September 22, 1975, SAN DIEGO - After driving Pay ‘N Pak to its third straight unlimited national championship George Henley promised owner Dave Heerensperger he would be back to drive the boat next year.
Henley made the announcement Sunday night at the awards banquet following the Pay ‘N Pak’s come-from-behind victories in all three heat to win the Weisfield’s Cup unlimited hydroplane race on Mission Bay.
Going into the dramatic finale of the 1975 season the Pak trailed Weisfield’s by 249 points. The 1200 points from Sunday’s victory gave the Pay ‘N Pak a finale score of 8,864 points. Weisfield’s was second with 8,213 and Lincoln Thrift third with 8,103.
Weisfield’s, driven by Billy Schumacher, lost a narrow decision to the Pak in the first heat. A faulty oil line put the Weisfield’s out of the race in the second heat and with only 300 points out of the championship final.
Not only did Henley nail down the national title for the Pak but he set five course and national records in the process. The Pak’s 113.621 mph average was a national record for a 37 ½ mile race on a 2 ½ mile course. The Pak now holds all eight national records for the fast San Diego course.
Despite the face the Pay ‘N Pak won the national championship, Schumacher, driver of the Weisfield’s, won his third national driving title. Henley, who retired following the 1974 season, missed the first three faces of the year before Heerensperger lured him back into the cockpit.
In each of the races, Henley trailed until the field turned for home. Then the Pay ‘N Pak pulled ahead for narrow triumphs. The third conquest earned Pay ‘N Pak a third unlimited national championship in a row. And the three firsts give the boat 16 consecutive wins, a record for a single hull.
Second in the final standings of the Weisfield’s Cup was Miss Budweiser, driven by Mickey Remund of Palm Desert, Calif. Third overall was Lincoln Thrift driven by Milner Irvin of Phoenix, Ariz.
Going into the championship heat, Pay ‘N Pak and Miss Budweiser both had perfect records with two firsts and Budweiser led until the final turn. However, heavy traffic cost Remund time and Pay ‘N Pak, racing outside, pulled ahead.
Pay ‘N Pak recorded the fastest time, 116.099 miles per hour run in the first heat. Weisfield’s, which lead through all but the final straightaway, was second with a 115.920 Pay ‘N Pak averaged 111.414 for the final. Miss Budweiser averaged 111.139.
