1998 Season Summary
Statistics
| 0. | April 26 | Gila River Casino Lakefest Invitational [no points] | Phoenix, Arizona |
| 1. | June 27-28 | Pontiac Grand Am Thunder | Evansville, Indiana |
| 2. | July 11-12 | Chrysler Jeep APBA Gold Cup | Detroit, Michigan |
| 3. | July 18-19 | Virginia Is For Lovers Cup | Norfolk, Virginia |
| 4. | July 26 | Budweiser Columbia Cup With Wings | Kennewick, Washington |
| 5. | August 1-2 | Molson Dry Thunderfest | Kelowna, British Columbia |
| 6. | August 9 | Texaco Cup at Seafair | Seattle, Washington |
| 7. | September 6 | Budweiser Indiana Governor's Cup | Madison, Indiana |
| 8. | September 19-20 | Bayfair Bill Muncey Cup | San Diego, California |
| 9. | September 27 | Las Vegas Cup | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 10. | October 17,18 | JN Automotive Hydrofest | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Winner | Crew Chief | Designer | Builder | Engine | Course | Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/28 | Miss Budweiser (20) | Mark Smith | Brown-Jones | Ron Brown | Lycoming | 2 Miles | 22 Miles |
| 7/12 | Miss Budweiser (20) | Mark Smith | Brown-Jones | Ron Brown | Lycoming | 2K Miles | 52K Miles |
| 7/19 | Miss Budweiser (22) | Mark Smith | Leland-Villwock | Ron Brown | Lycoming | 2 Miles | 34 Miles |
| 7/26 | Miss Budweiser (20). | Mark Smith | Brown-Jones | Ron Brown | Lycoming | 2K Miles | 35 Miles |
| 8/2 | PICO American Dream (5) | Ken Dryden | Fred Leland | Fred Leland | Lycoming | 2 Miles | 28 Miles |
| 8/9 | Miss Budweiser (22) | Mark Smith | Leland-Villwock | Ron Brown | Lycoming | 2 Miles | 28 Miles |
| 9/6 | Miss Budweiser (20) | Mark Smith | Brown-Jones | Ron Brown | Lycoming | 2K Miles | 35 Miles |
| 9/20 | Miss Budweiser (22)’ | Mark Smith | Leland-Villwock | Ron Brown | Lycoming | 2K Miles | 35 Miles |
| 9/27 | Miss Budweiser (20) | Mark Smith | Brown-Jones | Ron Brown | Lycoming | 2 Miles | 28 Miles |
| 10/18 | Wild FIRE | Jim Lucero | Lucero-Jones | Lucero-Jones | Lycoming | 2K Miles | 35 Miles |
| Built | Boat High Points | Qual. | Team Hiqh Pqints | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | (1993) | Gaylord's | 8571 | (2) | |
| 2. | (1997) | Miss Budweiser (22) | 7994 | (1-15923) | |
| 3. | (1995) | Miss Budweiser (20) | 7929 | ||
| 4. | (1996) | Appian Jeronimo (3) | 7263 | (3) | |
| 5. | (1998) | PICO American Dream (5) | a | 7063 | (4-7027) |
| 6. | (1988) | Llumar Window: Film | 5941 | (5) | |
| 7. | (1982) | Tvetin's RV Mart | 5080 | (6) | |
| 8. | (1995) | Miss E-Lam Plus (2) | 4311 | (8) | |
| 9. | (1984) | Miss K.C. (2) | 4171 | (7-4340) | |
| 10. | (1987) | Wildfire | 3365 | (9) | |
| 11. | (1997) | Cooper's Express (2) | 2330 | (10) | |
| 12. | (1992) | Waikiki Trolley | 2329 | (Id | |
| 13. | (1998) | Miss Bell Forklift | b | 1747 | (12-1398) |
| 14. | (1996) | PICO American Dream (2) | 1746 | ||
| 15. | (1988) | Miss Madison (5) | 855 | (13) | |
| 16. | (1997) | Miss VONS (4) | 169 | ||
| 17. | (1992) | Miss Sammamish Lake Watch | 000 | ||
| PICO American Dream II | (14-765) | ||||
| United Furniture Warehouse | (15-349) | ||||
| a 1017 Points deducted by APBA also includes 765 Points as PICO American Dream b Includes 349 points as United Furniture Warehouse |
|||||
| Driver High Points | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Dave Villwock | 15923 |
| 2. | Steve David | 8521 |
| 3. | Mitch Evans | 7263 |
| 4. | Mark Evans | 7027 |
| 5. | Nate Brown | 5941 |
| 6. | Mark Weber | 5695 |
| 7. | Ken Muscatel | 5080 |
| 8. | Jimmy King | 4311 |
| 9. | Mike Weber | 3805 |
| 10. | Jerry Hale | 2329 |
| 11. | Mike Hanson | 1390 |
| 12. | Rick Christensen | 1356 |
| 13. | Mark Tate | 765 |
| 14. | Greg Hopp | 222 |
| 1. | Miss T-Plus (2), Miss D.O.C. Acuvue (3), Jim Harvey Motors Ports, ARC Construction (6) , Trendwest Resorts Miss KISS 106, Molson Jackhammer, Dole Cannery, Miss Detroit Ford Dealers, PrimeStar, Gargwiles Nitro Pennzoil Pit Stop, Deja Vu (2), Miss Chrysler Jeep, Harvey Motor Sports (2), Miss Molson, Freddie's Club |
| 4. | Chaplin's Bellevue Mazda, Miss VONS (2), Stihl (1), Miss Wellness Plan (3), KGMB Channel 9, PICO American Dream (4) |
| 6. | Mr. Pringles (2), Executone (4), Ellis Park, Super Range Golf, Ultra Bold Dash, Tide, Pizza Time/Exide Lynnwood Honda, Pflueger Honda, Miss Tri-Cities (6), Miss Molson Dry, Chaplin's |
| 7. | Atlas Van Lines (10), Spirit of America, Squire Shop (4), Oh Boy! Oberto (6), The Brake Shop, ARC Construction (3), Harvey Motor Sports, Miss T-Plus (1), Target Stores, Computers & Applications (2), Miss Northwest Unlimited, Audio Bahn, Vaurnet, Jackson's Sports Bar, Team Yamaha Kelowna |
| 9. | Atlas Van Lines (11), Miller American (1), Miller High Life (1), Race Rock Motor City Diner, ARC Construction (4), Spirit of San Diego, American Spirit (1), Miss Circus Circus (5), Miss Exide (4) Miss Carpenter Communications, Cost Less Carpets (3) , Miss Graham Trucking |
| 10. | Miller American (2), Miller High Life (2), Miss Circus Circus (4), Winston Eagle (3), Smokin' Joe's (1) Close Call |
| 11. | Master Tire (2), Spirit of Lake Chelan (2) |
| 12. | The Brake Shop (2), Lytle State Rep., Miss U.A.W., Miss Hanalei Hotel, Dallas Motor Coach, ARC Construction (5), Tide's American Spirit, American Spirit (2), Miss Wellness Plan (2), Buehler's Buy Low, Kroeger's, Appian Renegade, Miss Rock KISW-FM (5), Miss VONS, Miss Columbia Communications, Waffle House, Miss Jennifer, Miss Welborn Health Plans, Miss R.S. Eastin Hotels, Performance Mortgage, Appian Jeronimo (2), Easter Seals (2) |
| 13. | Miss R.S. Eastin Hotels (3), PICO American Dream (6) |
| 15. | Holset Miss Madison (2), Holset Miss Mazda, Holset Miss U.S. Star, Gaylord's At Kilohana, Valvoline Miss Madison (2), Kellogg's Tony The Tiger, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes, Miss Jasper Engines, De Walt Too |
| 16. | PICO American Dream (3), Miss Crazy Tomato, Miss R.S. Eastin Hotels (2), Stihl (2), Graham Trucking |
| 17. | Coors Dry, Miss Circus Circus (7), Miss Exide II, Cost Less Carpets (2) |
* * *
| Speed Profiles '98 [Pt. 1 of 2] | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-28 | 7-12 | 7-19 | 7-26 | 8-2 | |||
| Completion % Full Season - Rank | Evansville 2 | Detroit 2½ | Norfolk 2 | Pasco 2½ | Kelowna 2 | ||
| 1. | Miss Budweiser (20) 1000 1000 - 1st |
Test | 155.162 | 166.312 | 151.007 | 162.493 | 154.129 |
| Lap | 144.936 | 152.588 | — | 152.207 | — | ||
| Heat | 137.013 | 146.448 | — | 145.750 | — | ||
| ( Finals; Finished5 of 5 ) | |||||||
| 2. | Miss Budweiser (22) 1000 |
Test | — | 163.529 | 152.847 | 164.207 | 154.636 |
| Lap | — | — | 141.273 | — | 141.188 | ||
| Heat | — | — | 130.984 | — | 134.721 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 5 of 5 ) | |||||||
| 3. | PICO American Dream (2) .875 . 848- 2nd |
Test | 149.387 | 152.143 | 143.221 | — | 144.706 |
| Lap | 126.799 | 151.439 | — | — | — | ||
| Heat | 124.851 | 141.885 | — | — | — | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 1 of 2 ) | |||||||
| 4. | PICO American Dream (5) PICO American Dream 98 .827 |
Test | — | 154.334 | 141.218 | 155.526 | 140.004 |
| Lap | — | 140.838 | 134.668 | 143.784 | 138.878 | ||
| Heat | — | 134.576 | 124.067 | 140.952 | 136.926 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 4 of 5 ) | |||||||
| 5. | Miss Bell Forklift United Furniture Warehouse .909 |
Test | — | 153.474 | — | 149.735 | — |
| Lap | 103.758 | 123.625 | — | 140.577 | — | ||
| Heat | 101.337 | 121.872 | — | 134.189 | — | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 0 of 1 | |||||||
| 6. | Appian Jeronimo (3) .838 - 4th |
Test | 129.334 | 159.450 | — | 160.505 | 150.423 |
| Lap | 129.536 | 147.092 | — | 148.950 | 138.116 | ||
| Heat | 126.267 | 140.222 | — | 146.086 | 135.062 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 7 of 1 ) | |||||||
| 7. | Freddie's Club Deja Vu (2) .825 - 5th |
Test | 154.195 | 159.487 | 142.113 | 154.666 | 143.770 |
| Lap | 134.746 | 148.004 | 116.567 | 140.008 | 134.263 | ||
| Heat | 133.864 | 143.289 | 115.105 | 137.293 | 131.918 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 6 of 9 ) | |||||||
| 8. | Miss Northwest Unlimited .750 - 6th |
Test | — | 146.996 | — | 145.269 | 136.952 |
| Lap | 137.292 | 140.966 | 69.931 | 144.993 | 134.056 | ||
| Heat | 135.074 | 131.183 | — | 141.911 | 131.814 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 4 of 6 ) | |||||||
| 9. | Carpenter Cownications .551 .531 - 7th |
Test | — | 146.687 | 131.066 | 149.638 | 139.611 |
| Lap | 127.217 | 142.561 | 122.888 | 139.626 | 134.243 | ||
| Heat. | 125.680 | 134.880 | 100.315 | 136.540 | 131.230 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 1 of 4 ) | |||||||
| 10. | Llumar Window Film .840 - 3rd |
Test | — | 157.186 | — | 159.841 | 142.959 |
| Lap | — | 146.891 | — | 147.035 | 137.302 | ||
| Heat | — | 136.732 | — | 143.926 | 132.665 | ||
| (Finals; Finished 5 of 6 ) | |||||||
| 11. | Miss E-Lam Plus (2) 1000 |
Test | — | — | — | 158.019 | — |
| Lap | — | — | — | 148.979 | — | ||
| Heat | — | — | — | 144.397 | — | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 4 of 4 ) | |||||||
| 12. | Wildfire 1000 |
Test | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lap | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Heat | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 3 of 3 ) | |||||||
| 13. | Easter Seals (2) | Test | — | — | — | 146.275 | — |
| .764 | Lap | — | — | — | 138.122 | — | |
| — | Heat | — | — | — | 135.356 | — | |
| ( Finals; Finished 3 of 4 ) | |||||||
| 14. | Miss Madison (5) .750 | Test | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lap | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Heat | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 1 of 1 ) | |||||||
| 15. | Miss VONS (4) .333 | Test | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lap | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Heat | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 0 of 0 ) | |||||||
| 16. | Master Tire (2) | Test | — | 129.071 | 125.287 | 134.313 | 123.097 |
| .500 | Lap | 37.529 | 120.458 | 109.769 | 122.756 | 89.079 | |
| — | Heat | — | 115.574 | 103.314 | 119.284 | — | |
| ( Finals; Finished 1 of 3 ) | |||||||
| 17. | Miss Sammamish Lake Watch | Test | — | — | — | 129.242 | — |
| .000 | Lap | — | — | — | — | — | |
| ( Finals; Finished 0 of 0 ) | |||||||
| Speed Profiles '98 [Pt. 2 of 2] | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-9 | 9-6 | 9-20 | 9-27 | 10-18 | 2½ Mile | |||
| Completion % Full Season - Rank | Seattle 2 | Madison 2½ | San Diego 2½ | Las Vegas 2 | Hawaii 2½ | Course Optimum | ||
| 1. | Miss Budweiser (20) 1000 1000 - 1st |
Test | 156.582 | 160.858 | 165.563 | — | — | 166.312 |
| Lap | — | 145.617 | — | 141.412 | — | 152.588 | ||
| Heat | — | 140.730 | — | 129.661 | — | 146.448 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished5 of 5 ) | ||||||||
| 2. | Miss Budweiser (22) 1000 |
Test | 156.352 | — | 163.663 | — | 166.153 | 166.153 |
| Lap | 148.362 | — | 158.200 | — | 160.723 | 160.723 | ||
| Heat | 138.535 | — | 155.839 | — | 156.059 | 156.059 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 5 of 5 ) | ||||||||
| 3. | PICO American Dream (2) .875 . 848- 2nd |
Test | 148.222 | — | — | — | — | 154.@@@ |
| Lap | — | — | — | — | — | 151.439 | ||
| Heat | — | — | — | — | — | 141.885 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 1 of 2 ) | ||||||||
| 4. | PICO American Dream (5) PICO American Dream 98 .827 |
Test | 145.413 | 155.028 | 162.607 | — | — | 162.607 |
| Lap | 143.968 | 145.865 | 158.006 | — | — | 158.006 | ||
| Heat | 138.083 | 141.418 | 153.547 | — | — | 153.547 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 4 of 5 ) | ||||||||
| 5. | Miss Bell Forklift United Furniture Warehouse .909 |
Test | — | — | 150.985 | — | — | 153.474 |
| Lap | — | — | — | — | — | 140.577 | ||
| Heat | — | — | — | — | — | 134.189 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 0 of 1 | ||||||||
| 6. | Appian Jeronimo (3) .838 - 4th |
Test | 156.822 | — | 162.728 | — | 161.175 | 162.728 |
| Lap | 147.173 | — | 151.702 | 137.615 | 160.108 | 160.108 | ||
| Heat | 141.718 | — | 150.703 | 133.644 | 155.186 | 155.186 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 7 of 1 ) | ||||||||
| 7. | Freddie's Club Deja Vu (2) .825 - 5th |
Test | 143.289 | 142.980 | 151.899 | — | 149.681 | 159.487 |
| Lap | 139.958 | 133.014 | 132.634 | 129.966 | 143.209 | 148.004 | ||
| Heat | 133.679 | 131.934 | 128.818 | 124.272 | 140.990 | 143.289 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 6 of 9 ) | ||||||||
| 8. | Miss Northwest Unlimited .750 - 6th |
Test | 136.400 | 141.855 | — | — | — | 146.996 |
| Lap | 136.893 | 133.136 | — | — | — | 144.993 | ||
| Heat | 133.579 | 130.909 | — | — | — | 141.911 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 4 of 6 ) | ||||||||
| 9. | Carpenter Cownications .551 .531 - 7th |
Test | 143.595 | 148.449 | — | — | 144.604 | 149.638 |
| Lap | 136.763 | 140.643 | — | — | 139.245 | 142.561 | ||
| Heat. | 131.721 | 137.896 | — | — | 136.755 | 137.896 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 1 of 4 ) | ||||||||
| 10. | Llumar Window Film .840 - 3rd |
Test | 148.656 | — | 158.890 | — | 150.701 | 159.841 |
| Lap | 140.518 | — | 149.975 | — | 146.977 | 149.975 | ||
| Heat | 136.036 | — | 148.151 | — | 143.275 | 148.151 | ||
| (Finals; Finished 5 of 6 ) | ||||||||
| 11. | Miss E-Lam Plus (2) 1000 |
Test | 151.343 | — | 158.881 | — | — | 158.881 |
| Lap | 139.708 | — | 150.615 | 137.350 | — | 150.615 | ||
| Heat | 135.197 | — | 147.426 | 133.066 | — | 147.426 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 4 of 4 ) | ||||||||
| 12. | Wildfire 1000 |
Test | — | — | 153.312 | — | 149.823 | 153.312 |
| Lap | — | — | 144.529 | 134.409 | 145.714 | 145.714 | ||
| Heat | — | — | 139.340 | 125.305 | 144.008 | 144.008 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 3 of 3 ) | ||||||||
| 13. | Easter Seals (2) | Test | 137.151 | — | — | — | 143.269 | 146.275 |
| .764 | Lap | 125.942 | — | — | 126.132 | 141.387 | 141.387 | |
| — | Heat | 123.841 | — | — | 122.900 | 138.319 | 138.319 | |
| ( Finals; Finished 3 of 4 ) | ||||||||
| 14. | Miss Madison (5) .750 | Test | — | 149.975 | — | — | — | 149.975 |
| Lap | — | 140.421 | — | — | — | 140.421 | ||
| Heat | — | 136.240 | — | — | — | 136.240 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 1 of 1 ) | ||||||||
| 15. | Miss VONS (4) .333 | Test | — | — | 148.920 | — | — | 148.920 |
| Lap | — | — | 135.379 | — | — | 135.379 | ||
| Heat | — | — | 131.502 | — | — | 131.502 | ||
| ( Finals; Finished 0 of 0 ) | ||||||||
| 16. | Master Tire (2) | Test | — | 132.509 | — | — | — | 134.313 |
| .500 | Lap | — | 118.950 | — | — | — | 122.756 | |
| — | Heat | — | 115.919 | — | — | — | 119.284 | |
| ( Finals; Finished 1 of 3 ) | ||||||||
| 17. | Miss Sammamish Lake Watch | Test | 128.841 | — | — | — | — | 133.@@@ |
| .000 | Lap | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| ( Finals; Finished 0 of 0 ) | ||||||||
1998
After having utilized the flag start for seven years the UHRA honored tradition and went back to starts by the clock.
It seemed the drivers preferred it this way, which overcame any arguments that the flag start would gain Unlimited racing more fans, since if this had happened the difference was not perceptible.
Budweiser driver Dave Villwock was preparing for a comeback after his accident at the Tri-Cities in 1997. Villwock had only a thumb and the first two fingers of his right hand, but was cleared to drive by UHRA medical inasmuch as the left hand is the most important in turning a hydroplane left around a race course. Villwock also had impressive strength in his right hand after intensive therapy.
Mark Smith was named crew chief of the Miss Budweiser after the departure of Ron Brown to Team Woomer. Turbine V97 was repaired after her crash at the Tri-Cities and had a new style canopy that would better protect the driver. Turbine III 95 was the other hull scheduled for racing by the Budweiser camp.
After years of frustration trying to beat Bernie Little,
Steve Woomer gave up the ghost in the fall of 1997. When Budweiser crew chief Ron Brown approached Woomer, he changed his mind and decided to pursue Little with a renewed vigor even though he didn't have a sponsor. Brown was his new crew chief in place of Jim Lucero.
Reportedly Woomer gave Brown more money to work with than Budweiser. New crew chief Ron Brown made extensive renovations to Woomer's facility including the installation of a dynamometer. The remains of Turbine V96 - the center section - was purchased with plans to hang new sponsons on the boat. This had been Ron Brown's latest design, but had been jettisoned by Budweiser when it proved to be too rough a ride.
All of these plans came to an end on April 22, 1998 when owner Steve Woomer had a heart attack and died. After Woomer's funeral the crew was laid off except for Jim Lucero and Butch Corning who were to assemble the inventory for sale.
Fred Leland built two new boats for 1998 - they were lighter versions of Leland's wide 1996 design. The 1997 hull had not been a success and the 1993 craft had a narrow transom not conducive to the 1998 racing environment. However they had to shave an inch off the new hulls as they were too wide under the rules. Mark Evans stayed in the saddle as PICO driver after four race wins in 1997.
Jerry Rise sponsored Bob Fendler as Appian Renegade in 1995 and then as Appian Jeronimo in 1996 and 1997. After the filled in triple wing of Ron Jones went over in 1996 at Pasco, Fendler purchased Fred Leland's 1992 hull best known as American Spirit in 1993. Driver Tom Hindley was replaced by Larry Lauterbach and then by Mitch Evans when Lauterbach retired.
Last year the 1992 hull under Fendler appeared on the eastern circuit and in due course after being 6 to 7 m.p.h. behind the leader in mid season was only 5 m.p.h. back in the last race of 1997 at Honolulu. Sponsor Rise was encouraged by this performance and endeavored to close the gap by splitting with Fendler and buying a new hull. He hired some marquee crew members in John Walters and Tim Ramsey although keeping Mitch Evans as driver.
The hull purchased was PICO 1997 that won at Seattle last year going over in that race as well as at Detroit when driven by Scott Pierce. The 97 PICO was the lightest of Leland's first three hulls, which were of a similar design. It was reported to be 500 lbs. lighter than the 1992 hull run as Appian Jeronimo last year.
After first appearing on the scene in the mid eighties, Mitch Evans was finally getting a chance to drive a boat that was presumably wired to win. The younger Evans had distinguished himself piloting the piston powered Cooper Express and was highly regarded by no less a personage than Chip Hanauer.
The 1995 Miss Budweiser won all her heats handily to take the first regatta of the season at Evansville. PICO selected their 1996 hull as opposed to either of their new boats for the race. A new fuel flow system had been installed for 1998 by the Leland team and their entry suffered since there were problems getting fuel to the engine.
PICO was 11 m.p.h. short of Budweiser and 13 m.p.h. slower than last year and as a consequence was defeated by two lesser entries in the preliminary heats. Appian Jeronimo was 15 m.ph. off the pace and couldn't get above third place.
Miss Budweiser 95 had an easy time winning the Gold Cup as her main opposition PICO American Dream 1996 and Appian Jeronimo had mechanical problems. PICO's problems continued to involve their fuel flow system and Appian Jeronimo had gear box troubles. PICO was within one m.p.h. of Budweiser in the early heats, but then began popping valves on her fuel flow system and was not able to contend thereafter.
After the Detroit Gold Cup owner Fred Leland was told by PICO to only race one hull instead of three. Also Appian Jeronimo and Llumar Window Film opted to skip the regatta at Norfolk, Virginia. This brought the field down to six and resulted in only five heats being run instead of nine. Moreover there were 15 failures in these five heats.
PICO decided to start their new boat, however it was seven m.p.h. short of Budweiser 1997, who won all her heats to take the regatta.
Dave Villwock piloted Turbine V97 for the first time in competition since it threw him at Pasco last year.
Miss Budweiser 1995 ran at the Tri-Cities and she won all her heats to take the Columbia Cup having four m.p.h. on the field. PICO 98, still having fuel flow problems, was nine m.p.h. down to Budweiser and didn't even make the final heat. Appian Jeronimo was only 4 m.p.h. off the pace and managed to win a heat, however she came a cropper in the championship heat when suddenly stopping in a warmup lap.
After 11 starters at the Tri-Cities only eight came to the line at Kelowna for the Molson Dry Thunderfest. Both PICO 98 and Appian Jeronimo had advanced to the point that they were only three mp.h. behind Budweiser. PICO had adjusted her fuel flow system. Budweiser 97 was the Anheuser-Busch charger for this event.
A portend of things to come occurred in heat 2-A. Miss Budweiser was forced to lane four by Miss Molson driven by Steve David. Molson kept Budweiser in lane four 2 seconds off the pace at the end of lap one. Then Budweiser got caught in Molson's roostertail and finished in fourth place well behind the first place boat. PICO 98 had out-dueled Appian Jeronimo for the heat win. Budweiser went on to take heat 3-B as she had 1-A. The Evans Brothers Mitch and Mark in Appian and PICO were her nearest competition.as Appian had reversed her defeat by PICO in heat 3-A.
PICO American Dream started the championship heat in lane 5, nevertheless leading out of the first turn. Appian Jeronimo inside of PICO slid over on Budweiser and wet her down. Thereafter PICO had an easy lead on. Appian Jeronimo and won the heat and the regatta by eight seconds. Appian Jeronimo was disqualified for cutting over in the initial turn of the heat, but managed to hose Budweiser again before the Anheuser-Busch entry beat her out for third place.
At Seattle Appian Jeronimo finally caught up to Miss Budweiser 1997 being rated at 147.1 competition lap against 148.3 for Budweiser approaching the final heat. Appian won all three of her elimination heats and Budweiser 97 would have done the same except for jumping the gun in heat 2-A.
On the backstretch prior to the start of the championship heat Appian Jeronimo stalled having been caught in some roostertails. However she restarted and came on the outside at the gun then moved over illegally on Miss E-Lam Plus in the first turn resulting in a disqualification. Still she was third up the initial backstretch. PICO 98 was in front at this time, but was passed by Miss Budweiser before the second turn. Budweiser won by 11 seconds. The second place PICO continued to have fuel flow problems at Seattle.
As a result of heavy rains and a consequent flood over the fourth of July weekend, Madison postponed their regatta until September. A field of seven showed up after the Appian Jeronimo decided to stay home. PICO 98 had had her engines re-dynoed at her sponsors facility in Detroit and matched Budweiser 95's best lap at 145 m.p.h. in Madison.
PICO American Dream got the jump at the start of the final heat leading into the first turn and up the initial backstretch. However on lap two she went wide and pushed Miss Budweiser into a course marker resulting in her disqualification. PICO was in a physical first place until the third backstretch as Budweiser went by after the Fred Leland entry hooked slightly. Miss Budweiser scored yet another victory for owner Bernie Little.
Appian Jeronimo rejoined the tour at San Diego. PICO 1998 again matched Miss Budweiser - this time the 1997 boat - in competition laps at 158 m.p.h. Yet in the determinative confrontation PICO American Dream jumped the gun and blew its engine on lap three while being in:.third place. Appian Jeronimo could not win a heat all day long and lost the final heat to Miss Budweiser by nine seconds.
PICO American Dream beat Appian Jeronimo in heat 1-B which was invalidated by a N2 violation. In heat 2-A PICO battled Budweiser all the way and lost by a roostertail. Following a loss to Miss Budweiser in heat 3-A, PICO had another N2 violation in the last heat of the regatta. This resulted in the Fred Leland team losing all of their points for San Diego as the UHRA adjudged them to be in flagrant violation of the rules.
Fred Leland was incensed by the decision and pulled his entry off the circuit for the balance of the season. Appian Jeronimo had again fallen significantly behind Budweiser in lap speed, nevertheless she was Bernie Little's only competition at Las Vegas, which drew six boats.
Appian Jeronimo won some heats in Las Vegas, but could not get one best of Miss Budweiser. In the championship heat Appian gave Budweiser 1995 a good tussle for all five laps yet lost by two seconds.
Miss Budweiser had four m.p.h. on Appian at the Nevada city regatta.
In the last contest of the season at Honolulu as at Seattle Appian Jeronimo showed an ability to run with the Miss Budweiser 97 by equalling her best competition lap at 160 m.p.h. She almost beat Budweiser in heat 2-A, but jumped the gun in the final heat however leading the field including Budweiser after five laps. Budweiser also beat the clock and nosed Appian out for second at the end of six laps. This gave the JN Automotive Hydrofest to Wildfire - the ex-Close Call purchased from the Steve Woomer estate. Wildfire was 15 m.p.h. short of the pace set by Budweiser and Appian. In comparison to Appian Jeronimo, Miss Budweiser won all her elimination heats in Hawaii.
There were 61 failures - DNF's and DNS's - over the ten race schedule in 1998. This was a larger attrition rate than 1993 when there were no fuel flow restrictions or N2 shaft limitations.
[Statistics from Greene, V.2]