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CHRYSLER JEEP DETROIT APBA GOLD CUP July 9-12, 1998
ANOTHER great and very sunny day here in the pits! People that
have been around longer than I can't recall better weather.
The ThunderCam has been running very well, and I've taken
another bunch of photos (maybe even caught the Wild Fire
barrel-roll). Sorry that I haven't been able to get these news
posts out sooner, but I just had to cut some things from my
day's schedule. It doesn't seem worth it to work hard on info
that you will receive same day and lose the time to create
original content (photos, webcam, etc).
Watch our news ticker on the ThunderCam page for the latest
little tidbits.
PERFORMANCE INFLATABLES HEAT 1A:
JERSEY SPEED SKIFFS HEAT 1A: (I think there was a heat 2A also)
UNLIMITED LIGHT HEAT 1A:
GRAND PRIX HEAT 1A:
---- THESE RESULTS FROM THE UHRA ----
UNLIMITED HYDROPLANES HEAT 1A 12:10 P.M.
UNLIMITED HYDROPLANES HEAT 1B 12:30 P.M.
UNLIMITED HYDROPLANES HEAT 2A 3:30 P.M.
UNLIMITED HYDROPLANES HEAT 2B 3:50 P.M.
Just a few Unlimited notes: Saturday
1. Heat 2A provided unquestionably the most excitement of the
day not only for the fans but for the race teams as well. The
U-100 Pico American Dream '96 driven by Mark Evans started the
race five to six boat lengths ahead of the Budweiser. Obviously
the start would have given PICO a chance to win but the whole
scenario ended with both the PICO and Budweiser boats receiving
a one lap penalty for jumping the gun. The heat was therefore
won Steve David in the U-2 Miss Chrysler Jeep. Both Evans and
Villwock were upset, Evans saying that Villwock cut him off
going up the backstretch at the start of the race.... And
Villwock talking with officials a full hour after the heat
claiming he did not jump the start. Villwock and race officials
viewed a tape to confirm he did start early.
[editor's note: Villwock was claiming an official on the radio
gave the wrong countdown (to the 5?) - off by 2 seconds.
Informally Hanauer told us the clock is god .. if the clock
malfunctioned that's another story..]
2. On a lighter note, wandering through the pits, fans were
treated to quite a sight. Budweiser crew member Mike Campbell
was painting the left port prop with gray paint when a young
fan stepped on the water hose causing the nozzle to stick and
spray give Mike a major shower dockside.
3. After working all night, Nate Brown couldn't get his boat
started in Heat 2A. The problem was...dead batteries. This
means U-8 Llumnar Window Film will have a tough climb to
reach Sunday's Gold Cup Final.
4. U-14 Vuarnet presents Audio Bahn driven by Ken Muscatel
replaced the boat's sheared main motor shaft and recorded a
strong second and fourth in the two heats run.
5. The addition of Mark Tate to the PICO team has forced PICO
Corporate to make a slight change to their corporate moto...
instead of The Mark of Excellence.... It now reads on the side
of the race truck The Mark's of Excellence for Mark Tate and
Mark Evans.
6. U-2 Miss Chrysler Jeep ran a test run of 159 mph in the
morning, leaving everyone to wonder where the extra speed
came from. Answer: The team flew in a new prop purchased
from the old Steve Woomer shop... it arrived via overnight
shipping at 8a.m. and gave the boat more speed instantly.
There's a dusie of a post!
- Brian Reed (Volunteer WebMaster: www.thunderfest.com)
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All contents Copyright © 1998 Spirit of Detroit THUNDERFEST, except where noted.
Written by Brian Reed.
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