MOTOR RACING / SHAV GLICK : Little Draws to a Pair of Aces

For nine years, from 1982 to 1990, unlimited hydroplane racing seasons were memorable because of the matchup between the best driver--Chip Hanauer, driving a variety of boats--and the fastest boat--Miss Budweiser, with a variety of drivers.

During that period, Hanauer won five national driving championships and Bernie Little’s Miss Bud won five boat championships. In 1989, Hanauer won the individual title and Jim Kropfeld and Tom D’Eath combined to give Miss Budweiser the boat crown.

Now, in a classic case of overkill, Hanauer and Miss Budweiser have combined forces for the 1992 season.

Hanauer, 38, did not compete last year after announcing his retirement at the close of the 1990 season when the sponsors of Miss Circus Circus, the boat he drove to the 1990 championship, quit the sport.

“I was really burned out,” Hanauer said. “You have to remember, I had been racing boats since I was 10 and I was coming off a very hard 1990 season. I was tired--physically, mentally and emotionally--and then, 48 hours after we won the championship, to learn that Circus Circus was leaving was the last blow.

“A year away from racing a boat did a lot to rekindle my enthusiasm. I came back feeling more excited and enthusiastic. I felt like I had recaptured some of that childhood love of racing that originally got me into the sport. I love to race, not necessarily to win, not to win championships, but just for the love of racing.

“Somewhere along the line, I lost that feeling. It just went away. Now I have it back.”

Hanauer was also soon without a job. His career as an auto racing driver was cut short when Toyota ended its Firestone Firehawk series commitment after the 1991 season. Driving for Dennis Aase’s team, Hanauer won one race and was the fastest qualifier in another before the team folded.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in auto racing,” Hanauer said. “I felt I had a measure of success, but it feels good to be back in the sport where I grew up.”

Hanauer and Miss Budweiser started the season the way everyone expected they would, by winning the opening race last Sunday on Miami’s Biscayne Bay. This Sunday they will be prohibitive favorites in the Budweiser Gold Cup--hydroplane racing’s Indianapolis 500--on the Detroit River.

Hanauer disputes the theory that his team is unbeatable.

“Talk about how dominant we should be is a discredit to the other teams that are out there,” he said. “I think the days of a total dominant team are behind us. The sport has built parity. Winston Eagle is every bit as capable of winning as we are, and behind them there are three boats who could win this year.

“No one knows the capability of the Winston boat better than I.”

Hanauer drove Winston Eagle to the 1990 championship. It was bought by Steve Woomer of Circus Circus after the 1990 season.

“Mark Tate (driver of Winston Eagle) and Steve David (driver of Miss T-Plus) come to the sport with the best credentials of anyone since Jim Kropfeld came in,” Hanauer said. “When I came into the sport, Dean Chenowth and Bill Muncey were the best, and I wanted to test myself against them. Now there are two new drivers with great credentials, and I want to test myself again, against them.”

Tate won the unlimited championship last year when he scored points in both Oh Boy! Oberto and Winston Eagle.

“Remember, too, that I am only one of the four components needed for a winning team,” Hanauer said. “Just as important is the hull, the engine and the propeller.”

Hanauer and boat owner Little were such bitter rivals for so long that the announcement of their merger shocked the unlimited racing community.

“I’ve received a lot of letters asking me how I can drive for Bernie Little after all the disputes we had,” Hanauer said. “A lot of them say I betrayed them by joining the Bud boat, but I tell them that our differences were because we were both such dedicated people. He was dedicated to winning and so was I, so naturally there were conflicts.

“What people didn’t see was that behind the scenes our personal relationship was very strong. I hope that together we can build more fan support than either of us had individually.”

The unlimiteds will race at San Diego’s Mission Bay on Sept. 20.

Briefly

SPEEDWAY BIKES--Five U.S. riders will attempt to advance in the world championship when they ride Sunday in the Overseas Final at Coventry, England. They include national champion Mike Faria and British League veterans Sam Ermolenko, Billy Hammil, Ronnie Correy and Rick Miller. . . . After the scratch main event Friday night at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, 12 riders will go 25 laps in the Cirello Racing Classic, a marathon handicap event.

MOTOCROSS--The Hangtown Classic, California’s only major national championship outdoor motocross, will be held this weekend at the Prairie City state vehicle recreational area, east of Sacramento. Jeff Stanton leads Damon Bradshaw after three of six 250cc nationals, with Mike Kiedrowski and defending series champion Jean-Michel Bayle close behind. Bayle, who is injured, is not expected to ride. . . . The Coors Light series resumes Saturday night at Ventura Raceway.

STOCK CARS--Winston Racing Series sportsman division races will feature Saturday night action at Saugus Speedway and Cajon Speedway. Saugus will also have a train race. . . . Street and hobby stocks headline the Saturday night card at San Bernardino’s Orange Show Speedway.

MIDGETS--When Page Jones won last week’s United States Auto Club race at Ventura, it broke a five-race winning streak by western regional champion Sleepy Tripp. Tripp was involved in a first-lap accident and was unable to restart his midget. USAC drivers will return to action June 27 at Ventura. . . . Winged midgets will race Saturday night at Santa Maria Speedway.

DRAG RACING--Pro top alcohol funny cars and jet dragsters will race Saturday night at Los Angeles County Raceway in Palmdale. . . . The National Motorcycle Racers Assn. will hold cycle drags Sunday afternoon at the same track.