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Photo Julie Sparrowgrove

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Ready to go in boat

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Greg & Marty all smiles with Brent behind

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Hopp Racing/Schellhase Jones Jr Hull

Click here to hear blower motor

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DOHA, Qatar (November 19, 2009) H1 Unlimited announced today that after five years it is retiring the name American Boat Racing Association (ABRA) and will officially be known simply as H1 Unlimited.

 
Ground Frog Day
Display at Snohomish Armory
Jan 30, 2010

APBA ANNUAL MEETING SEATTTLE

 

DATE/TIME EVENT
WED 1/27/10
9am-5pm REGISTRATION
12:30am-2pm REGION CHAIR LUNCH/PRESIDENT
2pm-3pm NEW CLASS COMMITTEE
3pm-4pm RACE & RULES MANAGEMENT
4pm-5pm HALL OF CHAMPIONS
5pm-6pm FINANCE COMMITTEE
6pm-7pm BOARD OF DIRECTORS
7pm-9pm CATEGORY CHAIRMAN DINNER/PRESIDENT
8pm-12am HOSPITALITY
THUR 1/28/10
7am-9am BREAKFAST HOSPITALITY
7am-11:30am REGISTRATION
7am-8am INSPECTORS
7:30am-8am PRESIDENT/COMMISSIONERS
8am-9am SAFETY & RESCUE COMMITTEE
9am-4:30 INBOARD RACING COMMISSION
9am-4:30 PRO RACING COMMISSION
9am-4:30 MODIFIED RACING COMMISSION
9am-4:30 STOCK RACING COMMISSION
9am-4:30 OPC RACING COMMISSION
12pm-2pm LADIES LUNCHEON
2:30pm-5pm REGISTRATION
4:30pm-5:30pm REFEREES & OFFICIALS
4:30pm-5:30pm JUNIOR CLASSES COMMITTEE
5:30-6:30pm COUNCIL MEETING
6:30-7:30pm STEERING COMMITTEE
6:30-10pm NIGHT TO REMEMBER HARM
8pm-12am HOSPITALITY
FRI 1/29/10
7am-9am BREAKFAST HOSPITALITY
8am-5pm REGITRATION
8am-9am INSURANCE SEMINAR
8:30am-9:30am JUNIOR CLASSES COMMITTEE
9:am-4pm SCORING COMMITTEE
9:am-4:30am STOCK RACING COMMISSION
9:am-4:30am INBOARD RACING COMMISSION
9:am-4:30am PRO RACING COMMISSION
9:am-4:30am MODIFIED RACING COMMISSION
9:am-4:30am OPC RACING COMMISSION
12pm-2:30pm HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING
1pm-4:30pm OUTBOARD DRAG RACING COMMISSION
4:30pm-5:30pm NEW CLASS COMMITTEE
5:30pm-6:30pm BOARD OF DIRECTORS
6:45pm-10pm INBOARD AWARDS BANQUET
7pm-9pm COMBINED CATEGORY AWARDS
9pm-12am HOSPITALITY
SAT 1/30/10
6:30am-9am BEARFAST HOSPITALITY
7:30am-11am SAFTEY & RESCUE COMMITTEE
8am-8:30am STEERING COMMITTEE
8am-4pm H-1 UNLIMITED MEETING
8:30am-9:30am JUNIOR CLASS COMMITTEE
8:30am-10:30am STOCK OUTBOARD RACING COMMISSION
9am-12pm REGISTRATION
9am-1pm CAPSULE TRAINING
9am-11am VINTAGE & HISTORIC
9am-11:30am ULHRA MEETING
9:30am-12pm SPECIAL EVENTS
9:30am-12pm INBOARD RACING COMMISSION
10:30am-11:30am RACE & RULES MANAGEMENT
12pm-2pm KIDS LUNCHEON
12:30pm-2:30pm 106th ANNUAL MEETING
2:30pm-4pm BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
4:30pm-5:30pm PHOTOS HALL OF CHAMPIONS
5:30pm-6pm APBA COCKTAIL PARTY
6pm-10pm APBA DINNER/AWARDS
10pm-12am HOSPITALITY

 

12/20

 

Latest update on Larry Garcia's GP-99 project. Larry's boat has been moved inside of Hopp Racing's shop at Harvey Airfield in Snohomish Washington. Hopp Racing Team is helping Larry, Dave and crew get Larry's boat ready for the 2010 season. The first group of pictures were taken in July when his boat first arrived at "The  Shop" Since then Larry purchased a Jones capsule and Greg and the boys are helping him fit it. Getting real close to glue time. Looks cool. The hull is a reconditioned hull Larry bought from Ken Brodie

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Jerry & Boat Moses Lake Parade

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12/5

 

The Moses Lake Christmas Parade was very cool. In more ways than one. Ana Cappelleti and I rode through the parade on the boat. That was the fun cool part. The COLD cool part was the air temperature. -10 degrees. We were a couple of ice cubes by the time the half hour parade was complete. Randy Erb and "Limo Joe" were there to help set up and drive the rig through the parade.

Ed and Julie Smith, the people that originally introduced us to the PumpTech people, hosted us very well with a warm meal after the parade at the Moses Lake race sponsor Papa's Casino.

12/3

Back over the mountains again. Hopp Racing will be taking the GP-15/UL-1 Graham Trucking-Happy Go Lucky-PumpTech to the Moses Lake Christmas parade. The parade will start at 7PM tomorrow Friday 12/4. The boat will be decorated with Christmas Lights. Jerry will be riding his "Sled" through the parade in his driving gear. "This will really be fun and a pre-season kickoff for the 2010 APBA Moses Lake race in spring featuring the Grand Prixs and a host of other inboard classes" Jerry said. 

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Baker Pierce MEvans Erb

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Baker Erb Eric Mark Greg Scott P

 

11/29

 

The test of the blown-gasoline-carbureted motor when off better than expected. On a very cool day with a little wind Hopp Racing Team tested the gasoline motor out in their GP-15 Region 10 Hi-Point championship hull. The boat was run 3 times and accelerated very well and hit a top speed of 140mph (225km/h). The course used was the small inboard course that is used at the Chelan Inboard races approximately a 1 mile oval.

 

Greg said that the boat is as fast as any of the UL boats, naturally aspired or blown. The boat just "Got with the program". A very good entry level set-up for teams wanting to join the top boats in the country and run a supercharged motor. He thinks the gas blower motor was quite a bit louder than the methanol motor. Everyone on the beach agreed.

 

The boat engine, Big Walley, was built under APBA Grand Prix engine option #1. A 468ci engine with 9 to 1 compression, a 6-71 supercharger running at 112% of crank speed, twin carbs running 114 Trick racing gas. We estimate the power at about 1,000 HP+. The engine "Started like a Chevy" said Greg. Pump the throttle twice and hit the starter. A lot easier to start than the blown alcohol motor. It ran like a dream, pulled got and had plenty of power on the top end.

 

Any teams wanting more information on the setup and tune spec's we used including the boat computer run reads outs contact Jerry Hopp Hopp Racing owner. I will be more than happy to share the information with you.

 

360-568-7079hm or

finspray@msn.com

 

BLOWER BOATS RULE!!!

 

11/28

 

It works!!  The Graham Trucking-Happy Go Lucky-PumpTech of Hopp racing took to chilly Lake Chelan this weekend.  The temperature got down to 35 degrees  It's safe to say the only thing "Hot" was the coffee, and Ed Trihey's latest engine adventure.  How about a gasoline fueled dual carb, blower motor!  Greg Hopp took the "Yellow Rocket" to 140 mph on his last of 3 testing periods proving this much talked about engine program is the way to go for any race team looking to go "Blower Boat" without the expense and hassle of converting to Methanol.  You get the engine.  You hook up your oil, gasoline, and water.  Start it, and go racing.  It works!!  Thanks to Tom Long of PumpTech for bringing the company boom truck.  John Walcker for getting us everything we needed (Including some terrific chicken).  Scott Pierce, Mark and Mitch Evans also added to the festivities.  A very cold day, with a very "HOT" result.

 

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11/26

Hopp Racing gives a little back to the sport. One of the yet untried Grand Prix engine combinations that is in the rule book in the 468ci engine running twin carburetors with a 6-71 blower run on gasoline. The gasoline motor won’t make as much power as the alcohol blown motor. It is a good way to get acquainted with the supercharged motor. The motor will produce about 900HP with a conservative set up, running the supercharger at 110% of crank speed.

One of the benefits is in the fuel system is that engine will use about the same amount of fuel as its naturally aspirated big block carb motor. That means that the existing fuel tank will be big enough for racing. The alcohol motor uses twice as much fuel requiring the deck to be pulled off and a 30 gallon tank installed. A fairly big project.

We are installing a 10 gallon fuel tank and putting twin carbs on ”Big Walley” the alcohol motor that now has 7 seasons on it without any major problems. Just routine maintenance. We are going to take it to Lake Chelan this Saturday 11/28 to test and work out the tune up for the gasoline motor. It should be a very reliable package. We will share the information we get with any teams interested in joining the world of superchargers. Pictures of the fuel tank installation and Big Walley on the way back to the Hopp Racing shop from Ed’s Automotive for installation in the GP-15. More info to come.

Thanks Joe Turner for donating the fuel tank and Glen Davis for donating the supercharger.

 

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Joe Turner's tank

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Tank in boat

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Big Walley Gas-Blower

11/20
 
Greg overcomes mechanical problems with the U-100 and made out in Heat 1B. Kept it running and finished fouth. In Heat 2B Greg started on the outside. On the last lap he jumped into lane one and beat Nate Brown in the U-17 to the finish line. Greg I take what I said back, you do listen to ol' dad. Keeper' runnin'. Rob Graham's Graham Trucking entry the U-7 driven by J. Michael Kelly won his first heat and took a 3rd in his second heat.

11/17
 
Greg took off from SeaTac Airport headed to Doha, Qatar to race Fred Leland's U-100 Unlimited hydro. 10 Unlimiteds are on hand for the event.   GOOD LUCK GREG!!!   Turn up the boost.
 
Dad

10/31
 
Eric Christensen GNH-35 in the Halloween mood. Carves a race pumpkin.

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10/25

 

What a truly fun time in Morgan City. Everyone was so friendly it was great just to be part of the event. The GP's did get out and run and the fans definitely wanted to see more of the blower boats. Huey Newport’s gang, Mike Weber, Marty Wolfe and all of their team members and friends. What a great group to race with. Patrick Hayworth was heard to say while white caps blew across the lake "Heck this is calm compared to what we race in up in Canada...aye"

 

Saturday evening Greg and I attended the APBA Region 10 Banquet and meeting. Hopp Racing team received for a second year the Region 10 Grand Prix hi-point award. We had some impressive blower boat races in Washington State with the fans on their feet cheering away.

10/18
 
The race has been official canceled because of wind. Small craft warnings until 8pm this evening. Thr Grand Prix class is alive and well. We look foward to a great season next year. The top 4 boats qualifed within 2 seconds of each other. We ran the fastest lap ever run here at Morgan City. 113.475mph

The problem is:

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WIND!!!

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Saturday's qualifying heat pictures.

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GP-10 Engine work

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Seafood Feed Sat night

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GP-10 MIKE WEBER BARELY LEGAL

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GP-77 BERT HENDERSON STEELER

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GP-15 GREG HOPP

The race is on a weather hold. The wind is out of the NNE at about 15mph. Another drivers meeting will be held at noon CDT.

10/18
 
A better weather day today. Reduced forcast winds and sunny. Around 70 degrees. Racing will start early today.

Some pictures of the Amelia Belle Casino sponsor and the pits at Lake Palourde. The hospitality here is great!!

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Welcome sign

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Bruce Woods and office gang

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AMELIA BELLE CASINO

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5pm
 
The round of qualifying is complete.
 
GP-15    113MPH
GP-77    110
GP-93    108
GP-777  107
GP-10      97
 
The course was still windy and the smaller classes didn't make it to the water. The Vintage boats were out running, neat to see a couple of the Lauterbach 7 liters run. Looking for less wind tomorrow and the finals of the World Championships. No more racing today. Hope we can get internet tomorrow. Racing to start at 10:00am CDT. See if I can post a couple of pictures from today.
 
 

10/17 4:00pm

 

YAHOO!!! We have internet at the race site.

The wind was blowing about 15 MPH this morning. We finally put the GP's in the water for a test run. 3 boats went out for some and made some laps. The GP-15 was the fastest at 110mph. The course here in Morgan City is a record 1 1/4 mile course. There is no record for the GP's since the engine rules were revamped and the current 468 blown motors are now the approved engine. The previous GP engine was an unrestricted 511 ci motor. All of the GP's records were set to zero. The only record with the 468 motor is the kilo held by Greg Hopp in the Hopp Racing GP-15 at 155.182mph

 

10/16
 
Had a fun day "cruisin'" the town. Did a display in front of the Amelia Belle Casino. The Amellia Belle is a huge operating river boat. Ed Trihey, our engine guy, wanted to see the engine room and blow the whistle. The boat is 4 stories high with the first two stories the casino and the third floor is the buffet room. GREAT FOOD!!!! Then we took the boat to the pits and checked in.

10/15

 

A little clean up and some sleep and a warm sunny day here in Morgan City, LA. Took the boat to the pits where we met up with Huey Newport and his GP-777 The Crush. The local TV station interviewed both Huey and I for broadcast on the Friday 6 o'clock news. A ton of excitement here in town. See pictures. Both boats were also on display at MAMA G's sports bar. Free drinks and snacks, great crab cakes.

 

We also picked up a couple more co-sponsors. Dennis Johnson from Warning Power/Trafficade helped us get the boat to Morgan City and we made contact with a casino here in Morgan City/Amelia area. The name of the GP-15's casino sponsor isAMELIA BELLE CASINO. Give it a "Spin".

 

 

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THE GP-777 & GP-15

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KICK OFF PARTY

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MAMA G's

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MAMA G's & HUEY

11/14
 
Got to Morgan City this evening after a 2 1/2 day straight through drive. Snow in Wyoming and fog and rain in Colorado. Doing some displays and a TV interview tomorrow.

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SNOW WYOMING

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30 DEGREES SNOQUALMIE PASS

We will be updating the Grand Prix racing results during the weekend.
 
Jerry

 

10-12

 

We had a successful Grand Prix World Championship send-off party at the New Red Lotus in Snohomish.  We started with a 2 our display at one of our favorite Snohomish places.  Chuck's Seafood Grotto.  Chuck's daughter Lizzy was the first of many to sign the bottom of the race boat.  Before the night was over we would have dozens of local well wishes signatures and messages adorning the bottom side of the "Yellow Rocket".  At 6pm we set the boat in front of another of our favorite Snohomish place's, the aforementioned New Red  Lotus .already had a crowd assembled.  Howard Chin laid out the welcome mat as the crew and locals got together for a party in the bar.  The Emery Zone donated their time and talent (Thank you).  Our group of Local supporters helped raise almost $600 toward the trip to Morgan City Louisiana, and the GP World's. At 9:05 Greg and Jerry went "Live" on the popular KRKO 1380 radio show North Sound Racing.  Host Steve Mortland and the guys had a great time talking everything from the World's Record set by Greg in Evansville, to the upcoming chase for the World Championship of Grand Prix Hydro.  The party ended  at 10pm, but we stayed until 11.  It was to much fun.  We felt the love from our Snohomish neighbors.  The "Pride of Snohomish" leaves for Louisiana at 11 am.  It's a 60 hour drive….WOW!!  Pictured below is Greg having some laugh with supporters at the Red Lotus.  New Red Lotus owner Howard Chin signs the bottom of the boat.  The "Pride of Snohomish" in front of Chuck's Seafood Grotto.

THANKS SNOHOMISH!!!!

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10-5 Morgan City GP Worlds Fund Raiser
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Well the final heat is in the history books. Greg was right on the start and led going into the first turn in lane 2. Echols was in one, Mallow and Evans were on the outside. Greg led coming off the first turn by 3 boat lengths, then over a roostertail going into turn one again. Loosing oil pressure Greg had to shut the engine down, saving it from severe rod toss syndrome. Evans went on to win Sunday's final with Mallow a very close second. What a great weekend, the beach was jamb packed with fans, the race sponsors were happy and the racing unbeatable. Lake Chelan is already making plans for a bigger and better show next year. GP Nationals again maybe?

 

A special thanks to the Lake Chelan Winery for sponsoring the prize money for the Grand Prix's and the wonderful dinner and live band Saturday evening for the teams.

 

 

 

Final Sunday

 

 

1

GP-12

Mark Evans

2

GP-19

Ryan Mallow

3

GP-17

Dustin Echols

4

GP-329

Dave Warren

DNF

GP-15

Greg Hopp

The boats are now going in the water for the Lake Chelan Grand Prix Final. The water is good, wind light.

The first heat of Sunday racing is now complete. Ryan Mallow nailed the start in the GP-19 and lead the whole way. Evans in the GP-12 got pinched going down to the start. Marked worked his way to 2nd place. GP-17 3rd. Grandpa Hopp drove the GP-15 to 4th place, Jerry was heard to say after the heat “My brain hurts”. Dave Warren running very well came in 5th.

 

GP-19 Interstate Batteries

GP-12 Power Punch

GP-17 Ted’s Red Apple

GP-15 Graham Trucking-Happy Go Lucky-PumpTech

GP-329 Power Punch

 

Finally back on line. Greg let a wire to wire very close at the finish line to edge out Mark Evans in the GP-12. Greg won the Saturday Final.
 
Results
 
GP-15 Greg Hopp
GP-12 Mark Evans
GP-17 Dustin Echols
GP-329 Dave Warren
GP-19 Ryan Mallow DNS throttle cable
 
 

9/27
 
Sunday morning. Nice day today and the wind has died down. It was decided at the drivers meeting to run Saturdays final heats today. So the 5L are running right now and the GP's are up for the final. The GP's will be going in the water shortly.

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9/26
 
Final results for Saturday. The first round of racing for all classes was completed before the wind came up. Saturday was called a complete race.
 
Greg had lane one at the start. All 5 boat ran into the first turn together. GP-19 Ryan Mallow, GP-329 Dave Warren and Dustin Echols GP-17 were a bit early and jumped the gun. Mark Evans made a good start on the outside. At the end of lap one it was Greg and Mark side by side. At the end of the race Greg edged out Evans by 3 boat lengths. What a race.
 
RESULTS FINAL SAT
1 GP-15 Greg Hopp
2 GP-12 Mark Evans
3 GP-17 Dustin Echols
4 GP-329 Dave Warren
DNF GP-19 Ryan Mallow

9/26
 
Saturday pictures. Racing has started and the GP's are headed to the water.

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9/25
 
Couple more club members.

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9/21
 
Bridgeman's GP-17 proudly displays the latest boat racing club LOGO, Grand Prix West. A club formed by Dave Warren and the Bridgeman's to promote blower boat racing.

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9/5   THE RECORD RUN

 

Here are some pictures of Greg's record run at Evansville on the Unlimited 2 mile course, including a Certificate of Achievement from the American Boat Racing Association. It was a scary time going where no GP has gone before. An amazing 132.846 MPH. We definitely had more motor than boat at those straight away speeds. As you can see "To the victor goes the Hooters"

 

 

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9/3
 
A couple of GP pictures from Evansville taken by Mike Flaherty. One is the start of the second heat and a couple of pictures of the deck to deck dual between Cal Phipps in the GP-10 and Greg Hopp in the GP-15. They were running 120 MPH lap speeds.

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RECORD

DRIVER

SPEED

AVERAGE

UL-1

APBA/ULHRA

GREG HOPP

151.042

 

 

 

 

147.790

149.396

 

 

 

 

 

G-15

APBA/ULHRA

JERRY HOPP

151.451

 

 

 

 

141.132

146.292

 

 

 

 

 

GP-15

APBA

GREG HOPP

153.530

 

 

 

 

135.739

 

 

 

 

155.559

 

 

 

 

154.805

155.182

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