Monday, Aug. 06, 2007

Oberto pulls shocker at Seafair

By From Herald news services

SEATTLE -- Longtime hydroplane sponsor Art Oberto, who will turn 80 on Aug. 22, received an early surprise party Sunday in his hometown.

The U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto ended a 42-year winless streak in Seattle with driver Steve David's first victory on Lake Washington in the 2007 Chevrolet Cup at Seafair.

"This has been the longest birthday I've ever had and the best birthday I've ever had," said Art Oberto, in his eighth year as sponsor of the U-6 boat owned by the city of Madison, Ind. "For Oberto to win here in Seattle, that's a happy moment. This is a lifelong dream."

David and the Oh Boy! Oberto crew is campaigning a new hull, after finishing second in the season points race in both 2005 and 2006.

David's win was the first on the ABRA Unlimited Hydroplane circuit this year by someone other than Dave Villwock in the

U-16 Miss Ellstrom Elam Plus, but it didn't come without some controversy. Villwock, who had won the four previous races and was the fastest qualifier in Seattle, was washed down in the pre-race jockeying for starting positions by two-time defending Seafair champion Jean Theoret in the U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing. Villwock finished fourth while Theoret was disqualified.

Until Sunday, Villwock's only loss of the season had been in a heat race in June in Evansville, Ind.

David Bryant took second in the final in the U-10 Miss Hoss Mortgage Investors and Puyallup's J. Michael Kelly finished third in the U-13 Car Pros.

"This is the biggest (win of my career)," David said. "Because this was for the Obertos. They made a huge commitment to us for this boat and they had a lot of faith in me."

It was the sixth career victory for David, but his first since the opening race of the 2005 season in Evansville.

It was a tough day for Villwock. Earlier Sunday, he lost his second and third heat races of the season to Theoret and the Miss Beacon Plumbing, finishing second in both.

Despite his fourth-place finish, Villwock all but clinched his ninth national high points championship heading into the final tour race at San Diego in September. He owns a 1,405-point cushion over the Oberto.

Theoret's disqualification came after he and Villwock, in trying to claim the inside lane for the flying start, both entered the third turn too soon and had to back off the throttle. Theoret lost vision, took out a buoy and washed down Villwock.

"We were going at the start and he just kind of turned left right in front of us," Villwock said. "That washed the motor out and I had to restart and get it going. But by that time, it was time to go and the rest of the field was gone."

Jeff Bernard, who won two of his three heat races, finished fifth in the U-5 FormulaBoats.com.

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