Before Steve David, one of the most accomplished drivers in Unlimited hydroplane racing history, leaves for Doha, Qatar, in early January for the Oryx Cup UIM World Championship, he will be spending his New Year’s Day holiday aboard his boat in Palm Beach, Fla., with a few of his closest friends. Holding a 652-point lead over David Villwock—the sport’s career victory leader—David is hoping to drive the Oh Boy! Oberto hydroplane to another High Points championship (his fourth in five seasons) when the H1 Unlimited fleet races in Doha on Jan. 10-12.
High: The highlight for me this season was our team’s third consecutive win at Seafair in Seattle, which is the hometown of our sponsor and many of our team members. The Albert Lee Cup race on Lake Washington is probably the roughest race of the season, so to have won it four of the last five years is incredible. If we can do it again next year we will tie Bill Muncey’s record of four wins in a row in Seattle.
Low: Jumping the one-minute gun in Tri Cities, Wash., was easily my low. Because of the one-lap penalty incurred, I cost our team the win. Without that penalty we would have won all of the Western races so that was pretty disappointing.
Oh Boy! Oberto driver Steve David
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