Awesome Unlimited Hydro Video

[NorCal Boater]

I have been a fan of, and watching Unlimited Hydroplane racing since my parents took me to my first race on the shores of Lake Washington (Seattle) in 1956....I was 6 years old. A couple of weeks ago I was at Lake Guntersville, AL for the race there. It was the first race at this beautiful venue in 49 years. In all this time I have never seen a race this close and there has been some exciting ones over the years. With new camera technology and the use of video drones they have captured some incredible video.

The official H-I1 Unlimited site released an excellent, hi-res, edited video with lots of different camera views. There were several professional drones up during the races that captured really good video as well as video from helmet cams inside the cockpits and cameras attached to the boats themselves. This is truly one of the best videos of one of the best boat races I have ever seen. You can really see how the drivers "fly the boats" as they try to get the least amount of boat in the water. There is really nothing like it.

As you enjoy this remember, these guys re going 180 to 190 mph on the straights. If you want to get right to the start of the race fast forward to about the 5:50 mark in the video.

If you would like to see a race here is a link to the race schedule for the rest of the year.
http://www.h1unlimited.com/2018-schedule/
Shawn

 

[Gofirstclass]

Great video. I've lived here for over 40 years and have been an Unlimited fan for all of that. We have the Columbia Cup races here on the Columbia River and I don't think I've missed a year of that since I got here.

We used to watch the races from the river but they've moved the anchor line so far back from the race course (about 1/2 mile) that you can't see anything without binocs so we watch from a friend's deck. Their house is right on turn 3, right on the river. It's a great place to watch from.

Here's a video of last year's final heat. If you want to just see the race, go to about 4:00 in the video.

 

[wyrman]

We watch them every year as well. Even though the anchor line is far away, we thoroughly enjoy spending the day on the boat.
We missed last year because we had sold our boat, but we'll be back on the water in a few short weeks.

 

[endless seas]

GREAT VIDEO!!!!

 

[NorCal Boater]

Great video. I've lived here for over 40 years and have been an Unlimited fan for all of that. We have the Columbia Cup races here on the Columbia River and I don't think I've missed a year of that since I got here.

We used to watch the races from the river but they've moved the anchor line so far back from the race course (about 1/2 mile) that you can't see anything without binocs so we watch from a friend's deck. Their house is right on turn 3, right on the river. It's a great place to watch from.

Here's a video of last year's final heat. If you want to just see the race, go to about 4:00 in the video.

I knew this would get your attention, Mike. We sat next to a guy who livers in Atlanta but grew up in Tri-Cities. He hadn't seen a race in about 18 years. The guy actually had tears in his eyes.

 

[Gofirstclass]

The Water Follies Weekend (when the races are held, last weekend of July) is just one of the many reasons I've lived here 40 years.

This ain't the cultural center of the universe, but if I want culture I go to the store and buy cultured milk.

 

[Gofirstclass]

NorCal, I reread your post and have to share a funny thought that ran through my simple little mind:

If I lived in Atlanta I'd probably have tears in my eyes too.

 

[NorCal Boater]

Brutha, you and me both...

 

[Creekwood]

A cousin of mine races jet boats on shallow rivers in Alberta. Those boats also "fly" with mostly just the props in the water. They actually have a wing on the bow that they trim to fly the hull. And they run in very shallow water. Their unlimited class us jet boats powered by helicopter turbine engines. Here are videos of a races on the Peace River, AB.
Unlimted class:

regular class:

 

[NorCal Boater]

A cousin of mine races jet boats on shallow rivers in Alberta. Those boats also "fly" with mostly just the props in the water. They actually have a wing on the bow that they trim to fly the hull. And they run in very shallow water. Their unlimited class us jet boats powered by helicopter turbine engines. Here are videos of a races on the Peace River, AB.
Unlimted class:

regular class:

Very cool. Love boat racing....