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Unlimited Light Hydroplanes
Graham Trucking Cup at Seafair

2010 - Newer & Faster Every Year!
The 2010 Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing season kicks off in Phoenix, Arizona this year on May 1-2. Following Phoenix, the Lights will make the journey to Chamberlain-Oacoma, South Dakota on June 19 & 20, head back west for the Atomic Cup on July 23-25 and the Graham Trucking Cup August 6-8. The seaons's final two stops will by AUgust 21-22 in Polson, Montana and San Diego September 17-19.

For up to date information and to follow all the teams through the season, visit ulhra.org.

2009 Graham Trucking Cup at Seafair Recap
Perkins Tops the Podium
Seafair is always a highlight of the Unlimited Light season, from the enormous crowd and rich hydroplane racing tradition that goes back 60 years, there's no bigger show on the racing circuit.

Not everyone who wants to race at Seafair is allowed to do so. Stan Sayers Memorial Pits on Lake Washington can physically accommodate just so many Unlimited and Unlimited Light Hydroplane boats. Only fourteen teams were invited to compete in 2009.

Kayleigh Perkins is the toast of Washington State after winning in resounding fashion the 2009 Graham Trucking Cup for Unlimited Lights at Seafair in Seattle. This one was a hard fought team victory, as are all wins in ULHRA, however the 21 year old third year UL driver had to earn it.

After taking second in her first heat in the UL-72 Foster Care - Vitamin Water behind Greg Hopp in the UL-1 Graham Trucking, the 72 failed to finish its second heat due to a damaged engine. This forced Perkins into the B-Main in order just to qualify for the Graham Trucking Cup Final, and she did. In the closest finish of the weekend which earned her team the Minox Digital Camera "Photo Finish" Award, Perkins edged Paul Becker in the UL-14 Miss Critical Logic. Third place in the B-Main went to Rod Bourke in the UL-11 Power Punch Performance Lubricants-ROXY Radio 94.5-K&N Filters. All three advanced to the 8 boat Final.

There awaited Ryan Mallow with two heat victories in the UL-19 Interstate Batteries and Greg Hopp who had a first and a second. Also in the Final were Kelly Stocklin in the UL-8 King & Bunny's-Pogacha of Issaquah, Wil Muncey in the UL-00 WarningPower.com and "Smokin Joe" Souza in the UL-9 US Army-NAPA Auto Parts, supported by about two dozen soldiers in the UL-9 pit area.

At the start those two dozen soldiers must've made a difference because it was Souza over the line first in the US Army in lane 1 with Ryan Mallow close by, but out in lane 5. Greg Hopp and Kayleigh Perkins were next followed by Becker and Bourke while Stocklin & Muncey both had engine problems and were forced to shut down prior to the start.

Souza, an Unlimited Lights original campaigner in 1995 was emotionally pumped going into turn 1, but deflated coming out of lane one as the 9's engine began to fade. Meanwhile, Ms. Perkins made a spectacular turn, took the lead over Mallow and race away to a one roostertail length advantage after lap 1. Despite running the quickest heat of the weekend, in this Final Mallow and the UL-19 would have nothing for Perkins and finished second, followed by Hopp, Becker Bourke and Souza. Kayleigh and the UL-72 meanwhile, set the fastest heat speed of the weekend in winning the Graham Trucking Cup at 111.228 mph.

For more information on Unlimited Lights Racing, visit ulhra.org