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1999 Ralph's/Food4Less Bill
Muncey Cup presented by Budweiser
Mission Bay, San Diego, CA, September 19, 1999
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| Racing | U15 Carnage | Miss E-Lam Plus | |
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| Miss Budweiser | More Carnage | ||
More photos below, including Randy Haas' amazing 360 flip...
SAN DIEGO BAYFAIR'S WORLD SERIES OF POWERBOAT RACING ON MISSION BAY
RALPHS/FOOD4LESS BILL MUNCEY CUP presented by BUDWEISER
Unlimited Final:
San Diego, CA (September 19, 1999): A happy Dave Villwock celebrates his fifth consecutive win and the 19th national championship title for Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane owner Bernie Little.
"The other guys got up early and I got a run on them," said Villwock. "That was the M.O. of this weekend."
It was a race marred by controversy and shortened to three laps due to a terrifying crash involving Greg Hopp in the U15 Miss Pontiac.
Hopp sustained cuts and bruises, but otherwise emerged unscathed from the final heat crash that sent his black and white boat twirling out of control. The boat wasn't so lucky. It will return this week to Seattle for major repairs.
"He was shaken up obviously, there was quite a bit of trauma there," said a UHRA Medical Spokesman. "He didn't lose consciousness, he has some cuts and bruises but I think he will be fine. He was taken to the hospital for some x-rays to make sure his neck is ok."
Taking second place was Chip Hanauer in the U100 Miss PICO. Hanauer felt the U1 had encroached on his lane several times during the scoring up period before the race. UHRA officials didn't agree and no penalties were assessed.
At the awards ceremony, Hanauer was presented a plaque from San Diego Bayfair commemorating his surpassing of Bill Muncey's career win record. According to Jim Kidrick, president of Bayfair, the black marble plaque was created without anyone knowing if or when Hanauer was going to tie or beat the record. Kidrick said Bayfair decided to give it to Hanauer even though he is one win away from tying the record, because, he said he knows Hanauer will have reached the goal by the next year's San Diego race.
Third place went to Mark Weber, driver of the U10 York International.
Unlimited Light Final:
In Unlimited Lights action, Bo Schide and the ALAMO team took the National High Points Championship as well as the Bayfair Cup. This is the last year for the team, due to a business conflict with owner Ned Allen. This is Schide's third National Championship win in as many years.
"It's hard to believe three years have come to an end, it seems we only started a few weeks ago," said an emotional Schide. "I think we put our best foot forward and showed a little class. It's just a great thrill to be here."
Taking second place in a fierce battle was Charley Wiggins in the Earls Performance Products/ Freddie's Club. Third went to Randy Haas who, earlier in the day, made a spectacular 360-degree loop and landing. He is only the second driver to complete this move. Haas jokingly remarks that he had learned to fly the boats, now he can land them too.
Unlimited final results:
U# Driver Sponsor Points
(speeds not available due to shortened race)
U1 Dave Villwock Miss Budweiser 1600
U100 Chip Hanauer Miss PICO 1325
U10 Mark Weber York International 1094
U20 Mitch Evans Appian Jeronimo 746
U15 Greg Hopp Miss Pontiac 769 (DNF)
U2 Mark Tate Freddie's Club 525
U16 N. Mark Evans Miss E-Lam Plus 825
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HEAT 2A:
U1 DAVE VILLWOCK, MISS BUDWEISER, 150.842, 800
U15 GREG HOPP, MISS PONTIAC, 147.155, 469
U100 CHIP HANAUER, MISS PICO, 133.708, 625
U14 KEN MUSCATEL, N.W. MOTORSPORTS, 126.991, 169
U8 JIMMY KING, LLUMAR WINDOW FILM, 124.185, 254
U2 MARK TATE, FREDDIE'S CLUB, DNF, 225
FAST LAP: #1 DAVE VILLWOCK, 159.665 MPH
HEAT 2B:
U10 MARK WEBER, YORK INTERNATIONAL, 147.606, 700
U16 MARK EVANS, MISS E-LAM PLUS, 146.336, 600
U20 MITCH EVANS, APPIAN JERONIMO, 142.994, 450
U9 MIKE HANSON, SUPPLY DEPOT OF S.D., DNF, 0
FAST LAP: #2 MARK WEBER, 153.364 MPH
HEAT 3A:
U1 DAVE VILLWOCK, MISS BUDWEISER, 144.320, 1200
U2 MARK TATE, FREDDIES CLUB, 143.380, 525
U16 N. MARK EVANS, MISS E-LAM PLUS, 139.775, 825
U14 KEN MUSCATEL, N.W. MOTORSPORTS, 116.200, 338
U20 MITCH EVANS, APPIAN JERONIMO, N/A*, 577
FAST LAP: #1 DAVE VILLWOCK, 152.442 MPH
* ONE LAP PENALTY FOR DISLODGING A buoy
HEAT 3B:
U100 CHIP HANAUER, MISS PICO, 155.119, 1025
U15 GREG HOPP, MISS PONTIAC, 149.701, 769
U8 JIMMY KING, LLUMAR WINDOW FILM, 145.233, 479
U10 MARK WEBER, YORK INTERNATIONAL, 135.636, 869
U9 MIKE HANSON, SUPPLY DEPOT OF S.D., DNS, 0
FAST LAP: #1 CHIP HANAUER, 158.042 MPH
CONSOLATION HEAT:
U2 MARK TATE, FREDDIES CLUB*
U9 MIKE HANSON, SUPPLY DEPOT OF S.D.
U8 JIMMY KING, LLUMAR WINDOW FILM
* WINNER PROGRESSES TO FINAL HEAT AS THE TRAILER BOAT
UNLIMITED FINAL HEAT:
UL HEAT 3A:
UL10 CHARLEY WIGGINS, EARL'S PERFORMANCE, 97.970, 969
UL38 GORDON GRIMM, SHIELDS AUTOGLASS, 77.903, 600
UL110 RANDY HAAS, MISS COMPAIR, DNF, 700
UL72 PHIL BONONCINI, POCKET MECHANIC, DNF, 525
FAST LAP: #1 CHARLEY WIGGINS, 107.934 MPH
UL HEAT 3B:
UL16 BO SCHIDE, ALAMO, 104.102, 1200
UL3 DOUG BROW, MISS VNODE.COM, 99.040, 825
UL23 TERRY TROXELL, SUPERCUTS APEX LASER, DNF, 450
UL38 GORDON GRIMM, SHIELDS SUTO GLASS, DNF 600
FAST LAP: #1 BO SCHIDE, 107.583 MPH
Pre Race Report:
San Diego, CA (September 19, 1999): Chip Hanauer, U100 Miss PICO, will attempt to tie the legendary Bill Muncey's career win record. Miss Budweiser's Dave Villwock will be the first of many drivers who will try their best to make sure that doesn't happen. Due to Villwock's lengthy four race win streak, he is barred from starting in lanes 1, 2, or 3 for all heats including the final.
A bit of controversy erupted in the Unlimited driver's meeting held on Saturday. It was decided by Chief Referee Mike Noonan that in the event that lanes 4, 5 or 6 are held by boats other than Villwock, Villwock will not be allowed move inside to the first available empty lane. He will be forced into the trailer position.
"I was just trying to make sure that there was someplace to go, so that boats don't get scrubbed off on the beach," said Villwock. "If (they) want to get up there and muscle around, fine... I wanted to play nice but they don't want to play nice... so we'll play nasty."
Saturday Results:
San Diego, CA (September 18, 1999): The Bill Muncey Memorial race course on San
Diego's Mission Bay now has the distinction of being the fastest 2.5 mile race
course on the Hydros Unlimited Racing circuit.
Dave Villwock, qualifying the U1 Miss Budweiser (T-5) for the Ralphs/Food4Less Bill Muncey Cup, circled the 2.5 mile Bill Muncey Memorial course at an average speed of 173.384 mph. Villwock's speed broke the former world and course record set by Chip Hanauer in 1995 at 172.166 mph.
"We are trying to get as efficient as possible. I was flying the boat pretty hard. It probably wasn't the optimum setup but the water conditions were good and we went for it," said Villwock.
In addition to qualifying, the Unlimiteds ran heats 1A and 1B today.
Heat 1A, Chip Hanauer took the U100 Miss PICO to an easy victory. Hanauer's closest competitor, N. Mark Evans, finished a roostertail behind.
"The boat ride is okay," said Hanauer. "We had an engine problem that time and we were losing power each lap. We are going to have to do better than that tomorrow."
Dave Villwock won heat1B. Although he started in lane four, Villwock made this win look like a piece of cake. Following up in second was a very aggressive Mark Weber in the U10 York International.
In Unlimited Lights heats 1A and 1B saw Charley Wiggins and Bo Schide win their respective heats. Wiggins led heat 1A wire to wire. Randy Haas had the inside lane but was unable to capitalize on it.
"We really need that 400 points and the win to stay in the points race," said Wiggins. " Randy ran 116 yesterday and we ran 118 so we new we new we had a little speed on him. But I got a jump on him at the start and that made all the difference in the world."
Wiggins' win in Heat 1A put the pressure on Bo Schide in Heat 1B. Schide only leads Wiggins by 166 points and the season points race could be decided here in San Diego.
"There's no tomorrow, this is the last race and every point counts, " said Schide. "He (Wiggins) won his heat and I have got to keep winning mine. It's going to be a tough finish."
In UL Heat 2A Randy Haas defeated a powerful trio comprised of Dave Bender, Phil Bononcini and Charley Wiggins. Haas was in command of the entire heat. Bender and Bononcini ran fast but couldn't contend with Haas. Wiggins was noticeably down on power the entire heat an finished a distant forth.
"We changed props this morning but that wasn't the answer." said Haas. "We went back to the original setup and that seamed to work."
Bo Schide's first place finish in Heat 2B lifted him higher in the season standings. A nice dual between Doug Brow and rookie J.W. Myers kept the race interesting for fans.
"It was unfortunate what happened to Charley in his heat," said Schide. "But we have had our share of bad luck too. This was a pretty easy heat and I didn't have to push the boat."
For J.W. Myers Heat 2B was his first in the cockpit of an Unlimited Light. Only 24, Myers has considerable experience as an outboard racer, wining National titles and setting records.
"It was a lot of fun and it was nice of Bob (Larimore) to let me drive his boat, " said Myers. "It may take awhile before I realize what just happened. I'm just tired."
The unlimited hydroplanes will take to the water for two preliminaries, a last chance, and a final heat Saturday. The unlimited lights will have heat three and the final tomorrow.
UNLIMITED HEAT 1A
U# Driver Sponsor Speed
Points
U100 Chip Hanauer MISS PICO 149.993 400
U16 N. Mark Evans Miss E-Lam Plus
146.848 300
U20 Mitch Evans Appian Jeronimo 140.663
225
U15 Greg Hopp Miss Pontiac 137.653 169
U8 Jimmy King LLumar Window Film
136.235 127
U14 Dr. Ken Muscatel NW Unlimited Motorsports DNS 0
Fastest lap #1, 154.028, Miss Pico, Chip Hanauer
UNLIMITED HEAT 1B
U1 Dave Villwock Miss Budweiser 147.281 400
U10 Mark Weber York International 144.625 300
U2 Mark Tate Freddie's Club 138.505 225
U9 Mike Hanson Supply Depot of San Diego DNF 0
U3 Mike Weber MSD Ignition DNF 0
Fast lap #1, Miss Budweiser, Dave Villwock, 150.676
UL HEAT 1A
UL# Driver Sponsor Speed Points
UL10 Charley Wiggins Earls Performance Products
118.133 400
UL110 Randy Haas Miss CompAir 113.212
300
UL3 Doug Brow Miss V.Node.com
98.382 225
GNH136 R. Scott Schatz Carefree Water Technologies DNS 0
Fast Lap #1 Earls Performance Products, Charley Wiggins, 120.543
UL HEAT 1B
UL16 Bo Schide Alamo 115.341 400
UL72 Phil Bononcini Pocket Mechanic
112.192 300
UL23 Terry Troxell Supercuts Apex Laser 111.635 225
UL38 Dave Bender Shields Auto Glass DNS 0
Fast Lap#1, 117.390, Alamo, Bo Schide
UL HEAT 2A
UL110 Randy Haas Miss CompAir 114.266
700
UL38 Dave Bender Shields Auto Glass
109.119 300
UL72 Phil Bononcini Pocket Mechanic
104.096 525
UL10 Charley Wiggins Earls Performance Products
Freddie's Club 81.358 569
Fast lap #2 UL 110 Miss CompAir Randy Haas, 115.934
UL HEAT 2B
UL16 Bo Schide Alamo
105.029 800
UL3 Doug Brow Miss V.node.com
102.085 525
UL23 J.W. Myers Supercuts Apex Laser
101.669 450
GNH136 R. Scott Schatz Carefree Water Technologies 99.370
169
Fast lap #1 UL 16 Alamo Bo Schide, 106.114
Friday Results:
San Diego, CA (September 17, 1999): Miss Budweiser's Dave Villwock
leads qualifying with a speed of 170.979 mph. Chip Hanauer set the 2.5
mile Bill Muncey Memorial Course record in 1995 at 172.166 mph. Weather and
water conditions permitting, Villwock will attempt to break the course record
tomorrow. In spite of stringent fuel and engine (N2) restrictions, Villwock and
the Miss Budweiser crew have proven they have the equipment to break
records.
Greg Hopp is currently second on the qualifying ladder with a speed of 157.748 mph. Hopp returns to the cockpit of the U15 Miss Pontiac after a two race stint subbing for an injured Chip Hanauer in the U100 Miss PICO. Hanauer was hurt in a crash at the Budweiser Columbia Cup on August 1. He has recovered from his injuries and will drive the Miss PICO in this weekend's Ralphs/Food4Less Bill Muncey Cup.
Hanauer is in position to tie the late Bill Muncey's career win record on Sunday, but today's performance was less than record breaking. Hanauer and the U100 Miss PICO sit at the bottom of the qualifying ladder. On Hanauer's last run of the day the turbine engine in his boat exploded, sending parts skipping across the normally calm waters of Mission Bay.
"We lost a hot section," said Hanauer. "Not a very productive day."
Qualifying and testing continues Saturday morning with Unlimited Light racing beginning at 12:45 pm and Unlimited Heats 1A and 1B starting at 3:40 pm.
NOTE:
The Unlimited Radio Network will broadcast LIVE!, via the Hydro
Hotline, Unlimited Heats 1A and 1B on Saturday beginning at 3:30 pm. The
broadcast will utilize the talents of Jim Hendrick, Mark Allen, Rich Warren, and
Steve Montgomery. To listen, dial 1-900-410-2050.
UNLIMITED QUALIFYING RESULTS:
Friday, September 17, 1999:
U# Driver, Team, Speed (mph)
U1 Dave Villwock, Miss Budweiser, 170.979
U15 Greg Hopp, Pontiac-GMC, 157.748
U16 N. Mark Evans, Miss E-Lam Plus, 157.718
U10 Mark Weber, York International, 155.645
U2 Mark Tate, Freddies Club, 152.382
U20 Mitch Evans, Appian Jeronimo, 152.001
U9 Mike Hanson, Supply Depot Inc., 150.956
U8 Jimmy King, LLumar Window Film, 149.229
U100 Chip Hanauer, Miss PICO (98-1), 141.864
Not Yet Qualified:
U3 Mike Weber, MSD Ignition
U14 Dr. Ken Muscatel
UNLIMITED LIGHT QUALIFYING RESULTS:
Friday, September 17, 1999:
U# Driver, Team, Speed (mph), Points
UL16 Bo Schide, ALAMO, 119.041, 40
UL10 Charley Wiggins, Earl's Performance, 118.097, 30
UL110 Randy Haas, Miss CompAir, 117.672, 23
UL72 Phil Bononcini, Pocket Mechanic, 111.391, 17
UL3 Doug Brow, Miss VNODE.COM, DNQ, 0
UL23 Terry Troxel, Apex Laser, DNQ, 0
UL38 Dave Bender, Shield's Auto Glass, DNQ, 0
GNH136 R. Scott Schatz, Carefree Water Technologies, 103.800, 0
Hanauer plans return to hydro racing this weekend
by Danny O'Neil
Seattle Times staff reporter
Seattle , WA (September 16, 1999): The stabs of pain became duller by the day.
Chip Hanauer was feeling better than he had in the month since he suffered two herniated disks in his neck when his unlimited hydroplane flipped in the Tri-Cities. (continued)
The History of Mission Bay Park...
In 1960 city leaders decided to turn the marshlands north of Point Loma (which the early Spanish explorers had called "the false bay") into 4,600 acre aquatic playground.
Mission Bay Park is the largest facility of its kind in the world, created by dredging, filling and landscaping, it is a monument to the outdoor lifestyle. Powerboating, swimming, fishing and sailing all occupy separate designated areas. Sports enthusiasts play volleyball, softball and horseshoes on park and picnic areas, and use the 27 miles of bayfront and 17 miles of oceanfront beaches for bicycling, rollerblading, and jogging. Some people come to the park just to relax, but most actively use the facilities.
Mission Bay is also home to the Bill Muncey Memorial Race Course. When Mission Bay Park was created the course became the only one of its kind designed specifically for Unlimited Hydroplane racing. As a result the protected waters became the finest and fastest liquid oval in the world today. The City of San Diego Municipal Code provides for up to 10 days of unmuffled powerboat racing on the bay each year, and four additional days for Unlimiteds alone.
Spread throughout the park are resort hotels, camping areas and Sea World of California, the famous 150 acre marine park which features skillfully trained marine mammals.
Mission Bay offers a variety of recreational vehicle and tent camping facilities including some with beaches. At the other end of the accommodations scale are a variety of upscale resort and family hotels, complete with beaches, golf, tennis, boating, fine dining and tropical landscaping. The 18-hole Mission Bay Golf Course is open to the public.
The fun doesn't stop at the edge of the park. Located on Mission Boulevard, a busy strip with lots of nightlife just west of Mission Bay Park, are the lively beach communities of Pacific Beach and Mission Beach. In addition to dozens of interesting shops, sidewalk cafes and boardwalks, there are uninterrupted miles of sand, perfect for sunbathing, jogging or launching yourself into the surf on a rented boogie board.
One of the most exciting Mission Beach attractions for the young at heart is Belmont Park. This specialty shopping and entertainment center features two vintage landmarks: The Plunge, the largest indoor swimming pool in Southern California, first opened in 1925. And, the Giant Dipper, a fully restored wooden roller coaster which gives thrill-seekers the ride of their lives on over 2,000 feet of track.
(Republished from Hydros™; text and images ©Hydros™; used by permission)
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