2000 General Motors Cup at Seafair
Lake Washington, Seattle, Washington, August 4-6, 2000


Miss Budweiser Team Heads to Seattle for Seafair

Miss Budweiser Team Heads to Seattle for Seafair

Seattle Results

Seattle Race Report
Statistics

Tri-Cities, WA, August 2, 2000 - Dave Villwock and Miss Budweiser head for familiar territory for the sixth race of the Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Series this weekend (August 4-6) at the General Motors Cup at Seafair on Lake Washington in Seattle, WA.

"Seattle is a very big race and, of course, it's our hometown for the Miss Budweiser, too," said Villwock. "Bernie Little, our team owner, has enjoyed great success over the years in Seattle with 13 victories and I have won here three times. We obviously want to win our hometown race and we are going to hit it with everything we've got."

After last weekend's disappointing withdrawal from the Budweiser Columbia Cup at Tri-Cities, WA, the Miss Budweiser team is looking forward to getting back on track. Villwock and Miss Budweiser were not able to race in the finals at Tri-Cities on Sunday. During the second preliminary heat, Miss Budweiser collided with Mike Hanson in the U-9 and suffered damage to the right sponson. The damage was too severe to continue and they were forced to withdraw. The loss ended Villwock and Miss Budweiser's consecutive win streak at 10 races. "Unfortunately we were not able to extend our streak but that is racing," said Villwock. "We just want to get ready for this weekend's race in Seattle."

Villwock and Miss Budweiser were the fastest qualifiers with an average lap speed of 160.148 mph at Tri-Cities. They have been the fastest qualifier at each race this season and have also been the top qualifier for the last 26 consecutive races. This streak carries over the last three seasons, all since Mark Smith was promoted to Crew Chief. "Mark has done a terrific job getting the boat set up for each race," said Villwock. "The fuel restriction rule has made his job even more difficult, but he continues to produce the results we always strive for with the Miss Budweiser team."

Miss Budweiser team owner Bernie Little is justifiably proud of Villwock's success this year on the Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Series. With four victories in the season's first five races, including the Gold Cup, Villwock and Miss Budweiser have almost been perfect.

But, it is Villwock's performance as team manager, which has Little, now in his 38th season of Unlimited competition with his Miss Budweiser, truly beaming. "Dave is doing a very good job of managing the team as well as driving the boat," said Little.

"I am really pleased with the way our Miss Budweiser team is working," said Little. "People may think that's because we are winning and, of course, we like to win, but we are winning because the team is working so well. We've won four races and have a lead in the championship, but we plan to keep our focus and keep doing what we've been doing."

Villwock and the Miss Budweiser team lead the driver and boat standings with 7252 points, respectively. Mark Weber in the U-10 York Heating & Air Conditioning is second with 6070 points followed by George Stratton in the U-5 Lowrey's Beef Jerky presents Appian Jeronimo with 4669 points. Points are awarded for qualifying rank and finishing place in each heat of competition and the finals.

Practice and qualifying will begin for the General Motors Cup at Seafair Friday, August 4 with the finals scheduled for Sunday, August 6.


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