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2009 News Archive
November 28, 2009
Doha, Qatar: This was the location of the final stop on the newly named H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Series. Doha was the perfect setting for the season ending race. Webster Racing finished 9th overall in points for the weekend to cap a successful first year in the Unlimited category. The handling and speed of the hull have been improving all year and the team looks to have a successful start to the 2010 season. The sport of Unlimited Hydroplane racing is picking up momentum and is looking to add potential race sites for 2010 in Brazil, China, and additional races in the Middle East. Stay tuned for race site announcements and hull maintenance pictures through the off season.
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October 01, 2009
The final race for the 2009 season will be the UIM World Championships in Doha, Qatar. In November, 10 boats will race to be crowned the first winner of the Oryx Cup. The fleet of boats met in Jacksonville, Florida to make the month long journey overseas.
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September 01, 2009
The 2009 race season has been a huge success for Webster Racing. Starting off in Madison, Indiana the team proved that their hard work in the previous year would pay off. The former Master Tire owned by Ed Cooper completed its very first runs at qualifying speeds of 130 MPH. The following race in Detroit, Michigan was another break through with driver Mike Webster completing his Unlimited drivers qualifications.
The team traveled to the west coast for races in Tri-Cities and Seattle Washington. In just their third Unlimited race the U-22 Matrix Systems Automotive Finishes qualified for their first final, and finished 7th overall for the weekend. In Seattle the U-22 showed considerable speed and handling improvements after making hull modifications. Unfortunately, the team was plagued by gearbox issues, which prevented them from making the final.
The final race in the United States for 2009 took place Evansville, Indiana. Continuing to work on gearbox ratios and boat setup the team made considerable improvements again. The 2009 ABRA season will conclude with a race in Doha, Qatar. With the consistent performance and professional appearance of the Webster Racing Team an invitation has been extended to join 9 other teams in November at this premier racing destination.
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May 18, 2009
The U-22 race team of Mike Webster and Webster Racing LLC is proud to announce today that it has secured SERVPRO INDUSTRIES, INC. as its primary sponsor for the Indiana Governor's Cup, July 4 – 6, in Madison, Indiana.
Founded in 1967, Servpro is a leading franchise for the clean up and restoration of fire, water, mold, and more. Servpro's professional network includes more than 1,300 franchises covering 49 states and has relationships with major insurance companies. It responds to property damage emergencies ranging from multi-million dollar disasters affecting entire communities to those suffered by individual businesses and homeowners. Duane and Nina Schmidt, owners of the Madison, Lawrenceberg, and Versailles franchise, are avid hydroplane fans and have attended the race for several years. "We're truly thrilled to be a part of this exciting event. Hydroplane racing is a Madison tradition."
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May 10, 2009
Webster Racing LLC is proud to announce that Matrix System Automotive Finishes will be the title sponsor of the U-22 for the 2009 race season.
Matrix has raised many eyebrows in the paint industry over the past 10 years. Matrix System has successfully converted thousands of body shops nationwide to its premium paint line. Matrix's growth has been explosive and the reason is simple: Jobber and body shop customers get what they want - the right products at the right price. Matrix System fits the bill, especially in today's cost conscious market!
Webster Racing will be joining the ABRA racing fleet for 2009 after spending the previous year rebuilding the hull, which was purchased from Ed Cooper of Evansville, Indiana. The hull has gone through major changes in converting it from the piston powered Allison to the T-55 Lycoming turbine.
The team is excited about its partnership with Matrix who is a young and aggressive company committed to putting their products to the test. To learn more about Matrix go to their website and see the Matrix difference.
www.matrixsystem.com
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March 29, 2009
The vertical and horizontal wings are painted, wet sanded, and buffed. Two sets were prepared for the season using Matrix single stage paint. Matrix System Automotive Finishes offers their high performance color match paint system that rivals the best in the business. Preparation to the boat will start soon with paint to follow. Also shown below is the heat deflector for the turbine exhaust.
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March 12, 2009
The U-22 team is getting closer to painting the top side of the hull. Pictures below show the oiling systems for the gearbox being fitted and primer going on the rear fairings. Painting will start when the weather breaks with high quality Matrix System Automotive Finishes paint.
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February 17, 2009
Webster Racing welcomes the newest addition to the race team. Sophia D'Alessandro was born February 15 to Dante D'Alessandro and his wife Nicole. Dante is the Chief Engineer for the race team. Mom and baby are doing well and Dante is busy being a proud father.
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February 10, 2009
Hardware continues to be engineered and made for the U-22 hull. Progress has been consistent and the team is eager to see how everything will perform this season.
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January 19, 2009
More pictures of work being done on the U-22. The rear cowling is getting the front inlet shaped for a smoother transition. At the back of the boat the cut out for the tailpipe is being completed. The picture shows the vacuum bagged composite piece being made for the rear deck using MAS Epoxies.
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January 13, 2009
Webster Racing enjoyed a visit from one of the sports top crew chiefs, Scott Rainey. The team spent a long weekend soaking up precious knowledge that Scott was able to impart with the team to help the U-22 be a formidable piece of equipment for 2009. Enjoy the pictures below of progress on the boat.
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