5 & 11 on Mission Bay with "salt water snorkels" in 2011. Photo by Chris Denslow - H1

Following a discussion of the starting procedure  that has been used throughout the 2012 season, the H1 Unlimited Owners voted Wednesday not to change the procedure for the salt water of San Diego’s Mission Bay.

A year ago, the owners voted in a “draw for lanes” system in an effort to avoid the damage caused when turbine engines ingest salt water.  The slow starts used by some drivers to secure the inside lanes during the 2012 season have put what one driver called, “a lot of water in the air.”

6 Oh Boy! Oberto driver Steve David commented, “Wow.  That’s interesting.  I fear we will see some turbines burned up, probably by the people who can least afford it.  Some people are going to have to change their strategy from what they have been doing in fresh water.”

37 Miss Beacon Plumbing owner Billy Schumacher said, “I think this is better than changing the starting procedure back and forth.  As far as the salt water, I think we’ll be okay with our snorkel on.”

The “salt water snorkel” is an extension of the air intake for the turbine engine designed to pick up clean air above and ahead of the driver.

An 11 boat field is expected for Bayfair, the fifth stop on the 2012 Air National Guard H1 Hydroplane tour.