While champagne and caviar make up the lifestyles of the rich and famous, champagne and beef jerky was a tasty combination for the U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto/Miss Madison (top) and driver Steve David (bottom) after Heat 2B Sunday on Mission Bay in San Diego. David and the Oberto wrapped up the 2008 ABRA national points championships — David’s third driver’s title in the past four years and the team’s first boat title in 47 seasons of racing (Staff photos by David Campbell) San Diego Bayfair Race Results SAN DIEGO BAYFAIR Presented by the Union-Tribune American Boat Racing Association Unlimited Hydroplane Series Results Mission Bay, San Diego, Calif. Course Length: 2.5 miles FINAL HEAT Sunday, Sept. 21 1. Jeff Bernard, U-5 Formulaboats.com, 145.412 mph; 2. Jean Theoret, U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing, 139.278; 3. Mike Allen, U-7 Formulaboats.com II, 136.163; 4. Steve David, U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto/Miss Madison, 148.848*; 5. J. Michael Kelly, U-13 Graham Trucking/Spirit of Detroit, 141.927*; 6. Brian Perkins, U-50 Spirit of the Navy, 130.203*. *-penalized one lap for jumping the gun PRELIMINARY HEATS Saturday, Sept. 20 HEAT 1A 1. Jeff Bernard, U-5 Formulaboats.com, 155.413; 2. Jean Theoret, U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing, 149.850; 3. Ken Muscatel, U-25 Superior Racing, 132.097; 4. J. Michael Kelly, U-13 Graham Trucking, 122.250; Greg Hopp, U-100 Mirageboats.com, DNF. HEAT 1B 1. Steve David, U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto, 152.005; 2. Jimmy King, U-3 Grandview Resorts Presents Hoss Mortgage Investors, 151.119; 3. Mike Allen, U-7 Formulaboats.com II, 144.208; 4. Brian Perkins, U-50 Spirit of the Navy, 128.619. Sunday, Sept. 21 HEAT 2A 1. Jeff Bernard, U-5 Formulaboats.com, 152.426; 2. Mike Allen, U-7 Formulaboats.com II, 150.781; 3. Greg Hopp, U-100 Mirageboats.com, 131.038. Jimmy King, U-3 Hoss Mortgage Investors, DNF; Ken Muscatel, U-25 Superior Racing, DNF. HEAT 2B (no speeds available) 1. Jean Theoret, U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing; 2. Steve David, U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto; 3. J. Michael Kelly, U-13 Graham Trucking; 4. Brian Perkins, U-50 Spirit of the Navy. HEAT 3A 1. Jean Theoret, U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing, 148.473; 2. Brian Perkins, U-50 Spirit of the Navy, 137.025; Greg Hopp, U- 100 Mirageboats.com, DNF; Mike Allen, U-7 Formulaboats.com II, DNS; Ken Muscatel, U-25 Superior Racing, DNS. HEAT 3B 1. Jeff Bernard, U-5 Formulaboats.com, 153.127; 2. Steve David, U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto, 150.763; 3. J. Michael Kelly, U-13 Graham Trucking, 137.032; Jimmy King, U-3 Hoss Mortgage Investors, DNS. CONSOLATION HEAT Ken Muscatel, U-25 Superior Racing, DNF; Jimmy King, U-3 Hoss Mortgage Investors, DNS. FINAL QUALIFYING RESULTS 1. Steve David, U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto/Miss Madison, 161.406 mph; 2. Jeff Bernard, U-5 Formulaboats.com, 160.199; 3. Jean Theoret, U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing, 159.769; 4. Mike Allen, U-7 Formulaboats.com II, 157.227; 5. J. Michael Kelly, U-13 Graham Trucking, 155.755; 6. Jimmy King, U-3 Hoss Mortgage Investors, 155.084; 7. Ken Muscatel, U-25 Superior Racing, 148.743; 8. Brian Perkins, U-50 Spirit of the Navy, 146.582; 9. Greg Hopp, U-100 Mirage Boats, no speed/chairman's option. FINAL POINTS STANDINGS Boats 1. U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto, 7,053; 2. U-5 Formulaboats.com, 6,825; 3. U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing, 6,681; 4. U-50 Spirit of the Navy, 4,194; 5, U-7 Formulaboats.com II, 4,039; 6. U-10 USA Racing Partners, 3,450; 7. U-1 Miss Elam Plus, 3,027; 8. U-13 Spirit of Detroit, 2,951; 9. U-100 Mirageboats.com, 2,391; 10. U-3 Cooper Racing, 2,219; 11. U-17 Our Gang Racing, 1,088; 12. U-25 Superior Racing, 1,021; 13, U-48 Miss Lakeridge Paving, 493. Drivers 1. Steve David, U-6, 7,053; 2. Jeff Bernard, U-5, 6,825; 3. Jean Theoret, U-37, 6,681; 4. Brian Perkins, U-50, 4,194; 5. David Bryant, 3,450; 6. Mike Allen, U-7, 3,126; 7. Dave Villwock, U-1, 3,027; 8. J. Michael Kelly, U-13, 2,951; 9. Greg Hopp, U-100, 2,391; 10. Jimmy King, U-3, 2,219; 11. Kip Brown, U-17, 1,088; 12. Ken Muscatel, 1,021; 13. Jimmy Shane, U-7, 913; 14. David Williams, U-48, 493. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Champagne & Jerky Oberto/Miss Madison clinches team’s first national championship David Campbell Courier Sportswriter SAN DIEGO - Moments after clinching the first national championship in Miss Madison's storied history, Steve David took a moment for himself in the cockpit, collecting his thoughts on the feat he had just accomplished. And then, it was time to celebrate. David's second-place finish in Heat 2B of Sunday's San Diego Bayfair Presented by the Union-Tribune was more than just an exciting boat race, it secured a feat that many - including those who toil day-after-day in the U-6 boat shop - felt was impossible. "I want to thank the people of Madison. I knew it was inside of you when I joined you in 2001 and I want to thank you for giving us the opportunity," David said. Overall, David and the U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto/Miss Madison finished fourth in Sunday's race, but as the veteran driver said shortly before the final, the team was playing with house money. For four years, the team has had its sights set squarely on winning the season prize and each of the last three years, it has fallen just short. But thanks to the most consistent track record on the circuit - and a healthy dose of luck - the Miss Madison Racing Team found itself in the cat-bird seat this past weekend with a commanding points lead. The math was simple: Just score 677 points - out of a possible 1,200 - to win the title. David said time and time again, that his strategy was to play it safe, secure points and grab that crown as soon as he could. But playing it safe isn't in David's makeup and a blistering speed in excess of 161 mph gave him the top qualifying position Saturday morning and 100 points. After a strong win in Heat 1B - and another 400 points - the title was within reach. "That's the second time I've lied to you," David said with a laugh. "We just want to get the points, but this is also a tough field. We know we can't just coast to the win." But with just 91 points needed to clinch, the Oberto could now coast. David needed only to merely finish either of the next two heats to seize the national championship. Instead, he battled Jean Theoret and the U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing for three laps before settling for second and the national championship. When David returned to the pits, he sat alone in the cockpit for several minutes as his anxious crew waited on the dock. It wasn't until one crew member good-naturedly yelled "Get out already!" that David appeared. "I owe God a lot of explanations and we were just having a one-on-one," David said. When he emerged from the cockpit, a cannon fired, filling the air with white confetti and the affable driver was handed a huge bottle of champagne. After that, the congratulations began. From fellow drivers, to dignitaries, to ordinary fans, the U-6 pit area was filled with admirers. "Look at all of the Oberto fans out there," David said. "Our little town has quite a following." But if the moment was big for David, it was nearly indescribable for those who have given their heart and soul to the Miss Madison team for decades. Team manager Charlie Grooms, who has spent much of the last 20 years scraping up sponsorship money, talked about the amount of hard-work - 48 years worth - that went into the title. "It's a phenomenal feeling for me and for all of those that have been apart of this. It's a team deal," Grooms said. "This is a team sport and it takes a lot of people to do it. And for those people, I'm very grateful. We're enjoying the accolades now, but there have been a lot of people for a lot of years, through lot of trials and tribulations, long hours and God knows what. We've been through a heck of a lot of stuff, but it's good to be at this point and celebrate and thank all of those along the way." Bob Hughes, who has been the president of Miss Madison Inc. since 1970, spent most of the weekend laid up in his motor home recovering from knee surgery. But he was all smiles when the crown was clinched. "I feel much better now," said Hughes. "To have that happen for a little old community-owned boat that has been strictly volunteer for so many years as we were and to do it for the city and the people of Madison and our crew is unbelievable. The key to this is our crew. I think we have the best doggone crew and driver in the business." The victory means that the Miss Madison will wear a new number in 2009, the coveted "U-1" that is reserved for use by the defending National Champion. It is a number that the most select group of boats has ever worn. Some, like the Miss Budweiser, Atlas Van Lines, Pay 'n Pak and Miss Bardahl, were the giants of the sport. Now, the Miss Madison joins that elite class. "We dedicate this victory to all of the people of Madison," said David. "I want to thank every person in Madison personally and when I get the chance, I'll do it." |
| Owners’ Representative - Robert D. Hughes Persistences pays off. Congratulation Bob Jerry Schoenith |