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**David Weaver** · 07-01-2008, 06:50 AM

US Chances

The odds in O-250 are certainly in favor of the Europeans. The race course layout, as shown on UIM "paper work" appears to favor the Europeans as there will be a very tight turn on one end. If the race course were more of USTS layout or typical PRO nationals layout, then US drivers would have a better opportunity to compete at the front.

But, it will be great racing regardless who prevails. The last time the 250 title was held in the US, an Italian driver won in Lakeland. But, US drivers were dominant in O-500 at that same race.

125 and 175 will be very competitive amongst all the drivers.

Come out, compete or support.

**HRTV** · 07-01-2008, 07:02 AM

Originally posted by David Weaver View Post

The odds in O-250 are certainly in favor of the Europeans. The race course layout, as shown on UIM "paper work" appears to favor the Europeans as there will be a very tight turn on one end. If the race course were more of USTS layout or typical PRO nationals layout, then US drivers would have a better opportunity to compete at the front.

But, it will be great racing regardless who prevails. The last time the 250 title was held in the US, an Italian driver won in Lakeland. But, US drivers were dominant in O-500 at that same race.

125 and 175 will be very competitive amongst all the drivers.

Come out, compete or support.

I will be there to help out and cheer on team USA! looks like it might be a tough battle

Alex Cremona looks very strong in 350.

**HRTV** · 07-01-2008, 04:27 PM

Originally posted by Admin View Post

How do you think the American Pro drivers will stack up this fall racing agaisnt the Europeans who seem to be very strong so far this year. Here are the stats from last weekend in San Nazzaro many of the drivers listed below should be in Lake Alfred for the worlds.

Photo Link

ITALIANS DOMINATE Formula 250

The opening round of Formula 250 at San Nazzaro, Italy was dominated by the Italians, who took the top five places. Best of the rest in the 13 boat field, which included Vittorio Opiperi (Italy) who having his first ever race in a 250 boat, was LOBMBC driver Paul Jillings in sixth place overall. The first three races were won by Luigi Colombi who was in a race of his own annihilating the field with wins by over 10 seconds and the others were not hanging about. With a maximum 1200 points he did not participate in the final race which was won by Daniel Mammucari from Alex Cremona and Salvatore Chiuri. The new 350 World champion Cremona finished second in heats two and three, with his brother Max taking the 300 points in heat 4. Jillings with a sixth, a seventh and two further sixth paces scored 285 points to head the Team Demmler drivers Marian Jung and Rene Behncke .

Formula 250 Round 1 San Nazzaro

1st 69 Luigi Colombi (Italy) 400-400-400-DNS = 1200 pts (20)
2nd 52 Daniele Mammucari (Italy) 300-225-169-400= 925 pts (17)
3rd 46 Alessandro Cremona (Italy) 169- 300-300-225 = 825 pts (15)
4th 23 Massimiliano Cremona (Italy) 225- 127-53-300 = 652 pts (13)
5th 72 Salvatore Chiuri (Italy) 127-169-225-169 = 563 pts (11)
6th 27 Paul Jillings (GB) 95-71-95-95 = 285 pts (10)
7th 86 Marian Jung (SK) 71-DNF-127-71 = 269 pts (9)
8th 109 Rene Behncke (Ger) 30-53-40-127 = 220 pts (8)
9th 8 Lars Langberg (Swe) 53-95-71-DNS = 219 pts (7)
10th 45 Attila Hencz (SK) 22-40-30-53 = 123 pts (6)
11th 7 Mauro Uccelli (Ita) 40-DNF-DNS-DNS = 40pts (5)
54 Marco Bobbioni (Ita) DNS-DNS-DNS-DNF = 0
60 Vittorio Opiperi (Ita) DNF - DNS-DNS-DNS= 0

Next round Mora, Sweden

Pro drivers please chime in, I would like to hear a view different opinions on this.

**Composite Specialties** · 07-01-2008, 04:37 PM

Luigi Colombi

Luigi Colombi (GRM) will be the one to beat, no doubt about that.

**HRTV** · 07-01-2008, 04:41 PM

Originally posted by MJR View Post

Luigi Colombi (GRM) will be the one to beat, no doubt about that.

Any thoughts on Alex Cremona in 350 ? will he be tough to beat ? Also who do you pick to be the front runners in these two classes from the US ?

**Composite Specialties** · 07-01-2008, 04:49 PM

350

The 350's will not be at the worlds, just the 125, 175 and 250's along with the 500R and the 1100cc capsules.

Alex would definently be on the top of the list if it were the 350 worlds though, but he still will be hard to beat with his GRM power as well as his brother.
Front runners from the USA, my best guess would be Chris Hellsten (GRM), David Mitchell (GRM), Billy Allen (GRM), Brandon Thirlby (VRP), Rob Eurbal (MAC?) (spelling?) and a few more coming along fast. Just my opinion though, alot can change in the next few months.

**HRTV** · 07-01-2008, 05:01 PM

Thanks for your input according to the worlds registration page Alex and his brother will be running 250 in Lake Alfred

**Bob Rusnak** · 07-02-2008, 06:09 AM

250 Worlds

Originally posted by MJR View Post

The 350's will not be at the worlds, just the 125, 175 and 250's along with the 500R and the 1100cc capsules.

Alex would definently be on the top of the list if it were the 350 worlds though, but he still will be hard to beat with his GRM power as well as his brother.
Front runners from the USA, my best guess would be Chris Hellsten (GRM), David Mitchell (GRM), Billy Allen (GRM), Brandon Thirlby (VRP), Rob Eurbal (MAC?) (spelling?) and a few more coming along fast. Just my opinion though, alot can change in the next few months.

I just wanted to know if the 5 boat team from any country still is a rule. In the past the US had to qualify to represent the US or the top 5 boats would get in. All other US boats had to represent another country. The last 500 race was won by an American representing Mexico. ....Bob N-96

**jmccoy** · 07-03-2008, 05:24 AM

250

Boys you are dreaming if you think an American driver can currently compete with those Italians in 250. Colombi is now running over well over 100 mph and doing it half way down the straights. (Look at the videos of him.) He obviously has tremendous punch off the beach also. The others are not far behind. Unless there is a huge improvement by the Americans before the Worlds we will be fortunate to see an American in the top 5.

Even though 350 is not on the schedule you might be interested to know the Italian boys are running over 110 mph with punch.

**HRTV** · 07-03-2008, 05:40 AM

Originally posted by jmccoy View Post

Boys you are dreaming if you think an American driver can currently compete with those Italians in 250. Colombi is now running over well over 100 mph and doing it half way down the straights. (Look at the videos of him.) He obviously has tremendous punch off the beach also. The others are not far behind. Unless there is a huge improvement by the Americans before the Worlds we will be fortunate to see an American in the top 5.

Even though 350 is not on the schedule you might be interested to know the Italian boys are running over 110 mph with punch.

How about Alex Cremona and his brother they are both running crazy fast!

**David Weaver** · 07-03-2008, 05:57 AM

It will be a Challenge

The Europeans will have a decided advantage in many respects. Of course, they run the race for a reason and American ingenuity has traditionally overcome many challenges on the race course.

BTW - The 2001 Mostes in my basement will be all but complete this afternoon and the number 1 VRP 250 is back from a complete overhaul. The driver will dip under 200 pounds this weekend for the first time in years and hopefully will get down to 190 pounds by the time of the worlds. I picked-up a couple of interesting "Euro" looking props and will have a conversation with Craig at the Nationals.

I am very interested in how the Euro's are reaching those speeds with a 250. Chris Hellsten is running a Mostes boat with the most up-to-date GRM engine. He is not seeing those kinds of speeds that I can tell (from racing with him and watching him compete against the USTS drivers). He has made progress every race with the Mostes and I imagine that he will be in a position to challenge.

The best speed I have seen is 97 MPH (GPS) testing by myself at DePue with a 3 Blade propeller. I could not race that prop, as it had no punch. BTW, I have quit looking at speed and am more focused on lap time now.

Anyway, it will be a blast. If Brandon can fugure out how to get off the beach quickly, he is going to very tough.

If only we were to run a clock start for 2 of the 4 heats. Now that would be interesting.

**Lights** · 07-03-2008, 06:05 AM

Originally posted by David Weaver View Post

If only we were to run a clock start for 2 of the 4 heats. Now that would be interesting.

That would be a great way to run a World championship race.

**Doug Hall** · 07-03-2008, 09:47 AM

David, where can I find a layout of the course. I dont understand why the course would be set up the way you described. Why is it not set up the way we drive here in the states. It always seems like the course here is set up to help out the Europeans. I dont think they changed the course layout when the Americans compete over there. Never understood this

**jmccoy** · 07-03-2008, 10:24 AM

250

Boys instead of challenging what I am attempting to tell you I would suggest that you speak with those of us that have been to Europe testing with them, observing what they do and 3 guys racing with them; Billy and Racer Allen, Craig Dewald, Mike Schmidt, Ralph Donald, Tim and Tom Small, Rex Hall and I. All have been there in the recent past.

Let me be more specific with you with 3 examples:
(1)Do you remember Cypress Gardens 11 seasons ago? Rossi and Roda had what 10-15 mph on the field of 350�s? To quote Tommy Hooten. � I have never seen such an a--whipping at a boat race and I�ve been at it for a long time.�. (2) How about the 125 Worlds 2 years ago at Auronzo?. The best Billy Allen could do with those guys was hit the turn 5th. Running the same set up he easily won all 3 heats at Depue, (3) Chris�s set up is at best a 93-94 mpg set up. Remember I worked with Chris for a number of years-I know what that prop does. It�s quick not fast. The Italians are both quick and fast.

Dan: in my previous post I said the others are not far behind Colombi. I am referring to both Cremona�s, Chiuri and Mammucari. They are all running much quicker and faster that we are in the USA.

David: I�m sure that losing weight and getting down to 190# will be much better for your overall health and your heart and knees but it won�t do much in competing with those guys. Colombi weighs 110# and adds15# to his boat to make weight. That�s a total weight of 125 # vs.190#. Where I went to school you are spotting him 65#-Good Luck.

You all say how do they go that fast? They are also very quick and quick will win every time. It�s called (as the Europeans say) practice, practice, practice and more practice. Weather permitting Colombi is on the water nearly every day with the others not far behind in practice time. I will tell you that they have picked up 2 mph since the start of the season. I would expect that they will pick up even more by October. Check Mike Schmidt�s photos of Rossi�s operation on the Quincy Site. What do you see? Colombi�s boat going in the water for practice.

Am I saying give up? No I�m not. I�m telling you what they are running so as not get ambushed like we did at Cypress Gardens. Rather than challenging me; go practice, practice, practice and practice some more. We in the USA need to gain 8-10 mph and get much quicker. Testing one or two days at a race site won�t do it against those guys. Unfortunately for health reasons will be unable to attend the USTS races for the remainder of the season. I wish you all the best of success.

Let me close with a quote from Colombi. My wife asked him �Colombi you win?� His response was in his broken English �Columbi win or no finish. No one pass Colombi.�No one has passed him in 8 years-Best of success.

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