SEATTLE -- Dave Villwock benefited from a mistake by Jean Theoret and drove the Ellstrom E-Lam Plus hydroplane to a Chevrolet Cup victory Sunday on Lake Washington.
Villwock physically finished second behind Theoret's Miss Beacon Plumbing in the winner-take-all final heat.
But Theoret, who led from start to finish, was penalized one minute for being "off plane" -- failing to get his boat high enough out of the water -- before the start of the race, dropping him into fifth place.
Villwock averaged 134.612 mph.
Steve David in the O Boy! Oberto took second place, and Jeff Bernard in the Formulaboats.com finished third.
Villwock had a perfect weekend. He was fastest qualifier and won every preliminary heat before earning first place in the final.
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HYDROS: David steers Oberto to Oryx Cup title
HYDROS: David steers Oberto to Oryx Cup title
Steve David and the U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto may not have defended their national high points championship, but at least they finished the season on a winning note.
David, running from lane 3, hit the start-finish line almost perfectly and was never threatened after that in the 5-lap final of the Oryx Cup World Championship unlimited hydroplane race Saturday in Doha, Qatar.
Rookie Scott Liddycoat, driving the U-7 Valken.com, had the inside lane in the seven-boat final. But he couldn't overtake David. Liddycoat still finished second.
Villwock wins again in San Diego
Villwock wins again in San Diego
SAN DIEGO -- Dave Villwock won his second consecutive Air National Guard Championship at San Diego Bayfair on Sunday, sweeping through all of his heats and closing in on his first national championship in four years.
Villwock won for a record ninth time on Mission Bay and as a result his U-96 Spirit of Qatar boat has more wins than any other hull in the sport's history.
Villwock also became the sport's all-time winningest driver earlier this season in Detroit. He has 65 career victories.
David, Villwock win San Diego heats
David, Villwock win San Diego heats
SAN DIEGO -- Steve David and Dave Villwock look to be heading for another Sunday showdown as the duo won their respective heats Saturday at the Air National Guard Championship at San Diego Bayfair.
Villwock and U-7 Valken.com driver Scott Liddycoat ran one of the best heat races of the season.
Liddycoat had the lead for most of the three-lap race when Villwock ran him down just before the finish line and slipped past him.
Liddycoat declared of hydro race in Qatar
Liddycoat declared of hydro race in Qatar
Driver Scott Liddycoat completed a magical rookie season Saturday by capturing his first unlimited hydroplane victory during a controversial finish at the Oryx Cup UIM World Championship.
Liddycoat was declared the winner by officials after they reviewed film of the start and saw that drivers Steve David, Dave Villwock and J Michael Kelly had crossed the start line early. Those drivers were given a 1-minute penalty and Liddycoat got his first career victory on the H1 Unlimited tour.
“It’s not the way I would have liked to win the first one but I’ll take it,” Liddycoat said. “This year has been unreal. I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet.”
HYDROS: Villwock, David win second heats in Qatar
HYDROS: Villwock, David win second heats in Qatar
Veteran drivers Dave Villwock and Steve David each won their second heat races Friday at the Oryx Cup World Championships for unlimited hydroplanes.
Villwock, whose earlier victory clinched the season championship for his team, the U-96 Spirit of Qatar, had no problem starting in lane 2 of heat 2A as he raced uncontested to the win.
Greg Hopp, starting in lane 1 in the U-100, held off Scott Liddycoat in the U-7 Valken.com and Kip Brown in the U-17 Miss Red Dot to finish second.
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