Oberto to end sponsorship run | Hydroplane racing

For the Reporter

Oberto says farewell as a sponsor in the H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Series on Sunday at the season-ending San Diego Bayfair race on Mission Bay.

Kent-based Oberto Brands – with the backing of Art and Dorothy Oberto, and their son, Larry – has sponsored an unlimited hydroplane since 1975.

During a 16-year sponsorship run, Oberto hydros have won 19 races, including two Gold Cup titles, five H1 Unlimited Hydroplane National High Points boat championships and seven drivers titles.

Only Budweiser, Atlas Van Lines, Bardahl, Ellstrom Manufacturing, Pay ‘n Pak and Thriftway have more wins as a sponsor than Oberto, and only Budweiser sponsored a team longer.

Larry Oberto announced that the boat would be known as the Oberto Beef Jerky for the final race.

The first Oberto-sponsored hydroplane was Bob Murphy’s veteran U-4. The hull had been built in 1962 as the Notre Dame and made its debut as Oh Boy! Oberto at the 1975 Tri-Cities Gold Cup. With Chuck Hickling at the wheel, the U-4 finished seventh in a 15-boat field.

Oberto has been the sponsor of the Madison, Ind., boat since 2000.

Notes

Covington’s Jimmy Shane, driving the U-1 Oberto Beef Jerky, has a seemingly unbeatable 626-point lead for the high points championship over Bonney Lake’s J. Michael Kelly in the U-5 Graham Trucking. But recent deck-to-deck battles with Kelly – the defending Bayfair champion – pose a threat for Shane and his bid to take his third win of the season.

Shane and Kelly have had two epic confrontations during the last two races in Seattle and Detroit. Kelly won the race on Lake Washington, while Shane took the win on the Detroit River.

“I don’t know if this is the best racing unlimited hydroplane racing has witnessed, but it is the most competitive racing season I have ever been a part of,” said Shane who is looking for his second national high point title. “I have a points lead, but it isn’t over until it is over. I have to race smart, not make any silly mistakes and keep the boat running during each of the preliminary heats. If I can do that, I can let it all hang out in the championship final.” …

H1 testing and qualifying are Friday with heat racing on tap for Saturday and Sunday. An 11-boat fleet is expected for this weekend’s racing. … For more information, go to www.sandiegobayfair.org.

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H1 UNLIMITED HYDROPLANE BAYFAIR FLEET

U-1, Oberto Beef Jerky, Jimmy Shane

U-3, Miss HomeStreet Bank, Jimmy King

U-5, Graham Trucking, J. Michael Kelly

U-7, Graham Trucking II, Jesse Robertson

U-9, 811 Call Before You Dig Team RedDOT/Les Schwab, Scott Liddycoat

U-11, Peters & May, Tom Thompson

U-12, Red Roof Inns presents Miss DiJulio, Patrick Sankuer, Jr.

U-18, Bucket List Racing, Kelly Stocklin

U-21, All Access Rentals, Brian Perkins

U-27, Dalton Industries, Cal Phipps

U-100, Miss CARSTAR, Kevin Eacret