A big change this year to the Madison, Indiana race course, shortened considerably so that boats no longer go under the Madison bridge.
Heat 1A
The shorter course in Madison may have claimed its first victims in the first heat. Veteran Steve David didn't have a problem, nailing the start. The U-5 and the U-11 started way back, almost on the back straightaway.
It was an easy run. Well, as easy as it gets on the Unlimited Hydroplane racing circuit that is. David was able to take a fairly smooth run all the way to finish.
Heat 1A Results
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U-1 Steve David
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U-5 Jeff Bernard
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U-11 JW Myers
Heat 1B
Brian Perkins grabbed lane one, but it was Greg Hopp in lane two hitting the start line first. Dave Villwock was back a bit on the outside lane. Hopp held the lead through turn one, but Perkins grabbed the lead coming out of the turn. It was three boats across coming up on the start line and then it happened, Villwock came flying around the corner on the outside and whipped into the lead at the end of lap one.
Villwock started to lengthen it out while Perkins and Hopp battled it out in second. In the second lap, Hopp was able to settle into second place and stretch it out over Perkins.
Hopp was assessed a penalty for failing to maintain his lane, however, and had to run an extra lap, pushing him to fourth place.
Heat 1B Results
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U-96 Dave Villwock
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U-21 Brian Perkins
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U-57 Mark Evans
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U-100 Greg Hopp – ONE LAP PENALTY
Heat 1C
Kip Brown in the U-17 was the third fastest qualifier for the Madison Regatta behind Dave Villwock and Steve David. He showed that boat speed in Heat 1C.
Scott Liddycoat impressed in qualifying in his first time piloting an unlimited hydroplane, putting up impressive qualifying times. As a rookie without enough qualifying laps, he had to run outside and behind the U-17 and U-22.
Heat 1C Results
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U-17 Kip Brown
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U-7 Scott Liddycoat
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U-22 Mike Webster
Kip Brown hit the start line first and roared out to the lead. Liddycoat passed up Webster right before the start on the outside.
It was a good start to the weekend for the U-17. Brown was able to extend the lead on each lap, taking a runaway win and 400 points for first place. A strong effort by the rookie driver, Scott Liddycoat, picking up 300 points and second place.
