H1 Unlimited
CategoryUnlimited hydroplane racing
Country United States
Inaugural season1946
Drivers10
Teams9
Engine suppliersLycoming Engines
Drivers' championUnited States J. Michael Kelly
Teams' championUnited States Beacon Electric
Official websitewww.h1unlimited.com
Current season

H1 Unlimited is an American Unlimited Hydroplane racing league that is sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association (APBA). Until 2009, the series was known as ABRA Unlimited Hydroplane, in turn renamed from APBA Unlimited Hydroplane in 2004. The H1 Unlimited season typically runs from July through September, consisting of five races.

A hydroplane (or hydro, or thunderboat) is a type of motorboat used exclusively for racing. A unique characteristic of hydroplanes is that they only use the water they are on for propulsion and steering and not for flotation—when going at full speed they are primarily held aloft by a principle of fluid dynamics known as "planing," with only a fraction of their hull touching the water.

History

The unlimited hydroplane racing series was founded in 1946 when the unlimited class of boats was allowed to compete following World War II and the subsequent availability of surplus aircraft engines. It had been disbanded in 1922 in favor of the newly introduced "Gold Cup Class."[1]

The world's first sanctioned unlimited hydroplane race was held 121 years ago in 1903 in Ireland at Queenstown, and was very modest by later race standards. That race was won by Dorothy Levitt, driving an 11-meter (35 ft) boat, powered by a 56-kilowatt (75 hp) Napier engine, at an average speed of 31.4 km/h (19.5 mph).[2]

The boats were initially restricted to engines of a maximum of 10.24 liters (625 cu in), later increased to 12.00 liters (732 cu in). Hulls with "steps" or "shingles" on the underside were prohibited.[1]

One reason for the rule change was to end the domination of its star driver, Gar Wood, who had won five consecutive Gold Cups from 1917. One win in 1920 in his twin Liberty L-12 powered Miss America, averaged 113.317 km/h (70.412 mph) in the 48 km (30 mi) race over an 8 km (5 mi) course and set a race record that stood until 1946. "King Gar" had entered fifteen Gold Cup heats during those pinnacle years. He finished first twelve times and second three times. Throughout the years, only two boats showed up to challenge Miss America; one of those was piloted by George Wood, Gar's younger brother, in Miss Chicago. Another reason for the rule change was to make racing more affordable.[1]

In 1929, the 725 cu in (11.88 L) Class was introduced by the Mississippi Valley Power Boat Association (MVPBA). The majority of these boats were powered by Hispano-Suiza 8 aircraft engines or Curtiss OX-5s. These boats were popular in the Southern and Midwestern US, but did not attract the media attention that the expensive and exotic-looking Gold Cup Class counterparts had.[3]

In 1946 after the hiatus due to the war, the MVPBA was absorbed into the APBA,[4] and as a result the 725s and the Gold Cups merged to become the APBA Unlimited Class.[3]

Following the protest-ridden 1956 APBA Gold Cup at Detroit, which took 85 days to settle, the Unlimited Class severed all but nominal ties with the APBA. In 1957, the Unlimited Racing Commission (URC) was formed. In the 1990s, the URC was renamed the Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Association (UHRA).[5] In 2001, HYDRO-PROP, Inc., bought the licensing rights to the Unlimited Class from the APBA and managed the unlimited class through the 2004 racing season.[5] The American Boat Racing Association (ABRA) was formed in 2005[5] and was renamed H1 Unlimited in 2009.[6]

The turbine engine was first used in competition by the U-95 "Whiz-per" in 1974, which sank that August at Seattle.[7][8][9] The next entrant with turbine power was the Pay 'n Pak in 1980 on the Columbia River at Tri-Cities,[9] but it flipped 2½ times in a test run prior to the Sunday heats.[10][11] It was the sole turbine again the following year,[12][13] but through the 1980s, the turbine gradually displaced piston power.[14][15][16]

Today

Seafair 2017 Final First Turn. 3 boats next to each other.
First turn after the race started at Seafair during the final race.

The H1 Unlimited class is sanctioned by APBA,[17] its governing body in North America and UIM, its international body.

Unlimited Hydroplanes are fast boats capable of more than 320 km/h (200 mph) on the straights and running average lap speeds of 209–266 km/h (130–165 mph). They are 8.5–9.1 m (28–30 ft) in length and weigh a minimum of 3,060 kg (6,750 lb).

The modern turbine-powered unlimited hydroplane is derived from the 3-point prop-riding hydroplanes of the 1950s. These were the first boats to ride on a cushion of air trapped between "sponsons" mounted on the sides of the front of the boat, and the bottom half of the propeller, which were all that touched the water.

They were called "Unlimited" because they were the only class of boat racing the APBA that had no restrictions on the displacement size of their piston engines. The designation Unlimited has stayed with the class in the turbine era, even though there are restrictions on the turbine engine and its fuel.

Almost all the H1 Unlimited hydroplanes are powered by Lycoming T55 turbine engines,[18] originally used in Chinook helicopters. The U-440 of the Bucket List Racing Team runs a T-53 turbine. As of 2022, the U-3 Go3 Racing is the only piston powered boat in the fleet, powered by a twin turbocharged Allison V-12.[19]

Past National High Point Champions

Since 1946, the National High Point Championships are awarded to the team and to the driver with the most points at the end of the season. The Martini & Rossi National Champion Perpetual Trophy was first awarded in 1959,[20] and the Bill Muncey Trophy was first awarded in 2007.[21]

Martini & Rossi National Champion Perpetual Trophy

for Season High Point Team

Year Team Engine Owner Wins
1946 G-13 Tempo VI 16-cylinder Miller engine[22] Guy Lombardo 1
1947 Miss Peps V Walt Dossin
Roy Dossin
Russell Dossin		 3
1948 Such Crust Jack Schafer, Sr. 2
1949 My Sweetie Ed Gregory
Ed Schoenherr
Horace Dodge, Jr.		 4
1950 My Sweetie Horace Dodge, Jr. 2
1951 Miss Pepsi Walt Dossin
Roy Dossin		 4
1952 Miss Pepsi Walt Dossin
Roy Dossin		 3
1953 Gale II Joe Schoenith 1
1954 Gale V Joe Schoenith 4
1955 Gale V Joe Schoenith 1
1956 Shanty I Bill Waggoner 3
1957 Hawaii Kai III Edgar Kaiser 5
1958 Miss Bardahl Ole Bardahl 3
1959 Maverick Bill Waggoner 5
1960 Miss Thriftway Willard Rhodes 4
1961 Miss Century 21 Willard Rhodes 4
1962 Miss Century 21 Willard Rhodes 5
1963 Miss Bardahl Ole Bardahl 3
1964 Miss Bardahl Ole Bardahl 4
1965 Miss Bardahl Ole Bardahl 4
1966 Tahoe Miss Bill Harrah 4
1967 Miss Bardahl Ole Bardahl 6
1968 Miss Bardahl Ole Bardahl 4
1969 Miss Budweiser Rolls-Royce Merlin Bernie Little
Tom Friedkin		 4
1970 Miss Budweiser Rolls-Royce Merlin Bernie Little
Tom Friedkin		 4
1971 Miss Budweiser Rolls-Royce Merlin Bernie Little
Tom Friedkin		 2
1972 Atlas Van Lines Joe Schoenith 6
1973 Pay 'n Pak Rolls-Royce Merlin Dave Heerensperger 4
1974 Pay 'n Pak Rolls-Royce Merlin Dave Heerensperger 7
1975 Pay 'n Pak Rolls-Royce Merlin Dave Heerensperger 5
1976 Atlas Van Lines Rolls-Royce Merlin Bill Muncey 5
1977 Miss Budweiser Rolls-Royce Merlin Bernie Little 3
1978 Atlas Van Lines Rolls-Royce Merlin Bill Muncey 6
1979 Atlas Van Lines Rolls-Royce Merlin Bill Muncey 7
1980 Miss Budweiser Rolls-Royce Griffon Bernie Little 5
1981 Miss Budweiser Rolls-Royce Griffon Bernie Little 6
1982 Atlas Van Lines Rolls-Royce Merlin Fran Muncey 5
1983 Atlas Van Lines Rolls-Royce Merlin Fran Muncey
Jim Lucero		 3
1984 Miss Budweiser Rolls-Royce Griffon Bernie Little 6
1985 Miller American Lycoming T55 Fran Muncey
Jim Lucero		 5
1986 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55 Bernie Little 3
1987 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55 Bernie Little 5
1988 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55 Bernie Little 4
1989 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55 Bernie Little 4
1990 Miss Circus Circus Lycoming T55 Bill Bennett 6
1991 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55 Bernie Little 4
1992 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55 Bernie Little 7
1993 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55 Bernie Little 7
1994 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55 Bernie Little 4
1995 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55 Bernie Little 5
1996 PICO American Dream Lycoming T55 Fred Leland 6
1997 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55 Bernie Little 6
1998 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55 Bernie Little 8
1999 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55 Bernie Little 8
2000 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55 Bernie Little 6
2001 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55-L7C Bernie Little 1
2002 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55-L7C Bernie Little 3
2003 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55-L7C Joe Little 2
2004 Miss Budweiser Lycoming T55-L7C Joe Little 5
2005 Miss Elam Plus Lycoming T55-L7C Erick Ellstrom 3
2006 Miss Formulaboats.com II Lycoming T55-L7C Ted Porter 1
2007 Miss Elam Plus Lycoming T55-L7C Erick Ellstrom 4
2008 Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) Lycoming T55-L7C City of Madison 1
2009 Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) Lycoming T55-L7C City of Madison 1
2010 Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) Lycoming T55-L7C City of Madison 3
2011 Spirit of Qatar Lycoming T55-L7C Marine Technologies 3
2012 Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) Lycoming T55-L7C City of Madison 2
2013 Graham Trucking Lycoming T55-L7C Team Porter Racing 4
2014 Oberto Beef Jerky Lycoming T55-L7C City of Madison 2
2015 Oberto Lycoming T55-L7C City of Madison 3
2016 HomeStreet Bank Lycoming T55-L7C City of Madison 3
2017 HomeStreet Bank Lycoming T55-L7C City of Madison 3
2018 Jones Racing Lycoming T55-L7C Michael and Lori Jones 5
2019 HomeStreet Bank Lycoming T55-L7C City of Madison 2
2021 HomeStreet Bank Lycoming T55-L7C City of Madison 1
2022 HomeStreet Bank Lycoming T55-L7C City of Madison 5
2023 Beacon Electric Lycoming T55-L7C Strong Racing 2
Bill Muncey Trophy for the Season High Point Champion Driver
Year Driver Machine Wins
1946 Guy Lombardo Tempo VI

1

1947 Danny Foster Miss Peps V 3
1948 Dan Arena Such Crust 2
1949 Bill Stead My Sweetie 4
1950 Danny Foster Such Crust
Delphine X		 2
1951 Chuck Thompson Miss Pepsi 4
1952 Chuck Thompson Miss Pepsi 3
1953 Lee Schoenith Gale II 1
1954 Lee Schoenith Gale V 4
1955 Lee Schoenith Gale V 1
1956 Russ Schleeh Shanty I 3
1957 Jack Regas Hawaii Kai III 5
1958 Mira Slovak Miss Bardahl 3
1959 Bill Stead Maverick 5
1960 Bill Muncey Miss Thriftway 4
1961 Bill Muncey Miss Century 21 4
1962 Bill Muncey Miss Century 21 5
1963 Bill Cantrell Gale V 0
1964 Ron Musson Miss Bardahl 4
1965 Ron Musson Miss Bardahl 4
1966 Mira Slovak Tahoe Miss 4
1967 Billy Schumacher Miss Bardahl 6
1968 Billy Schumacher Miss Bardahl 4
1969 Bill Sterett, Sr. Miss Budweiser 4
1970 Dean Chenoweth Miss Budweiser 4
1971 Dean Chenoweth Miss Budweiser 2
1972 Bill Muncey Atlas Van Lines 6
1973 Mickey Remund Pay 'n Pak 4
1974 George Henley Pay 'n Pak 7
1975 Billy Schumacher Weisfield's 2
1977 Mickey Remund Miss Budweiser 3
1976 Bill Muncey Atlas Van Lines 5
1978 Bill Muncey Atlas Van Lines 6
1979 Bill Muncey Atlas Van Lines 7
1980 Dean Chenoweth Miss Budweiser 5
1981 Dean Chenoweth Miss Budweiser 6
1982 Chip Hanauer Atlas Van Lines 5
1983 Chip Hanauer Atlas Van Lines 3
1984 Jim Kropfeld Miss Budweiser 6
1985 Chip Hanauer Miller American 5
1986 Jim Kropfeld Miss Budweiser 3
1987 Jim Kropfeld Miss Budweiser 5
1988 Tom D'Eath Miss Budweiser 4
1989 Chip Hanauer Miss Circus Circus 3
1990 Chip Hanauer Miss Circus Circus 6
1991 Mark Tate Winston Eagle
Oh Boy! Oberto		 3
1992 Chip Hanauer Miss Budweiser 7
1993 Chip Hanauer Miss Budweiser 7
1994 Mark Tate Smokin' Joe's 2
1995 Mark Tate Smokin' Joe's 4
1996 Dave Villwock PICO American Dream 6
1997 Mark Tate Close Call 1
1998 Dave Villwock Miss Budweiser 8
1999 Dave Villwock Miss Budweiser 8
2000 Dave Villwock Miss Budweiser 6
2001 Dave Villwock Miss Budweiser 1
2002 Dave Villwock Miss Budweiser 3
2003 Dave Villwock Miss Budweiser 2
2004 Dave Villwock Miss Budweiser 5
2005 Steve David Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) 1
2006 Steve David Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) 0
2007 Dave Villwock Miss Elam Plus 4
2008 Steve David Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) 1
2009 Steve David Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) 1
2010 Steve David Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) 3
2011 Dave Villwock Spirit of Qatar 3
2012 Steve David Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) 2
2013 Jimmy Shane Graham Trucking 4
2014 Jimmy Shane Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) 2
2015 Jimmy Shane Oberto 3
2016 Jimmy Shane HomeStreet Bank 3
2017 Jimmy Shane HomeStreet Bank 2
2018 Andrew Tate Jones Racing 5
2019 Jimmy Shane HomeStreet Bank 2
2021 J. Michael Kelly Miss Tri-Cities 2
2022 Jimmy Shane HomeStreet Bank 5
2023 J. Michael Kelly Beacon Electric 2

Standing All-Time Competition and Qualifying Speed Records

Source: [23]

Record Speed Driver Boat Location Year
Qualifying 173.384 mph Dave Villwock Miss Budweiser San Diego 1999
Competition Lap 166.221 mph Steve David Miss T-Plus Pearl Harbor, HI 1992
Heat Avg 161.712 mph Mark Tate Winston Eagle San Diego 1993
Race Avg 156.830 mph Mark Tate Close Call Pearl Harbor, HI 1997

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Gold Cup Class Revisited". Lesliefield.com. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  2. ↑ "Thunderboats..the craft they call unlimited" Popular Mechanics, June 1976, pp. 61-63.
  3. 1 2 Archived July 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ "It's A Wonder - Page 1". Vintageraceboatshop.com. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  5. 1 2 3 "Unlimited Hydros - Back on Track". thunderboats.ning.com. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  6. ↑ American Boat Racing Association changes its name to H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Unveils new international brand – Auburn Reporter
  7. ↑ "Pak rates Gold Cup boat pick". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. August 4, 1974. p. 2, sports.
  8. ↑ "Pay 'n Pak wins rugged Gold Cup". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. August 5, 1974. p. 13.
  9. 1 2 "Pay 'N Pak will sport experimental engine". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). July 25, 1980. p. 28.
  10. ↑ "Flip: Pay 'N Pak's 2½ somersaults electrify hydro race crowd". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). July 28, 1980. p. 17.
  11. ↑ "Race goes to Muncey; Pak flips". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. July 28, 1980. p. 22.
  12. ↑ "Chenoweth top qualifier in Miss Bud". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. July 25, 1981. p. 17.
  13. ↑ Blanchette, John (July 27, 1981). "Hanauer's the hydro champ". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 13.
  14. ↑ Lee, Greg (July 27, 1985). "Quietly riding wave of the future". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 15.
  15. ↑ Bunch, Jeff (July 25, 1987). "When you say Bud, you've said it all". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. B1.
  16. ↑ Bunch, Jeff (July 30, 1988). "Wet, wild and very dangerous". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. B1.
  17. ↑ "Unlimited | American Power Boat Association". www.apba.org. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  18. ↑ "Six hydroplanes set to rip-up the aqua oval on Lake Guntersville". H1 Unlimited. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
  19. ↑ "2015 Teams". H1 Unlimited. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
  20. ↑ "Historic Martini & Rossi Trophy to be presented to National Champion". NBC Right Now. 21 November 2009. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  21. ↑ "New Trophy Honors Bill Muncey". thunderboats.ning.com. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  22. ↑ "Tempo VI - The Gold Cup Champion". thunderboats.ning.com. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  23. ↑ 2021 Hydro Record Book and Statistics. Edmonds, WA: Unlimited NewsJournal. 2021. p. 36.
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