Bruce Menz's Page

The Diamond Cup and H1 Unlimited Hydroplane racing return to Lake Coeur d'Alene Labor Day weekend, 2013. The Diamond Cup is the 7th stop on the H1 Hydroplane Circuit. Drivers and Teams from all over the Country will be battling for the National High Point Championship on one of the fastest race courses H1 has to offer. The sanctioned race will be located along Coeur d’Alene's Lakeshore Drive in the Silver Beach area. The first year will look to draw 70,000-90,000 spectators over that three day…See More

For the drivers and teams on the Air National Guard Hydroplane circuit, there is no bigger stage than the Albert Lee Appliance Cup at Seafair Weekend.It’s the chance to race before family and friends and a rare opportunity to showcase the sport on live television. And because many of the Air National Guard teams are based in the greater Seattle area, winning here can make the season for drivers and team owners.This year marks the 64th running of Seafair on Lake Washington and Oh Boy! Oberto…See More

The 2012 Lamb Weston Columbia Cup will mark the 47th time Unlimited Hydroplanes have raced on the Columbia River.  This year’s event, like the inaugural in 1966, will most likely have 12 Unlimiteds in attendance.  But the modern Unlimited Hydroplane has very little in common with those first boats that churned the waters of the Columbia River.  The hydroplanes of 2012 are almost more plane than hydro.  They are thirty foot long, 7,000 pound wings that glide over the water with only the bare…See More

Come to the Museum Saturday, April 6th and meet author Doug Ford and get your copy of “The Risk Takers and Record Breakers” signed by the author.  As an added bonus hear a great new lecture by Doug!He will talk at length of those that tried, and sometimes paid the ultimate price as they chased the Absolute World Water Speed Record.April 6th, at 7PM Free to Members, $5 for Non-Members.See More

The Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum is happy to announce our annual Hydro Fever Open House. Admission is free!Come and tour our gallery featuring such vintage unlimited hydroplanes as Slo-Mo-Shun V, Miss Bardahl, Miss Wahoo, Atlas Van lines, Oh Boy! Oberto, Hurricane IV and Miss Budweiser.Hydro Fever includes a live auction of hydroplane memorabilia at 12 noon, with proceeds benefiting the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum.Casper model hydro races for the kids takes place all day. And a hot lunch…See More

This is a comprehensive history of modifications to the Rolls Royce / Packard Merlin for boat racing and airplane racing. The topics include internal modifications such as quill shafts, crankshafts and cam shafts. Also included is a discussion of Nitrous Oxide, ADI (Water methanol) injection and Nitro Methane. There will be actual Merlin parts to examine. The presentation will be technical in nature, but also will be of interest to the average Vintage Unlimited fan. The presentation will…See More

 Unlimited Hydroplane Legend Chip Hanauer will tell where "all the bodies are buried" in this exclusive, tell all lecture and webcast on Saturday April 21st. Chip will "spill the beans" on the funny, wacky and unbelievable things that happened in his 30 year career driving race boats.  The show starts at 2 PM PST and is free to dues paying Museum Members and costs $5 for nonmembers. It will be broadcast live on our website for out of town members who can't get to Seattle. Don't miss it!…See More