Villwock Takes Unlimited 2001 Season Opener

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Defending event and series champions Dave Villwock and the Miss Budweiser team took first place at Budweiser Thunder on the Ohio, Sunday, July 1 at Evansville, Ind. The races was the first stop in Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Series Presented by Laughlin (Nev).

Villwock, who joined the Miss Budweiser team in 1996, has now won the Evansville race six consecutive times. With the victory, Villwock increased his career win total to 36 and that of Miss Bud team owner, Bernie Little, to 131.

Although he jumped to the lead at the start in Evansville, Villwock was challenged by Mike Hanson in the U-9 WABX throughout the race. Greg Hopp, in the U-100 Miss Znetix I began the final as the provisional starter in the field and also maneuvered around the course to challenge Villwock. But Villwock and the Miss Budweiser were too strong and pulled away to claim the victory.

Hanson ended up finishing in second and Hopp finished third.

The Budweiser Thunder on the Ohio race will be televised on ESPN2 on Sunday,
July 22 at 11:30 p.m. (EDT). The next stop on the tour is 51st Annual Belterra Casino Madison Regatta, July 7-8 in Madison, Ind. Practice and qualifying will begin Saturday, July 7 with the finals scheduled for Sunday, July 8. The Belterra Casino Madison Regatta race will be televised on ESPN2 on Sunday, August 5 at 7 p.m. (EDT)

Budweiser Thunder on the Ohio Results

2001 Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Series Presented by Laughlin