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Making hydroplane history

Dave Villwock continued his triumphant trend last Sunday, winning the Columbia Cup in Kennewick. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Dave Villwock continued his triumphant trend last Sunday, winning the Columbia Cup in Kennewick. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

SEATTLE – Dave Villwock, driver of the Ellstrom E-Lam Plus unlimited hydroplane, is closing in on two of powerboat racing’s historic marks.

If he wins Sunday’s Chevrolet Cup race on Lake Washington, he will be one victory away from sweeping the 2007 season. He could complete the sweep by winning in San Diego on Sept. 16.

Qualifying for the Seattle race begins today.

Since 1946, when racing resumed after World War II, no driver has won every race in a single season. The late Bill Muncey won five of six races in 1962, and six of seven races in both 1972 and 1978.

The other mark Villwock is approaching is Muncey’s career victory total.

Muncey won 62 races between 1956 and 1981. Chip Hanauer is second with 61 victories, earned between 1979 and 1999. Villwock has 55 wins.

Even if Villwock sweeps the 2007 season, the soonest he could eclipse Muncey’s victory total would be some time in 2008.

If there is a boat and driver poised to thwart Villwock, it is Steve David and Oh Boy! Oberto.

“I think they’re doing better than anyone else,” Villwock said. “They have a fast team.”

“We’re legitimate contenders,” agreed David. “The Oberto company is providing all the tools for the team to do the best we can.”

Oberto, a Seattle food company, helped pay for a new boat this year for the team from Madison, Ind.

“I think we could win a race,” said Larry Oberto, sponsor representative for the company. “If somebody sneezes, we’ll capitalize on their error. We’re fast enough now to be in the backs of our competitors’ minds. We can legitimately push them.”

The new Oh Boy! Oberto was designed by Dale VanWieringen and built by VanWieringen and Rick Bowles, from carbon fiber parts made by Ron Jones, Jr.

In April, the bare hull was trucked from Seattle to Madison, Wis., where crew chief Mike Hanson directed placement of the engine and gear box and installation of hardware.

On June 28, members of the Oberto family formally presented the boat to the city of Madison. The municipally owned hydroplane has proven its worth by finishing second to Ellstrom-E-Lam Plus three times this season.

“The people in Madison really believe they have a shot at winning,” said David.

Larry Oberto has a racing background that has benefits the team. For several years he raced cars and stock outboard hydroplanes.

“I understand the dynamics of what a winning team is and how it acts,” he said.