Spring Boat Shop Tour – 1
U-1 in primer gray - ready for new paint job and color scheme.
The defending Air National Guard Series Champion will sport a new look in 2012 and have a slightly different title. A visit to the Ellstrom family’s Marine Technologies facility in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood found everything coated in primer gray and ready for a new paint job.
96 – the team’s previous number will still be on board honoring the significance of 1996 in Qatar. 1995 was the year of the change in leadership that has led to the modernization of the country and 1996 is important as the beginning of Qatar’s new era.
Long time crewman Jeff Minar at work.
Team Ellstrom and driver Dave Villwock will campaign as the U-1 Spirit of Qatar 96 for the 2012 season.
In 2011, Villwock became the winningest driver in the history of Unlimited Hydroplane Racing with 65 career victories, surpassing Bill Muncey with 62 and Chip Hanauer with 61. He also scored his 9th Gold Cup win and 10th driver’s high point series championship.
In 2012, Villwock’s ride may be the best he’s ever had. During the off season, the team’s race boat underwent what owner and crew chief Erick Ellstrom called, “The biggest redo of the boat since it was built 10 years ago.”
Dave Villwock drove the Spirit of Qatar to the 2011 ANG Series Championship.
The team had the decks off the boat for the “first time in a long time” and also redid the engine bay and cockpit. The boat is actually a little lighter, which will allow the crew more latitude in adjusting the balance by shifting weight.
The fact that the usual top qualifier may have gained some speed is not great news for the competition, but as Ellstrom pointed out, “The entire fleet is getting faster. You can’t be satisfied with the status quo or they will go around you eventually. Staying out front means working hard to be the best you can be and that’s what we’re all about.”
The only questions remaining are just how fast will the defending champ be and what will the new color scheme be? Those questions will be answered in Madison at the beginning of what is shaping up as another strong season for Ellstrom and Villwock.
U-1 Spirit of Qatar 96 will have a bright new look in 2012.
Spring Boat Shop Tour – 1
U-1 in primer gray - ready for new paint job and color scheme.
The defending Air National Guard Series Champion will sport a new look in 2012 and have a slightly different title. A visit to the Ellstrom family’s Marine Technologies facility in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood found everything coated in primer gray and ready for a new paint job.
96 – the team’s previous number will still be on board honoring the significance of 1996 in Qatar. 1995 was the year of the change in leadership that has led to the modernization of the country and 1996 is important as the beginning of Qatar’s new era.
Long time crewman Jeff Minar at work.
Team Ellstrom and driver Dave Villwock will campaign as the U-1 Spirit of Qatar 96 for the 2012 season.
In 2011, Villwock became the winningest driver in the history of Unlimited Hydroplane Racing with 65 career victories, surpassing Bill Muncey with 62 and Chip Hanauer with 61. He also scored his 9th Gold Cup win and 10th driver’s high point series championship.
In 2012, Villwock’s ride may be the best he’s ever had. During the off season, the team’s race boat underwent what owner and crew chief Erick Ellstrom called, “The biggest redo of the boat since it was built 10 years ago.”
Dave Villwock drove the Spirit of Qatar to the 2011 ANG Series Championship.
The team had the decks off the boat for the “first time in a long time” and also redid the engine bay and cockpit. The boat is actually a little lighter, which will allow the crew more latitude in adjusting the balance by shifting weight.
The fact that the usual top qualifier may have gained some speed is not great news for the competition, but as Ellstrom pointed out, “The entire fleet is getting faster. You can’t be satisfied with the status quo or they will go around you eventually. Staying out front means working hard to be the best you can be and that’s what we’re all about.”
The only questions remaining are just how fast will the defending champ be and what will the new color scheme be? Those questions will be answered in Madison at the beginning of what is shaping up as another strong season for Ellstrom and Villwock.
U-1 Spirit of Qatar 96 will have a bright new look in 2012.