Swedesboro, NJ – Valken Sports is proud to announce that the action sports company has partnered with Precision Performance Engineering Racing to sponsor the Ted Porter owned U-7 boat for the 2011 Air National Guard H1 Unlimited series.

Since the company’s inception in 2007, Valken Sports has quickly become a leader in action sports with paintball, racing, hockey and mixed martial arts divisions.  Valken Racing has already built a winning tradition, supporting dirt modified driver Wade Hendrickson to back to back track championships at New Jersey’s Bridgeport Speedway.  But this will be the company’s debut in hydroplane racing.

Precision Performance Engineering made their debut in 2005 and became the first team to win a National High Points Championship in their first year with both a rookie driver and rookie crew chief when the U-7 captured the title with Mike Allen and crew chief Brooke Tyler IV.

The U-7 will be piloted by 2010 2.5 Stock National High Point Champion and Alton Pierson & Eddie Cannon award winner Scott Liddycoat.  Liddycoat is a 19 year veteran of inboard racing with multiple championships including the 2010 2.5 Stock National High Point Championship.  Teamed with Crew Chief Bob Catipovic, the Valken Sports entry should be competitive from the start.

PPE Racing will debut the black #7 boat July 4^th weekend at the Lucas Oil Madison Regatta in Madison, Indiana. The Valken boat is scheduled to compete in all of this year’s Air National Guard H1 Unlimited Series events, with stops in Detroit, Tri-Cities, Seattle, Houston, San Diego and Qatar.  For more information on the series, visit http://www.h1unlimited.com.

U-7 Owner Ted Porter commented that, “we are very excited to bring a new sponsor into our sport and look forward introducing H1 fans to Valken Sports.  Valken has a winning reputation and we’ll be doing our best to continue that tradition”.

Valken Sports is a leader in action sports with paintball, racing, MMA and hockey divisions.  Valken Paintball manufactures four brands of paintball, the SW-1 marker and the V-Tac line of scenario gear.  Valken Racing wheels have one multiple track championships in dirt modified, late model, micro sprint and quarter midget divisions and Valken’s FightCo line of MMA equipment is the glove of choice for Atlantic City’s Cage Fury Fighting Championships and Chicago’s XFO fight leagues.  For more information on Valken Sports, visit http://www.valken.com and follow us at http://www.facebook.com/valkensports and http://www.twitter.com/valkensports

Englewood Cliffs, NJ (June 20, 2011) –In an effort to complement their Air National Guard H1 Unlimited No. 88 Schumacher Racing hydroplane,  Degree Men announced a series of fan-focused activities that will take the adrenaline filled sport of H1 Unlimited racing to the fans and recognize and reward fans of Degree Men and H1 Unlimited hydroplane racing.

Degree Men is bringing the thrills of H1 Unlimited and the Degree Men No. 88 Hydroplane to the fans, creating a unique and exciting fan experience which includes stops at more than 100 popular retailers across the country this summer.

During these interactive events, fans will be able to see both the Degree Men No. 88 boat up close and personal. Degree Men will also have a No. 88 Degree Men Chevrolet simulator, where fans can strap in and see what it is like to race a stock car flat out on the high banks of their favorite race track.

“Our team is so proud to have such a wonderful marketing partner, Degree Men on board for the 2011 season,” co-owner Jane Schumacher said.   By having both a display boat and the No. 88 Degree Men Chevrolet simulator on tour will expose our adrenaline filled sport to a whole new fan and show our existing fans what it is feels like to drive a NASCAR.”

Fans who experience the simulator and purchase any Degree Men stick in-store will receive a special Degree Men No. 88 hydroplane die-cast model.

Billy Schumacher, co-owner said, “The simulator and display hydroplane are one of the most powerful displays you will ever see at a grocery store and reflects what a powerful partnership we have with Degree Men, both on and off the water.  We are very thankful for their commitment to our team and to our sport.”

Special displays featuring the Degree Men No. 88 hydro and the No. 88 Degree Men Chevrolet as well as samples, prizes and interactive games will be at all of the United States H1 Unlimited Series stops.  The adrenaline packed Air National Guard H1 Unlimited summer schedule includes seven stops, and will be broadcast on NBC’s Versus Channel. Read the rest of this entry »

The Tri-City Water Follies revealed the beautiful new poster produced for the 2011 Lamb Weston Columbia Cup / HAPO Over the River Air Show.  Lockheed Martin, a long time partner of the Water Follies has been creating these works of art since 2004. The futuristic concept of this year’s piece presents a striking contrast to last year’s “vintage” style.

Visit www.waterfollies.com for more information about the upcoming 2011 Lamb-Weston Columbia Cup. Tickets are on sale and racing begins on July 29th. Don’t miss it!

After a busy off-season spent readying a backup boat and freshening up a batch of turbines, Kirkland, WA based Leland Racing looks to have more options to choose from for the 2011 H1 Unlimited season.

Driver Greg Hopp is looking forward to fighting for lanes and has been honing those skills racing his GP boat. The team will be ready when racing gets under way in Madison on July 1st.

Interview with Driver Greg Hopp:

Images by Jim Simpson:

A very eventful off-season saw the formation of the Unlimited Racing Group, the newest team to compete in the H1 Unlimited Air National Guard series. Scott and Shannon Raney, along with driver JW Myers formed the new team with the purchase of last year’s U-25 from Ken Muscatel, then spent the past five months making modifications in their new Edmonds, WA shop.

With backing from sponsor Peters & May and many associate sponsors, the U-11 Miss Peters & May should be competitive from the first race in Madison.

Interview with Driver JW Myers:

Images by Jim Simpson:

Activity in the Go Fast Turn Left shop in Maple Valley, Washington is much more routine in 2011 than it was in 2010, when the team was scrambling to get a new boat in the water. After a season to fine tune the new hull and the addition of some new personnel, Greg and Brian O’Farrell and driver Brian Perkins are looking forward to getting back on the water and hoping to see improved boat speed after off-season work.

O’Farrell’s Lakeridge Paving Company will be the team’s sponsor in Madison and Detroit, with Albert Lee Appliance on board for Tri Cities and Seattle. Work continues on a new hull which the team hopes to debut in 2012.

Interview with Driver Brian Perkins:

Images by Jim Simpson:

Precision Performance Engineering, LLC Owner Ted Porter and Graham Trucking, Inc. Owner Rob Graham are pleased to announce the continuation of Graham Trucking sponsorship at U-5 Racing.

Graham Trucking became the primary sponsor of the PPE, LLC U-7 Unlimited hydroplane in 2009 and ended the season as the U.I.M. World Champion.

This year, the Miss Graham Trucking name will be carried by the U-5 Unlimited hydroplane, driven by Jeff Bernard of Kent, Washington.  Bernard has Unlimited class race wins at Madison, Indiana, San Diego, California and Evansville, Indiana.  Jeff has also been a Champion in other classes of the highly-competitive American Power Boat Association.

PPE, LLC is looking forward to continuing our relationship with Rob Graham and Graham Trucking.

Rob Graham states that, “Ted Porter and his crew have a proven track record as a first rate team in the past several years and Graham Trucking is excited to once again be racing with the PPE Team. Graham trucking is thrilled to continue our sponsorship of this extremely talented group of people. Ted and everyone else associated with this Team have continually exceeded our expectations and are consistently at the front of the pack.”

“I am very excited that Ted has agreed to make the U-5 and Jeff Bernard available to us, Jeff is one of the best drivers on the unlimited circuit with a proven record of wins and accomplishments during his career and Graham Trucking is excited to have him under our sponsorship. Jeff has been a great representative of Graham trucking even when he wasn’t our driver; I’m really looking forward to watching him this season.”

“We look forward to another great season with Ted, Jeff and the people who make this team great. The off season has seen the PPE team doing a lot of work on the boat and I appreciate everything they are doing to get us to the winners circle in the U-5.  The Graham Trucking Racing family is really excited to go racing with this first rate group of folks”.

Graham Trucking began 27 years ago with a mission to become a company that customers and employees alike could be proud of.  Based on industry surveys, Graham Trucking has achieved that goal.  Based in South Park and serving the Pacific Northwest, Graham Trucking operates a fleet of 80 power units and one of the largest super chassis fleets in the state of Washington.

Interview with Driver Jeff Bernard:

Building on its success in the Air National Guard H1 Unlimited Series in 2010, Degree Men® is taking its involvement in the action-packed, adrenaline-fueled world of hydroplane racing to the next level and sponsoring the Degree Men® No. 88 Schumacher Racing hydroplane for the entire 2011 H1 season. The sponsorship includes a striking new paint scheme on the No. 88, a state-of-the-art race boat and a World Champion driver.

“Armed with more than 3,000 horsepower and capable of speeds of more than 200 MPH on the open water, the H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Series is a great fit for our brand and a spectacular show packed with adrenaline for the fans, teams, and drivers,” said Ernie Hoover, Unilever US Customer Marketing Director – Personal Care. “Degree Men is proud to sponsor the No. 88 and partner with a top-flight team like Schumacher Racing.”

2009 World Champion driver J. Michael Kelly will drive the team’s new hydroplane currently under construction at famed third generation designer/builder Ron Jones Jr.’s facility. “We can’t wait to provide H1 fans with an adrenaline-fueled rush every time the Degree Men No. 88 takes to the water,” said Kelly. “I know my entire team will be cool and protected throughout the season thanks to Degree Men.”

With two APBA Gold Cups, several National High Points Championships and Unlimited Hydroplane Drivers Titles on his resume, team owner and former H1 racer Billy Schumacher has proven himself and his team in the series.

Schumacher said, “We have assembled a team of professionals, a new boat and a great partnership with Degree Men that is sure to thrill fans on the beach, on television, and at a retail level.” He continued, “ It’s going to be quite the adrenaline rush this season.”

Adrenaline-Fueled Racing Meets the Adrenaline Series
The pressures and challenges of racing a 30 foot, 6,800-pound boat mean that Degree Men® No. 88 driver J. Michael Kelly needs the ultimate in odor and sweat protection. The Degree Men® Adrenaline Series answers that need in spades, offering four powerful anti-perspirants and deodorants –V12, Sport Defense, Adventure and new for 2011 Everest™. Each is designed to respond to increases in adrenaline and provide top protection thanks to a body responsive formula formulated with ARMOR TECH fragrance molecules, releasing 1.4 million odor fighters per use.

No team had more changes in the off season, and no team is better poised to make a statement in 2011. Schumacher Racing is completing construction of a new state of the art boat that will be driven by new driver J. Michael Kelly and work is at a fever pitch in preparation for the Lucas Oil Indiana Governor’s Cup in Madison on July 1st.

Kelly has proven to be a front runner and the team has high expectations for the new hull. Veteran owner and crew chief Jim Harvey has also joined the team as General Manager and Jeff Weiding has taken over the Crew Chief spot, making him the youngest top wrench in the sport.

Interview with Driver J. Michael Kelly:

Images by Jim Simpson:

Grammy-award winning songwriter and country music artist Paul Overstreet will headline the Air National Guard stage at the Madison Regatta on Friday, July 1, as part of a fun-filled weekend that includes unlimited hydroplane racing and fireworks.

Opening for Overstreet on the Air National Guard stage will be Lee Roy Parnell, a chart-topping country music artist with hits “What Kind of Fool Do You Think I am?” and “Tender Moment.” He’s recorded duets with music artists Trisha Yearwood and Mary Chapin Carpenter. In recent years Parnell has focused on writing and producing but still gets out on the road to showcase his slide guitar skills.

Also scheduled to appear is Presley Tucker, the oldest daughter of country music legend Tanya Tucker. Presley appeared on her Mom’s reality cable television show “Tuckerville” that chronicled Tanya’s challenges of raising three children while maintaining her music career.

The concert to promote H1 Unlimited’s partnership with the Air National Guard will take place at the city of Madison’s Bicentennial Park near the picturesque riverfront. As part of the Friday night event, current and former members of the Miss Madison team will be honored as the team celebrates its 50th year of unlimited hydroplane racing.

“Boat racing, country music and fireworks—what a great way to celebrate our new partnership with the Air National Guard,” said Sam Cole, chairman of H1 Unlimited. “Madison is a great kickoff for what is shaping up to be a great season of racing.”

Overstreet is a well-known singer and songwriter based in Nashville, Tenn. As a performer, Overstreet’s first solo album produced five top 10 singles including “Sowin’ Love,” “All the Fun,” and the No. 1 single “Seein’ my Father in Me.” His second album, Heroes, produced the single “Billy Can’t Read,” which became the theme song for the CMA/CMT Project Literacy. Overstreet’s third album, Love is Strong, featured a single that went to No. 1 on Christian radio.

As a songwriter, Overstreet has written for some of the biggest names in country and in the process earned him two Grammy awards. Nearly 30 songs that Overstreet has written or co-written have landed on the top 10 of the music charts. Country music stars Randy Travis (“Forever and Ever, Amen”), Tanya Tucker (“One Love at a Time”) and Kenny Chesney (“She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy”) have recorded Overstreet-penned songs as well as Marie Osmond, Travis Tritt and Glen Campbell.

H1 Unlimited drivers, as well as other special guests, will be introduced at the all-ages concert. This year’s Madison Regatta features driver Dave Villwock, who is trying to become the sport all-time winningest driver. He is tied with legendary driver Bill Muncey’s 62 career race wins.

Madison Mayor Tim Armstrong said Bicentennial Park, which features amphitheater-style grass seating, will play host to the concert and other weekend events for the Regatta. He looks forward to residents and visitors coming out to enjoy the concert, where a portion of the profits will go to a local charity.

“The Regatta is the event that put Madison on the map,” Armstrong said. “We couldn’t be more pleased that they are now expanding the event to include concerts in Bicentennial Park, which has become home to some of Madison’s finest events.”

Concert tickets go on sale Friday at the Madison Regatta office. Tickets are $15 for Madison Regatta badge holders, $20 for non-badge holders. VIP concert tickets are $25. All active military and reservists—with proper identification—will be admitted to the show for $10. The concert starts at 8:30 p.m.

The Madison Regatta, July 1-3, features three days of exciting unlimited hydroplane racing, P1 USA offshore race boats, an airshow and a spectacular fireworks show on Saturday night.

For more tickets or more information about the concert and the Madison Regatta, visit www.h1unlimited.com.