Heartbreaks in Preparing for the Unlimiteds

Reprinted from Motor Boating, August 1969.

Just an example of what an Unlimited owner goes through, let us review the log of Dave Heerensperger's Pride of Pay 'n Pak. Prior to the Alabama Dixie Cup, at Guntersville, Dave made a number of attempts to break the world water speed record but failed. All of his attempts fell far short of the record set by Roy Duby driving Miss U.S. 1 on the same lake in 1962 when he made 200.419 mph on the one-mile straightaway. APBA says that this lake has the best water in the United States for the temperamental nature of the monstrous 7,000-pound thunderboat. This man-made lake, of the TVA chain, has little sailing, because of its natural calmness and lack of consistent winds to stir up the water.

Here is the log of the Pride of Pay 'n Pak's attempts:

1st day		Engine break in
2nd day		Thick fog; no morning runs possible
	6:32 p.m.	146.939 mph south to north
		148.78 mph north to south
3rd day	6:37 a.m.	147.90 mph S to N
		149.626 mph N to S
	7:45 a.m.	155.844 mph S to N
		156.213 mph N to S
	4:10 p.m.	161.943 mph S to N
4th day	6:40 p.m.	172.162 mph S to N

Between these attempts were "bone-grueling hours of changes to engines, propellers, struts, and shafts and literally hundreds of consultations, conferences and discussions between crew, driver, owner, and specialists on hand for supply companies and other racing experts."

The Pak is back; but more of a survivor than winner

By Hec Hancock
Reprinted from Tri-City Herald, August 5, 1974

The 1974 Gold Cup race on Lake Washington Sunday must be one of the most expensive demolition derbies in the annals of sports.

It was a calamity atop disaster, blended with catastrophe and sprinkled with confusion.

When it was over, the race course made the aftermath of Omaha Beach in the Normandy landings of World War II look like a manicured putting green.

"The only thing that didn't happen today," Phil Cole, co-referee, observed, "was that the creek didn't go dry."

George Henley, driver of the Pride of Pay 'n Pak wasn't so much a winner as the sole survivor.

"Whew, it was sure a long day," Henley, never one to throw words around needlessly, commented after winning four straight heats and presenting boss Dave Heerensperger with the coveted Gold Cup as a wedding present.

But before Henley took the checkered flag in the championship heat eight and one half hours after racing got under way - havoc was widespread.

The smartest move of the day had to be that of the Lincoln Thrift, which withdrew before the racing started. After posting the second fastest qualifying time, owner Robert Fendler and driver Mickey Remund declared the boat unsafe and said "forget it fellas."

The U-95 sank in more than 150 feet of water during Heat 1-C of the Gold Cup hydroplane race Sunday on Lake Washington. Driver Leif Borgersen, in the water beside the boat, escaped without injury. (AP)

If the U-95 which took the Lincoln Thrift's place in the fast heat had followed suit, it wouldn't be sitting at the bottom of Lake Washington with a two-foot hole in its hull caused by an explosion in its turbine engine.

"I heard a loud explosion," driver Leif Borgersen related, "and fragments started flying around. I grabbed the fire extinguisher to start putting out the fire, but saw we were sinking so fast that the water would take care of it. I waved that I was alright and wend over the side."

The U-95 crew was able to but had to get a line on it but had to cut it when it wasn't long enough for the 180 foot depths. An effort will be made Monday to raise the sunken boat.

The third fastest qualifier, the Miss U.S. burned nearly to the waterline when firemen failed to respond quickly enough to what was originally a harmless blaze. An enraged Tom D'Eath, driver of the Miss U.S., said he had gone out into the water per instructions when the fire broke out.

"It could have been put out with a fire extinguisher but they seemed frozen," he said of the firemen on the patrol boat. "They were afraid of an explosion, and alcohol fires don't explode."

Valu-Mart, which had assumed the dark horse role when Bill Schumacher was named to drive it, was the next victim, withdrawing after a sponson started leaking in the rough waters.

But whether anyone could have caught the smiling Henley in the smooth-running Pak is doubtful.

"It was beautiful," he said with a grin. "It was rough but all water gets rough when you race on it."

Henley reported he felt he had the big cup sewed up when he looked back and couldn't see the pursuing Miss Budweiser.

Just as it has been for the past two years the race was a two boat affair between the Pak and Miss Bud. However, on the first of four concentrations between the two boats was close. In heat 1-C the Pak rapped the bear boat on the final lap by scant seconds.

Following the race, Mary Henley, wife of the winning driver from Eatonville, summed things up pretty well when she greeted her spouse with a big hug and said "Great going, dear."

As Bernie Little, runner up today, but winner of three World Cups, put it, "It was Dave's turn. He deserved it."

Billy bows out

Schumacher retires. Pay 'n Pak names Bill Sterett Jr. as driver 

July 8, 1972, WASHINGTON (AP) - Billy Schumacher announced his retirement from unlimited hydroplane racing yesterday and Owensboro's Bill Sterett Jr. was hired to replace him as driver of the Pride of Pay 'n Pak.

Sterett, who drove the Notre Dame hydro in 1971, will make his debut aboard the Pay 'n Pak in the President's Cup Regatta on the Potomac River here today and Sunday.

Schumacher, a 29-year-old Seattle resident, refused to drive in the World Championship race at Madison, Ind., last Tuesday, claiming the course was unsafe because of scattered driftwood and debris.

In the Madison race, Sterett's father former national champion Bill Sterett Sr. guided the Pay 'n Pak "as a favor to a friend." owner Dave Heerensperger.

Among others, young Sterett will be competing against his brother, Miss Budweiser driver Terry Sterett, in the President's Cup Regatta.

Hydro's Assault Readied

Reprinted from The Daily Chronicle, April 19, 1969

SPOKANE (Special) - Dave Heerensperger, owner of the Pacific Northwest's Pride of Pay 'n Pak unlimited hydroplane, said here today that his crew chief has completed the design of a revolutionary propeller which should add from 10 to 15 mph to the boat's assault on the world water speed record for one mile. The attempt will take place on Lake Guntersville, Alabama, May 19th.

“Jack Cochrane ordered three of these propellers, each with different degree of pitch. One will do the job, of that I'm sure," Heerensperger said. The propellers will be hand-forged in Italy to the specifications laid down by Cochrane and by Joe Mascari, internationally renowned propeller expert. Mascari expects to make a personal trip to Italy supervise completion of the wheels.

Heerensperger explained that the new propellers will be an improved version of the familiar "elephant ear" design now in use on several unlimiteds. "These elephant ears will look like they come from African elephants, they're so big," said Heerensperger. The particular design provides for much more blade surface than conventional propellers, with a corresponding increase in thrust potential and speed.

The Pay 'n Pak owner said propellers with 19.21 and 22 inches of pitch have been ordered. All will be 13 inches in diameter. "Slide rule calibrations indicate to us that the 22 inch propeller will be the one to use. After all, we're trying to break a record of 200.419 mph.

"I'd use the biggest wheel we can to get as much top speed as possible," the owner stated. He also revealed that Cochrane and Pay 'n Pak crew members have completed work on most of the 12 engines reserved for the record attempt.

Automotive Engines Put Hydroplane Racing in New Era

By Parton Keese
Reprinted from The New York Times, March 8, 1970

With unlimited hydroplane racing undergoing such a thorough house-cleaning this season, you may not be able to tell a driver, owner, official or boat without the proverbial program.

Last year, three of the fastest boats were out of commission and performances suffered. In spite of a competitive season, speeds that had once reached 200 miles an hour fell woefully below that mark and the number of competitors dwindled drastically.

The radical new Pride of Pay 'n Pak was built by Ron Jones and is
powered by powered by a pair of Keith Black V-8 Chrysler hemis.

Owners, who know a trend when they see one, quickly took a serious look at the future and, as a result, started the project of lifting the sport up by its own bootstraps. This has included:

Lighter and Longer

• A new commissioner of unlimited hydroplane racing.
• New rules that have opened the door for automotive engines to be used.
• Allowance for the use of turbine power.
• The construction of three new boats, with several more on the way.
• At least 10 drivers who have changed affiliation.
• Two new drivers.
• The possible addition of Florida and New York to the racing schedule.

A happy combination of events was the election of George (Buddy) Byers, Jr. as commissioner at the same time the biggest rule change in the last 20 years was made. The latter measure lowered the required minimum weight of hydros from 5,000 pounds to 4,000 pounds, while raising the minimum length of 25 feet to 28 feet.

With this change, it was possible for automotive engines to be used in a sport that had almost entirely been dominated by airplane engines, such as Rolls-Royce and Allison, since World War II. But the supply of these fighter-plane power plants has rapidly diminished and no new ones have been manufactured for years.

Thus, two rear-engined boats are being built in California, the Pride of Pay 'n Pak and the Atlas Van Lines, both of which will boast twin Chrysler engines. At least one other owner has announced plans for a Chevrolet-powered thunderboat, though the current target is 1971.

Last year's revolutionary outrigger hydro, Pay 'n Pak, was scrapped by Dave Heerensperger, but a second Pay 'n Pak that won two out of three heats in the Gold Cup will campaign with her newest sister.

And Bob Fendler's new hull for his Atlas Van Lines will be the fourth one to assume that name in the last four years. Fendler said he planned to test the new automotive design alongside his present Atlas Van. Line conventional three-point hydro, which is powered by a Rolls.

Turbines Still Valid

At the same time that the unlimiteds welcomed auto power plants into their realm, they took no action to discourage the use of turbine power. This has turned out to be a blessing for several persons hoping to corral this system for, marine racing—Don Edwards and Rich Hallett, for example, a pair of Californians whose turbine-powered hydro, Miss Lapeer, will be tested and hope fully raced this year.

But traditionalists remain, too. At Kawkawlin, Mich., Les Staudacher is building a lightweight hull that will accept an Allison engine, while another new boat will be Laird Pierce's Parco 0-Ring Miss, constructed by Ed Karelsen of Seattle along the lines of Karelsen's other three successful hydros, Miss Budweiser (last year's champion), Miss Bardahl (a two-time champion) and Notre Dame.

Pierce, a former limited hydro titleholder, has signed formidable crew to race Parco. Billy Schumacher, who won the driver's title twice, will be at the helm, while Jack Cochrane will head a crew, all of whom are used to winning.

The present Parco was retired last December after sinking during test runs at Lake Elsinore, Calif. “We're going first class,” Pierce asserted after immediately ordering brand new Parco. “We're going for the top. The rest of the field had better watch for us.”

Seven races have been approved, with open dates being sought for Miami, Tampa, Dallas-Fort Worth and Alexandria Bay, N.Y. Already set are the following:

June 7, President's Cup, Washington; June 14, Kentucky Cup, Owensboro; June 28, Horace E. Dodge Memorial, Detroit; July 5, Indiana Cup, Madison; July 19, Atomic Cup, Tri-Cities, Wash; Aug. 2, Seattle Seafair; Sept. 20, Gold Cup, San Diego.

Pride Has Weakness

Reprinted from The Daily Chronicle, August 26, 1969

SEATTLE (Special) - David Heerensperger, President of Pay 'n Pak Stores, Inc., announced here today that he has temporarily retired the trimaran Pride of Pay 'n Pak unlimited hydroplane due to a structural weakness discovered in the hull, and replace it with a new thunderboat purchased this week from Les Staudacher, Kawkawlin, Michigan builder.

The Pride of Pay 'n Pak

The new hydro, which retains the name Pride of Pay 'n Pak, will also sport the team's Indian red, gold and black colors and U-25 racing number when it debuts in the APBA Gold Cup Race, September 28 at San Diego, California.

Tommy Fults, 1968 rookie-of-the-year in hydro racing, continues as the driver with Jack Cochrane crew chief, Heerensperger said.

"A thorough inspection of the present hull this week determined that one of the spars connecting the hull to the outrigger sponson has a severe head crack and must be replaced. Since there is not enough time to completely tear the hull down, fix and test it before the Gold Cup, I decided to temporarily retire the outrigger boat and buy a new racer, even if it's just for one race," Heerensperger stated.

The Pride of Pay 'n Pak outrigger hydroplane, a radical new development, did not realize its predicted potential on the hydro circuit this season. Its principal problem was one of dragging too much boat in the water. The crew made many modifications attempting to correct the fault. Nothing worked sufficiently, although all help alleviate it to a degree.

Schumacher retirement bolsters Muncey's lot

Reprinted from Tri-City Herald, July 9, 1972

Even if Bill Muncey doesn't win today's President's Cup Regatta on the Potomac River, the 44-year-old unlimited hydroplane veteran is virtually assured of this fourth national championship.

The only unlimited pilot with a real chance of catching Muncey for the national points standings was Billy Schumacher, who stunned hydroplane racing last week with his resignation from the crew of Seattle-based Pride of Pay 'n Pak.

Schumacher's decision to call it quits, at least for the seven-race, 1972 schedule, leaves him with 3,725 points. Muncey, two-time defending President's Cup champion, has 4,700. No other driver is close to Muncey's leading point total.

Schumacher was openly critical of racing conditions during the last two events. The Detroit Gold Cup was held on the flood-swollen waters of the Detroit River, and last Tuesday's Madison, Ind., World Championship Race was postponed from Sunday because of floating debris on the Ohio River caused by tropical storm Agnes.

Schumacher, a five-time world champion at only 29, will probably be replaced by either Bill Sterett, Sr., who came out of retirement to pilot the Pay 'n Pak at Madison, or by Billy Sterett, Jr., whose brother Terry drives Miss Budweiser.

Schumacher, of course, will not be here for the seventh annual Atomic Cup on the Columbia, July 23. Schumacher won the Atomic Cup aboard Miss Bardahl in 1967 and last spring set an unofficial lap record while testing the Pay 'n Pak on the Columbia.

The Pay 'n Pak went into the 1972 unlimited season as just about everybody's favorite to end Miss Budweiser's string as national champion at three years. Schumacher had finished the 1971 season by winning the last three races.

But in Detroit, the Atlas Van Lines crew, headed by former driver Bill Cantrell, spent the winter putting modifications on Muncey's boat. Atlas won the first three races of 1972, setting speed records wherever it went.

Muncey, who has never won the Atomic Cup, is the clear favorite to win his sixth President's Cup overall. His stiffest competition is expected from Pay 'n Pak, Miss Budweiser and the GoGale, the Atlas sister ship out of Detroit which is also listed as Atlas Van Lines II to distinguish it from Muncey's boat.

Other boats checked into the pits by late Friday afternoon were Timex, Towne Club, and Country Boy.

There had been some concern whether debris on the Potomac could be cleared in time for the regatta. Apparently it was.

Al Bauer, one of the race officials, said Friday, "The river's in better shape than I've seen it in 38 years."