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.