U.S. Soldiers Serve as Crew on H1 Teams
U.S. troops at the 2011 Oryx Cup
More than two dozen Army soldiers based in Doha, Qatar, are serving as volunteer crew members on H1 Unlimited teams competing at the Oryx Cup UIM World Championships.
Handling tasks from washing boats to swapping propellers, the soldiers are getting a first-hand look at the demands of getting a hydroplane ready to race. For many of the young men and women, it’s the first time they have seen an unlimited up close.
“With these high-powered engines, you can’t get better than that,” said soldier, Army Specialist Carlos Ramirez, who was raised in Phoenix, Ariz. “Now I’m interested in the sport, I’m definitely going to start following it.”
This is the first time H1 Unlimited has done an outreach program with the U.S. military bases in Doha. The program is a natural extension of its partnership with the Air National Guard, said H1 Unlimited Chairman Sam Cole.
Cole brought the TapouT/Muscle Pharm boat to display at Camp As Sayliyah and asked if any soldiers would want to spend three days working with the teams. Base leaders handpicked 24 soldiers, who are putting in 10-hour days alongside the teams. Other volunteers are assisting H1 Unlimited officials with racecourse flags and getting the boats in and out of the water.
With U-21 crew
“The team owners are impressed at how hardworking and smart these men and women are,” Cole said. “We know we have the finest troops in the world. For the teams working beside them, it only reinforces that.”
TapouT/Muscle Pharm team owner Greg O’Farrell echoes Cole’s sentiments.
“It’s the start of a good friendship with these guys. We appreciate what they do for our country,” O’Farrell said. “They’re a pleasure to be around and we’re having a lot of fun with them.”
Army Specialist Nicole Hubbard was assisting the Oh Boy! Oberto crew and her main task was to deliver the black box that officials use to check for fuel flow and turbine over-speed violations. She spent some time talking with driver Steve David about what it’s like behind the wheel of a hydroplane.
“They (base commanders) didn’t tell us much coming into here,” Hubbard said. “Now that I’m here, I’m having a blast.”
Army Specialist Nohle Jensen was given the task of helping H1 Unlimited officials at the docks coordinating the boats going in and out of the water during testing and qualifying on Thursday.
“It’s unreal. I never grew up around boats and to see them go 150 mph—oh my gosh,” he said. “How expense these boats are is just unreal.”
U.S. soldier visits with U-5 driver Jeff Bernard and owner Ted Porter
Cole said they will do the volunteer program with the troops at the Oryx Cup UIM World Championships in 2012 set for November 15-17.
“Everyone is having such a good time, we can’t wait for next year,” he said.
U.S. Soldiers Serve as Crew on H1 Teams
U.S. troops at the 2011 Oryx Cup
More than two dozen Army soldiers based in Doha, Qatar, are serving as volunteer crew members on H1 Unlimited teams competing at the Oryx Cup UIM World Championships.
Handling tasks from washing boats to swapping propellers, the soldiers are getting a first-hand look at the demands of getting a hydroplane ready to race. For many of the young men and women, it’s the first time they have seen an unlimited up close.
“With these high-powered engines, you can’t get better than that,” said soldier, Army Specialist Carlos Ramirez, who was raised in Phoenix, Ariz. “Now I’m interested in the sport, I’m definitely going to start following it.”
This is the first time H1 Unlimited has done an outreach program with the U.S. military bases in Doha. The program is a natural extension of its partnership with the Air National Guard, said H1 Unlimited Chairman Sam Cole.
Cole brought the TapouT/Muscle Pharm boat to display at Camp As Sayliyah and asked if any soldiers would want to spend three days working with the teams. Base leaders handpicked 24 soldiers, who are putting in 10-hour days alongside the teams. Other volunteers are assisting H1 Unlimited officials with racecourse flags and getting the boats in and out of the water.
With U-21 crew
“The team owners are impressed at how hardworking and smart these men and women are,” Cole said. “We know we have the finest troops in the world. For the teams working beside them, it only reinforces that.”
TapouT/Muscle Pharm team owner Greg O’Farrell echoes Cole’s sentiments.
“It’s the start of a good friendship with these guys. We appreciate what they do for our country,” O’Farrell said. “They’re a pleasure to be around and we’re having a lot of fun with them.”
Army Specialist Nicole Hubbard was assisting the Oh Boy! Oberto crew and her main task was to deliver the black box that officials use to check for fuel flow and turbine over-speed violations. She spent some time talking with driver Steve David about what it’s like behind the wheel of a hydroplane.
“They (base commanders) didn’t tell us much coming into here,” Hubbard said. “Now that I’m here, I’m having a blast.”
Army Specialist Nohle Jensen was given the task of helping H1 Unlimited officials at the docks coordinating the boats going in and out of the water during testing and qualifying on Thursday.
“It’s unreal. I never grew up around boats and to see them go 150 mph—oh my gosh,” he said. “How expense these boats are is just unreal.”
U.S. soldier visits with U-5 driver Jeff Bernard and owner Ted Porter
Cole said they will do the volunteer program with the troops at the Oryx Cup UIM World Championships in 2012 set for November 15-17.
“Everyone is having such a good time, we can’t wait for next year,” he said.