On November 20, at 11 PM, the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum will open its doors to a unique event: live coverage of the first Oryx Cup, to be raced on Doha Bay, in Qatar. It is a history making event for hydroplane fans as the sport takes a first step towards becoming a truly international sport. The ABRA, sanctioning body for the sport of unlimited hydroplane racing, will be covering the event online, at the ABRA Website with live streaming coverage. “We will take the feed from online and project it onto the big screen, so fans can come and watch it together. “This race, due to the 11 hour time difference, doesn’t begin until just after midnight on Friday, November 20th” comments David Williams, Executive Director of the Museum. “So we decided that this monumental event demanded a slumber party, where fans can come down and spend the night watching history being made.“

Dr. Ken Muscatel, a member of the ABRA development team that worked hard to establish the Oryx Cup, is excited about the upcoming race. “I can tell you, having been there, that the fans are in for a real treat watching this race. Doha Bay is an unbelievable setting for the Oryx Cup- unlike anything you have ever seen before. The ABRA and the race site representatives are doing everything possible to put on a great show. Trust me- this is going to be worth staying up for.” Dr. Muscatel and Oryx Cup race announcer Steve Montgomery currently serve as members on the Board of Directors for the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum located in Seattle, Washington.

“We are going to provide an excellent place to watch a race.” comments Williams “But since it goes all night, we better have some fun too!” Plans are in place for a big breakfast complete with pancakes, bacon eggs and OJ! We are trying to arrange for a couple of competitors to call the Museum from time to time to give us the inside scoop on what happen. There will also be hydro trivia contests, games and old videos between heats of modern racing. Snacks will be prepared and served at various times during the race. The price of admission is $10.00 per person, $15.00 per couple, and $6.00 for kids 12 and under. Tickets are available by calling the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum at 206 764-9453 or at the door. Seating is limited, so fans are encouraged to make a reservation. Kids, if accompanied by their parents or guardians, are welcome to attend. Mats, futons pillows and cushions will be allowed in this museum for this event. The final heat is expected to be aired in Seattle at 5:00 AM.

“There is no better place to watch this hydro race than right here in our Museum, surrounded by hydro history- unless you are actually in Doha” states Williams. “Our slumber party promises to be a ‘you had to be there’ kind of event. We are going to spend the night watching a great race while having a whole lot of fun.”

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RECORD NUMBER OF RIDES GIVEN
AT LAKE CHELAN

Chip Hanauer giving Raffle winner Forest Brooks his ride in MISS WAHOO

With all six boats on the water (not at the same time!), The Museums Fun Day was a rousing success! Executive Director David Williams commented that this was the most number of people he ever remembers seeing at a Fun Day event. Hydros in attendance were: 1955 Miss Thriftway (1st) replica, 1956 Miss Wahoo replica, 1959 Miss Thriftway (3rd), 1962 Miss Bardahl, 1967 Miss Budweiser and the 1975 Oh Boy! Oberto (replica)

The weather was just perfect! As usual, a little chilly in the morning, but it didn't take too long for the sun to warm everyone up, especially when the trailer firing started and the roar of the Allisons and Merlins echoed off the canyon walls. Over 50 people got a ride, including Forest Brooks who won the raffle for a ride in MISS WAHOO (see photo above)

Also in attendance was Scott Carson, financial contributor to the MISS WAHOO. Scott was one of the first riders in the new boat and was all smiles when he returned to the dock. John Goodman, owner of the two seat 1967 Miss Budwieser, had Chip Hanauer give him a lesson on how to drive his boat. David Smith, brother of Dixon, and original and current crewman of the 1962 Miss Bardahl, fulfilled his lifelong dream and was able to take the boat he had put hours and hours of labor/love for 3-4 laps ALL BY HIMSELF! Many of those who put time and effort into the building of MISS WAHOO realized their reward by riding a few laps around the short 1-1/4 mile lake Chelan course.

Chris Denslow Photo Gallery                   Patrick Gleason Photo Gallery

14 minute Video at GoLakeChelan.com

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MIRA SLOVAK TAKES A RIDE IN MISS WAHOO

How does this get any better? David Williams was able to take the MISS WAHOO along with her original driver MIRA SLOVAK for a trip around the Ted Jones Race Course at Seafair.


Mira, who is 80 years old, said "It felt just like the old days" as he and David took two laps with David at the wheel, then was able to steer on the last lap.

More info and Photos to follow...

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BECOME a 2009 MUSEUM BOOSTER!

Donate $30.00 to the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum and receive an exclusive "picture tack" (18th in a series) of the original MISS WAHOO, driven by popular hydro jockey Mira Slovak.
Make your check memo "Museum Booster".

   Buy a tack at the Museum Store

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Gold Cup Champion Terry Troxell Dies from Massive Heart Attack      Read More
Terry Troxell. 61, died on June 13, 2009 after suffering a massive heart attack at his home in Gig Harbor, WA.

Hydro Fever brings many fans to the Museum      Read More
Under the beautiful blue skies of Seattle, Hydro Fever brought many fans down to the Museum to browes through over 60 years of hydroplane history.

Drivers, Kids and Fans Enjoy Computer Racing      Read More
Dave Villwock, J. Michael Kelly, Jeff Bernard, Brian and Kayleigh Perkins and a host of current drivers along with fans and their kids had a great time at the first ever HydroMod Pro-Am Celebrity simulated racing event held on May 9th.

ULHRA's Spring Training a Success!      Read More
Miss Bardahl and Miss Thriftway had a number of successful runs on Lake Washington Tuesday, April 14th. Both camps were trying new setups to try to get the boats to run better.

Muncey, Hanauer Inducted into Hall of Champions      Read More
Two of Hydroplane Racing’s greatest names became the first members of the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum’s Unlimited Hydroplane Hall of Champions at a dinner and induction ceremony Saturday evening at the Museum’s facility in Kent, Washington.

Hydro Broadcaster Bill O'Mara Dies      Read More
Hall of fame member and good friend to the Museum Bill O'Mara, died Saturday, March 21, 2009 at the age of 92.

Miss Wahoo Replica is Progressing      Read More
The Miss Wahoo project is progressing at a rapid pace thanks to the efforts of Museum volunteers. Check it out and join the group!

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Hydroplane Racing in Detroit 1946-2008

David D. Williams, Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum Director, has been driving unlimited hydroplanes since 1993. This is his seventh book on the subject of hydroplane racing, and it was published in June, 2009.

How close did George Stratton really get to the seawall in Detroit in 2000? How high did the E-lam go when JW blew over in front of the DYC in 2005? What did the Gale Jet boat look like and was there really a Miss Pepsi III?

For the answer to these and many more questions, pick up a copy of David Williams newest book Hydroplane Racing in Detroit 1946 - 2008. At 128 pages with over 220 rare and exciting photos, this book is a bargain for only $21.99.

Hydroplane Racing in Detroit 1946 - 2008, is David's fourth book for Arcadia Publishing and details the post war racing in the Motor City. Williams combed the photo collection of Doug Dossin, Bill Osborne, Sandy Ross and the Hydroplane Museum to find dozens of rare, old photos that had never been published before, to illustrated his carefully researched history of racing in the Motor City.

The mission of the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum in Kent, Washington, is to honor, celebrate, and preserve the legacy of Unlimited Hydroplane Racing. The museum has generously offered its extensive collection of hydroplane photographs to Hydroplane Racing in Detroit.

The book is available now on the Hydroplane Museum website as well as Amazon.com and local book stores in the Detroit area. Also, David's recent books, "Hydroplane Racing in Seattle", "Turbine Racing in Seattle" and "Turbine Racing in the Tri-Cities" are also available through the Museum.

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HydroINSIDER Updates