[Scott D'Eath]

Where are all the boats at this week?

Any pics or updates on damage and repairs to the fleet?

U37 is getting a make over, at their shop or West Coast Collision Center.

Normally, the out of towners settle in somewhere, and fix what was broken after Pasco.

Updates?

[Jim Simpson]

Scott D, on 30 July 2010 - 12:29 PM, said:

Where are all the boats at this week?

Any pics or updates on damage and repairs to the fleet?

U37 is getting a make over, at their shop or West Coast Collision Center.

Normally, the out of towners settle in somewhere, and fix what was broken after Pasco.

Updates?

Scot and all,

I've been in touch with most of the photographers who follow the circuit during the past week, and everyone was kind of busy with their "real jobs". You might get glimpses of some boats that needed repairs on Sunday coverage of the Torchlight Parade, which is tonight.

Jim

[Lon]

A few comments have been made about where the boats are in between T.C. and Seattle races. Not all verified but here's the latest going around. If anyone from the race teams have any more current information, feel free to update us all.

The U-25 headed out of Tri-Cities during the awards ceremony last Sunday, headed for Ron Jones Jr. Shop for repairs/rebuild on the sponsons and other damage. The U-25 will be sponsored by Car Pros at Seafair

The 3 Formula team boats U-5/U-7/U-57 were seen in the South Seattle area, headed for Red Dot Corporate Headquarters. They have been "stored" there in years past between the T.C./Seattle races. Red Dot has been an associate sponsor for that team and is also a sponsor for the U-17 Our Gang Racing.

Here's a link to the PPE/Formula hydros at Red Dot Headquarters, courtesy of the ERCU website
Formula team at Red Dot


The U-17 s/b in their shop in Preston, Wa.
The U-96 s/b in their shop in Ballard, Wa.
The U-21 s/b in their shop in Covington, Wa.
The U-100 s/b in their shop in Kirkland, Wa.
The U-37 s/b in their shop in Interbay/Seattle, Wa. - They were getting their paint job updated there and sent parts out to be painted at West Coast Collison in Lynnwood, Wa.

Some of the boats routinely go to Hydros Inc. in the Tukwila area/Seattle, Wa. if there are any repairs needed

The U-1, U-13, U-22 locations aren't known at this time.

For a glimpse of some of the hydros watch them on the local KIRO-TV station tonight Saturday 7/31

There will be a big representation of the Unlimiteds, Vintage Unlimiteds, and Unlimited Lights in the Seafair Torchlight Parade and it will be carried live via streaming on KIROTV.com. The parade starts at 7:30 pm PDT and the hydros are scheduled to be one of the later participants in the parade. See entrants #17, #82, #101, & #102 on the list below. It hasn't been verified exactly which boats will be in the parade but the U-1, U-7, U-37, U-21 are expected (after all, it is the Albert Lee Cup @ Seafair ) maybe more. See kirotv.com Seafair streaming info.

[Tony S]

I was pleased to see the boats that were in the parade this year -- I haven't been to the Torchlight in years since it's usually on the same weekend as Tri-Cities. I can recall back in the '70's and '80's when it was the Friday before the Seattle race and the all the boats would convoy downtown on Friday after qualifying to represent. They also led the parade so they could get back to the pits quickly. With the two week lag between TC and Seattle I was excited to see them there. Does anyone know why there were only four? Did Seafair limit how many boats could participate? I thought having as many as possible would be kind of a no-brainer, both for the attention it brings to the sport but additionally to your sponsor. There are tens of thousands along the parade route and they are generally some of the most popular attractions during the parade (after the Pirates, certainly). Regardless, the U-21, U-7, U-37 and U-1 represented well and looked great. So did the large number of UL boats!

[Jim Simpson]

Tony S, on 01 August 2010 - 04:16 PM, said:

I was pleased to see the boats that were in the parade this year -- I haven't been to the Torchlight in years since it's usually on the same weekend as Tri-Cities. I can recall back in the '70's and '80's when it was the Friday before the Seattle race and the all the boats would convoy downtown on Friday after qualifying to represent. They also led the parade so they could get back to the pits quickly. With the two week lag between TC and Seattle I was excited to see them there. Does anyone know why there were only four? Did Seafair limit how many boats could participate? I thought having as many as possible would be kind of a no-brainer, both for the attention it brings to the sport but additionally to your sponsor. There are tens of thousands along the parade route and they are generally some of the most popular attractions during the parade (after the Pirates, certainly). Regardless, the U-21, U-7, U-37 and U-1 represented well and looked great. So did the large number of UL boats!

Tony,

There were only 4 unlimiteds because a) Seafair charged each boat $3500 to be in the parade, and some who had it as a goal were presumably not as far along with repairs as they'd hoped to be.

Jim

[BrandonClan]

Jim Simpson, on 02 August 2010 - 04:00 PM, said:

Tony,

There were only 4 unlimiteds because a) Seafair charged each boat $3500 to be in the parade, and some who had it as a goal were presumably not as far along with repairs as they'd hoped to be.

Jim

WOW....that seems crazy to have to PAY to be in the parade?? After all it's supposed to be a parade promoting Sefair???

[Ru'en Sane]

BrandonClan, on 02 August 2010 - 03:05 PM, said:

WOW....that seems crazy to have to PAY to be in the parade?? After all it's supposed to be a parade promoting Sefair???

Huh, $3500 each, to be in the parade, next thing you know Seafair will be trying to charge the hydros to run . Oh yea, they sort of already did this year. If we all remember they wanted the hydros to make compromises and accept less money, to risk their own equipment, and race. lucky 'ol Duke and Albert Lee came thru...

[Aaron Lynch]

Paying to be in a parade is pretty commonplace. the floats that enter the Madison Regatta parade all have to pay a fee too, although nowhere near $3500. The people that organize the parades have to pay for the permits and the overhead for organizing a parade somehow. I'm guessing that all costs quite a bit to put on a parade in downtown Seattle, so that probably explains the higher fee.

[Sacramento Hydro Fan]

Thanks for all the updates. Can't make it to any race this year, but will be in San Diego when they SHOULD BE THERE but aren't. Won't be going to BayFair either!

Wayne Johnson
Sacramento, CA
fan since the Sacramento Cups (and Miss Chrysler Crew)!

[BrandonClan]

I just got this reply from Scott with the U-13 team. Sounds like they are trying to be ready for Seattle!

"Dan,

All repairs are underway we are now on the plane to Seattle to finish things off and head to the pits on Thursday. Lots of friendly support from folks like the O'Farrells of Lakeridge Paving, Dale VanWeringen and others.

Thank you for your support!

Scott"



Dan

[J Schue]

My son spotted the U-1 ( the red, green, silver,and white one) outside Hydroplanes Inc this afternoon, while we were cruisin Interurban to avoid some afternoon I-5 traffic.