Unlimited Hydro Series Gears Up

EVANSVILLE, Ind, — The 2001 Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Series
Presented by Laughlin (Nev.) opens June 30 at the Evansville Freedom Festival's Budweiser Thunder. Set on the Ohio River, the tri-oval course has hosted plenty of action in its 22-year history, including wins by Unlimited Hydroplane legends Bill Muncey, Chip Hanauer and Dean Chenowith.

Practice and qualifying for the Unlimited Hydroplanes will begin Friday,
June 29 with the finals scheduled for Sunday, July 1. The Budweiser Thunder
on the Ohio race will be televised on ESPN2 on Sunday, July 22 at 11:30 PM
(EDT)

Here are some of the stories shaping up for the season opener:

Drivers Must Shake Off Dust

When the Unlimited Hydroplane drivers enter the water for their first
practice at Evansville, it will have been 285 days since they last competed in an official race "It has been a long lay-off and it is about time that we get down to business and fire up our turbine engines," said Mark Weber of the U-10 Miss Emcor. "I can't wait for the boat to be in the water and I am ready to go racing."

Villwock to Defend in Miss Bud

Dave Villwock and the Miss Budweiser team will begin their defense of the Unlimited Hydroplane World Championship at Evansville. Miss Budweiser's team owner Bernie Little claimed his 20th World Championship and Villwock dominated the Unlimited Hydroplane series by winning six of seven races on his way to his fourth O'Doul's National High Points Championship. Villwock will look to win his sixth consecutive Thunder on the Ohio.

Weber Sets Sights on Championship

Finishing second in the Unlimited Hydroplane Championship last season, Mark
Weber of the U-10 Miss Emcor has set his goal this year to win the championship. Weber secured three podium finishes last season including a third-place finish at Evansville. He also won seven preliminary heats. A great start at Evansville could be the catalyst to propel him to his first Unlimited Hydroplane Championship.

Former Unlimited Hydroplane Champion Returns

Scott Pierce, who retired from Unlimited Hydroplane racing in 1997, will return to the sport and drive the U-2 for Jim Harvey Motorsports this season. Pierce, who has seven career Unlimited victories, won the 1991 Evansville Thunder on the Ohio on his way to the championship while driving the Miss Budweiser. Pierce brings 17 years of Unlimited Hydroplane racing experience to the U-2 team.

City of Madison, Ind. Selects Steve David to Pilot U-6

Miss Madison, the world's only community-owned Unlimited Hydroplane, has selected Steve David to drive the U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto for the season. David, who has three Unlimited victories, returns to the sport after a brief hiatus that saw him compete in offshore racing. David will be looking for a great start to the season at Evansville to gain confidence as he prepares for the following race in front of the hometown crowd at Madison.

Piston-Powered U-3 is Hometown Favorite

Mitch Evans will drive the Evansville-based U-3 Master Tire for Ed Cooper
Sr. and Jr., the lone piston-powered Unlimited Hydroplane in the series. Ed
Cooper Jr., an Evansville junior high geography and history teacher, will receive additional fan support as his turbo-charged Allison aircraft engine literally thunders across the water.

2001 Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Series Presented by Laughlin