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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 |
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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.
BKW
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 |
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Saturday's qualifying heat pictures.
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!!!!
9/25
Couple more club members.
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.
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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RECORD |
DRIVER |
SPEED |
AVERAGE |
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UL-1 |
APBA/ULHRA |
GREG HOPP |
151.042 |
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147.790 |
149.396 |
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G-15 |
APBA/ULHRA |
JERRY HOPP |
151.451 |
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141.132 |
146.292 |
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GP-15 |
APBA |
GREG HOPP |
153.530 |
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135.739 |
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155.559 |
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154.805 |
155.182 |
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