2005 Vintge Hydroplanes at Tri-Cities

'Clash of the Titans'

1982 was a year of change in the sport of hydroplane racing. The sport was still reeling from the shocking death of Bill Muncey the previous year. The Miss Budweiser, with its huge Griffon engines, had parlayed their huge horsepower advantage into several years of dominance in the sport. But change was in the wind. The balance had shifted by the time the boats reached the Tri-Cities in 1982. Chip Hanauer had taken an unheralded new Atlas Van Lines hull and challenged the dominance of the mighty Miss Budweiser. Dean Chenoweth and the Miss Budweiser were looking to get back on track in the Tri-Cities after a series of disappointing results during the eastern swing of the circuit. Fans were looking forward to this clash of Hydroplane titans.

Unfortunately, neither boat would be a factor in the race's outcome. The Miss Budweiser would flip Saturday morning while chasing Hanauer's qualifying speed. Driver Dean Chenoweth was killed and the sport had lost its most experienced driver for the second time in as many years. Chip Hanauer and the Atlas would only finish a single heat on the afternoon and was not able to start for the final.

Fast forward 23 years and the Atlas Van Lines and Miss Budweiser are back on the Columbia river. Thanks to the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum, fans finally got to see the race we had expected in 1982. During the weekend, the Atlas and Bud staged a series of exhibition runs. It was probably one of the greatest things I have ever seen since being a hydroplane racing fan. These pictures capture those vintage hydros as they stage the race we should have seen in 1982, the 'Clash of the Titans.'