Schumacher Racing has officially changed the number on their Air National Guard H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Series entry for 2011.

Jane Schumacher, owner of the No. 88 Schumacher Racing team said fans have been writing on the Internet that we should change the number and it began to spread like wildfire on blogs and on Facebook.

Schumacher said, “We put a poll up on Facebook and we saw the results –I looked at Billy (Schumacher) and said ‘why not’?”  She continued, “Who ever came up with this should be thanked.  It is a great way to open our new chapter in hydroplane racing.”

Schumacher’s new chapter includes a colorful off-season. Complete with hiring a new driver, J. Michael Kelly, hiring the sports youngest crew chief, Jeff Weiding, and building a new state-of-the-art boat, the first new boat in the Series since Miss Madison Racing built their hull in 2007.

The construction of the new boat is on schedule, Schumacher said.  She added that they plan to show it off for all to see at the first race of the season July 1-3 in Madison, Ind. followed by the Detroit Yacht Club Gold Cup the following weekend.

In an effort to help the fund-raising for the Gold Cup race, the Schumacher team plans on having a large presence this weekend at the Detroit Yacht Club fundraiser on Friday May 6 at the DYC.  Driver J. Michael Kelly, several crew members and Jane and Billy Schumacher will be attending.

For more information on Schumacher Racing you can follow us on Facebook on our new page ’88 Schumacher Hydroplane Racing.’