Hillsboro, Ohio

Thunder In The Hills

September 15-16, 2007

J and Fae Report

 

Hey Hydro fanatics, it was time to circle Doc Yinger’s island again as race teams descended on Rocky Fork Lake in Hillsboro, Ohio. This mega quick track always draws many fast hulls to try for records and compete against the top dawgs of A.P.B.A. This year was no exception as four National Champions rolled in among an elite field of boats. The boat count was not huge but speed was everywhere. It was very similar to those old New Martinsville, West Virginia fields that ran traps on Saturday and circles on Sunday. Side by side action at scary speeds was a constant. Brandon Kennedy (T-25) Shameless Say What and Dan Kanfoush (Y-1) Fast Eddie Too broke the mile and a quarter records. Also, Hootie Wolfe (NM-93) Desperado had his eye on a record in Sunday’s final until his untimely flip. He was traveling along well over the century mark making this a scary incident. Thank goodness he was only sore. Jim Aid in his immaculate (A-33) In Cahoots Again, missed the 2.5 Mod record by just a tick as he was pushing the 100 mph. plateau. You get the picture as good water and great hulls put on an amazing display of speed this weekend.

 

Here are the J and Fae boat totals: (T-4) (Y-6) (S-8) (A-8) (E-9) (NM-5) (GNH-6) Total-46.

 

T boats belonged to Brandon Kennedy (T-25) Shameless Say What. He obliterated the field breaking the four lap record twice and taking first in every heat. The (T-25) versus (T-1) Tangled Up In Blue duel did not materialize as Kelly Shane was absent and they had to put an inexperienced, unknown rookie in the seat on Saturday (someone named Kanfoush). Robin Shane drove Sunday but even Bill Muncey would have had a hard time catching Brandon this weekend. Dan (T-1) got a second Saturday and Eric Butler (T-72) For Pete's Sake took a second and a third. Becky Wilson (T-31) Circus Circus got a third in her improving hull. For you older fans this boat sure brings back memories of the (U-31) in its prime.

 

Y boats saw a major upset as Dan Kanfoush (Y-1) Fast Eddie Too ran away like the roadrunner to four heat wins and the afore mentioned record. Wow, Jim Sechler must be pleased with this record, even though he already held it. Joe Sovie (Y-44) Accelerant gave an excellent chase taking a second and a third. Sean Bowsher (Y-52) Roostertails Racing and Bobby Kennedy (Y-91) Trafficade My Mistress Knot Rod battled it out both days at good speed with Sean getting a second and a third and Bobby taking a third. All four boats were whining and flying in this very entertaining class.

 

S boats had three major favorites coming into the race. Dutch Squires (S-83) Mega Bucks, Mark Johnson (S-9) Honey Bun and Keith Anderson (S-17) Bad Habit are absolute bombs. Unfortunately Dutch (S-83) blew over early Saturday scrambling the first day results. He crossed the starting line and it was up up and away. Dutch rebounded to win Sunday's final. Mark (S-9) ran smoothly both days taking a first and a second. Keith (S-17) took a second and a third in fine fashion with Allen Bush's (S-711) One More Time, a new hull, taking a third. The stockers had a wild first corner and close racing every time.

 

A boats presented a spectacular field. Arguably, this group matched the Nationals for star power. Pre-race favorites included Nicky Pellerin (A-60) Mr. Bud (recently crowned National Champion), Jim Aid and Norm Cameron's (A-33) In Cahoots Again and Scott Liddycoat driving Carter Parrish's (A-73) CP Racing. Several other quicksters were ready to pounce if the favorites faltered. This was going to be exciting! Well, it seems that Jim Aid (A-33) decided to prove that his Hall Of Fame hull could still cut the mustard against the new fangled Don Mashburn Staudacher spiders. To do that you have go to go fast and he did, taking every heat. Nicky (A-60) and Scott (A-73) took strong seconds. Scott also got a third as did Randy Lynn in his beautiful (A-63) Water Pistol. A stood for awesome at this race.

 

E boats lived up to their "kamikaze" nickname with hectic first corners, collisions, a blowover and overall chaos. Todd Liddycoat (E-97) Team Extreme arrived in town after finally getting confirmation on his Five Litre National Title. He proceeded to pound this field for two days with the inside pin set up. If the Team Extreme is in lane one it is game over. Thom English (E-75) Fat Chance and Tommy Thompson (E-816) Batt Boat traded the seconds and thirds and gave Todd a great challenge. Gary Lovelace (E-628) Ms. Isabelle had a spectacular blowover in turn one of heat 1b on Saturday. Gary suffered a back injury and will be out of action for a while. Sunday's final saw Stover Hire (E-37) Hire Voltage charge down to the corner in lane two which became lane non existent. He squirted out like a hot dog flying out of a bun right into the path of Mike Bruns (E-6) Quantum Leap and the resulting collision damaged both boats. The drivers were ok and the boats are fixable. It was a wild five litre weekend.

 

GNH boats had six vessels ready to do battle. Lately Steve Kuhr Jr. in Jim Deel's (GNH-8) Deel Me In and Randy Hurst (GNH-22) Summer Wine have had some great duels. As in Celina, they split the first and seconds this weekend. These two exquisite hulls ran virtually side by side every heat. The last one hundred feet decided these great races. Thom Heins (GNH-115) MAS Epoxies took the thirds in his attractive black monster. GNH'S are deep and exciting in Region six.

 

NM boats presented two obscenely fast boats. Hootie Wolfe (NM-93) Desperado and Tommy Thompson in Mike Weiner's (NM-81) Country Boy absolutely tear up the track at 100+ mph. Hootie paints the pins as Tommy rides the bank and they both arrive back at the starting line in about three seconds! Tommy won Saturday in a great comeback. Hootie had control Sunday until his last lap flip. The heat was scored right there so the (NM-81) got both wins. Hootie took second Saturday. Tony Black (NM-928) Illusion got a second and a third and James Huffman (NM-97) Southern Extreme got a third. NM'S are naturally magnificent.

 

Now, that is the way we saw it. We apologize if there are minor errors because we were missing Jeff Ayler who always keeps everyone perfectly informed on what is happening. Jeff's dad died on the weekend and J and Fae would like to send our prayers to Jeff and his family. We sure missed you Jeff as there was very little "attention on the shoreline". Well, Rocky Fork Lake once again came alive on this late summer weekend. As always the action was fast and furious on this cool site. Congratulations to everyone involved for putting on a race that rivaled any event this season for competition and blistering speed. See you guys in Stony Creek.  J and Fae