Episode 180: 1986 Miami Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Championship Radio Broadcast

Episode 180 of Roostertail Talk takes you back four decades to the thrilling 1986 Miami hydroplane race, the Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Championship. This special episode features a full radio broadcast of the event, with legendary announcer Jim Hendrix bringing every moment to life over the airwaves.

Relive the intensity and drama as some of the sport’s most iconic figures take to the water, including Jim Kropfeld, Bernie Little, Scott Pierce, Todd Yarling, and many more. From roaring engines to razor-thin finishes, this race captures the spirit of an unforgettable era in unlimited hydroplane racing.

A big thank you to Laurie Marlow for her generous donation of this historic race audio, helping preserve and share a remarkable piece of hydroplane history.

Tune in and experience the excitement of Miami 1986 like never before.

*Photo by Bob Greenhow

Transcript

Why This Vintage Race Matters

SPEAKER_00 1:10

Anyways, I wanted to I wanted to read it to the race on the radio broadcast of a race from yesterday but today today we're gonna listen to the next eighty sex or the red time we're gonna go back and listen to this uh four years ago that's what a wild time for the sports innovations on all the times, sponsors on the sport, but Middle American current companies, 711, many other factors there, singles potential uh there's a lot of money being put into the sport. We're looking at the safety aspect of it. But that's uh the uh America, the old boy Alberto by George Johnson making the return from Europe the Frick and South by Miller Irvin, the old seven medicine with the health. That's what the last year that happened. Uh two both brand new turbine hydroplane, we're trying to turbine engine, and then we have the the griffin with Scott Kerr driving. And then we have her favorite unlimited hydroplane. We also have the Pantry Pride, automated uh driven by the hot drilling, automotive both

Thanks For Preserving The Tape

SPEAKER_00 3:50

previous cruiser, uh, uh later drive the later drive the circuit circuits and the following year uh last but not least, I don't know if it's driven by the fun of that. I remember as a kid that's what my rotation of the races I would watch. I would love to watch the griffon. Uh with this broadcast but griffin. One of the things to note is that there was some technical difficulties on the broadcast part. Uh it is a four-year-old. They had some issues with uh the recording. So we're gonna talk about uh sometimes harder to hear. Now last time before we get to this, I want to say Lori Marlowe. So uh thank you, Lori. Uh I appreciate uh your dedication to preserving the history of the sport, and thank you for sharing this so we can share it with the listeners out there and the fans of Hydro Plan Racing. Well, that's enough said. Let's jump back in time, 40 years, and listen to the radio broadcast of the 1986 Miami

Miami 1986 Qualifying And Field

SPEAKER_00 5:20

Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Championship.

SPEAKER_07 5:23

Hello, buddy. This is Jim Hendrick, speaking from Miami's Farine Stadium, the site of the 1986 Thunderbolt opening, and that'll be this Sunday in the Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Championships. Ten boats are on the scene, all ready to buy, and the season opener comes Sunday. Two of them bear the colors of Bernie Little's Fist Budweiser. However, the difference is one's a turban, one's a griffin, and we'll find out more from Bernie Little himself after this timeout.

SPEAKER_05 5:49

We're committed to run turbines this year, and uh we're really looking forward to it. So uh we have two different drivers, two different crews, and uh they're very competitive with each other.

SPEAKER_07 6:00

And uh so we're looking forward to a good season. Jim Cropfield and Scotty Pierce. Scotty last year the executive joe, and now he's in your camp. Uh, is this kind of an experiment in this first race?

SPEAKER_05 6:10

No, not really. Uh we know what Cropville does and can do, and he's one of the best in the business. And uh uh we're looking for a lot of good things out of Scott Pierce. Scott showed himself off very well last year. He had a good ride. We think this year he's got a ten times better ride. And uh Scott's the upcoming uh youth in America today. Uh, Jim and I are getting older and better. And uh, anyhow, we're gonna take a good look at it and see what it looks like.

SPEAKER_07 6:37

Very little this Bud Buds are both half-qualified, but out of the low part of the rung because they're the only ones. And they'll, of course, up that speed, I'm sure, in the next couple days. But German with Jim Crofield at 111.9. The Piston is Budweiser, the Griffin with Scott Pearson, 107 plus. The only other qualifier over the 95 mile an hour minimum would be Old Boy O'Brien, driven by George Johnson, who's back after your absence. We'll check the rest of the field after this from your local sponsor. Bring Stadium, and here's the way the field was set up. Miller American, driven by Chip Hannah, last year's national high point champion. That turban vote is yet to qualify. As we said, Old Boy O'Burgo is in at 98.9. The Frank Kenny Volvo, driven by Miller Urban, out of the Miami area. Ron Snyder's back in Miss Madison. The U-7 will be driven by Jerry Hopp. The 7-Eleven Turban by Steve Reynolds, and of course, we mentioned the Budweiser Turban with Jim Cropfield and Scott Peterson, the Budweiser Piston. The Patrick Pride and Sun Markets, which is the U-22 racing team, will be driven by Todd Jolly. And the latest and finish is Sam Racing, and that is Jim Hendrick. Speaking to you from Miami's Marine Stadium on Keepers Kane, Miami, Florida, the first race of the 1986 season. And it's the Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Championship. Nine unlimited are qualified for tomorrow's season over here at Miami. And the leader so far is subject to change would be the Budweiser Turbo with Jim Cropville at 118.8 mile an hour. Steve Reynolds, just a fraction

Turbines Take Over And Safety Talk

SPEAKER_07 8:00

behind that in the 7-Eleven Turban, and we'll be talking to Steve Reynolds in just a moment. But first, let's take timeout for this word. The man who is going to give a challenge, I understand, because right now his 7-Eleven Turban is dialed in. Steve Reynolds. I understand you can go a lot faster than what you've qualified at so far. Keep you know the problems that Solwater presents to the turbine engine. Uh, we've certainly had our share. Nothing new. We've had the same problem the last three years. Budweiser seems to have a handle on it. I think we're going to have a handle on it. This afternoon we should go out and try and run somewhere out 125. I think we're capable of doing that. All right, Steve Reynolds. Now they're winding up your turban, getting ready to go. As we look down, I see a very similar cockpit, like an F-16 fighter cockpit. You two are enclosed like the Budweiser. That's obviously the safest way to go. I think that's uh it offers the driver far more protection than any other kind of cockpit. A little more weight, but uh the visibility's good. Safety factor is something we don't want to compromise on. I like it. You can hear the lines of the turban in the background as we are on the ships here in Miami. Steve Vettels isn't kind of hot in there, though. Damn, it gets up to about 150 degrees. But after the boat is underway, it cools down to about 100. And you know, when you're in the heat of competition, you don't feel it when you get back. All right, Steve Readles. Right now, the turban. The 711 is warmed up for Steve Reynolds. He'll sit down and put on his jacket, his helmet, and go out and try to up this qualifying stream. He's the second highest qualifier, and we'll be back with more from Miami on the Budweiser Unlimited Hide Plane Racing Championship in just a moment. Here's the way they line up the Bud Turban with Jim Cropfeld at 118.8. The 711 Turban, C. Reynolds, 117.3, Miller American with Jim Hanauer at 116.1. They pantry pride with Todd Yale checked in 115.4, while the Bud Griffin engine, driven by Scott Pierce at 116 plus, 110 plus for Frank Kenny Vogel, driven by Miller Urban. Miss Madison with Ron Sandard, 105.9. They miss Bert Cruiser with John Provost at 98.7. Likewise, O'Boy Alberta with George Johnson at 98.7. Jerry Hopp is still to qualify the U7 and maybe by tomorrow. That's it for now. Don't forget tomorrow recovery conversation from Miami. This is Jim Patrick Reporting. Hello, everybody, from the Marine Stadium in Miami, Florida. It is Thunderbolt 1986. The first race of the campaign is the Bud Riser Unlimited Hydro Play Championship Marine Stadium right here on Keith Game. Of course, not going on to again this year will be Don Pointer. We'll be working together on ESPN to look for those. And on our radio today, we'll have reports from the day at a half-hour championship feature, a play-by-play of the championship each from starting guns and second flag. Don Pointer will check in with East 1A, 1B. How they do the first left bank time up.

Heat Lineups And Early Predictions

SPEAKER_07 10:41

With threatening skies, but a warm day. And I've done it as we looked at these boats the last couple of days. Getting ready for the opener. I think the Germans are going to have to go head to head today, and I think they start off that way at East 1A.

SPEAKER_05 10:52

Right off the bat, you've got the defending world champion, uh, you know, the Miller American with Japan over the qualified at 116. He'll be going against Jim Crossfeld in the new Miss Budweiser turban, and it has looked absolutely fantastic, especially yesterday. Also, in there will be the Fantry Pride at some supermarkets that's Scott Yarling out of Madison, Indiana. O'Boyle Burdo, George Johnson in Seattle, and John Freeboat with a Merck Cruiser.

SPEAKER_07 11:12

That's got a Chevy engine in it, and it's looked pretty good. Next year they're going to put four Merck Cruisers in a little bigger boat, so we're looking for another power change yet to come. This is, I think, the first time in modern history. We haven't had a uh Berlin engine in the camp, so uh it's kind of surprising. Let's check Eat 1B, and of course more from the Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Championship, the season opener, Marine Stadium in Miami, after this. Back here at Green Stadium, Miami, Don Clayer. How about Eat 1B? Got four boats.

SPEAKER_03 11:38

We had nine qualifying overall, five and eat one A, and four and one B. You've got in there, the Miss Budweiser, the Fistman engine, the Griffin engine that we saw last year is a brand new boat.

SPEAKER_05 11:46

Only Scottie Pierce is driving it. He was in the executive telephones last year. Also in there, the Mid 711 qualifying at 117, just a mile an hour ahead of the Budweiser Griffin in the Mid 711. You have the Frank Kenny toy of Volvo with Bill and Urban back driving again. He was in the Miss Renault two years ago. He qualified as 110. And then you have the Miss Madison, Ron Snyder, returning to the chair. Now he had a one-year absence. He was a URC official, and now he's back driving the only conventional style boat where he sits behind the engine.

SPEAKER_07 12:12

Three drivers, Joyce Johnson. Also Miller Urban and Ron Snyder back after one-year hiatus. So we have nine boats to compete, five and one A, four and one B. Further reports, both coming on the station. A half-hour program from signing on the checker flag, so stay tuned. From Miami, on behalf of John Fire, this is Jim Hendrick. So on Miami, Florida in the Budweiser

Heat Winners And Choppy Water

SPEAKER_07 12:30

Unlimited Hydroplane Championships. The kickoff for 1986. Heat 1A saw Jim Clockfeld. Take Bernie Rimmel's fifth Budweiser, the new German to victory. Miller American, driven by Chip Hannah, went dead in the water prior to the start. George Johnson in Oakboy, Alberto, was black flagged at the sign on plane after the one-minute gun expired. Second place, Heat 1A, went to Charge Yarling in the Pantry Fries. And third to John Freebost in the midst of Merc Cruiser. Following his victory, I talked about the water conditions to uh Jim Cropell. Jim? Well, the water was very, very nice when we started, Jim. And uh uh there was only three boats running at the time. I saw Chip go down with his boat, and then uh all of a sudden it was George Johnson out there in Over Alberto putting up a heck of a wake. He was off plane, and uh John Freebos uh in the Merc Cruiser wasn't really running that fast, so he had made a heck of a wake, and then of course I was trying to push it, and uh that big boat of the Budweiser Turbo needs a heck of a wake, too. And after about three laps, she got pretty choppy. The winner of heat one A, that is Jim Croftville from Cincinnati, Ohio, driving Brandon Little's turban power to Miss Budweiser. First seat of action ever, and a checker flag in first place. We'll have more. We got in heat 1B here today in Miami after this timeout. Is now, of course, history, and Ron Spider was the winner of that run into Miss Madison. He took the boat across the siding line first. Pat Pierce, Miss Budweiser, gripping on his hips, the 7-Eleven turbine with Steve Reynolds right in the back. And Spider actually held out the challenge, take Miss Madison to victory. Actually, when you come right down to Ron Snyder, your first competition heat after retiring and taking a year off. You know, a f shape was easier, though.

SPEAKER_05 14:02

Yeah, it's really great. You know, the crew's really worked hard on it this year, isn't it? And they put me back in that seat, you know what I require, bro. And they did it. So everything's running beautifully. Lucky on a good on a first start there on the season. I hope we can do it the next two.

SPEAKER_07 14:16

Ron Snyder held out the challenge, taking Miss Madison to victory. Scott Pierce, second in the Budweiser Griffin, third to Steve Reynolds in the 7-Eleven Tribbin, while Nona Irving returned to the fifth after last two in the Frank Kenny Volvo. I'll be back with the final word after this from your local sponsor. In the Miami, Florida, repeating Miss Budweiser Tribon won Heat 1A. And the winner of Heat 1B was Miss Madison with Ron Snyder. Don't forget, at 336 Eastern, 336 Central, 1236 Pacific, our third and final one minute, uh, five-minute show, and that'll be straight up at 336 Eastern, 336 Central, 1236 Pacific. Miami, this is Jim Hendrick.

Rain Disruptions And Finalists Set

SPEAKER_07 14:55

This is Jim Hendrick reporting from P. Biscayne, Biscayne Bay, just outside of Miami, Florida, Miami Marine Stadium, for Thunderboats 1986. We have had all the action of heat 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B. We've had rain sweating all around us all today. As I talk to you here on the shores of the Biscayne Bay, I'm getting raindrops on my back, but not enough to hold up the uh championship heat, which so far is still slated for 4 o'clock eastern, 3 o'clock central, and 1 o'clock Pacific West Coast time. We've had lots of action. I'll write it down for you. Have a comment from a couple of the drivers, but first, this timeout. Back here on TV Sane, as the rain still threatens, and we're getting some raindrops to keep falling on my shoulders, but it looks like it's gonna be a little lighter in the back of us. We're still scheduled to go with our chabis of heat, the first race, the Budweiser, Unlimited Thunderbird Regana, Hydroplane Championships here at Miami. Heat 1A was taken today by the Spudweiser Turbin, driven by Jim Cropfeld. It was the first competition heat for Bernie Little's new Unlimited Hydro. However, Cropdell felt his way around the course for a couple of laps before taking the lead from Todd Garling in the pantry pride entry on lap number three. Second place went to the pantry pride, and John Privos and the Miss Burk Cruiser did not finish, while the Miller America Turban, the national defending champion, went dead on driver Chip Hanauer just before the start. And George Johnson and the Old Boy Alberto were black flagged by referee Lee Shayup for not being on playing at the one-minute gun. The fastest lap for the winner, Miss Budweiser Turban, 107 plus mile an hour. Heat 1B saw Ron Snyder take the Miss Madison to a wire-to-wire victory in Snyder's first return after setting out the 85 season. The Miss Budweiser Griffin, driven by Scott Pierce, finished second, while Steve Reynolds finished third in the 7-Eleven turban. A Frank Kenny Volgo returned to the pits on lap number three, having problems for driver Miller Urban. Heat QA saw Ron Snyder take the Miss Madison across the line first to lead Jim Cropfield and Miss Budweiser turban and Steve Reynolds in the 7-Eleven out of the first turn. From there on it was all Miss Madison and the Budweiser turban with Jim Cropfield taking the butt out front for the last half left for the victory. And actually, Miss Madison taking second. After his second straight heat victory, I asked Cropfield about the battle with Snyder. It was pretty close, Ronnie was running very well out there. That kind of surprised me that he's going that fast. But uh, yeah, this is his first race. He was off last year, and he was really pushing us. I guess he hasn't lost his coach at all. Well, that's the way it ended. And as I talk to you right now, I'm getting soaking wet. The clouds have opened up. I cannot see downtown Miami. I'm sitting in the rain as it blows in under our stands, and I am getting soaking wet. And let's just hope that this ends up so that we can be on time with our 4 o'clock final Eastern Time, 3 o'clock central, and 1 o'clock Pacific West Coast Time. So I will warn all stations on this network line to dial up and be listening at 10 minutes the hour, and we'll keep you abreast if we're going on schedule. Right now it is raining so hard. I'm getting soaked in. In fact, I'm getting awful cold. We'll be back with the final field in second heat 2B after this timeout. Todd Yarling then took the lead in the Pantry Pride and from that point went on to victory. Lap number five saw George Johnson, old boy of Brittle lose power and did not finish. Second place to win to John Prebos in the Miss Mercruiser. Here's the way they'll stand up. Budweiser Turbin, Miss Madison, the Pantry Pride, 7-Eleven Turban, and the Budweiser Griffin are your five finalists, with the alternate being Miss Troop Mercruiser, should any of those five fail to start. Don't forget, we'll have it 4 o'clock Eastern, 3 o'clock central, and 1 o'clock Pacific West Coast time for a half-hour show. But as I talk to you now and the rain is pouring down, I'm soaking wet. So join us on the line and we'll keep you impressed here in a few minutes. From Miami, this is Jim Hendrick. So long.

SPEAKER_05 18:57

Florida.

SPEAKER_07 18:58

It's Thunderboat 1986. Today, the fastest baseball in the world, the Unlimited Hyperos, compete in the Footbriter Unlimited Hyperplane Championship. All the actions brought to you by the A4. Fuck the rating let you hide you. My Popeye saved my chicken. You're gonna love that chicken for Popeye. Fut Ricardo gives a beer for all you do for you. And what you want to play in your area of?

SPEAKER_03 19:34

And by H Westernware.

SPEAKER_07 19:45

And now Jubilee Stadium on Keeper's Cave in Miami, Florida, and Jim Hendrick. Hello everybody, this is Jim Hendrick. Jim Hendrick speaking here along with Don Cora. We hope we've got a terrific rainstorm here. We've had lightning, we have thunder and wind. If we sound maybe a little kinny to you, it's because everything is wet here. We hope that it's acceptable for interplay because of the bad weather. In fact, it is still sprinkling right now here in Miami. So we're just hoping that uh things will dry out enough that you can hear us. Because we were in the lightning, rain, wind, you name it, wind blowing. We are soaking wet from our head to our toes. My shoes are squeaky. And I'm going out to today, of course, Don Clair down the pit. And he's pretty wet down there. We're gonna try to see if we can find him. Donna, you down there as yet? Well, see if we got a little feedback down there, and we don't have our pit location. But uh also with me is Scott Smith, and this is our first race of 1986, and I'll say this. I hope none of the rest of them are like this one. We are stucky wet and we have technical problems because of the weather. We'll be back after this timeout. Today. All right, this is Jeff Hendrix back here with Don Clare and Scott Smith. Scott will be re cap meeting each one a Y point for just a moment. Let's see if we can pick up the bit of among the raindrops. Are you there? Don Claire? Well, Don might not be there yet. Right now I don't hear him too much, but I do hear a little cracky thing. Okay, nobody's there? All right, Scott Smith, how about 1A? Okay, Jim. Well, 1A for the uh Miss Pantry Fries Sun Supermarket. That's Jimmy Siddam's boat from Madison, Indiana, hit the line right on the money and followed by Jimmy Crossville and the Miss Fudweizer Turbin. John Friedville's Miss Furk Cruiser was following behind. Yo Boy Alberta was black flagged due to not being on a point at the one-minute gun. And the Northern American did not start, but it was a good race for three laps between the pantry prize sun supermarkets and the Miss Fuddlizer. And then Crossville took him off and uh put his foot down a little bit and was able to go by the new triple charge U-22 for his first run of the season, 400 points. And after the first run and the new turbine, we asked Jim about the water condition.

SPEAKER_06 21:44

Well, through the first lap, but I think I got out there and uh and the older boy O'Berma was about uh running kind of slow and he wasn't making a lot of wake, and I wasn't making a lot awake, and after about two laps, it really got choppy out there. When the wind come across the the course as you pass the state and it made it kind of rough too.

SPEAKER_07 22:00

Second place and E1A went to Todd Yarling and the Miss Pantry Prize Sun Civil Market with 300 points. John Freebooks did not finish. As previously mentioned, the Oberto with Black Flag in the Middle America did not start. And he won B, old veteran Ron Snyder came roaring out and took home a win after officiating all last year. Snyder dueled with Scotty Pierce and the Miss Budweiser Griffin for about three laps. And then Snyder just took over and brought it on home. And then again, we talked to Snyder about his win.

SPEAKER_05 22:26

Oh, it's real great, Tim, to go out after a year off and jump in it for the first time in a year and go out and win a heat. You know, we had lady luck on our side down here in Miami. Saltwater was never kind to us like the servants, but it was your day so far. So let's just hope it stays up and keeps on being good luck for us.

SPEAKER_07 22:42

Okay, following Snyder, Scotty Fears and Miss Floodweiser, and a nice hit for Steve Reynolds and Miss 7-Eleven. They finished their first beat in Miami in three years of trying and took on 225 points. And we'll be back with the wrap-ups of Heat 2A and 2B right after this word from our sponsor. That boats are now on in the course. And while they're warming up and getting caught in that limited gun once again, Scott, how about heat one? 2A, Jimmy. I saw Mr. Cropfeld and the Budweiser Turban take on Ronnie Snyder and the Miss Madison. And those two Ohio boys went at it for six solid laps until the between the corners one and two, Cropfeld once again put the foot down and was just able to hold Snyder off for his second win of the day. And after Jim had been out, we went down to Federal to talk to him again on how his new Bud Budweiser Turban performed.

SPEAKER_06 23:32

We're just really simple about it. We've got, you know, we've designed and built all the new turbo system for the engine. And especially with uh Madison doing as good as us. That's nice. The boys from Indiana are coming through down here.

SPEAKER_08 23:51

Yeah, that's kind of early now. You can tell John Freebos just went by.

SPEAKER_07 23:56

We've had a tough time today with the rain and everything, but Bad Yarling did capture Heasty Way and uh Miss Party Pride uh front supermarkets, and he was followed on by John Freebos and his automotive powered uh Miss Merc Cruiser. So if we get ready for the final, we're gonna have it dandy here, and I think the weather's gonna hold off, Jimmy, just long enough to get this down. Well, I don't know. I don't I don't know. It's clearly equalized lines everything up, but everything is soaked and wet. We were talking about control center back in Detroit. And they said, well, sometimes you come, sometimes you don't. But we are now looking at some late rain against Folly, but the boats are out there and we are going to run no matter what happens. Well, I think we will. And it's what we have out here for the final Jimmy Cropfeld and Miss Floodweiser Turbin. We have Scotty Pearson, the Miss Fudweiser Griffin. We have Ron Snyder and the Miss Madison, Steve Reynolds, and the Miss 711 and Todd Yarling,

Championship Heat Called Live

SPEAKER_07 24:40

and the Miss Friends Pantry Fries uh Sun Supermarket making up the field with John Freebooks, the alternate. I'll give it back to you because we're getting ready for a dandy start in a great final. Getting close to the one minute card. Let's take time on the Missword from my local side. Scotty Pierce followed. By the steel. That looks like the Bud Turban, Jim. On the inside lane, and Scotty and Wayne, too, at the moment. He would be will be right there. We've got two buddies in the front. We've got Smith Madison followed by the Patrick Bride. And way in the back, looking up is the, I believe, the officers boat.

SPEAKER_05 25:12

That's correct. That's John Three Boat's been the Miss Mark Cruiser.

SPEAKER_07 25:15

So we've got one, two, three, four, five. We didn't answer the call. Or is there a boat down? I'm looking for Miss Madison. Do you see Mr. Madison sitting in about lane three in the upper corner now? It looks like she's in about, yeah, lane. There we go. There she is. She took a chuck down from the rooster tail of the Bud Turban. And here they come now. On the inside will be the Budweiser church with Jim Crockdale, followed by Miss Madison, lane three. Lane four is the Budweiser Griffith. Lane five on the outside of factory. Just to get it Madison out of front and down. Madison. Budweiser. Here's the moment the rain drops here at Marine Stadium. That's going to be the Budweiser turbine. And all of a sudden, down here comes Miss Madison in lane number two. It's the Madison and the Bud turban coming off of corner number two. Down the Battery to Boy. Lightning is flashing down the backheads. Lightning and the raid is starting to pick up even worse. And something, whoa! A flash of fire in the Madison! A flash of fire and he noticed it. And going by him is the turban of this Budweiser with Jim Crosby. Crossville takes over first. Madison drops back to second. Patrick Friday is third. Budweiser gripping fourth. This is uh Birchhooser is coming off of corner number two in overall fifth place as they come around for the first time. Where lamps at speed near 110 miles an hour. We'll have to find out. Here comes Miss Budweiser turban. We're gonna need a one, two, three seconds, three second lead.

SPEAKER_04 26:41

Budweiser turbine over Miss Madison second place. And now the pattern.

SPEAKER_07 26:47

For third place, it goes fast in as they complete left number one. So it's the Budweiser German. Three-second lead over Miss Madison. Third place is the Pantry Pride with Todd Golly. Fourth place is Bud Weiser Griffin with Scott Pierce. And fifth place is the Miss Burkruiser with rookie John Prebo, who is a seventh leader national champion coming up to the unlimited ranker. 7-11 was dead before the start of the quarter.

SPEAKER_08 27:10

That's why Freeboys.

SPEAKER_07 27:19

7-Eleven dead. He's on the back seat. I can see it now. He has some wrong somewhat or some problems. And now slowly way down is this match. Right. Now he gets it going again. As they come down to complete lap number two with four more to go. Here is the Miss Budweiser Turbo with Jim Humpheld. He's got a one, two, three, four, five, five second lead over Miss Madison now is the first. And Miss Budweiser Griffin has just gone dead. A little bit coming off corner number two. And I can stick it back up again. I think Scotty Fair struck it a little, Jim. Oh, yes.

SPEAKER_08 27:49

He hooked it into his buffer.

SPEAKER_07 27:51

Going this way, that's the way to say the Budweiser turban with Jim Coffield in first by five seconds over Miss Madison in second. Ten seconds behind the Madison in third place to Budweiser Griffin after hooking. John be back to fourth. About 14 seconds off the base is Todd Garning in the pantry pride and some supermarkets. And fifth place is John Pleebo in the Bert Cruiser. While the 7-Eleven in the final side. Three more left to go for Jim Crumfield and Bernie Little Circle. Hit Statison with Clown Snyder as second. Third is the Budweiser Griffin. Fourth is the Patrick Cry with Todd Golly. And fifth is the this percursor. And the off comes down sweet match number three. Oh, that was something. They're ready to go. Had trouble with their truck. They couldn't get it. They couldn't make it. But they're ready to race. I say when we get the way this field looked this year, we get to Detroit. It's going to be something else. Budweiser it could be a gold cup up. Yep. And the Miller American, of course, the defending national championship, the An hour withdrew earlier today because they had problems. But they say two weeks from now they'll be ready. And now we're coming around to the completion of lap number four with two more left to go. It's the miss Budweiser Kerbin with Jim Crumb Bill bouncing 38 seconds of corners three and four. Coming down, shaking loose right now. And we'll see if we get an unofficial time on him as the completion of lap number four for your leader, Budweiser Kerbin with Jim Crumbville. And we'll find out how many seconds kills the Radiant Heider's moved it up to about four seconds for the miss Madison, Jim. He's picking up on Jimmy just a little bit. And here comes the Budweiser Krippman in third place, driven by Scott Pierce. He conserved. First place of Patrick Clyde with Todd Golly. He skips through and comes off of corner number four. And there's left and two left to go. Here at Miami's Marine Stadium. I'd say to about 117, maybe 118. But he was, he's still moving right along. That boat looks beautiful today. He has run magnificently all day. Green flag will be coming out now. And it'll be a green flag as your leader with one more left to go after this one. The Budweiser turban with Jim Croftville, the kid from Cincinnati in brilliant little beautiful new turban boat. Comes around to take the green flag. Five complete laps, one more to go. He sits the single, he saves it. And he now has increased his lead to about seven seconds over the Miss Madison. And Ron Second, up through. And he's currently in second place. And a fine joint for Ron Sutter after a great day, Matt Bonnie. Great day for Ryan. Here comes the third place boat. The Griffin powered this point right there. Oh, it's flowing down as the passing pride. The passive pride's flowing way down. And now he's fixing it up again. Todd Yarling. Maybe having a problem with the search tank. Just look like he didn't have enough fuel to get through. Now he's got his final act as he gets the green flag. And here comes John Crebo. And the third late gets fifth place at the 7-Eleven with Steve Reynolds aiming to start, allowing the Mercury of the Office to keep on running after the one-minute gun. Now, ladies and gentlemen, the checker flag is out. And coming down for the first victory of the first race of 1986 from 690. Jim Coffee, Bernie Riddle's Miss Budweiser, is the winner of this, the Budweiser Unlimited Hide Plane Championships here

Results Points And Mechanical Trouble

SPEAKER_07 31:30

at Miami, Florida. And a fine second place finish for the Bucks from Madison, Indiana. Con Snyder, second place in a fine showing today. Here's your third place post, the second member of the team. For the Smith Budweiser, Rickie Camp, the trip clock, Buddhiser.

SPEAKER_08 31:47

Thank you.

SPEAKER_07 31:49

Got Pierce coming through. And the rain continues to fall. And I'm getting wet as our roof is leaking again. And we're getting at that, I know, on the line. And we apologize to the stations, but we are in another storm that's coming through here as this race continues. Here's your fourth place miniature from Henry Pline and Flutonberg. And then, of course, is the U-22 also out of Madison. So Madison, Indiana has two in the final heat today, second and fourth. And your overall fifth place vote will be the Miss Burk Cruiser. We'll take timeout for this word from our sponsor. But ladies and gentlemen, we really apologize, especially to our network stations. If the quiet is not at the forum, it is not the fault of your receiver or your major station. We have just had lightning and thunder. Everything is wet here. Every telephone broadcast will find along the ground.

SPEAKER_08 32:37

Don't forget. Here comes your final John Rico and the Miss Burk cursor.

SPEAKER_07 32:45

What are the points that he's been taking right now in this first race? Well, what a fair place, Jim, what we have is Jim Crofton went out and had a perfect day. Three first place finishers, but he gives the Budweiser Griffin 1,200 points in the lead to national high points. If it's right behind him, is Ronnie Snyder and the Miss Madison from good old manups in Indiana. They went out the neck one day today. Following him with another Indiana boat, the Miss Pantry Five Scott Supermarket, Scott Yarling, given Nancy Sedam for 869. And the Budweiser Griffin and Scotty Girls in his debut in that ride at 525. 711 scored two seconds today, and that's a first for them. So Steve Boomer's boat with Steve Reynolds is off to a good start. And the John Prevos and the uh Bismarck Cruiser with 427 uh rounds out the field today. I think considering the weather and everything else, these guys did an excellent job. It was a jam-packed crowd here to stay full. Uh people stayed around, they didn't go home, and it's a credit to them, and I think we've had a good event here. But I'll tell you the way the rate was, I don't think I want to stay home either, people. Or go home. Because I went to get out the little stand. They were covered. We were not covered. Everything was silky wet wind. We lost our electricity for a while. Uh, we've lost our lines in the pitch where we wanted to talk to the winning driver, Chip Cropville, and the winning owner, uh, Bernie Little. But we'll be talking to the commissioner of our sport, Vice President of the American Power Model Association, John Jones, after this from your local sponsor.

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SPEAKER_04 34:04

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SPEAKER_07 34:58

Key BisKay of Miami, Florida.

Commissioner On The Season Ahead

SPEAKER_07 35:00

My name is Jim Hendrick, along with uh Don Poyer, who we've lost connection with because of the storm. It's not our line off down there. I don't know if they'll bring the Budweiser team up here to us knowing that or not. We'll have to wait and see. Meanwhile, we want to send uh thanks to Mr. Scott Smith for helping us out. Now let's bring to the podium and our microphones for the first time in 1986, the commissioner of the unlimited sport of five-to-play racing, Don Jones from the city of Seattle. Don, uh, I don't think that we've had to battle everything here today. Well, we really have, but it's been a lot of fun, and I think the fans have not been disappointed, however. We had a great funnel these years with the Budweiser turban coming through.

SPEAKER_06 35:35

And I'll tell you one thing, Ron Snyder just drove the living daylights out of that with Patterson.

SPEAKER_07 35:40

Yes, he did. He's had one year off. And of course, uh, he was an official for you last year working as a driver's rep for Sister Referee, and he just had the extra bet. In fact, we have three drivers. You take George Johnson, he's back after a landing last year off. Bill Herman, uh, and the Frank Kenny Balbo, which had their problems today, and of course, but George Johnson and the Obay Alberto having problems today, so get a good bat uh straightened out. Two weeks now for the ghoul cup. And uh yet I think I see a lot of excitement. Too bad the Fillar American defending national champion uh had problems today, because had taken running. I think, and of course, the 7-Eleven having problems. Uh, you get those three services together with the Griffin and the Miss Madison and a few others. I'm telling you, we're gonna have a whale of a season for the people to see, agree. We're looking forward to a very exciting season.

SPEAKER_06 36:21

And uh, I hope everybody's in Detroit and the rest of the circuit. Uh, it will be a fantastic year for us.

SPEAKER_07 36:26

We thank you, Don Jones, for your time, and of course, apologies again to our listeners. If we seem like we're not a par on our quality of our broadcast, it's only because of the storm, the rain, we're soaking wet, our lines are wet, we're afraid to touch anything. Our engineer Eddie Bush might get electric good, but we'll make the best of the situation, and hopefully we won't have that happen again. We'll be back after this word from your local sponsor. And the man who's missing is Don Blair because of the storm. We've lost him down there. And I understand that we sound in our engineer detroit says we sound like a little equity, equity, uh, echoing, should I say? Maybe we're in stereo today, but everything is arcing across here. We've got sparks, rainwater. Eddie, Eddie Bush, our engineer, has gotten three jokes. He is shoes to smoking, and we are silky wet, and the rain continues to fall, but the race is history. And of course, two weeks from now, it'll be the ABBA Gold Cup, hopefully in sunshine. We had sunshine all day today, except clouds and storms around us. And then when we're feeding our record at 336, uh boy, I'll stand there and it just hit knocked us everything. Our electricity went out, city electricians from Miami run in. Everybody's jumping and sparking. But oh, we got it done, Jim. I mean, it rained horizontally down here. I mean, it's ridiculous, you know, how hard it was coming down, but the guys did a good job. It's gonna be a great year, and I look forward to maybe having the opportunity to be with you again on the network. You've done an excellent job. And we hope our fans enjoyed it. Very well cool back. It's tough to do a radio broadcast when it's raining, uh literally puppets of rain on top of you. And the crap, which moved to 122 mile an hour unofficially in the final heat. So we do want to, of course, uh, remind you that the MMA Network will be going uh two weeks from now to the APBA Gold Cup in the Detroit River. It's the Bud Riser APBA Gold Cup, and then a start to the Bud Riser Indiana Governors' Cup on the weekend of July uh July 6th is the race, I believe. July 13th. A week later, it's the Bud Riser Thunder on the Ohio, also on the Ohio River, down in Evansville, then a week off, then we'll be going to the West Coast for races in the Bud Riser Emerald Cup.

SPEAKER_05 38:25

First off Seattle, and then a week followed that one in the Tri-Cities for the Bud Riser Columbia Cup. That's right.

SPEAKER_07 38:30

That's back across the country again because we make stops in Syracuse, and then we make stops in Philadelphia, then a brand new race site again in Dallas, and that's a wonderful little race course.

SPEAKER_05 38:39

It'll be very fast and fun for the fans, and then it's off to our great town of San Diego, and finishing up with, I guess, the land of the knee on lights is at Day Las Vegas, uh, the 28th of September. So it's going to be an excellent year, and I just think the competition, Jim, is going to be superb. I think your analogy of uh the three turbine boats and the Madison's running excellent and the and the Budweiser Griffin, uh, you get the exec last year's executive on Bill Worcester's boat in the flyer shop around, and I'll tell you, it's gonna be a barn burner. Everybody's improved uh over the course of the winter, so it's gonna be an excellent year, no doubt about it.

SPEAKER_07 39:10

Okay, we're trying down to see if we can reach the pits again because we've been drying equipment off down there. Uh, do we have any man in the pits? Can we hear them? Now my pit line has just been completely wiped out. Everything was working fine before the rainstorm. But we will, of course, suffice to say we will keep on going together. We see a little feedback spiel from the pay area. I know they can hear us, but I guess that we can't hear them.

SPEAKER_08 39:30

I know they can hear us there before.

SPEAKER_07 39:32

Anyway, we'll be back with a wrap-up after this timeout. Uh perfect day for the Miss Budweiser turban powered hydroplane. Three first place finishes for Jim Cropfeld and the both of the agent. We have a lot of time to chat by understands. And uh, of course, it's the Battle of Turbans. As I'm talking to you right now, one of the other turbans is being showed right in front of me. That is, of course, Steve Reynolds and the uh Bill War uh Mr. Womer, Steve Moer's vote, that's the Mr. 7-Eleven out of Seattle, and they've had problems all the time now with uh uh well water, actually, is what they said about, but I'm getting more equity. I can hear it. All the extras covered extras for getting rain and wetland again. So I don't know what the heck to tell you. Give us a rundown quickly, if you will, on the first, second, third, fourth. Well, and the final once again, it was Mr. Budweiser the turban boat with Jimmy Crossbell first, and followed by Ronnie Snyder with an extra prize, Miss Madison, then Scotty Kirst brought on the Miss Budweiser Griffin, and tried railway brought to some pantry drive from supermarkets in the fourth place.

SPEAKER_05 40:31

And I think it was an amazing thing for John Freebooks to get in the final and finish trip with a single automotive power and lunch. I mean, that's uh that's part of our future, too, I think it's John Motive Power Travis Job. So we had a good final year of like this. It was fast, it was fake, uh, fans enjoyed it. The only thing we had really was covering the weather, and it's still raining on it.

SPEAKER_08 40:51

I think you're right, we're getting a leftist unit here out the middle of 15 days.

SPEAKER_07 40:55

All right, we're gonna fight it off. And there will be no promos coming down this line today, station. There will be no promos at all because it's not tricky closely. And uh we'll have to get our equipment just with an active judge. There's nothing we can do. We're lucky we can reach you at all. Now, stay tuned. Or, of course, your own local news and all local weather and all local programming. And we'll see you two weeks from now. I've asked Eddie Buddy, Don Foyer, along with Scott Smith, Mr. Chimander in Miami solo. Today's Futweiser Unlimited Hyperplace Capitol Pop Miami has been brought to you by Popeye's famous fried chicken. You're gonna love fried chicken for Popeye. But you're not doing it, put the raging legend behind you. And Robbie King of the Puttweiser, or future two for you, and rock you're locally in your area by the Tri City front to you by GMK Auto and Hans Westernware.

SPEAKER_11 42:16

The hydroplane, unlimited hydroplane racing in Miami, Florida. Now watch for those right a few screen.

SPEAKER_01 43:13

First win for German powered Thunderbolt on Saltwater edition. Little Swift and driven this Budweiser finished third. Scott Pierce in Seattle at the control might have finished second, but for spin-up during the second lap. Snyder was second, and Miss Madison as defending championship and hours and the Miller American with through, but the national champion that is because of engine trouble from the saltwater. And supermarkets was four, and the Spirit Cruiser was fifth in the opening of the unlimited hydroplane racing season. Budweiser won it. Here's what the final heat sounded like with Jim Hendrix following the action.

SPEAKER_04 44:28

Corner number two. Down the masculine point. Lightning is right. He's down the master. Lightning in the rain is trying to pick up even worse. And hits something. Whoa! A flash of fire in the Madison. A flash of fire and he's overside it. And going by him is the turbulence of this Budweiser with just Crossbell. Crossbow takes over first. Paddleson drops back to second. Paster flies third. Budweiser dropping fourth.

SPEAKER_01 44:48

And the Budweiser went on to win. As Jim Henrik mentioned, it was raining there yesterday, a very wet afternoon on uh Marine Stadium on Biscain's Bay. And again, this Budweiser winning the initial hydroplane race of the 1986 unlimited season. Next stop will be the Gold Cup in two weeks in Detroit.

Back To Today And Where To Follow

SPEAKER_00 45:13

Well, Knuckleheads, unfortunately, we're back to the present. It's no longer 1986. We're no longer promised flying cars, but we do still have hydroplane racing. Well, that's all we have for this week. Hope you enjoyed that radio broadcast from 40 years ago down in Miami, Florida. And I was listening to the end there, like listening to the broadcaster talking about all the different race sites they have and that are developing. They're trying to go to Philadelphia, Dallas. Um very unfortunate that it's not like that anymore. Uh, but it was a fun time to be a fan for Hydropin Racing in the 1980s, that's for sure. Well, we're gonna come back next week with another interview. I've got some fun interviews in line. Got some uh got some things I think that you're gonna like. But until then, make sure you check us out on our website of rushatelltalk.com. Check us out on social media. We're on Facebook, Instagram. And until next time, I hope to see you at the races.