Party crasher

Villwock guides Miss Elam Plus
to victory in Madison Regatta

David’s hopes of a sweep end
with Villwock’s second-lap pass in final

Click here to view photos from he 2007 Madison Regatta!

Staff Report

Photo by Don Ward Miss Elam Plus driver Dave Villwock smiles while holding the Indiana Governor’s Cup trophy with Miss Madison Regatta Amanda Lee after winning the July 8 race.

MADISON, Ind. – Heat and humidity were the topic of the day on July 8 for the 57th annual running of the Indiana Governors Cup unlimited hydroplane race. From the barn burning hometown favorite U6 Oh Boy! Oberto's performance with driver Steve David of Lighthouse Point, Fla., to the humidity of a southern Indiana summer.
However it was the hard driving of an individual from the Northwest – Dave Villwock of Auburn, Wash., who cooled everything off by defeating the Oberto for the title.
David, driving the brand new Oberto, won all three elimination heat races to garner a spot on the front row of the winner take all final on the Ohio River. But it was the defending champion Villwock who had the third lane at the start and was able to pull away from David in lap two of the five lap heat race. Villwock averaged 139.641 mph to win the final heat.

Madison Regatta Indiana Governor's Cup results

July 8 at Madison, Ind. 1. Dave Villwoc (Auburn, Wash. ), Miss Elam Plus, 139.641 2. Steve David (Lighthouse Point, Fla.), Oh Boy! Oberto, 137.684 3. J. Michael Kelly (Auburn, Wash.), Spirit of Detroit, 132.634 4. Jean Theoret (Ville de Lery, Quebec), Miss Beacon Plumbing, 120.093 DNF- Greg Hopp (Snohomish, Wash.) Mirageboats.com DNF-Jimmy King (Wales, Mich.) Miss Chrysler Jeep.

"I did have trouble starting the boat," said Villwock, who almost watched his chance to defend the title evaporate as he tried to leave the dock. "I tried to spool it and it didn't go. I gave it some more and then a little more and finally it started.
"Then when Jimmy (King) got the first lane and put Steve in the second lane it played right into my hand."
"I knew Dave had a lot of speed," said David. "When I had the lead, I knew where he was and I was just waiting for him to put in sixth gear and go. He did and I just couldn't hold him off down the backstretch."
Villwock was beaten earlier in the day by David, and he knew the final wasn't going to be easy.
"He beat me fair and square in heat 1-A," said Villwock. "That's racing. In the end, I was able to beat him. But what he (David) did today was amazing. This was a great race.
Villwock now has won the first two races on the 2007 ABRA unlimited hydroplane racing circuit. He won the previous week in Evansville, Ind., at the season opener.
He also has 54 career wins. Only two drivers in the sport have won more races than Villwock – the late Bill Muncey with 62 and Chip Hanauer with 61. 
The fleet heads to Detroit for the Chrysler Jeep APBA Gold Cup on July 15 on the Detroit River.