2007 – 2008 Winter Maintenance by Darren Olson

The 2007 season had just come to a close and the realization set in that we were now the 2007 ULHRA National Champions. During the long drive home from Port Angeles we replayed in our minds what had just happened and the significance of our accomplishments: Not only did we win the Team Championship…Kayleigh Perkins, our driver, won the Driving Title and “Rookie of the Year”. I’ll admit that for at least a week solid I was grinning from ear to ear and bragging to anyone who would listen. Once the excitement subsided, it was time once again for the yearly winter maintenance.

My off-season promptly began with coming down with the flu at Port Angeles, followed by a root canal and finally participating in the Issaquah Salmon Days parade. We all decided we needed at least a week off to clear our heads a little. The next few weeks were spent repairing damage sustained to the boat during the final race. But, the repairs needed to be mostly completed in time for a Coastal Living photo shoot the first week of November. Unlike the previous years we added an exhibition race at Firebird Lake in Chandler, AZ (near Phoenix) the weekend before Thanksgiving which meant that all repairs needed to be completed as well as quick “race time maintenance”. The race (for us) went on without a hitch. The fans enjoyed the addition to their IHBA Winter Nationals festivities and we (the ULHRA) hosted several foster families from the Phoenix area throughout the weekend. My only thought at this time was...can I please have a break now? Not quite...

Christmas was 3 ½ weeks away so there was still time for the infamous WINTER MAINTENANCE! We started by removing all systems that needed to be inspected, repaired, or replaced yearly. Joe (one of our owners) forwarded to me the ULHRA annual inspection form. This gave us a great blueprint of the things we needed to address along with our experience from the previous year. Stuff happened fast because we also knew that mid January we had our ULHRA awards banquet quickly followed by a 10 day stint at the Seattle Boat Show. I can’t speak for the rest of the team but I was stressing out a bit because I also secretly agreed to design a team award to present to the team / sponsor at Phil’s (our other owner) Super Bowl party. The Super Bowl came (great ending), the awards turned out great, and I won $60 that day...FANTASTIC! With my stress dwindling, back to the boat.

Our next deadline is April: Time for testing and our NEW season opener at Firebird Lake in Chandler. The same maintenance list from last year came in handy to give the team our focus each week. It was time to send out parts for plating and inspecting. Our trailer left for some much needed repairs. We also started making some new/spare parts in anticipation for a long 2008 season. New races were being added weekly with rumors floating around of other possibilities coming soon.

I can’t forecast how this season will turn out or who will be a part of the excitement but stay tuned...it will be fun. After all what’s not to love...the Daytona 500 just finished marking the start of the Nascar season...pitchers and catchers just reported to Peoria (Go Mariners)...Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are duking it out across the country...and of course the 2008 ULHRA Season is about to commence. Just remember this season that it’s just racing and is meant to be fun. I know it’s easy for me to say since we won the “whole enchilada” this last year but each year that goes by (especially since the loss of my father and my grandparents) I appreciate the sport as a fan. I remember what it was like when my mother first dragged me down to Lake Washington to experience Seafair. The innocence and wonder of a child looking at drivers as gods and these hydroplanes as their chariots. Going home with my cherished buttons and programs were a joyful reminder of that weekend where I got to experience hydroplane racing in Seattle. I now am that person in the pits that sees children and adults looking with amazement at our chariots and enjoy sharing the experience with them. So remember, save the problems for Monday and try to have a little fun with the ULHRA on the weekends. I guarantee that racing in all its forms will put a little smile back on your face.