Jon Zimmerman’s first heat in the U-37 resulted in a wild ride (at 6:35), sustaining what he called the hardest hit he’s ever taken in boat racing.

Jon Zimmerman’s first heat in the U-37 resulted in a wild ride (at 2:10), sustaining what he called “the hardest hit he’s ever taken in boat racing”.

U-37 in flight...

The U-37 had a wild ride on lap two of Heat 1B, getting HUGE air launching off the wake of the U-13 before settling back down, resulting in what Jon called “the hardest hit I’ve ever taken in boat racing”.

Jon’s old boat, Dr. Ken Muscatel’s U-25, spun on lap three, tearing almost the entire right sponson and most of the non-trip away, resulting in their withdrawal from the Columbia Cup.

We came out of the heat with an excellent fourth place, giving the U-37 Miss Peters & May a great start to the weekend!

From Mac Clouse & Niles Mayfield on www.h1unlimited.com:

Here are the heat draws, with the lane
1A
U-1 – 1
U-17 – 2
U-21 – 3
U-5 – 4
U-22 – 5
U-57 – 6

1B
U-96 – 1
U-7 – 2
U-25 – 3
U-13 – 4
U-100 – 5
U-37 – 6

Jon Zimmerman

Unfortunately we were not able to improve our qualifying time in the afternoon session:

Lap 1: 146.320 mph
Lap 2: 149.263 mph
Lap 3: 150.436 mph

Jamie Nilsen rolls into turn 1...

Jamie Nilsen got familiar with the U-37 with a total of six laps resulting in a top speed of 148.571 mph.

Billy Schumacher said “Jamie did an excellent job in his 1st time in an Unlimited hydroplane. He executed our game plan EXACTLY as we discussed in the truck before the run and was very calm and composed doing it.”

Lap speeds:
lap 1: 130.701
lap 2: 140.946
lap 3: 140.953
lap 4: 148.571
lap 5: 147.982

Jamie Nilsen

Jamie Nilsen form Edgewood, WA will be taking the U-37 Miss Peters & May out on the Columbia River this morning for some test runs.

Jamie, 25, started racing J Stock hydros at age 12. He has since driven tunnel boats, outboards and 1 liter hydros.

JW Myers recommended Jamie as a skilled driver whom he would like to see get some seat time in an Unlimited hydroplane.

Jamie says “I’m excited and honored to have this opportunity, and I’m flattered J-Dub thought of me. I am glad he’s doing alright, but I wish this was under different circumstances.”