As the sun peeks through the cloudy skies greeting the U13 Dick Scott Presents the Miss DYC unlimited hydroplane, the team works diligently over the engine compartment. Installing a different motor last evening, and trailer firing it this morning, they obviously are happy with their decision. The Detroit River greets them with calm waters.
J Michael Kelly, driver of the U13 from Puyallup, Washington waits patiently as the team prepares his boat for a test this morning, no doubt thinking of the racing that awaits him later in the day.
The morning test session was a success, as the team tried out a few different setups. Running a couple of laps in the 146mph range, Crew Chief Curt Tavener was happy. “We are running the same speeds that we were running yesterday. Looks good”
Before each heat, J Mike and Curt talk strategy, both asking each other questions to come up with ideas on how to win this race. “Three boats are right there close with the team in points, I just want to make sure we can handle them” Stated Kelly.
With a fitting tribute to the great nation that we live in, the teams all stood in formation at the singing of the National Anthem. Following that a fly by of two F18 jets.
“You know it’s the 13th of July. It’s our day, our day! Noted team owner Dave Bartush as the team gets prepared to take to the water in Heat 3A. Joining Mike in this heat was four of the premier drivers on the circuit today. Mike Allen, Jean Theoret, Jimmy King and Dr Ken Muscatel. Scoring up to at the start taking lane four Kelly and the rest of the drivers were making it up the back stretch as they entered the apex of the turn, both the 13 and the 3 came very close, “we did everything but touch” said a smiling JMK. Down the front straight away all five boats were running hard into the lower turn, suddenly Mike Allen in the formulaboats.com boat went over and landed on its top. Driver Allen was awake and talking as he was brought back to the pits by safety and rescue. The boat however did not fair as well.
Mother nature decided that the river was to calm, and after the heat was stopped and the boats brought back in, the winds picked up. ABRA and the Detroit River Regatta Association were faced with a very difficult decision. Hold all racing while waiting for the winds to die down, or just call the race then and there. After five hours of waiting the decision was made, this year’s 100th running of the Gold Cup would be cancelled. That means that there will be no winner and no points will be given. The 100th anniversary will be run next year in 2009.
The U13 heads west to Tri-Cities Washington for the annual 2008 Lamb Weston Columbia Cup.