LV-based hydroplane makes strong showing

SAN DIEGO -- The U-1 Miss Budweiser claimed its 18th Unlimited Hydroplane boat title for owner Bernie Little and driver Dave Villwock captured his second driver's championship at the Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Association's San Diego Bayfair at Mission Bay.

But it was Las Vegas' new Unlimited Hydroplane, the U-10 Wild Fire, that brought the most excitement to the Bayfair, which concluded Sunday before a crowd estimated at 80,000.

The Wild Fire, with Mark Weber behind the controls, finished fourth in its first final and won a heat race -- the first victory for Las Vegas-based KG Racing and team owner Kim Gregory. The Wild Fire averaged 132.263 miles per hour in the 12.5-mile final.

Winning for the seventh time in eight races this season, Miss Budweiser dominated each of its three heat races and captured the seven-boat, five-lap final on the 2.5-mile course.

"We had a perfect setup for this water and these conditions," Villwock said. "Now that the championship is under our belts, we can got to Las Vegas and just have fun, without all of the pressure."

Miss Budweiser now travels to Southern Nevada, where it will attempt to defend its title in this weekend's Las Vegas Cup on Lake Mead.

In earning his 20th career victory, Villwock and Miss Budweiser averaged 147.917 mph in the final. For Villwock, it also was his 11th win in his past 12 races. Mitch Evans finished second in the U-20 Appian Jeronimo (143.477 mph) and Jimmy King took third in the U-16 Miss E-Lam Plus (141.634 mph).

Two boats, the U-8 Llumar Window Film and the U-14 Northwest Racing, flipped and crashed over the weekend, leaving only eight Unlimited Hydroplane entries for the Las Vegas Cup.

In a support race in San Diego, George Stratton of Las Vegas helped give KG Racing its second Unlimited Light win of the year. Stratton and the Wild Fire finished second in the Unlimited Light season points standings for the second year in a row.

Festivities for the Las Vegas Cup begin Wednesday evening with a "Meet the Racers" party from 6-9 p.m. at the Fremont Street Experience. Both the Unlimited Hydroplanes and Formula One powerboats will be on display at the event.

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