1999 Virginia is for Lovers Cup
Willoughby Bay, Norfolk, Virginia, July 18, 1999

SUNDAY:

THE VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS CUP FINAL RESULTS

Dave Villwock in the U-1 Miss Budweiser had a perfect day of racing, winning all of the heats he entered, and the final. 

"We're ready to go (to Tri-Cities, WA)," said Villwock.  "I mean we've got some momentum now. It was a big drought loosing two races in a row. So we're glad to be winners here."

This is Villwock's third win of the season. He is tied with Chip Hanauer for wins, but still leads in the high points contest.

Adding to his perfect day was the inability of his greatest rival, Chip Hanauer, to get his Miss Pico running for the final. Hanauer sat the race out, just about 50 feet from the dock, because of air in the fuel line. Hanauer has been particularly in the spotlight this weekend because of his chance to tie Hydroplane Racing Legend Bill Muncey's career record.

An elated Mark Weber, in the Miss York International, took second place today's final. 

"We knew we had a second place boat," said Weber. "But with salt water you've got to race salt first, then you've got to race everyone else."

 Taking third in the final was Todd Yarling in the Miss Madison. Yarling spent the most time of any other driver on the water, tuning his ride. It paid off with a ton of cumulative points for the day.

"Well it didn't start off too good, but we rolled the dice and made a decision and we won," said Yarling. "All the day the boat just kept getting better and better."

Winner of the Unlimited Lights Final was Bo Schide, in the Miss Alamo. After placing third in Heat 3, Schide was looking for clean water in the Final. 

"I just wanted everyone else to stay away from me. I was going to run my own course. I knew I had to have a good start, then I just kept the hammer down and rode the heck out of it," said Schide.

The next Unlimited Hydroplane race will be in two weeks, at Tri-Cities, WA.

UNLIMITED FINAL:

Finish, Number, Driver, Team, Speed, Points
1. UL-1 Dave Villwock, Miss Budweiser, 131.000, 1600
2. U-10 Mark Weber, Norfolk Marriott/York International, 128.683, 1300
3. U-6 Todd Yarling, Miss Madison, 125.735, 1225
4. U-15 Greg Hopp, R.S. Eastin Hotels, 122.819, 788
5. U-2   Steve David, Harvey Motorsports, DNF, 675
6. U-100 Chip Hanauer, Miss PICO, DNS, 700
7. U-9   Mike Hanson, Carpenter Communications, DNS, 694

Fast Lap: #1, U-1, Dave Villwock, 138.951

UNLIMITED LIGHT FINAL:

Finish, Number, Driver, Team, Speed, Points
1. UL-16 Bo Schide, ALAMO, 99.342
2. UL-72 Phil Bononcini, Pocket Mechanic, 92.935
3. UL-110 Randy Haas, Miss CompAir/Coleman Engineering, 92.052
4. UL-23  Tom Thompson, Bad Frog Beer, 97.651
-. UL-102 Scott McGregor, Propulsion, DNF
-. UL-10  Charley Wiggins, Earl's Performance Products, DNF

UNLIMITED HEATS 3A and 3B:

Miss Budweiser's Dave Villwock won Heat 3A by a wide margin while Chip Hanauer and Greg Hopp fought to the wire for second and third place. But Hanauer came out in front. The U-9 Jones Racing, driven by Mike Hanson, took fourth. U-14, Toyota Industrial Equipment did not start .

A very powerful thunderstorm struck while compiling Heat 3B recap. Will upload later this afternoon. 

HEAT 3A:
Finish, Number, Driver, Team, Speed, Points
1. U-1   Dave Villwock, Miss Budweiser, 135.200, 1200
2. U-100 Chip Hanauer, Miss PICO, 127.954, 700
3. U-15  Greg Hopp, R.S. Eastin Hotels, 127.582, 619
4. U-9   Mike Hanson, Carpenter Communications, 104.276, 694
-. U-14  Dr. Ken Muscatel, Toyota Industrial Equip., DNS, 169

Fast Lap: #1, U-1, Dave Villwock, 141.165

HEAT 3B:
Finish, Number, Driver, Team, Speed (mph), Points
1. U-10 Mark Weber, Norfolk Marriott/York International, 129.702, 1000
2. U-6  Todd Yarling, Miss Madison, 123.091, 1000
3. U-2  Steve David, Harvey Motorsports,112.997, 675
-. U-3  Mike Weber, Master Tire, DNF, 169

Fast Lap: #1, U-10, Mark Weber, 132.716

UNLIMITED LIGHT HEAT 3:

Charley Wiggins lead all three laps and won Unlimited Light Heat 3 in the UL-10 Earl's Performance Products.

Number Driver Team Speed (mph)
4. UL-10   Charley Wiggins, Earl's Performance Products
2. UL-110  Randy Haas, Miss Compair/Universal Air Prod. Corp. 
1. UL-16   Bo Schide, Alamo
3. UL-23   Mike Weber, Miss SCI
5. UL-72   Phil Bononcini, Pocket Mechanic

-. UL-102  Scott McGregor, Propulsion Missile Rocket/Aircraft, DNS

UNLIMITED HEATS 2A and 2B:

HEAT 2A:
For nearly two laps the race was a deck to deck battle between Mark Weber in lane one and Chip Hanauer in lane two. Hanauer took the lead on the backstretch of lap two and won by a comfortable margin.

Hanauer incurred a $500 fine for encroachment on the U-10. A second infraction will result in a one lap penalty.

Finish, Number, Driver, Team, Speed, Points
1. U-100 Chip Hanauer, Miss PICO, 132.878, 400
2. U-10  Mark Weber, Norfolk Marriott/York International, 127.537, 600
3. U-2   Steve David, Jim Harvey Motorsports, 122.498, 450
4. U-15  Greg Hopp, R.S. Eastin Hotels, 108.896, 394
-. U-14  Dr. Ken Muscatel, DNS, 169

Fast Lap: #3, U-100, Chip Hanauer, 135.351

HEAT 2B:

Dave Villwock in the Miss Budweiser lead the field "wire to wire" in Heat 2B. Miss Madison's Todd Yarling finished  a distant second.

Finish, Number, Driver, Team, Speed, Points
1. U-1 Dave Villwock, Miss Budweiser, 126.846, 800
2. U-6 Todd Yarling, Miss Madison, 117.548, 700
3. U-9 Mike Hanson, Carpenter Communications, 113.367, 525
-. U-3 Mike Weber, Master Tire, DNS, 169

Fast Lap: #1, U-1, Dave Villwock, 137.389

Draw for Heat 3A:
U9, U14, U15, U100, U1

Draw for Heat 3B:
U10, U2, U3, U6

HEATS 1A and 1B:

Todd Yarling in the Miss Madison U-6 took the win in Heat 1A after a dog fight between he and Mike Hansen in the U-9. 

Dave Villwock in the Miss Budweiser won Heat 1B with a healthy start from lane one. Chip  Hanauer, driving the U-2 Miss PICO, flamed out his engine in the first turn and did not finish. 

The U-10 Norfolk Marriott Presents the Miss York International, driven by Mark Weber, placed second; the U-15 RS Easton, driven by Greg Hopp, took third, narrowly followed by the U-3 Master Tire friven by Mike Weber. 

The U-15 took a DMZ violation, for crossing through the area preparing for the start. The fine is $300. 

Heat 2A will start at 12:10 p.m. followed by 2B at 12:30 p.m.

HEAT 1A:
Finish, Number, Driver, Team, Speed (mph), Points
1. U-6   Todd Yarling, Miss Madison, 131.838, 400
2. U-9   Mike Hanson, Carpenter Communications, 129.079, 300
3. U-2   Steve David, Jim Harvey Motorsports, 126.929, 225
4. U-14  Dr. Ken Muscatel, Toyota Industrial Equipment, 110.946, 169
5. U-8   Nate Brown, LLumar Window Film, DNS

HEAT 1B:
Finish, Number, Driver, Team, Speed (mph), Points
1. U-1   Dave Villwock, Miss Budweiser, 132.700, 400
2. U-10  Mark Weber, Nofolk Marriott/York Intnl., 124.456, 400
3. U-15  Greg Hopp, R.S. Eastin Hotels, 106.780, 225
4. U-3   Mike Weber, Master Tire, 98.767,169
-. U-100 Chip Hanauer, Miss PICO, DNF, 0

Pit Notes:
The U-8 LLumar Window Film boat, driven by Nate Brown, received transom damage during Sunday morning's test session. The team has withdrawn from today's competition.

Tom Thompson is replacing Mike Weber in cockpit of the UL-23 Miss SCI.

SATURDAY:

Photographs from Saturday's Virginia is for Lovers Cup (click image for larger view, use browser to return)

UNLIMITED LIGHT HEAT 2:

Bo Schide Victorious in UL Heat 2:
Bo Schide in the UL-16 Alamo won both of Saturday's preliminary Unlimited Light heats at the Virginia is For Lovers Cup in Norfolk, VA. 

Heat 2 featured another exciting duel between Schide and Randy Haas in the UL-110 Miss Compair/Universal Air Products Corporation. Schide and Haas traded the lead several times before Schide, in the outside lane, took the lead for good on the last lap.

Number Driver Team Speed (mph)
1. UL-16   Bo Schide, Alamo, 97.911
2. UL-110  Randy Haas, Miss Compair/Universal Air Prod. Corp., 97.293 
3. UL-23   Mike Weber, Miss SCI, 84.107
4. UL-10   Charley Wiggins, Earl's Performance Products, NA
5. UL-72   Phil Bononcini, Pocket Mechanic, 58.376
-. UL-102  Scott McGregor, Propulsion Missile Rocket/Aircraft, DNS

UNLIMITED LIGHT HEAT 1:

Three Drivers Swap Lead in UL Heat 1:
Bo Schide in the UL-16 Alamo took the first victory in Unlimited Light competition at the Virginia is For Lovers Cup in Norfolk, VA.

Competition was tough throughout the race. Phil Bononcini, in the Pocket Mechanic, led lap one.  Randy Haas, in the Miss Compair/ Universal  Air Products, took the lead on lap two at the exit of  turn one . Schide came from behind in the outside lane to lead on lap three.

"We were all running a little bit slow and I saw them get there early by about 45 seconds. So I decided to get a little bit better run on the outside lane. Because if everybody gets there early, it just piles up so much water. And at least I had a safety on the outside. And I felt pretty comfortable with it," said Schide.

Note: The next Unlimited Light heat is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today.

Number Driver Team Speed (mph)
1. UL-16   Bo Schide, Alamo, 100.042
2. UL-110  Randy Haas, Miss Compair/Universal Air Prod. Corp., 99.237 
3. UL-10   Charley Wiggins, Earl's Performance Products, 92.389 
4. UL-72   Phil Bononcini, Pocket Mechanic, 73.284
-. UL-23   Mike Weber, Miss SCI, DNF
-. UL-102  Scott McGregor, Propulsion Missile Rocket/Aircraft, DNS

UNLIMITED LIGHT ROSTER:
UL-10   Charley Wiggins, Earl's Performance Products
UL-16   Bo Schide, Alamo
UL-23   Mike Weber, Miss SCI *
UL-72   Phil Bononcini, Pocket Mechanic
UL-102  Scott McGregor, Propulsion Missile Rocket/Aircraft
UL-110  Randy Haas, Miss Compair/Universal Air Products Corp.

* Mike Weber is filling in for Cal Phipps this weekend.

Unlimited Qualifying  Results:

Miss Budweiser, driven by Dave Villwock, continues to hold the best time in Unlimited qualifying for the Virginia is for Lovers Cup. Villwock  completed his fastest lap of  154.609 mph late Friday afternoon. Qualifying second fastest is the Miss Pico, driven by Chip Hanauer. Although there was more time for Hanauer to try to up his time of  144.989 mph, he chose to put less stress on the boat and the equipment.

"It's not a strategy, it's more of a frustration. We've been pretty much that far behind them all year," said Hanauer. "What we've found is that we really don't seem to be able to make the horsepower in the qualifying. We need race conditions, I think. And the circumstances that only come up in heats. On the other hand, we know that when we do get to the heats, if everything goes right, we should beat them."

Hanauer has the opportunity to meet a huge milestone in Unlimited Hydroplane racing  Sunday. If he wins the final, he will tie Hydroplane racing legend Bill Muncey's career record of 62 wins. He says that Muncey's widow, Fran, has urged him to go for it.

"We talk probably once a month. Even when I had no intention of coming back, she was the one that said 'You've got to go back. Please go back, you've got to get the record'. She's been for it all along, even more so than I am. She's still even more excited about it than I am."

Heat 1A will begin at 11 a.m. est.
Todd Yarling in the U-6 Miss Madison
Mike Hanson in the U-9 Carpenter Communications
Dr. Ken Muscatel in the U-14 Toyota Industrial Equipment
Nate Brown in the U-8 LLumar Window Film
Steve David in the U-2 Chrysler-Jeep

Heat 1B will begin at 11:20 a.m. est.
Chip Hanauer in the U-100 Miss Pico
Greg Hopp in the U-15 RS Easton
Mike Weber in the U-3 Master Tire
Mark Weber in the U-10 York International
Dave Villwock in the U-1 Miss Budweiser

UNLIMITED QUALIFYING :
Number Driver Team Speed (mph)

U1   Dave Villwock, Miss Budweiser (T5), 154.609
U100 Chip Hanauer, Miss PICO (98-1), 144.989*
U10  Mark Weber, York International, 144.977
U2   Steve David, Chrysler-Jeep, 140.318
U9   Mike Hanson, Carpenter Communications, 139.214
U8   Nate Brown, LLumar Window Films, 137.483
U6   Todd Yarling, Miss Madison, 132.979
U15  Greg Hopp, R.S. Eastin, 130.788
U3   Mike Weber, Master Tire, 122.175
U14  Ken Muscatel, Miss Bell Forklift, 123.478@

* Denotes increase in speed
# Denotes new qualifyer
@Dr. Ken will attempt to qualify Sunday morning.

U14  Ken Muscatel, Miss Bell Forklift, 123.478

Minimum qualifying speed for turbine powered unlimiteds is 130mph
Minimum qualifying speed for piston powered unlimiteds is 120mph

SATURDAY SCHEDULE:
9:00am Gates open to public
9:00am - 9:45am Unlimited Testing
10:00am - 11:00am Unlimited Qualifying (Round 3)
11:00am - 11:30am Unlimited Lights/5 Liter Testing
11:30am - 12:30pm Unlimited Qualifying
12:00am JSS, 5 Liter, UL Driver's Meeting
12:45am - 1:30am, Driver's Autograph
1:00pm Jersey Speed Skiff Heat 1A
1:15pm 5 Liter Heat 1A
1:30pm Unlimited Lights Heat 1A
1:45pm - 2:30pm Unlimited Qualifying (Round 5)
3:00pm Jersey Speed Skiff Heat 1B
3:15pm 5 Liter Heat 1B
3:30pm Unlimited Lights Heat 1B
3:45pm - 4:30pm Unlimited Testing
4:45pm Unlimited Driver's Meeting
 

FRIDAY QUALIFYING AND TESTING:

The U-1 Miss Budweiser , driven by Dave Villwock, holds the fastest time in this the first day of qualifying for Sunday's Virginia is for Lovers Cup..

A steady wind has made course conditions less than perfect. Typically, the Willoughby Bay course is impeded by winds later in the day. But the Budweiser crew anticipated the conditions, and Villwock ran his fastest lap around 4 p.m..

"We knew the wind was going to come up around 4 p.m.," said Villwock. "But you know what? That's when they run the final. So hopefully the weather condition will duplicate itself."

The Miss Budweiser is the defending Virginia is for Lovers Cup Champion. He is two for five wins this season, with the Miss Pico, driven by Chip Hanauer, taking the other three wins. Hanauer is in position to tie Bill Muncey's record for the most career wins by an Unlimited Hydroplane driver this Sunday. He currently has 61 wins to his credit.

Qualifying will resume Saturday at 10 a.m.. Heat 1A begins Sunday at  11 a.m.. The final will be run at 3:40 p.m. Updates will be provided after each qualifying sessions Saturday and after each heat Sunday.

UNLIMITED:
Number Driver Team Speed (mph)

U1   Dave Villwock, Miss Budweiser (T5), 154.609
U100 Chip Hanauer, Miss PICO (98-1), 142.236
U8   Nate Brown, LLumar Window Films, 137.483
U10  Mark Weber, York International, 136.788
U6   Todd Yarling, Miss Madison, 132.979

Yet to Qualify:
U2   Steve David, Chrysler-Jeep
U3   Mike Weber, Master Tire
U9   Mike Hanson, Carpenter Communications
U14  Ken Muscatel, Miss Bell Forklift
U15  Greg Hopp, R.S. Eastin

UNLIMITED LIGHT TESTING:
Number Driver Team Speed (mph)

UL-16  Bo Schide, ALAMO, 103.930
UL-10  Charley Wiggins, Earl's Performance
UL-72  Phil Bononcini, Pocket Mechanic
UL-110 Randy Haas, Miss Compair, 100.084
UL-23  Cal Phipps, Miss SCI
UL-102 Scott McGregor, Propulsion
 

CHIP HANAUER SEEKING TO TIE BILL MUNCEY’S ALL-TIME WIN RECORD IN NORFOLK

Miss Pico Hydro driver Chip Hanauer will be attempting to tie Bill Muncey’s all-time career win record of 62 at this coming weekend’s Virginia is for Lovers Cup presented by Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau in Norfolk, Virginia.  With his victory last weekend at the 1999 Chrysler Jeep APBA Gold Cup in Detroit in addition to his other two victories on the 1999 Ralph’s Unlimited Hydroplane Thunder Tour presented by Las Vegas, Hanauer has 61 career wins.  Hanauer is currently in his comeback season as a Hydros driver after a nearly three-year hiatus.

 “The only person who really wanted me to come back and break Bill Muncey’s record during the three years I was off the circuit was Fran [Muncey],” said Hanauer.  “A friend at Penske Racing used to tease me about breaking Bill’s record.  He said, ‘Here stands Chip Hanauer, the only driver with the ability to break Bill Muncey’s record and the intelligence to leave it alone.  He hasn’t called lately, though.”

On the racecourse, Hanauer will face competition from Villwock, two-time defending winner in Norfolk, as well as a host of other contenders including rookie sensation Greg Hopp in the U-15 Hopp Racing Hydro, Mark Weber in the U-10 York International and Steve David in the U-2 Freddie’s Club Hydro. 

With Hanauer’s win at the Gold Cup, the O’Douls High Points battle has tightened up. Villwock still has a slight edge over Hanauer, 7825 to 7051.  They are followed by Hopp with 5567, Weber with 4502 and David with 3741.

Testing and qualifying will get underway on Friday, July 16 and continue through raceday on Sunday, July 18.

Note: The Jasper Engines & Transmissions Indiana Governor’s Cup will air on ESPN2 on July 18 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern.
 

VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS CUP
Naval Station Norfolk - July 16, 17 and 18

The 1999 Virginia Is for Lovers Cup is shaping up to be the biggest, best and fastest in the event’s three-year history. With as many as eleven unlimited hydroplanes pulling into Naval Station Norfolk on July 16 for the first of three days of time trials, qualifying and thrill-filled racing, the weekend is sure to be a winner. And in addition to the unlimited class, there will be competition from unlimited lights, 5-liter boats and the sleek jersey speed skiffs. With all these boats, the water will be a constant stream of action. Friday, July 16 is scheduled for testing and qualifying running from noon until 5:30 p.m.. On Saturday and Sunday the gates open at 9:00 a.m. with racing ending around 5:00p.m. each day. 

General admission and parking at the event are free. However, for fans wishing to get a closer look at the boats and race course, several options are available. Pit passes are being sold for $10 a day, bleacher seating for $5 per day and a special catered tent area with prime seating is going for $100 for both Saturday and Sunday. All passes are being sold on site at the event.

After a weak showing of unlimited competitors in the 1998 Norfolk race, the boat owners came together and pledged support of the Norfolk site and are coming through in record numbers. "We are delighted to bring the Hydros color and excitement to the fans in this race market," said Bob Gobrecht, President and CEO of the Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Association (UHRA). "We are expecting a great turn-out of competitors with some of the best drivers in the world. 1999 is a highly competitive year, and Norfolk is no exception." 

The race is sponsored by the Virginia Tourism Corporation and Budweiser. In addition to the races taking place on the water, there are all sorts of activities and displays planned for the land. All part of the Speed on the Spit weekend, the grounds adjacent to the race course feature speed in many forms. From kids activities to military displays and an array of "fast" machines (cars boats and the like) there is plenty to occupy a full day of family entertainment.

Please visit http://www.norfolk.va.us or http://www.virginia.org/home.aspfor more information.

VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVER’S CUP 1999 SCHEDULE

FRIDAY JULY 16, 1999
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Unlimited Testing
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Unlimited Qualifying
3:00 pm to 3:30 pm Unlimited Lights Testing
3:30 pm to 4:00 pm Unlimited Testing
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Unlimited Qualifying
5:00 pm to 5:30 pm Unlimited Lights Testing

SATURDAY JULY 17, 1999
9:00 am Gates Open to the Public
9:00 am to 9:45 am Unlimited Testing
10:00 am to 11:00 am Unlimited Qualifying 
11:00 am to 11:30 am Unlimited Lights/5 Liter Testing
11:30 am to 12:30 pm Unlimited Qualifying
12:45 pm to 1:30 pm Driver’s Autograph Session
1:00 pm Jersey Speed Skiff Heat 1A
1:15 pm 5 Liter Heat 1A
1:30 pm Unlimited Lights Heat 1A
1:45 pm to 2:30 pm Unlimited Qualifying
2:45 pm Jersey Speed Skiff Heat 1B
3:00 pm 5 Liter Heat 1B
3:15 pm Unlimited Lights Heat 1B
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm Unlimited Testing
4:45 pm Unlimited Driver’s Meeting

SUNDAY JULY 18, 1999
9:00 am Gates Open to Public
9:00am to 10:00 am Unlimited Testing
10:00 am to 10:30 am Unlimited Lights/5 Liter Testing
10:30 am to 10:45 am Jersey Speed Skiff Testing
11:00 am Unlimited Heat 1A
11:20 am Unlimited Heat 1B
11:40 pm Jersey Speed Skiff Heat 2A (all participants)
12:00 pm Unlimited Heat 2A
12:20 pm Unlimited Heat 2B
12:45 pm 5 Liter Heat 2A
1:00 pm 5 Liter Heat 2B
1:15 pm Unlimited Lights Heat 2A
1:30 pm Unlimited Lights Heat 2B
1:45 pm Unlimited Heat 3A
2:00 pm Unlimited Heat 3B
2:20 pm Jersey Speed Skiff Final 
2:40 pm 5 Liter Final
3:00 pm Unlimited Provisional
3:20 pm Unlimited Lights Final
3:40 pm Unlimited Final

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

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