Are Unlimited Hydroplanes Returning to Washington, D.C.?

Washington DCThere has been considerable discussion lately, both on UnlimitedHydroplaneRacing.com and in many other fora, about the benefits and drawbacks of expanding the sport of Unlimited Hydroplane Racing internationally. Through some lenses, it’s a good idea and through others, not so much.

With the 2013 “tentative schedule” only just recently released by H1, we still don’t even have a final handle on domestic dates and locations for the upcoming year. You can keep yourself up to date by visiting our Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Schedule for what we know at any point in time.  We try to keep it updated as new confirmed and rumored information is known.

For this post though, we will not debate the merits of expanding internationally, but instead, dig deep into a stirring rumor about the fastest boats in the world potentially expanding yet again right here in the U.S. What better place to have them assemble? Our nation’s capitol.

First, I’d like to thank Jonathan for his message submitted through our Contact UHR Page at Unlimited Hydroplane Racing. (Jonathan, please let me know if you’d like your last name used and I’d be happy to update this post.) Jonathan shared his story of his dad taking him to the President’s Cup (which ran from 1926 to 1977) and enjoying D.C.’s races.

Jonathan didn’t just share a fond childhood memory. No, he asked a great question:

“I have heard from many locals that efforts to bring the race back to Washington, D.C. is under way. Noted for National Harbor. Any truth to that?”

Well, being a fan with no official capacity, all I can do is report on what I hear, read and can dig up online. First, some background.

My recommendation is to start with an enjoyable read from the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum. In “A Brief History of the President’s Cup” by Fred Farley, ABRA Unlimited Historian, you will be taken back in time to practically feel the wet spray of the boats at the races in our Nation’s Capitol. A wonderful read for a wonderful swim down memory lane.

Next take a look at a brief exchange from Hydropage.com (the definitive forum for all topics surrounding Unlimited Hydroplane Racing. There doesn’t seem to be much discussion about Washington, D.C., but on this page, you can see discussion from August 5 to September 9, 2011 about an “upcoming” exhibition race in September of 2011. Yes, they called it.


A point about the Hydropage discussions (or lack thereof) – this is where some of the most engaged fans spend a lot of time. If they don’t know it, it usually hasn’t been decided yet. This post is tagged with one of my favorite tags called “Damn Smart Fans” and it is the people who engage in that forum that make it so.  They are indeed Damn Smart Fans.

The point?

With a dearth of information in the forum about Washington, D.C., there may not be much to go on at this time. Hopefully, this stirs up some discussion and we’ll be able to dig up some dirt!

Finally, take a look at this Washington Post video recap they did after the exhibition in September 2011. It’s a wonderful “ambassador” piece for the sport, so I hope there is some effort afoot to look into a revived President’s Cup.

What do you know about this? Anything you can share officially? Anything you can share… well… not so officially? Anything you care to simply pass along as rumor?

Let us know!

Dave


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One thought on “Are Unlimited Hydroplanes Returning to Washington, D.C.?

  • October 26, 2015 at 7:13 AM
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    I heard on the radio about racing in DC today or tomorrow. But I don’t see anything on 2015 schedule. I wouldn’t want to miss it someone please confirm

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