June 2019 THE SWAMI SEZ: 2019: A whole lot of questions and the Swami supplies (some) of the answers. by Brian Anderson everything the cynics point at as wrong with it. This season for the Unlimiteds holds To begin with, for a new race more questions than answers. For there were very few teams in atten- the diehard fans, the question will dance: seven. You would think that be, “what boats are going to show all the participants would want to up at which races?” For the cynics, make a splash and show new fans the main question will be something what the sport is all about. And of to the effect of, “hasn’t that sport those few teams one, the Miss Rock died yet?” was just going to sit on the beach on No matter which question you race day because of an unqualified are asking there really aren’t a lot of driver. Not a good way to impress answers. For the die-hard fans, in- new fans. formation even in this day of instant Then early on, the 440 sustained communications, there seems to be damage and was done and the a lack of good info flowing. Team number of participants dwindled. plans never seem to be finalized After two boats then ran into each until the truck arrives in the pits. other, some fans probably wondered If you think the sport is dead, well just what was so great about all of soon. Yeah, things like few boats can the news is that, no, it hasn’t gone this. look bad on paper, but when done away yet, despite everything and But, then there was the final. right it can just shut down all those it doesn’t appear to be vanishing The final heat die-hard fans stick critics. anytime soon. around for. After weather delays One question that has been Perhaps no better way to and all the rest, it was five laps of answered is who will be running illustrate the sports current ques- for real deck-to-deck racing between the sport this year and hopefully tionable state is last season’s opener Andrew Tate and Jimmy Shane that into the future. Ron Perry has been at Guntersville. Until the final heat, answered the question of why this named the sports new executive the sport seemed to be showcasing sport won’t be going away anytime director and brings a market- IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE: 5 Ron Perry interview 13 Record Book: The Boats 23 HydroFile by Lon Erickson 9 Record Book: The Drivers 18 Record Book: The Races 26 My $0.02 Worth by Andy Muntz ing background with him. And of course, this poses even more questions like, “can he land a major corporate series sponsor?” That’s what this sport needs at the moment to make sure the race sites are on a solid financial footing. And, there is the age-old ques- tion of can he get more boats to races and then find new places to race to expose the next generation of fans to the big boats. Will Detroit return? But to be sure, the current sites need to be marketed to get fans Chris Denslow in the gates and expand from there. The Swami’s pick to win the 2019 national title is the Miss HomeStreet. The boat Of course, there is the com- made its debut mid-season last year and is driven by Jimmy Shane petition, which is what every true fan is after. The season will again ready to boldly predict the season. It and, to stay on top, will have to hold open in Guntersville, Ala., then off will go as follows: off a couple of tough competitors, to Madison, which hosts the Gold but they will get the job done. Will Cup for the first time since 1980. The contenders: be in every final and win two of the After a short break it will be time for five events as well as the Gold Cup the Washington state swing of the 1. U-6 HomeStreet Bank on home waters. Tri-Cities followed by Seattle. Then Driver: Jimmy Shane, 17 career the traditional too-long break before wins. 2. U-1 Delta Realtrac the final race in San Diego. Owner: City of Madison, Ind., 30 Driver: Andrew Tate, 8 career wins The action should be fast and career wins Owner: Lori and Mike Jones, 10 furious all season, as long as the Home: Madison, Ind. career wins teams that do participate will put Swami Sez: The team will rebound Home: Kent, Wash. on a good show. Just who is going this season and the new 2018 hull Swami Sez: Andrew Tate returns to take that coveted championship? will prove to be the fastest on the as the defending champion and will Who are the contenders and who circuit. The well-backed team out of battle it out with the U-6 all season are the pretenders? That requires the Madison with its Seattle shop and long. The aging hull is still fast and Swami, who has been sorting out all driver Jimmy Shane will start fast will collect many heat victories the serious racing questions and is along the way. Could they defend their championship? It’s possible with a few breaks. Will be in every final heat and win two races. 3. U-12 Graham Trucking Driver: J Michael Kelly, 8 career wins. Owner: Rob Graham, 1 career win Home: Milton, Wash. Swami Sez: After attending only a couple of races in 2018, this team has announced a full circuit schedule in which they will have to be considered as one of the three Chris Denslow contenders for the series title. Kelly The defending national champion is the U-1 Delta Realtrac driven by Andrew Tate. is a threat to win every heat he is in. Built in 1992, the boat is the oldest still currently racing. They require a fast start and points 2 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / June 2019 early in the season to stay a threat. Will make every final and win one race. Just a tick behind: 4. U-11, J&Ds presented by Reliable Diamond Tool Driver: Tom Thompson, 0 career wins. Owner: Shannon and Scott Raney, 0 career wins Home: Edmonds, Wash. Chris Denslow Swami Sez: Third place overall in 2018, this team should stay as the same reliable and smooth boat they have been. The key for this team is to stay consistent and to avoid mechanical problems. Should make it to most finals and pile up points, but a win is not likely. 5. U-7 Spirit of Detroit Driver: Bert Henderson, 0 career wins Owner: Dave Bartush, 1 career win Lon Erickson Lon Home: Detroit [Top] The U-12 Graham Trucking entered only two races last year. The Swami says it will Swami Sez: After a one-race season be a contender at every race it enters in 2019. [Above] Tom Thompson and the U-11 in 2018, this team appears to be can be counted on to be in the mix at every race on the 2019 schedule. going “all in” for 2019. The boat has been totally repaired after its Detroit accumulate enough points to finish Swami Sez: With a new hull ready crash and will run the entire circuit. this high. Much has been done to to go for Tri-Cities, the Go Fast Highly regarded driver and boat improve its reliability and perfor- Turn Left Racing Team is aiming builder Bert Henderson returns to mance for this season. And these high with backing by PayneWest at pilot the craft. The team is a bit of an guys seem to be having the most Tri-Cities and their boat will carry unknown and could prove to be a fun of any team out there. Will make the name CARSTAR powered Miss spoiler with the right breaks. Should the finals early on when the entries Rock for Seattle. If they can get the see them in most final heats, but it are few, beyond the first two races new boat sorted out at its first race, would be an upset if they pulled off they will need some breaks in the they can prove to be a contender. a victory. This team has also prelims. Probably won’t make it to the final acquired the former Degree boat and heat in its first couple of races. The is readying it (see U-10). An unknown team’s old boat, which raced last commodity: year as the U-21, will likely spend 6. 440 Bucket List Racing the season on display duty. Driver: Dustin Echols, 0 career wins 7. U-99.9, Darrell Strong Owner: Kelly Stocklin, 0 career presents PayneWest If only: wins Insurance Home: Sammamish, Wash. Driver: Brian Perkins, 0 career wins 8. U-3 “Go 3 Racing” Swami Sez: Not the fastest team Owner: Greg O’Farrell, 0 career Driver: Jimmy King, 0 career wins out there, but by working hard wins Owner: Ed Cooper, 4 career wins and attending every race they will Home: Maple Valley, Wash. Home: Evansville, Ind. June 2019 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / 3 crash in Seattle and repairs have not been completed. U-16 last known as Oberto Driver: ? Owner: Ellstrom Family, 29 career wins Home: Seattle Swami Sez: Sounds like no plans at the moment. Too bad, this boat is fast. Probably will be doing display like last season. Perhaps: Chris Denslow Evans Brothers Racing, The U-7 Spirit of Detroit has only raced in the Motor City the past two years.