By Bill Swartz
710 ESPN Sports
Ruben Ascencio grew up near Detroit, Mich. falling in love with the Gold Cup and hydroplane racing. He's in Seattle this weekend to show why he's one of the top drivers on the tunnel boat circuit and a man who won't allow a disease to diminish his dreams.
I've heard of unlimited hydroplanes and limited lights, but tunnel boats are new to me and to Seafair.
"It's an Indy car without wheels," explained Ascencio. "On a straight-away you're trimming the boat out and driving on a cushion of air. The difference is to turn these things, you drop the boat and get it all wet, grab a hand full of wheel, and the hooks come up from the other side."