SEATTLE (AP) — Dave Villwock drove Spirit of Qatar to the fastest qualifying speed Friday for this weekend’s Albert Lee Cup at Seafair unlimited hydroplane race. Villwock averaged 151.879 mph in his fastest lap around the two-mile oval course on Lake Washington. Right behind him was Steve David on Oh Boy! Oberto, at 150.835 mph.
Red Dot, driven by Kip Brown, is second in season standings to Spirit of Qatar, but was well off the pace in its qualifying run. Brown averaged 145.867 mph, the sixth-fastest speed. He said his crew would be working late to try to identify and correct the problems.
The third-fastest qualifier was Valken.com, driven by Scott Liddycoat at 149.950 mph. He was followed by Brian Perkins in Albert Lee with a speed of 148.453. J.W. Myers was fifth-fastest in Peters & May at 146.564.
Other qualifiers include: Jon Zimmerman in Miss Visit Tri-Cities.com at 145.316, Jeff Bernard in Graham Trucking at 144.950, J. Michael Kelly in Degree Men at 144.407, Mike Webster in Campaign WSU at 139.678, Greg Hopp in Miss Beacon Plumbing at 136.614, and Mark Evans in Formulaboats.com at 130.354.
Elimination heats begin Saturday afternoon with additional elimination heats Sunday, followed by the winner-take-all final heat late Sunday afternoon.
