Deck2Deck.us: Fantasy Unlimited Hydroplane Racing

Without a doubt, the story of the weekend if not the season was Dave Villwock’s 63rd victory on the Detroit River to break the all-time career win mark set by the legendary Bill Muncey. But a closer look at the 2011 APBA Gold Cup reveals other significant plot twists and turns. Let’s review:

Brian Perkins Returns to the Cockpit

Like many others, I feared Brian Perkins may not have been prepared to continue racing after accidentally striking the rescue sled in Madison. Thankfully Perkins returned to the cockpit of the U-21 Miss Lakeridge Paving doing what he knows and loves. Strange and sometimes unfortunate things can happen in racing, so the only thing to do is chalk it up as a racing incident and move on. Our prayers are with all of those involved in the incident as they recover.

The Birth of a Race Boat

After a lackluster debut in Madison, the U-88 Degree For Men displayed all the attributes of a great race boat: speed, turning ability, acceleration and boat ride. The 88, with driver J. Michael Kelly at the controls, was extremely competitive as it raced to a win in its first heat of racing and then posted three second place finishes. If not for a penalty in the final, Kelly and the U-88 likely would have captured second place and would have nearly out-pointed the U-96 for the weekend.

The Birth of a Driver

Scott Liddycoat, in only the second full race of his budding career, found himself on the fabled Gold Cup race course on the Detroit River. Intimidated? No. In two separate heats of racing, Liddycoat took the U-7 Valken.com Deck2Deck with the U-88, winning one and narrowly being edged in the other. Liddycoat in the U-7 finished second in the final heat and second overall in points for the weekend. Likely the most solid debut since Mike Allen won the National High Points title as a rookie driver in 2006.

A Rivalry Born

In Heats 1A and 4A, two black boats shared one white roostertail for four down-and-dirty laps. In 1A the U-88 nipped the U-7 at the line, averaging 142.969 MPH to the 7’s 142.553. In 4A the U-7 won by a nose, 140.342 MPH average to the U-88’s 140.239. This kind of racing will put butts on the beach!

Fantasy Implications

With the pending return of the U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto after repairs are complete, the impressive National High Points-leading performances of the U-17 Red Dot, and the continued production of the U-5, U-7, U-88, the season is shaping up to be a dog fight. Dave Villwock in the U-96 appears again to be at the head of the class, but nothing is guaranteed, as we witnessed in Madison with the final heat hook and collision, and the blown gear box that cost fantasy owners 400 points in Detroit. Strategy is important, but remember: anything can and will happen in this, the most beautiful and brutal motor sport in the world.