ANG Series Boats In Washington DC Exhibition
Air National Guard hydroplanes returned to the Potomac River and the nation’s capital for the first time in more than 30 years with a four-team exhibition on Friday, September 23.
Washington D.C.’s National Harbor hosted the Air National Guard Series exhibition and display featuring the Valken.com, Graham Trucking, 88 Degree Men and Oh Boy! Oberto teams.
The exhibition could mark the return of the President’s Cup to the Air National Guard Hydroplane Series schedule in 2012.
“This has been in the works for some time and everything is in place to make this the first step toward bringing back the President’s Cup,” Cole said. “We are grateful to National Harbor and its management along with the Air National Guard for supporting this opportunity.”
Cole credited the perseverance of H1 Unlimited vice chairman, team owner and series driver Ken Muscatel for paving the way back to Washington, D.C. Muscatel has been working on this project for nearly a decade.
“This was on his radar in 2005 and he has never let it out of his sights,” Cole said. “I cannot wait to see his face when the boats hit the water and we display the President’s Cup in a few weeks!”
National Harbor is a development that will provide an excellent venue for the Air National Guard series with access to the Potomac and lots of opportunities for fans to see the boats up close. It a short drive from downtown. The boats will be displayed through the weekend during the Oktoberfest at National Harbor.
The key in getting approval for the exhibition was a commitment from H1 Unlimited and Muscatel’s group to hold a race at the site in June 2012. Provided the logistics and exhibition meet everyone’s approval, the Air National Guard teams will again compete for the historic President’s Cup trophy.
Deeded to American Power Boat Association (APBA) in 1937, the President’s Cup trophy was last won by the late Bill Muncey in 1977 in the Atlas Van Lines. The prior year, it was captured by driver Billy Schumacher, who currently owns the 88 Degree Men team with his wife, Jane.
The President’s Cup was run between 1926 and 1977 in and around the nation’s capital. William A. Rogers convinced the members at the Corinthian Yacht Club to host the race and President Calvin Coolidge to sponsor the trophy.
Participating in the Washington, D.C., exhibition were the Oh Boy! Oberto boat, which has won three consecutive national high point championships. Also taking part is the Ted Porter-owned Valken.com and Graham Trucking boats that are in the Top 3 in the point standings. The 88 Degree Men is a new boat that made its debut at the season opener in Madison, Ind.
ANG Series Boats In Washington DC Exhibition
Air National Guard hydroplanes returned to the Potomac River and the nation’s capital for the first time in more than 30 years with a four-team exhibition on Friday, September 23.
Washington D.C.’s National Harbor hosted the Air National Guard Series exhibition and display featuring the Valken.com, Graham Trucking, 88 Degree Men and Oh Boy! Oberto teams.
The exhibition could mark the return of the President’s Cup to the Air National Guard Hydroplane Series schedule in 2012.
“This has been in the works for some time and everything is in place to make this the first step toward bringing back the President’s Cup,” Cole said. “We are grateful to National Harbor and its management along with the Air National Guard for supporting this opportunity.”
Cole credited the perseverance of H1 Unlimited vice chairman, team owner and series driver Ken Muscatel for paving the way back to Washington, D.C. Muscatel has been working on this project for nearly a decade.
“This was on his radar in 2005 and he has never let it out of his sights,” Cole said. “I cannot wait to see his face when the boats hit the water and we display the President’s Cup in a few weeks!”
National Harbor is a development that will provide an excellent venue for the Air National Guard series with access to the Potomac and lots of opportunities for fans to see the boats up close. It a short drive from downtown. The boats will be displayed through the weekend during the Oktoberfest at National Harbor.
The key in getting approval for the exhibition was a commitment from H1 Unlimited and Muscatel’s group to hold a race at the site in June 2012. Provided the logistics and exhibition meet everyone’s approval, the Air National Guard teams will again compete for the historic President’s Cup trophy.
Deeded to American Power Boat Association (APBA) in 1937, the President’s Cup trophy was last won by the late Bill Muncey in 1977 in the Atlas Van Lines. The prior year, it was captured by driver Billy Schumacher, who currently owns the 88 Degree Men team with his wife, Jane.
The President’s Cup was run between 1926 and 1977 in and around the nation’s capital. William A. Rogers convinced the members at the Corinthian Yacht Club to host the race and President Calvin Coolidge to sponsor the trophy.
Participating in the Washington, D.C., exhibition were the Oh Boy! Oberto boat, which has won three consecutive national high point championships. Also taking part is the Ted Porter-owned Valken.com and Graham Trucking boats that are in the Top 3 in the point standings. The 88 Degree Men is a new boat that made its debut at the season opener in Madison, Ind.