Saturday, Aug. 04, 2007

Villwock doesn't miss a beat at Seafair qualifying

By Mindi Rice, The (Tacoma) News Tribune

SEATTLE -- To the surprise of no one, Dave Villwock led Friday's qualifying effort in the unlimited hydroplanes on Lake Washington.

Villwock, of Auburn, rose before most, came during the gray and cloudy morning hours and then made the morning session worth his time and effort in qualifying for the Chevrolet Cup at Seafair.

"It was hard to get up at 4:30 to do that," Villwock said. "But the water was good this morning and it was worth it."

Villwock's qualifying time -- 156.501 mph in the Miss Ellstrom Elam Plus -- was by far the fastest of the day, especially as the water became more and more choppy for the mid-day qualifying runs. When that happened, the Miss Ellstrom Elam Plus remained in the Stan Sayres Pits instead of joining the rest of the pack.

"We didn't want to spend the rest of the day repairing the boat," Villwock said. "So we watched everyone else."

That would include Gig Harbor's Jeff Bernard, who has the second-fastest qualifying speed of 151.905 after three qualifying sessions, with a fourth session scheduled at 11:15 a.m. today. Steve David is third, at 151.681.

"We always say if you're within five miles of him, you can race him," said Bernard, who is racing in his third Chevrolet Cup. "We're within five miles of him and we're ready to go racing."

The only other driver to hit 150-plus was Canadian Jean Paul Theoret, the 2005 and 2006 Seafair winner, who averaged 150.316 in the Miss Beacon Plumbing.

"The water's pretty lumpy with the wind, but we have a good boat right now," Theoret said. "The water's so bad that you lose efficiency in the propeller and you lose miles per hour."

In the Unlimited Lights, the smaller boats had two qualifying runs and have another chance today. Greg Hopp led the first day with a qualifying speed of 114.265 mph.

-- Notes

In the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is home to almost 800 new residents every day.

This weekend, a handful of those Dubai residents including Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE's prime minister -- are in the area for meetings with Boeing and may try to take in some racing on Lake Washington, according to a handful of people in the pits.

Among the Shiekh's interests is bringing together his growing community and a sport seeking a resurgence -- hydroplane racing. Jumeira Palm Island, a man-made island off the Persian Gulf shore, is one potential Dubai site for a hydro race.

Originally, the Sheikh and his delegation planned to visit the Seafair race, but depending on their schedule they may postpone their visit until September's race in San Diego.

-- The U-9, sponsored earlier in the season by Conover Insurance, has local ties this weekend as Tacoma's Tri Arc Electric Supply is the title sponsor for the boat driven by Eatonville's Chris Bertram.

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