2001 New Martinsville race updates
Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateGood Morning Ladies and Gentlemen: I want to welcome you live to New Martinsville, West Virginia and for the first time live coverge of the River Heritage Days Regatta. We want to encourage all of you to stay with us throughout the afternoon as we bring live coverage of this event to all of you on the internet. We will be going off the air until 1:00 PM at which time we will be back live. I especially want to thank Dave Coes and Mr. Ray Downes who worked diligently to put this together. To those two men, I hope you sit back and enjoy what you have worked so hard to get to happen. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateGood morning ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the River Heritage Days Regatta at New Martinsville, West Virginia. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateLive coverage of the River Heritage Days Regatta will begin approximately around one p.m. Stay tuned for Thunder on the Ohio, where inboard action will come to you live, both June 9th and June 10th. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateWelcome ladies and gentlemen, we are getting set for live coverage of the River Heritage Days Regatta. In their boats, and poised, are Grand National Hydroplane drivers. This will be noted as a qualifying race, however, with the small number of boats in this field; we will be fortunate enough to see all these crafts in the final. Of course, this is pending any mechanical damage that might occur. Just announced, In this event will have two National Modified drivers stepping up. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateThe one minute gun has been fired, and the line up at the start will have Jim Soward, Steve Kohr, Randy Hurst, and Tony Stalder. The start gun fires, to find Jim Soward in the Liquid Assault and Tony Stalder in the Blue Mule battling it out. Lap after lap they battle, Tony strong down the front and back stretch...and Jim strong in the turns. As the checker waves, we find Jim Soward our winner, followed by Tony Stalder in the Blue Mule. Third will go to NM183, Randy Hurst, in the Nemesis. Fourth will go to 911 in the Liquid Assault. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateOur next qualifying event will contain the 1.5 litre stock division. This field contains George Kennedy in the #1 Outlaw craft, Ken McMullen in the #5 Hostile Takeover, Jim Struzek in the #14 Hijacker, Stuart Shane in the #14 Hijacker II, and Bobby Kennedy in the #25 Lil Shameless craft. The start is an excellent one, finding all boats even at the gun. George Kennedy and Ken McMullen battle for the lead followed by Jim Struzek, Stuart Shane, and Bobby Kennedy. Ken McMullen will not be satisfied with second. He overtakes George Kennedy, but it appears mechanical failure will overtake George as well. The Outlaw slows but hangs on to maintain third place. At the close of four laps, the checkered flag waves finding Ken McMullen first in the Hostile Takeove and Jim Struzek second in the Hijacker. George Kennedy will hang on to third place. Bobby Kennedy will grab fourth in Lil Shameless, and Stuart Shane in Hijacker II will take fifth. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateThe next qualifying event will contain the 1.5 litre modifieds. A wild astray of engines make up this field...anything from a modified Toyota to the latest and greatest: A Jet Ski powered craft. That craft is the #26 Miss Zandy, operated by Joe Cheezum. This field will also contain the #23 Wanna Bee, driven by Alicia Cheezum. #25 My Miss Triss, driven by David Archiable will also be in the field. The #37 craft...Sonic Speed, driven by William McCowan will join the lineup. Finally, the qualifying field will contain the #41 KT Special, driven by Scott Liddycoat, and the #54 Pink Panther II, driven by Valerie Liddycoat. As the field begins to lineup, William McCowan grabs the inside line-up position. However, this will not be strong enough of a stake for #26, Joe Cheezum, driving that Yamaha Jet Ski powered craft. Joe Cheezum takes the lead from the start, eventhough the Pink Panther II is right there at his skid plate. Lap after lap finds Joe Cheezum and Valerie Liddycoat battling for the lead. Lap two will be a rough one for #41, Scott Liddycoat, as his boat will die on the backstretch. As the checkered flag waves, Joe Cheezum will finish first, followed by Valerie Liddycoat. Third will go to David Archiable, and fourth will go to Alicia Cheezum. And finally, our DNF will go to Scott Liddycoat. On an end note, Alicia Cheezum's boat will have to be towed in due to what appears to be hull damage. Her craft's stern is sitting mighty low in the water. Stay tuned...as live coverage of T and Y Finals. This is the 1.5 stock and 1.5 Modified divisions. As soon as boats are transferred in and out of the water we will continue. Until then, I'm Ryan Driscoll along with APBA announcer Bill Nettles. We'll be back in five. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateWe get set for the 1.5 litre stock final. We will have the entire field returning from the qualifying heat to compete in today's final. As the one minute gun fires, we find George Kennedy and Ken McMullen holding both inside lane positions. The start is a good one, finding Jim Struzek coming out of no where on the outside lane. Ken McMullen in the Hostile Takeover will lead the way, followed by George Kennedy in the #1 Outlaw. Third finds Jim Struzek in the 14 Hijacker craft. Bobby Kennedy and Stuart Shane complete your field. Ken McMullen, in the #5 craft..Hostile Takeover... will suffer what will appear to be hull damage on lap three. So, Jim Struzek will get a break and move into the second position. As the checkered flag waves, George Kennedy will be your winner in the #1 Outlaw. Second will be Jim Struzek in the #14 Hijacker. Third place will go to #71 Hijacker II, Stuart Shane, fourth to #25 Bobby Kennedy in Lil Shameless. Ken McMullen, appears to be finished for the weekend. A two by four in turn two appears to have smacked the rear skid- plate and damaged the prop on all three blades. There is also some severe hull damage.
Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateNow we get set for the 1.5 litre Modified finals. Joe Cheezum returns in his powerful Yamaha powered craft. However, this final will be short boats 41 and 23 due to mechanical damage suffered in the qualifying heat. As the field prepares to line-up, we find that William McCowan in the #37 Sonic Speed may have jumped the start gun. This leaves Joe Cheezum at the point at the moment. However, Keith McMullen in the #54 Pink Panther II provides a challenging race for Cheezum throughout the entire event. McMullen appears to be stronger in the turns while Cheezum catches up on the straight-aways. Joe Cheezum, in Miss Zandy will win the bought and cross the finish line first. The Sonic Speed (William McCowan) will draw a penalty. Therefore our finishing order will have Joe Cheezum first. Second will go to Keith McMullen in#54 Pink Panther II, third goes to David Archiable in Miss Triss, and fourth to William McCowan in the #37 Sonic Speed. After the one minute penalty was assessed to william McCowan, we find that Joe Cheezum struck something in the water; more than likely at the start of the race from his standpoint. The Ohio strikes again, but her fate did not prevent him from winning. The Miss Zandy does have some propeller damage however, and his return for tomorrow's event will be questionable to probable. Stay tuned for more live action as Thunder on the Ohio will return. As soon as barge traffic clears, the U.S. Coast Guard gives the o.k., we will be back to racing with 2.5 litre stock qualifying. As an update note, Scott Liddycoat shut down the #41 KT Special during the 1.5 litre mod qualifying event due to oil pressure loss. The engine is being replaced, and he should return for tomorrow's event. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateWe return for the qualifying heats for the 2.5 litre stock division...our largest field of boats today. The 12 boat field will be broken up into 6 boat qualifying heats. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateThe first 2.5 stock litre heat will contain the boats #4 You Go Girl, driven by Beht Gilday; #19 Claim Jumper, driven by Clarence Pfaff; #55 Almost Heaven, driven by Dan Walls; #57 Airborne, driven by Scott Liddycoat; #67 Impossible Dream, driven by Joe Krietzer; and #96 W.D. Racing Special, driven by Wayne Dunlap. As the start gun sounds, we have Almost Heaven and Airborne battling for the lead. As lap two unfolds, #57, Scott Liddycoat, takes Airborne into first, justifying its name. He spreads that boat's wings and takes off. The rest of the field finds #55, Almost Heaven, driven by Dan Walls in second, #67, Impossible Dream, in third; #4, You Go Girl, finishes fourth, #96, W.D. Racing Special, finishes in fifth; and finally, we have #19, the Claim Jumper. *****We have a surprise...Scott Liddycoat is assessed a one minute penalty for switching lanes prior to the start of the heat. This will ruin any chances of a run for him in the final. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateWe now get set for our second round of qualifying, incorporating the remaining six boats left to find away into the 2.5 litre final. Prior to the start of the one minute gun, we find #107, Hydro Freak II, driven by Rich Newman will fail to start. Also sick, is the #5 boat, Star Trooper, driven by Myron Jackson. Therefore, we will find that #44, Wild Goose, driven by Greg Ruthenbusch will lead the remaining three starters to the line. He dominating lead will be followed by #2, Superior Miss, driven by Douglas Carnahan....then #711,One More Time, driven by Alan Busch...and finally #98,Team Extreme, driven by Shawn Cassidy (at the finish one lap down ). As the checkered flag waves, we find the finishing order reflects the entire running order of the heat. As heat two finishes, it is to be determined whether boats will get into the final based upon times or finishing order between the two heats. Whatever is decided, we will have an eight boat final. APBA officials have decided we will take the first four boats from each final. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateGet set for thundering National Mod action. This qualifying heat will consist of #183, The Nemesis, driven by Randy Hurst...#911,Liquid Assault, driven by Jim Soward... and #6, Summer Wine, driven by Marty Wolfe. This will be the only heat run for the day. ************From here on out we will have to modify our event. This is due to a dramatic increase in barge traffic. **********As a note to any one in the nearby area, there will be a pit tour tomorrow morning in the approximety of 8:30 A.M. conducted by announcer Bill Nettles. He will greet any interested guest in front of the courthouse building, and will then proceed to give a guided tour of the pit area, explaining and teaching the in and outs of limited inboard racing APBA style. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateWhile we have a moment to clear the river of barge traffic, I would like to describe some of the festivities that go on during New Martinsville's weekend of entertainment. Of course there is arts and crafts for display and sale, and in addition there is plenty of great food. For all those nostalgia car buffs, there is also a huge antique car show that takes place on Saturday. Great country and bluegrass music fills the air provided by local talented musicians. Classic Oldies can be heard blaring from the car show. And of course, we have thundering regatta action on the Ohio River both Saturday and Sunday. Stay tuned and we will return promptly to more hydroplane action. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateChange of venue now, the final for the 2.5 stock will be run consisting of eight boats. Boats 67, 55, 96, 4, 44, 2, 711, and 98 will make up your final heat. As the one minute gun sounds, we find Alan Busch (#711) in One More Time and #67, Joe Krietzer in Impossible Dream have the inside positions. The start is close to perfect for the #67 craft. But #55, Almost Heaven barrels out of no where to take the lead. That is Dan Walls. You Go Girl moves into third, passing Alan Busch on lap two. As lap three unfolds, your leader, Dan Walls shuts it down in turn four. Therefore your leader and winner is #67 Joe Kreitzer. Finishing second is #4, Beth Gilday, third is #711, Alan Busch, fourth is #96,Wayne Dunlap, fifth is #44, Greg Ruthenbusch, sixth is #98, Shawn Cassidy, seventh is #2 Douglas Carnahan, and for our DNF in this event we will have # 55, Dan Walls. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateThe National Mods get set to run their final. #183, The Nemesis, will be driven by Randy Hurst. #911, Liquid Assault, will be driven by Jim Soward. Finally, we will have the #6 Summer Wine machine driven by Marty Wolfe. As the race starts, we find Summer Wine and The Nemesis neck and neck. This side by side action continues throughout the first two laps, side by side down the straightaways and through the turns. As lap three comes around Liquid assault finds itself in danger of being lapped, but he hangs on until the checkered waves. Finishing first, we have #6, the Summer Wine craft, driven by Marty Wolfe. Randy Hurst finishes a close second in Nemesis, while Jim Soward finishes third in Liquid Assault. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateGet set for 5.o litre action. We have four Chevy powered Bowties ready to go. Andrew Keoch will man #E-12, Hydro Tech V. Lee Gore will drive Miss Sandy, the #E-89 craft. Charles Miller Jr. will drive the Batt, #E-816. Finally, we have Paul Morse driving #E-864, Debt-n-ator II. As the five minute gun sounds we find that Paul Morse's boat is off and slow on the course. However, the remaining three boats appear strong. As the one minute gun sounds, a fair amount of smoke bellows below Paul Morse's boat, the Debt-n-ator. Therefore, #864 parks itself out of arms way in the in-field. We get ready for a three boat run now. Andrew Keoch and Lee Gore lead Charles Miller Jr. in the closest battle we've had all day. Miss Sandy will not be defeated, and she pulls beside Hydro Tech v on lap two, turn two. On lap three, Andrew Keoch fights back and pulls Hydro Tech v past Mr. Gore. On lap four, Miss Sandy will have none of it, and powers into the lead when it counts. The checker flies, and we have in descending order boat #89, #12, #816, and #864 as a DNF. A great race, we are talking a boat length win. Unfortunately, a piece of yellow decking has been found in turn two. Crew members scramble to see who it belongs to. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateGet set for our final event of the evening...a crowd favorite...the Jersey Speed Skiffs. We will have a field of five, consisting of #25, Shameless, driven by George Kennedy Sr. and passengered by Ken McMullen. Number 41, Thunder Thud, will be driven by Tom Thompson and passengered by Roy Harrison. Number 45, The Menance, will be driven by Dennis Macy and passengered by Danielle Macy. JS 67, What a Rush, will be driven by Bruce Plaskett and passengered by Scott Litticoat. Finally, we have JS-111, Still Crazy, driven by Charles Andersen and passengered by Richard Camato. As we get set for this event, good news seems to fill the pits as no one can find pieces of their boat missing from the National Mod run. Stay tuned as more action gets set to unfold here live at New Martinsville. And if you like fireworks, make sure you come down to the river tonight as a b(l)arge display of colorful illuminants will fill the night air. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateAndy Keoch finds that a experimental piece of wood has broken off of his boat due to water load-up. Also Paul Morse discovers that his problems are related to head gaskets. So it appears that the 5.0 litre guys will have to incorporate some teamwork tactics in order to get at least a four boat field together for tomorrow's event. This is needed for APBA point reasons. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateGet set for Jersey Speed Skiff action. As the one minute gun sounds, we find the entire five boat field lined and poised side by side. But Dennis Macy takes a commanding lead off of turn three in JS-45, The Menace. Shameless takes second while a good battle for third finds What A Rush and Thunder Thud in a dead heat. As lap three unfolds, Bruce Plaskett in JS 67 puts the hammer down, forgets about Tom Thompson in Thunder Thud and takes over the second position from George Kennedy Sr. in Shameless. The final finds JS-45 first, JS-67 second, JS-25 third, JS-41 fourth, and JS-111 finishing fifth. Date: Saturday, June 09, 2001 UpdateThat's going to rap it up for Saturday Thunder on the Ohio. The New Martinsville event will continue tomorrow live via this web link approximately around noon time. On part of the APBA and the Heritage Regatta, we thank all of those who have joined us, both in person and via weblink. Until 11:30 tomorrow, this is Ryan Driscoll saying good night. Back to the intro page, or forward to Sunday's heat by heat news |