EVANSVILLE, Ind. Jeff Bernard drove the U-5 Formulaboats.com to its first win of the 2009 season and his second career championship, taking the 31st annual Thunder on the Ohio in Evansville, Ind., on Sunday.
Bernard won when the U-3 Master Tire, driven by Jimmy King, had its propeller break while leading on the third lap. It wrecked the bottom of the hull and allowed Bernard to take the lead for good.
J. Michael Kelly, Bernards teammate in the U-7 Graham Trucking boat, finished second.
The day started off in wild fashion when Dave Villwock went end-over-end in his U-16 Miss Elam Plus in Heat 1A, crashing the boat and taking his team out of the race.
Steve David in the U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto was disqualified in the same heat.
While Villwock walked safely away from the crash, David made it to the championship heat final and placed third.
The ABRA now gets ready for the season finale, which is November in Doha, Qatar.
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Evansville rallies past No. 17 Creighton 65-57
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Colt Ryan gave Evansville the lead for good by making a 17-footer with 3:08 to play Tuesday night, and the Purple Aces closed the game on a 13-1 run to pull off a 65-57 upset of No. 17 Creighton.
Liddycoat declared of hydro race in Qatar
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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.”
Evansville defense stops No. 17 Creighton 65-57
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Creighton coach Greg McDermott rubbed his eyes, looking for an answer as to why his team is suddenly struggling.
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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.
Thomas A. Dezember
Thomas A. Dezember
Thomas A. Dezember, 64, of West Richland, died Aug. 22 at home in West Richland.
He was born in Evansville, Ind., and lived in the Tri-Cities for 30 years.
He was a retired nuclear operator.
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