News July 05

Jerry's Corner

News 2009

11/20

Greg overcomes mechanical problems with the U-100 and made out in Heat 1B. Kept it running and finished fouth. In Heat 2B Greg started on the outside. On the last lap he jumped into lane one and beat Nate Brown in the U-17 to the finish line. Greg I take what I said back, you do listen to ol' dad. Keeper' runnin'. Rob Graham's Graham Trucking entry the U-7 driven by J. Michael Kelly won his first heat and took a 3rd in his second heat.

11/17

Greg took off from SeaTac Airport headed to Doha, Qatar to race Fred Leland's U-100 Unlimited hydro. 10 Unlimiteds are on hand for the event. GOOD LUCK GREG!!! Turn up the boost.

Dad

10/31

Eric Christensen GNH-35 in the Halloween mood. Carves a race pumpkin.

10/25

What a truly fun time in Morgan City. Everyone was so friendly it was great just to be part of the event. The GP's did get out and run and the fans definitely wanted to see more of the blower boats. Huey Newport’s gang, Mike Weber, Marty Wolfe and all of their team members and friends. What a great group to race with. Patrick Hayworth was heard to say while white caps blew across the lake "Heck this is calm compared to what we race in up in Canada...aye"

Saturday evening Greg and I attended the APBA Region 10 Banquet and meeting. Hopp Racing team received for a second year the Region 10 Grand Prix hi-point award. We had some impressive blower boat races in Washington State with the fans on their feet cheering away.

10/18

The race has been official canceled because of wind. Small craft warnings until 8pm this evening. Thr Grand Prix class is alive and well. We look foward to a great season next year. The top 4 boats qualifed within 2 seconds of each other. We ran the fastest lap ever run here at Morgan City. 113.475mph

The problem is:

WIND!!!

GP-10 Engine work

Seafood Feed Sat night

GP-10 MIKE WEBER BARELY LEGAL

GP-77 BERT HENDERSON STEELER

GP-15 GREG HOPP

The race is on a weather hold. The wind is out of the NNE at about 15mph. Another drivers meeting will be held at noon CDT.

10/18

A better weather day today. Reduced forcast winds and sunny. Around 70 degrees. Racing will start early today.

Some pictures of the Amelia Belle Casino sponsor and the pits at Lake Palourde. The hospitality here is great!!

Welcome sign

Bruce Woods and office gang

AMELIA BELLE CASINO

5pm

The round of qualifying is complete.

GP-15    113MPH

GP-77   110

GP-93    108

GP-777  107

GP-10      97

The course was still windy and the smaller classes didn't make it to the water. The Vintage boats were out running, neat to see a couple of the Lauterbach 7 liters run. Looking for less wind tomorrow and the finals of the World Championships. No more racing today. Hope we can get internet tomorrow. Racing to start at 10:00am CDT. See if I can post a couple of pictures from today.

10/17 4:00pm

YAHOO!!! We have internet at the race site.

The wind was blowing about 15 MPH this morning. We finally put the GP's in the water for a test run. 3 boats went out for some and made some laps. The GP-15 was the fastest at 110mph. The course here in Morgan City is a record 1 1/4 mile course. There is no record for the GP's since the engine rules were revamped and the current 468 blown motors are now the approved engine. The previous GP engine was an unrestricted 511 ci motor. All of the GP's records were set to zero. The only record with the 468 motor is the kilo held by Greg Hopp in the Hopp Racing GP-15 at 155.182mph

10/16

Had a fun day "cruisin'" the town. Did a display in front of the Amelia Belle Casino. The Amellia Belle is a huge operating river boat. Ed Trihey, our engine guy, wanted to see the engine room and blow the whistle. The boat is 4 stories high with the first two stories the casino and the third floor is the buffet room. GREAT FOOD!!!! Then we took the boat to the pits and checked in.

10/15

A little clean up and some sleep and a warm sunny day here in Morgan City, LA. Took the boat to the pits where we met up with Huey Newport and his GP-777 The Crush. The local TV station interviewed both Huey and I for broadcast on the Friday 6 o'clock news. A ton of excitement here in town. See pictures. Both boats were also on display at MAMA G's sports bar. Free drinks and snacks, great crab cakes.

We also picked up a couple more co-sponsors. Dennis Johnson from Warning Power/Trafficade helped us get the boat to Morgan City and we made contact with a casino here in Morgan City/Amelia area. The name of the GP-15's casino sponsor is: AMELIA BELLE CASINO. Give it a "Spin".

THE GP-777 & GP-15

KICK OFF PARTY

MAMA G's

MAMA G's & HUEY

11/14

Got to Morgan City this evening after a 2 1/2 day straight through drive. Snow in Wyoming and fog and rain in Colorado. Doing some displays and a TV interview tomorrow.

SNOW WYOMING

30 DEGREES SNOQUALMIE PASS

10-5 Morgan City GP Worlds Fund Raiser

Well the final heat is in the history books. Greg was right on the start and led going into the first turn in lane 2. Echols was in one, Mallow and Evans were on the outside. Greg led coming off the first turn by 3 boat lengths, then over a roostertail going into turn one again. Loosing oil pressure Greg had to shut the engine down, saving it from severe rod toss syndrome. Evans went on to win Sunday's final with Mallow a very close second. What a great weekend, the beach was jamb packed with fans, the race sponsors were happy and the racing unbeatable. Lake Chelan is already making plans for a bigger and better show next year. GP Nationals again maybe?

A special thanks to the Lake Chelan Winery for sponsoring the prize money for the Grand Prix's and the wonderful dinner and live band Saturday evening for the teams.

Final Sunday

1

GP-12

Mark Evans

2

GP-19

Ryan Mallow

3

GP-17

Dustin Echols

4

GP-329

Dave Warren

DNF

GP-15

Greg Hopp

The boats are now going in the water for the Lake Chelan Grand Prix Final. The water is good, wind light.

The first heat of Sunday racing is now complete. Ryan Mallow nailed the start in the GP-19 and lead the whole way. Evans in the GP-12 got pinched going down to the start. Marked worked his way to 2^nd place. GP-17 3^rd. Grandpa Hopp drove the GP-15 to 4^th place, Jerry was heard to say after the heat “My brain hurts”. Dave Warren running very well came in 5^th.

GP-19 Interstate Batteries

GP-12 Power Punch

GP-17 Ted’s Red Apple

GP-15 Graham Trucking-Happy Go Lucky-PumpTech

GP-329 Power Punch

Finally back on line. Greg let a wire to wire very close at the finish line to edge out Mark Evans in the GP-12. Greg won the Saturday Final.

Results

GP-15 Greg Hopp

GP-12 Mark Evans

GP-17 Dustin Echols

GP-329 Dave Warren

GP-19 Ryan Mallow DNS throttle cable

9/27

Sunday morning. Nice day today and the wind has died down. It was decided at the drivers meeting to run Saturdays final heats today. So the 5L are running right now and the GP's are up for the final. The GP's will be going in the water shortly.

9/26

Final results for Saturday. The first round of racing for all classes was completed before the wind came up. Saturday was called a complete race.

Greg had lane one at the start. All 5 boat ran into the first turn together. GP-19 Ryan Mallow, GP-329 Dave Warren and Dustin Echols GP-17 were a bit early and jumped the gun. Mark Evans made a good start on the outside. At the end of lap one it was Greg and Mark side by side. At the end of the race Greg edged out Evans by 3 boat lengths. What a race.

RESULTS FINAL SAT

1 GP-15 Greg Hopp

2 GP-12 Mark Evans

3 GP-17 Dustin Echols

4 GP-329 Dave Warren

DNF GP-19 Ryan Mallow

9/26

Saturday pictures. Racing has started and the GP's are headed to the water.

9/3

A couple of GP pictures from Evansville taken by Mike Flaherty. One is the start of the second heat and a couple of pictures of the deck to deck dual between Cal Phipps in the GP-10 and Greg Hopp in the GP-15. They were running 120 MPH lap speeds.

9/26

Picture of the PumpTech truck with the GP-15 hooked behind it. Tommy pulled er over to Chelan for us and will be launching the GP's and other APBA classes.

9/26

Tom Long (Tommy PumpTech) will be pulling our GP-15 over to the Chelan race today. Wait until you see this picture. Looks like there will be 5 GP's at the race. GP-12 Schellhase, GP-15 Hopp Racing, GP-17 Bridgeman's, GP-19 Eckenberg and GP-329 Warren. Will be posting results and pictures this weekend.

9/21

Evans and Phipps big winners in the Bayfair race here at San Diego. It was an exciting Start for the final heat of the Unlimited Lights with Perkins, Becker and Evans all nailing the start. Evans forced to start on the out side because of the blower boat rule held on to win at the finish line. In the G final Echols and Wolfe were at the far end of the course fighting for lane one. In the mean time Cal Phipps saw this going on, made a quick loop in the infield and and grabbed lane one supprising both Echols and Wolfe. Phipps lead everyone into the first turn and crossed the finish line in first. Marty was second and Dustin 3rd.

9/19

More pictures.

9/17

Pictures from the San Diego pits Thursday afternoon

9/7

The first annual Terry Troxell Memorial Regatta was held Pateros, WA Aug 29 & 30. Julie Sparrowgrove produced this very cool poster of the Troxell clan.

9-19

A fun day of racing. Mark Evans really had the UL-11 cooking winning both his heats today. That boat just likes the San Diego course. Marty had the G-93 moving too, winning both of his heats.

HEAT 1 HEAT 2

1 UL-11 G-93 UL-11 G-93

2 UL-72 G-10 UL-14 G-17

3 UL-9 G-17 UL-72

4 UL-20 G-13 UL-20

5 UL-00 UL-9

UL-00

9/18

Some boats were out testing today.

UL-17   117 mph

UL-11   113 mph Mark Evans

UL-14   112 mph

UL-20   106 mph

UL-00     72 mph

9/15

Off to San Diego today. Helping Darren and Mary Bartels drive Bob Schellhase boat running as the UL-11 to the race. I will be helping crew the boat. Our boat the UL-1 will not be making the trip this time.

Jerry

9/13

The Greater Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, EDMONDS CLASSIC CAR SHOW was very well attended by hundreds of people and more than 200 great looking street rods. A perfect day, no wind, sunny and 80 degrees. Sounds like a perfect day for a boat race. Our UL-1/GP-15 attracted many of the boat fans at the car show. Greg, Randy, Bob K and I were kept busy signing hero cards and passed out dozens of Thunder and Light Magazines as well.

9/11

On Sunday 9/13 the UL-1 Graham Trucking-Happy Go Lucky-PumpTech will be on display at the Edmonds Classic Car Show. Jerry Hopp will be signing some pictures of the six time UL and G Champion and World record holding yellow race boat.

8/24 Speeds update 8/30 Thanks Wes & Diane Patton

What a great race. Evansville loved the noisy blower boats. We brought the thunder back to Thunder on the Ohio. The Unlimiteds had an exciting race. The U-16 blew over in a collision with the Oh Boy Oberto. Dave Villwock was not hurt. Congratulations to Jeff Bernard for the win in the U-7.

Sunday morning started out with morning testing. Evansville had the 1 2/3 mile Grand Prix course and the 2 mile Unlimited course. Greg took the GP-15 Graham Trucking-Happy Go Lucky also sponsored by Pumptech and the Evansville HADI Shriners out for a run. He made one lap on the 1 2/3 mile course at 127.621 mph. The 1 2/3 mile course was not surveyed so the speed is unofficial but really fast for the GP class. He also made a lap on the 2 mile surveyed Unlimited course. Hopp Racing finally did it. Passed the 130 MPH barrier.

Greg Hopp ran 132.846 MPH on the record course breaking last years 123.660 MPH record set by Jerry Hopp. This is an official ABRA record for the ABRA GP/single automotive powered hydroplane. The record was certified by Wes Patton the ABRA/APBA official score-timer of the event. It was an awesome sight with the fans “On their feet”. Greg really had the yellow boat flying.

Results of the Sunday races:

Heat 1                                    MPH

GP-15        Greg Hopp         115.222

GP-10        Cal Phipps         113.657

GP-93        Marty Wolfe       106.821

GP-329      Dave Warren     101.434

GP-17        Dustin Echols   DNF

GP-15        Fastest lap         123.394

Heat 2

GP-15        Greg Hopp         119.077

GP-10        Cal Phipps         116.961

GP-93        Marty Wolfe       107.166

GP-329      Dave Warren     100.642

GP-17        Dustin Echols   DNS

GP-15        Fastest Lap       120.822

Final

GP-10        Cal Phipps         111.966

GP-93        Marty Wolfe       103.979

GP-329      Dave Warren     94.605

GP-15        Greg Hopp        DNF

GP-17        Dustin Echols   DNF

GP-10        Fastest Lap       119.229

Note: 1 2/3 mile course not surveyed but very close in size.

Used one turn of the Unlimited course and the first turn was

Inside of the Unlimited turn one, as in the past.

8-21 PM

The boats in the Battle of the North American Champions, in the pits ready to qualify tomorrow. Both the GP's and the Unlimiteds will be out testing and qualifying Saturday. Pictures of the GP-10, GP-15, GP-17, GP-93 and GP-329.

8/21

Will be updating our website with news, pictures and videos this weekend

8/21 Evansville

We arrived in Evansville yesterday after a 48 hour straight through drive. Mike Flaherty helped drive back with Randy Erb and I. Mike will be helping crew this weekend and said he could drive if needed. My hand is healing well.

It looks like this weekend will be the battle of the blower boat champions. Marty Wolfe and the GP-93 is the 2008 APBA/CBF GP champion, Dustin Echols GP-17/G-1 is the G-boat champion and our GP-15/UL-1 is the 2008 Unlimited Light champion. Also this weekend we have Dave Warren in the GP-329 and Cal Phipps in Milt Wiggins GP-10

8/16

Touching story. When I went in for the hand surgery I brought in a few signed Hero cards for the medical staff. I went back a couple of days later for a post-op checkup. The doctor told me that they hand a 7 year old boy being operated on after me. The boy was really scared so they gave him one of the hero cards. He really dug the card. It kind of took his mind off of his operation. He didn't want to let go of the card so they let him take it into the operating room with him. First thing he said when he came to was "Where's my hydro card!!!" It's the little things in life.

Jerry

8/11

Picture of Jerry all bandaged up after hand surgery yesterday. Fixed an old hydro war wound. Getting everything ready for the trip back to Evansville. Both motors set on 120%

8/6

Hot off the press, the Evansville Courier Press.

Thunder bringing the noise

By Gordon Engelhardt

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

As far as Jerry Hopp is concerned, Grand Prix unlimited hydroplanes will bring the thunder back to Thunder on the Ohio on Aug. 21-23.

"We are supercharged 468 ci, and we'll bring all kinds of noise," said Hopp, Graham Trucking's Grand Prix driver and a former unlimited driver.

The American Boat Racing Association announced Wednesday that the Grand Prix boats will complement the larger Unlimiteds.

"Our top speeds are 160 to 165 mph," Hopp said. "We'll bring seven boats to Evansville and run on a 12/3-mile course. Our boats are 24 to 26 feet long and generate 1,300 horsepower. Most are Chevy motors." By comparison, Unlimiteds are 28-foot, 6,800-pound crafts that run primarily T-55, L7C jet turbine military helicopter engines and can reach speeds of 200 mph on the straightaway's.

For years, unlimited hydroplane fans have bemoaned the absence of thunder at Thunder, with the exception of Posey County resident Ed Cooper Jr.'s piston-powered U-3 Master Tire. Jimmy King drove Cooper's U-3 to a second-place finish Sunday at Seattle's Seafair.

"I think the Unlimiteds are the fastest, biggest, meanest things on water," Hopp said.

"But the turbines don't make the noise the (old piston-powered) Allison's and Merlin's made. I think that has been missed. When the Grand Prix boats stand next to each other, four or five deep, you can feel the power. The noise will knock you over."

Sam Cole, American Boat Racing Association chairman, said 11 Unlimiteds are expected to compete at the 31st annual Thunder, the final unlimited race of the season before the boats are shipped to Doha, Qatar, for the world championship Nov. 12-14.

In addition to the Rib America Festival, the Evansville Road Knights classic car show and the boats, two concerts are planned for Thunder weekend at Sunset Park.

The Thunder on the Ohio Concert Bowl will open at 5 p.m. on Aug. 21. Jason Clutter and the Dirty South Band will perform at 7, with the Marshall Tucker Band to follow at 8:15. New addition Tara McCormick will open the Aug. 22 concert at 6 p.m., followed by Jack Ingram at 7 and Travis Tritt at 8:30.

For information, log on to www.thunderontheohio.net. Tickets for Thunder, which give holders admission to all events, are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Advance tickets are available at area banks and grocery stores.

Thunder on the Ohio Inc. consultant Ken Deans was not certain how many tickets have been sold.

"The initial interest has been very positive," Deans said.

8/4

Evansville Media Conference. Dr. Ken Muscatel and Jerry Hopp to be call in guests.

Evansville IN, August 4, 2009….There will be a THUNDER ON THE OHIO Media Conference call with Dr. Ken Muscatel, Race Director Tom Sawyer and others, Wednesday AUGUST 5 at 9 am Pacific (11am Central, 12 pm Eastern). Dr. Muscatel will be making major announcements regarding details about the forthcoming Thunder On The Ohio, Evansville, Indiana, August 21-23, 2009 . Bruce Madaj will be your host and moderator.

8/3

Kayleigh Perkins drives the UL-72 to a runaway victory at Seafair, Ryan Mallow driving the UL-19 Interstate Batteries was second and Greg drove the UL-1 Graham Trucking/Happy Go Lucky/Pumptech to 3rd place.

Graham Trucking Cup at Seafair

Seattle, Washington

July 31-August 2, 2009

UL Final

Place

Boat

Driver

Sponsor

Speed

Points

1

UL 72

Kayleigh Perkins

Foster Care - Vitamin Water

111.228

400

2

UL 19

Ryan Mallow

Interstate Batteries

107.102

300

3

UL 1

Greg Hopp

Graham Trucking

103.907

225

4

UL 14

Paul Becker

Miss Critical Logic

94.51

169

5

UL 11

Rod Bourke

Power Punch - ROXY Radio 94.5 - K&N Filters

93.861

127

6

UL 9

Joe Souza

US Army - NAPA Auto Parts

68.543

95

DNF

UL 8

Kelly Stocklin

King & Bunny's - Pogacha of Issaquah

N/A

0

DNF

UL 00

Wil Muncey

Warning Power.com

N/A

0

7/28

Chevrolet Cup Press Conference:

SEAFAIR Officials, ABRA, Unlimited Light, owners and sponsors are encouraged to attend this event. This will be your opportunity to get one on one with the media. The location is Sport Restaurant in the KOMO TV Building.

Date:    Tuesday, July 28

Time:    10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Place:   Sport Restaurant (140 4th Ave. North, Seattle, WA 98109) Directly across from the Space Needle

7/27

UL-72 Wins Tri-Cities, UL-1 Graham Trucking-Happy Go Lucky 2nd and UL-19 driven by Ryan Mallow was 3rd.

7/22

It looks like a deal has been reach between Baker Equipment and Hopp Racing to have Jerry Hopp drive the UL-8 this weekend at Tri-Cities. Jerry filling in for Terry Troxell said "I have some mighty big shoes to fill, Terry was one of the best. It is an honor to drive in his place." Jerry will be competing head to head with his son Greg Hopp in the UL-1 Graham Trucking GT also sponsored by Happy Go Lucky & PumpTech.

7/21

The UL-1 Ratcliff & Barce at Lambros ERA-Graham Trucking GT took second place in a wind shortened race at Flathead Lake in Polson Montana. Greg won his first heat and had fuel system problems in the second heat nursing the boat around to a 3rd place. Then the wind blew. The UL-1 is also sponsored by Happy Go Lucky Detroit and PumpTech. The UL-72 with Kayleigh Perkins was first and Chris Grant UL-3 was 3rd overall.

7/16

Here are some pictures from Madison and Detroit.

Detroit Gold Cup

Fred Alter Vernors

Jim Harvey & Kent

Jarvis Painting

U-48 & U-64

U-100

Jarvis Painting & U-16

Roostertail Turn

Greg heat start

Greg Lane One

Madison

Launch Boat

Dan, Craig & Bud

Jimmie & U-100

U-100 On the course

7/3

UL-93 G-93 & UL-15 at Valleyfield

7/13

Well we didn't quite win the Gold Cup this time but did very well in all of our heat racing. Greg got good starts, lane one, and led in the final going to the first turn. The engine got a fuel system "virus" and lost power. Greg managed to nurse it to the finish line and drew a huge applause from the crowd. We ended up with a 5th place. Now it's drive strait though to home, pack up the UL and head to Polson Montana for the ULHRA race this weekend.

7-11

Greg and I are at the Gold Cup in Detroit this weekend. Greg qualified yesterday at 148.420 2 lap average. Fred has a couple of sponsors this weekend. Bill and Happy Rands and family are helping Fred out. Bill and Happy are the "Happy Go Lucky" that is on our boat. Bill has his Grandkids names on the tail. Wil, Rebecca, Charlie and JJ. Fred also has a new sponsor Jarvis Painting. Jarvis is also sponsoring Ken Muscatel's U-25.

Heat racing begins Saturday with the winner-take-all final on Sunday.

Qualifying:
(1)    U-16 Miss Elam Plus, Dave Villwock 158.098
(2)    U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto, Steve David 157.379
(3)    U-5 Formulaboats.com, Jeff Bernard 154.022
(4)    U-7 Graham Trucking, J. Michael Kelly 151.992
(5)    U-17 Our Gang Racing, Kip Brown 149.763
(6)    U-37 Miss DYC, J.W. Myers 149.349
(7)    U-100 Leland Unlimited, Greg Hopp 148.424
(8)    U-48 Miss Albert Lee, Brian Perkins 143.851
(9)    U-25 Superior Racing, Ken Muscatel 139.380
(10) U-22 Matrix System Automotive, 138.060

Here are a couple of links for coverage today and tomorrow. First heat is at 11:45 EDT. Also race information can be found on the ABRA site. Timing and scoring. www.abrahydroplanes.com

LIVE STREAMING COVERAGE OF THE DETROIT GOLD CUP UNLIMITED HYDROPLANE RACES

There are a couple of options this year for coverage from Detroit:

WORX Radio live audio stream >> www.worxradio.com/worx.pls

Detroit City TV live video stream >> www.detroitcity.tv/Gold_Cup_Hydroplane_Race.html

MLive.com will not be streaming the P.A. as it has in past years.

7/1

The trip back to Madison was an 47 hour straight through drive. Dan, Bud and Jerry took turns sleeping and driving. The trip went smoothly. We arrived at 5am Madison time Friday morning. Took a shower and headed to the pits an hour later to set the boat up and get ready for qualifying.

6/29

Progress still being made. Couple of engines off the dyno, boat back on the trailer, wings and canopy finished. Packing the truck and trailer is underway. A lot of people bustin' tail

6/28

The thrash is on at the U-100 shop. The boat is painted and going back together. Systems, wings and both of the engines Jim Harvey has been working on have been dynoed and ran sweet!!! Fred is working on more engines for the trip back east. The boat should be going back on the trailer shortly. Pack the truck, pack the trailer the usual drill. The Madison race is this coming weekend and as the boat racing saying goes "If we just had one more week".

6/25

Seafair has added a website page for the Unlimited Lights to their Seafair website. It's really neat, has video's from Kiro's coverage of last years race. Graham Trucking is the sponsor for the Light race as well as for our boat the UL-1 Graham Trucking GT. Rob Graham is very excited about the fast approaching Seafair race August 1-2nd.

www.seafair.com/events/hydro/unlimitedlights.asp

In the mean time Greg and Jerry are at Fred Leland's shop working on the U-100. The hydro will be leaving in a few days for the Madison Indiana race. New paint, fresh engines and a lot of man hours.

6/23

Work continues on the U-100. The paint work is finished and systems are being installed. Packing the truck is in progress. The ABRA Unlimited website has photo's posted of the new paint sceme on the truck, trailer and boat. WOW!!

Pictures can be seen at: http://www.abrahydroplanes.com/

6/21

U-100

The return of Hopp Racing to the Unlimited Hydroplane wars. Greg and I and some crew members have been going to Fred Leland's shop to help get Greg's Unlimited ride ready for the Madison, IN. season kick off event. Jim Harvey is now the team manager and Curt Tavener has been helping along with his brother Barney. Dan has been working on Fred's equipment all winter. The truck, trailer and boat have been repainted and equipment is being readied for Madison.

Jim has built a couple of impressive engines and things are moving right along. The camp has an air of success and a fun season.

The UL-1 will not be going to the Chamberlain South Dakota race due to lack of sponsorship and funds, so off to Madison and Detroit to race Unlimited's. We will be back with the UL's at Polson Montana. Stayed tuned for more on the U-100.

Jerry

6/20

Condolences to the Terry Troxell clan. Terry and Greg were team mates on Fred Leland's Unlimited team during the Zenetix years. Greg and Terry "Ganged Up" on the "Evil" Budweiser boat to gain Terry his first Unlimited Hydroplane victory. Very well done.

Terry you will be missed.

Hopp Racing Team

6/17

Here is a review written by Julie Sparrowgroves son Chris. This is his first article that he has written for Hopp Racing and hopes to contribute more. This is about the display that we did and the racing at Cruisin For Hope foundation chairity. Pictures to folow.

Jerry

Cruisin for hope was created by community leaders and friends to make a difference in the lives of young people fighting illness. This year was the second annual Cruisin For Hope event of which the focus family was the Wischnofske’s. I spent a few minutes with the family as the father of Chance Wischnofske expressed how abnormal it was for him to be as open to the event as he was. “He is normally shy” Mr. Wischnofske said. The event was a good one, mostly because of the cars & boats but I can say for sure that I did have fun. Hopp Racing brought their UL-1 Unlimited Light Hydro Plane boat out in support for the event dry firing it for the crowd that gathered around the large boat. The first day of the event I decided I would check out the car show. Reaching the top of the hill I heard music so sweet I felt the ground rumble beneath me. Many classic cars and modern cars entered the car show, but not vary many imports which is good for the economy I guess, unfortunately its too late though as GM is already bankrupt.

I was surprised to see the focus family's three kids Chance, Charish, And Chase in a Ferrari of which I spent more time admiring while talking some more with Mr. Wischnofske. Day 1 was filled with more activities but it seems that if the race does not attract people the high speed crash's do. In my opinion I guessed who might have caused the crash, but I'm always missing them, so I could not verify what really happened during this specific chain of events because the races are just too extreme to go around pointing the finger making claims. The only thing that counts is winning and having fun, so in my opinion the incident was merely an accident of which no one was at fault". Not everyone can win or go home without finishing a race they started, but complements to Jason Seather the driver of R64 whom lost "the all spark" (as Transformer movie goers would say) in his engine. Never giving up the crew and driver desperately attempted to revive the engine a dozen or more times finally giving it one last try as the engine started up. Jason drove off catching up with the other racers to begin competing for the gold, but unfortunately he finished in 4th place saying "I'll Keep Tryin" when interviewed. I did not let emotions or complements leave my mouth during these two days but if there are any talented boat drivers out there you will most likely find them at a hydro racing event.

Chris Sparrowgrove

6/13

The Hopp Racing team took the "Big Yellow Boat" to Milwaukie Oregon this weekend to help a GREAT cause. It's "Cruisin For Hope". Put together to benefit kids with life threatening illnesses. We couldn't go on the water, but we made a lot of NOISE!!! We trailer fired the boat several times for TV, and the crowd. Both loved it! Greg put kids in the cockpit. They all want to be boat racers now. We helped raise a lot of money.

We took some pictures. The "Pink Panther" Peyton Hopp showing signs as a 3rd generation boat racer by driving an electric powered cooler to a new speed record. He's so fast, he gave himself the checkered flag!!! WOW!! The race pits are pictured and look at the boats. Some terrific action with the outboards. Greg visiting friends he hasn't seen in 12 years. The whole time was a BLAST!! One BIG feel good for Hopp Racing. Thanks to Mark, Cindy, Erick, and everyone at Cruisin' For Hope. Continued recovery for officer Damon Coates. A truly "Amazing" individual.

6/12

The Hopp Racing boat is on display in Milwaukie Oregon in conjunction with the "Cruisin For Hope" Foundation. June 13-14th. Rumor has it that Greg and Jerry will have a grudge match in a couple of C Stock Hydro's.

Jerry will be celebrating his 40th straight season with APBA as an owner/driver.

Website www.cruisinforhope.com/

article about the event and the foundation

http://www.clackamasreview.com/news/story.php?story_id=124457419906642700

6/11

Started a project to make the front wing work from a foot pedal instead of electric. Ed Trihey is making some parts for us. Looks like the next race for the blower boat will be at Polson MT. The UL-1 should have everything in good shape for the race.

Greg and I are headed up to Fred Leland's shop to work on Greg's Unlimited ride. Jim Harvey is helping Fred out also. The first race of the season for us will be at Madison Indiana July 3-5th.

Here are the results from 2009 Tastin and Racin:

Pro Stock:

1. Dave Rankin

2. Levi Weber

3. Ryan Butler

Super Stock:

1. Dave Rankin

2. Sid Rennels

3. Levi Weber

One Liter:

1. Perkins Glass

2. Robby Dahlquist

3. Bianca Bonacinni

2.5 Mod:

1. Rob Hall

2. Gerry Jarvis

3. Shawn Warren

2.5 Stock:

1. Scott Meyers

2. Joe Gutierez

3. Austin Eacret

5 Liter:

1. Justin Weymouth

2. Wally Johnston

3. Barry Eacret

National Mod:

1. Rod Bourke

2. Mack Elliott

3. Rob Hall

Grand Prix:

1. Hopp Racing

2. Rick Bridgeman

3. Tom Eckenberg

Debbie Myre, Chief Scorer

Tastin and Racin 2009

6/7

Tastin N Racin Saturday. 5 Grand Prixs were on had for Saturday. 2 heats were run with Bridgeman's GP-17 winning both heats and Hopp Racing GP-15 finishing second. Some close racing in the first heat but front wing problems on Greg Hopp's boat kept him from running full tilt. More problems from the damage received at Firebird Lake a month ago. Dave Warren's GP329 had ignition problem, Tom Eckenburg's GP-19 lost an oil pump drive belt and hurt the rod bearing, and Baker's GP-8 had an electrical problem. Tom's crew had the engine out of the boat and were replacing the rod bearings, crank not hurt. Good job Ryan on getting it shut down in time.

All boats are repaired and ready to run Sunday. Should be a great show. Lots going on today. An almost record number of boats showed up for the TnR race.

Welcome to a new racing organization formed by the Bridgeman's and Dave Warren. The "GPW" Grand Prix West Hydroplane Association. Shawn Bridgeman is Vice President and Dave Warren is President. This is an official APBA race club. They have a web site at: www.gpwracing.com Still under construction. The purpose is to promote supercharged Grand Prix boat racing. What the fans really want to see.

6/5

The GP fleet. Shots from the TnR pits Friday afternoon. Gordy Gilmer has his work in progress on display. 5 GP's showed up to race. They are: GP-15, GP-17, GP-18, GP-19 AND GP-329.

6/4

BIG WALLEY rides again. Greg lit off Big Walley for the first time since the Firebird Lake damage. Ah what a sweet sound, a blower motor running in the afternoon. But firebird was not completely done with us. For some reason the impact put the intermediate strut out of line. Another 2 o'clock in the morning shot for the crew to re-bed the strut. Off to TnR this afternoon and a quick display at Klahanie Fitness.

5/30

Finally a month later the repairs and paint work are finished. We are now where we were a week before Firebird. Repairs are stronger than the original sponson. Probably the strongest part of the boat now. Getting 'Big Walley" winner of the APBA GP Moses Lake Regatta 5 weeks ago ready to go back in the boat along with the propeller shaft line. Then the usual pack the truck and trailer and head to Lake Sammamish next Friday.

We have the return of a former sponsor Klahanie Fitness of Issaquah in the Klahanie Shopping Center. The GP-15 Graham Trucking GT will be on display there 6-5 Friday afternoon on our way to put the boat in the pits. Stop by and get an autographed Hero Card of the UL-1/GP-15. Other sponsors include Happy Go Lucky of Detroit, PumpTech and FestoolNW.com

5/25

Progress, the cowling is painted and repairs on deck, shaft log and sponson. More Work today.

5/22

Work continues. Cowling body work, vacuum bagging sponson, and sawing away. It will be a busy Memorial Day weekend, more gluing to do.

5/19

Work on repairs continue. Gluing,priming, body work, vacuum bagging, a little bit of everything. Time flies when you're having fun!!

5/14

Here is the damage caused to our boat when we hit a huge hole in the second turn of the final heat at Firebird. The force of the impact severely damaged the right sponson side at the back of the sponson. When Greg went by the radio coral I told him on the radio "Greg you've got parts coming out of the cowling". The boat then went dead coming out of turn one. The bad news the engine quit, the good news the engine quit.

The bad news. The twisting force had caused a brace between the engine and thrust bearing to break. That rod got into the blower drive belt and cut it. When the belt broke it hit the cowling scoop and blew that apart. It also cracked the deck on the left side by the rear of the cockpit.

The good news, had the engine kept running and Greg gone full tilt into the next turn it would have blown the damaged sponson completely apart. I don't even want to think about what would have happened then. Nothing good. So back to the shop for major repairs. The pictures show the damage.

5/9

Greg is off to the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum to race in the Hydromod 2009 Celebrity Pro-Am with the other top hydro drivers. Should be a fun day, event starts at 10 AM.

5/3

Some pictures from Firebird last weekend.

4/27

The Phoenix race was nice as usual this time of year. 9 UL's showed up for the race, 2 G/GP's and 2 LTL's. We had some very exciting racing in heat 3A when the UL-72 with Kayleigh Perkins driving and Greg in the UL-1. The red boat is very fast off the corners and the blower boat had the top end. Greg had the inside lane and after changing leads several times he pulled off a win a the finish line. The final heat shaped up to be the same kind of battle only this time Kayleigh had lane one. Off of the first turn Kayleigh pulled ahead off the exit pin with Greg chasing her down the back stretch. Half way through turn 2 Greg hit "The Mother of all holes", bounced high in the air landing hard on the right sponson. Gaining control of the boat again Greg gave chase once again, making up some "ground" on the back stretch. That's when parts started coming out of the engine cowling. Damage had occurred in the previous turn. The force of the impact broke an engine support rod. The rod banged around until it made contact with the blower belt and cut it. The boat lost power and came to a stop. Kayleigh went on to win and Elizabeth Wolfe in the UL-93 finished second.

We would like to thank Bill Niedermeyer and Festool Supply for helping with some funding to help us get the UL-1 Festoolsupply.com-Graham Trucking also sponsored by Happy Go Lucky and Pumptech to the Firebird race. Next a damage report on the right sponson.

Place		Driver	Team	Total Points
	UL-72	Kayleigh Perkins	Foster Care - Change a Lifetime	1400
	UL-93	Elizabeth Wolfe	Trafficade - Desperado	1400
	UL-1	Greg Hopp	Festool - Happy Go Lucky - Pump Tech - Graham Trucking	1200
	UL-00	Wil Muncey	Warning Power.Com - Trafficade	1050
	UL-98	Charles Xaudaro	Miss Atomic Screenprinting	1000
	UL-3	Chris Grant	Grant Boat Racing	694
	UL-11	Mike Flaherty	Power Punch - Roxy Radio 94.5	400
	GNH-8	Cal Phipps	Deel Me In	0*
	UL-9	Joe Souza	US Army - Napa Auto Parts	0
* Not Running as Legal UL

Thanks ULHRA

4/21

Great time had at the Moses Lake race. The GP's put on a fast and fun show.

We had a good day. Sunny 70's and light winds. 3 GP boats, GP-17 Bridgeman, GP-18 Baker and our boat GP-15. "Big Walley" ran great and Scott's new prop is really fast. Greg won both heats but kinda jumped in the first heat. The course was a surveyed 1 1/4 mile record course. Our times were 113.708mph for the first heat and 108.985 for the second heat.

Saturday

Heat 1

1. GP-18

2. GP-15 Jumped

3. GP-17 Jumped DNF

Final

1. GP-15

2. GP-17 Jumped

3. GP-18 DNS

Sunday

Worked until late in the evening Saturday swapping engines out. Big Walley to the truck and BC to the boat. Had a couple of plumbing issues that took some time to fix but with the help of Ed & Tommy "PumpTech" we got it done. BC is our 80% UL motor and puts out about 300HP less tan big Walley. It showed in the results. GP-17 won both heats, we took second and the GP-18 fought more first race bugs. Jerry drove the first heat and Greg drove the final heat. The overall winner for the weekend was based on total points. So the final order of finish:

GP15 Graham Trucking GT-Happy Go Lucky-PumpTech

GP-17 Ted's Red Apple

GP-18 Baker Equipment

4/12

Pictures of the transom repair. Now the strongest part of the boat. A lot of work do by the crew. Repairs done, paint work done, boat back on trailer, engine put in, systems going in and the truck is at the transmission doctor. Everything come together for our first event at Moses Lake WA next weekend 4/18-19. The next event is the Firebird Lake event in Chandler AZ. This week we be organizing the truck and trailer with everything we need to go racing.

4/2

After a ton of sanding and bondo the bottom is sanded and primed. Then the scary part, turning the boat over half way out of the shop with the pick on the bumper of the truck and the engine hoist in the shop. Put on the dolly, roll back in, jack to the ceiling and paint the bottom yellow. Mission complete. Now to the transom repair.

3/20

The mold is finished and it's time to lay up the part. Jeff Minor a former crew member on Uncle Al Thoreson's U-7 Unlimited and now works for Ellstrom Elam came up to the shop to help us make the new part. Also Bill Niedermeyer was there to lend a hand. Everything went very and the part was completed.

2/22

OJT on bellypan mold building. Shana, Tim, Brent, Cory and Randy lay down the first layers of cloth and resin. Alan and Jere picked up a Nordskog oil temp gauge and lend moral support. Work continues.

2/14

Plowing ahead on the bottom repairs, Greg, Jerry, Randy, Cody and Tim were busy gluing and sanding the areas. Mean while head "Bagger" Shana was kept busy glassing and bagging the areas. Hope to get mould made next week for the belly pan.

Greg & Cody

Left Sponson Repair

Belly Pan Repair

Airtrap Repair

2008 UL Hi-Point

2/2

The Hopp Racing Team attended the ULHRA Annual Awards Banquet held in Sequim Washington at the 7 Cedars Casino. The Graham Trucking GT/Happy Go Lucky/PumpTech won the Unlimited Light national Hi-Point championship for the 2008 season edging out Kayleigh Perkins in the UL-72 Miss Boat Electric by 218 points. Kayleigh won the 2008 Driver Hi-Point championship as Greg and Jerry split driving duties during the season.

The team members attending the banquet were. Greg and Jerry Hopp, Brent, Tiede Randy Erb, Jeri DuBeau, Bob Kelly-Wright, Scott Baker, Bob Schellhase, Aaron, Bob Donley, Dave & Roberta Penz, Julie Sparrowgrove and Ed & Julie Smith with Pumptech.

1/29

Work on the belly pan mold and sponson repairs have cintinued this week. Back from Eastern Washington Randy Erb and Jeri Eldredge helped out, also Tim, Bill, Greg, Cody and Shana "bagging" more repairs.

1/24/09

Well snow storms and floods behind us for the time being we are back at it. The season is fast approaching. The boat is up side down and work has been started on replacing the belly pan, front sponson repairs and other cracks that keep appearing. Helping out have been Brent, Shana, Tim, Cody, Greg, Jerry, Al Thoreson and Bill Niedermeyer has added some of his skills and also brought a huge back of fresh Dungeness crab. Seafood frenzy.

Enter supporting content here