1999 Virginia Is For Lovers Cup
Virginia Is For Lovers Cup
Naval Station Norfolk - July 16, 17 and 18
The 1999 Virginia Is for Lovers Cup is shaping up to be the biggest, best and fastest in the event's three-year history. With as many as eleven unlimited hydroplanes pulling into Naval Station Norfolk on July 16 for the first of three days of time trials, qualifying and thrill-filled racing, the weekend is sure to be a winner. And in addition to the unlimited class, there will be competition from unlimited lights, 5-liter boats and the sleek jersey speed skiffs. With all these boats, the water will be a constant stream of action. Friday, July 16 is scheduled for testing and qualifying running from noon until 5:30 p.m.. On Saturday and Sunday the gates open at 9:00 a.m. with racing ending around 5:00p.m. each day.
General admission and parking at the event are free. However, for fans wishing to get a closer look at the boats and race course, several options are available. Pit passes are being sold for $10 a day, bleacher seating for $5 per day and a special catered tent area with prime seating is going for $100 for both Saturday and Sunday. All passes are being sold on site at the event.
After a weak showing of unlimited competitors in the 1998 Norfolk race, the boat owners came together and pledged support of the Norfolk site and are coming through in record numbers. "We are delighted to bring the Hydros color and excitement to the fans in this race market," said Bob Gobrecht, President and CEO of the Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Association (UHRA). "We are expecting a great turn-out of competitors with some of the best drivers in the world. 1999 is a highly competitive year, and Norfolk is no exception."
The race is sponsored by the Virginia Tourism Corporation and Budweiser. In addition to the races taking place on the water, there are all sorts of activities and displays planned for the land. All part of the Speed on the Spit weekend, the grounds adjacent to the race course feature speed in many forms. From kids activities to military displays and an array of "fast" machines (cars boats and the like) there is plenty to occupy a full day of family entertainment.
Virginia Is For Lover's Cup 1999 Schedule
Friday July 16, 1999
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Unlimited Testing
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Unlimited Qualifying
3:00 pm to 3:30 pm Unlimited Lights Testing
3:30 pm to 4:00 pm Unlimited Testing
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Unlimited Qualifying
5:00 pm to 5:30 pm Unlimited Lights Testing
Saturday July 17, 1999
9:00 am Gates Open to the Public
9:00 am to 9:45 am Unlimited Testing
10:00 am to 11:00 am Unlimited Qualifying
11:00 am to 11:30 am Unlimited Lights/5 Liter Testing
11:30 am to 12:30 pm Unlimited Qualifying
12:45 pm to 1:30 pm Driver's Autograph Session
1:00 pm Jersey Speed Skiff Heat 1A
1:15 pm 5 Liter Heat 1A
1:30 pm Unlimited Lights Heat 1A
1:45 pm to 2:30 pm Unlimited Qualifying
2:45 pm Jersey Speed Skiff Heat 1B
3:00 pm 5 Liter Heat 1B
3:15 pm Unlimited Lights Heat 1B
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm Unlimited Testing
4:45 pm Unlimited Driver's Meeting
Sunday July 18, 1999
9:00 am Gates Open to Public
9:00am to 10:00 am Unlimited Testing
10:00 am to 10:30 am Unlimited Lights/5 Liter Testing
10:30 am to 10:45 am Jersey Speed Skiff Testing
11:00 am Unlimited Heat 1A
11:20 am Unlimited Heat 1B
11:40 pm Jersey Speed Skiff Heat 2A (all participants)
12:00 pm Unlimited Heat 2A
12:20 pm Unlimited Heat 2B
12:45 pm 5 Liter Heat 2A
1:00 pm 5 Liter Heat 2B
1:15 pm Unlimited Lights Heat 2A
1:30 pm Unlimited Lights Heat 2B
1:45 pm Unlimited Heat 3A
2:00 pm Unlimited Heat 3B
2:20 pm Jersey Speed Skiff Final
2:40 pm 5 Liter Final
3:00 pm Unlimited Provisional
3:20 pm Unlimited Lights Final
3:40 pm Unlimited Final
(Republished from Hydros™)