The U-1 Miss HomeStreet and driver Jimmy Shane, the defending APBA national high-point champion, is one of the favorites to win at Seattle this weekend. COURTESY PHOTO

The U-1 Miss HomeStreet and driver Jimmy Shane, the defending APBA national high-point champion, is one of the favorites to win at Seattle this weekend. COURTESY PHOTO

Hydros to battle for Albert Lee Appliance Cup this weekend

  • Thursday, August 3, 2017 1:33pm
  • Sports

The H1 Unlimited hydroplane fleet invades Seattle this weekend for the Albert Lee Appliance Cup on Lake Washington.

The unlimiteds test and qualify Friday, with racing Saturday and Sunday. The final heat is 4:45 p.m. Sunday.

Eight boats are expected in the pit area, and many of them have a legitimate chance to come away with a victory.

Among the favorites will be the reigning three-time national champion, the U-1 Miss HomeStreet, a hydro owned by the citizens of Madison, Ind. The team’s sponsor is based in the Seattle area and the driver is Jimmy Shane of Renton. Shane won at Seafair in 2013.

Shane, a five-time APBA national high-point champion, is an integration engineer at Blue Origin, LLC, in Kent.

Also looking for a win will be the U-9 Les Schwab Tires, which won the Seattle race last year. Michigan native Andrew Tate, who was last year’s Rookie of the Year, drives the Kent-based boat..

In winning last weekend’s race in the Tri-Cities, the U-12 Graham Trucking team proved that it is a definite contender in Seattle. The boat was purchased by its longtime sponsor, Rob Graham, during the offseason and was completely rebuilt at its shop in Milton. The team’s driver, Bonney Lake’s J. Michael Kelly, won the cup in 2014 and 2015.

Making its first appearance in the season will be the U-16 Oh Boy! Oberto, which is the newest boat on the unlimited circuit and is campaigned by the Ellstrom family of Seattle, who have been racing hydroplanes since 1994 and have won two national titles. The team’s driver is J.W. Myers of Burien.

Another boat expected to be in the thick of things will be the U-11 Miss DiJulio presents J&D’s, which is based in Edmonds. The boat turned in the fastest competition lap at the Tri-Cities last weekend and will be driven by Tom Thompson of Cambridge, Md.

The U-21 Miss Albert Lee Appliance is expected to be on hand as well, after suffering damage in the Tri-Cities last weekend when it threw a propeller and lost its rudder. Brian Perkins of North Bend will drive the Maple Valley-based boat.

Rounding out the field will be the U-99.9 KISW Miss Rock powered by Carstar, which is based in Kirkland, and driven by Greg Hopp of Lake Stevens. Also on hand will be the 440 Bucket List Racing entry out of Sammamish, which will be driven by Dustin Echols of Sultan.

The world’s fastest boats have a long tradition of racing on Lake Washington. The sport came to the city in 1951 after the legendary Slo-mo-shun IV went to Detroit the year before and won the prestigious Gold Cup race. The races have been an annual staple of the summer season ever since.

For an updated schedule and ticket information, go to the Seafair website at seafair.com.

– Written by Andrew Muntz


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

River Plate fans in the stands at Lumen Field. Ben Ray / Sound Publishing
FIFA Club World Cup reaction: Best of soccer culture on display

River Plate and Urawa Red Diamonds might be far from home, but the teams brought passion on and off the pitch at Lumen Field.

David Warner holds up his jersey for the Seattle Orcas. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Seattle Orcas cricket team hosts fan fest at Marymoor Park

Orcas players, coaches and owners joined fans to celebrate the start of the third year of MLC.

Kent-Meridian athlete of the year nominees. Photo provided by Robby Mullikin.
Kent-Meridian’s Samuel Doma and Riley Gardner named Athletes of the Year

In the second annual Athlete of the Year event, Kent-Meridian sweeps the competition.

t
Ex-Kentwood High star Vandersloot to miss rest of WNBA season

Chicago Sky point guard suffers torn ACL in June 7 game

Liberty’s Emi Connell approaches home plate with a smile. Ben Ray / The Reporter
State tournament previews: Boys soccer and fastpitch

Local high schools prepare for the state tournament.

Jo Thompson swarmed after hitting a walk-off double. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge fastpitch goes 1-2 in districts

Chargers walk-off Battle Ground, but fall to Puyallup the next day.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentridge

Judy Chen (Sr.) tennis and Richard Calkins (Sr.) judo are this weeks winners.

Anthony Diaz celebrates the game’s winning goal. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kent-Meridian soccer survives and advances

Royals down Federal Way 2-1 for second win this season over Eagles.

Riley Lambarena pitched four innings against Kennedy. Ben Ray / The Reporter
West Central District baseball tournament preview

Breakdown and analysis for the first round of the playoffs.

Jozi Thompson pitching against Interlake. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Fastpitch district tournament preview

Kentridge, Auburn Riverside and Auburn Mountainview begin quest for the state tournament.

Jo Thompson pitches against Auburn Riverside. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge has five-game win streak snapped vs. Auburn Riverside

Chargers now turn eyes to the postseason as they nab the No. 4 seed in districts.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athlete of the Week: Kentlake

Raiden Renggli (Sr.) soccer and Taylor Le (Fr.) track and field take home this weeks awards.