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The Thunder's Back!
The hydroplanes are coming back to Flathead Lake! Anderson Radio Broadcasting presents Radio Waves Regatta on Flathead Lake July 19th and the 20th.
RADIO WAVES Regatta brings the powerful and exciting Unlimited Light Hydroplanes to Polson MT this July. Anderson Broadcasting President Dennis Anderson and Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association President Joe Frauenheim announced today that Regatta Beach at Polson MT on Flathead Lake will be the site as a full fleet of high speed automotive powered hydroplanes return to this picturesque setting. The RADIO WAVES Regatta will be held the weekend of July 19th & 20th at Regatta Beach.
Anderson Radio Broadcasting, Inc. is owned and operated by Dennis and Nila Anderson, and includes 4 stations serving the Flathead Lake region; KERR AM Polson, KQRK FM Ronan/Kalispell, KIBG FM Bigfork/Kalispell, and KKMT FM Pablo/Kalispell, with more under construction this year. Dennis Anderson says "my father, Andy Anderson promoted the races at this very same site back in the 70's and 80's so we're proud to bring back a great tradition of exciting family fun on Flathead Lake, and a destination event in a spectacular location."
ULHRA President Joe Frauenheim, from Issaquah WA, noted "there's a rich history of racing on Flathead Lake and we at ULHRA are proud to mark the return of hydros to Regatta Beach and are just as proud of our association with Anderson Broadcasting, one of Montana's leading independent radio station companies. Dennis Anderson has signed a 3 year agreement and this will truly become one of the hallmark events on our circuit". Frauenheim went on to say that mid-July is perfect for racing in Montana and this brand new event follows another brand new event, River City Racin' in Chamberlain-Oacoma South Dakota, July 12th & 13th. Frauenheim took a personal interest in this race site as he recalled that band leader Guy Lombardo's Tempo VII was the winner of all three heats when the then Copper Cup featured WWII powered hydroplanes in 1955. The ULHRA President acquired and restored Lombardo's previous hull, the Tempo VI which won the 1946 Gold Cup.
The ULHRA's legacy series, Unlimited Light Hydroplanes, features the newest star in boat racing and she made quite an impression in her rookie campaign. 19 year old Kayleigh Perkins co-drove the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric to the Unlimited Light Championship. In the process she earned the driving championship as well as Rookie of the Year. This season Ms. Perkins, from Black Diamond WA hopes to avoid the proverbial "sophomore slump" but notes she has an outstanding crew and consistency is what won the championship in 2007. Reminding audiences that "in order to finish first, you first have to finish" Perkins became the first woman in the modern era to win a major hydroplane race, at Silverdale WA in 2007 as well as win the driving championship. Co-driver Patrick Haworth of Valleyfield, Quebec Canada took first in his hometown race and second at San Diego to help propel the Boat Electric team to their 4th championship, all the while finishing every heat but one through the 2007 season. The team also secured 3 titles from 2000 through 2002 when the driver was Frauenheim's business partner and co-owner of the UL-72, Phil Bononcini of Redmond WA.
ULHRA has become the fastest growing circuit in hydroplane racing. The series set a one event record last year when 17 teams entered a race in Issaquah WA. That number may well be exceeded in 2008, and it's possible Flathead Lake could be the place. A total of 23 Unlimited Hydroplanes competed in 2007 and more teams have joined the "fleet" for 2008. Further building interest from teams to race in Polson MT is the Graham Trucking Cup at Seattle, two weeks after the RADIO WAVES Regatta. Because of pit area limitations in Seattle only 14 Unlimited Lights can be entered. Series points will decide whi ch teams qualify to race at Seattle and Polson MT may well be the location that decides who's out and who's in
Ms. Perkins and the UL-72 will face stiff competition all season long. After a string of 4 series championships was ended by the Miss Boat Electric in 2007, Greg Hopp and the UL-12 Schellhase Racing entry look to start a new streak of championships. Hopp from Snohomish WA is the career leader in race victories in Unlimited Light Hydroplanes with 17. He was on his way to a fifth consecutive championship when his season ended in a spectacular flip while attempting to qualify for the 2007 series finale at Port Angeles WA. Another strong runner is owner-driver Paul Becker and his UL-14 Compuware presents Miss Critical Logic. Becker, from Bellevue WA is a retired Northwest Airlines and US Navy pilot. The race craft Becker acquired last year has 4 victories in Unlimited L ights and Becker is aiming for his first career win in 2008.
Two time winner in 2006, Ryan Mallow and the UL-19 Five Star Racing entry expects to be a prime contender in 2008. Mallow, from Tacoma WA, wheels the largest Unlimited Light on the circuit, the supercharged UL-19 which stretches the tape to the UL limit of 26 feet, and weighs over 3,500 lbs. The Unlimited Light minimum weight for hydroplanes with supercharged engines is 2,700 lbs. Teams that don't use superchargers can weigh 2,500 lbs with the maximum 511 cubic inch "naturally aspirated" engine. Smaller powerplants allow UL hydroplanes to weigh as little as 2,000 lbs.
The team that won the final race of 2007 has been acquired by third year racer J. Craig Fletcher of Mercer Island WA and is one of the quickest hydroplanes on the circuit. Four previous drivers have taken the UL-33 to twelve victories since debuting in 1997. Still another entrant with an improving team is veteran racer Wil Muncey. If that name sounds a bit familiar, yes Wil is the son of hydroplane racing legend, the late Bill Muncey who himself competed on Flathead Lake.
Unlimited Light hydroplanes can range from 20 feet in length to 26 feet in length and are powered by purpose built automotive based racing engines, either naturally aspirated or supercharged. The 2008 Unlimited Light season begins April 25-27th in Phoenix AZ at Firebird International Raceway.
For more information on the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association and to follow the sport all year long, log on to www.ulhra.org
John Lynch, P.R. Director and "Voice" of ULHRA Racing.
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