Book Description

To me the big and powerful unlimited hydroplane is like no other raceboat. Nothing elicits the same response. Why this fascination? Is it the raw power, the speed, the personalities, the majestic beauty, wanting to feel part of something big? Whatever the reason, this fascination has stayed with me (and thousands of others) for a lifetime. This book is organized around a Gallery of Winners for each decade. Every unlimited hydroplane which has won a race since 1946 is profiled. The pages are filled with over one thousand photos, most in color. "Fun Facts" are found throughout the book, highlighting little know gems about the boats, the drivers and the owners. Boats which did not make the winner's circle are more briefly mentioned, but certainly not ignored. Sometimes much of the drama lies with those who tried so hard and came so close, or tried so hard and got absolutely nowhere! You will find over seventy entries related to "Fearless Fred" Alter. The wit, wisdom and candor of this very competitive race driver is refreshing and insightful. I have shared my own experiences and over sixty devoted fans have shared their memories as well, including such drivers as Mickey Remund, Tom Sheehy and Steve Reynolds. The glory days of the 1950s and 1960s are covered in detail, but so too are more recent years. The joy of racing and competing is still here. Do I miss the piston roar? You bet. But the racing is just as exciting as ever - if not more so. The stories about the race teams - their struggles and triumphs - are just as compelling. Read about the Such Crusts, the Miss Supertests, Miss Pepsi, Miss Thriftway, the Gales, Miss Bardahl, Atlas Van Lines, Winston Eagle, PICO, Miss Budweiser, Spirit of Qatar, Oberto and more than one hundred other winners!