MARCH 2021 Strong Racing Team adds another boat and driver. he newest race team on the H1 Unlimited Racing Se- ries has already made a big impression on the sport by purchasing two of the top boats on the circuit and Tby enlisting the services of two talented drivers. In December, Vanessa and Darrell Strong of Pasco, Wash- ington, announced their entry into the sport as owners with their purchase of the U-9 boat from Lori and Mike Jones. They also announced that they had hired Corey Peabody to handle the driving of that boat. In February, the Strongs made another giant step with their purchase of another top boat, the U-16 that was owned by Erick Ellstrom. They also announced the addition of a second driver to their team: J. Michael Kelly. Strong started his H1 Unlimited involvement in 2013 by sponsoring the Webster family’s U-22, which raced in the Tri-Cities that year and the following two years as PayneW- est Insurance. He then moved to the Go Fast, Turn Left rac- ing team, sponsoring the U-21 as PayneWest Insurance for the Tri-Cities races in 2016 and 2017. He sponsored it at four races during the 2018 campaign. The race team built a new boat for the 2019 season, which raced as Darrell Strong presents PayneWest Insurance at that year’s event in the Tri-Cities. Racing Team Strong As Lon Erickson reported in the January issue of the Un- Vanessa and Darrell Strong limited NewsJournal, Strong had been looking to increase his presence in the sport since early fall and finally decided to pur- Dave Villwock, who would go on to win more races than any chase the U-9 and primary equipment as his best step toward other driver in the sport’s history. As for the boat, it has won becoming a top contender for 2021 and beyond. a total of 12 races during its career, including five during the That boat, the oldest on the circuit, was built in 1992 and 2018 season, when Andrew Tate drove it to the national title. first saw action asCoor’s Dry. It won the second race that it “Vanessa and I are committed to making this new team a entered, which also turned out to be the first race victory for benchmark in the sport and we’re really excited and gratified ALSO IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE: 3 It’s in the family: Part three 11 The 2021 Hydro Record Book 16 Letter to the editor 7 A record-keeping conundrum 16 Fran Muncey to the Hall of Fame 17 My $0.02 Worth by Andy Muntz for this opportunity,” Strong said. strom explained. “I’m excited and look- we feel he makes us very competitive in Then came the surprise announce- ing forward to Strong Racing’s impact on 2021. Also, Mike, Angela, and their boys ment in early February that the buying t h e s p or t .” have become like family to us, so we are spree wasn’t done, that he had also pur- In conjunction with the boat pur- excited to have them join the Strong Rac- chased all of the assets of Erick Ellstrom’s chase in December, the team also an- ing team.” race team, which includes the U-16 hull, nounced that Corey Peabody had signed “I would like to thank Darrell and engines, gearboxes, hauler, and accessory on as the driver. Peabody drove Spirit of Vanessa for the amazing opportunity to equipment. Detroit in 2016 and Graham Trucking drive one of the fastest boats in H1.” Kel- The boat was built in 2014 and saw American Dream in 2019. ly said. “I believe we will build a success- action as Qatar, Ellstrom E-Lam Plus, Then, two days after announcing ful team and I look forward to our future and Oh Boy! Oberto. It last competed in the purchase of the Ellstrom boat, they of racing and helping the sport.” 2017 and, although the boat hasn’t won issued a statement saying they had hired The Strong Racing team says the any races, it has a reputation as one of the J. Michael Kelly to join the team. former Ellstrom boat will have the U-8 fastest on the H1 Unlimited circuit. Kelly was Rookie of the Year in 2004 designation, while the U-9 will continue “When I decided to become an own- and during his 16-year career, has col- to carry its current number. Sponsorship er I set a goal of creating a benchmark lected a total of 11 race victories, large- arrangements for the two boats are re- team,” Strong said. “This is one more ly at the wheel of Graham Trucking as it portedly in the works, but the team plans step toward realizing that goal and I’m was owned by both Ted Porter and Rob to race both in all 2021 H1 Unlimited really pleased with Erick’s enthusiastic Graham. In 2019, he won the last three Racing Series events. v support.” events of the season. “When Darrell explained his ap- “We are thrilled to have JMK on proach to racing and plans for this team, the team,” Strong said. “He is definitely it made sense to help him succeed,” Ell- one of the best drivers in the sport and COMMENTSJan Shaw, Director ofFROM Operations H1 We extend our sincere thanks to Mike The mailing address for H1 Unlimited As for the Jones and Doug Southern for all of their (American Boat Racing Association) other race sites, because of uncertainties time and efforts serving on the Board of has changed to: H1 Unlimited, P.O. Box about where things will stand with Covid Directors. Both decided not to run for 53050, Bellevue, WA 98015-3050. this summer, they and we have not yet re-election to their board positions. On H1 currently has six boats registered made any commitments. We understand January 10, the H1 Unlimited Board of for the 2021 season. Sharon and Kelly the difficult situation our race sites are in, Directors elected Tim Austin and Kelly Stocklin have two (U-440 and U-21), Va- and expect to know more about their sta- Stocklin to new two-year terms (2021- nessa and Darrell Strong have two (U-8 tus within the next couple of months. H1 2022) on the board and elected Andy and U-9), Shannon and Scott Raney have has also not yet awarded the Gold Cup Muntz to serve the remainder of a va- one (U-11), and Rob Graham has one for 2021. cant position to serve through the end of (U-12). Andy Muntz is busy devising H1 2021. The board now includes Shannon The 2021 season has Guntersville, Unlimited’s public relations plan. It will Raney, Michael McMorrow, and Andy Alabama, on the schedule for June 25– look at our H1 family, devoted fans, the Muntz with one year remaining on their 27. Please see their Facebook page and media, and our potential young fans. We terms, and Tim Austin and Kelly Stock- their website. Romesberg Media has are also putting together an H1 member- lin with two years. rolled out the event’s marketing piece ship plan for our fans that will feature an At the January 31 board meeting, and hotels need to be reserved now. Race item only a member will receive. Tim Austin was elected to serve as chair- teams planning to compete in Gunters- Let’s get these teams together and man of the board, Andy Muntz as sec- ville need to pay their registration now; create “The Greatest Show on H-2-0.” v retary, and Steve Bass was named trea- as registration fees will not be taken out surer. Please welcome the newcomers. of the race tow money. 2 / Unlimited NewsJournal / March 2021 IT’S IN THE FAMILY In part one of this series, we looked at owners who started in unlimited hydro- plane racing and then encouraged family members to join the fun. In part two, the focus was on drivers who brought family members into the roostertail rivalry. In part three we will examine individuals who entered unlimited racing in other roles, such as boat designers and builders, crew members, sponsors, and in a variety of administrative positions. The list can be quite lengthy, so rather than trying to document everyone’s complete story, we’ll hit the highlights and acknowledge the contributions of as many families as possible. VARIOUS POSITIONS: BY CRAIG FJARLIE Designers/Builders: company’s construction manager. He in addition to his boat building duties. drove Lahala in the 1948 Gold Cup and Ted Jones was a successful designer he Ventnor Boat Works was built Hot Metal and Aluminum First for and builder of limited-class hydroplanes founded in 1902 by Adolph Henry Kaiser in 1949. Norm’s brother, when Stan Sayres contracted with him Apel. His son, Arno, became a Henry, became a respected boat builder to create Slo-mo-shun IV. Jones drove the Tvital part of the company. One in his own right. Among his Unlimited craft to victory in the 1950 Gold Cup and of Ventnor’s most famous boats was Juno, creations was Miss Chrysler Crew for Bill drove it again in 1951. He went on to cre- built in 1937. Sterett. Henry never drove an Unlimited, ate a number of successful Unlimiteds: Following World War II, Norman but his son Larry took the wheel of boats Miss Thriftway and Miss Bardahl among Lauterbach worked for Ventnor as the such as Appian Jeronimo and Cellular One, them.