Where another season comes to a close with last
year’s same ‘Ol issues…
As previously mentioned, this year H1 Unlimited
has introduced a new racing format for how long I don’t know?
For Mwah, a longtime Unlimited aficionado, the
best part of the events final was the five minute milling period. As it was
always fascinating over who’d outfox who for the preferred Lane 1.
The series even introduced a rule requiring the
drivers to a minimum speed of 80mph, and effectively staying on a plane.
Having just watched the 1985 Miami regatta,
this rule caught out Steve Reynolds in the Miss 7-Eleven. With Reynolds
cheekily saying something about bill Muncey would have tried getting away with
it, or something to that effect!
While boat owner Steve Woomer argued with
officials to no avail…
Then H1 Unlimited cancelled the minimum 80mph
rule, presumably from too many violations impacting race outcomes.
Thus for 2026, H1 Unlimited has introduced a
points-based accumulation system, with every point counting towards lane
selection. Beginning with the fastest qualifier assigned Lane 1 for the events
first Heat.
Boats are then “split” (inverted) between Heats
1A and 1B on a odd-even basis, with the second fastest Hydroplane being in Lane
1 for Heat 1B. While I believe this 1-3-5-7; 2-4-6-8 “split”, or Heat draw
continues for the remaining qualifying Heats up to the final.
H1
Unlimited introduces new Race Format debuting at Madison
This new weekend points accumulation system
only allows for each competitor choosing Lane 1 and Lane 2 once per season for
the finals.
Andrew Tate chose Lane 2 for Madison, and Lane
1 for Seafair. BWR Racing teammate Jimmy Shane chose Lane 1 at Tri-Cities and Arse-sumedly
chose Lane 2 at Seattle, since that’s the lane He raced in.
Therefore, I believe both BWR Racing skippers
will only be able to choose Lane 3 for this weekend’s San Diego Bill Muncey Cup
finale.
Also new this year, and for Mwah a breath ‘O
fresh air. The H1 Unlimited livestream has replaced Tanner Foust with former
Unlimited Hydroplane driver Dustin Echols. And I find it a vast improvement,
with no disrespect towards Foust.
Echols brings a youthful, infectious manner to
His “Driver analyst” colour commentator role, and the chemistry between
Play-by-Play announcer Brad Luce is excellent!
Not to mention, I appreciate how Luce doesn’t
take Himself too seriously. Fessing up to His mistake of trying to make Dustin
older than He was when asking Him what it was like transitioning between an
open cockpit to racing an enclosed canopy Unlimited Hydroplane. Saying He
noticed Dustin’s look at Him while taking one for the team and answering
politically correct without throwing Luce under water…
That said, for another year in-a-row, the
livestream’s volume level is simply Atrocious!
I really do not understand why I need to Jack
Up the volume 30 levels in order to be able to hear Echols and Luce’s pre-race
banter. And then turn it down 8-10 levels during race when Luce starts
screaming…
Guessing its Broadcasting 101? Since All the
announcers do this screaming trick, but I don’t understand why!
As Mark Gravelly’ James and Michael Screech’
Young’s screaming over Kyfinn Simpson and Christian Lundgaard banging wheels
during the middle of Portland’s IndyCar race definitely woke me up while
fighting over ninth place! But I digress…
Also, I don’t understand why H1 Unlimited
cannot have a microphone to pickup the sound of the Hydroplanes on course. As
they managed to do so for the gold Cup event in Madison, but the two
Warshinton’ races, i.e.; Tri-Cities and Seattle were completely devoid of any
Hydroplane noise.
As I’ve come to enjoy the whooshing sounds of
the Unlimited boats screaming by, and for someone who’s blind, I cannot watch
any of the action onscreen!
Which is why without any mechanical race boat
noise and trumped-up, manufactured Hype of screaming at me all race long, its
pretty hard for me to get excited!
Yeah, I know Brad Luce says if that didn’t get
me excited than I better look for some other sort of entertainment…
Yet I do love Hydroplane racing. I just wish I didn’t have to turn my Confuzer’ speakers up to 99 in order to hear the announcers and then down to 76 when one’s screaming and there’s no turbine whine of the Unlimiteds racing by!
