Did you ever wonder what happens to a trophy from an Unlimited hydroplane race that doesn't have its' event any longer? Lots of races that have long since passed--MIami, Washington, D.C., Dayton, Jacksonville, Coeur d'Alene, Dallas and the list goes on.

Owensboro, Kentucky hosted the Unlimiteds for 10 years-- from 1969-1978.

The winner of the Owensboro Regatta, then called the Hydrofair, recieved the Kentucky Governor's Cup. We found the trophy still in Owensboro at the Speedzeum, an exhibit of Owensboro's motorsports tradition. After sitting for 32 years, it is still in excellent shape.

Bill  Sterett helped bring the Unlimiteds to his hometown, and won the inagural Kentucky Governor's Cup in 1969 driving the Miss Budweiser. The sports all time winningest driver Bill Muncey won 6 Cups in 10 years.  1971 Gold Cup winner Jim McCormick also called Owensboro home, and Bill's sons--Billy and Terry,  also piloted the Thunderboats as well. Bill, Sr. went on to win the Gold Cup and National High points title in 1969.

Three time  NASCAR champion Darrell Waltrip, 2 time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip, and Moto GP World Champion Nicky Hayden are a few of Owenboro's  motorsports champions.

Do you know where the trophy from your hometown's former race is located? It's nice to know a part of the history of the sport is still preserved and on display for all to enjoy.

The Speedzeum is located within the Owensboro Museum of Science and History.

The H1 Unlimited hydroplane series will  return to San Diego in 2010 after a one year absence.

As Go3Racing.com first reported over a week ago, San Diego Bayfair officials  and H1 Unlimited have agreed to resume racing the world's fastest boats on Mission Bay, September 17-19.

The Air National Guard will be the title sponsor of the race.  The newest sponsor to join the sport is Degree Men, and they will be the presenting sponsor. The race will be known as the Air Guard Championship presented by Degree Men.

Former Boeing Airlines President and CEO, Scott Carson and his wife, will also be contributing financially to the event in honor of the American military. The Carson's have a son in law serving in Afghanistan.

Twelve teams will compete for the Air Guard Championship trophy on the super fast 2 1/2 mile Bill Muncey Memorial race course.

The GP West series will also join the Unlimiteds on Mission Bay, returning after their 2009 appearance at Bayfair. The automotive powered fleet has several former Unlimited driving greats racing in that highly competative series.

The Unlimiteds also make a return to the air waves of cable TV. The Air Guard Championship can be seen on the Versus network Saturday, October 16. The time has yet to be announced. Tampa Digital will have live streaming of the event as well.

The return of San Diego makes it the 5th stop on the H1 tour in 2010. A fleet of 10 will journey east immediately after the race, bound for Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to board a freighter for the 6th and final stop of the season at the UIM World Championship in Doha, Qatar (November 19-21).

H1 Chairman Sam Cole posted this announcement on H1's Facebook Page "Sorry, all no announcement today. Looks like Monday to get all i's dotted and t's crossed. Wanted to let everyone know early in the day. Will be exciting and lots of news, when it all comes together." 

Go3racing.com first broke the story last Sunday and created interest on San Diego returning from several media outlets including Hydroinsider.com and the San Diego Tribune Newspaper. Go3racing.com also received scorn from H1 leadership and head of Public Relations Steve Montgomery referring to Go3racing.com as a "Fansites and bloggers have no obligation to be factual or accurate in their reporting. H1 does. If and when there is something announcable regarding San Diego, we will be all over it" 

Unlimited Hydroplanes returning to Mission Bay

By Bill Center , UNION-TRIBUNE

Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 6:56 p.m.

Unless something completely unforeseen happens, the Unlimited Hydroplanes will be back on Mission Bay Sept. 17-19 as the featured attraction of the annual San Diego Bayfair event.

"We're hoping to make a formal announcement Friday," Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Association commissioner Sam Cole said Wednesday afternoon.

"We have an agreement. This is good news for the sport and the fans of San Diego. I met with the local committee in San Diego last weekend and everything got ironed out."