1986 Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Championship
Kropfeld Turbine Passes "Saltwater Test" In Miami
MIAMI -- Jim Kropfeld became the first driver to pilot a turbine-powered unlimited hydroplane to victory on salt water when his new Miss Budweiser won the season-opening race on Biscayne Bay.
Kropfeld pushed the turbine Bud to an average 102.795 mph in winning yesterday's winner-take-all championship heat before a crowd estimated between 15,000 and 20,000. Earlier, the Cincinnati driver won his two preliminary heats.
The victory was Kropfeld's 11th and it was the 54th for owner Bernie Little. Little's piston-powered boat, also named Miss Budweiser, was third behind Miss Madison.
"Our crew just really did their homework coming into the race.
They gave me the best piece of equipment to drive today, and when you've got the best equipment, the rest is easy," Kropfeld said.
"This win will really help me and the crew get ready for the Gold Cup in two weeks."
Kropfeld dueled with Ron Snyder, driver of community-owned Miss Madison, early in the race. Snyder, of Madison, Ind., won a preliminary heat and was second in another.
Scott Pierce of Seattle was third in the second Miss Budweiser entry, powered by 4,000-horsepower Rolls-Royce Griffon engine. Pierce hooked the boat twice during the day, losing his chance for second place in the championship heat when he nearly spun out on a second-lap turn.
Pantry Pride and Sun Supermarkets, driven by Todd Yarling, of Madison, was fourth.
The Miss MerCruiser, powered by a 500-cubic-inch Chevrolet engine and driven by John Prevost of Baton Rouge, La., was fifth.
Defending champion Miller American, driven by Chip Hanauer, withdrew during the first heat because of turbine problems blamed on the salt water.
A Miller spokesman said the team didn't want to do anything "to jeopardize our chances for winning the Gold Cup in Detroit (June 29)." Hanauer will be going for his fifth consecutive Gold Cup, a feat that hasn't been accomplished since 1921.
Another turbine boat having problems was the 7-Eleven, driven by Steve Reynolds. Reynolds managed two thirds in prelim heats but then failed to start for the championship.
| HEAT 1A -- 1, Miss Budweiser Turbine, Jim Kropfeld, 102.495 mph;
2, Pantry Pride, Todd Yarling, Madison, Ind.; 3, Miss MerCruiser, John Prevost, Baton Rouge, DNF. Also: Miller American, Chip Hanauer, Seattle, DNS, and Oh Boy! Oberto, George Johnson, Seattle, DNS. HEAT 1B -- 1, Miss Madison, Ron Snyder, Madison, Ind., 101.253 mph; 2, Miss Budweiser (Griffon), Scott Pierce, Seattle; 3, Miss 7-Eleven, Steve Reynolds, Seattle; 4. Frank Kenney Toyota, Milner Irvin III. HEAT 2A -- 1, Miss Budweiser (Turbine), 100.842; 2, Miss Madison; 3, Miss 7-Eleven. Also: Frank Kenney Toyota, DNS; Miller American withdrew. HEAT 2B -- 1, Pantry Pride, 90.409; 2, Miss MerCruiser. Also: Miss Budweiser (Griffon) DNF; Miss MerCruiser, DNF; Oh Boy! Oberto DNF. CHAMPIONSHIP -- Miss Budweiser (turbine), 102.495 (fast lap of 107.357); 2, Miss Madison; 3, Miss Budweiser (Griffon); 4, Pantry Pride; 5, Miss MerCruiser. NATIONAL HIGH POINTS -- 1. Miss Budweiser, Jim Kropfeld, 1,200 points; 2, Miss Madison, Ron Snyder, 1,000; 3, Pantry Pride, Todd Yarling, 869; 4, Miss Budweiser (Griffon), Scott Pierce, 525;5; 5, Miss 7-Eleven, Steve Reynolds, 450; 6, Miss MerCruiser, John Prevost, 427. Failing to score: Miller American, Oh Boy! Oberto, Frank Kenney Toyota, Riggins Crab House. |
(Compiled from Seattle Times correspondents, Associated Press and United Press International, June 16, 1986)