MADISON. Ind., July 6 (UPI) - Pay 'n Pak, chalking up two course records en route, won the $30,000 Indiana Governor's Cup race for unlimited hydroplanes today on the Ohio River.
George Henley of Eatonville, Wash., steered the Seattle‐based craft to a first and two seconds in its three heats to best Weisfield's, driven by Billy Schumacher of Seattle.
Pay 'n Pak cruised the 2½‐mile river course at an average speed of 115.148 miles an hour in the fourth of the day's five heats for one mark. Henley's fastest lap in the five‐lap, 12½‐mile event of 116.883 m.p.h., also was a record.
Friday, September 30, 2016
Monday, September 26, 2016
How do you paint the Pak?
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| Step 1 - Spray the White |
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| Step 2 - Mask for the Orange |
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| Step 3 - Spray the Orange |
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| Step 4 - Remove the Mask |
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| Step 5 - Mask for the Black |
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| Step 6 - Spray the Black |
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| Step 7 - Remove the Mask |
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| Step 8 - Sit back and enjoy the results...but not too long. |
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| Step 9 - Spray the Clear (upside down) |
Remund Drives Pay ’n Pak To 2 Hydroplane Records
SEATTLE, Aug. 4, 1973 (AP)—The Pay ‘N Pak, badly damaged in the Gold Cup two weeks ago, warmed up today for the Seafair world championship regatta by setting two unlimited hydroplane records.
Mickey Remund drove Pay ‘N Pak twice around the three‐mile Lake Washington course during time trials for tomorrow's race at speeds averaging 126.464 and 126.761 miles an hour.
The faster lap time broke the old one‐lap time trial record over a three–mile course of 125.874 m.p.h. set here last year by an earlier version of the Pay ‘N Pak with a different driver in the cockpit, Billy Sterett Jr. Remund's average for the two laps, 126.613 m.p.h., broke the old mark in that department, 125.874, also set by Sterett last year.
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| Mickey Remund at the wheel of the Pay 'N Pak. |
Mickey Remund drove Pay ‘N Pak twice around the three‐mile Lake Washington course during time trials for tomorrow's race at speeds averaging 126.464 and 126.761 miles an hour.
The faster lap time broke the old one‐lap time trial record over a three–mile course of 125.874 m.p.h. set here last year by an earlier version of the Pay ‘N Pak with a different driver in the cockpit, Billy Sterett Jr. Remund's average for the two laps, 126.613 m.p.h., broke the old mark in that department, 125.874, also set by Sterett last year.
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."
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Norm Berg Builds a Pair
By Bill Curry
Reprinted from the 1979 Spirit of Detroit program
When today's Spirit of Detroit Regatta is history the unlimited hydroplane sitting in the winner's circle may well be a product of Norm Berg's Tacoma, Washington boat shop. You see, the 37-year-old Berg is the builder of Bill Muncey's 1978 national champion Atlas Van Lines, winner of the last two Detroit River go-arounds. Norm Berg is also the builder of two other top-flight contenders - Circus Circus and The Squire Shop. Both came out of Berg's shop this spring.
Boats have always been a part of Berg's life. "My family was involved in commercial fishing when I was growing up. I remember as a youngster watching the hydros race on Seattle's Lake Washington and thinking how much I would enjoy being a part of it all."
After working at a commercial boat works for several years, Berg decided in 1972 to go into the construction of race boats. "The first boats I built were outboard performance craft. The first hydro I put together was the 280-class limited Spirit of '76. That was back in 1974" said Berg. His second hydro is his best known limited to date, the ultra-successful 225-class White Lightning, which has won many national titles and set speed records the past four seasons.
In 1975, Berg was asked by Pay 'N Pak crew chief Jim Lucero to construct a new hull for that race team. "I had done repair work on the Pay 'N Pak and Miss Budweiser unlimiteds, so a lot of people in the unlimited ranks knew of my work," Berg continued. "Much of the hull was constructed of hexcel." "Hexcel", an aluminum honeycomb "sandwich," was developed in the aerospace industry to save weight but to still afford strength and rigidity. In the same equivalent cubic space Hexcel weighs less than plywood and has the strength of steel.
While Berg was building the new Pak, Bill Muncey bought out the entire Pay 'N Pak racing team. After more than 2000 hours' work, Berg's hull debuted in 1977 as Atlas Van Lines. Muncey went on to win six of nine races on the circuit, including the Gold Cup.
Many feel that 1978 was Muncey's premier season after 28 years of racing a variety of hydros. Last year Muncey piloted the Berg hull to victory in six of seven races on the circuit, smashing speed records on every course in the country.
After watching Muncey dominate the unlimited ranks for two years, the sports most flamboyant owner, Bernie Little, approached the down-to-earth Berg about building a new Miss Budweiser. "Last summer, Little asked me about building him a new boat like that Atlas. Little has several business deals going at the time, one of which was selling the then Miss Budweiser boat. I had materials to build Little a new boat in my shop when his plan to sell the Bud didn't come off.
By then the Squire Shop people had given me the down payment to build them a boat for 1979. When Little got back to order a boat from me, I told him I was building a new hull for the Squire Shops, but I still could construct a hydro for him, too. Little cancelled out. Shortly after that, the Nevada casino owners of Circus Circus ordered a hull from me," said Berg. When two firms put down $73,000 each (the going price for a new Berg unlimited hull) that tells you the kind of confidence knowledgeable boat racers have in Norm Berg.
"I never dreamed I would be building two unlimited at the same time this past winter. The Squire hull is made of wood and aluminum, while the Circus Circus people wanted to try a few different ideas in their hull.
The Circus Circus is also made of wood and aluminum plus a lot of Hexcel, which makes it lighter than the Squire boat. They somewhat resemble my White Lighting limited boat," stated Berg. Berg's latest creations are cabovers with rear wings and Rolls-Royce Merlin power. With the help of his three-man shop crew, Berg finished both boats in April.
Berg feels that after several years of struggling to bring more competitive boats into the sport, things are looking up. Besides Berg's two new hulls, Ron Jones constructed a new Miss Budweiser that is Rolls-Royce Griffon powered. And before the 1980 season begins Jim Lucero will build a new turbine-powered Pay 'N Pak and a new Rolls-engined Atlas Van Lines for Bill Muncey.
"Boat racing has been growing very slowly toward professionalism. The Circus Circus people are a good example of a new, very professional race team, the type the sport needs. I think that permanent race sites would go a long way to bring in more spectators," Berg added. "I think boats will become even faster with lighter, stronger materials."
Reprinted from the 1979 Spirit of Detroit program
When today's Spirit of Detroit Regatta is history the unlimited hydroplane sitting in the winner's circle may well be a product of Norm Berg's Tacoma, Washington boat shop. You see, the 37-year-old Berg is the builder of Bill Muncey's 1978 national champion Atlas Van Lines, winner of the last two Detroit River go-arounds. Norm Berg is also the builder of two other top-flight contenders - Circus Circus and The Squire Shop. Both came out of Berg's shop this spring.
Boats have always been a part of Berg's life. "My family was involved in commercial fishing when I was growing up. I remember as a youngster watching the hydros race on Seattle's Lake Washington and thinking how much I would enjoy being a part of it all."
After working at a commercial boat works for several years, Berg decided in 1972 to go into the construction of race boats. "The first boats I built were outboard performance craft. The first hydro I put together was the 280-class limited Spirit of '76. That was back in 1974" said Berg. His second hydro is his best known limited to date, the ultra-successful 225-class White Lightning, which has won many national titles and set speed records the past four seasons.
In 1975, Berg was asked by Pay 'N Pak crew chief Jim Lucero to construct a new hull for that race team. "I had done repair work on the Pay 'N Pak and Miss Budweiser unlimiteds, so a lot of people in the unlimited ranks knew of my work," Berg continued. "Much of the hull was constructed of hexcel." "Hexcel", an aluminum honeycomb "sandwich," was developed in the aerospace industry to save weight but to still afford strength and rigidity. In the same equivalent cubic space Hexcel weighs less than plywood and has the strength of steel.
While Berg was building the new Pak, Bill Muncey bought out the entire Pay 'N Pak racing team. After more than 2000 hours' work, Berg's hull debuted in 1977 as Atlas Van Lines. Muncey went on to win six of nine races on the circuit, including the Gold Cup.
Many feel that 1978 was Muncey's premier season after 28 years of racing a variety of hydros. Last year Muncey piloted the Berg hull to victory in six of seven races on the circuit, smashing speed records on every course in the country.
After watching Muncey dominate the unlimited ranks for two years, the sports most flamboyant owner, Bernie Little, approached the down-to-earth Berg about building a new Miss Budweiser. "Last summer, Little asked me about building him a new boat like that Atlas. Little has several business deals going at the time, one of which was selling the then Miss Budweiser boat. I had materials to build Little a new boat in my shop when his plan to sell the Bud didn't come off.
By then the Squire Shop people had given me the down payment to build them a boat for 1979. When Little got back to order a boat from me, I told him I was building a new hull for the Squire Shops, but I still could construct a hydro for him, too. Little cancelled out. Shortly after that, the Nevada casino owners of Circus Circus ordered a hull from me," said Berg. When two firms put down $73,000 each (the going price for a new Berg unlimited hull) that tells you the kind of confidence knowledgeable boat racers have in Norm Berg.
"I never dreamed I would be building two unlimited at the same time this past winter. The Squire hull is made of wood and aluminum, while the Circus Circus people wanted to try a few different ideas in their hull.
The Circus Circus is also made of wood and aluminum plus a lot of Hexcel, which makes it lighter than the Squire boat. They somewhat resemble my White Lighting limited boat," stated Berg. Berg's latest creations are cabovers with rear wings and Rolls-Royce Merlin power. With the help of his three-man shop crew, Berg finished both boats in April.
Berg feels that after several years of struggling to bring more competitive boats into the sport, things are looking up. Besides Berg's two new hulls, Ron Jones constructed a new Miss Budweiser that is Rolls-Royce Griffon powered. And before the 1980 season begins Jim Lucero will build a new turbine-powered Pay 'N Pak and a new Rolls-engined Atlas Van Lines for Bill Muncey.
"Boat racing has been growing very slowly toward professionalism. The Circus Circus people are a good example of a new, very professional race team, the type the sport needs. I think that permanent race sites would go a long way to bring in more spectators," Berg added. "I think boats will become even faster with lighter, stronger materials."
Monday, July 4, 2016
1975 Hydroplane Slate Is Worth Record $350,000 for 10 Events
Special to The New York Times, December 29, 1974
Powerboat racing's most glamorous class, the unlimited hydroplanes, will compete for record purses of $350,000 next year in a 10‐event schedule. The 1975 season for the 180‐mile‐an‐hour “thunderboats” opens May 18 on Biscayne Bay in Miami and closes Sept. 14 on Lake Pleasant in Phoenix, Ariz.
Major races between those dates include the President's Cup on June 1, the Gold Cup on July 27 and the Seattle Seafair on Aug 3. The Gold Cup, considered the sport's top event, has been scheduled for the Columbia River at Tri‐Cities, Wash.
In announcing the schedule, the Unlimited Racing Commission of the American Power Boat Association also indicated that at least 20 unlimiteds would be ready for 1975 competition. The fleet is expected to include Pay 'N Pak, Miss Budweiser, Valu Mart, Miss Madison, U‐95, Lincoln Thrift and Loan, Red Man, Sunny Jim, Kirby Classic, Pizza Pete, Mr. Fabricator, Savair's Probe and CU‐22.
Pay 'N Pak, owned by Dave Heerensperger and driven by George Henley, dominated the 1974 season with seven victories. Bernie Little's boat, Miss Budweiser, took three firsts before Howie Benns, the rookie driver, was injured in a motorcycle accident.
The 1975 schedule:
May 18—Champion Spark Plug Regatta, Marine Stadium, Miami, Fla.
June 1—President's Cup, Potomac River, Washington D.C.
June 15—Kentucky Governor's Cup, Ohio River, Owensboro, Ky.
June 29—Gar Wood Trophy Race, Detroit River, Detroit, Mich.
July 6—Indiana Governor's Cup, Ohio River, Madison, Ind.
July 13—Hydroglobe, Eastwood Park Lake, Dayton, Ohio
July 27—A.P.B.A. Gold Cup, Columbia River, Tri‐Cities, Wash.
Aug. 3—Seattle Seafair, Lake Washington, Seattle, Wash.
Sept. 7—San Diego Unlimited, Mission Bay, San Diego, Calif.
Sept.14—Desert Thunderboat Regatta, Lake Pleasant, Phoenix, Ariz.
Powerboat racing's most glamorous class, the unlimited hydroplanes, will compete for record purses of $350,000 next year in a 10‐event schedule. The 1975 season for the 180‐mile‐an‐hour “thunderboats” opens May 18 on Biscayne Bay in Miami and closes Sept. 14 on Lake Pleasant in Phoenix, Ariz.
Major races between those dates include the President's Cup on June 1, the Gold Cup on July 27 and the Seattle Seafair on Aug 3. The Gold Cup, considered the sport's top event, has been scheduled for the Columbia River at Tri‐Cities, Wash.
In announcing the schedule, the Unlimited Racing Commission of the American Power Boat Association also indicated that at least 20 unlimiteds would be ready for 1975 competition. The fleet is expected to include Pay 'N Pak, Miss Budweiser, Valu Mart, Miss Madison, U‐95, Lincoln Thrift and Loan, Red Man, Sunny Jim, Kirby Classic, Pizza Pete, Mr. Fabricator, Savair's Probe and CU‐22.
Pay 'N Pak, owned by Dave Heerensperger and driven by George Henley, dominated the 1974 season with seven victories. Bernie Little's boat, Miss Budweiser, took three firsts before Howie Benns, the rookie driver, was injured in a motorcycle accident.
The 1975 schedule:
May 18—Champion Spark Plug Regatta, Marine Stadium, Miami, Fla.
June 1—President's Cup, Potomac River, Washington D.C.
June 15—Kentucky Governor's Cup, Ohio River, Owensboro, Ky.
June 29—Gar Wood Trophy Race, Detroit River, Detroit, Mich.
July 6—Indiana Governor's Cup, Ohio River, Madison, Ind.
July 13—Hydroglobe, Eastwood Park Lake, Dayton, Ohio
July 27—A.P.B.A. Gold Cup, Columbia River, Tri‐Cities, Wash.
Aug. 3—Seattle Seafair, Lake Washington, Seattle, Wash.
Sept. 7—San Diego Unlimited, Mission Bay, San Diego, Calif.
Sept.14—Desert Thunderboat Regatta, Lake Pleasant, Phoenix, Ariz.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Top Hydros Ready for Final Duel
Special to The New York Times, Oct. 20, 1974
Pride of Pay 'N Pak and Miss Budweiser, the boats that have monopolized the winnings on the unlimited hydroplane circuit for the last two years, meet today in the final regatta of the season in Jacksonville, Fla.
George Henley has piloted Pay 'N Pak to a national high‐point total that Miss Budweiser cannot make up in this last race. Pay 'N Pak was the winner of the Gold Cup in Seattle two months ago. At the last meeting of the thunderboats, in Madison, Ind., last Sunday, they dueled to what has become their accustomed finish — Pay 'N Pak first, Miss Budweiser second.
Howie Benns, the 35‐year‐old rookie who piloted Miss Budweiser through most of this year, returned command of the boat to Dean Chenoweth after breaking both his legs in a motorbike accident in Phoenix last month. Chenoweth won the Gold Cup with Miss Budweiser last year.
Howie Benns, the 35‐year‐old rookie who piloted Miss Budweiser through most of this year, returned command of the boat to Dean Chenoweth after breaking both his legs in a motorbike accident in Phoenix last month. Chenoweth won the Gold Cup with Miss Budweiser last year.
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