For the first time in eight years, an unlimited hydroplane driver other than Dave Villwock or Steve David won the Lamb Weston Columbia Cup.More >>
For the first time in eight years, an unlimited hydroplane driver other than Dave Villwock or Steve David won the Lamb Weston Columbia Cup.More >>
Seattle, WA - It was one of the hottest weekends on record for Seafair weekend in Seattle. On the water, there was preliminary heat racing and plenty of confusion for drivers and fans.
Heat 1A
Ryan Mallow in the 99 boat went dead in turn 1 and some of the other drivers had to stop. The black flag came out and stopped the heat. So... Heat 1B was run first.
Heat 1B
Right before the race, the 1 Spirit of Qatar 96 crew was thrashing in the pits, but it didn't seem to make a big difference as Dave Villwock grabbed lane one and ran to victory. Jimmy Shane was in lane two and held his own for the first lap, but Villwock started to pull away.
Lots of confusion in the heat as the start was under review by officials. It was a three lap race, but no checkered flags came out and the boats kept running.
Heat 1B Results Unofficial pending review
1 Spirit of Qatar 96 - Dave Villwock
5 Graham Trucking - Jimmy Shane
88 Degree Men - Scott Liddycoat
100 Fox Plumbing - Greg Hopp
11 - Peters & May - JW Myers
17 Red Dot - Nate Brown ONE LAP PENALTY - JUMPED THE GUN
Heat 1A Re-Start
Then it was back to Heat 1A. Steve David grabbed the lead with J. Michael Kelly giving chase in the 37 Beacon Plumbing and Jon Zimmerman in the 9 Seattle Suntan in third. David started in lane three, but it didn't stop him from hitting the turn first, and leading the boats out of the turn onto the backstretch.
The 9 crew had that boat in great shape for the weekend after a strong run in the Tri-Cities. And Jon Zimmerman made the most of it, passing up J. Michael Kelly in the 37 by a couple of boat lengths and grab second place.
PHOTO:: Ellstrom Racing
PHOTO: H1 Unlimited
PHOTO: USA Racing Partners
