Heat 1A of the 2009 Oryx Cup UIM World Championship saw Mike Webster in the U-22 Matrix Systems Automotive Finishes, Ken Muscatel in the U-25 Superior Racing, J. Michael Kelly in the U-7 Graham Trucking, Jean Theoret in the U-37 Miss Peters & May and Nate Brown in the U-17 Our Gang Racing all lined up in calm conditions for the first heat race of H1 Unlimited and the first race for the circuit outside of North America. Brown stole an early lead, but was quickly passed by Kelly, who came under pressure from Theoret through the opening two laps. Continue Reading…

U-16 Ellstrom Elam Plus and its driver Dave Villwock survived some rough water and held off a strong charging Jean Theoret in the bright yellow Miss Peters & May to win Heat 2B. Nate Brown in the U-17 Our Gang Racing almost didn’t make the start as his boat had difficulty getting started. While floating in middle of the first turn, the U-17 came to life and Brown was able to join the other three boats. Greg Hopp in the U-100 Leland Racing rounded out the four boat field. All four race hulls made the start perfectly and Villwock snatched the early lead from Theoret, only to run wide and bounce on the final turn of lap one and hand a brief advantage to his French-Canadian rival. Continue Reading…

Heat 3A

Greg Hopp in the U-100 Leland Unlimited, Jeff Bernard in the U-5 Formulaboats.com, U-17 Our Gang Racing’s Nate Brown, Jean Theoret in the U-37 Miss Peters & May and Mike Webster driving the U-22 Matrix Systems Automotive Finishes were drawn in the first of Saturday’s four heats in front of a packed crowd along Doha Bay. Webster didn’t leave the dock, forced to miss the start with mechanical issues, but Bernard managed to hold off Theoret through the first turn and maintained the inside line through lap one. He extended his advantage over the subsequent three laps to take the heat victory and reduce David’s overall championship lead to a virtual 31 points before heat 3B. Continue Reading…

Dave Villwock in the U-16 Ellstrom Elam Plus and Jeff Bernard in the U-5 Formulaboats.com both jumped the gun at the start of heat 4B earning them each a one-lap penalty. The infraction moved the U-37 Miss Peters & May Racing to the winners circle. Villwock and Bernard battled each other for each of the four laps, changing positions multiple times, but Villwock’s acceleration at the end of lap four and tight turn in lane two gave him second place by half a roostertail. Continue Reading…

Results for Heat Final
Boat Driver Avg. Speed Finish Points
U-7 Graham Trucking J. Michael Kelly 0 1 400
U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto Steve David 0 2 300
U-16 Ellstrom Elam Plus Dave Villwock 0 3 225
U-37 Miss Peters & May Jean Theoret 0 4 169
U-5 FormulaBoats.com Jeff Bernard 0 DNS 0
U-17 Our Gang Racing Nate Brown 0 DNS 0

Fastest Lap: 1
Posted by the U-16 with a speed of 143.218.

Race Comments

The U-5 flipped during the initial running of the final heat. He is not eligible for the restart of the final heat. The U-17 did not come back out for the restart of the final heat. Continue Reading…