Desert Thunder: Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing in
Posted: May 16, 2008 11:11 AM PDT
Updated: May 16, 2008 04:10 PM PDT
UL-72 Miss Boat
Electric is one of the first to arrive for Desert Thunder
PHOTO: Chris Denslow
Two full days
of racing await hydroplane fans at this weekend's second annual Graham Trucking
Cup at Desert Thunder.
Up to fifteen
Unlimited Lights will ply the
Desert
Thunder is the site of 2007 Series Champion and Rookie of the Year Kayleigh Perkins first ever Unlimited Light Heat. It
was Heat 1B at Richland in 2007 and it was a precursor of things to come as the
then 18 year old Ms. Perkins overcame the mandatory 5 second starting line
handicap imposed on all first time UL drivers, and went on to win her debut
heat in come from behind fashion, by one boat length!
There will be
3 heats per Unlimited Lights' section (Heat 1A, 1B & 1C for example) plus
single heats for the Thunderboats (G) and each of the
Lighter than LIGHTS classes in each section for a total of 12 heats of racing
on Saturday.
Testing and
qualifying will be conducted from 9:15am till 11:45am on Saturday (May 17)
morning with Opening Ceremonies starting at 11:45am. Heat 1A for the
Unlimited Lights opens the racing portion of the Saturday schedule at
12:20pm.
Sunday
activity will begin with testing from 9:45am till 11:00am followed by the
Opening Ceremonies at 11:00am and then Heat 3A for the Unlimited Lights opens
the Sunday racing schedule at 11:20am. There will be an intermission
following Heat Section 3 when the pits will be open and fans can meet the
drivers between 1:45pm & 2:45pm on Sunday.
The Thunderboat and Unlimited Lights' Final Heats are expected
to be run around 4:00pm on Sunday afternoon.
Admission to
Desert Thunder II is Free. Pit Passes are $5.00
Source:
John Lynch
P.R. Director and "Voice" of ULHRA Racing.