When Dave Bartush bought the U-13, Kim Gregory’s backup hull, in 2005, he knew her winning history. An avid collector and preserver of historic hydroplanes, Bartush couldn’t help but add to his stable of Unlimited hulls with the purchase of the U-13. The Spirit of Detroit had already claimed three Gold Cup victories in the past and, under Bartush’s first-year ownership of the racing team, captured a fourth in 2005 with Terry Troxell at the helm.
Bartush and the Spirit of Detroit will return to the H1 Unlimited circuit in 2010 with veteran inboard driver Cal Phipps taking over the driving duties.
Driver Profile
CAL PHIPPS: Cal Phipps
has driven and won in nearly all classes of inboard hydroplanes since he started
racing in 1992. In addition to being the 2008 high points champion for the Grand
National class, hehas won 7 national championships and set world records in 2
different classes.
In his
last race he won 1st place at
the San Diego Bayfair "Thunderboat" driving the G10 Miss Titeflex-Frazee Paints
owned by the Wiggins Hydroplane Racing Team. He took his first laps in a
turbinepowered unlimited in the seat of the U13 at Tri-Cities, WA in 2008 and
recorded his first timed lap in excess of 150 mph.
Phipps is
a native of the Detroit area and is a custom automotive painting
professional.
