The second day on the ‘South’s Fastest Water’ at Guntersville Lake in Alabama did not disappoint when it came to competition and speeds. The morning started with qualifying where six H1 Unlimited hydroplanes competed for the Revchem Fast Lap award of a $2500 bonus. Andrew Tate took home the prize in the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate boat at a speed of 168.249 mph. Corey Peabody in the U-9 Beacon Plumbing boat had their qualifying times disallowed following technical inspection.

Following qualifying, it was time for the hydroplanes to line-up for the heat races. In Heat 1A, the new starting procedure eliminating the 80-mph rule was implemented and it took little time for teams and drivers to begin working on their strategies. The three-lap heat was highlighted by a battle between J. Michael Kelly and Dustin Echols coming to the finish side-by-side with Kelly claiming the win.

Heat 1B had large shoes to fill after the finish of Heat 1A, but the competition remained intense. With drivers again experiencing and strategizing about the new starting procedure, Corey Peabody in the U-9 Beacon Plumbing boat was called for jumping the start of the event, which resulted in a one-minute penalty and a third-place finish. However, Peabody did experience a tense moment when his boat got too high and veered to the right through Tate’s roostertail, but he was able to bring it down with minimal damage and continue in the heat. Echols claimed the lead early in the heat, but lost power and would finish in the fourth position. Fast qualifier, Andrew Tate took the win as the field wrapped up action on Saturday to prepare for Sunday’s main event.

Revchem Composites Fast Lap Qualifying Results:

1. Andrew Tate                    U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate           168.249 mph
2. Dustin Echols                  U-40 Bucket List Racing                          168.051 mph
3. J. Michael Kelly              U-1 Beacon Electric                                   165.261 mph
4. Jamie Nilsen                   U-11 Miss Mercurys Coffee                       159.633 mph
5. Dave Villwock                 U-27 Miss Apollo                                        159.016 mph
6. Corey Peabody               U-9 Beacon Plumbing                                 Technical Violation (Fuel Flow)

Heat 1A Results:

1. J. Michael Kelly              U-1 Beacon Electric
2. Dustin Echols                  U-40 Bucketlist Racing
3. Andrew Tate                    U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate
4. Jamie Nilsen                   U-11 Miss Mercurys Coffee

 Heat 1B Results:

1. Andrew Tate                   U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate
2. Dave Villwock                U-27 Miss Apollo
3. Corey Peabody               U-9 Beacon Plumbing                                              Jumped Start
4. Dustin Echols                U-40 Bucketlist Racing                                            DNF