1987 Budweiser Thunderboat Championship
Kropfeld Betters Hanauer's Record On Detroit River
Miss Budweiser, with Jim Kropfeld at the helm, has wiped out a two-year-old course record in qualifying for Sunday's unlimited hydroplane race on the Detroit River.
Kropfeld averaged 150.83 mph over the 2.5-mile course in yesterday's qualifying round, breaking the Detroit mark of 139.384 mph set by Chip Hanauer aboard the Miller American in 1985.
Qualifying continues through tomorrow for Sunday's Thunderboat Championship.
Kropfeld's qualifying run was close to the overall unlimited speed record, set in 1985 when Hanauer reached 153.061 mph at Tri-Cities, Wash.
Hanauer was absent from the qualifying session. The Miller American was being repaired at a local garage.
The second-fastest qualifying run belonged to Seattle's Scott Pierce, who piloted the Mr. Pringles to a 127.732 mph clocking. He was followed by Mitch Evans in the Pepsi America's Choice at 105.683 and Jerry Hopp in the U-7 at 104.590.
(Reprinted from The Seattle Times, July 10, 1987)