Weather and wild crash mark H1 opener in Guntersville
Dave Villwock flies in front of Corey Peabody in wild crash on Saturday at Guntersville
Guntersville, AL – June 8, 2025 – The 2025 H1 Unlimited season kicked off under turbulent skies and intense moments as Guntersville Lake HydroFest, presented by Pinnacle Peak Consulting, delivered both thrilling speeds and unpredictable weather. The weekend was also marked by a spectacular crash involving the U-27 Miss Apollo, part of the BWR Racing team, piloted by veteran driver Dave Villwock.
FRIDAY: RECORD-THREATENING SPEEDS
Friday’s schedule featured testing and time trials, where Andrew Tate stole the spotlight late in the day with a blistering lap at an average speed of 171.04 mph in the U-91 Goodman Real Estate. Tate came just shy of breaking the all-time Guntersville qualifying speed of 171.294 mph, set by Dustin Echols in 2023 driving the U-40 Bucket List Racing. The difference? Just 30 feet—roughly the length of a single hydroplane boat—separated Tate from a new course record.
Adding to the significance of the moment, Tate’s father, Mark Tate, was the first driver to ever break the 170 mph average on Detroit’s waters in 1993, driving the Winston Eagle and reaching 170.087 mph. With Andrew now joining the elite “170 mph Club,” the Tates become the first father-son duo to achieve this milestone in H1 Unlimited history.
SATURDAY: HIGH WINDS AND A HIGH-STAKES ACCIDENT
Saturday’s racing began with Heat 1A, featuring Andrew Tate in the U-91 Goodman Real Estate, Corey Peabody in the U-9 Beacon Plumbing, Jamie Nilsen in the U-11 Miss FLAV-R-Pac, and Dave Villwock in the U-27 Miss Apollo. On the opening lap, Nilsen led the pack, but the race took a dramatic turn when the U-27 Miss Apollo lost control, resulting in a violent crash. Peabody’s boat was also damaged, impacted by the heavy spray and debris caused by the incident. Had weather permitted, a return to the water may have been possible—though without its front canard.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Team owner Bruce Ratchford of BWR Racing confirmed that the U-27 will return for the 75th Madison Regatta, set for July 4–6. If repairs to the primary hull aren’t completed in time, the team will field its backup boat—“Sharky”—the same hull previously driven by Andrew Tate in 2023 and campaigned for over a decade by Steve David and Jimmy Shane. The team remains committed to taking the necessary time to properly restore the U-27, suggesting that Sharky may make its return to the water at the Madison Regatta.
Video:
- U-9 Cowl View: https://youtu.be/uj9tTdsFbNU
- U-9 Tail View: https://youtu.be/uQaxzobInvI
- U-27 Rear Cowl: https://youtu.be/XvS0RMsMINs
WEATHER WOES THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND
Aside from the on-water incident, the event was challenged by severe weather. High winds and afternoon thunderstorms on Saturday halted additional racing. On Sunday, winds continued to disrupt the event, preventing all boats from entering the water and leading to the cancellation of the day’s schedule.
A FRUSTRATING WEEKEND FOR MISS MADISON
The U-6 Miss Madison team faced its own challenges throughout the weekend. The crew had hoped to use the event to qualify both the boat and its new driver for competition at their hometown race in Madison, Indiana. Despite multiple attempts to take to the water on both Friday and Saturday, engine issues ultimately forced them to withdraw from the weekend.
In a statement released on social media, Team President Kyle Bipes shared, “While it’s disappointing we couldn’t get more laps or get our driver qualified, weekends like this are part of racing. We’re taking the lessons learned straight into Madison.”
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU
Despite the challenges, H1 Unlimited extends its sincere thanks to the fans, sponsors, volunteers, and the Guntersville Lake HydroFest organizing committee, including Marshall County Tourism & Sports, for their unwavering commitment and passion for boat racing. Your dedication is the heartbeat of this sport.
The teams now turn their focus to Madison, Indiana, where one of the sport’s most celebrated events will mark its 75th anniversary. Fans can expect redemption stories, fierce competition, and another unforgettable weekend of boat racing on the Ohio River from July 4–6.
Weather and wild crash mark H1 opener in Guntersville
Dave Villwock flies in front of Corey Peabody in wild crash on Saturday at Guntersville
Guntersville, AL – June 8, 2025 – The 2025 H1 Unlimited season kicked off under turbulent skies and intense moments as Guntersville Lake HydroFest, presented by Pinnacle Peak Consulting, delivered both thrilling speeds and unpredictable weather. The weekend was also marked by a spectacular crash involving the U-27 Miss Apollo, part of the BWR Racing team, piloted by veteran driver Dave Villwock.
FRIDAY: RECORD-THREATENING SPEEDS
Friday’s schedule featured testing and time trials, where Andrew Tate stole the spotlight late in the day with a blistering lap at an average speed of 171.04 mph in the U-91 Goodman Real Estate. Tate came just shy of breaking the all-time Guntersville qualifying speed of 171.294 mph, set by Dustin Echols in 2023 driving the U-40 Bucket List Racing. The difference? Just 30 feet—roughly the length of a single hydroplane boat—separated Tate from a new course record.
Adding to the significance of the moment, Tate’s father, Mark Tate, was the first driver to ever break the 170 mph average on Detroit’s waters in 1993, driving the Winston Eagle and reaching 170.087 mph. With Andrew now joining the elite “170 mph Club,” the Tates become the first father-son duo to achieve this milestone in H1 Unlimited history.
SATURDAY: HIGH WINDS AND A HIGH-STAKES ACCIDENT
Saturday’s racing began with Heat 1A, featuring Andrew Tate in the U-91 Goodman Real Estate, Corey Peabody in the U-9 Beacon Plumbing, Jamie Nilsen in the U-11 Miss FLAV-R-Pac, and Dave Villwock in the U-27 Miss Apollo. On the opening lap, Nilsen led the pack, but the race took a dramatic turn when the U-27 Miss Apollo lost control, resulting in a violent crash. Peabody’s boat was also damaged, impacted by the heavy spray and debris caused by the incident. Had weather permitted, a return to the water may have been possible—though without its front canard.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Team owner Bruce Ratchford of BWR Racing confirmed that the U-27 will return for the 75th Madison Regatta, set for July 4–6. If repairs to the primary hull aren’t completed in time, the team will field its backup boat—“Sharky”—the same hull previously driven by Andrew Tate in 2023 and campaigned for over a decade by Steve David and Jimmy Shane. The team remains committed to taking the necessary time to properly restore the U-27, suggesting that Sharky may make its return to the water at the Madison Regatta.
Video:
- U-9 Cowl View: https://youtu.be/uj9tTdsFbNU
- U-9 Tail View: https://youtu.be/uQaxzobInvI
- U-27 Rear Cowl: https://youtu.be/XvS0RMsMINs
WEATHER WOES THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND
Aside from the on-water incident, the event was challenged by severe weather. High winds and afternoon thunderstorms on Saturday halted additional racing. On Sunday, winds continued to disrupt the event, preventing all boats from entering the water and leading to the cancellation of the day’s schedule.
A FRUSTRATING WEEKEND FOR MISS MADISON
The U-6 Miss Madison team faced its own challenges throughout the weekend. The crew had hoped to use the event to qualify both the boat and its new driver for competition at their hometown race in Madison, Indiana. Despite multiple attempts to take to the water on both Friday and Saturday, engine issues ultimately forced them to withdraw from the weekend.
In a statement released on social media, Team President Kyle Bipes shared, “While it’s disappointing we couldn’t get more laps or get our driver qualified, weekends like this are part of racing. We’re taking the lessons learned straight into Madison.”
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU
Despite the challenges, H1 Unlimited extends its sincere thanks to the fans, sponsors, volunteers, and the Guntersville Lake HydroFest organizing committee, including Marshall County Tourism & Sports, for their unwavering commitment and passion for boat racing. Your dedication is the heartbeat of this sport.
The teams now turn their focus to Madison, Indiana, where one of the sport’s most celebrated events will mark its 75th anniversary. Fans can expect redemption stories, fierce competition, and another unforgettable weekend of boat racing on the Ohio River from July 4–6.