Theoret Fastest Gold Cup Qualifier
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Jean Theoret made the biggest move on his comeback trail with the H1 Unlimited Hydroplane circuit, taking the top spot in qualifying for the 2015 HAPO APBA Gold Cup Friday afternoon.
The Maple Grove, Quebec boat racing champion averaged 160.509 for two laps on the 2 ½ mile Columbia River course setting himself up and his Ellstrom Elam Plus hydroplane as the favorite to win the 106th running of the nation’s oldest motorsport trophy—the APBA Gold Cup.
It was an extra special day for Theoret because not only did get top qualifying spot but it was also the first time the French Canadian was the fastest qualifier for an unlimited hydroplane race.
“I am excited about taking the top qualifying spot,” said Theoret. “The crew did a great job setting this boat up and it ran beautifully.”
This is Theoret’s first full season since coming back from a terrific blow over accident in Madison, Ind. In 2009.
Theoret is only one of two drivers in the 2015 field that has ever won a Gold Cup title. Jimmy Shane, the driver of the U-1 Oberto, is the defending Gold Cup champion. He won the title in Detroit last year, and on Friday Shane was the second-fastest qualifier with a two-lap average speed of 157.387.
“The second qualifying session was an improvement for our boat,” said Shane. “This is going to be a great race with a great fleet and Theoret is not the only driver we have to worry about.”
Two sets of the four lap preliminary heats will begin at 2:30 p.m. PDT Saturday with the championship heats on Sunday.
| Boat |
Driver | Owner | Sponsor | Speed | Points |
| 96 | Jean Theoret | Ellstrom Racing | Ellstrom Elam Plus | 160.509 | 100 |
| 1 | Jimmy Shane | Miss Madison Inc | Oberto | 157.387 | 80 |
| 5 | J. Michael Kelly | Porter Racing I | Graham Trucking | 156.518 | 70 |
| 27 | Cal Phipps | Wiggins Racing | Dalton Industries | 155.368 | 60 |
| 9 | Scott Liddycoat | Jones Racing | Les Schwab / Red Dot | 154.727 | 50 |
| 3 | Jimmy King | Go 3 Racing | Griggs Ace Hardware | 152.344 | 40 |
| 7 | Jesse Robertson | Porter Racing II | Graham Trucking | 150.476 | 30 |
| 21 | Brian Perkins | Go Fast Turn Left Racing | Fasteners Inc. | 149.575 | 30 |
| 22 | Mike Webster | Webster Racing | Payne West Insurance | 145.596 | 30 |
| 11 | Tom Thompson | Unlimited Racing Group | Peters & May | 144.711 | 30 |
| 100 | Kevin Eacret | Leland Unlimited | Miss CARSTAR | 125.602 | – |
| 18 | Kelly Stocklin | Bucket List Racing | Snuskitush Enterprises | 87.647 | – |
| 12 | Patrick Sankuer | Centurion Racing | DiJulio Family | 0.000 | – |
Theoret Fastest Gold Cup Qualifier
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Jean Theoret made the biggest move on his comeback trail with the H1 Unlimited Hydroplane circuit, taking the top spot in qualifying for the 2015 HAPO APBA Gold Cup Friday afternoon.
The Maple Grove, Quebec boat racing champion averaged 160.509 for two laps on the 2 ½ mile Columbia River course setting himself up and his Ellstrom Elam Plus hydroplane as the favorite to win the 106th running of the nation’s oldest motorsport trophy—the APBA Gold Cup.
It was an extra special day for Theoret because not only did get top qualifying spot but it was also the first time the French Canadian was the fastest qualifier for an unlimited hydroplane race.
“I am excited about taking the top qualifying spot,” said Theoret. “The crew did a great job setting this boat up and it ran beautifully.”
This is Theoret’s first full season since coming back from a terrific blow over accident in Madison, Ind. In 2009.
Theoret is only one of two drivers in the 2015 field that has ever won a Gold Cup title. Jimmy Shane, the driver of the U-1 Oberto, is the defending Gold Cup champion. He won the title in Detroit last year, and on Friday Shane was the second-fastest qualifier with a two-lap average speed of 157.387.
“The second qualifying session was an improvement for our boat,” said Shane. “This is going to be a great race with a great fleet and Theoret is not the only driver we have to worry about.”
Two sets of the four lap preliminary heats will begin at 2:30 p.m. PDT Saturday with the championship heats on Sunday.
| Boat |
Driver | Owner | Sponsor | Speed | Points |
| 96 | Jean Theoret | Ellstrom Racing | Ellstrom Elam Plus | 160.509 | 100 |
| 1 | Jimmy Shane | Miss Madison Inc | Oberto | 157.387 | 80 |
| 5 | J. Michael Kelly | Porter Racing I | Graham Trucking | 156.518 | 70 |
| 27 | Cal Phipps | Wiggins Racing | Dalton Industries | 155.368 | 60 |
| 9 | Scott Liddycoat | Jones Racing | Les Schwab / Red Dot | 154.727 | 50 |
| 3 | Jimmy King | Go 3 Racing | Griggs Ace Hardware | 152.344 | 40 |
| 7 | Jesse Robertson | Porter Racing II | Graham Trucking | 150.476 | 30 |
| 21 | Brian Perkins | Go Fast Turn Left Racing | Fasteners Inc. | 149.575 | 30 |
| 22 | Mike Webster | Webster Racing | Payne West Insurance | 145.596 | 30 |
| 11 | Tom Thompson | Unlimited Racing Group | Peters & May | 144.711 | 30 |
| 100 | Kevin Eacret | Leland Unlimited | Miss CARSTAR | 125.602 | – |
| 18 | Kelly Stocklin | Bucket List Racing | Snuskitush Enterprises | 87.647 | – |
| 12 | Patrick Sankuer | Centurion Racing | DiJulio Family | 0.000 | – |