Driver Jimmy Shane, of Covington, and the HomeStreet Bank unlimited hydroplane racing team received national championship trophies at the 2016 H1 Unlimited Champions Gala in the Seattle Marriott Waterfront Ballroom on Saturday night.
It was Shane’s fourth straight Bill Muncey National High Point Championship driver trophy. The community-owned HomeSreet Bank/Miss Madison race team took the National Team High Point Championship for the third consecutive year; it also has taken the crown in seven of the last nine years.
HomeStreet Bank was also named Sponsor of the Year while the U-1 team also received honors as Crew of the Year and Dan Hoover was named Crew Chief of the Year.
Bonney Lake’s J. Michael Kelly and the U-5 Graham Trucking team were awarded second-place honors in both categories.
Andrew Tate, the driver of the U-9 race team owned by Lori Jones, was honored as 2016 Rookie of the Year. Tate drove the U-9 to his first career victory in early August winning the Albert Lee Appliance Seafair Cup on Lake Washington. He was the first rookie to win the Seafair race since Jim Ranger turned the trick with My Gypsy in 1966.
Scott and Shannon Raney of the U-11 Peters & May team were named Owners of the Year while the Tri-City Water Follies organization were named Site of the Year.
Two of H1 Unlimited Hydroplane’s great friends were honored posthumously during the ceremonies. Nile Mayfield received the Vic Nelawake Award as the sport’s top volunteer while Fred Farley received a Chairman’s Award. Mayfield, the long-time director of public and media relations for the Tri-City Water Follies, passed away in December while Farley, the long-time H1 Unlimited Hydroplane historian, passed away in April.
The 2017 H1 season begins with testing in the Tri-Cities on June 2 and Guntersville, Ala., on June 17.
2016 H1 Unlimited Champions Gala Awards
Sponsor of the Year – HomeStreet Bank
Outstanding Contribution Award – Ted Grange
Montgomery Excellence in Media Award – Mark Brudenell, Detroit Free Press
Vic Nelawake Award – Niles Mayfield
Chairman’s Award – Ken Muscatel
Chairman’s Award – Bruce Madej
Chairman’s Award – Fred Farley
Unsung Hero Award – H1 Rescue Team
Rookie of the Year – Andrew Tate
Official of the Year – Justin Weymouth
Race Site of the Year – Tri-City Water Follies
Crew Chief of the Year – Dan Hoover
Owner of the Year – Scott and Shannon Raney
Crew of the Year – U-1 HomeStreet Bank
Third Place, Season High Points Driver/Team – Andrew Tate/ U-9 Racing
Second Place, Season High Points Driver/Team – J. Michael Kelly/ U-5 Graham Trucking
National Champion Driver/Team – Jimmy Shane/U-1 HomeStreet Bank
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