1992 Season Summary
Statistics
| 1. | June 7 | Budweiser Miami Regatta | Miami, Florida |
| 2. | June 13-14 | Budweiser APBA Gold Cup | Detroit, Michigan |
| 3. | June 28 | Budweiser Thunder on the Ohio | Evansville, Indiana |
| 4. | July 5 | Budweiser Indiana Governor's Cup | Madison, Indiana |
| 5. | July 26 | Budweiser Columbia Cup | Pasco, Washington |
| 6. | August 2 | Seafair Rainier Cup | Seattle, Washington |
| 7. | August 23 | Kansas City Hydrofest | Kansas City, Missouri |
| 8. | September 20 | Budweiser Mission Bay Cup | San Diego, California |
| 9. | October 11 | Outrigger Top Gun Hydrofest | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Winner | Crew Chief | Designer | Builder | Engine | Course | Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/7 | Miss Budweiser (18) | Ron Brown | Brown-Jones | Ron Brown | Lycoming | 1⅔ Miles | 23⅓ Miles |
| 6/14 | Miss Budweiser (18) | Ron Brown | Brown-Jones | Ron Brown | Lycoming | 2½ Miles | 52½ Miles |
| 6/28 | Miss Budweiser (17) | Ron Brown | Jones-Brown | Brown-Jones | Lycoming | 2 Miles | 28 Miles |
| 7/5 | Miss Budweiser (17) | Ron Brown | Jones-Brown | Brown-Jones | Lycoming | 2½ Miles | 35 Miles |
| 7/26 | Miss Budweiser (18) | Ron Brown | Brown-Jones | Ron Brown | Lycoming | 2 Miles | 28 Miles |
| 8/2 | Tide | Dan Heye | Jones-Heye | Jones-Heye | Lycoming | 2 Miles | 28 Miles |
| 8/23 | Miss Budweiser (17) | Ron Brown | Jones-Brown | Brown-Jones | Lycoming | 2 Miles | 28 Miles |
| 9/20 | Coors Dry | Ron Brown | Ron Jones | Ron Jones | Lycoming | 2½ Miles | 35 Miles |
| 10/11 | Miss Budweiser (17) | Ron Brown | Jones-Brown | Brown-Jones | Lycoming | 2½ Miles | 35 Miles |
| Built | Boat High Points | Total | Team High Pts. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | (1988) | Tide | 3314 | (2) |
| 2. | (1987) | Winston Eagle (3) | 2476 | (3-2716) |
| 3. | (1987) | Miss Budweiser (17) | 2450 | (1-4790) |
| 4. | (1989) | Miss Budweiser (18) | 2340 | |
| 5. | (1988) | Kellogg's Tony The Tiger | 2195 | (4) |
| 6. | (1982) | Miss T-Plus | 1863 | (5) |
| 7. | (1984) | American Spirit | 1726 | (6) |
| 8. | (1988) | Oh Boy! Oberto (7) | 943 | (7) |
| 9. | (1992) | Miss Hanalei Hotel | 718 | (8) |
| 10. | (1992) | Coors Dry | 668 | (9) |
| 11. | (1979) | Miss Ford Island | 474 | (10) |
| 12. | (1990) | Winston Eagle (2) | 240 | |
| 13. | (1988) | Miss Wellness Plan | 173 | (11) |
| 14. | (1990) | Ms. Pog | 125 | (12) |
| 15. | (1974) | Miss Mid-Mark Distributors | 000 | |
| 16. | (1985) | Stiles Special | DNQ | |
| 17. | (1982) | Miss Tubs | DNQ |
| Driver High Points | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Chip Hanauer | 4600 |
| 2. | George Woods | 3314 |
| 3. | Mark Tate | 2716 |
| 4. | Mike Hanson | 2195 |
| 5. | Steve David | 1863 |
| 6. | Mark Evans | 1726 |
| 7. | Mitch Evans | 934 |
| 8. | Nate Brown | 718 |
| 9. | Dave Villwock | 638 |
| 10. | Jerry Hopp | 474 |
| 11. | Scott Pierce | 190 |
| 12. | Jack Schafer | 173 |
| 13. | Ken Muscatel | 125 |
| 14. | Todd Yarling | 39 |
| 15. | Jack Barrie | 000 |
| Former Names | |
|---|---|
| 1. | Mr. Pringles (2), Executone (4), Ellis Park, Super Range Golf, Ultra Bold Dash |
| 2. | Miller American (2), Miller High Life (2), Miss Circus Circus (4) |
| 5. | Holset Miss Madison (2), Holset Miss Mazda, Holset Miss U.S. Star, Gaylord's At Kilohana, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes, Valvoline Miss Madison |
| 6. | Atlas Van Lines (10), Spirit of America, Squire Shop (4), Oh Boy! Oberto (6), The Brake Shop, Arc Construction (3), Harvey Motor Sports |
| 7. | Atlas Van Lines (11), Miller American (1), Miller High Life (1), Miss Circus Circus (5), Race Rock Motor City Diner, Arc Construction (4), Spirit Of San Diego |
| 8. | Risley's, Seaco Aviation Fuels (2), Holset Miss Madison (3), Miss D.O.C. (2), Miss Chiro Choice, Miss Meta Lax, Oberto Wild Waves, Cooper's Express, Oh Boy! Oberto Beef, Oh Boy! Oberto Pork (2) |
| 9. | The Brake Shop (2), Miss Rock KISW-FM (5), Lytle State Rep., Miss UAW |
| 11. | Squire Shop (2), Tri-Cities Savings & Loan, Miss Crown Nissan, U-33, Handyman Home Centers, Riggin's Crab House, Horizon Air, Knight & Carver Yacht Center, Miss Nevada Palace, Miss Jackpot Food Mart, Miss Jackpot Garrett Turbo, Jackpot Food Mart, Miss Expert Automotive, Miss Paddock Pools, Miss Mid-Mark (2), Nevada Palace, 'Garrett Turbo, Thor Racing, Miss Sundek, Miss Go Bowling, Marshall And The Lady, Gaylord's Too, Arby's, Miss Properties |
| 13. | Miss Stroh Light, Boss Marine Sports, Sundek (1), Infinity Car Audio, Unlimited Marine Racing, Miss Motorcraft, Ms. Clothestime, Basf Unlimiteds Detroit |
| 14. | Arc Construction Special, Easter Seals, Jackpot Food Mart (2), Miss KPOI, Miss KPOI Gaylords Kauai |
| 15. | Lincoln Thrift (2), Squire Shop II, Miss Bellevue Mazda |
| 16. | Miss Budweiser (15), Miss Ginger Honey |
| 17. | Oh Boy! Oberto (4), Executone (2), American Speedy Printing, Miss Houston, Team Velocity, U-40, Risley's Express (2), Coors Light Silver Bullet, Boat, Miss Kamt/AA Auto Parts, Pocket Saver's Plus (2), Miss Maxim, Heartbreakers Club, Thee Doll Houses Of America, Miss Easter Seals, Arc Construction (2), Pietro's Pizza (3), Miss Marina Casino-Hotel, Miss Rock KISW-FM (3), U-99.9 |
1992
There was a profound revision of the rules over the previous winter and that revision or refinement continued over the off season between 1991 and 1992. Now all but one entry from the fast flight would make the final and only one boat from the slow flight would have a chance for the race victory in the winner-take-all confrontation. Lane positions in the flag start would no longer be drawn, but would be determined by qualification speeds.for the first heat. The second and third heat lanes would reflect the finishes in the previous heat and cumulative- points would decide the lanes for the championship heat. The Hughes Plan would be the format for all races.
Scott Pierce won three of seven races and High Point Championship for Budweiser in 1991. However he was again relegated to a back up role when Chip Hanauer with 35 victories to his credit became available. Pierce had annexed seven trophies over the course of his career.
Winston Eagle refitted its "Lobster Boat" with a conventional center section. It was contemplated that eventually this would become the team's #1 entry. However their record setter of 1991 would be hard to unseat.
After running their 1987 hull as prime in 1990 and 1991 the Budweiser team chose their 1989 boat for this position in 1992. The 1987 Budweiser had a reputation as a smoother ride while the 1989 Budweiser was rather hard to handle. However the 1987 boat had been to 30 races while the 1989 hull had only been to 22 and had been used sparingly over the last two seasons.
Miami was back on the tour after a one year hiatus. Winston Eagle prevailed in the preliminary heats except for heat one when she had mechanical trouble. Unfortunately Winston also had a mechanical failure in the final and Miss Budweiser won the Miami Regatta.
The Gold Cup at Detroit was next and operated under the draw system rather than the 1991 version of the Fan Plan. Winston Eagle had a tough time when matched with Miss Budweiser in the elimination heats. This trend continued into the championship heat as the Steve Woomer entry could not hold her lane in the second lap and was wetted down as in the first heat. This put her out of contention for the Gold Cup after giving Budweiser a battle for a little over a lap.
Miss Budweiser then went on to give Chip Hanauer his seventh Gold Cup in his own right-one short of Bill Muncey's record eight. Bernie Little did win his eighth Gold Cup which made him the all time Gold Cup owner breaking his tie at seven with Fran Muncey.
The 1987 Miss Budweiser outqualified the 1989 boat by 5 m.p.h. at Evansville and therefore became Anheuser-Busch's standard bearer for Thunder-on-the -Ohio. The back up Budweiser beat Winston Eagle two out of three in the preliminary heats,. In the first running of the final heat Winston chopped ARC Construction in the initial turn and flipped her over. This prevented Winston Eagle from participating in the re-run and Miss Budweiser had an easy victory.
Even though the 1989 Budweiser was the faster qualifier by a slight margin the 1987 hull was again chosen for Madison since she was the more stable ride. Miss Budweiser got the best of Winston Eagle three times in the preliminary heats before winning the Indiana Governor's Cup in the last heat..
The reconfigured 1990 Winston Eagle got her first chance at competition at the Tri-Cities in a three lap heat with the 1987 Miss Budweiser the day before the race. She gave a good account of herself finishing within three seconds of the "back up" Miss Budweiser.
Perhaps Winston should have used their 1990 hull on race day as the the 1991 Winston Eagle was not only second to Budweiser 89, but also second to Bill Wurster's Tide driven by George Woods. Tide came within two seconds of Miss Budweiser in the preliminaries, but was eight seconds behind the winning Budweiser in the final heat.
The Budweiser organization had won five consecutive regattas heading into Seattle's Seafair, however everything changed when Chip Hanauer blew over the 1989 Miss Budweiser and headed to the hospital the day before the race. Scott Pierce again, came off the bench to drive the 1987 boat. With Hanauer out based on previous speeds there were two entries - Winston Eagle and Tide - that possibly had a shot.
Those that admired multi-entry competition were heartened when Miss T-Plus won heat one and Miss Budweiser finished third. T-Plus was damaged in a collision with the Bernie Little entry however. Without her tail fin T-Plus lost to Winston Eagle in the second heat. Miss Budweiser was in contention until hooking in the second lap ultimately finishing fourth. Winston Eagle won again in heat three and looked to be a good bet in the championship heat with T-Plus damaged and Budweiser being driven erratically.
Nevertheless Miss Budweiser got out in front in the final heat, but was followed closely by Tide. Tide narrowed the gap slightly in laps two and three and when Budweiser hit a buoy in the south turn of lap four, she took over. Tide led Budweiser over the finish line at the end of five laps by three seconds. However Miss Budweiser was penalized a lap for hitting a buoy and ultimately placed fifth. Winston Eagle and Miss T-Plus were not in good condition and were out of contention. Tide was the former Mr. Pringles that began life in 1988.
Chip Hanauer had sore ribs, but drove in Kansas City anyway and won all four of his heats to take the Hydrofest. There was not too much left of the 1989 Budweiser, which was being repaired for San Diego, so the 1987-88 National Champion Budweiser was brought back into service. Winston also ran its back up boat which was defeated by Tide once in the preliminary heats as opposed to twice at the Tri-Cities with their #1 entry. In the final Winston had trouble with Miss Budweiser and the Anheuser-Busch entry won by 11 seconds over Tide.
The competition that apparently shaped up after the Tri-Cities race turned out to be an illusion.
Both the 1989 Miss Budweiser and Chip Hanauer were repaired after Seattle, nevertheless they flipped again in the initial turn of heat one at San Diego. This made San Diego an open race. Then Winston Eagle set a world record lap in the re-run of heat one and had nine m.p.h. on the field at 161 m.p.h.
Winston Eagle cleaned up the opposition in the following preliminary heats, but stalled in the first turn of the championship final heat. Tide assumed the lead and then had steering problems in lap 2 and hit a buoy incurring a penalty. Coors Dry then moved to the front physically and legally. Coors Dry stayed ahead of Tide and then a rejuvenated Winston Eagle, also penalized for hitting a buoy, until the final lap when Winston again went dead. Coors Dry led Miss T-Plus over the finish line by 13 seconds to win the Mission Bay Cup.
The new double wing Coors Dry would get another opportunity to show its stuff at the final race of the season in Hawaii. Coors Dry was a double wing hull off the drawing board of Ron Jones. She differed from the triple wing in that she did not have a front canard or wing. At San Diego her best lap was 11 m.p.h. short of Winston Eagle's record 161 m.p.h.
Coors Dry was 14 m.p.h. off the pace in Honolulu and the 1987 Miss Budweiser piloted by again newly healthy Chip Hanauer won the Outrigger Top Gun Hydrofest in four straight heats. Winston Eagle was five m.p.h. slower and showed it throughout the regatta. Even so Winston Eagle was the only entry capable of challenging Budweiser at the end of the season.
[Statistics from Greene, V.2]