CHRYSLER JEEP DETROIT APBA GOLD CUP July 8-11, 1999 Sunday May 2nd 1999 *** 5-LITERS ADDED TO THE LINE-UP! We are pleased to welcome the 5-Liter Hydroplanes to the Spirit of Detroit Thunderfest & Chrysler/Jeep Detroit "APBA Gold Cup" event! They are one of the most competitive classes in the APBA. Detroit will host the 5-Liter North American Championship for the first time ever. Plans indicate approximately 15(!) boats will be here in Detroit ready to race. 5-Liter Hydroplanes top out at speeds in excess of 120 mph down the straightaway. These race boats are powered by "305" Chevrolet engines with 2-barrel carburetors. *** NO GRAND PRIX CLASS IN 1999 Sorry to confirm the news... you won't miss them more than myself. Our recent change to the July race date puts our event on a weekend between two big GP events in Canada. [Ed note: I think this increased team expenses and that we could not land additional sponsorship funds to compensate. Here's hoping for next year.] *** WELCOME BACK CHIP! (HANAUER TO DRIVE MISS PICO!) As previously reported here, Chip Hanauer is making his return in the PICO Unlimited. Testing during April (in Washington) went very well. Chip is the maestro, and it will be very interesting to see him racing against his last team! (Bud) *** MARK WEBER SAYS Mark will be driving for Kim Gregory, owner of the U-10 'Wild FIRE' boat). He recently spoke at an Unlimiteds Detroit meeting and stated firmly: "We are commited to Mr Villwock [Bud driver] and Mr Hanauer". *** VOLUNTEER NEWS & NOTES DUES INCREASED TO $50 ON APRIL 1, 1999. If you need a copy of the application just call the Thunderfest office. Anyone can become a Thunderfest volunteer! First-time Volunteers always get the best (off-season) rate. Then just do a helpful task and we throw in 2 T'fest T-shirts, a T'fest cap, lunch, & after the course closes for the day: free beer in the volunteer tent. ...I almost forgot the best part! A pit pass good for all days. VOLUNTEER OPERATIONS MEETING- Mark your calendar for Tuesday, June 29, for the Final Operations Meeting at the Main Event at the Pontiac Silverdome. Please remember this meeting is mandatory for all volunteers. Credentials and perk bags will be distributed to all volunteers. 6:00 PM. SPORTSWEAR - Order your Thunderfest or Chrysler sportswear now and be ready for raceweek! Items include hats, jackets, golf shirts and much more. Call the Thunderfest office today. We hope to post an order form for 1999 on the website soon. FREE POSTERS & BROCHURES! - Stop by the Thunderfest office to pick up promotional bags of posters and ticket brochures to leave at your favorite bar or restaurant. Call Thunderfest at 800.359.7760 to make arrangements. LIFE'S A BEACH! Thunderfest is seeking volunteers to staff the booth at the Metro Beach Boat Show, May 20 - 23, 1999. If you can volunteer a few hours, please call Jennifer at 800.359.7760 for all the details. OFFICIAL HOTEL ANNOUNCED! - We are extremely pleased to announce that The Hotel Pontchartrain will again be the Official Hotel of the Chrysler Jeep Detroit APBA Gold Cup. Fans can enjoy four days of excitement and stay just minutes from all the action. A special rate of $69 per room has been set for all hydro fans. Reservations must be made by June 6, 1999. 313.965.0200 BEST WISHES TO TAVI! - All of us here at the Thunderfest office wish you the very best on your new venture. We enjoyed working with you on the boat races over the years and are happy to know our paths will continue to meet with the Boat Parade. MANY, MANY THANKS! - A special thanks goes to the numerous volunteers who staffed the booths at the Detroit Boat Show in early February, the Detroit Autorama in mid-February and the Novi Boat Show in March. We could not do these shows without the assistance from all of you! We are working to improve our booth next year and secure more space at each show. WEB WORK WANTED - We are looking for Internet assistance, mostly for race weekend. If you are a Thunderfest volunteer (or want to be) and have good computer/Internet skills, please let us know. - Brian Reed (Volunteer WebMaster: http://www.thunderfest.com)

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