Team News:
July 27, 2006
Tri-Cities Media Notes
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July 14, 2006
Detroit Media Notes
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July 6, 2006
Clover Island Inn becomes U-2.25 Tri-Cities home
KENNEWICK, Wash. — When Superior Racing Team Driver/Team Manager Dr. Ken Muscatel goes to sleep during race week in the Tri-Cities this week, he won’t be far from the same Columbia River he’d spent the day running his unlimited hydroplane on.
Clover Island Inn has reached a sponsorship agreement that results in the hotel being the Official Tri-Cities Home of Superior Racing Team during the annual Atomic Cup race here.
For each of the last four years, the team had stayed in Richland, but this year they’re closer to the action at Columbia Park as Clover Island is located just a couple miles east of the race course, right on the river.
“We’re very excited about being sponsoring Superior Racing Team,” said Clover Island’s Director of Sales & Marketing Brent Herring. “For years we have been the home hotel for one racing team or another during the hydroplane race weekend, but we’ve never sponsored a team before. This year, pairing up with Superior Racing Team just seemed to be the right fit.”
Muscatel is excited about the sponsorship, and the accomodations, too.
“We’re thrilled to be sponsored by the folks at Clover Island Inn,” said Muscatel, a 15-year veteran of driving unlimited hydroplanes. “Clover Island Inn has a good reputation as one of the better hotels in the Tri-Cities, and we’re looking forward to not only staying there, but representing them on the race course as well.”
The hotel, located in Kennewick, is a sponsor and will host the team and provide it with all of the amenities afforded other guests of the hotel. Clover Island Inn is the only hotel in Kennewick located right on the Columbia River, and has its very own island. All of the Inn's 151 rooms overlook the yacht club and marina, or the Columbia River and the award-winning Cable Bridge. For more information about Clover Island Inn, see its website at www.cloverislandinn.com, or call toll free (866) 586-0542.
Superior Racing Team is one of the oldest teams in the American Boat Racing Association. Founded in 1992, the team has run the national circuit each year since, and with 15 consecutive years of racing unlimiteds, Muscatel is ABRA’s dean of drivers.
June 29, 2006
Madison Media Notes
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June 22, 2006
Fluid Systems Engineering renews support of U-2.25
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — For the eighth consecutive year, Fluid Systems Engineering (Clinton Township, Mich.) is back as one of Superior Racing Team's associate sponsors. Since 1999, Joe Baker and the crew at Fluid Systems Engineering have been sponsors and big fans of Dr. Ken Muscatel and his team.
Fluid Systems Engineering is very proud of its relationship with Superior Racing Team, which includes sponsorship of the team during the world record run during 2000.
"Knowing that Fluid Systems Engineering is continuing its long relationship with us is really big news," Muscatel said. "I honestly can't think of many other associate sponsors that have supported the same team for as long as Fluid Systems Engineering has with us. It is special to me that we have such a great friendship that they want to keep being a part of our team."
Fluid Systems Engineering (online at www.fluidsystemseng.com) is a world-class supplier of hydraulic components, pneumatic products, filtration products, protective covers, and other related products. They manufacture power units and also fabricate tube assemblies. Fluid Systems provides a full line of Parker fluid connectors, pneumatic products, and hydraulic filters. It's also a single-stop outlet for Earl's fittings. With the Fluid Systems online store, performance parts are just a few clicks away. Fluid Systems also supplies Northman Hydraulics, A&A covers, Hydrocraft clamps, Miller and Yates cylinders, Thermal Flex Hose, ND Sealants, and Purolator filters.
June 20, 2006-
Evansville Media Notes
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June 13, 2006-
Graham Trucking Renews Sponsorship
RENTON, Wash. — Superior Racing Team has been joined by one of the U-2’s past sponsors, the team announced today.
Graham Trucking, Inc., which was the title sponsor of Jim Harvey Motorsports’ boat last season, has joined Superior Racing Team this year as the team’s title sponsor at the Atomic Cup in Kennewick, Wash. (July 28-30), and at the Chevrolet Cup at Seafair in Seattle (August 4-6).
“Our sincere thanks goes out to Graham Trucking for their continuing involvement with this particular equipment and boat, even though we’re a different team running it all,” said Superior Racing Team driver and team manager Dr. Ken Muscatel. “We’re excited about putting on a good show for Graham Trucking this season.”
The 2006 American Boat Racing season begins June 23-25 at the Chevrolet Freedom Festival in Evansville, Ind., and the Superior Racing Team U-2.25 boat will be one of 11 boats that are scheduled for the race.
June 10, 2006-
Yokes Fresh Market, Noslen Communication renew deals
VANCOUVER, Wash. — Yoke’s Fresh Market (West Richland, Wash.) and Noslen Communication each announced today that they have renewed their support for Superior Racing Team.
For the threed straight season, Yoke’s Fresh Market is the official food, beverage and ice supplier of Superior Racing Team during the Tri-Cities race, this year known as the Atomic Cup. Thanks to Yokes, Superior Racing Team will have the freshest lunch, snacks and beverages in the pits each day of the event.
“We are really excited to be a part of Superior Racing Team for the third straight year,” said Darrell Toombs, general manager at Yoke’s new West Richland store. “It’s really a thrill to be involved with the hydro races and to be a part of one of the teams. We’re very glad the team asked us to be a part of it again this year.”
Superior Racing Team also announced today that Noslen Communication has renewed its own sponsorship of the team, for the fourth consecutive year. Noslen Communication is the exclusive provider of media and public relations services, and is helping Superior Racing Team with sponsorships.
“Dr. Ken has really been great to us, and it has been the realization of a life-long dream, to be one of the sponsors of a hydroplane racing team,” said Nelson Holmberg, principal of Noslen Communication. “Not only do we get to do the communication and sponsor service work we truly enjoy, but we’re also part of the team.”
This season, working with Bullithead Design, a new sponsor of the team, Noslen Communication also coordinated the team’s new website, which will be launched the week of the Evansville race.
May 20,2006-
Michigan Mortgage Consultants Sponsor U-2.25
MT. CLEMENS, Mich. — Tom Farrell announced today that his company, Michigan Mortgage Consultants will leap into big time boat racing with both feet, and sponsor Dr. Ken Muscatel's Superior Racing Team for two races in 2006. Farrell's company, Michigan Mortgage Consultants will sponsor the orange, blue and white boat at the season opener in Evansville, Ind., June 24-25 as well as the Detroit Gold Cup July 14-16.
Michigan Mortgage Consultants, Inc. is a residential mortgage broker located in Mt. Clemens, Mich. The company provides residential mortgage to realtors, builders, home buyers, and investors, as well as home equity loans and lines of credit. The company specializes in mortgages to self employed borrowers and was founded in 1992 by Thomas Farrell.
Farrell has 30 years of experience in the mortgage industry and has been a hydroplane fan since childhood. He has worked as a volunteer at the Detroit Hydroplane Museum and his company has been an active supporter and sponsor of the vintage hydroplanes of the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum in Seattle.
He is currently a member at large in Unlimiteds Detroit and co-chairman of the fan services division of the DRRA. Last June, he promoted the movie “Madison” in Mt. Clemens and the film was attended by 650 guests.
“Sponsoring and working with an unlimited team is a great way to promote your business and a dream come true.” Farrell said. “I have been truly blessed.”
May 20, 2006-
Museum Director Williams to Drive U-2.25 in two races
KENT, Wash. — Veteran vintage unlimited driver David Williams, executive director of the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum (located in Kent, Wash.) will be attempting to qualify the U-2.25 in Evansville, and run at least one heat in the Gold Cup.
Williams was been driving vintage Unlimiteds since 1992 and was the primary stunt driver for the hydro movie “Madison.”
“I want to very clear about my goals here,” Williams said. “I'm not looking to become a competitive driver, but over the last twelve years, I've driven literally thousands of exhibition laps in Gold Cup winning boats. Everything from the Slo-mo to the Griffon Bud. After all that time on the water, I just want to make one legal start.”
This will not be Williams’ first time behind the wheel of a turbine. In 2002, Williams took the Oh Boy! Oberto out for a test drive and turned in a very respectable 135 m.p.h. lap.
Dr. Ken Muscatel will drive in Madison, Valleyfield and most of the Gold Cup.
Michigan Mortgage Consultants principal Tom Farrell is excited about the new partnership.
“I'm looking forward to working with Ken & Dave on this project,” Farrell said. “The tradition and history of this event in Detroit is very special and I am so proud to be a part of it.”
Williams, along with 11 time Gold Cup winner Chip Hanauer, will already be in Detroit Gold Cup week to re-enact Chip's legendary 1982 Gold Cup victory. Williams will drive the restored 1980 Miss Budweiser and Hanauer will drive the restored 1982 Atlas, both now beautiful museum pieces in the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum
May 20, 2006-
Leckrone Named Superior Racing Crew Chief
RENTON, Wash. — Veteran hydroplane crew member Jay Leckrone has been named the crew chief for the U-2.25 Superior Racing Team unlimited hydroplane.
Formerly the crew chief of the two-boat Miss Exide team owned by Mike and Lori Jones, Jay Leckrone is widely regarded as one of the brightest hydroplane racing minds. He's been a valuable member of Muscatel's team for several years and spent most of his time in the winter of 2004-05 working hard to make sure Muscatel had a good race boat to run for the inaugural season of the ABRA.
“Jay is one of the brilliant minds in unlimited hydroplane racing crews,” said Dr. Ken Muscatel, team manager of Superior Racing Team. “We’ve had really good crew chiefs and crew members all along, but we consider ourselves lucky to have Jay on our side.”
The 2006 American Boat Racing season begins June 23-25 at the Chevrolet Freedom Festival in Evansville, Ind., and the Superior Racing Team U-2.25 boat will be one of 11 boats that are scheduled for the race.
May 11, 2006-
With a New Look, Superior Racing Team is Back for 2006
SEATTLE, Wash. — Superior Racing Team is back, complete with new equipment and a new number.
Dr. Ken Muscatel today announced that he has finalized an agreement with Jim Harvey to lease the Harvey Motorsports team equipment, including the boat, engines, transport, trailer and all that’s necessary to run on the American Boat Racing Association tour.
In 2006, Superior Racing Team will run as the U-2. Since 2001, the team has run under the number U-25. Superior Racing Team also holds the world straightaway record for the statute mile, setting the mark at 205.494 in June 2000 on Lake Washington in Seattle.
Muscatel said the driver is still to be named, but added, “It might, and probably will, be me for some races.”
Muscatel also added that the team will run all of the events in 2006, beginning June 23-25 in Evansville, Ind.
“We’re going to use the U-2 and Jim Harvey is still the owner,” Muscatel said. “But Superior Racing will operate the program.”
It was Superior Racing Team that sold its racing assets to Kevin Aylesworth and Jeffery Johnson of San Diego in September of 2006. That boat will race this season as the U-21 under the Freedom Racing Team banner.
