Shane Is Fastest Qualifier in H1 Season Opener
Jimmy Shane accepts the Fastest Qualifier Award from David Campbell of the Madison Courier
MADISON, Ind. — Going out in the second section of qualifying for the H1 Unlimited Hydroplane season opener, Jimmy Shane in the U-1 HomeStreet Bank took the top position for this weekend’s MainSource Bank Indiana Governor’s Cup presented by Belterra Casino Resort.
Shane, the defending national high point champion, had the fastest lap on the 2.89 mile Ohio River course with a speed of 145.877.
The course was lengthened from the previous 2.5 mile set up to help the boats navigate turns one and two. Heavy rollers were a problem for the boats in the past but the lengthened course might not have helped the teams as originally thought.
“There were still heavy rollers going into the backstretch,” said Shane. “Our boat handled them well so it was not an issue for our team.”
The biggest qualifying surprise of the day was rookie Andrew Tate driving the U-9 Les Schwab hydro. The youngest driver on the circuit grabbed the second spot with a speed of 143.900. J Michael Kelly in the Graham Trucking was third fastest with an average speed of 142.598 and Tom Thompson in the U-11 Peters & May was fourth with a speed of 138.740.
Cal Phipps in the Dalton Industries U-27 broke a steering cable during testing, damaging the boat when it hooked going into turn three. The team was unable to get the boat ready in time to qualify. It will be ready for Saturday and Sunday racing.
The U-99.9 Carstar Auto Body/KISW Rock with 2015 Rookie of the Year Kevin Eacret did not qualify, hitting a speed of 117.843. Brian Perkins in the U-21 Paynewest Insurance tested but did not qualify.
Opening Ceremonies featuring a tribute to Vietnam Veterans will take place at 10 a.m. with the APBA Grand National and National Modified classes immediately following the ceremony. The H1 Unlimited class will take the water for testing at 11:30 with the first heat of racing at 1:55 p.m. Saturday.
Shane Is Fastest Qualifier in H1 Season Opener
Jimmy Shane accepts the Fastest Qualifier Award from David Campbell of the Madison Courier
MADISON, Ind. — Going out in the second section of qualifying for the H1 Unlimited Hydroplane season opener, Jimmy Shane in the U-1 HomeStreet Bank took the top position for this weekend’s MainSource Bank Indiana Governor’s Cup presented by Belterra Casino Resort.
Shane, the defending national high point champion, had the fastest lap on the 2.89 mile Ohio River course with a speed of 145.877.
The course was lengthened from the previous 2.5 mile set up to help the boats navigate turns one and two. Heavy rollers were a problem for the boats in the past but the lengthened course might not have helped the teams as originally thought.
“There were still heavy rollers going into the backstretch,” said Shane. “Our boat handled them well so it was not an issue for our team.”
The biggest qualifying surprise of the day was rookie Andrew Tate driving the U-9 Les Schwab hydro. The youngest driver on the circuit grabbed the second spot with a speed of 143.900. J Michael Kelly in the Graham Trucking was third fastest with an average speed of 142.598 and Tom Thompson in the U-11 Peters & May was fourth with a speed of 138.740.
Cal Phipps in the Dalton Industries U-27 broke a steering cable during testing, damaging the boat when it hooked going into turn three. The team was unable to get the boat ready in time to qualify. It will be ready for Saturday and Sunday racing.
The U-99.9 Carstar Auto Body/KISW Rock with 2015 Rookie of the Year Kevin Eacret did not qualify, hitting a speed of 117.843. Brian Perkins in the U-21 Paynewest Insurance tested but did not qualify.
Opening Ceremonies featuring a tribute to Vietnam Veterans will take place at 10 a.m. with the APBA Grand National and National Modified classes immediately following the ceremony. The H1 Unlimited class will take the water for testing at 11:30 with the first heat of racing at 1:55 p.m. Saturday.