Words From our ULHRA President

The fourth annual Silverdale Thunder is set for Dyess Inlet on Saturday and Sunday, August 9^th & 10^th.  The Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association (ULHRA) is both sanctioning and producing this event and it will feature the Unlimited Light hydroplanes and the Lighter than LIGHTS inboard series.  In addition, ULHRA’s exhibition program, the vintage Jersey Skiffs will also be on hand.

The two day racing program features qualifying runs on Saturday morning, followed by heat racing on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.  Results of the preliminary heats determine the teams that will be “seeded” into the Final Heat which determines the winner of the Silverdale Thunder Trophy.  Those teams that aren’t “seeded” have one more chance to qualify for the Final Heat by racing in the “B-Main” on Sunday afternoon. 

For some in racing it’s all about the “Young Guns”.  In ULHRA there’s no age discrimination.  In fact, just like a fine wine, age can bring about a great result. 

Heading the list of the “senior circuit” in Unlimited Lights is the patriarch of Hopp Racing, “Grandpa Jerry” Hopp.  Three years after twin knee replacement surgery, he has regained his zest for competing, not retirement.  Owning and driving the favored UL-15 is another incentive.  All in all, Jerry likes to compete and he remains very competitive in the Graham Trucking G.T. – Happy Go Lucky.  In fact he’s the second winningest active driver in the Unlimited Lights series with 7 trophies.  The only active driver ahead of him is the winningest driver of all in ULHRA, his son Greg Hopp with 19 trophies.  

On the opposite side of the age, and for that matter, gender spectrum, is 20 year old Kayleigh Perkins.  A year ago she had just completed a tremendous Final Heat at the Graham Trucking Cup for Unlimited Lights at Seattle.  She didn’t win, but she won over a huge throng of fans and one week later at Silverdale she became the first woman to win a major hydroplane race in the modern era.  The momentum propelled her and her team to what ULHRA “Voice” John Lynch has described as a Hat Trick:  Rookie of the Year, Team Champion and Driving Champion for Ms. Perkins. 

Between the Unlimited Lights and the Lighter than LIGHTS about 20 teams are expected to compete.  Dyess Inlet has an innocent look but don’t be misled.  Last year 6 UL teams plus an LTL team were knocked out of action by the rugged racing conditions.  The racing has always been close, deck to deck exciting competition and on August 9^th and 10^th it should be no exception.