PWC HISTORY ON THE WATER
> 04/22/2009
Melbourne, FL – April 20, 2009 – WaterTop
Unlimited® and Julio Rivera made personal watercraft history at
the company’s recent RIVA Racing HydroDrag Spring Nationals with
Rivera achieving the first documented 100 plus mph speed run reaching
a top speed of 100.5 mph. The record speed was achieved during the Hydro
Unlimited Speed Alley event during this past weekend’s HydroDrag
National in Fellsmere, Florida. The premier 1/8th mile HydroDrag’s
saw incredible racing action and three repeat winners take the top spots.
The Speed Alley Hydro Unlimited event was highly anticipated
as both Rivera and New Jersey’s Howard Letsche recorded 99 plus
mph runs during Saturdays practice sessions in less than ideal, blustery
conditions. Late in the practice session Letsche hit some unexpected
chop at speed sending him into the water and his turbo Sea-Doo RXP in
need of repair. The 36 year old Rivera of Puerto Rico, making his first
ever trip to the US, posted Speed Alley event runs Sunday of 99.4 and
99.7 mph taking the event win over Leonardo Fernando – who filled
in for the bruised Letsche – after he posted runs of 95.5 and
95.7 on his repaired watercraft. With the support of the large crowd,
Rivera made one final exhibition run on his Amsoil sponsored, turbo
powered 4-TEC conversion pwc and posted a top speed of 100.5 mph, recorded
on a calibrated Stalker Radar Gun – officially deeming his run
as the first documented PWC run besting the century mark.
“Riding this machine and setting that speed is
absolutely exhilarating” said a smiling Rivera through his translator.
“The competition is really tough, and these races get better every
year. The speed and the adrenaline rush keep me coming back for more."
Dan O’Keefe of Osage Beach, MO repeated as the
HydroDrag Spring National Unlimited champion backing up his 2008 spring
performance on his newest JetDraft turbo Sea-Doo RXP watercraft. Rivera
met O’Keefe in the Unlimited final, but was edged out by the defending
champ as O’Keefe came off of the WaterTop Launch Pad clean and
won by a narrow margin in the final. O’Keefe takes the lead in
the premier HydroDrag Unlimited class in the 2009 series going into
July’ s Summer National.
Stan Hightower, the two-time 2008 Fall National champion
from Lindale, GA repeated his winning ways in the Hydro Stock drags
beating Steve Sewell – both on Sea-Doo RXP-X watercraft. Hightower
also took the Hydro Limited drags top spot bettering friend Jeff Dyckowski
and took top spot in the Hydro Limited Speed Alley posting a top run
of 77.7 mph.
Eric Lagopoulos was king of the Hydro Vintage classes
claiming both the Speed Alley win with a run of 66.6 mph on his 1997
Sea-Doo SPX and also claiming the HydroDrag with a win over Albert Godriguez.
Mitch Newlin of Cross Junction, VA set a blistering top speed in the
Hydro Stock Speed Alley with a run of 78.2 mph on his Sea-Doo RXP-X
watercraft.
“To see history happen at the HydroDrags is very
special” said WaterTop event producer Tim McKercher. “The
HydroDrags is a very exciting event structure and we are seeing things
no one has seen or done before and it is only going to get better and
more exciting. People are building PWC for this type of new activity
and it is a heck-of-a lot of fun to be leading the way.
Dan (O’Keefe), Stan (Hightower), and Eric (Lagopoulos) earned
their wins.
And hats off to Julio for making history with the first documented run
over a 100 (mph).”
Full event coverage with results, news, photos, and
video will be available for viewing on the new www.watertopevents.com
website that will be launched on Thursday, April 23rd.
Also visit the following links to the Florida Today
Newspaper for event articles.
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090420/SPORTS/904200318/1002/SPORTS
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090419/SPORTS/904190335/1002/SPORTS
The second round of the three event RIVA Racing HydroDrag
Series will tentatively take place July 18-19 at an Alabama location
TBD.
For more detailed results and information on the 2009
RIVA Racing HydroDrag Series and other Watertop Unlimited events visit
www.watertopevents.com www.watertopunlimited.com or contact them directly
at 321.409.0519 or info@watertopunlimited.com.
WaterTop Unlimited is a multi-facetted public
relations & promotions LLC. based in Melbourne, Florida. WaterTop
is a full service Marketing Communications and Event Marketing agency
that also produces a variety of B2B and B2C recreational product events
including; the Bimini Road Rally, HydroDrag Nationals, and various product
sampling and training tours.
WaterTop Unlimited – Expanding Brand Amplitude™
