Llumar's Cup runneth over

Asked to say a few words Tuesday at a news conference to kick off Seafair week, Bill Wurster, the owner of the U-8 Llumar Window Film unlimited hydroplane, momentarily turned into Joe Namath circa 1969.

"Welcome back Dave Villwock," he said, pointing at the third-winningest driver in the history of the sport who a week earlier returned to pilot the Miss Elam. "But we are going to beat you."

Wurster, who recently turned 82 and is known for his soft-spoken manner, said he didn't really intend to call out Villwock and the Elam.

"I've never done that before, and it was completely out of character for me," Wurster said. "But I was completely unprepared to say anything, so I just went up there and said what was in my heart."

Yesterday, Wurster's Llumar team — specifically driver Jean Theoret — made his words stand up, just as Namath's New York Jets won Super Bowl III after a little more famous guarantee. Behind a marvelous driving performance by Theoret, the Llumar upset Villwock and the Elam to capture the Chevrolet Cup at Seafair.

It was the first win of Theoret's career, making him the first driver to win in his inaugural appearance at Seafair since Jim Ranger in 1966. It also was Wurster's first win on his home course since 1992.

Wurster said one reason he was so confident of victory was the presence of the 43-year-old Theoret, a native of Lery, Quebec.

"He's the best driver in the sport," said Wurster of Theoret, who won six national titles in Grand Prix racing. After years of trying, he finally got the call to drive an unlimited this year after Wurster's crew — impressed by watching film of Theoret race at the Grand Prix level — talked Wurster into it.

"I fought for him for two months," said Llumar crew chief Scott Ramey. "He drove the heck out of the boat today. I'm speechless."

Wurster, who needed a driver after J.W. Myers was lured away to drive the Elam — Myers was then fired two weeks ago to clear the way for Villwock's return — said he was initially concerned about a rookie in his boat. But eventually, he was sold by Theoret's propensity to always be in the best position at the start.

And that was the key to the winner-take-all championship final as Theoret got Lane 1 while Villwock was in Lane 2. The Elam qualified more than 10 mph faster than Llumar, and Theoret said he knew the best way to win was to make Villwock take the long route.

"The inside lane was the win," said Theoret, who took up racing in 1983, two years after watching his older brother Pierre die in a Grand Prix race. "No doubt that made the whole difference."

Villwock, though, said he wanted to be in Lane 2.

The Elam came into the final having had a tough day, finishing third in Heat 2B after Villwock incurred a one-lap penalty for coming off plane before the start. It was third again in Heat 3A when it lost its canard — the wing on the front that helps control the boat — when it was washed down by the U-13, driven by Terry Troxell. A replacement canard was hastily put into place, but Villwock said the boat ran at only about 90 percent in the final.

"I wanted to get Lane 2 and hope to box him [Theoret] in," Villwock said.

For a moment it looked like the plan might work as Villwock took a slight lead into the first turn. But Theoret cornered perfectly and emerged from the turn with the lead.

"I couldn't get off that turn the way I wanted to," Villwock said.

Theoret gradually pulled away and won handily while Villwock was second and Steve David and the U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto third.

The victory was sweet redemption for Theoret, who might have won the Columbia Cup last week in the Tri-Cities if he hadn't jumped the gun by about half a boat length. Theoret had the inside lane and the lead on Villwock before slowing down once informed of his penalty.

But Wurster said it was that performance that led to his confidence this week.

"I just felt we were on a learning curve and those things were not going to happen again," Wurster said. "I was arrogant and cocky and I probably shouldn't have said it."

Theoret, informed of the guarantee after winning, wishes he hadn't.

"I don't like that," Theoret said. "I want to be humble."

Theoret's win capped a day of racing that was relatively uneventful — there were no flips or accidents, though there were five different winners of the four prelim heats and one consolation final. The most exciting heat was a come-from-behind win by 20-year-old Jeff Bernard — in his first unlimited event — in the consolation, outdueling stepfather Troxell.

But little could beat the sight of Wurster taking a celebratory plunge into the lake along with one of the Seafair pirates. Wurster said he helped organize the original pirates in 1949 and remembers when jumping in the lake after the race was an annual tradition.

He has owned unlimiteds since 1976 and usually has been on the short end. Yesterday's victory was the eighth of his career and only his second since 1992.

But with Theoret in the fold, Wurster said he doesn't think he'll have to wait long for another win, which caused him to make what sounded like another guarantee.

"He proved himself today," Wurster said. "And he's going to go right on through the season and do this race after race."

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com