Six-race unlimited hydroplane season starts up

The ABRA unlimited hydroplane season begins today with qualifying for Sunday's Indiana Governor's Cup in Madison, Ind.

This weekend's race, held on the Ohio River, is the first of six races, with the final regatta taking place in Doha, Qatar, the weekend of Nov. 12-14.

Eleven boats are expected to try and qualify today, including the U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto driven by Steve David.

The Oberto claimed its first national championship last year and David will be racing the "U-1" in front of the fans that own the boat — the City of Madison.

"This is going to be a special day, starting the season in Madison, Ind., in front of the owners, the fans of this hydroplane," said the 55-year-old David. "It's a privilege to drive for the city and fans of Madison, but to win the first national championship for this team since its inception in 1961 and to start the season in the team's hometown is going to be extra special."

Jeff Bernard, who finished second in the 2008 national high-point championships driving the U-5 Formulaboats.com, is looking for his second straight victory in Madison. The Kent native also won the final race of 2008 in San Diego.

"Last year [the win in Madison] was a dream come true," said Bernard of his first unlimited hydroplane victory.

"That place will mean something to me the rest of my life."

Dave Villwock, who enters this season with 56 career victories, is back at the Madison Regatta after not attending last year. Villwock has been dominant in the Miss Elam Plus, winning 10 races since Tri-Cities 2005 and the 2007 high-points championship. Villwock has racked up eight wins at Madison dating back to 1997 when he was driving the Miss Budweiser.

Also back for a full season of racing is the U-37 owned by Billy Schumacher and driven by Jean Theoret. They have finished third in the standings the past two seasons.

Notes

• Drivers will be assigned lanes this year in all heats including the championship final. This is a change from drivers fighting for lanes before the one-minute gun. Qualifying speeds will dictate Heats 1A and 1B.

The lane choice for the second set of heats will be determined by the reverse order of finish from the previous heats. Cumulative point totals will determine heats 3A, 3B and the final. The boat with the most points will have first selection, second in points second and so on down to the final boat.

The reason for the change to assigned lanes was to end the controversy of which boats were ruled to have been off-plane when jockeying for lane positions.

• The race in Evansville, Ind., traditionally the first race of the year, has been moved back to Aug. 21-23.

The race held on Mission Bay in San Diego has been scrapped because of finances.

"Unfortunately, the San Diego race committee has missed two deadlines with us and has not paid any deposit fees for the event," said ABRA race chairman Sam Cole. "The ABRA has been very supportive of the event for the past four years and has worked to assist the committee each year to help them achieve financial stability."

• Long time crew chief and owner Jim Harvey has joined Fred Leland's U-100 in a management capacity, and will oversee the 2009 season.

• The ABRA has lessened the fuel flow from 4.3 to 4.1 gallons per minute.

• All-time victories for this season's drivers: Dave Villwock 56, Steve David 8, Jean Theoret 5, Jeff Bernard 2, Dr. Ken Muscatel 0, Greg Hopp 0, J. Michael Kelly 0, Jimmy King 0, David Williams 0, Kip Brown 0 and Mike Webster 0.