Apba Gold Cup

Dave Villwock comeback win at Air National Guard Series in Tri-Cities

Kennewick, Wash., July 31, 2011— Dave Villwock came from behind late in the final to overtake Steve David to win a thrilling Air National Guard Hydroplane Series race in Tri-Cities, Wash.

Villwock was able to break David's three consecutive race victories on the Columbia River by capping a perfect weekend that included three preliminary heat victories. The win was hardly easy for Villwock, who had the cowling blow off his boat and the turbine engine was smoking when he returned to the docks.

"We've kind of used the boat up," said Villwock with a laugh. "It looks like a top fuel car going through the lights on fire with parts throwing out of it. We'll get it back in shape for Seattle."

David got out to an early lead and the two veteran drivers were neck-and-neck for 2 1/2 laps. But by Lap 3, Villwock, who was running on the outside, was able to chase down David and pass him. From there Villwock extended the lead and earned his seventh Lamb Weston Columbia Cup.

With the victory, Villwock earned his 64 career victory. He's the sport's all-time winningest driver after passing the sport's legendary driver Bill Muncey earlier this month at the APBA Gold Cup in Detroit.

David overcame a disastrous start on the weekend where he passed the score up buoy too early and finished last in his heat. In the next heat, he was penalized for encroaching on another driver and again finished last. He won his next heat and earned enough points to make the seven-boat final.

David was back in the driver's seat after sitting out a race because of an injury he sustained in a crash during the season opener in Madison, Ind. The team also spent nearly $100,000 repairing damage to the boat. The Oh Boy! Oberto driver was nursing sore ribs but was frustrated by his mental mistakes.

"I'm the one that messed up, they gave me a great boat all weekend," David said. "Since the rebuild, it took me a couple of heats to get used to it."

Third-place finisher Kip Brown has been perfect in the preliminary heats, winning all five heats he's competed in this season. Brown was unavailable to drive in Detroit and the team used a backup driver.

"Where we finished in the final is nothing to hang our head about," Brown said. "To finish behind those two guys, they're heavy hitters in our class, I'm happy with the weekend."

Brown is among the national high point champions in the series. He came into the Air National Guard Hydroplane Series race in Tri-Cities leading but Villwock's Spirit of Qatar was able to overtake them.

Detroit APBA Gold Cup Race, Wasabi, 1515 Broadway « detroitdvotion

Sometimes I take things about Detroit for granted, we hadn’t attended a Gold Cup Hydroplane race in years. When I hear people say numbers like 3,000 horsepower or 200 miles per hour, they just don’t mean that much to me. As we approached the river and I caught a glimpse of 200 MPH, the monsterous roostertails, the sound of the turbine engines screaming by, all I can say is WOW ! Being up close and personal with that much power and speed is a whole different thing! We were seated near a hydroplane aficionado, after hearing stories of the history and tradition of the Gold Cup race I have gained a new respect for the event .  the yard we were in! We had set up our chairs in the perfect location, providing a combination of shade and a great view, the river breeze and mist from the boats providing a welcome relief from the summer heat. Between heats there was an air show, first to perform was a bi-plane doing an aerobatic show, the stalls always make me nervous. When the bi-plane was finished, out of nowhere there was a sound that resembled some sort of explosion, before we could comprehend what was happening a Navy FA-18 flew overhead producing the loudest sounds I had ever heard. The US Navy West Coast Super Hornet Team was demonstrating the maneuvers of the aircraft. It was absolutely amazing, the sound so loud your entire body felt it.  There are several different kinds of boats that race; some louder than others, some have outboard engines, but the big piston engined offshores  are the loudest by far. I think the hydroplanes gather the most attention, they throw up an astonishing rooster tail, when you get several of them taking a curve it’s just a blast of water up into the air, very cool! I would highly recommend checking it out if you ever get the opportunity to come to Detroit to see the races. We were lucky enough to receive the invitation through Preservation Wayne, the event was held at a historic home on the same street as the Manoogian Mansion, and is a beautiful example of Georgian architecture, the front is as lovely as the back. The yard is 300′ long ending at the Detroit River and has lush gardens and towering trees to provide needed shade on a scorching summer day. We took a walk through the lively Berry  neighborhood, many other families were hosting parties as well. The homes here are upscale, lavish, and regal. Each is different and possess it’s own elegance and charm.

Telescope

Inboard Racing, A Wild Ride

Hydroplane Racing in the Tri-Cities

Hydroplane Racing in Detroit, 1946-2008

Hydroplane Boats