Muncey Sells Thunderboat, Leaves Racing

Fran Muncey of Mt. Helix and Miller High Life have sold their unlimited hydroplane to the Circus Circus team, indicating the Muncey name will be absent from the thunderboat circuit next year for the first time in three decades.

Muncey, widow of driver Bill Muncey, reportedly decided to retire to spend more time with her family after 12 years as owner of Bill Muncey Industries.

Since she took the helm, Muncey boats have won 23 races, including seven Gold Cups.

Her husband, one of the most successful drivers in the history of the sport, died in a racing crash in 1981 in Acapulco, Mexico.

Chip Hanauer, driver of the Miller, also is moving to Circus Circus, taking over from driver John Prevost. Plans are that Hanauer will drive the turbo-powered 1986 version of the Miller next year.

Miller officials said they would continue to sponsor regattas in San Diego and Syracuse, N.Y.

FOOTBALL

Once again, San Diegans won’t be graced with football in the spring; the World Indoor Football League has failed to take off for the second consecutive year.

The league originally was to begin play last year when six teams--San Diego, St. Louis, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Indianapolis and San Antonio--were formed. San Diego, owned by John Sanders, St. Louis and Las Vegas had coaches, players and arenas lined up, but Baltimore, Indianapolis and San Antonio were unable to come up with the necessary funds, so the league folded.

This year, financial problems again were the WIFL’s undoing. After it was determined that there was no chance of finding six teams with enough money to operate, there was talk that San Diego, Las Vegas and St. Louis might merge with the Arena Football League. But according to Las Vegas Aces owner Rick Kulis, who was spokesman for the three teams, Arena Football administrators requested too much money from expansion teams (between $1 million and $2 million).

“It doesn’t make any sense at all for the new franchises to come in and pay for (Arena Football’s) losses,” Kulis said. “The internal problems far outweigh the advantages a new owner could get by coming in and paying a franchise fee.”

Kulis said he will attempt to form the WIFL again next year, but, at this time, he has no reason to feel it will have any better chance for success.

Kevin Wells, San Diego State University center, has been named to play for the Blue team in the 51st annual Blue-Gray All-Star game Dec. 25 in Montgomery, Ala.

Wells, a 6-foot 5-inch, 278-pound senior who entered the season ranked as the No. 2 center in the country by The Sporting News, was second-team All-Western Athletic Conference in 1988.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

The men’s basketball game between San Diego-based Athletes In Action and Weber State in Ogden, Utah, was canceled when high winds caused several power outages at the gymnasium.

Weber State led, 36-25, with 3:02 remaining in the first half when the game was called. The teams played in partial lighting most of the game.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

U.S. International University shot 31% from the field and lost to New Mexico State, 86-63, in Las Cruces. Sonya Carter scored 23 points, and Amy Hillebrand added 12 to lead USIU (2-5). Vicki Evans had 26 points for New Mexico State (4-4), which led, 42-28, at the half as the Gulls shot just 25%.