn on lap two too tight and then pushing the U-8 to the outside marker.

Place Boat # Boat Name Driver MPH Pts.
1st U-20 Appian Jeronimo Mitch Evans 138.621 400
2nd U-8 Llumar Window Film Nate Brown 132.083 300
3rd  U-6 Miss Madison Todd Yarling 124.823 225
---- U-3 Master Tire Mike Weber 108.381 169
Fast Lap: Lap 2 /  U-20  / 141.247 mph

Revised Race Schedule:

Unlimited Testing: 9:00 to 10:45 am
Opening Ceremonies: 10:45 - 11:00 am
Unlimited Heat 1A: 11:00 am
Unlimited Heat 1B: 11:20 am
Unlimited Heat 1C: 11:40 am
River Open: 11:50 - 12:50 pm
Heat 2A: 1:00 pm
Heat 2B: 1:20 pm
Heat 2C: 1:40 pm
5 Litre Final: 1:50 pm
Vintage Boats Final Run: 2:10 pm
Heat 3A: 2:30 pm
Heat 3B: 3:00 pm
Unlimited Lights Final: 3:10 pm
Unlimited Last Chance: 3:30 pm
Unlimited Final: 4:10 pm
 

Unlimited Qualifying Results - Day Two:

Madison, IN -- Nine of the 11 Unlimited Hydros in the pits at Madison, IN have qualified for tomorrow racing competition.  Lead qualifier after the two rounds today remains to be Dave Villwock in the Miss Budweiser, followed by Chip Hanauer in the Miss Pico.  The Las Vegas based YORK International moved back into the third spot with a speed of 151.133 mph this afternoon.
 
 

Boat # Boat Name Driver Qualifying Speed Misc Info.
U-1 Miss Budweiser (T-3) Dave Villwock 159.207  
U-100 Miss Pico (98-1) Chip Hanauer 152.729  
U-10 YORK International Mark Weber 151.133+  
U-2 Jim Harvey Motorsports Steve David 148.881  
U-9 Jones Racing Mike Hanson 145.189+  
U-15 Hopp Racing Greg Hopp 144.224  
U-20 Appian Jeronimo Mitch Evans 141.748  
U-8 Llumar Window Film Nate Brown 139.297 New Qualifier
U-3 Master Tire Mike Weber 125.264  
U-6 Miss Madison
Has the "commissioner's option" available.
Todd Yarling tested only Will attempt to qualify during Sunday morning's qualifying 
U-14 Miss Northwest Unlimited
U-14 does not have a "commissioner's option available as this is a new hull and never been qualififed.
Ken Muscatel passed Will attempt to qualify during Sunday morning qualifying

SATURDAY:

Unlimited Light Heat 2B:

Madison, IN -- The Alamo Unlimited Light tried to run away with today's heat of racing but the Earl's Performance Product hydro driven by Charley Wiggins stayed just off his transom on the first lap and within the rooster tail the last two laps of Heat 2B.  Randy Haas took third in the Miss CompAir - Coleman Engineering race boat and Jerry Hopp was fourth in the UL 15 Sedam Contracting.

Place Boat # Boat Name Driver MPH Pts.
1st UL-16 Alamo Bo Schide 115.345 400
2nd UL-10 Earl's Performance Products Charley Wiggins 111.445 300
3rd  UL-110 Miss CompAir - Coleman Engineering Randy Haas 103.315 225
---- UL-15 Sedam Contracting Jerry Hopp 93.633 169
Fast Lap - Lap 1: UL-16 Alamo - 118.391 mph

Unlimited Lights Heat 2A:

Madison, IN -- Phil Bononcini led the way around the race course in the second round of heat racing in the Unlimited Lights class in Heat 2A.  Cal Phipps, driving the Bad Frog Beer UL-23 hit the start line first but it was the UL-72 Pocket Mechanic by the first turn and there was never contention for the win.  Bad Frog Beer finished second and Steve Kuhr in his beautiful "Irishman" suffered engine trouble as did Mike McCormick in the UL-32 "Steinhardt Heating & Air" entry.
 

Place Boat # Boat Name Driver MPH Points
1st UL-72 Pocket Mechanic Phil Bononcini 400
2nd UL-23 Bad Frog Beer Cal Phipps 300
--- UL-32 Steinhardt Heating & Air Mike McCormick DNF 0
---- UL-317 The Irishman Steve Kuhr DNF 0
Fast Lap - 

Unlimited Lights Heat 1B:

Bo Schide in Ned Allen's UL-16 "Alamo" crossed the start line first and never looked back during Heat 1B this afternoon.  In the hunt behind Schide was Cal Phipps in the UL-23 "Bad Frog Beer" entry owned by Bob Larimore after passing the Miss CompAir - Coleman Engineering entry driven by Randy Haas.   Haas kept Phipps close during lap one and then brought him wide on the final turn.   The strategy didn't pay off however as the UL-110 coasted to a stop near the end of lap two. The DNF on the Haas entry gave Steve Kuhr in his UL-317 "Irishman" third place points. 
 

Place Boat # Boat Name Driver MPH Points
1st UL-16 Alamo Bo Schide 100.752 400
2nd UL-23 Bad Frog Beer Cal Phipps 96.797 300
3rd UL-317 The Irishman Steve Kuhr 76.015 225
--- UL-110 Miss CompAir - Coleman Engineering Randy Haas TNT -----
Fast Lap: Lap 1 - UL-16 - 105.590 mph

Unlimited Lights Heat 1A:

Drivers from Seattle, WA and Gadsden, AL led the way for three laps of Unlimited Light racing today in Madison.  UL-72 driver Phil Bononcini utilized lane one to his advantage and maintained the leads through the turns with Charley Wiggins in the UL-10 Earl's Performance Products dicing with Pocket Mechanic on the straight-aways. On the third and final lap Wiggins managed to find the advantage and led throughout the final lap taking the checkered flag. Jerry Hopp brought UL-15 boat "Sedam Contracting" in for third place points and Mike McCormick finished fourth with his "Steinhard Heating & Air Conditioning" hydro.

Place Boat # Boat Name Driver MPH Points
1st UL-10 Earl's Performance Products Charley Wiggins 100.418 400
2nd UL-72 Pocket Mechanic Phil Bononcini 98.585 300
3rd UL-15 Sedam Contracting Jerry Hopp 81.289 225
4th UL-32 Steinhardt Heating & Air Conditioning Mike McCormick 42.255 169
Fast Lap - Lap 3 - UL-10 - 104.514 mph

 12:30 pm: Qualifying continues in Madison, IN at the 1999 Jasper Engines & Transmissions Indiana Governor's Cup.  Up on the schedule today is heat racing featuring the 5 Litre limited inboard hydroplanes and the popular Unlimited Lights. 
 

Unlimited Light Heat Draw:

1A: UL-72, UL-15, GNH-32, UL-10
1B: UL-110, UL-16, UL-23, GNH-317

2A: UL-72, GNH-32, UL-23, GNH-317
2B: UL-15, UL-16, UL-110, UL-10

 


FRIDAY:

Unlimited Hydroplane Qualifying Results Day One:

As the sun set on Madison, IN, three Unlimited Hydros have yet to qualify for the 1999 Jasper Engines & Transmissions Indiana Governor's Cup.  Dave Villwock in Miss Budweiser again posted the fastest qualifying time at 159.207 mph and Chip Hanauer in Miss PICO was in second at 152.729 mph. 

The story in the pits however was Mark Weber in the  U-10 YORK International who posted the third fastest time at 150.969 but received a N-2 violation for having the exceeded 110% RPM limit. 

"They were 2/10ths over the acceptable level" explained UHRA race officials, "they were just barely over."

The local community owned Unlimited Hydro, Miss Madison, did not make it onto the water today but will be ready for testing at 9:00 am tomorrow when the race course opens. 

The vintage Miss Madison (actually the former Savair's Mist) was also on the water  today with Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum Director  Dave Williams behind the wheel. The vintage Miss Madison replica and three other vintage Unlimiteds are in Madison for the making of a major motion picture set in part during the 1971 Gold Cup. 

 
Boat # Boat Name Driver Qualifying Speed Misc Info.
U-1 Miss Budweiser (T-3) Dave Villwock 159.207  
U-100 Miss Pico (98-1) Chip Hanauer 152.729  
U-2 Jim Harvey Motorsports Steve David 148.881  
U-9 Jones Racing Mike Hanson 144.224  
U-15 Hopp Racing Greg Hopp 142.052  
U-20 Appian Jeronimo Mitch Evans 141.748  
U-10 YORK International Mark Weber 130.000* N2 Violation
U-3 Master Tire Mike Weber 125.264  
U-6 Miss Madison Todd Yarling passed working on engine
U-8 Llumar Window Film Nate Brown passed just pulled into the pits
U-14 Miss Northwest Unlimited Ken Muscatel passed working on engine

Unlimited Lights Expected to Compete

Boat # Boat Name Driver
UL-10 Earl's Performance Charley Wiggins
UL-15 Sedam Contracting Jerry Hopp
UL-16 Alamo Bo Schide
UL-23 Bad Frog Beer Cal Phipps
GNH-32 Seinhard Heating & Air Conditioning Mike McCormick
UL-72 Pocket Mechanic Phil Bononcini
UL-110 Miss CompAir - Coleman Engineering Randy Haas
GNH 317 The Irishman Steve Kuhr

MISS MADISON COMING HOME; MISS BUDWEISER HAS MOMENTUM
Hydros Ready To Battle For Indiana Governor’s Cup in Madison, Indiana

The annual battle for the Indiana Governor’s Cup will resume this weekend in Madison, Ind., at the Jasper Engines and Transmission Indiana Governor’s Cup, the fourth event on the 1999 Ralph’s Unlimited Thunder Tour.  The hometown favorite Miss Madison team has a lot of favors to return while also helping driver Todd Yarling, who also calls Madison his home, rebound from an accident two weeks ago in Barrie, Ontario.

“It’s payback time now,” says Miss Madison team manager Charlie Grooms.  “The entire year we ask our friends in the Madison community for help and always promise tickets to the race as payback.  So, we are going to have a lot of people at the race.  It does add some pressure, especially with us trying to get Todd back in his racing mode, but it’s going to be fun.  This race is a holiday tradition.”

Two-time defending Madison winner Miss Budweiser driver Dave Villwock, who won the Budweiser Thunder on the Ohio last weekend in Evansville, Ind., and the Budweiser Thunderfest in Barrie two weeks ago, has the momentum heading into the Evansville event. With those two victories, Villwock moved into sole possession of fourth place in the all-time Hydros win category with 23.  He trails legendary Bill Muncey (62), Chip Hanauer (60) and Dean Chenoweth (25).

Rookie-of-the-year favorite Greg Hopp is also entered in the Madison event.  He has surprised many insiders with a pair of third-place and one fourth-place performances this season.  Hopp is the son of veteran Hydro driver Jerry Hopp, who first competed in 1969 and placed third in the 1987 Gold Cup.

“We are just thrilled with Gregg,” said Hopp Racing team manager Doug McIntosh .  “Yes, he has surprised a lot of people, but we knew that he could do it.  We’re working as hard as we can to give him the equipment he needs to continue doing well.  We’re real proud of him and are looking forward to more of what he has shown us already.”

York International driver Mark Weber finished a season-high second in Evansville last weekend after an incident that saw his boat upside-down a week earlier in Barrie.  Miss Pico driver Chip Hanauer, who is returning to Hydros racing after a two-and-a-half year hiatus, won the season-opening race in Lake Havasu, Ariz.  Hanauer has six Madison wins to his credit (1984, ‘86, ‘90, ‘92, ‘93, and ‘94).

With 4,645 points, Villwock currently leads the points race over Hanauer (3,698), Hopp (3,191), Mark Weber (2,703) and Mike Weber (1,544).

Testing and qualifying will begin on Friday, July 2 and continue through raceday on July 4.

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


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