USSBA Race Review

USSBA Nationals racing a nailbiter!

Three classes decided in final event

By Jim DeFord

RICHLAND, Wash. (Sept. 9, 2006) — The only class that was decided prior to The Nationals was the Super Boat class. Darrin Hartwig would leave today with the Super Boat Championship.

The rest of the classes would leave the fans and teams on the edge of their seats in some of the most competitive racing this year.

Super Boats

All of the Super Boat teams suffered mechanical attrition this year and only two boats would run today. Darrin Hartwig again had engine problems after the first run and that left Tom Nelson to claim The Nationals race trophy while Hartwig claimed the USSBA Super Boat Championship.

You can never, ever take anything away from Tom Nelson who is a true competitor and ran the Piranha boat right on the edge, cutting the corners tight as ever and hammering the throttle through the bottom of the boat.

—>> READ MORE

USSBA Race Review

Woodland race a wild one!

1400 fans and Mayor of Woodland turn out for a very exciting event

By Jim DeFord

WOODLAND, Wash. (Aug. 29, 2006) — The Mayor of Woodland greeted over 1400 fans at the gate. Mrs. "Mayor" helped serve food to the cheering throng. An estimated $1600 cash was donated at the parking gate and barrels of canned food were donated at the entry to track.

The Longview Daily News had such headlines as: "Illegal Boat Races Return to Woodland" and the forums on their site were pretty busy with 99% in clear, positive support of the event that brings countless dollars into this tiny community 21 miles north of Vancouver, Washington. The event made the front page of the Sunday paper.

The crowd was quite vocal and really got into the event as the boats screamed around this beautiful facility. Kudos go out to Jeff Strong and everyone else who worked very hard to make this event a success. A job well done. The racing was incredible and the event itself ran as smooth as a Rolex. —>> READ MORE

Rodeo in Richland!

Busted engines and DNFs dominate the day on a very tough course

By Jim DeFord

RICHLAND, Wash. (Aug. 12, 2006) — A total of 23 DNFs in qualifying and eliminations showed how tough this race’s course was. It was not a long course but the drivers had to make two 90-degree turns right at the start-line; one heading one direction and the other heading the opposite way. Both ways proved quite a challenge throughout the day. See the Cowboy Photos.

This week let’s start with the highly contested Group A-400 Class. Doug Hendrickson and Hannah Rice clearly have the fastest boat in this class. He can run easily 3-plus seconds faster than his nearest competitor week-in and week out.  —>> READ MORE

Hot and wild in Marsing

Attrition adds another dimension to the championship

By Jim DeFord

MARSING, Idaho (July 29, 2006) — Treasure Valley had record breaking weather up until race day but the relief from the nationwide heat wave would be slight. However, the heat on the track would far outweigh anything mother nature could offer.

Let's get right into the action here and start with the Super Boats. Tom Nelson and crew were back in full force and ready to rock and roll. Unfortunately, the Piranha boat was not cooperating.

The crew worked in the morning to get the boat tuned. All is good. Then comes the first run and the boat will not start. This is the same problem that plagued them prior to the last race and prevented them from even coming to the race.

—>> READ MORE

Mixing it up in Marsing

Jack Bright takes home Superboat trophy - A-400 class tied for first place

By Jim DeFord

MARSING, Idaho (July 8, 2006) — Who could have ever predicted that Jack Bright would be at the top of the podium in the Superboat class? Surely not I and surely not even Jack himself. However, at the end of the day on Saturday, July 8, 2006, that is exactly where Jack and his substitute navigator, Jo Schaffer stood. Quite amazing. How the heck did that happen?

Well, let me tell you... —>> READ MORE

Richland competition strong

A-400 battle looms - SuperMod Rookie driver on podium!

By Jim DeFord

RICHLAND, Wash. (June 17, 2006) — The #17 Cool Tool boat returned to Richland on Saturday with two rookies proudly on the podium on a perfect Eastern Washington day. Though it wasn't perfect for some of the teams, the Ackerman's smoothed through their licensing session and proceeded right into the finals and into a second-place podium finish in the SuperMod class! Pretty darn impressive considering they were running heads-up against the the Peterson brothers in the hard-to-beat #9 Bernin' H2O. The Petersons have won their last 6 out of 8 races dating back to the start of the 2005 season.

In the A-400 class, Doug Hendrickson and Hanna Rice popped right off the trailer in Marsing to claim the first win of the season. They were the class of the race and nobody even came close.

Then come the demons. —>> READ MORE