1988 Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Championship

Miami Marine Stadium, Miami, Florida, June 5, 1988

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Bud, Pringle's Crash - Kropfeld, Pierce Hospitalized After Miami Race [Version 2]

MIAMI - George Woods Jr. claimed the first unlimited-class hydroplane victory of his career in the crash-marred Budweiser Regatta at Miami Marine Stadium in Biscayne Bay yesterday. The victory also was the first in the 13-year history of Seattle's Oh Boy! Oberto racing team

Overshadowing Wood's triumph was a collision between Miss Budweiser, driven by Jim Kropfeld, and the Mr. Pringle's, driven by Scott Pierce, just after the start of the championship heat.

Kropfeld and Pierce entered the final with two victories each after four preliminary heats. Mr. Pringle's steamed over the top of the Budweiser as the jet turbine-powered boats exited the first turn on lap 1 of the championship heat.

Both drivers were protected by plexiglass-enclosed canopies.

Kropfeld and Pierce were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital here and kept overnight. Kropfeld suffered a fractured neck and chipped tooth, said Budweiser publicist Bonnie Anderson. Pierce was held because he swallowed a lot of saltwater.

Miss Budweiser, in lane 2 leaving the first turn of the final, hooked to the outside and was struck broadside by Pierce in Mr. Pringle's, extensively damaging the Bud's canopy and the upper surface of the right sponson.

Pierce's boat went over the top of the Budweiser, became airborne, then landed upside down.

"After he hit the Budweiser, Scott (Pierce) did an inside barrel roll," said Scott Smith, publicist for the Pringle's team.

It took rescuers 20 minutes to remove Kropfeld from his boat, which remained upright. Pierce was able to open the escape hatch under his seat, but had to be helped from the overturned Mr. Pringle's by rescuers.

"He (Kropfeld) took a direct hit to the cockpit area," said Dr. Richard Swanson, who is a member of the Unlimited Racing Commission's emergency medical team. "All of the (safety) equipment worked, and it worked well. Both drivers were conscious when they were loaded in the ambulances."

Last season, the boat Kropfeld drove yesterday had two blowovers and caught fire once. Yesterday's regatta was the first for Pierce's new hull.

Both teams have backup boats and may take part in the circuit's next race, Sunday in Detroit.

Smith said the collision "punched a hole in the (Mr. Pringle's) right sponson and ripped the skid-fin bracket off the left side of the hull."

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS At Miami Marine Stadium, 1⅔-mile course Heat 1A - 1, U-8 Mr. Pringle's, Scott Pierce, 107.459 mph.; 2, U-4 Pocket Savers Plus, Steve David, 97.073; 3, U-6 Holset/Miss Madison, Ron Snyder, 58.34; U-66 Sutphen Marine Special, Mike Hanson, did not start. Heat 1B - 1, U-1 Miss Budweiser, Jim Kropfeld, 111.021; 2, U-2 Oh Boy! Oberto, George Woods, Jr., 106.485; 3, U-7 Jackpot Foods, Jerry Hopp, 81.89; U-00 Miller High Life, Chip Hanauer, DNS. Heat 2A - 1, Miss Budweiser, 111.478; 2, Oh Boy! Oberto, 109.349; 3, Pocket Savers Plus, 95.543; 4, Jackpot Foods, 80.529. Heat 2B - 1, Mr. Pringle's, 103.081; 2, Holset/Miss Madison, 77.102; Sutphen Marine, did not finish; Miller High Life, DNS. Championship final - 1, Oh Boy! Oberto, 102.253; 2, Holset/Miss Madison, 95.023; 3, Jackpot Foods, 80.911; 4, Pocket Savers Plus, 70.702.

 

(Reprinted from The Seattle Times, June 6, 1988)