2017 Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers HydroFest Aug 25-27

Ratickle

Founding Member / Super Moderator
This year marks the 101st race along the Detroit River, one of the Motor City’s longest-standing sports traditions and the longest continuously running hydroplane race on the H1 Unlimited circuit.

The 2017 Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers HydroFest takes place Fri., Aug. 25 – Sun., Aug. 27 and will feature an updated format this year with two sets of preliminary heats on Aug. 26 and a winner-take-all final for the President’s Cup, followed by three sets of preliminary heats on Aug. 27 with a winner-take-all final for the prestigious APBA Gold Cup, the oldest active trophy in all of the motorsports.

The Roostertail turn on the Detroit River between the Detroit Yacht Club and the mainland grandstands is among the most exciting in boat racing. It is the tightest turn in all of unlimited hydroplane racing. It creates a wild ride for the drivers and excitement for fans.
By sheer contrast, the widest turn in unlimited hydroplane racing is the other end of the race course near the Belle Isle Bridge. It allows for some of the fastest cornering speeds in the sport but drivers have to contend with potential winds coming through the openings under the bridge.


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Bert Henderson had one heck of a weekend.

Here he is in qualifying on Friday in his first lap in an Unlimited Hydro. As a Rookie, never having driven an Unlimited Hydro, he had to make at least 15 laps to qualify to run in a race. At least 10 of those laps had to be faster than the minimum 130 MPH qualifying speed for the President's Cup and Gold Cup. He fulfilled that on Friday.

 
He qualified on Friday for both the President's Cup on Saturday and the Gold Cup on Sunday. Ran well on Saturday, placing 4th in the President's Cup. Then, this is the way his day ended on Sunday, just before the start of the Gold Cup. Not good.

 
They were actually able to repair Graham Trucking after the crash. But, the canard wing broke off so he could not compete with the others.

Earlier in qualifying.

 
Carstar had some problems Friday in qualifying. Catching the boat on fire after this qualifying run.

 
And, after fixing the boat to run Saturday for the President's Cup, they had a bit bigger issue.....

 
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