After qualifying in eighth position at just 138.448mph and with only one motor in the truck, the U13 Car Pros/Spirit of Detroit team only wanted to do one thing; survive Seattle. Known as the boat racing capitol of the world, and with some of the worst water conditions on the ABRA circuit, Seattle usually takes its toll on the racing teams. “We had to run ultra conservative because we blew our other motor up in Tri-Cities and this one had to last us all day long” stated Dave Bartush, owner of the U13 team. “I just wanted to come out of there in one piece, and third place was not too bad. We are in really good position in the points standings.”
Heat 1C drew accolades of driver J Michael Kelly. Racing legend Chip Hanauer stated on KIRO TV, “J Michael Kelly has more raw talent and natural ability than I did when I was racing.” Mike Fitzsimons added “He is talented and he is due.” At the start of the heat Mike was leading the U5 formulaboats.com driven by Jeff Bertram into the first turn after an on the mark start. But running into traffic, JMK had to slow down and go to the outside costing him some speed as he was chasing his best of friend down. Taking second place, heat winner Bertram has this to say about his friend, “The 13 team had their stuff running, he was giving me all I could take.”
Heat 2B saw the 1, 5, 6, 10 and the 13 all bunched up going into turn one with Kelly tucked into the third place position. Again the KIRO announcers had nothing but praise about JMK calling him one of the most talented drivers in 45 years. After running hard all of the heat Mike settled for 4th place.
Heat 3A The Spirit drew the U5 once again and Greg Hopp driving Fred Leland’s U100 mirageboats.com. With another great start, J proceeded to out pace the 100 and setting his eyes on the 5 he started pulling him up the back chute, however with just three lap heats Mike decided to settle for second, garnering enough points to get into the winner take all final.
Jean Theoret and Dave Villwock had been trading water at the beginning of the start, and in doing so Theoret got disqualified, after he washed down Villwock giving him no chance at making Seattle his 5th straight win this season. Fighting deck to deck with the U10 the mighty 13 was pulling him all over the course, and while doing so they were gaining on the U6 Oh Boy! Oberto. Rounding the turn heading to the checkered flag the 6 had the first place tied up and the 10 and the 13 were dueling deck to deck, with the 10 taking second place at the wire while JMK took 3rd. After returning to the dock there was a little trouble with the electrical system and the fire company had to come put out a small fire on the boat. Damage was minor.
The next and final stop of the 2007 ABRA tour takes us to sunny southern California, where the girls are hot and so is the racing on Mission Bay in San Diego. September 16 will decide the order of finish for the National championship points.