August 4, 1973. SEATTLE (AP) — It is widely believed among unlimited hydroplane experts that Seattle’s long course will benefit the Miss Budweiser in Sunday’s $50,000 Seafair Regatta.
The Lake Washington oval is three miles, compared to 2 1/2-mile courses for most races on the unlimited circuit. Budweiser, the theory goes, can accelerate to greater straightaway speeds than her chief rival, the Pay ’N Pak. It’s just that it takes the Bud longer to reach her top speed. Thus the longer the straight stretches—called chutes—the better the Bud’s chances.
On the other hand the Pay 'N Pak, aided by its horizontal stabilizer wing mounted above the stern, rides smoother and faster through the turns and hits her best straightaway speed earlier once out of the corner.
Budweiser owner Bernie Little, of Lakeland, Fla., is clearly among those who say the Bud’s performance will improve here Sunday.
"We’ve got chute speed we haven’t used yet," Little said Thursday after driver Dean Chenoweth qualified the beer wagon for Sunday’s race with an average of 121.901 miles per hour over two laps.
However Pay ’N Pak jockey Mickey Remund apparently doesn’t buy the whole thing. He followed the Bud’s qualifying run Thursday with a better 122.728 m.p.h. The Pak is a Seattle-based boat.
Other qualifiers after one day of time trials: Shakey’s Special of Seattle, 106.299; Atlas Van Lines, Detroit, 105.059; Miss U.S., Detroit, 102.762; Mister Fabricator, Carrollton, Ohio, 102.370; Red Man I Owensboro, Ky„ 102.344; Value Mark U-16, Seattle, 102.177 and Pizza Pete, Seattle, 100.022.
The Budweiser-Pay ’N Pak matchup should be the hottest on the course Sunday. Between them, the two boats have won five of the six regattas this season and are just 100 points apart in the 1973 point standings.
After winning the Gold Cup in Pasco, Wash., two weeks ago the Bud leads the field with 6,238 points. The Pak has 6,138.
