Walters Heads Crew For U-19
John Walters has two claims to fame, one he’d most likely wish to forget and one he treasures.
Walters hopes to write another interesting chapter to that resume as the crew chief for new Spokane’s unlimited hydroplane, the U-19.
“John Walters was a key part of the many victories scored by the Miller American team in the middle ‘80s,” said U-19 team manager and driver Tom Hindley. “He knows these boats as a driver, boat builder and crew chief. You couldn’t find a better talent,” Hindley added.
Walters is an expert in both hull design and engines.
The former Spokane resident, who attended Lincoln Heights Elementary, is perhaps best remembered for his legendary ride in the turbinepowered Pay ‘N Pak hydro - a two-and-a-half back flip that he rode out on the Columbia River in July 1980.
Broken and bruised, it took Walters a year of recuperation to get back in the driver’s seat of the Pak and go down in the history books of unlimited racing.
Walters won the first boat race under turbine power back in 1982 in Schenectady, New York. He beat driving greats Bill Muncey and Dean Chenoweth and the now great Chip Hanauer for his own piece of unlimited hydroplane racing history.
Another serious accident in the 1982 Seafair ended Walters’ driving career, but he stayed active in the sport, working on the crew of Hanauer’s Miller American boats that won a couple of national titles.
“Having John as part of our team is a tremendous plus,” Hindley said.
Walters and Tim Ramsey will work in Seattle to prepare the team’s Lycoming T-55 turbine engines for U-19’s debut in Tri-Cities July 28-30.
The boat is currently in Spokane getting a new bottom and fresh paint.
“We plan to roll it out over the July 4th weekend and let Spokane get a good look at the boat,” Hindley said.
All-star series
The Hamms All-Star Late Model Superstock Tour makes the first of two appearances in the area on Saturday night when it visits Stateline Speedway.
“This is a big race for us,” said Stateline promoter Joe Doellefeld, who said the series has been attracting an average of 30 to 35 cars per appearance. “I hope the average holds true for here,” he added.
Racing begins at 6 p.m. The card also features the Stateline Street Stocks and a Fever Four “Fun Race.”
The series has a substantial number of competitors who race from the Seattle-Tacoma area, and if some of those opt not to make the tow, Doellefeld said he expects some Northwest Late Model series drivers to fill in on an off-week.
Dave Garber is the only local racer competing full-time in the All-Star series. He is fourth in points behind leader Mike Sauls of Puyallup.
Stateline Speedway also has announced a revamped schedule that includes the elimination of several Friday night programs. There will be no Friday racing this week.
“We want to have one whale of an event on Saturday nights, so we decided to cancel some of the Friday races,” Doellefeld said. “Besides, we can’t run the Hobby Cars to death.”
There will be Friday racing June 23, July 7, July 28 and all through August.
Pit stops
Spokane Raceway Park will return to regular bracket racing Saturday, beginning with time trials at 4:30. SRP’s competitors prepare for next week’s mid-season championships, which will offer double points… . SRP also has stock car racing on Saturday on the high-banked halfmile with Street Stocks, Hobby Cars, Fever Fours and Compacts on the schedule. Time trials are at 5:30.
The NASCAR Northwest Tour heads to Tri-City Raceway Saturday night for a 125-lap race. Monte English, driving for the Spokanebased Hall Racing team, goes for a second straight win. Rick Schultz of Spokane has also cracked the point standings… . The area dirt-track circuit has just one race this weekend, at Tuscor Speedway in Trout Creek, Mont., Saturday at 1 p.m… . Renegade Raceway in Yakima will be site of round three of the NHRA Division Six drag racing series Friday thru Sunday.
The Spokane Kart Racing Association will hold its fifth points race of the season Saturday… . Autosports Northwest will conduct a race in its summer championship autocross series Sunday in Eastern Washington University’s Woodward Stadium parking lot. Registration is at 9 a.m. Info: Gary Klawitter, 926-8157.
Paul Delaney’s motor sports notebook appears every Thursday in The Spokesman-Review. For story ideas contact Paul by phone or fax at 928-6998.