1985 Stroh's Thunderfest
Hanauer Handles Hydroplane Field
Associated Press
DETROIT — Unlimited hydroplane racer Chip Hanauer broke out of an early season slump Sunday to win The Spirt of Detroit Stroh’s Thunderfest on the Detroit River.
Hanauer of Seattle, the 1982 and 1983 national champion, piloted his Miller American boat to an average speed of 122.934 mph.
“We went the first two races of this year and frankly, we were embarrassed,” said Hanauer, who won the last three Gold Cup races. “And I’ll tell you, I had my doubts when things started spooling down here. I thought we were out of it.”
Hanauer suffered an oil-line split and an electrical breakdown, which grounded him for Sunday’s first heat. He came back with an average speed of 125.366 in the second heat to advance to the final run around the river course.
Steve Reynolds, driving Miss 7-Eleven, placed second with an average speed of 116.420.
“I can’t complain at all,” said Reynolds of Kirkland, Wash., who suffered from the flu all weekend. “(Miss 7-Eleven) ran as fast as she could run, but Chip had more (power) than I thought he did.”
Oh Boy! Oberto, driven by Jerry Hopp of Seattle, was the only other vessel to finish the five-boat race.
Miss Budweiser, driven by defending national champion Jim Kropfeld of Cincinnati, stalled at the end of the second turn on the first lap and was unable to restart. Executone, driven by Scott Pierce of Seattle, experienced engine trouble on the final lap and didn’t finish the race.
Cellular One, driven by Todd Yarling of Hanover, Ind., did not have enough points to qualify for the final heat. American Speedy Printing, handled by rookie driver Andy Coker of West Palm Beach, Fla., experienced engine problems in the second heat and did not qualify for the final run.
In the Grand Prix competition, Golden Princess, piloted by Canadian J.P. Lessard, took first with an average speed of 92.402.
(Reprinted from the Associated Press, July 1, 1985)