But will anybody see or hear ‘em. And how many
boats will show up in Indiana?
Think Indy Cars Offseason is long? Whale’, then
think about H1 Unlimited having gone a gory 292 days since it’s season finale
in San Diego, Aye Karumba!
And I still Don’t get it? Why H1 Unlimited’s
coverage of the sport is so pathetic! Since they held their annual pre-season
test at Tri-Cities on May 30th.
Grousing to Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary Ellen over
there being no report on the sport’s official website! And how the Tri-cities
Herald, which only publishes twice weekly seemed to be running a canned story
from a year ago? Since it talked about Dave Villwock and another driver who
aren’t racing anymore. To which she replied curtly; that’s because Hydroplanes
are Dying!
Then around June 3rd, I suddenly thought the
season kickoff should be occurring any day, Righto? Being surprised to learn
that the Guntersville Hydrofest had been cancelled this year, say What?
Originally, it looked like my riveting No
Fenders yearly preview would be somewhat abbreviated, due to the fact that my
primary source H1 Unlimited’s website went “Dark” when visiting the page on
June 17th. After there had been no new stories since April 8th. Before noticing
the message on the Homepage saying a new website is coming, Huh?
Hopefully it will be far superior to RACER’s
abomination! Which now over one year later, still isn’t WCAG (Web Content
Accessibility Guidelines) compliant! Meaning my screen reader cannot read any
of the graphic titles or authors bio’s, being fairly annoying!
And that’s after multiple emails with two RACER
staff members netting me zero improvement, Urgh!
Trying
to follow IndyCar is a Hard Job!
Otay, rant over, as here’s what little I’d
gleaned before the website went Dark. Although I was pleasantly surprised after
more sleuthing, or was that sluicing upon Zed Intrawoods’. To learn that nine
Hulls had been slated to participate at the Tri-cities test Wayback on May
30th.
Tri-Cities Entry list
(Boat #/Boat Name/Driver)
U-00 Maverick, J. Michael Kelly
U-1 BWR Racing, Andrew Tate
U-3 Tahoe Miss, Cory Peabody
U-6 Miss Madison, Brandon Kennedy
U-11 Miss Flav-r-Pac, Jamie Nilsen
U-12 Graham Trucking, Jeff Bernard
U-21 Spirit of America, Gunnar O’Farrell
U-27 Miss Apollo, Jimmy Shane
U-40 Bucket List Racing, Dylan Runn
The biggest news being the retirement of Dave
Villwock at season’s end, being immediately replaced by the returning Jimmy
Shane. As Bruce Rachford’s BWR Racing will have a potent two boat line-up with
reigning, three times National High Points Champion (2018, 2024-2025) Andrew
Tate proudly carrying the U-1 designation.
While Shane, a seven times National High Points
Champion (2013-2017, 2019, 2022) was busy testing two Hulls at Kennewick, WA.
The U-27 and U-127 Miss Apollo’s, trying to decide which Hull He felt most
comfortable in, and which Hull He’ll campaign this season.
A five times APBA Gold cup winner, (2014-2015,
2017, 2019, 2021) Shane will be looking to break His tie with the legendous’
Gar Wood. While Tate has won the Gold Cup once in 2018.
Second biggest news was the announcement that
Strong Racing has rebranded it’s two Hulls for this season, the former U-8 and
U-9 now becoming the U-00 and U-3 in a nod to Unlimited history. With funding
courtesy of Stephen Hayden and His Tahoe Unlimited museum.
Strong
Racing rebrands for 2026 with U-00 Maverick and U-3 Tahoe Miss
As J. Michael Kelly (2016, 2023) and Cory
Peabody (2022, 2024) have both won two Gold Cups apiece. With Kelly also
claiming the 2009 and 2023 National High Points championships.
Peabody’s first Gold Cup triumph came at
Shane’s expense. As Shane appeared to have won His sixth Gold Cup at
Guntersville in 2022, only to be disqualified for going off-plane, (below
80mph)enabling Cory His first gold Cup Victory.
As H1 Unlimited eliminated the minimum 80mph
Planing rule requirement in 2023.
Looks like the Miss Madison’s recovering from
it’s financial hardship and will campaign a full season with backing from Royer
and Goodwin Real Estate. As the latter was Tate’s U-91 primary sponsor last
year…
Great news to hear that the U-40 Bucket List
Racing from Snohomish, WA is returning after sitting out last year’s season. As
not sure of either it’s Skipper Dylan Runn or Brendan Kennedy’s rookie status?
Although subsequently learned that Runn drove
the Miss Madison’s U-6 Miss Home Street Bank in 2023 as Shane’s replacement.
And Kennedy earned His rookie status last year also in the U-6 Miss Madison.
Whilst totally surprised over the return of the
U-12 Graham Trucking which has been off the water for several years now. With
returning veteran Skipper Jeff Bernard at the tiller.
Then there’s the driver I’d most like to see
finally “break His Duck!” And get the Monkey off His back. As Jamie Nilsen and
the U-11 crew are long overdue for a maiden Unlimited victory. And Nilsen’s
always sniffing at the chequered flag…
Lastly is the U-21, which seems to have
undergone another name change. But don’t look for the boat at Madison, at least
that’s what Gunnar said when interviewed at Tri-Cities.
2026 H1 Unlimited Pre-season
testing Driver interviews
If you’re wondering why I’ve eluded to Gold cup
winners, its because with Guntersville’s cancellation, the Gold Cup at Madison,
Indiana becomes this year’s season opener.
As the schedule consists of just four races,
with Madison July 5th. Followed by the Warshington’ double, i.e.; Tri-Cities
and Seattle. With Tri-Cities Water Follies taking place July 26th, and Seafair
the following week on August 2nd.
Then the season closes out once again in San
Diego on Mission Bay, with the Bill Muncey Cup on September 20th.
There’s also a new scoring system, which I think now simply tallies all points collected from Qualie’ to Final Heats, but more later, since I’m flying “Blind” on that, Oh Never Mind!
