When the H1 Unlimited hydroplane series returns to scenic Lake Coeur d’Alene this weekend, it will mark the return of the sport to the North Idaho area after an absence of 45 years.

When the World’s Fastest Race Boats last appeared in Coeur d’Alene, the year was 1968 and the Diamond Cup was won by a young Seattle Driver named Billy Schumacher driving Miss Bardahl.  Schumacher sat in an open cockpit behind a massive WWII piston aircraft engine and raced against drivers who make up the sport’s Hall of Fame.

Schumacher will return to Coeur d’Alene as owner of one of the modern turbine powered hydros that will make up the fast 10 boat fleet expected to race in the 2013 Diamond Cup.

With wife Jane, Schumacher is the owner of the 37 Beacon Plumbing – the newest boat in the H1 Series.

Schumacher’s driver is J. Michael Kelly of Bonney Lake, Washington who will be under a protective canopy in front of the powerful 3000 horsepower turbine engine.  A much different configuration and boat ride than his owner experienced in 1968.

“Coeur d’Alene was one of the most beautiful places I ever raced in my career,” Said Schumacher. “Jane and I are thrilled to be part of the renewal of the Diamond Cup and really looking forward to showing one of our favorite areas to our race team.”

Steve David of Lighthouse Point Florida, popular driver of the 1 Oh Boy! Oberto, will arrive in Coeur d’Alene with a lead in 2013 Series High Points after scoring victories in Sacramento in May and the Tri-Cities in July.  But young challenger Jimmy Shane is right “on his hip” as he has been on the race course. Shane won the season opener in Doha, Qatar and drove away from David in an impressive win at Seattle’s Seafair in early August in the 5 Graham Trucking.

Detroit Gold Cup winner Kip Brown in the 95 Spirit of Qatar and a number of other drivers in the 10 boat field have also shown they are capable of running out front, making for very exciting racing in addition to being the “Greatest Show on Water.”

Testing and qualifying will take place on Friday August 30 with preliminary heats of racing on Saturday and the Championship Final Heat set for Sunday Afternoon.

2013 Coeur d’Alene Diamond Cup Roster –