THUNDERFEST: SIGNAL FLAG ONLINE

SIGNAL FLAG ONLINE #13

CHRYSLER JEEP DETROIT APBA GOLD CUP July 8-11, 1999
Friday January 29th 1999
*** Hello, and Happy New Year!
Best wishes from everyone at SODT. While this email list is usually inactive during the off-season, we want you to know that we are here and planning for 1999's race. This year the race is again in mid-summer, July 8th through July 11th.
*** Newsletter Title Change
The new title of our email newsletter is SIGNAL FLAG ONLINE. This corresponds to the title of our long-standing quarterly (print) newsletter SIGNAL FLAG. We may publish some stories here before they appear in the print version, but in the interest of breaking news this is a condensed version. The print version of SIGNAL FLAG is sent to SODT volunteers, premium ticket packages holders, sponsors, officials, local press, and is otherwise available for $15/year. Always some nice pics too.
*** UHRA Driver News (and a rumor):
* Mark Evans will not be driving for Fred Leland in 1999. Fred is talking with a few drivers, especially Mike Weber.
* The rumor was that Chip Hanauer would drive the PICO boat!! In followup the report is that Chip and Fred did consider it, but that no agreement had been reached. Everyone has their 'poker face' on, so I don't think we've heard the last of this.
* On a sad note, driver Jim Kropfeld passed away January 3rd. Jim was a 3 time national champion in the MISS BUDWEISER (1984, '86 & '87), and his 22 career victories rank 4th on the all-time list behind Muncey, Hanauer and Chenoweth. At the 1982 event in Detroit, Jim won in the Grand Prix class aboard the MISS DANASH.
*** A Detroit based Unlimited Hydroplane team for 1999!
That's right -- not only a Detroit based boat and crew, but it is rumored that this will be a brand new hull with V-12 power! More news in a future issue.
*** Madison Race Site News:
On the day of the deadline, just when it looked like the Madison race would have to be scratched for 1999, a sponsor stepped forward. The Madison event is steeped in tradition, and a UHRA season without Madison would NOT be the same. This is wonderful news for powerboat racing fans! For more details, go to the home page of the UHRA.
*** Detroit APBA Gold Cup Title Sponsor:
Chrysler Jeep continues to show their commitment to our event, the sport, and the Detroit community with 1999 being the first year of their second consecutive 3 year title sponsorship. Please visit "http://www.daimlerchrysler.com" and let them know that you appreciate their contributions as much as we do.
- Brian Reed (Volunteer WebMaster: http://www.thunderfest.com)