H1 Chairman Sam Cole with Keith Kroetch (l) and Doug Miller (r) of the Coeur d’Alene Diamond Cup.
Photo by Chris Denslow – H1

In announcing the return to Coeur d’Alene, Cole said, “We are delighted to be returning to Coeur d’Alene in 2014.  The area has a rich history in Unlimited Hydroplane Racing and the 2013 race was very well received by the fans and the community. I am glad we were able to resolve the issues that were standing in the way of announcing the 2014 Diamond Cup and I speak for all of our owners, race teams, officials and fans when I say we are looking forward to returning to beautiful Coeur d’Alene Labor Day weekend.”

Speaking for the Diamond Cup organization, Doug Miller said, “We are very excited to have the final contract in place for the classes that we will have in Coeur d’Alene in 2014.  Now that we have finalized everything with H1, along with Grand Prix West, the 5 Liters and the Vintage classes, we can move forward with the planning of Diamond Cup weekend and we look forward to growing the event and becoming a regular stop on the H1 Unlimited tour.”

Award winners announced at the biggest gala in the history of the sport, Saturday evening at the Snoqualmie Casino East of Seattle included; Crew of the Year to 11 Peters & May, Crew Chief of the Year to Jeff Campbell of Jones Racing, and Rookie of the Year to Jamie Nilsen who drove the 48 Snoqualmie Casino at Seattle Seafair after qualifying as an Unlimited driver the previous week in the Tri Cities. Billy Schumacher was named owner of the year and the Fan Favorite award went to Greg Hopp.

Crew, sponsor, driver and owner of the 5 Graham Trucking celebrate the 2013 Season High Point Championship.
Photo by Chris Denslow – H1

The awards presentation ended with trophy presentations to the top three teams from 2013, beginning with Nate Brown and driver Kip Brown recognized for their third place finish in Season High Points with the 95 Spirit of Qatar.  Brown also drove the 95 to victory in the 2013 Gold Cup.

They were followed by Miss Madison Racing Team Manager Charlie Grooms accepting the second place hardware on behalf of the Oh Boy! Oberto team and driver Steve David who retired at the end of the season.

Jimmy Shane joined his championship 2013 Graham Trucking team, owner Ted Porter and sponsor Rob Graham on stage and hoisted the Bill Muncey championship driver’s trophy, the new H1 perpetual team championship trophy and the Martini and Ross trophy signifying the the Unlimited National Championship.

Shane will move to the Madison Racing team in 2014, replacing David as driver of the Oh Boy! Oberto.  J. Michael Kelly will drive the 1 Graham Trucking on the 2014 tour.

Shane told the crowd and his former team, assembled behind him on stage, “The decision to leave this team was the most difficult one I have ever had to make.  You guys have become my family and always will be.  Congratulations on the championship we won, thanks to Ted Porter for the tremendous opportunity to be part of this great team and I wish you all the best in the future.”

The new starting procedure will mandate that all drivers maintain a speed of at least 80 mph during the milling period before the start.  Drivers who appear to be below that speed will receive a warning from the referee with additional warnings including penalties.  There will be no “score-up buoy” but racing lanes must be established by the entrance to the final turn before the start.

The 2014 H1 Unlimited Racing Season will open with the Madison Regatta in Madison, Indiana in July, followed by stops in Detroit, Tri Cities, Seattle, Coeur d’Alene, San Diego and Doha.

Again, all races will be televised on the CBS Sports Network on a delayed basis.

Here is a complete list of the awards presented Saturday night.