Fastest Man Afloat
Stan Sayres' famous "Slo-Mos" have made Seattle the nation's motorboat capital.
Reprinted from Sports Illustrated, August 23, 1954
Inboard
Slo-Mo-Shun V - magazine promotion for Mobiloil 1955
Hi. Just found this promotion for Mobiloil in a technical magazine in Sweden in 1955. This is nice showing that the unlimited hydroplanes were famous in Sweden even though we didn´t have unlimited in Sweden. Since I have been furtunate to meet Ron Jones Jr last year at the Hydroplane Museeum this is special to me.... Hope to be back soon...
MUSEUM MEMBERSHIP EQUALS FINANCIAL SUPPORT
This newly-revised Museum web site kicked off on October 19h 2010. We are now up to 423 "members", from all over the U.S. and even International. It is an amazing "blog", with lots of photos, videos, and hydro racing history. It also provides the ability to follow all of the Museum restoration progress. But it is important to point out that the 423 are members of the "blog" and not literally members of the Museum itself. Museum membership indicates financial support, which helps us pay the bills and keeps us afloat.
So What About The Next Generation, and the one after and....
I had a bit of an awakening this morning. Two of them actually. the first was the early (0530) arrival of a young man, 17 years of age, that I've taken under my wing during some difficult times. Divorce, problems with relationships, court orders, etc... I've known him since he came home next door a few days after his birth. His dad rolled him over in a stroller and introduced us. He and I have been close ever since... Including the current period as I help him work through family issues and some other difficulties that i'm sure some of us have gone through. He is a great kid.
Vintage Hydroplane return to Seafair!
Vintage hydroplane racing returns this summer - experience the roar and thunder the way it used to be! Boats like the Miss Bardhal, Miss Wahoo, Oh Boy! Oberto, and Miss Thriftway will be making a come back this summer thanks in part to the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum in Kent, WA. The vintage boats will also be on display in Stan Sayres Pits and a meet and greet autograph session with past drivers will take place on Saturday and Sunday.
2011 Hydroplane Racing Schedule
Let's Support Dave Villwock and our Sport -Vote! PLEASE
Although mentioned already on the home page under "Insider News" I think it might be worth reminding all of you to take the time to vote in the annual SSC awards, not only to recognize "our" Dave Villwock - and by association his team - for his achievements, but to further increase visibility and awareness of our favorite sport.
I realize we've become a "stick and ball" kinda' town, but let's do all we can to support Dave and our sport. Let's tell the committee that Unlimited Hydroplanes are still an important part of this community and Dave represents it well.
Miss Chrysler Crew
As a professional film camera man for motorsports during the sixties and seventies I was privileged to be close to the action. In 1967 I was in San Diego filming the Chrysler Crew as it was firing up. The ringing scream of those two Keith Black Marine engines was ear splitting. As it pulled away the noise was positively shattering! I haven't seen any other comments on the sound of this machine but from dragsters to Indianapolis or Nascar, Nothing came close.
ANother Great Doha Party!
Over 80 hydro fans showed up at the Hydroplane Museum last night to watch H1 Unlimited’s live stream of the Oryx Cup UIM World Championship. The crowd enjoyed a festive party atmosphere and some great racing.
TV Coverage on Vs Channel.
I've caught the last two broadcasts (delayed and condensed) on Versus of the ANG H1 series. I have to say I think it's a pretty good start to bring the sport back into the public eye. I kind of like the up-close and personal approach, allowing the viewer to become acquainted with the drivers and the crews while condensing the heats into something that makes the sport more interesting to the casual viewer than it might otherwise be.
A Rewarding Race in Detroit
For unlimited hydro racing it was a remarkably uneventful event. Nobody got killed and the boats, most of them powered by aircraft engines, flew so low that Bill Sterett won with his Chryslers.
By Kim Chapin
Reprinted from Sports Illustrated, July 10, 1967