Madison: Series Sunday race summary

Villwock Wins Madison Unlimited Hydroplane Race

MADISON, Ind. --- Dave Villwock (Seattle, Wash.) continued his winning ways by notching his 57th career victory by winning the 59th annual running of the Madison Regatta Indiana Governor's Cup Sunday..

Villwock (Auburn, Wash.), piloting the U-16 Miss Elam Plus notched a perfect weekend by posting the top qualifying speed and winning every elimination heat to set up for his championship run. This was his eighth Indiana Governor's Cup win on this Ohio River course--the most of any unlimited driver.

"An old pr man once told me this was a grand slam," said a jubilant Villwock. "We won the fastest qualifying, we won every elimination heat and we won the race championship."

With competition from Jeff Bernard (Kent, Wash.) in the U-5 Formulaboats.com to Villwocks left and the U-7 Graham Trucking boat of Jay Michael Kelly (Payallup, Wash.) on the right, it looked like Villwock would have a battle on his hands. But after a tight first lap, the fluorescent orange boat pulled away to clinch the victory.

Although Villwock's victory was almost never in doubt, a battle was ensuing for the right for a podium finish. Behind Villwock was Kelly who usurped his teammate and last year's Madison winner Bernard for second place.

But finishing third was hometown Madison boat the U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto driven by Steve David (Lighthouse Point, Fla.). He placed third.

David, who was running in fourth throughout the race, caught a break when the U-3 Miss Chrysler Jeep sustained engine problems just feet from the finish line. With the U-3, driven by Jimmy King (Wales, Mich.) dead in the water, the U-1 managed to speed by to come in third.

Rounding out the field was the Bernard in the U-5 and Greg Hopp (Snohomish, Wash.) driving the U-100 Shoreline Propellers.

King who was just feet away from third place was unable to finish the race.

Now with another Indiana Governor's Cup in hand, Villwock hopes to carry the momentum to next week's 100th running of the Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup in Detroit.

Results of the Indiana Governor's Cup

Place Boat Driver Final Heat Avg.

1st U-16 Miss Elam Plus Dave Villwock (Auburn, Wash.) 138.054

2nd U-7 Graham Trucking Jay Michael Kelly (Payallup, Wash.) 136.515

3rd U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto Steve David (Lighthouse Point, Fla.) 130.713

4th U-5 Formulaboats.com Jeff Bernard (Kent, Wash.) 121.434

5th U-100 Shoreline Propellers Greg Hopp (Snohomish, Wash.) 118.424

6th       U-3 Miss Chrysler Jeep            Jimmy King (Wales,
Mich.)       DNF

-credit: abra