| Pixels: | 250px |
| Category: | Unlimited hydroplane racing |
| Inaugural2: | 1946 |
| Drivers: | 10 |
| Teams: | 9 |
| Engines: | Lycoming Engines |
| Champion Driver: |  J. Michael Kelly |
| Champion Team: | Beacon Electric |
| Current Season: | 2021 H1 Unlimited season |
H1 Unlimited is an American Unlimited Hydroplane racing league that is sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association (APBA). Until 2009, the series was known as ABRA Unlimited Hydroplane, in turn renamed from APBA Unlimited Hydroplane in 2004. The H1 Unlimited season typically runs from July through September, consisting of five races.
A hydroplane (or hydro, or thunderboat) is a type of motorboat used exclusively for racing. A unique characteristic of hydroplanes is that they only use the water they are on for propulsion and steering and not for flotation—when going at full speed they are primarily held aloft by a principle of fluid dynamics known as "planing," with only a fraction of their hull touching the water.
The unlimited hydroplane racing series was founded in 1946 when the unlimited class of boats was allowed to compete following World War II and the subsequent availability of surplus aircraft engines. It had been disbanded in 1922 in favor of the newly introduced "Gold Cup Class."[1]
The world's first sanctioned unlimited hydroplane race was held in 1903 in Ireland at Queenstown, and was very modest by later race standards. That race was won by Dorothy Levitt, driving an 35order=flipNaNorder=flip boat, powered by a 75disp=flipNaNdisp=flip Napier engine, at an average speed of NaNmph.[2]
The boats were initially restricted to engines of a maximum of 625order=flipNaNorder=flip, later increased to 732order=flipNaNorder=flip. Hulls with "steps" or "shingles" on the underside were prohibited.[1]
One reason for the rule change was to end the domination of its star driver, Gar Wood, who had won five consecutive Gold Cups from 1917. One win in 1920 in his twin Liberty L-12 powered Miss America, averaged 70.412mph in the 30miles race over an 5order=flip0order=flip course and set a race record that stood until 1946. "King Gar" had entered fifteen Gold Cup heats during those pinnacle years. He finished first twelve times and second three times. Throughout the years, only two boats showed up to challenge Miss America; one of those was piloted by George Wood, Gar's younger brother, in Miss Chicago. Another reason for the rule change was to make racing more affordable.[1]
In 1929, the 725cuin Class was introduced by the Mississippi Valley Power Boat Association (MVPBA). The majority of these boats were powered by Hispano-Suiza 8 aircraft engines or Curtiss OX-5s. These boats were popular in the Southern and Midwestern US, but did not attract the media attention that the expensive and exotic-looking Gold Cup Class counterparts had.[3]
In 1946 after the hiatus due to the war, the MVPBA was absorbed into the APBA,[4] and as a result the 725s and the Gold Cups merged to become the APBA Unlimited Class.[3]
Following the protest-ridden 1956 APBA Gold Cup at Detroit, which took 85 days to settle, the Unlimited Class severed all but nominal ties with the APBA. In 1957, the Unlimited Racing Commission (URC) was formed. In the 1990s, the URC was renamed the Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Association (UHRA).[5] In 2001, HYDRO-PROP, Inc., bought the licensing rights to the Unlimited Class from the APBA and managed the unlimited class through the 2004 racing season. The American Boat Racing Association (ABRA) was formed in 2005 and was renamed H1 Unlimited in 2009.[6]
The turbine engine was first used in competition by the U-95 "Whiz-per" in 1974, which sank that August at Seattle.[7] [8] [9] The next entrant with turbine power was the Pay 'n Pak in 1980 on the Columbia River at Tri-Cities,[9] but it flipped 2½ times in a test run prior to the Sunday heats.[10] [11] It was the sole turbine again the following year,[12] [13] but through the 1980s, the turbine gradually displaced piston power.[14] [15] [16]
The H1 Unlimited class is sanctioned by APBA,[17] its governing body in North America and UIM, its international body.
Unlimited Hydroplanes are fast boats capable of more than 200mph on the straights and running average lap speeds of 130-. They are 28– in length and weigh a minimum of 6750lb.
The modern turbine-powered unlimited hydroplane is derived from the 3-point prop-riding hydroplanes of the 1950s. These were the first boats to ride on a cushion of air trapped between "sponsons" mounted on the sides of the front of the boat, and the bottom half of the propeller, which were all that touched the water.
They were called "Unlimited" because they were the only class of boat racing the APBA that had no restrictions on the displacement size of their piston engines. The designation Unlimited has stayed with the class in the turbine era, even though there are restrictions on the turbine engine and its fuel.
Almost all the H1 Unlimited hydroplanes are powered by Lycoming T55 turbine engines,[18] originally used in Chinook helicopters. The U-440 of the Bucket List Racing Team runs a T-53 turbine. As of 2022, the U-3 Go3 Racing is the only piston powered boat in the fleet, powered by a twin turbocharged Allison V-12.[19]
Since 1946, the National High Point Championships are awarded to the team and to the driver with the most points at the end of the season. The Martini & Rossi National Champion Perpetual Trophy was first awarded in 1959,[20] and the Bill Muncey Trophy was first awarded in 2007.[21]
| Martini & Rossi National Champion Perpetual Trophyfor Season High Point Team | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | Engine | Owner | Wins | |
| 1946 | G-13 Tempo VI | 16-cylinder Miller engine[22] | Guy Lombardo | 1 | |
| 1947 | Miss Peps V | Walt Dossin Roy Dossin Russell Dossin | 3 | ||
| 1948 | Such Crust | Jack Schafer, Sr. | 2 | ||
| 1949 | My Sweetie | Ed Gregory Ed Schoenherr Horace Dodge, Jr. | 4 | ||
| 1950 | My Sweetie | Horace Dodge, Jr. | 2 | ||
| 1951 | Miss Pepsi | Walt Dossin Roy Dossin | 4 | ||
| 1952 | Miss Pepsi | Walt Dossin Roy Dossin | 3 | ||
| 1953 | Gale II | Joe Schoenith | 1 | ||
| 1954 | Gale V | Joe Schoenith | 4 | ||
| 1955 | Gale V | Joe Schoenith | 1 | ||
| 1956 | Shanty I | Bill Waggoner | 3 | ||
| 1957 | Hawaii Kai III | Edgar Kaiser | 5 | ||
| 1958 | Miss Bardahl | Ole Bardahl | 3 | ||
| 1959 | Maverick | Bill Waggoner | 5 | ||
| 1960 | Miss Thriftway | Willard Rhodes | 4 | ||
| 1961 | Miss Century 21 | Willard Rhodes | 4 | ||
| 1962 | Miss Century 21 | Willard Rhodes | 5 | ||
| 1963 | Miss Bardahl | Ole Bardahl | 3 | ||
| 1964 | Miss Bardahl | Ole Bardahl | 4 | ||
| 1965 | Miss Bardahl | Ole Bardahl | 4 | ||
| 1966 | Tahoe Miss | Bill Harrah | 4 | ||
| 1967 | Miss Bardahl | Ole Bardahl | 6 | ||
| 1968 | Miss Bardahl | Ole Bardahl | 4 | ||
| 1969 | Miss Budweiser | Rolls-Royce Merlin | Bernie Little Tom Friedkin | 4 | |
| 1970 | Miss Budweiser | Rolls-Royce Merlin | Bernie Little Tom Friedkin | 4 | |
| 1971 | Miss Budweiser | Rolls-Royce Merlin | Bernie Little Tom Friedkin | 2 | |
| 1972 | Atlas Van Lines | Joe Schoenith | 6 | ||
| 1973 | Pay 'n Pak | Rolls-Royce Merlin | Dave Heerensperger | 4 | |
| 1974 | Pay 'n Pak | Rolls-Royce Merlin | Dave Heerensperger | 7 | |
| 1975 | Pay 'n Pak | Rolls-Royce Merlin | Dave Heerensperger | 5 | |
| 1976 | Atlas Van Lines | Rolls-Royce Merlin | Bill Muncey | 5 | |
| 1977 | Miss Budweiser | Rolls-Royce Merlin | Bernie Little | 3 | |
| 1978 | Atlas Van Lines | Rolls-Royce Merlin | Bill Muncey | 6 | |
| 1979 | Atlas Van Lines | Rolls-Royce Merlin | Bill Muncey | 7 | |
| 1980 | Miss Budweiser | Rolls-Royce Griffon | Bernie Little | 5 | |
| 1981 | Miss Budweiser | Rolls-Royce Griffon | Bernie Little | 6 | |
| 1982 | Atlas Van Lines | Rolls-Royce Merlin | Fran Muncey | 5 | |
| 1983 | Atlas Van Lines | Rolls-Royce Merlin | Fran Muncey Jim Lucero | 3 | |
| 1984 | Miss Budweiser | Rolls-Royce Griffon | Bernie Little | 6 | |
| 1985 | Miller American | Lycoming T55 | Fran Muncey Jim Lucero | 5 | |
| 1986 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55 | Bernie Little | 3 | |
| 1987 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55 | Bernie Little | 5 | |
| 1988 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55 | Bernie Little | 4 | |
| 1989 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55 | Bernie Little | 4 | |
| 1990 | Miss Circus Circus | Lycoming T55 | Bill Bennett | 6 | |
| 1991 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55 | Bernie Little | 4 | |
| 1992 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55 | Bernie Little | 7 | |
| 1993 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55 | Bernie Little | 7 | |
| 1994 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55 | Bernie Little | 4 | |
| 1995 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55 | Bernie Little | 5 | |
| 1996 | PICO American Dream | Lycoming T55 | Fred Leland | 6 | |
| 1997 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55 | Bernie Little | 6 | |
| 1998 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55 | Bernie Little | 8 | |
| 1999 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55 | Bernie Little | 8 | |
| 2000 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55 | Bernie Little | 6 | |
| 2001 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55-L7C | Bernie Little | 1 | |
| 2002 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55-L7C | Bernie Little | 3 | |
| 2003 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55-L7C | Joe Little | 2 | |
| 2004 | Miss Budweiser | Lycoming T55-L7C | Joe Little | 5 | |
| 2005 | Miss Elam Plus | Lycoming T55-L7C | Erick Ellstrom | 3 | |
| 2006 | Miss Formulaboats.com II | Lycoming T55-L7C | Ted Porter | 1 | |
| 2007 | Miss Elam Plus | Lycoming T55-L7C | Erick Ellstrom | 4 | |
| 2008 | Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) | Lycoming T55-L7C | City of Madison | 1 | |
| 2009 | Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) | Lycoming T55-L7C | City of Madison | 1 | |
| 2010 | Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) | Lycoming T55-L7C | City of Madison | 3 | |
| 2011 | Spirit of Qatar | Lycoming T55-L7C | Marine Technologies | 3 | |
| 2012 | Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) | Lycoming T55-L7C | City of Madison | 2 | |
| 2013 | Graham Trucking | Lycoming T55-L7C | Team Porter Racing | 4 | |
| 2014 | Oberto Beef Jerky | Lycoming T55-L7C | City of Madison | 2 | |
| 2015 | Oberto | Lycoming T55-L7C | City of Madison | 3 | |
| 2016 | HomeStreet Bank | Lycoming T55-L7C | City of Madison | 3 | |
| 2017 | HomeStreet Bank | Lycoming T55-L7C | City of Madison | 3 | |
| 2018 | Jones Racing | Lycoming T55-L7C | Michael and Lori Jones | 5 | |
| 2019 | HomeStreet Bank | Lycoming T55-L7C | City of Madison | 2 | |
| 2021 | HomeStreet Bank | Lycoming T55-L7C | City of Madison | 1 | |
| 2022 | HomeStreet Bank | Lycoming T55-L7C | City of Madison | 5 | |
| 2023 | Beacon Electric | Lycoming T55-L7C | Strong Racing | 2 | |
| Bill Muncey Trophy for the Season High Point Champion Driver | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Driver | Machine | Wins | |
| 1946 | Guy Lombardo | Tempo VI | 1 | |
| 1947 | Danny Foster | Miss Peps V | 3 | |
| 1948 | Dan Arena | Such Crust | 2 | |
| 1949 | Bill Stead | My Sweetie | 4 | |
| 1950 | Danny Foster | Such Crust Delphine X | 2 | |
| 1951 | Chuck Thompson | Miss Pepsi | 4 | |
| 1952 | Chuck Thompson | Miss Pepsi | 3 | |
| 1953 | Lee Schoenith | Gale II | 1 | |
| 1954 | Lee Schoenith | Gale V | 4 | |
| 1955 | Lee Schoenith | Gale V | 1 | |
| 1956 | Russ Schleeh | Shanty I | 3 | |
| 1957 | Jack Regas | Hawaii Kai III | 5 | |
| 1958 | Mira Slovak | Miss Bardahl | 3 | |
| 1959 | Bill Stead | Maverick | 5 | |
| 1960 | Bill Muncey | Miss Thriftway | 4 | |
| 1961 | Bill Muncey | Miss Century 21 | 4 | |
| 1962 | Bill Muncey | Miss Century 21 | 5 | |
| 1963 | Bill Cantrell | Gale V | 0 | |
| 1964 | Ron Musson | Miss Bardahl | 4 | |
| 1965 | Ron Musson | Miss Bardahl | 4 | |
| 1966 | Mira Slovak | Tahoe Miss | 4 | |
| 1967 | Billy Schumacher | Miss Bardahl | 6 | |
| 1968 | Billy Schumacher | Miss Bardahl | 4 | |
| 1969 | Bill Sterett, Sr. | Miss Budweiser | 4 | |
| 1970 | Dean Chenoweth | Miss Budweiser | 4 | |
| 1971 | Dean Chenoweth | Miss Budweiser | 2 | |
| 1972 | Bill Muncey | Atlas Van Lines | 6 | |
| 1973 | Mickey Remund | Pay 'n Pak | 4 | |
| 1974 | George Henley | Pay 'n Pak | 7 | |
| 1975 | Billy Schumacher | Weisfield's | 2 | |
| 1977 | Mickey Remund | Miss Budweiser | 3 | |
| 1976 | Bill Muncey | Atlas Van Lines | 5 | |
| 1978 | Bill Muncey | Atlas Van Lines | 6 | |
| 1979 | Bill Muncey | Atlas Van Lines | 7 | |
| 1980 | Dean Chenoweth | Miss Budweiser | 5 | |
| 1981 | Dean Chenoweth | Miss Budweiser | 6 | |
| 1982 | Chip Hanauer | Atlas Van Lines | 5 | |
| 1983 | Chip Hanauer | Atlas Van Lines | 3 | |
| 1984 | Jim Kropfeld | Miss Budweiser | 6 | |
| 1985 | Chip Hanauer | Miller American | 5 | |
| 1986 | Jim Kropfeld | Miss Budweiser | 3 | |
| 1987 | Jim Kropfeld | Miss Budweiser | 5 | |
| 1988 | Tom D'Eath | Miss Budweiser | 4 | |
| 1989 | Chip Hanauer | Miss Circus Circus | 3 | |
| 1990 | Chip Hanauer | Miss Circus Circus | 6 | |
| 1991 | Mark Tate | Winston Eagle Oh Boy! Oberto | 3 | |
| 1992 | Chip Hanauer | Miss Budweiser | 7 | |
| 1993 | Chip Hanauer | Miss Budweiser | 7 | |
| 1994 | Mark Tate | Smokin' Joe's | 2 | |
| 1995 | Mark Tate | Smokin' Joe's | 4 | |
| 1996 | Dave Villwock | PICO American Dream | 6 | |
| 1997 | Mark Tate | Close Call | 1 | |
| 1998 | Dave Villwock | Miss Budweiser | 8 | |
| 1999 | Dave Villwock | Miss Budweiser | 8 | |
| 2000 | Dave Villwock | Miss Budweiser | 6 | |
| 2001 | Dave Villwock | Miss Budweiser | 1 | |
| 2002 | Dave Villwock | Miss Budweiser | 3 | |
| 2003 | Dave Villwock | Miss Budweiser | 2 | |
| 2004 | Dave Villwock | Miss Budweiser | 5 | |
| 2005 | Steve David | Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) | 1 | |
| 2006 | Steve David | Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) | 0 | |
| 2007 | Dave Villwock | Miss Elam Plus | 4 | |
| 2008 | Steve David | Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) | 1 | |
| 2009 | Steve David | Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) | 1 | |
| 2010 | Steve David | Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) | 3 | |
| 2011 | Dave Villwock | Spirit of Qatar | 3 | |
| 2012 | Steve David | Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) | 2 | |
| 2013 | Jimmy Shane | Graham Trucking | 4 | |
| 2014 | Jimmy Shane | Oh Boy! Oberto (Miss Madison) | 2 | |
| 2015 | Jimmy Shane | Oberto | 3 | |
| 2016 | Jimmy Shane | HomeStreet Bank | 3 | |
| 2017 | Jimmy Shane | HomeStreet Bank | 2 | |
| 2018 | Andrew Tate | Jones Racing | 5 | |
| 2019 | Jimmy Shane | HomeStreet Bank | 2 | |
| 2021 | J. Michael Kelly | Miss Tri-Cities | 2 | |
| 2022 | Jimmy Shane | HomeStreet Bank | 5 | |
| 2023 | J. Michael Kelly | Beacon Electric | 2 | |
Source: [23]
| Record | Speed | Driver | Boat | Location | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying | 173.384 mph | Dave Villwock | Miss Budweiser | San Diego | 1999 | |
| Competition Lap | 166.221 mph | Steve David | Miss T-Plus | Pearl Harbor, HI | 1992 | |
| Heat Avg | 161.712 mph | Mark Tate | Winston Eagle | San Diego | 1993 | |
| Race Avg | 156.830 mph | Mark Tate | Close Call | Pearl Harbor, HI | 1997 |