Friday Tri-Cities Wrap
Twelve of the world’s fastest unlimited hydroplanes have set up camp in the Lampson pits in Tri-Cities WA, for the 42nd consecutive running of the Lamb Weston Columbia Cup.
The U13 Spirit of Detroit made the cross country trek to continue its run for the National Championship, and driver J Michael Kelly was hanging it on the hook during qualifying. Registering a speed of 157.944 mph, Kelly looked smooth as he traveled the two and one half mile course. However after the run it was noted that the boat suffered an N2 violation and the speed was disqualified. An earlier run of 151.911mph is the speed posted for the U13. “It was what it was” stated owner Dave Bartush on the disqualification of the faster speed.
The 13 is sporting a second set of eyes for this weekends running of the Columbia Cup, “We have a camera mounted on the back and are looking to have one installed in the cockpit. We are getting some great exposure; unfortunately no one is taking advantage of it” said Bartush. “We are sponsored by Car Pros’ in Seattle, it would be great for a sponsor to have his name right there by that camera.”
In the annual Dash for Cash, JMK was running against Steve David in the community owned Oh Boy! Oberto, the U9 Connover Insurance driven by Chris Bertram, the U48 Lakeridge Paving driven by David Williams and the U3 Hoss Mortgage Investors driven by Jimmy King. Kelly powered the SOD to second place against the fast running David in the U6.
Saturday Tri-Cities Wrap
The U13 Spirit of Detroit was entered in heat 1A with the U6 Oh Boy! Oberto, driven by Steve David. The heat looked to be a fast one as the U5 formulaboats.com entry driven by Jeff Bernard and the newly repaired U10 driven by David Bryant rounded out the field.
Coming down to the start of the race the 6 and 5 both looked to be early, and ended up jumping the gun and that set the battle between the 10 and the 13. J Michael Kelly and David Bryant put on one of the best races on Saturday giving J Michael 300 needed points for the second place win.