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 (at least the U. S., Canada, and Australia), and one of the more commercialized sports.

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 100MPH.

Unlimited Light Hydroplanes

While still a limited class, the ULs run big block Chevy motors and travel at speeds between 130 and 160 mph. 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.

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. The main difference being the size of the engines, as these engines were normally 750ci as opposed to the 500ci engines used in the F-500 class.

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 to 50 horsepower with speeds from 30 miles per hour to 90 miles per hour. 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. The American Power Boat Association (Detroit, Michigan) sanctions approximately fifty stock outboard events per year in the United States.

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 But Crazy Figures (edited by Cameron Hansing)

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

Hydroplane boats

• Miss Madison
• Miss Budwiser

Owners

• Bernie Little
• Bill Muncey
• Bill Blackwell

Sponsors

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

Engine manufacturers

• Rolls-Royce Merlin
• Allison Engine Company
• Lycoming
• Evinrude
• Mercury Marine
• Johnson

See also

• Motorboat racing

External links

• Hydroplane-Racing.com : A community site for Hydroplane Racing fans young and old!
• Unlimited Hydroplane Racing 101