1989 Budweiser Thunder On The Ohio

Ohio River, Evansville, Indiana, July 9, 1989

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11 hydroplanes ready for Thunder on Ohio

Evansville. Ind. — The field is set for today's Thunder on the Ohio with all 11 boats that were brought here qualified for the Ohio River hydroplane race.

Saturday, three more boats were qualified and drivers of four that were qualified Friday improved their speeds over the 2-mile course.

Larry Lauterbach piloted the Winston Eagle to a qualifying speed of 140.543 miles an hour, the third fastest qualifying speed. Chip Hanauer set course and speed records Friday in the Circus Circus boat with a lap of 150.407 mph, the fastest lap ever by a hydroplane over a 2-mile course.

Jim Kropfeld, who won last week's Madison Regatta, requalified Saturday In Miss Budweiser, upping his speed to 149.099 mph from his best Friday of 147.420.

Kropfeld, of Cincinnati, and Seattle's Hanauer are expected to dominate the racing today. Since 1982. Kropfeld and Hanauer are the only two racers to win the Thunder on the Ohio. Hanauer won the Thunder last year in the Miller High Life boat.

Today's action will start at noon with the first of four five-lap heats before the final scheduled for 4:10 p.m. EST. After the first two heats, a draw will be made to determine the lineups for the final two heats.

The six boats with the highest point totals after the four heats will compete In the six-lap final race.

Also qualifying Saturday were Steve David In the ARC Construction boat at 115.849 mph and Jerry Hopp in the Paddock Pools boat at 100.069.

Improving their qualifying speeds Saturday were Mitch Evans in Miss Chiro Choice at 131.387 mph. George Woods in Oh Boy! Oberto at 133.754 and Mike Hanson in Miss Madison at 134.429.

Thunder on Ohio EVANSVILLE - Results of final qualifications Saturday for the 11th Thunder on the Ohio unlimited hydroplane race, listing driver, hometown, boat and average speed in mph on the 2-mile Ohio River course: 1. Chip Hanauer, Seattle, Miss Circus Circus, 150.407; 2, Jim Kropfeld, Cincinnati, Miss Budweiser, 149 099; 3. Larry Lauterbach, Portsmouth, Va., Winston Eagle, 140 543; 4, Scott Pierce, Everett, Wash., Mr Pringle's, 138.222; 5. Mike Hanson, Seattle, Holset Miss Madison, 134 429; 6. George Woods Jr., Seattle, Oh Boy! Oberto, 113.754; 7. Todd Yarling, Hanover, Ind., Miss Risley's, 131.723; 8. Mitch Evans, Lake Chelan, Wash., Chiro Choice, 131 387; 9. Steve David, Pompano Beach, Fla., ARC Construction, 115 849; 10, Ron Snyder, Bremen, Ohio, Miss Sundek, 110 889; 11. Jerry Hopp, Snohomish, Wash., Miss Paddock Pools, 100.069. Here's a list of drivers for today's first two heats in the order they were drawn: Heat 1A Jim Kropfeld, Chip Hanauer, Ron Snyder, Todd Yarling, Jerry Hopp, Scott Pierce Heat 1B Steve David, Mike Hanson, Larry Lauterbach, Mitch Evans, George Woods, Jr.

 

(Reprinted from United Press International, July 9, 1989)