Oh Boy! Oberto prevails

Miss Madison wins hydro opener in Evansville

Staff Report
The U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto-Miss Madison came out of the gates strong in the opener of the American Boat Racing Association's 2005 season by winning the Freedom Festival’s Unlimited hydroplane race June 26 in Evansville, Ind.

Photo by Ron Harsin U-6 Unlimited driver Steve David is all smiles after winning in Evansville, Ind., on June 26.

Pilot Steve David got a good start and held on for the victory over hard-charging J.W. Myers in the U-16 Miss Elam Plus, which was right on his tail at the finish. Jimmy King in the U-3 Master Tire was third. Dick Lynch in the U-5 Formulaboats.com was fourth. The U-8 Llumar Window Film did not start.
“This meant a lot to me today,” said David afterward. “It’s just too bad my dad and mom couldn’t be here to see it; they are in heaven now. We’re going to savor this for a long time.”
Miss Madison owner-representative Bob Hughes praised the team, saying, “This is tremendous. It’s a pretty good way to start the year. I couldn’t be more proud.”
On Saturday, driver Ken Muscatel beached his U-25 hydro when he lost steering power. That put him out of the competition for the weekend.
The team returns to Madison to prepare for the Madison Regatta in the second event of seven on the season schedule. The race teams say the competition is wide open this year without the powerful Miss Budweiser in the field. Anheuser-Busch pulled out of the sport at the end of last year.
The Madison Regatta takes place July 1-3 on the Ohio River. For information, visit: www.madisonregatta.com or call (812) 265-5000.