Hydroplane UL-11 Power Punch Race Team/94Five ROXY/K&N Wins at Firebird
- May 18, 2010
That is precisely why the 2010 Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association (ULHRA) season opener at Firebird International Raceway, in Chandler, Arizona ended without running a final heat? The ULHRA is hosting seven races this year making them the fastest growing hydroplane racing organization in North America. Three boats qualified for the F1 Final on the three boat wide Firebird course, but due to the aforementioned winds, the running of the final was wisely canceled. Consequently, based on points, rookie driver Kevin Eacret in the UL-11, Miss Executif Racing entry of the Power Punch Performance Lubricants-ROXY Radio 94.5-K&N Filters, Unlimited Light Hydroplane, was declared winner. This is the third consecutive win for the team, but the first with their original hull. Things tend to go bad very quickly when you're racing inches above the water at triple digit speeds, and last year their hull was nearly destroyed after shearing off a propeller blade.
"After a nearly disastrous incident that left our hydroplane sinking in the Flathead River in Polson, the team has rebuilt the hull this winter, and we came to Firebird Raceway and won the first event of the season, we couldn't be more thrilled," remarked team owner Darren Bartels. When Bartels isn't near water he's up in the air, as a pilot for a major airline. Clearly the man has a need for speed. "This wasn't exactly how we would have liked to get our first win in our hull," continued Bartels. "Fact of the matter though, we did qualify for the F1 final, which would have had us running against Muncey and Smets. Both those boats were looking great for the weekend and it could have been a fun final." Ms. Perkins, the third boat making it to the final, had in fact no chance to win the race at that point because she was running in the F2. "The way this boat is flying now is due in part to the added weight from the repairs we did to the transom over the winter, coupled with the redesigned strut and shaft system, and the propeller being further aft, and some increased horsepower, I think we might now have a contender here. Man the 11 was going fast; our data shows us reaching 146 mph at one point in a heat." Bartels' boat is powered by a GM 468 cubic inch, blown, alcohol injected engine that puts out nearly 1000 horsepower. As for the team's plan for the season Bartels says, "We just came off a strong appearance, winning in Phoenix, and of course, we want to continue winning. We spent a lot of hours this past off season rebuilding the boat and without the support from companies like K&N this wouldn't be possible. We believe in K&N filters and are thrilled with them choosing us to represent them." The team currently uses K&N oil filters and several breather filters. The UL-11 races next in Chamberlain-Oacoma, South Dakota, June 19 and 20. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
