Villwock rules on Columbia

Mon., Aug. 1, 2005

Associated Press

KENNEWICK, Wash. – Dave Villwock drove Ellstrom Manufacturing to a come-from-behind victory Sunday in the finals of the Budweiser Columbia Cup unlimited hydroplane race.

Jean Theoret, driving LLumar Window Film, and Greg Hopp in Beacon Plumbing led across the starting line in the final race, but were penalized a lap because they jumped the gun.

Villwock initially slowed to avoid making the same mistake, but worked his way to the front and passed Theoret on the first turn of the final lap. Villwock averaged 143.337 mph in the final heat.

“My goal was to not tear up the boat. If we got first or fifth, as long as we ran it as fast as we can that’s a win for us,” Villwock said.

Steve David finished second with Oh Boy! Oberto, and Jimmy King took third in U3. Mike Weber finished fourth driving Formula Powerboats.

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Villwock rules on Columbia

Jesse Tinsley

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