1997 Season Summary
Statistics
| 0. | April 6 | Gila River Casino Unlimited Cup | Phoenix, Arizona |
| 1. | May 26 | Virginia is for Lovers Cup (1st Running) | Norfolk, Virginia |
| 2. | May 31-June 1 | Chrysler Jeep APBA Gold Cup | Detroit, Michigan |
| 3. | June 29 | Pontiac/GMC Thunder | Evansville, Indiana |
| 4. | July 6 | Budweiser Indiana Governor's Cup | Madison, Indiana |
| 5. | July 13 | Virginia is for Lovers Cup (2nd Running) | Norfolk, Virginia |
| 6. | July 27 | Budweiser Columbia Cup | Kennewick, Washington |
| 7. | August 3 | Molson Dry Thunderfest | Kelowna, British Columbia |
| 8. | August 10 | Seafair Texaco Cup | Seattle, Washington |
| 9. | September 14 | Bayfair Bill Muncey Cup | San Diego, California |
| 10. | September 21 | Las Vegas Cup | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 11. | October 12 | JN Automotive Thunderfest | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Winner | Crew Chief | Designer | Builder | Engine | Course | Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/6 | Miss Budweiser (22) [no points] | Ron Brown | Leland-Villwock | Ron Brown | Lycoming | ||
| 5/26 | Postponed | — | — | 2 Miles | 28 Miles | ||
| 6/1 | Miss Budweiser (20) | Ron Brown | Brown-Jones | Ron Brown | Lycoming | 2½ Miles | 52½ Miles |
| 6/29 | Miss Budweiser (22) | Ron Brown | Leland-Villwock | Ron Brown | Lycoming | 2 Miles | 28 Miles |
| 7/6 | Miss Budweiser (20) | Ron Brown | Brown-Jones | Ron Brown | Lycoming | 2½ Miles | 35 Miles |
| 7/13 | Miss Budweiser (20) | Ron Brown | Brown-Jones | Ron Brown | Lycoming | 2 Miles | 28 Miles |
| 7/27 | PICO American Dream (2) | Ken Dryden | Fred Leland | Fred Leland | Lycoming | 2½ Miles | 35 Miles |
| 8/3 | PICO American Dream (2) | Ken Dryden | Fred Leland | Fred Leland | Lycoming | 2 Miles | 28 Miles |
| 8/10 | PICO American Dream (4) | Ken Dryden | Fred Leland | Fred Leland | Lycoming | 2 Miles | 28 Miles |
| 9/14 | PICO American Dream (2) | Ken Dryden | Fred Leland | Fred Leland | Lycoming | 2½ Miles | 35 Miles |
| 9/21 | Miss Budweiser (20) | Ron Brown | Brown-Jones | Ron Brown | Lycoming | 2 Miles | 28 Miles |
| 10/12 | Close Call | Jim Lucero | Lucero-Jones | Lucero-Jones | Lycoming | 2½ Miles | 35 Miles |
| Built | Boat High Points | Total | Team Points | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | (1987) | Close Call | 12462 | ||
| 2. | (1995) | Miss Budweiser (20) | 10188 | (1-13068) | |
| 3. | (1996) | PICO American Dream (2) | 9689 | (3-12002) | |
| 4. | (1988) | DeWalt Tools | 9235 | ||
| 5. | (1993) | Deja Vu (2) | 8321 | ||
| 6. | (1990) | Miss Truck Gear | 7594 | ||
| 7. | (1992) | Appian Jeronimo (2) | 6228 | ||
| 8. | (1982) | Computers&Applications (2) | 3930 | ||
| 9. | (1997) | Miss Budweiser (22) | 2880 | ||
| 10. | (1993) | Hire Power | 2788 | (9) | |
| 11. | (1996) | PICO American Dream (4) | 2566 | A | (2513) |
| 12. | (1997) | Graham Trucking | 2477 | B | (14-640) |
| 13. | (1984) | Miss Exide (4) | 2421 | (10) | |
| 14. | (1997) | Spirit Of Lake Chelan (2) | 1750 | (Id | |
| 15. | (1988) | Llumar Window Film | 1090 | (12) | |
| 16. | (1995) | Miss E-Lam Plus (2) | 807 | (13) | |
| A | 53 Points Deducted By APBA | ||||
| B | 1807 Points Deducted By APBA | ||||
| Driver High Points | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mark Tate | 12462 |
| 2. | Mark Evans | 12202 |
| 3. | Mike Hanson | 9235 |
| 4. | Steve David | 8321 |
| 5. | Dave Villwock | 8025 |
| 6. | Mark Weber | 7950 |
| 7. | Nate Brown | 7594 |
| 8. | Mitch Evans | 6228 |
| 9. | Ken Muscatel | 3930 |
| 10. | Rick Christensen | 2131 |
| 11. | Jerry Hale | 1515 |
| 12. | Jimmy King | 1145 |
| 13. | Brian Reynolds | 719 |
| 14. | Jerry Hopp | 640 |
| 15. | Mike Jones | 592 |
| 16. | Mike Weber | 465 |
| 17. | John Watkins | 371 |
| 18. | Doug Brow | 349 |
| 19. | Scott Pierce | 53 |
| Former Names: | |
|---|---|
| 1. | Miller American (2) , Miller High Life (2), Miss Circus Circus (4)R Winston Eagle (3) , Smokin' Joe's (1) |
| 4. | Holset Miss Madison (2), Holset Miss Mazda, Holset Miss U.S. Star, Gaylord's At Kilohana, Valvoline Miss Madison, Kellogg's Tony The Tiger, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes, Miss Madison (5), Miss Jasper Engines |
| 5. | Miss T-Plus (2), Miss D.O.C. Acuvue (3), Jim Harvey Motorsports, ARC Construction (6), Trendwest Resorts, Miss Kiss 106, Molson Jackhammer, Dole Cannery, Miss Detroit Ford Dealers, Primestar, Gargoyles Nitro, Pennzoil Pit Stop |
| 6. | Miss Circus Circus (6), Miss Tri-Cities (5), Burien Pit Stop, Sea Doo, Ron Jones Racing, Miss D.O.C. Acuvue (2), Chaplin's Bellevue Volkswagen, Miss Cascade West, Miss Outrigger, First Choice (1), Deja Vu |
| 7. | The Brake Shop (2), Lytle State Rep., Miss U.A.W., Miss Hanalei Hotel, Dallas Motor Coach, Arc Construction (5), Tide's American Spirit, American Spirit (2), Miss Wellness Plan (2), Buehler's Buy Low, Kroeger's, Appian Renegade, Miss Rock Kisw-Fm (5), Miss Vons, Miss Columbia Communications, Waffle House, Miss Jennifer, Miss Welborn Health Plans, Miss R.S. Eastin Hotels, Performance Mortgage |
| 8. | Atlas Van Lines (10), Spirit Of America, Squire Shop (4), Oh Boy Oberto (6), The Brake Shop (1), Arc Construction (3), Harvey Motor Sports, Miss T-Plus (1), Target Stores (2) |
| 10. | Miss Rock KISW-FM (6), Coor's Light, Spirit Of Hawaii, American Dream, PICO American Dream (1), Stihl (3), Miss Vons (3) |
| 11. | Chaplin's Bellevue Mazda, Miss Vons (2), Stihl (1), Miss Wellness Plan (3), KGMB Channel 9 |
| 12. | PICO American Dream (3), Miss Crazy Tomato, Miss R.S. Eastin Hotels (2), Stihl (2) |
| 13. | Atlas Van Lines (11), Miller American (1), Miller High Life (1), Race Rock Motor City Diner, ARC Construction (4), Spirit of San Diego, American Spirit (1), Miss Circus Circus (5) |
| 14. | Master Tire (2) |
| 15. | Mr. Pringles (2), Executone (4), Ellis Park, Super Range Golf, Ultra Bold Dash, Tide, Pizza Time/Exide, Lynnwood Honda, Pflueger Honda, Miss Tri-Cities (6), Miss Molson Dry, Chaplin's |
* * *
| Speed Profiles '97 (Pt. 1 of 2) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-26 | 6-1 | 6-29 | 7-6 | 7-13 | 7-27 | |||
| — | Completion % Full Season - Rank | — | Norfolk 2 | Detroit 2½ | Evansville 2 | Madison 2½ | Norfolk 2 | Pasco 2½ |
| 1. | Miss Budweiser (20) .903 - 5th |
Test | 151.851 | 160.065 | 160.915 | 158.935 | 151.655 | — |
| Lap | — | 155.688 | — | 145.466 | 141.370 | — | ||
| Heat | — | 151.515 | — | 141.634 | 136.298 | — | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 6 of 6 ) | ||||||||
| 2. | Miss Budweiser (22) .875 |
Test | 154.576 | 151.390 | 163.934 | — | 150.492 | 164.588 |
| Lap | — | — | 151.076 | — | — | 149.977 | ||
| Heat | — | — | 145.077 | — | — | 147.462 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 1 of 2 ) | ||||||||
| 3. | PICO American Dream (2) .818 - 7th |
Test | 142.405 | 155.106 | 152.265 | 150.210 | 145.599 | 164.618 |
| Lap | — | 146.855 | 146.909 | 146.045 | 134.902 | 152.788 | ||
| Heat | — | 144.047 | 144.394 | 143.577 | 132.167 | 146.522 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 5 of 8 ) | ||||||||
| 4. | PICO American Dream (4) Stihl (1) .875 |
Test | 144.344 | 157.008 | — | — | — | — |
| Lap | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Heat | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 2 of 2 ) | ||||||||
| 5. | Stihl (3) PICO American Dream (1) .941 |
Test | — | — | — | — | — | 157.861 |
| Lap | — | — | — | — | — | 151.052 | ||
| Heat | — | — | — | — | — | 149.380 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 3 of 3 ) | ||||||||
| 6. | PICO American Dream (3) .875 |
Test | — | 126.277 | 141.757 | 143.589 | 139.825 | — |
| Lap | — | — | 134.610 | 138.760 | 121.819 | — | ||
| Heat | — | — | 133.051 | 138.107 | 119.883 | — | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 2 of 2 ) | ||||||||
| 7. | Close Call .925 - 4th |
Test | 142.772 | 157.307 | 152.236 | 156.266 | 150.247 | 163.171 |
| Lap | — | 152.615 | 143.908 | 138.636 | 138.164 | 148.972 | ||
| Heat | — | 148.189 | 141.621 | 136.764 | 136.031 | 146.440 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 8 of 9 ) | ||||||||
| 8. | Miss Truck Gear .846 - 6Th |
Test | 132.368 | 147.452 | 145.606 | 146.208 | 139.608 | 152.349 |
| Lap | — | 136.901 | 137.773 | 138.037 | 135.522 | 139.576 | ||
| Heat | — | 123.635 | 132.434 | 137.265 | 133.072 | 138.462 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 7 of 8 ) | ||||||||
| 9. | DeWalt Tools 1000 - 1st |
Test | 141.718 | 149.860 | 151.251 | 149.765 | 141.493 | 158.750 |
| Lap | — | 142.283 | 143.787 | 138.889 | 131.243 | 146.449 | ||
| Heat | — | 138.730 | 136.503 | 137.685 | 128.046 | 145.802 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 9 of 9) | ||||||||
| 10. | Primestar Gargoyles Nitro .973 - 2nd |
Test | 126.026 | 143.324 | 145.929 | 146.045 | 131.126 | 155.360 |
| Lap | — | 141.492 | 134.522 | 136.310 | 127.098 | 135.440 | ||
| Heat | — | 140.455 | 130.355 | 133.241 | 125.811 | 133.933 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 7 of 8 ) | ||||||||
| 11. | Miss Exide (4) .625 - 9th |
Test | 88.228 | 142.540 | 138.536 | 136.063 | 117.863 | 147.092 |
| Lap | — | 127.968 | 126.763 | 112.219 | 88.201 | 147.107 | ||
| Heat | — | 124.747 | 122.466 | 110.747 | 78.339 | 143.809 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 1 of 1 ) | ||||||||
| 12. | Appian Jeronimo (2) .941 - 3rd |
Test | 129.640 | 143.511 | — | 143.841 | — | 158.851 |
| Lap | — | 142.151 | — | 141.221 | — | 146.434 | ||
| Heat | — | 140.355 | — | 138.710 | — | 141.554 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 6 of 6 ) | ||||||||
| 13. | Computers & Applications .757 - 8th |
Test | 131.406 | 142.126 | 130.397 | 135.991 | — | 146.860 |
| Lap | — | 133.871 | 139.640 | 133.254 | — | 130.503 | ||
| Heat | — | 131.463 | 138.306 | 131.850 | — | 128.011 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 2 of 3 ) | ||||||||
| 14. | Master Tire (2) Spirit of Lake Chelan .687 |
Test | — | — | 119.560 | 126.091 | 118.314 | 134.577 |
| Lap | — | — | 91.555 | 104.627 | 100.694 | 116.917 | ||
| Heat | — | — | 55.544 | 96.864 | 97.282 | 113.899 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 0 of 0 ) | ||||||||
| 15. | Miss Tri-Cities (6) Llumar Window Film .812 |
Test | — | — | — | — | — | 157.183 |
| Lap | — | — | — | — | — | 134.000 | ||
| Heat | — | — | — | — | — | 125.515 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 1 of 1 ) | ||||||||
| 16. | Miss E-Lam Plus (2) .500 |
Test | — | — | — | — | — | 155.360 |
| Lap | — | — | — | — | — | 141.283 | ||
| Heat | — | — | — | — | — | 140.989 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 0 of 0 ) | ||||||||
| Speed Profiles '97 (Pt. 2 of 2) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-3 | 8-10 | 9-14 | 9-21 | 10-12 | 2½ Mile Course Optimum | |||
| — | Completion % Full Season - Rank | — | Kelowna 2 | Seattle 2 | San Diego 2½ | Las Vegas 2 | Hawaii 2½ | |
| 1. | Miss Budweiser (20) .903 - 5th |
Test | 151.640 | 152.436 | 162.599 | 149.356 | 165.831 | 165.831 |
| Lap | 142.169 | 141.523 | 155.699 | 137.852 | 158.406 | 158.406 | ||
| Heat | 137.696 | 139.027 | 153.495 | 133.098 | 157.032 | 157.032 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 6 of 6 ) | ||||||||
| 2. | Miss Budweiser (22) .875 |
Test | — | — | — | — | — | 168.@@@ |
| Lap | — | — | — | — | — | 156.@@@ | ||
| Heat | — | — | — | — | — | 150.@@@ | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 1 of 2 ) | ||||||||
| 3. | PICO American Dream (2) .818 - 7th |
Test | 145.746 | 146.455 | 162.699 | 145.746 | 165.987 | 165.987 |
| Lap | 141.891 | — | 155.406 | 137.609 | — | 155.406 | ||
| Heat | 140.156 | — | 151.621 | 136.061 | — | 151.621 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 5 of 8 ) | ||||||||
| 4. | PICO American Dream (4) Stihl (1) .875 |
Test | — | 149.112 | 149.556 | 144.286 | 159.444 | 159.444 |
| Lap | — | — | 144.677 | — | 157.019 | 157.019 | ||
| Heat | — | 135.363 | — | — | 152.830 | 152.830 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 2 of 2 ) | ||||||||
| 5. | Stihl (3) PICO American Dream (1) .941 |
Test | — | 145.867 | 155.642 | 139.790 | — | 157.861 |
| Lap | — | 135.346 | 146.563 | 132.231 | — | 151.052 | ||
| Heat | — | 133.142 | 145.027 | 130.099 | — | 149.380 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 3 of 3 ) | ||||||||
| 6. | PICO American Dream (3) .875 |
Test | — | 143.158 | — | — | — | 148.@@@ |
| Lap | — | 132.624 | — | — | — | 139.@@@ | ||
| Heat | — | 130.877 | — | — | — | 138.107 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 2 of 2 ) | ||||||||
| 7. | Close Call .925 - 4th |
Test | 151.168 | 154.037 | 159.804 | 149.353 | 167.143 | 167.143 |
| Lap | 141.044 | 138.651 | 153.833 | 135.944 | 162.218 | 162.218 | ||
| Heat | 139.160 | 135.546 | 151.358 | 134.014 | 160.740 | 160.740 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 8 of 9 ) | ||||||||
| 8. | Miss Truck Gear .846 - 6Th |
Test | 143.232 | 143.135 | 157.767 | 142.166 | 160.342 | 160.342 |
| Lap | 138.672 | 131.687 | 150.547 | 128.258 | 154.504 | 154.504 | ||
| Heat | 133.029 | 127.811 | 149.720 | 124.993 | 151.116 | 151.116 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 7 of 8 ) | ||||||||
| 9. | DeWalt Tools 1000 - 1st |
Test | 148.751 | 147.116 | 159.112 | 146.547 | — | 159.112 |
| Lap | 136.807 | 138.565 | 151.187 | 131.967 | — | 151.187 | ||
| Heat | 136.288 | 136.649 | 148.286 | 131.267 | — | 148.286 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 9 of 9) | ||||||||
| 10. | Primestar Gargoyles Nitro .973 - 2nd |
Test | 141.038 | 148.002 | 155.156 | 143.087 | 155.955 | 155.955 |
| Lap | 128.498 | 138.037 | 149.142 | 128.237 | 148.012 | 148.012 | ||
| Heat | 126.666 | 135.220 | 144.270 | 128.655 | 145.480 | 145.480 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 7 of 8 ) | ||||||||
| 11. | Miss Exide (4) .625 - 9th |
Test | 134.261 | 135.931 | No Laps | 136.537 | — | 147.092 |
| Lap | 116.629 | 128.075 | No Laps | 117.144 | — | 147.101 | ||
| Heat | 111.701 | 122.418 | No Laps | 113.534 | — | 143.809 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 1 of 1 ) | ||||||||
| 12. | Appian Jeronimo (2) .941 - 3rd |
Test | 138.999 | 142.079 | 157.409 | 136.643 | 163.088 | 163.088 |
| Lap | 130.225 | 130.416 | 148.733 | 130.506 | 157.792 | 157.792 | ||
| Heat | 129.104 | 128.236 | 142.443 | 119.569 | 150.566 | 150.566 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 6 of 6 ) | ||||||||
| 13. | Computers & Applications .757 - 8th |
Test | — | 129.422 | 141.418 | 136.134 | 110.645 | 146.860 |
| Lap | — | 124.773 | 132.953 | 126.649 | 132.585 | 144.0@@ | ||
| Heat | — | 121.182 | 129.321 | 124.086 | 127.881 | 143.000 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 2 of 3 ) | ||||||||
| 14. | Master Tire (2) Spirit of Lake Chelan .687 |
Test | 122.545 | 127.830 | — | — | — | 134.577 |
| Lap | 113.434 | 114.275 | — | — | — | 119.000 | ||
| Heat | 105.912 | 105.729 | — | — | — | 113.899 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 0 of 0 ) | ||||||||
| 15. | Miss Tri-Cities (6) Llumar Window Film .812 |
Test | 144.858 | 141.407 | 149.083 | — | — | 157.183 |
| Lap | 130.241 | 136.666 | 133.893 | — | — | 141.@@@ | ||
| Heat | 119.339 | 133.881 | 126.225 | — | — | 138.@@@ | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 1 of 1 ) | ||||||||
| 16. | Miss E-Lam Plus (2) .500 |
Test | — | 145.625 | 153.066 | — | — | 155.360 |
| Lap | — | 130.923 | 139.405 | — | — | 141.283 | ||
| Heat | — | 127.979 | 138.179 | — | — | 140.989 | ||
| ( Finals - Finished 0 of 0 ) | ||||||||
* * *
1997
After 30 years the Unlimited Racing Commission changed its name to the Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Commission, more or less to clarify its position in the sporting world. The UHRA decided to limit the speed at which an entry could turn its powerplant in addition to the fuel flow requirements. This was a further effort to save engine parts and thus reduce costs. The fuel flow regulations had not really saved that many engine parts.
The Budweiser camp in a blockbuster deal hired Dave Villwock, who was driver and crew chief of the 1996 High Point Champion PICO American Dream. This move not only strengthened Miss Budweiser, but also weakened the PICO team. Villwock brought with him the ability to turn out a Leland style hull which owner Bernie Little had coveted last year. The result was a new Turbine V with a Leland style center section yet retaining the Turbine V 96's sponsons.
Mark Evans, who drove for Budweiser in 1996, moved into Villwock' s seat with PICO American Dream. Budweiser crew chief Ron Brown remained with Bernie Little under Dave Villwock. PICO, not to be outdone, also had a new boat for 1997.
Team Woomer lost Camel Cigarettes as a sponsor, but gained Close Call - a phone card company. Reportedly Close Call came up with more money than Camel.
The Gold Cup at Detroit became the first event of the 1997 season when the Virginia Is For Lovers Regatta at Norfolk, Virginia was not only rained out, but also blown out. Although both PICO and Budweiser built new hulls for 97, they chose their old boats PICO American Dream 1996 and Miss Budweiser 1995 as their representatives in the Gold Cup. Steve Woomer's Close Call was also in contention. No-one knew how the new N2 regulator would affect the situation, however based on last year Close Call was rated at 160.9 for a 2½ competition lap.with PICO at 159.4 and Budweiser 155.5.
Miss Budweiser posted the fastest lap, having three m.p.h. on the field, and triumphed in all five heats to take the 1997 Gold Cup. Budweiser, however, was penalized in her first heat for washing down PICO American Dream. PICO gave Budweiser her only close call in heat 4-B although not really being herself after repairs between days of the Detroit Regatta due to a collision with Miss Truck Gear. Close Call was second in speed to Miss Budweiser and came within 5 seconds in heat 2-B. She spun out in the first running of the championship heat thereby causing a re-run.
The 1997 Miss Budweiser made her debut at Evansville. She had five m.p.h. on the rest of the fleet and won all four of her heats to capture Thunder-on-the-Ohio. Close Call was only 3 seconds back of Budweiser in heat 3-A, but was third in the final heat behind PICO 96 after being defeated by the latter in heat 1-A.
At Madison both Miss Budweiser 1995 and PICO American Dream 96 captured all of their elimination heats and were rated as nearly equal entries heading into the championship confrontation. PICO led into the first turn of the final heat and battled Miss Budweiser down the backstretch. However in the next turn PICO slid into Budweiser's roostertail and went dead in the water. Budweiser thereafter went on the annex the Indiana Governor's Cup.
Following Madison the fleet returned to Norfolk, Virginia for another shot at running the Virginia Is For Lovers Cup. The last time major league boats raced in the area was in the middle thirties. Budweiser stayed with their 1995 hull and swept all four of her heats to win the Cup. Budweiser had three m.p.h. on Close Call, who won all of her preliminary heats, yet was clearly defeated in the final heat. PICO 96 could not get out of second place all day long and failed to finish a lap in the championship heat having been caught in a rooster-tail .
The two Miss Budweisers had won their first four events and in the process were victorious in 16 straight heats thus threatening Dean Chenoweth's record of 20 consecutive heat wins in 1980 with another Miss Budweiser. The 1995 boat had about three m.p.h. on the field while the new 1997 charger was about five m.p.h. ahead of the game.
PICO American Dream 96 had the fastest lap at Madison and was the Bernie Little entry's most formidable adversary.
The Budweiser team chose Turbine V 97 for the Tri-Cities -it was faster than Turbine III 95 although not as stable. The Tri-Cities had one of the cleanest courses on the circuit and hence the faster yet less stable hull. Miss Budweiser won all her preliminaries heading into the championship heat having defeated both PICO American Dream 1996 and Close Call in heat 3-B. However approaching the determinative confrontation Miss Budweiser was rated at 149.9 for a competition lap , but PICO had 152.7 and Stihl, the former 1994-95 American Dream, 151.0.
At the start of the championship heat PICO was in lane one, Budweiser in lane 2 and Stihl in lane 3. All these craft as well as Close Call headed into the first turn together. Miss Budweiser had a one boat length lead approaching the exit pin. Then the Budweiser hit three rollers,lifted her left sponson and went over backward.
Driver Dave Villwock was taken to the hospital with multiple injuries.
In the re-run PICO American Dream ran behind Close Call in the first lap. In lap two the Steve Woomer entry took a leap in the initial turn hurting driver Mark Tate's shoulder and Mark Evans with the PICO was away for the win. Close Call was second. Stihl, which had defeated Close Call in heat 2-B, was third.
As the boats headed over the Canadian border for Kelowna, British Columbia. Budweiser had a 2300 point advantage in the contest for the World High Point Championship. But they also had a rookie driver, Mark Weber, in the cockpit and their fastest hull was out for the season. Dave Villwock, who nearly had his hand severed, also would not drive the rest of the year.
Ten of the fifteen entries that showed up at the Tri-Cities made the trek across the border for the Molson Dry Thunderfest. Miss Budweiser 1995 failed to make the final heat although recording the quickest lap of the regatta. She was third in heat 1-B behind DeWalt Tools, won 2-B against an easy draw and went dead while leading heat 3-B again against easy opposition. PICO American Dream 96 captured all of her elimination contests including two with Close Call and then took the final heat easily by 7 seconds over the latter entry.
The Fred Leland camp after winning the last two races with their 1996 hull decided to race at Seattle with another craft which also debuted in 1996 running as Chaplin's Bellevue Mazda with Scott Pierce at the wheel that year. The boat that won the last two events was built with a wider transom to take advantage of the fuel flow rules of 1996. The "new" PICO started in 1995 was intended as a perfection of the Leland hulls of 1992 and 1993 being lighter among other attributes. This craft, which had been flipped by Scott Pierce earlier in the season,was selected by Mark Evans since it pushed easier even though it had never been a front runner.
In a bizarre contest the "new" PICO flipped over in heat 2-A running up the Budweiser's roostertail while in fourth place behind her. Yet the flipped boat recovered to the extent that she ran in the final heat and won the Seafair Regatta.
PICO got extra time to repair their hull when in the re-run of heat 2-A Miss E-Lam Plus climbed on top of Miss Budweiser again stopping down the heat. Miss Budweiser, who had won heat 1-A over Close Call, was out for the day. Close Call defeated the repaired PICO in heat 3-A, but could not come close in the championship heat.
Heading into San Diego Budweiser's lead over Close Call was down to a little over 700 high points. Fortunately for Budweiser, Close Call was not running well due to a difficulty in adapting to the N2 rules of 1997. After getting within one m.p.h. at Kelowna the Steve Woomer entry dropped back to about six m.p.h. off the pace at Seattle, which was about as far back as she had ever been. PICO was about 800 points back, however she was coming off three straight victories and was the hot team on the circuit.
PICO went back to their 1996 hull for San Diego. She tied with Miss Budweiser 1995 for the fastest lap of the regatta at 155 m.p.h. PICO won all her preliminary heats while Budweiser traded wins with Close Call in heats two and three. In the championship heat PICO beat Close Call in a hot duel for all five laps. Miss Budweiser was third.
As the fleet arrived in Las Vegas PICO was now Budweiser's main antagonist for the World Championship being only 419 points down. Close Call was 488 points behind even though being shut out for race wins during the season.
At this crucial time in the High Point contest, PICO and Close Call made mistakes and Budweiser maintained their tradition of not faltering when the chips were down. Close Call failed to beat the one minute gun in heat 3-A at Las Vegas and posted a DNS.
PICO 96 couldn't start heat 2-B and hit a buoy in the final moving her from first place to sixth - she was one second ahead of Miss Budweiser after five laps. Close Call was second in the final heat behind the winning Miss Budweiser.
When the fleet got on the ship and headed for Hawaii, Budweiser had a 1000 marker lead due to her superior performance at Las Vegas with 1640 points at stake in the last regatta of the year.
The Championship was definitely Budweiser's to lose. Budweiser was once again in a guarding position at Honolulu.
After losing to Close Call in heat 1-A, Budweiser guaranteed their World Championship by winning heat 2-A over PICO American Dream 1997 - the top boat at Seattle. The #1 PICO 1996, which had been the race boat:since Seattle, blew over the day before the JN Automotive Hydrofest. Close Call, which had four m.p.h. on the field at Hawaii, beat Miss Budweiser twice in the elimination heats before taking the measure of both PICO and a third place Budweiser in the final heat.
Close Call had had trouble all year long dealing with the new N2 rule. Their trouble related to the ability of the Steve Woomer entry to go through and come off the corners. With 1570 foot turns at Honolulu as opposed to the preferred 1200 foot diameters not to mention the 600 footers at Madison, Close Call was able to deal effectively with their situation.
Budweiser had a rather pressurized weekend in spite of their High Point margin going into Hawaii. On the day before the Hydrofest their 1995 hull threw a prop blade requiring all night repairs. With no sleep for her crew Budweiser performed up to the occasion to secure the High Point Championship.
Unlike PICO Bernie Little only took one boat to Hawaii. Turbine V had not been repaired and Turbine IV with her double wing was not competitive. The remains of Turbine III 89 were lying in Budweiser's back yard with Turbine II on display duty. Turbine One was proping up the wall of a restaurant in Florida.
There were 46 DNF's and DNS's over the year of the N2 regulator. This compares with 59 in 1993 with no fuel flow or N2 regulation. The 4.7 gallons per minute fuel flow yielded 49 failures in 1995 whiie at 4.3 there were 55 failures in 1996. The limitations make a difference, but not that much of a difference.
[Statistics from Greene, V.2]