Shane Tops UAW-GM Hydrofest Gold Cup Qualifying Ladder
DETROIT– The sweep of racing lore can be measured many ways. So when six H1 Unlimited Hydroplanes qualified over 150 mph Friday afternoon on the Detroit River, the drivers of the fastest race boats in the world will have to ready themselves for quite a battle.
Jimmy Shane in the U-1 Miss HomeStreet Bank captured the top qualifying spot for this weekend’s UAW-GM Spirit of Detroit Hydrofest Gold Cup with a two-lap average of 159.906 but when he looks in the mirror, he knows the fight for the most prestigious trophy in all of boat racing is going to be tough.
Shane, the two-time defending Gold Cup Champion, grabbed the fastest lap of the day, averaging 160.822 mph on his final qualifying attempt.
“The water was perfect just minutes before we were able to take the boat out,” said Shane. “Then the wind seemed to pick up and I think that cost us a chance at the 160 average.”
Rookie Andrew Tate in the U-9 Delta Realtrac hydroplane went out immediately after Shane to try to top the HomeStreet qualifying speed and was able qualify at 157.912 with a fast lap of 158.667.
“This is exactly what the sport needs,” Shane added. “There are six boats bunched very close and this is going to make this weekend’s racing very exciting.”
Tate managed to take the second spot on the qualifying ladder with his final attempt, pulling ahead of J. Michael Kelly in the U-5 Graham Trucking by .3 mph. The U-5 averaged 157.612 mph.
Close behind the leaders was Brian Perkins who qualified fourth fastest at 155.080 in the U-21 Miss Al Deeby.
The remaining qualifying speeds are: U-7, Jeff Bernard, Graham Trucking II, 151.505; U-11, Tom Thompson, Peters & May, 150.646; U-99.9, Kevin Eacret, Leland Unlimited Miss Rock, 140.112.
Qualifying is based on the average speed of the fastest two consecutive laps of a three-lap test over the 2.7 mile Detroit River course.
The U-57 Spirit of Detroit received a Commissioner’s Option and will race on Saturday and Sunday.
Unlimited racing starts at 12 noon with heat 1A with three classes (H1 Unlimited, Grand Prix and Formula 2) of racing ending at 4:35. Sunday racing will start at 9:35 am with the Formula 2 boats. The first unlimited heat will take place at 12:55 p.m. with the winner-take-all championship final at 4:20 p.m.
For full qualifying results, speeds click here.
SATURDAY HEAT DRAWS
–1A 11-Thompson, 5-Kelly, 99.9-Eacret, 1-Shane
–1B 7-Bernard, 21-Perkins, 9-Tate, 57-Peabody
Shane Tops UAW-GM Hydrofest Gold Cup Qualifying Ladder
DETROIT– The sweep of racing lore can be measured many ways. So when six H1 Unlimited Hydroplanes qualified over 150 mph Friday afternoon on the Detroit River, the drivers of the fastest race boats in the world will have to ready themselves for quite a battle.
Jimmy Shane in the U-1 Miss HomeStreet Bank captured the top qualifying spot for this weekend’s UAW-GM Spirit of Detroit Hydrofest Gold Cup with a two-lap average of 159.906 but when he looks in the mirror, he knows the fight for the most prestigious trophy in all of boat racing is going to be tough.
Shane, the two-time defending Gold Cup Champion, grabbed the fastest lap of the day, averaging 160.822 mph on his final qualifying attempt.
“The water was perfect just minutes before we were able to take the boat out,” said Shane. “Then the wind seemed to pick up and I think that cost us a chance at the 160 average.”
Rookie Andrew Tate in the U-9 Delta Realtrac hydroplane went out immediately after Shane to try to top the HomeStreet qualifying speed and was able qualify at 157.912 with a fast lap of 158.667.
“This is exactly what the sport needs,” Shane added. “There are six boats bunched very close and this is going to make this weekend’s racing very exciting.”
Tate managed to take the second spot on the qualifying ladder with his final attempt, pulling ahead of J. Michael Kelly in the U-5 Graham Trucking by .3 mph. The U-5 averaged 157.612 mph.
Close behind the leaders was Brian Perkins who qualified fourth fastest at 155.080 in the U-21 Miss Al Deeby.
The remaining qualifying speeds are: U-7, Jeff Bernard, Graham Trucking II, 151.505; U-11, Tom Thompson, Peters & May, 150.646; U-99.9, Kevin Eacret, Leland Unlimited Miss Rock, 140.112.
Qualifying is based on the average speed of the fastest two consecutive laps of a three-lap test over the 2.7 mile Detroit River course.
The U-57 Spirit of Detroit received a Commissioner’s Option and will race on Saturday and Sunday.
Unlimited racing starts at 12 noon with heat 1A with three classes (H1 Unlimited, Grand Prix and Formula 2) of racing ending at 4:35. Sunday racing will start at 9:35 am with the Formula 2 boats. The first unlimited heat will take place at 12:55 p.m. with the winner-take-all championship final at 4:20 p.m.
For full qualifying results, speeds click here.
SATURDAY HEAT DRAWS
–1A 11-Thompson, 5-Kelly, 99.9-Eacret, 1-Shane
–1B 7-Bernard, 21-Perkins, 9-Tate, 57-Peabody