Party crasher
Villwock
guides Miss Elam Plus
to victory in Madison Regatta
David’s
hopes of a sweep end
with Villwock’s second-lap pass in final
Staff
Report
 |
|
Photo
by Don Ward Miss
Elam Plus driver Dave Villwock |
MADISON, Ind. – Heat and humidity were the topic
of the day on July 8 for the 57th annual running of the Indiana Governors
Cup unlimited hydroplane race. From the barn burning hometown favorite
U6 Oh Boy! Oberto's performance with driver Steve David of Lighthouse
Point, Fla., to the humidity of a southern Indiana summer.
However it was the hard driving of an individual from the Northwest –
Dave Villwock of Auburn, Wash., who cooled everything off by defeating
the Oberto for the title.
David, driving the brand new Oberto, won all three elimination heat
races to garner a spot on the front row of the winner take all final
on the Ohio River. But it was the defending champion Villwock who had
the third lane at the start and was able to pull away from David in
lap two of the five lap heat race. Villwock averaged 139.641 mph to
win the final heat.
 Madison
Regatta Indiana
Governor's Cup results July 8
at Madison, Ind. 1. Dave
Villwoc (Auburn, Wash. ), DNF- Greg
Hopp (Snohomish, Wash.) Mirageboats.com |
"I did have trouble starting the boat," said
Villwock, who almost watched his chance to defend the title evaporate
as he tried to leave the dock. "I tried to spool it and it didn't
go. I gave it some more and then a little more and finally it started.
"Then when Jimmy (King) got the first lane and put Steve in the
second lane it played right into my hand."
"I knew Dave had a lot of speed," said David. "When I
had the lead, I knew where he was and I was just waiting for him to
put in sixth gear and go. He did and I just couldn't hold him off down
the backstretch."
Villwock was beaten earlier in the day by David, and he knew the final
wasn't going to be easy.
"He beat me fair and square in heat 1-A," said Villwock. "That's
racing. In the end, I was able to beat him. But what he (David)
did today was amazing. This was a great race.
Villwock now has won the first two races on the 2007 ABRA unlimited
hydroplane racing circuit. He won the previous week in Evansville,
Ind., at the season opener.
He also has 54 career wins. Only two drivers in the sport have won more
races than Villwock – the late Bill Muncey with 62 and Chip
Hanauer with 61.
The fleet heads to Detroit for the Chrysler Jeep APBA Gold Cup on July
15 on the Detroit River.