The Stan Sayres Pits have been transformed to race central for this weekend's Albert Lee Appliance Cup at Seafair.
The unlimited hydroplanes began qualifying on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. as they prepare for the racing on Saturday.
Champion hydro driver and KIRO 7 Race Analyst Chip Hanauer said to expect some of the best racing in the sport this weekend in Seattle.
"This place is magic,” he said. “Every final heat in Seattle has been a barn burner. I think we have four main guys we're going to have to deal with: Jimmy Shane and J. Michael Kelly, a big fight between them and a good rivalry. New guy Andrew Tate is a great talent. It is his first time in Seattle, and then Jean Theoret from Canada who has had a lot of bad luck the last couple years and he's got to turn it around here."
Some very young drivers are joining the pros this weekend. They are part of a program that helps ensure hydro racing continues. The program sponsored by Oh Boy! Oberto, called Art Oberto’s Drivers Program, pairs up junior hydro drivers with the unlimited drivers to teach them about the sport.
Andrew Vaillancourt, 12, of Bellevue will get to shadow Jimmy Shane this weekend.
"What I pretty much do is help out with Jimmy Shane and give him his helmet, gloves, oxygen mask," said Vaillancourt. "It's really fun to see all of the boats race and help out with Jimmy Shane."
Vaillancourt and his dad built an outboard hydroplane with the help of the Hydroplane Museum in Kent. He's been racing since he was 10 years old. The J-class boats go 35-50 miles per hour.
"What we're trying to do is gain more interest in boat racing and motor sports in general," said Dave Vaillancourt, Andrew's dad.
To qualify for the Albert Lee Appliance Cup drivers need to make one lap going at least 130mph. Nine boats qualified for the races this weekend.
The fastest qualifying time went to driver Jean Theoret in U-16 Oberto Beef Jerky at 150.093 mph.
KIRO 7 will be broadcasting Seafair all day Sunday. You can watch on TV or use this link for the KIRO 7 livestream.
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