Spring Boat Shop Tour – 22
22 Great Scott! presents has a new and improved cockpit for 2012.
In the Webster family’s Reading, Pennsylvania shop – far removed from most of the teams they will be meeting at the season opener in Madison July 6-8 – a hectic few weeks have seen the team’s race boat undergo a major transformation since returning from the Oryx Cup.
Changes in the boat’s profile and color scheme will give it a new look on the water in 2012 and upgrades to the turbine engines and gear boxes should improve performance.
Mike Webster in the future location of the driver's seat.
Last year, Webster racing acquired the former Miss Madison – a boat originally built for piston power in 1988 and later converted to turbine power by the Madison team. The boat has been through several rebuilds and modernizations since it was built.
In 2012 it will have a new and improved safety canopy, combining with changes to the cowling to give it a different profile.
New bull noses (leading edge of the center section) should give the boat more lift and a lighter ride, producing more speed.
Capsule construction - roll bars added
Fans will see some changes in the red, white and blue color scheme and could be watching a much faster 22 Great Scott! Presents on the 2012 Air National Guard H1 Unlimited Hydroplane tour.
Owner Steve Webster tells us, “Frankly, we have been very disappointed in the performance of our engines. When we went on the dyno this winter we discovered we were down about 30% in power from where we should be. That has been fixed and we should be 100% better in that department.”
Two of the team’s turbines have been rebuilt and dynoed by Jim Lucero and Butch Corning at Competition Specialties in Seattle.
Gear box issues, which have plagued the team in the past, should also be rectified following an upgrade there.
Engine cowling is modified to work with new cockpit.
Webster Racing is also working with H1, Scott Carson and Washington State University on a program to develop a biofuel for use in Unlimited racing. Plans are to run the 22 on a biofuel blend in the races at Tri-Cities and Seattle.
The project requires changes to fuel controls, fuel lines and all parts that come in contact with the more corrosive fuel.
Webster added, “The boat was very well cared for when Mike Hanson and the Madison team had it. And it’s probably in the best shape now that its been in for a long time. We are anxious to get it in the water to see the results of the work we have done.”
Mike Webster's new office nears completion.
The boat will start the season as the Great Scott! Presents Matrix Systems Automotive Finishes at the Lucas Oil Madison Regatta Indiana Governor’s Cup July 6-8.
It will also continue to be part of Campaign WSU – the drive to raise $1,000,000,000 for the university and will be part of a special event at WSU’s Tri-Cities campus prior to the Columbia Cup.
Overall, upgrades to the 22’s hull, engines, gear boxes and capsule could very well give driver Mike Webster a new and improved boat ride for 2012.
Spring Boat Shop Tour – 22
22 Great Scott! presents has a new and improved cockpit for 2012.
In the Webster family’s Reading, Pennsylvania shop – far removed from most of the teams they will be meeting at the season opener in Madison July 6-8 – a hectic few weeks have seen the team’s race boat undergo a major transformation since returning from the Oryx Cup.
Changes in the boat’s profile and color scheme will give it a new look on the water in 2012 and upgrades to the turbine engines and gear boxes should improve performance.
Mike Webster in the future location of the driver's seat.
Last year, Webster racing acquired the former Miss Madison – a boat originally built for piston power in 1988 and later converted to turbine power by the Madison team. The boat has been through several rebuilds and modernizations since it was built.
In 2012 it will have a new and improved safety canopy, combining with changes to the cowling to give it a different profile.
New bull noses (leading edge of the center section) should give the boat more lift and a lighter ride, producing more speed.
Capsule construction - roll bars added
Fans will see some changes in the red, white and blue color scheme and could be watching a much faster 22 Great Scott! Presents on the 2012 Air National Guard H1 Unlimited Hydroplane tour.
Owner Steve Webster tells us, “Frankly, we have been very disappointed in the performance of our engines. When we went on the dyno this winter we discovered we were down about 30% in power from where we should be. That has been fixed and we should be 100% better in that department.”
Two of the team’s turbines have been rebuilt and dynoed by Jim Lucero and Butch Corning at Competition Specialties in Seattle.
Gear box issues, which have plagued the team in the past, should also be rectified following an upgrade there.
Engine cowling is modified to work with new cockpit.
Webster Racing is also working with H1, Scott Carson and Washington State University on a program to develop a biofuel for use in Unlimited racing. Plans are to run the 22 on a biofuel blend in the races at Tri-Cities and Seattle.
The project requires changes to fuel controls, fuel lines and all parts that come in contact with the more corrosive fuel.
Webster added, “The boat was very well cared for when Mike Hanson and the Madison team had it. And it’s probably in the best shape now that its been in for a long time. We are anxious to get it in the water to see the results of the work we have done.”
Mike Webster's new office nears completion.
The boat will start the season as the Great Scott! Presents Matrix Systems Automotive Finishes at the Lucas Oil Madison Regatta Indiana Governor’s Cup July 6-8.
It will also continue to be part of Campaign WSU – the drive to raise $1,000,000,000 for the university and will be part of a special event at WSU’s Tri-Cities campus prior to the Columbia Cup.
Overall, upgrades to the 22’s hull, engines, gear boxes and capsule could very well give driver Mike Webster a new and improved boat ride for 2012.