A synopsis from ULHRA.org:

The Lady is the Champ



Kayleigh Perkins, the 19 year old hydroplane driving sensation from
Black Diamond WA is the 2007 Powerboats NW Unlimited Light Hydroplane
Racing Series Champion. Ms Perkins not only won the Driver's Title
over 2 time champion Greg Hopp, she drove her UL-72 Victoria Express
presents Miss Boat Electric to the team championship by taking 2nd
place in the Final Heat after finishing first and second in her two
preliminary heats.



At the season ending Victoria Express Strait Thunder Regatta at Port
Angeles WA Mark Echols of Duvall WA drove to his first career victory
in what was the last race for team owners Bob & Janet Estes. The
UL-33 Miss Graham Trucking dominated the field in the final heat
sending the Estes' into a very happy retirement. The UL-33 race team
is for sale and Echols hopes to be able to continue driving for the
new owner.



The day began poorly for the 4 time defending champion Hopp Racing -
Schellhase Racing team. Greg Hopp on his qualifying lap in the UL-1
Festool Supply.com presents Graham Trucking G.T. - Happy Go Lucky
flipped after crossing a roller going into turn #1. Hopp was
uninjured but his mount was lost for the race. Immediately after
qualifying was over, the UL-19 Five Star Racing entry driven by Ryan
Mallow was withdrawn and re-entered as the UL-1. Mallow finished 2nd
in his first heat but in the second was unable to start. As a result,
Ms Perkins needed to merely finish the Final to secure the title for
the Impact Racing team of Issaquah WA.....their first UL team
championship since 2002 when co-owner Phil Bononcini was the team's
driver. Perkins finished second in the Strait Thunder Final.



Third place went to Paul Becker in the UL-14 Compuware presents Miss
Critical Logic and fourth to Ryan Mallow.



In fifth place was "Smokin Joe" Souza in the UL-94 Union Pride entry.
It was the first race for the new team formed by Mike Jack owner Dave
Bartholomew of Eatonville WA. Next season Jack plans to race for
Rookie of the Year.



The only other incident during the race was a violent spin by the
UL-83 Wyatt's Diamond Jewelers presents Power Punch Oil Supplements
driven by Wil Muncey. Muncey was challenging Paul Becker for the lead
in a preliminary heat when the rudder bracket on the 83 hull failed
sending Muncey into a flat spin. The hull is in good shape, minus a
rudder, and Muncey was uninjured.



For Perkins she becomes not only the first woman to win a race in
Unlimited Lights (Silverdale, Aug 16) she's also the first woman to
win Rookie of the Year honors, the Driving Title and the Team
Championship. In hydroplane racing you could call that a "hat
trick".



John Lynch

P.R. Director and "Voice" of ULHRA Racing