David Holley of Peters & May presents sponsorship check to Billy & Jane Schumacher - Photo by Bill Osborne

David Holley, managing director of Peters & May USA, received a “Special Contribution” award from H1 Unlimited Chairman Sam Cole at H1’s annual awards banquet in Las Vegas on Saturday evening, in recognition of P & M’s expert handling of the logistics involved in transporting the unlimited fleet to the first Oryx Cup UIM World Championship in Doha, Qatar. 

But before the evening was over, Holley had done more giving than receiving.  Holley presented Billy and Jane Schumacher with a check to cover title sponsorship of the U-37 for the 2010 season.  

The team had been sponsored by Peters & May in the Oryx Cup and displayed the race boat in the Peters & May display at the Miami Boat Show.  Holley said the company’s very positive experience with the team led to the decision to become the full time title sponsor. 

“First of all, we appreciate the opportunity to be involved with the H1 series and wanted to give something back.  We look forward to growing the relationship as the series travels to new international destinations,” said Holley.  “I want to thank Matt Penfold and Ryan Hamilton from our office for their great work in making a big undertaking go so smoothly.” 

“Our experience with Billy and Jane Schumacher and their team in Doha and Miami showed us what a valuable tool Miss Peters & May can be in bringing attention to our company and the services we provide in marine transportation,” added Holley.  “We are very excited about riding along with driver JW Myers and the whole team in 2010.” 

Billy & Jane Schumacher with David Holley of Peters & May - Photo by Craig Barney

Jane Schumacher responded, “We are absolutely thrilled to have Peters & May USA on board as our title sponsor for the season.  It has been a pleasure working with three terrific young men who are very excited about our sport and see our potential for bringing attention to their great company.” 

Billy Schumacher added, “With Peters & May as a major sponsor, we will have the resources to step up every phase of our operation and give JW a race boat that he can drive to the front.  When great people who have become good friends become your sponsors, you have a great situation.” 

Miss Peters & May with new driver JW Myers will make her first appearance of 2010 at the APBA Gold Cup in Detroit June 25 – 27.

(Courtesy H1 Unlimited)

US Ambassador to Qatar - Joseph LeBaron

Ambassador LeBaron's letter to Sam Cole

U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, Joseph LeBaron sent this letter to H1 Unlimited Chairman Sam Cole expressing his appreciation to the organization and the teams for their outstanding contribution to international sports diplomacy.

Billy & Jane Schumacher accept H1 Unlimited "Website of the Year" award from Sam Cole

When the 2009 season annual awards were presented at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas Saturday evening,  Steve David and the U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto race team spent a lot of time on stage.  David was honored as the 2009 Driver’s High Point Champion, and his team received the Martini & Rossi trophy representing the National High Point Championship.  

Also, the  U-1 crew was presented the 2009 Crew of the Year award and  Bob Hughes was honored as Owner of the Year.  Oberto received the Sponsor of the Year trophy as well as the 2009 Marketing Award and Boat Sponsor of the Year. 

The Qatar Marine Sports Federation, producers of the very successful Oryx Cup UIM World Championship in Doha, Qatar received the award for Race Site of the Year and QMSF PR director Neil Perkins and television producer Peter Butler were honored for their contributions to the event.  

H1 Unlimited Chairman Sam Cole thanked the owners and drivers for the part they played in a very successful season.  Cole told the crowd that the success of the first Oryx Cup UIM World Championship in Doha, Qatar had created interest on four continents and would lead to more international expansion of the series. 

Other award winners were: 

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San Diego’s Bayfair could see some big changes this year including the potential return of the Unlimited hydroplanes and the addition of a major poker run.

The annual event, which takes place Sept. 17-19, has seen its attendance decline in recent years and organizers hope the changes will bring race fans back to Mission Bay. Also in the works is a one-hour television show based on the weekend.

Although a final contract hasn’t been signed, H1 Unlimited is expected to return to San Diego after a one-year hiatus, said Brett Seber, a member of the Board of Governors for Thunderboats Unlimited of San Diego, which puts on the event.

“The (contract) numbers worked out, so I feel very comfortable that it’s going to happen,” Seber said.

In addition to the Unlimited hydroplanes, Bayfair is expected to have tunnel boats, Unlimited Lights and offshore races. But Seber is looking forward to the addition of a poker run, which is being organized by Desert Storm promoter Jim Nichols.

The poker-run event is expected to include a Puttin’ on the Wish event Thursday after the boats take over a section of Paradise Point. Nichols said they will have a fun run Friday and on Saturday they will run north to Oceanside. The biggest treat for the poker runners is that they will get a chance to run the 2 1/2-mile Unlimited course as part of the opening festivities.

Still up in the air is whether the drag boats will return to the event. Seber said they have had discussions with the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series but so far nothing has been worked out.

“We really want to turn it into a festival based around the water,” Seber said. “We’re excited with the direction it’s heading.”—Gregg Mansfield

(courtesy Powerboat magazine)

Photo: Jeffrey Dahl NW Speedshots

U-37 owner Billy Schumacher has selected veteran Unlimited pilot JW Myers as his team’s driver for the 2010 racing season.

When Jean Theoret was injured in the first race of 2009 in Madison, Schumacher called on Myers to take over the U-37 in Detroit, Tri Cities and Seattle. Myers earned Schumacher’s praise while subbing for Theoret.   “J Dub has the qualities you look for,” said Schumacher.  “He’s a fighter when he needs to be, but he drives smart and listens to me and the crew.  With the improvements we are making to the boat and motors, we think he’ll have the chance to be a front runner.”

Myers called the U-37’s  team chemistry, “The best I’ve ever seen.”  Adding, “This team is committed to winning, and they have the know how to do that.  This is going to be really, really good.  Lets go play race boat!”

Myers Unlimited career began in 2003 with Fred Leland’s U-100 team, where he was fastest qualifier in San Diego and earned Rookie of the Year Honors.  In 2004, he drove the U-8 (now the U-37) for Bill Wurster.  Driving half a season for Erick Ellstrom in the U-16 in 2005, Myers scored the single victory of his career in Madison and finished second twice. In 2006, JW served as crewman and driver for Kim Gregory’s U-10.

John W Myers III began  his racing career in 1982 at age 9, following in the footsteps of his father John, a well known outboard racer. He soon made a name as an outboard runabout driver, scoring four national high point championships and setting 11 world records in a 20-year career.  In 1999, he moved to the Unlimited Lights series, driving Bob Larimore’s UL 23 Pegasus until 2001.  He was also the UL Rookie of the Year in 1999.

Myers is 36 years old and makes his home in Burien, Washington, where he is a roofing contractor.

(courtesy www.abrahydroplanes.com)

• JW Myers bio page

U-37's on UStream in 2010!

The U-37 Schumacher Racing Miss Peters & May Race Team will be broadcasting live streaming video via UStream in 2010. Anything from webcams in the race shop to live streaming from all of the race sites on the 2010 H1 Unlimited schedule will be coming your way! We’ll post our broadcasting schedule on Facebook and Twitter, so make sure you join our group and fan pages to get the latest scoop on the U-37 Miss Peters & May!

Click the “UStream” logo above or here to access the U-37 UStream TV channel.

Now you can add your own photos of the U-37 (and other hydro-related stuff too…) to our website.

All we ask is that they’re:

• COOL
• In good taste (and WE get to judge that!)
• Show how much fun boat racing is!

Click here to add your photos!

and we have seen a good portion of our country, but it sure feels good to be home!

when he waved to us as we passed by Portland!!!

turned to rain/snow mixed.

Snow...

We're not in Miami anymore...

We got pulled into another scale and they were giving tickets for anything…but not us!