Detroit Yacht Club Auction
The Fundraiser Auction at the DYC was a fabulous event and the food was spectacular.
More than 500 people attended and raised $90,000 for the event!
Volunteer Kick-Off Party - Reminder - June 14th
The Volunteer Kick-Off party is scheduled for June 14th at the Roostertail. Thanks to Tom Schoenith for sponsoring the evening. Save the date - more details to come.
Chip Hanauer - Couch Racing Links
If you missed the live streaming of Chip Hanauer's talk at the Hydroplane And Raceboat Museum, the video is available for replay: http://thunderboats.ning.com/profiles/blogs/couch-racing-links
The Evans Brothers Are New Team Owners
Pasco, Wash., April 30, 2012- Veteran Air National Guard Hydroplane Series driver Mark Evans and his brother, Mitch, can add another title to their resumes - team owners.
The Evans brothers announced Monday they have purchased the U57 Unlimited Hydroplane from Ted Porter of Precision Performance LLC of Decatur, Ind., along with the truck, trailer, engines, gearbox and propellers. They took possession of the race boat this weekend in their hometown of Lake Chelan, Wash.
"I just love the sport and I love driving this boat," said Mark Evans, who has 10 career race victories. "I was shocked when my brother (Mitch) wanted to be part of this. That sealed the deal for me."
The purchase price was not disclosed but Mark said the team will race under the Formula Boats banner for the foreseeable future. The team plans to run the entire United States circuit with the goal of qualifying for the season-ending Oryx Cup UIM World Championships in Doha, Qatar. The U57 hull is the same boat Mark campaigned for Ted Porter in 2011.
Mark is the primary driver with his brother, Mitch, serving as the crew chief. John Walcker of Chelan is acting as team manager. Crew members will include Tony Scharf of Wenatchee, Wash., Paul LaMarre and Bill Guckian of Detroit, Josh Culver from the Tri-Cities, Wash., and Dave Lemon and Bianca Bononcini from the Seattle area.
Mark Evans has driven numerous Unlimiteds in his long career and likes the hull, which is why he decided to acquire it. Porter announced in January he was putting his team's three boats up for sale.
"It's a good fit for me," Evans said of the hull. "I like the way it handles and I am confident we can get another 5 to 10 percent out of the performance and be a little more competitive."
"I didn't want to get too excited until the boat actually got here," he added. "But when I saw it coming up the driveway it was a real rush. Mitch and John and I are very excited about making the circuit with the 57 and the great team we have put together."
Return Of U-5 Graham Trucking Boat
Decatur, Ind., May 7, 2012- Precision Performance Engineering, LLC owner Ted Porter and Graham Trucking Inc. owner Rob Graham are pleased to announce the continuation of Graham Trucking sponsorship at U-5 Racing on the Air National Guard Hydroplane Series.
Graham Trucking became the primary sponsor of the PPE, LLC U-7 Unlimited hydroplane in 2009 and celebrated the season finale as the U.I.M. World Champion. In 2010 Graham Trucking continued on the U-7 with a very respectable season. In 2011 the Graham trucking name switched to the U-5 finishing an impressive third in National High Points.
This year, the Miss Graham Trucking name will once again be carried by the U-5 Unlimited hydroplane, driven by Jimmy Shane of Havre de Grace, Md. Shane has been a backup driver for PPE for five years and has driven several unlimited heat races during that time. His most recent race was at the 2011 Oryx Cup/UIM World Champion race in Doha, Qatar where he drove the U-57 to an impressive fourth-place finish. Shane has also been a champion in other classes of the highly competitive American Power Boat Association (APBA).
PPE, LLC is looking forward to continuing its relationship with Rob Graham and Graham Trucking.
Rob Graham states that, "Ted Porter and his crew have a proven track record as a first-rate team in the past several years, and Graham Trucking is excited to once again be racing with the PPE Team. Graham trucking is thrilled to continue our sponsorship of this extremely talented group of people. Ted and everyone else associated with this team have continually exceeded our expectations and are consistently at the front of the pack. I am very excited that Ted has chosen the U-5 and Jimmy Shane to represent us.
"Jimmy is one of the best drivers on the limited circuit with a proven record of wins and accomplishments during his career, and Graham Trucking is excited to have him under our sponsorship. Jimmy will be a great representative for Graham Trucking."
Some of Jimmy Shane's hydroplane accomplishments in limited classes are: three time Hall of Champions Inductee, three time National High Point Champion, three time Summer National Champion, three time World Champion, two time Canadian High Point Champion, seven Closed Course UIM World Records, a Kilo Straightaway UIM World Record, four GP Race winner, designed and built four outboard hydroplane/runabout boats of which all have set UIM World Records. He has been a Qualified Unlimited Hydroplane Driver since 2007, and finished fourth at the 2011 Oryx Cup/UIM National Championship in Doha, Qatar.
Graham added, "I'm really looking forward to watching Jimmy in the U-5 this season. We look forward to another great season with Ted, Jimmy and the people who make this team great. The offseason has seen the PPE team making improvements on the boat and I appreciate everything they are doing to get us to the winner's circle in the U-5. The Graham Trucking Racing family is really excited to go racing with this first-rate team. "
Graham Trucking began 28 years ago with a mission to become a company that customers and employees alike could be proud of. Based on industry surveys, Graham Trucking has achieved that goal. Based in South Park and serving the Pacific Northwest, Graham Trucking operates a fleet of 80-plus power units and one of the largest super chassis fleets in the state of Washington. Graham Trucking is also sponsoring F-1 PROP racing at Seafair.