Hydroplane racing

European Motorboat Championship in Żnin (Poland)

Hydroplane racing (also known as hydro racing) is a sport involving racing hydroplanes on lakes and rivers. It is a popular spectator sport in several countries.

Racing circuits

Limited racing

Limited hydroplane racing uses several size classes to ensure fair competition, similar to boxing weight classes. Within the European Union the U.I.M has governed a wide range of classes from OSY-400 which is a stock racing class, to F-125, F-250, F-350 and F-500. These classes are affordable classes to race in which can achieve speeds of 100 mph (160 km/h).

Unlimited Light Hydroplanes

While still a limited class, the ULs run big block Chevy motors and travel at speeds between 130 and 160 mph (260 km/h). The boats are from 20' up to 26'. The current speed record holder is Greg Hopp, son of Jerry Hopp, with a speed of 166. Unlimited Lights are popular in the northwest US and spreading to places like California and Quebec CA. A race will be added in 2008 in South Dakota.

Thunderboats hydroplanes (NACCS)

This has two classes of engines, (G-575) and (G-468), both with superchargers. Boats are from minimum 25' 0" up to 28' 0" maximum length. Weighing minimum from (G-468) 2,800 lb to (G-575) 3,600 lb. Boats have high power and go over speeds of 100 mph (160 km/h).

Unlimited racing

Although bit of a misnomer as the boats aren't without limits, unlimited hydroplane has much fewer restrictions than with limited hydroplane racing. These 30 foot, 6,800 lbs boats run primarily with a T-55 L7 turbine. This turbine was used during the Vietnam area Chinook helicopter. Using 4.1 gallons per minute of fuel these turbines will create roughly 3,000 horsepower and reach speeds in excess of 200 MPH. Ed Cooper (U-3) of Evansville, Indiana is currently the only hull to use piston power. Cooper uses the V-12 Allison, which was used in World War II fighter planes. The primary racing circuit for unlimited racing is the H1 Unlimited, whose season typically runs from late June through September, consisting of six races. H1 Unlimited races occur throughout the United States, Canada, and the Middle East.

Stock Outboard Racing

Stock Outboard Racing utilizes both hydroplane and runabout or monoplane hulls with racing engines that utilize a service outboard powerhead and a racing lower unit with a direct drive (i.e. start in gear). Racing in this form ranges from classes designated as follows: A Class, B Class, C Class and D Class. There is also a Junior or "J" Class for kids between the ages of 9 and 16 years of age. The engine sizes range from 9.9 horsepower (7.4 kW) to 50 horsepower (37 kW) with speeds from 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) to 90 miles per hour (140 km/h). In the C Stock Class, the Yamato Motor Company engines used in kyōtei, parimutuel betting in Japan, are reconditioned, shipped to the United States and used for racing in these classes.

Class B Stock Hydroplane

Hydroplane racing safety

In the early days of hydroplane racing, accidents, and even the deaths of drivers, were considered somewhat routine. As top speeds increased, more attention was paid to driver safety, much like with auto racing. Today the U.I.M has introduced safety measures, like carbon Kevlar cockpits, safety belts, and side protection making the boats safer for the driver.

Notable figures

Drivers

• Bill Muncey
• Chip Hanauer
• Steve David
• Ron Musson
• Dave Villwock
• Mike Eacrett
• Dean Chenoweth
• Steve Reynolds
• Jim Kropfeld
• Scott Pierce
• Cameron Hansing
• Bill Blackwell
• Annie Thurman
• Ashley Rucker
• Colin Rucker
• Aaron Peterson
• Brandon Thirlby
• Tom D'Eath

Hydroplanes

• Miss Madison
• Miss Budweiser
• Miss Red Dot
• Miss Renault
• Atlas Van Lines
• The Squire Shop/Brittania
• Mr. Pringles
• Miss Seven Eleven
• Pay N' Pak
• Miller American
• Miller High Life
• Kellog's Frosted Flakes
• OH BOY OBERTO
• Cooper's Express
• Frank Kinney Toyota
• EXECUTONE TELEPHONES
• Miss TOSTI ASTI

Owners

• Bernie Little
• Bill Muncey
• Bill Blackwell

Sponsors

• Budweiser
• Atlas Van Lines
• Madison, Indiana
• Miss Beacon Plumbing

Engine manufacturers

• Allison
• Evinrude
• Johnson
• Lycoming
• Mercury Marine
• Rolls-Royce Merlin
• VRP Verona Racing Products

See also

• Motorboat racing
• Kyōtei - parimutuel hydroplane boat races in Japan and South Korea

External links

• APBA-Racing.com - United States UIM National Authority for all power boat racing
• H1 Unlimited - major unlimited hydroplane racing league.
• Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum - Located in Kent, Washington it contains many hydros from the 1950's - 1980's
• CBFNC.ca - The Canadian authority for UIM powerboat racing
• US Title Series - APBA - PRO Outboard Racing
• HydroRacing.com - Tri-City Herald's online coverage of the Columbia Cup since 1996.
• HydroInsider.com
• Grand Prix West HydroPlane Association Class and a Club in the American Power Boat Association.
• Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association- Unlimited Light hydroplanes ,Thunder Boats (NACCS), Lighter then light hydroplanes
• Formula Series UIM Championships - Formula Series OSY400, F-125, F-250, F-350 & F-500 UIM Championships.
• HydroplaneQuebec.com
• QuincyLooperRacing.US - History of Quincy Welding, Quincy Looper outboard racing engines and hydroplane / runabout racing
• TORCRacing.ca - The Toronto Outboard Racing Club Inc. - Canada's largest and oldest sanctioned outboard racing club
• Badger State Outboard Association - A Region 7 club of APBA, located in Wisconsin, USA