The Southern Cup Championship on Guntersville Lake in Alabama was race number one of the H1 Unlimited hydroplane season. And while some of the heat races scheduled for Sunday were unable to take place due to inclement weather in the area, when the six unlimited hydroplanes lined up for the main event, it brought all the excitement to the ‘South’s Fastest Water!’ The new starting procedure was on full display with five boats on the front row with a single trailer boat behind. The U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate hydroplane driven by Andrew Tate jumped out to the lead when the green flag dropped and his lead only increased until the checkered flag at the end of the five laps.

An incredible battle shaped up for the second position between defending National High Points Champion, J. Michael Kelly and Jamie Nilsen with the boats battling side-by-side to the final lap where Nilsen powered to a second-place result in the Miss Mercurys Coffee hydroplane.

 

Driver Quotes:

 Andrew Tate, driver, U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate, Miss Madison Racing

What does it mean to earn the victory at Guntersville?

“It was a great ending to a weekend that had some ups and downs here in Guntersville, Alabama.  It definitely ended on an up for the Goodman Real Estate team sponsored Miss Madison. I’m looking forward to heading to Madison next weekend and racing in front of the hometown crowd! It’s been several years since I won an Unlimited race, but with the Goodman Real Estate team, we had a great offseason, and we came here to Guntersville prepared. Hopefully, with this win we can keep the momentum running”.  

How much momentum does this win give you and the team heading to Madison next weekend?

“After winning here in Guntersville, next week in Madison will be very special. To be able to race in Madison and know that everyone there is pulling for you, I’m really looking forward to it.  I’ve been coming to Madison, Indiana since I could walk – the fireworks, the parade, the town, the people…its always been a place where I have some core memories and something that I truly appreciate, spending the 4th of July in Madison.  There’ll be a little more emphasis on our situation and where we’re at, but the team and I won’t have any additional pressure”.     

Southern Cup Championship Results:

1. Andrew Tate                    U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate
2. Jamie Nilsen                   U-11 Miss Mercurys Coffee  
3. J. Michael Kelly              U-1 Beacon Electric
4. Dave Villwock                 U-27 Miss Apollo
5. Dustin Echols                 U-40 Bucket List Racing                                                         
6. Corey Peabody               U-9 Beacon Plumbing

2024 H1 Unlimited National High Points (Race #1 of 5)

1. Andrew Tate  U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate  1125 points
2. J. Michael Kelly  U-1 Beacon Electric  1095 points
3. Jamie Nilsen  U-11 Miss Mercurys Coffee  1060 points
4. Dave Villwock  U-27 Miss Apollo  744 points
5. Dustin Echols  U-40 Bucket List Racing  732 points
6. Corey Peabody  U-9 Beacon Plumbing  489 points                                       

Heat 2B Results:

1. Jamie Nilsen                   U-11 Miss Mercurys Coffee  157.212 mph 
2. J. Michael Kelly              U-1 Beacon Electric   152.839 mph
3. Dustin Echols                  U-40 Bucket List Racing  146.549 mph                                 
4. Andrew Tate                    U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate  130.362 mph 

Heat 2A Results:

1. J. Michael Kelly              U-1 Beacon Electric  158.538 mph                                 
2. Jamie Nilsen                   U-11 Miss Mercurys Coffee  158.364 mph
3. Dave Villwock                U-27 Miss Apollo  153.982 mph
4. Corey Peabody             U-9 Beacon Plumbing  130.357 mph