Friday, July 28, 2006
Random thoughts
It's sure nice to have the U-9 back in the pits. Mike Jones is a wonderful guy, and I don't think I've ever seen him without a smile on his face. I had a chance to interview Chris Bertram of the U-9 this afternoon...what a classy guy! Watch ABRAhydroplanes.com for the interview. Chris will definitely be one of the up and comers in this sport, along with J. Michael Kelly and Jeff Bernard. Keep your eye on them!
The U-37 looks really fast . . . again.
Keep an eye on the Elam. That new left sponson is a Leland-style sponson. The one it replaced was a Ron Jones design. There are some differences between the two, so we'll have to see if it effects the performance of the boat.
I can't remember the last time I saw so many boats in the Tri-Cities pits. There are a ton of Lighter than Lights boats, several Lights and a handful of G-boats, in addition to the 13 unlimiteds. Who said hydroplane racing was dead!
I was fortunate enough to meet Bob Senior today. Nice man!
And finally...and most importantly...the U-2.25 got a new sponsor today. It's a mystery, though...keep an eye out for pictures and see if you can't tell us who's logo it is! You can comment if you know!
The U-37 looks really fast . . . again.
Keep an eye on the Elam. That new left sponson is a Leland-style sponson. The one it replaced was a Ron Jones design. There are some differences between the two, so we'll have to see if it effects the performance of the boat.
I can't remember the last time I saw so many boats in the Tri-Cities pits. There are a ton of Lighter than Lights boats, several Lights and a handful of G-boats, in addition to the 13 unlimiteds. Who said hydroplane racing was dead!
I was fortunate enough to meet Bob Senior today. Nice man!
And finally...and most importantly...the U-2.25 got a new sponsor today. It's a mystery, though...keep an eye out for pictures and see if you can't tell us who's logo it is! You can comment if you know!
Friday in Tri Cities!
We had a pretty good day today, considering everything. The boat ran pretty well, and Dr. Ken put in a lap of 149-plus, but had it taken away because of a fuel flow violation. Some of the hull changes the team made may have contributed to that after the great weekend in Detroit. We made a change to the spar wing, which lightened the way the boat flies across the water, and maybe that had an effect.
Seems like by the end of the day that was all worked out, because Dr. Ken went out and won today's race, the Meyer's Auto Tech Challenge, formerly known as the Dash For Cash. Thanks to Scott Meyers for his support of this race! We actually beat the boat sponsored by Meyers Auto Tech in that Challenge, the U-21 Area Code Cellular powered by Meyers Auto Tech, driven by Kevin Aylesworth.
Great job guys! It was very fun to watch.
Seems like by the end of the day that was all worked out, because Dr. Ken went out and won today's race, the Meyer's Auto Tech Challenge, formerly known as the Dash For Cash. Thanks to Scott Meyers for his support of this race! We actually beat the boat sponsored by Meyers Auto Tech in that Challenge, the U-21 Area Code Cellular powered by Meyers Auto Tech, driven by Kevin Aylesworth.
Great job guys! It was very fun to watch.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Sunday Gold Cup Photos
Our Gold Cup drivers! Dr. Ken Muscatel (l), and David Williams (r).
Another heat done for the consistent, clean U-2.25 Miss Michigan Mortgage Consultants.
The Miss Michigan Mortgage works toward another finish at the Gold Cup.
Interesting side-by-side matchup here: The U-21 (Dr. Ken's old boat) on the left, and the U-2.25 (his current boat) on the right, at the Gold Cup.
Dr. Ken Muscatel, the world's fastest forensic phsychologist, signing an autograph for a fan during the Gold Cup.(Thanks to Superior Racing Team Chief Engineer Kevin Stoltz for these photos)
Sunday report from our crew
Going into today we were the points leader. We had a good test session this morning and the gearbox oil leak was under control but we had to replace a failed strut bushing. We took 3rd in Heat 3B but the U-6 (who ended up taking 1st) was spewing so much smoke, it made it difficult for the crowd and drivers to see the boats on the course. We also finished 3rd in Heat 4A and so ended up 3rd in points going into the final. The wind picked up and we ended up taking 5th in the final with the U-37 winning the Gold Cup after losing their cowling which also took out the back wing. We had a great weekend and while 5th was somewhat disappointing we know we have some work to get this boat to handle rough water, especially in the corners. We have most of the setup figured out and are looking forward to a successful Columbia Cup in two weeks.
-- Kevin Stoltz, Chief Engineer
Superior Racing Team
Superior Racing Team
We made the Gold Cup final!!
With a great day Saturday, and a pair of consistent third-place finishes on Sunday, the U-2.25 is assured a spot in the final heat of the 2006 Chrysler Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup in Detroit!
Stay tuned for more!
Stay tuned for more!
A note from a friend...
From our friend Ray Forsman...
"Consistency has its place in racing. Kind of like the "Tortoise and the Hare". Good for you Ken.........keep up the pressure.........make 'em jump the gun........make 'em change lanes......."
"Consistency has its place in racing. Kind of like the "Tortoise and the Hare". Good for you Ken.........keep up the pressure.........make 'em jump the gun........make 'em change lanes......."
Articles from today's Detroit papers
Starting with our friend Paul Scurlock:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006607160318
And now the Detroit News
http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060716/SPORTS10/607160574/1048/SPORTS
http://www.detnews.
And now the Detroit News
http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060716/SPORTS10/607160574/1048/SPORTS
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Another question from a fan
QUESTION: Speaking of the cowl, I notice that you guys and the Leland Navy are the only ones not using that ‘Bud’ style scoop shape for the cowling. Is there something about the ‘Bud’ style one that’s special for the shape/configuration/position on the hull that makes it so special? Or do people copy it simply because it seems to have worked well for the Bud guys over the years? –MNM, Bellevue, Wash.
ANSWER: The simple answer is yes. That design seems to work and there's a high temperature mold available so you can make a light cowling. The cowling we are currently using is exceptionally heavy but with the modification it's working well. There are several improvements we'd like to make including making it much lighter, better internal airflow management and presentation to the engine, and keeping the aerodynamic drag down.
Thanks,
Kevin and Jay
Leader in the Clubhouse, baby!
The U-2.25 Michigan Mortgage Consultants unlimited hydroplane is having a great run at the Gold Cup in Detroit.
The team leads all 10 boats competing in the Granddaddy of All Boat Races with 700 points after the first day. As reported earlier on this blog, Dr. Ken Muscatel drove the U-2.25 to a win in heat 1A, while David Williams drove it to a place in heat 2A.
Tomorrow, the guys will give it their best effort to make the final and see if we can't make Superior Racing Team's first race win the Gold Cup, like Terry Troxell did last year for the U-13 team! It won't be easy, though, as the fleet is stronger than it has ever been before.
Go Ken and Dave! Good luck Superior Racing!!
The team leads all 10 boats competing in the Granddaddy of All Boat Races with 700 points after the first day. As reported earlier on this blog, Dr. Ken Muscatel drove the U-2.25 to a win in heat 1A, while David Williams drove it to a place in heat 2A.
Tomorrow, the guys will give it their best effort to make the final and see if we can't make Superior Racing Team's first race win the Gold Cup, like Terry Troxell did last year for the U-13 team! It won't be easy, though, as the fleet is stronger than it has ever been before.
Go Ken and Dave! Good luck Superior Racing!!
Report from our crew in Detroit
Today (Saturday) was a good day. After changing the gearbox ratio last night we discovered a leak during the trailer fire this morning. We had a quick chance to test before the first heat and the gearbox/prop combination looked good. Heat 1A started with Ken in lane 1, in the lead and at the end we took 1st place and three of the 5 boats DNF. Dave Williams drove in Heat 2A and finished 2nd with all boats finishing and the U-37 jumping the gun.
-Kevin Stoltz, Chief Engineer
Superior Racing Team
-Kevin Stoltz, Chief Engineer
Superior Racing Team
Heat 1A
WE WIN!
Unofficial results say that the U-2.25 won heat 1A of the Gold Cup today...beating Kevin Aylesworth (ironic, that it was that boat we beat), in the U-21 Lucky 21. The U-3 DNF'd and the U-100 and U-10 did not start.
Dr. Ken Muscatel drove the Michigan Mortgage Consultants boat in heat 1A. Don't forget that David Williams will drive the U-2.25 at least one heat in the Gold Cup sometime this weekend.
Unofficial results say that the U-2.25 won heat 1A of the Gold Cup today...beating Kevin Aylesworth (ironic, that it was that boat we beat), in the U-21 Lucky 21. The U-3 DNF'd and the U-100 and U-10 did not start.
Dr. Ken Muscatel drove the Michigan Mortgage Consultants boat in heat 1A. Don't forget that David Williams will drive the U-2.25 at least one heat in the Gold Cup sometime this weekend.
Photos from a fan
Hi everyone! Thanks to a Superior Racing Team fan, Ralph Sonley, we have been provided a few photos from Valleyfield to add to our collection of photos! Thank you Ralph...we appreciate your contribution and your friendship to Superior Racing Team. We'll see you again next year in Valleyfield.
If any other fans have photos of our boat or our team in action, we'll post them if you want to share with us. You can email them to us at info@noslencommunication.com.
If any other fans have photos of our boat or our team in action, we'll post them if you want to share with us. You can email them to us at info@noslencommunication.com.
Update from the Gold Cup
"We ran four times today, and started off with some N2 violations. On the third run, David Williams drove, and we put on a third different prop, which brought down the N2, but also brought down the speed. We decided to change out the gears so we'd have a better ratio, allowing us to run the first two props."
- Kevin Stoltz, Superior Racing Team Chief Engineer
At the end of a day that included four runs, the U-2.25 rests in the pits quietly after a rain shower.
Superior Racing Team Crew Chief Jay Leckrone working on a gear box after the day's runs were done.
Team member Gary Scott works on another gear box after the day's runs were finished.
A view of one of the Superior Racing Team gearboxes that a lot of people don't see.
- Kevin Stoltz, Superior Racing Team Chief Engineer
At the end of a day that included four runs, the U-2.25 rests in the pits quietly after a rain shower.
Superior Racing Team Crew Chief Jay Leckrone working on a gear box after the day's runs were done.
Team member Gary Scott works on another gear box after the day's runs were finished.
A view of one of the Superior Racing Team gearboxes that a lot of people don't see.
Here's a link for a great story in the Madison Courier that includes a quote from Dr. Ken!
http://www.madisoncourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=18&subsectionID=289&articleID=31102
http://www.madisoncourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=18&subsectionID=289&articleID=31102
Friday, July 14, 2006
We're back!
Hey everyone!! We're back in time for the Gold Cup! The U-2.25 and all the guys are back in Detroit, and the team is set up and ready to go for today's rounds of qualifying. We'll provide updates as often as we can today (we have real jobs too), and whenever possible throughout the weekend.
To start . . . Here's a question from one of our readers (we encourage readers and hydro fans alike to send in questions for the crew or for Dr. Muscatel. We'll do our best to answer them).
"We had some indications and suspected the N1 was higher than expected. One reason for this is that the compressor isn't getting enough air resulting in it having to work less and thus spin faster. After measuring the inlet area, calculating the effective reduction due to the boundary layer (the snorkel was an additional 4ft) and comparing the airflow presented to the engine at various speeds, Jay and I determined the inlet area wasn't sufficient. Just before leaving, Jay Leckrone and Chris Brensfield made a last-minute modification which removed the snorkel and actually changed the cowling to double the inlet area. Although we had limited data before the change, the N1 data now more closely matches the data seen on the dyno. We also made some "controversial" (depending who you talk to) changes which on the surface might appear to increase the aerodynamic drag but in reality most likely reduces it."
Thanks for the question!
To start . . . Here's a question from one of our readers (we encourage readers and hydro fans alike to send in questions for the crew or for Dr. Muscatel. We'll do our best to answer them).
We’ve noticed that you’re not using the salt water snorkel over the cockpit. Does the cowl work better without that snorkel? Have you guys noticed a difference? (-ML, Bellevue, Wash.)
"We had some indications and suspected the N1 was higher than expected. One reason for this is that the compressor isn't getting enough air resulting in it having to work less and thus spin faster. After measuring the inlet area, calculating the effective reduction due to the boundary layer (the snorkel was an additional 4ft) and comparing the airflow presented to the engine at various speeds, Jay and I determined the inlet area wasn't sufficient. Just before leaving, Jay Leckrone and Chris Brensfield made a last-minute modification which removed the snorkel and actually changed the cowling to double the inlet area. Although we had limited data before the change, the N1 data now more closely matches the data seen on the dyno. We also made some "controversial" (depending who you talk to) changes which on the surface might appear to increase the aerodynamic drag but in reality most likely reduces it."Thanks for the question!
Kevin Stoltz, U-2.25 Chief Engineer
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Update
No fatalities...thank goodness.
Here's the most up-to-date article, as of right now.
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=5106517&nav=9Tai
Here's the most up-to-date article, as of right now.
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=5106517&nav=9Tai
Madison update
The final at Madison has been cancelled, and race officials will announce a winner later. As of this time, officials are not commenting about what happened today regarding the car running through the crowd.
Understandibly, the boat race is the last concern on the minds of folks in Madison today.
Here's a link to an article about the accident.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060702/ap_on_sp_ot/boat_race_crash
We will continue to update as more news breaks.
Understandibly, the boat race is the last concern on the minds of folks in Madison today.
Here's a link to an article about the accident.
http://news.
We will continue to update as more news breaks.
Update
The car that's in the river...there are reports the car lost control and ran through the crowd. No confirmed word yet, but there might be fatalities. Superior Racing Team and the entire hydroplane racing world sends its best wishes and hopes that there are no fatalities or injuries.
More when it becomes available.
More when it becomes available.
Madison Sunday
Just a quick update from Madison...
In heat 2B, the Miss Superior Racing was unable to finish due to a gearbox that gave out, yet we have enough points to qualify for the final. The team and Dr. Ken have advised the officials, as of 1 p.m., that they could have the boat ready to go in an hour. The team is working feverishly on getting a new gearbox in and repairing any damage that might have resulted. We're going to make every effort to get into the final.
Paul Scurlock, the superstar sportswriter of the Detroit News, reports that there's a car floating in the Ohio River...The Coast Guard is on the way. This might cause another delay to the racing.
As it stands, it looks like the final will be: Miss Elam Plus (Dave Villwock), Miss Bello's Pizza/Formula Boats I (Mike Weber), Formula Boats II (Mike Allen...who won a heat today), and Miss Superior Racing (Dr. Ken).
We'll update again when we can.
In heat 2B, the Miss Superior Racing was unable to finish due to a gearbox that gave out, yet we have enough points to qualify for the final. The team and Dr. Ken have advised the officials, as of 1 p.m., that they could have the boat ready to go in an hour. The team is working feverishly on getting a new gearbox in and repairing any damage that might have resulted. We're going to make every effort to get into the final.
Paul Scurlock, the superstar sportswriter of the Detroit News, reports that there's a car floating in the Ohio River...The Coast Guard is on the way. This might cause another delay to the racing.
As it stands, it looks like the final will be: Miss Elam Plus (Dave Villwock), Miss Bello's Pizza/Formula Boats I (Mike Weber), Formula Boats II (Mike Allen...who won a heat today), and Miss Superior Racing (Dr. Ken).
We'll update again when we can.
Madison
Just a quick note, the best finish Dr. Ken Muscatel ever had in a final was second place in Madison back in 1998.
If you remember, he also won a heat in Madison last season...and today, he added to that success with a second place finish in heat 1B.
Safe to say Dr. Ken is a fan of Madison.
If you remember, he also won a heat in Madison last season...and today, he added to that success with a second place finish in heat 1B.
Safe to say Dr. Ken is a fan of Madison.
Heat 1B
Unofficially, it looks like Dr. Ken Muscatel finished second in Heat 1B, trailing only Mike Allen in the U-7 Formula Boats II. Jean Theoret in the U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing was third, and Jimmy King in the Master Tire did not finish.
Stay tuned for more official results and any other information we can gather.
Stay tuned for more official results and any other information we can gather.
Sunday in Madison
If you didn't hear, the action in Madison yesterday was limited to boats sitting on their trailers and those getting the work they needed taken care of. At the end of the day, ABRA did a super fan-friendly thing by opening the pits to the fans who'd paid money and stayed around all day hoping the water conditions (high currents, lots of debris, and two-to-three foot waves) would settle enough for some testing to happen on the course.(To the left, Dr. Ken signs an autograph for one of the thankful fans who enjoyed some "fan appreciation time in the open pits on Saturday Thanks to James Crisp for the photo).
As for our team, we spent the day with the boat on the trailer just waiting for the water to calm down. The U-2.25 Miss Superior Racing is race-ready.
So far this morning (Sunday) we've been out once, for a little testing. We're in heat 1B, which is about to be run any minute now. We'll check back in after it's over. Don't forget, we won our first heat in Madison last year!
Until later...
Saturday, July 01, 2006
News from Madison Courier
Happy Saturday from Superior Racing Team!
Here's a link to an interesting notebook by David Campbell in today's edition of the Madison Courier. At the end, it mentions Dr. Ken!
http://madisoncourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=18&SubSectionID=289&ArticleID=30929
Here's a link to an interesting notebook by David Campbell in today's edition of the Madison Courier. At the end, it mentions Dr. Ken!
http://madisoncourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=18&SubSectionID=289&ArticleID=30929
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Breaking Hydro News...
We have been told from a member of the U-13 team, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, that unfortunately, the Spirit of Detroit hydroplane won't be joining the fleet in Madison this weekend as had been hoped.
While the paint is now done, there's still too much work to finish up before the team and boat will be ready to go racing. While there's no official word on when the team will join the fleet, we wouldn't be surprised if it were Detroit, but there's always the possibility that Valleyfield is still in the team's sights.
While the paint is now done, there's still too much work to finish up before the team and boat will be ready to go racing. While there's no official word on when the team will join the fleet, we wouldn't be surprised if it were Detroit, but there's always the possibility that Valleyfield is still in the team's sights.
