Deck2Deck.us: Fantasy Unlimited Hydroplane Racing

The famed Detroit River will once again play host to the* APBA Gold Cup *as the H1 Unlimited fleet rolls into the Motor City. The second event on the 2014 H1 calendar which will witness a sparse but speedy eight boat fleet.

After last weekend’s rough and wild run on the Ohio Rover, the H1 fleet limps into the Horace Dodge Pits for a chance at immortality. For the D2D fantasy player it is important to note that the Gold Cup and the UIM Championship are the only races to feature a fourth flight of heats. This weekend’s Gold Cup offers the first opportunity for those additional points that will be awarded to the boats that can endure the extra heat at full song, and make no mistake,for these boat racers, the Gold Cup is still very much THE race. When the dust settles a New Gold Cup champion will be crowned as none of the current driver’s have there name on the prestigious cup.

HydroDan’s Three 2 Think About:

Going for Gold: Can Jimmy Shane do what his predecessor was unable to in the U-6 Oberto Madison entry? The Oberto was undoubtedly the boat to beat in Madison but another blunder or bobble will spell certain doom as the competition is right on his hip!

Winning Ways: Driver J Michael Kelly in Ted Porter’s ex bud equipment (the U-1 Graham Trucking) is a winning combination as displayed several times in 2009 and 2010 and again last weekend on the Ohio River. Kelly has the boat and bronze to win on the Detroit River but it will likely take favorable lane position or error by his main competition to do it.

No Defense: With the U-17 (Last years U-95) running an abbreviated campaign, as well as defending Gold Cup driver Kip Brown awaiting his new sleds completion (U-96) the field is lacking a defending champion. It’s anyone’s ballgame! Look for aggressive drivers like Detroit’s own Cal Phipps to take a big swing on his home waters in the U-7 Graham Trucking.