SAN DIEGO — Michael Hanson of Bonney Lake, Wash., piloted the U-9 Sun Harbor Mortage to victory September 22 at the Budweiser Bill Muncey Cup at San Diego, Calif., the last race of the Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Series.

The story at San Diego was the new piston powered U-3 Vacationville.com driven by Mitch Evans. After having the fastest qualifying speed and winning its first heat of the season, Evans was primed for a victory in the final.

As the final began, Michael Hanson and Evans sprinted to the first buoy with Hanson taking the early lead. Evans was able to catch Hanson and led the next few laps with the San Diego crowd going wild. Unfortunately, for the piston-powered fans, Hanson retook the lead on the third lap and pulled away for the victory. The battle for second also was heated with Evans battling Nate Brown in the U-16 Miss Elam Plus. Brown was able to pass Evans for second, while Evans secured his first podium finish of the year with his third place.

Hanson secured his fourth career win and second for team owners Lori and Mike Jones. "The team has spent a lot of time and effort preparing this boat and it obviously showed today," said Hanson. "The victory last year at the APBA Gold Cup gave myself and this team the confidence that we need to challenge at every race. We have been close all season and I knew it was just a matter of time."

"Michael is doing an incredible job," said Lori Jones. "Winning our first career Unlimited race last year at the Gold Cup was a tremendous feeling. Today's win only makes this team that much stronger and more confident. I am starting to get used to winning and look forward to next season."

Rounding out the top five were Mark Tate in the U-2 Miss Trendwest in fourth and Dave Villwock in the U-1 Miss Budweiser in fifth.

Miss Budweiser Crowned Champion

Bernie Little's Miss Budweiser wrapped up the Unlimited Hydroplane World Championship this weekend at San Diego. Little has now secured an unprecedented 22 championships in over 40 years of Unlimited Hydroplane competition.

Dave Villwock, who pilots Miss Budweiser, also took top honors and won his sixth O'Doul's National High Points Driver's Championship. Villwock has won five consecutive driver's championships and six in the last seven years.

"Dave Villwock and the Miss Budweiser team have once again proved they are the most dominant team in the Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Series," said Gary Garbrecht, Chairman of Hydro-Prop. "They were challenged all year long by Nate Brown, Michael Hanson and a number of other talented drivers, but were able to withstand their efforts to win the championship. The competition this year was stronger than it has been in many years as evidenced by the number of different heat winners throughout the season. The Miss Budweiser team was pushed all season long as every team raised the bar on their level of performance. But Villwock and the Miss Budweiser were ready for these challenges to secure the championship they covet every year."