Ryan Mallow got over seven laps in this morning to get closer to getting his unlimited hydroplane driver credentials.

Mallow needs 15 to be an official unlimited driver, but his seven laps are enough for H1 Unlimited officials to let him start from the outside in Heat 2B today.

"I had a couple of laps over 147 mph," he said.

This isn't the first time for Mallow in an unlimited.

"I drove the U-37 in 2008 in testing, and the U-21 last year in testing," he said.

Mallow drives the GP-19 Miss Everett, which he considers a little bit of a rocket.

"I can drive that boat with one hand," he said.

No so the unlimiteds.

"They're totally different," he said. "The unlimiteds lumber along."

The boat Mallow gets to drive, the U-99 Miss HAPO Community Credit Union, is a Fred Leland-owned boat. His name is one the side of the craft, written on a piece of tape.

No matter. Mallow is excited.

"Fred has been super generous for what he has offered me," Mallow said. "I'll always be appreciative for what he's done for me. I'm looking forward to racing today."