Mike Webster in the U-22 at Madison.Hydro-News.com has learned from multiple sources with direct knowledge that Abu Dhabi in the U.A.E. will be the site of a 2 boat exhibition race in October of this year. This will mark only the 2nd time the Unlimiteds have raced away from North American shores.

H1 Unlimited will be showing off the world's fastest boats in an exhibition style race in front of the 84th UIM General Assembly being held at the Yas Hotel by the Yas Marina on the Persian Gulf. The meetings will be held the week of October 17-23, with the F1 Nations Cup (tunnel hull racing) taking place October 20-21 at the same venue. This is the same facility where the FIA Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit visits each November.

Mike Webster driving his family owned U-22 and Ken Muscatel in the U-25 will be the two participants. Both hulls will be wrapped in new colors for the event. Both the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) and Peters and May colors will be represented on the two Unlimiteds. At this time, we're not sure who gets which new color scheme for the exhibition.

After the event, both hulls will make their way to Doha, Qatar and wait for the rest of the fleet to be transported from the United States after Bayfair in San Diego. They will serve as backup hulls at the Oryx Cup/World Championship in Doha November 17-19.

The U-22 and U-25 will not compete in San Diego. Bayfair is set for September 16-18.

An exhibition race in Abu Dhabi has been on the radar of H1 Chairman Sam Cole for some time. In July at the Columbia Cup in the Tri Cities, Cole told KONA radio that details were being worked out for the race in Abu Dhabi this year. It appears that time is now.

In addition to this exhibition race, we're also hearing that one to two more exhibiton style races could be held in September. The 4 boat field exhibitions are being planned for at least two cities that have a history with hosting Unlimited hydroplane racing.

This is a developing story. We're gathering new information daily. We'll post any new details once we get them.

The U-22 and U-25 will not compete in San Diego. Bayfair is set for September 16-18.The U-25 in Tri Cities with Ken Muscatel at the wheel. Chris Denslow image.

An exhibition race in Abu Dhabi has been on the radar of H1 Chairman Sam Cole for some time. In July at the Columbia Cup in the Tri Cities, Cole told KONA radio that details were being worked out for the race in Abu Dhabi this year. It appears that time is now.

In addition to this exhibition race, we're also hearing that one to two more exhibiton style races could be held in September. The 4 boat field exhibitions are being planned for at least two cities that have a history with hosting Unlimited hydroplane racing.

This is a developing story. We're gathering new information daily. We'll post any new details once we get them.

Due to drought-impacted water levels, H1 Unlimited is canceling plans to stage an Air National Guard Hydroplane Series event in Houston and Clear Lake, Texas, next month. H1 Unlimited this week sent a representative to the lake, located southeast of Houston, for a meeting with organizers and a thorough review of the site, logistics and water levels.

“The communities were excited to see us coming there along with the P1 Offshores,” said H1 Unlimited Chairman Sam Cole. “However, after being told that the lake level has dropped almost 4 feet during the past six months and no relief in sight, there was nothing we could do but cancel the event and look forward to a return next year.”

Texas and New Mexico are in the midst of an unprecedented drought. The states between January and June completed the driest six months on record, according to the National Weather Service. The lack of rain and the extreme summer heat have contributed to the record drought. Lake levels near the proposed pit area were “too low” to safely launch the Air National Guard boats, as was the depth in other parts of the lake.

H1 rules require a minimum of 8-foot water depth on a racecourse, which was not the case. “We are hopeful that Mother Nature cooperates between now and next Labor Day,” Cole added. “It’s a great venue for the Air National Guard Series. We had some successful events there in years’ past, the interest has been keen and we were looking forward to making this our first venture with the folks at P1 Offshore.” The series competes this weekend at the Albert Lee Cup at Seattle’s Seafair, moves on to the Air National Guard championship race in San Diego, Sept. 16-18.

Source: H1 Unlimited Media Release

"The sport of hydroplane racing has made strides in bringing competitive racing and entertainment to its fans, but adding a cash driver's purse provides a tremendous incentive for the boat camps," said Beth Knox, President & CEO of Seafair. "This purse sponsorship by our partners AT&T and LG is a game changer and will provide an even more thrilling fan experience during Seafair Weekend."