DePue, IL May 24-25 Updates

[HRTV]

Good luck drivers keep us posted

[Doug Hall]

I heard yesterday was cold and raining. Only a couple of boats went out to try to test. They were going to start testing this morning at 8:00. Just tryed to call and got no answer. They may still be racing. Wish I was there.

[RLR]

Depue

125 hydro 11 boats---Lemans start---Billy Allen 3 heat wins
Buddy Tennel had good speed, but Billy coming off of beach was awsome.

250r---7 boats---Tim Small ran two heat wins, Brian Payn had some problems in two heats, won 3rd heat with good speed showing. JP Jedwabny went over in the bottom turn. ok

350 hydro--12 boats great racing. Gary Buskirk un-official, but believe he had enough points to win. Mark Stahl dug it in and went over sideways in first turn. ok Jeff Kugler had tremendous speed and walked away with first heat, trapped in the back on second heat and had trouble in third, but he had speed on everyone.

500r-Mike Thirlby with two heat wins and 3rd in other gave him overall. RC Hawie with 2nd in all three heats.

500h Brandon Thirlby with Jacob Walk driving G-7 finished second. First time in the boat and he won 3rd heat. Great job Jacob!!!!

K-pro--Todd Anderson did a great job with 2 heat wins and a third. Zack Maquire doing a terrific job with starts and really running well, lifted off the water in the second heat and was spilled out, although the boat stayed upright. all ok.

Ray

will try to fill in blanks later

[Doug Hall]

Ray, I just got done talking to dad and was going to post what he told me but you beat me to it. Hope everybody stays safe tomorrow. Hope to see you in Winona.

[David Weaver]

More on Saturday Racing

Variable breeze made for challenging conditions. Water on the course ranged from perfect to 3-6 inch chop with the wind blowing all the way across the course from the east.

Jeff Kugler broke a prop shaft in 3rd heat and lost his propeller. He is running good as always. A bunch of gun jumpers in heat 1. David Wright also had his first race in a capsule boat and did well until his engine ate the rotary valve (ouch!!).

Yours truely had a great time stepping-up with the 350's and chasing them around the course. Had to scramble after heat 1 when I came without a rope plate. Fortunately I had a spare. Chris Hellsten continues to run very well with the Mostes with particular strength in the turns.

Billy Allen looked great all three heats. Buddy was pulling Billy in heat 2 when he went airborne and pitch his shear pin. Amy Nydhal was very steady. Brendan Vishoot also ran extemely well and was consistent with two thirds and 5th. Not only will the World's for 125 be an outstanding event, but the Nationals is shaping-up as a real shoot-out. 125's used a LeMans start.

JP's boat went in backwards and hurt the engine bad as it sucked-in water while running. We were pleased to welcome Chuck Z from Wisconsin (W-33 or 33-W) in 250 runabout. He ran very well and seemed to have great time.

Today's weather promises more breeze, but hopefully it will swing from the other direction. 8-10 250hydro's will use a LeMans start today.

[David Weaver]

Sunday

Because of the threat of inclimate weather, an abbreviated schedule was run for Sunday. The expected weather arrived much, much later than expected and the day was Sunny with a moderate breeze. Somtimes you cannot win, but the race committee made the best decision with the info at hand.

Chris Hellsten won 250cc hydro with a strong performance in the LeMans start format. Billy Allen and David Mitchell gave a good chase.

Michael Ellison was the only legal started in heat 1 of 125 runabout and earned the points to prevail here. David Tenney, son of Bill Tenney, made his first start with USTS in a beautifully prepared Krier runabout.

I did not see the 350cc runabout heats. I know that Mike Thirlby and Tim Small were running strong, but I did see who won.

Sean McKean stole the starts and both heats of 1100cc hydro. Brandon Thirlby gave chase, but could reel in Sean.

[L. Allen]

Thanks so much for the news.

Laurie Allen