Owned by Ed Cooper, a second-generation Unlimited racer, the Go3 is unique in that she is powered by an Allison V-12 piston power plant, a motor originally used in World War II fighter planes. Cooper began his racing career with his father, Ed Cooper, Sr. in the 1960s, when both were crew members for the Miss Madison. Since then, Cooper has turned in a number of firsts on the ABRA circuit. In 2002, his boat was the first with a reciprocating engine to complete a lap at over 160 m.p.h. The next year, Cooper made history again when his crew became the first non-turbine winner since 1983 to claim the APBA Gold Cup. After finishing third on the 2006 circuit in National High points and two second place finishes, Cooper Motorsports looked to make its mark in the record books again during the ’07 season. The season started off with a podium finish of third place at the hometown "Thunder on the Ohio" and a fifth place finish at the APBA Gold Cup in Detroit. A Heat 3A start to finish, deck to deck duel with the Oh Boy!Oberto has been called by many one of the greatest races in unlimited history. This heat win in the Gold Cup and three top 5 finishes propelled the U-3 team to a 7th place finish in the ABRA High Points championship. The 2008 season was not kind to the Go3 Racing Team. Engine failures beginning at the season opener in Evansville and lasted to the San Diego finale. Only a 162 MPH qualifying lap and heat win in Tri Cities were the season hilites. Ed Cooper and Jimmy King look to build on last season and hope to make the 2009 season another record setter for "The World's Fastest Piston Powered Unlimited Hydroplane".

Making the speedy, snarling 3 go is an all-volunteer effort. The Coopers are proud of their skilled,

professional crew. Although they work for short pay, no other hydro crew matches their passion.

Ed Cooper Jr. Evansville, Ind. Crew chief

Ed worked on Miss Madison and My Gypsy in the 1960s, and Kentuckiana Paving and Jim Sedam’s

U-22 in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Eddie Cooper III Evansville, Ind. Motors

Rick Bowles Seattle, Wash. Hull

Rick bought an Unlimited in 1979 and ran it under names like KW3 Radio, Island Security Systems, and Miss Machine Rock Band. A longtime Go 3 crew member, he helped build the 1996 and 2002 Cooper boats as well as the 2003 LLumar Window Film, now named Miss Beacon Plumbing.

John Culver Yucca Valley, Calif. Fuel, skid fin

Josh Culver Yucca Valley, Calif. Intern

Jeff Emge Evansville, Ind. Machinist

Mitch Evans Chelan, Wash.

Mitch’s thriving marina in Chelan, Wash., currently requires all of his attention. The longtime Go 3 driver and crew member still lends a hand when work allows.

Joe Kettner Grand Rapids, Mich. Propellers

John Walcker Chelan, Wash. Fuel

Dale VanWieringen Seattle, Wash. Designer/consultant

Mike Hall, St Wendel, Ind. Designer and Driver Communications

Robert Grossman, Evansville, Ind. Motors and Team Communication

Mike Fetscher, Evansville, Ind. General Duties and Co-Webmaster

Kirk Duncan, Owensboro, Ky. General Duties and Co-Webmaster

Fast Facts

Go3 Racing Team 

Founded: 1986
Owner: Ed Cooper, Jr.
Evansville, IN
Driver: Jimmy King
Wales, MI
Homeport: Evansville, IN
Length: 28' 3"
Width: 14' 6"
Weight: 6750 lbs.
Materials: Honeycomb aluminum, carbon fiber, laminated resin
Top Speed: 200+ MPH
Engine: Turbocharged Allison V-12
Size: 1710 cubic inches, 1750 pounds
Horsepower: 3000
Fuel: Methanol
Propeller: 16" diameter, 26 pitch, 20 rake, three blades
Rudder: 25" steel
Skidfin: 36", 230lbs., steel
Cockpit: Chrome alloy roll cage covered by carbon fiber composite skin
Crew Chief: Ed Cooper, Jr.
Victories:
(1) 1989 - Tri-Cities, WA (Columbia Cup); driver-Mitch Evans
(2) 2003 - Evansville, IN (Thunder On The Ohio); driver-Mitch Evans
(3) 2003 - Detroit, MI (APBA Gold Cup); driver-Mitch Evans
(4) 2003 - San Diego, CA (Bill Muncey Cup); driver-Mitch Evans