Ron P

The WHM Motorsports team would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all of the 850 Supercharged race teams for an extremely close and exciting year. The National Championship boiled down to the last race of the season, and we could not rule out anyone team as the course was commanding and the competition fierce. Admittedly, the entire team was under tremendous pressure the whole weekend from the moment we jetted in on Thursday after suffering a fuse problem in Orange Beach seeing our 11 point lead over CRC dwindled down to a dead tie. Bringing both teams to the double points event on an even playing field, on edge and hoping that the boats escape the dreaded “guardian” or other mechanical failures. Both teams would not be so lucky! It was probably the most intense pressure the has experienced racing in years. For the last 10 years, WHM Motorsports has been the bridesmaid, and not the bride, taking more second place National Championship finishes. During Saturday’s testing Both WHM Motorsports and CRC were seeing approximately the same lap times, so we knew it was going to be a close race to the end. We had the pole position which could give us the slight advantage but with six other boats on the tight course it could also be disadvantage with all seven of us racing to the first turn. CRC after experiencing problems before the start got the jump at the start getting to the pin first, but unluckily CRC hit the buoy taking it out causing CRC to suffer mechanical failure. WHM Motorsports found itself in CRC’s rooster tail causing us to kite and almost go over. Fortunately, the boat was in top shape and we were able to recover. Unfortunately, CRC was not so lucky. We were disappointed that CRC was out of the race at the first turn. WHM Motorsports has enjoyed competing with Mike DeFrees and Jeff Harris all year long. They were both fierce competitors, and we were sorry we could not compete against them till the end, for the full twenty laps. Thanks Mike and Jeff for a great year of racing. You are both true competitors. Now for Team Ron Ripple, Steve and Joey, you had the boat hooked up and we were trailing you after our mishap at turn one. We are truly glad that you both weren’t hurt after violent barrel roll (3 times over). You had a tough year and hope to see you both in Key West. Steve and Joey’s barrel roll brought out the double yellow causing mass confusion on the course. WHM Motorsports eventually took back the lead at the restart but to our dismay experienced the “guardian gremlins”, and we’re not talking angels, our feared nightmare! What can we say about Team Fury from the moment Fury started racing the 850 class, Guy and Ray were destined for a win! Congratulations to Team Fury for a great race. Also, congratulations to D&M for taking a second on their virgin 850 supercharged race. Last but not least, Talk’n Trash, Jimmy you certainly talk trash but you and Vinnie did a great job keeping up with the 850s. You had us worried for a while when we were in guardian mode. We would never have heard the end of it, if you beat us! All kidding aside, it was great to have both Jimmy and Vinnie racing OSS, and hopefully putting an end to the rumors that OSS does not have a 750 class. Team Shocker I did not forget about you. You gave us a run for our money in Lake Havasu and Sunny Isle (before you flipped). Bob, looking forward to seeing your new Extreme boat in Key West. We heard it is awesome looking. Best of luck to all!

The 850 Supercharged class has more than proven itself that it is affordable, extremely competitive class with fair racing. Any 850 team could win, and not simply the team with the deepest pocket. In fact, every 850 team won, at least, one race this year! Well, with the exception of D&M, but their time will come! However, a second place finish in LOTO is certainly something to be proud of for their first race. I am glad to be part of such a great class and a great bunch of racers. And, I am proud to see that it is growing and that the 850 Supercharged class should be 8 to 10 boats strong next year. Let us be the first to say welcome to all the new and potential 850 racers, you will not be disappointed in this class!


Special thanks to Mercury for all their support and for a great motor package. Without Mercury’s support at all the OSS races the 850 class would not have been the most competitive class this year! Mercury worked extremely hard at every race to get all Mercury powered race boats race ready. They had their work cut out for them at every race especially Orange Beach with the two heat format. We look forward to heat racing next year. We are glad that Mercury will be supporting the Mercury boats at the Worlds in Key West this year.

WHM Motorsports would like to thank the entire staff at OSS for their hard work and dedication in always putting on a great and safe race. Thanks to a fantastic racing year, and I can honestly say that since we were not involved in the politics of racing this year and we were able to focus primarily on our race team and program, everyone on the WHM team had fun racing again.

To our crew, Ray “Fuzzy Bear”, Lance, Randy, Jay and Leah, our sincerest thank you to all. We had a blast this year. We even got to prove that the old 40 foot Skater still got it. We proved that smaller, isn’t always better or fastest. Jay we told you that you were a force to be reckoned with, and you now stand with the likes of the great throttlemen, Johnny Tomlinson, Steve Curtis and Joey Imprescia, and the many others we have failed to mention. We look forward to attempting to capture that World title with you next in Key West, and to our season together in 2009.

(edited) - We forgot to thank one crucial member of the Team, and one of Billy’s closet and oldest friends “Sick Nick”. Nick is long time crew member, and with his expertise we would have never have made it to the National Championship podium. We are extremely apologetic of this oversight – “Franks and Beans, doota-a-doo!”

In closing, we look forward to racing the OSS 850 Supercharged class in 2009 and racing against the best class of racers!


Billy “the Plumber” and June
WHM Motorsports #5

AB From Windsor

Congrat's, on your National Championship and Congrat's to all the other Teams who won their National Championships in their Class and to every one of the racers, who are all are champions, there are no losers when you are all having fun and staying safe. Good luck to all in Key West

CrazyBoatTower

Great write up. Thanks for the encouraging words, and I would like to personally thank the Dan and Doug from Mercury for getting our port motor back together saturday night. The late night paid off and we took second. Thanks guys!!!

Jeff Kinney
Crew Chief
D&M Motorsports

bryanh

It is nice to see the support from Mercury they stepped up to the plate to help the D & M team with all that was needed! Congrats WHM on your Ntl. Championship and we look forward to seeing you on the course again!

Bryan Haupt
D & M Motorsports

GARBAGEMAN

Congrats Billy on a well deserved championship. The ability to keep that boat from flipping over at the start was amazing cuz nobody gets that lucky. You are a great driver & Jay is a great T-man. Your championship has no " BUTS " next to it and well earned I'm proud of you.

Jimmy

ps don't think it's gonna get you any slack on the snowmobile trails. thats one place you'll never beat me and you know it.

I also know that June is lurking around on these boards and you should buy her something nice for putting up with ur bull$hit.


Oh yea bring Jay to maine this year so I can make him have fits

Apache041

Congratulations, Billy....well deserved !

737jetmech

iTrader: (1)

Nice job ... Billy , Jay and the entire WHM team. We miss racing with you guys .Good luck in KeyWest!


Bob