Reprinted from The Seattle Times, November 11, 1969
Dave Heerensperger, chain-store operator, announced yesterday he has commissioned construction of a low-profile, rear-engine hydroplane to operate in the unlimited racing class in 1970.
The hydroplane will be powered by twin Chrysler hemi engines. The boat will retain the name "Pride of Pay 'n Pak."
The craft, described as being the first unlimited built along low-profile lines with auto engines in the rear, by Heerensperger, is to be completed in April and testing is to begin at Lake Elsinore, Calif. Final tests will be conducted on Lake Washington.
The new Pride of Pay 'n Pak, replacing the disappointing outrigger model, will be 28½ feet long, with a so-called pickle-fork bow with the center section cut out for safety. It will be 12 feet 8 inches wide and weight about 5,500 pounds.
The engines are designed to deliver about 1,100 horsepower.
Showing posts with label 1969. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1969. Show all posts
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Saturday, January 21, 2017
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:
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."
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."
Sunday, January 1, 2017
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Pride of Pay 'n Pak
Reprinted from Sea and Pacific Motor Boat, July 1969
Dave Heerensperger's revolutionary new hydroplane has had a change of name, but her objective of breaking the world water speed record of 200.419.5 mph for a propeller-driven racer over a measured mile remains the same. Originally called Miss Eagle Electric as a sentimental link with Heerensperger's previous hydro, she is now officially named Pride of Pay 'N Pak after the 22-store group headed by Heerensperger. But she will still carry the Eagle's colors, number and fighting spirit.
Pay 'N Pak was scheduled to make her assault on the speed record at Lake Guntersville, Ala. May 19-24. The existing record was set in 1962 by Roy Duby, driving George Simon's Miss U.S. on the same lake.
Her unconventional design features outrigger sponsons jutting out from the main hull structure. At racing speeds, only these devices and the bottom blade of the propeller touch the water. Her engine is a Rolls Royce Merlin V-1620. Her propeller, designed by crew chief Jack Cochrane and propeller expert Joe Mascari, is almost its revolutionary as her hull design. The design provides for much more blade surface than conventional propellers, with it corresponding increase in thrust potential and speed.
Her driver, Tommy Fults, 1968 APBA unlimited Hydroplane rookie-of-the-year, described the boat its "fabulous". He said, " I don't seem to bog down in the turns with this boat. It hits a turn hot, sets up easy and moves around fast, all with it great feeling of ease and security."
Heerensperger summed up Pay 'N Pak this way: "We feel we have achieved the goal of all unlimited racers — speed with stability and safety."
Dave Heerensperger's revolutionary new hydroplane has had a change of name, but her objective of breaking the world water speed record of 200.419.5 mph for a propeller-driven racer over a measured mile remains the same. Originally called Miss Eagle Electric as a sentimental link with Heerensperger's previous hydro, she is now officially named Pride of Pay 'N Pak after the 22-store group headed by Heerensperger. But she will still carry the Eagle's colors, number and fighting spirit.
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| 1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak |
Pay 'N Pak was scheduled to make her assault on the speed record at Lake Guntersville, Ala. May 19-24. The existing record was set in 1962 by Roy Duby, driving George Simon's Miss U.S. on the same lake.
Her unconventional design features outrigger sponsons jutting out from the main hull structure. At racing speeds, only these devices and the bottom blade of the propeller touch the water. Her engine is a Rolls Royce Merlin V-1620. Her propeller, designed by crew chief Jack Cochrane and propeller expert Joe Mascari, is almost its revolutionary as her hull design. The design provides for much more blade surface than conventional propellers, with it corresponding increase in thrust potential and speed.
Her driver, Tommy Fults, 1968 APBA unlimited Hydroplane rookie-of-the-year, described the boat its "fabulous". He said, " I don't seem to bog down in the turns with this boat. It hits a turn hot, sets up easy and moves around fast, all with it great feeling of ease and security."
Heerensperger summed up Pay 'N Pak this way: "We feel we have achieved the goal of all unlimited racers — speed with stability and safety."
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Record Run Doesn't Pay Off
Reprinted from Sea and Pacific Motor Boat, July 1969
And in May Spokane's newest Pride of Pay 'N Pak, was pak'd off all the way to Guntersville, Alabama, and smooth water for an assault on the propeller-driven craft speed record of 200.419 mph. National sports T.V. was there, all the officials. The try went on for five days, but all of the effort wasn't pay’n off this time. But Dave Heerensperger, president of a chain of stores on the coast, is not through trying. This is his third hydro and he feels that it will have a strong year in unlimited-class racing. It is a revolutionary design as pointed out in previous issues of this column.
There was one interesting tie-in note. Driver Tommy Fults, Rookie-of-the-Year in '68, wore the new life support system and reported it is comfortable, it did not hamper his action and it gave a feeling of confidence to the driver.
And in May Spokane's newest Pride of Pay 'N Pak, was pak'd off all the way to Guntersville, Alabama, and smooth water for an assault on the propeller-driven craft speed record of 200.419 mph. National sports T.V. was there, all the officials. The try went on for five days, but all of the effort wasn't pay’n off this time. But Dave Heerensperger, president of a chain of stores on the coast, is not through trying. This is his third hydro and he feels that it will have a strong year in unlimited-class racing. It is a revolutionary design as pointed out in previous issues of this column.
Pay 'N Pak Unlimited Hydroplane 1969 Mile Straightaway Run
There was one interesting tie-in note. Driver Tommy Fults, Rookie-of-the-Year in '68, wore the new life support system and reported it is comfortable, it did not hamper his action and it gave a feeling of confidence to the driver.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
It's Speed
Reprinted from Sea and Pacific Motor Boat, April 1969
Can new designing solve the problem of the big hydroplane racing boats becoming unduly airborne at high speeds? In what Dave Heerensperger calls "the flying problem," he does think he has the answer. APBA officials say that his new Miss Eagle Electric out of Spokane, Wash., is a definite threat to the field this year. They call his design "a dramatic departure." It will be recalled that driver Warner Gardner lost his life at Detroit last December when the aging Miss Eagle Electric crashed.
The owner and Spokane businessman Heerensperger, who has nearly twice as many "e's" in his name as there is in his boat's name, says this, "It was before the fatal accident that Warner and I had decided to build this new boat. She has outrigger sponsons and other design changes. Now it is a memorial to my good friend, the late Warner Gardner.
"She is shorter than 30 feet and a foot wider than most of the others. She is made up of three structural members in one.
"The hull itself is about four feet wide. Extending from each side are struts which connect to outrigger sponsons upon which the boat rides at competitive speeds. These outriggers are about two feet across and are built to withstand high speed stress and load.
"When we first tested the boat, Tommy experienced so much torque that it actually ran lopsided. Since that time, the crew changed the angle of attack to correct that problem," Heerensperger said.
He cited as another riddle, having water spray into the engine well from the left outrigger when the boat was turned. A deflection device ended that worry.
"It's hard to tell how you're doing without competition, but the new boat has tremendous straightaway speeds. It turns tighter than any boat I've owned, and I've had three. Tommy Fults takes the boat into the turns and just walks it around. The engine doesn't have that overworked, `boring out' sound, but boat speed stays up. On straightaways, the negative lift factors resulting from the lack of trapped air cause the hull to run flat and with no kiting. Of course, we have a lot of testing to do before the start of the season, but right now we are happily anticipating the first race at Guntersville, Ala., June 8," Heerensperger concluded.
They are calling the new one Spreadwing Eagle and attempts were being made in late February, amid ice floes, to test her out on the Columbia River, near Pasco.
Can new designing solve the problem of the big hydroplane racing boats becoming unduly airborne at high speeds? In what Dave Heerensperger calls "the flying problem," he does think he has the answer. APBA officials say that his new Miss Eagle Electric out of Spokane, Wash., is a definite threat to the field this year. They call his design "a dramatic departure." It will be recalled that driver Warner Gardner lost his life at Detroit last December when the aging Miss Eagle Electric crashed.
The owner and Spokane businessman Heerensperger, who has nearly twice as many "e's" in his name as there is in his boat's name, says this, "It was before the fatal accident that Warner and I had decided to build this new boat. She has outrigger sponsons and other design changes. Now it is a memorial to my good friend, the late Warner Gardner.
"She is shorter than 30 feet and a foot wider than most of the others. She is made up of three structural members in one.
"The hull itself is about four feet wide. Extending from each side are struts which connect to outrigger sponsons upon which the boat rides at competitive speeds. These outriggers are about two feet across and are built to withstand high speed stress and load.
"When we first tested the boat, Tommy experienced so much torque that it actually ran lopsided. Since that time, the crew changed the angle of attack to correct that problem," Heerensperger said.
He cited as another riddle, having water spray into the engine well from the left outrigger when the boat was turned. A deflection device ended that worry.
"It's hard to tell how you're doing without competition, but the new boat has tremendous straightaway speeds. It turns tighter than any boat I've owned, and I've had three. Tommy Fults takes the boat into the turns and just walks it around. The engine doesn't have that overworked, `boring out' sound, but boat speed stays up. On straightaways, the negative lift factors resulting from the lack of trapped air cause the hull to run flat and with no kiting. Of course, we have a lot of testing to do before the start of the season, but right now we are happily anticipating the first race at Guntersville, Ala., June 8," Heerensperger concluded.
They are calling the new one Spreadwing Eagle and attempts were being made in late February, amid ice floes, to test her out on the Columbia River, near Pasco.
New Hydro Will Try for World Record
Reprinted from The Seattle Times, March. 30, 1969.
SPOKANE -- Tommy Fults, driving Dave Heerensperger's new, revolutionary unlimited hydroplane, Pride of Pay 'N Pak, will shoot for a mile straightaway speed record this spring on Lake Guntersville, Alabama.
The record is 200.419 miles an hour for a propeller-driven hydro. It was set on Lake Guntersville, April 7, 1962, by Roy Duby driving George Simon's Miss U.S. A new Miss U.S. presently is based in Seattle and driven by Bill Muncey.
The sanction period for the record attempts is May 19- 24.
The Spokane owner of the Pride of Pay 'N Pak, who has expanded his electrical-and-plumbing supply holdings to Denver and Seattle during the winter, plans to send the boat to Kawkawlin, Mich., for last-minute modifications and refinements by the builder, Les Staudacher, before the record runs in Alabama.
The new hydro, a replacement for Heerensperger's Miss Eagle Electric, was designed for straightaway-record attempts. The hydro, except for test runs this winter on the Columbia River in Tri-Cities, is untested, however, in competition.
"We're not going to Alabama simply to break the record," Heerensperger said. "We're determined to put the record out of reach for the next ten years."
Heerensperger purchased the unconventional hydro -- outrigger sponsons jutting out from the hull -- when the Eagle Electric was destroyed and Col. Warner Gardner killed in last summer's Gold Cup race on the Detroit River.
SPOKANE -- Tommy Fults, driving Dave Heerensperger's new, revolutionary unlimited hydroplane, Pride of Pay 'N Pak, will shoot for a mile straightaway speed record this spring on Lake Guntersville, Alabama.
The record is 200.419 miles an hour for a propeller-driven hydro. It was set on Lake Guntersville, April 7, 1962, by Roy Duby driving George Simon's Miss U.S. A new Miss U.S. presently is based in Seattle and driven by Bill Muncey.
The sanction period for the record attempts is May 19- 24.
The Spokane owner of the Pride of Pay 'N Pak, who has expanded his electrical-and-plumbing supply holdings to Denver and Seattle during the winter, plans to send the boat to Kawkawlin, Mich., for last-minute modifications and refinements by the builder, Les Staudacher, before the record runs in Alabama.
The new hydro, a replacement for Heerensperger's Miss Eagle Electric, was designed for straightaway-record attempts. The hydro, except for test runs this winter on the Columbia River in Tri-Cities, is untested, however, in competition.
"We're not going to Alabama simply to break the record," Heerensperger said. "We're determined to put the record out of reach for the next ten years."
Heerensperger purchased the unconventional hydro -- outrigger sponsons jutting out from the hull -- when the Eagle Electric was destroyed and Col. Warner Gardner killed in last summer's Gold Cup race on the Detroit River.
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