Automotive Powered Hydroplane this year?

A recent interview with Jim Harvey may lead to us seeing an automotive powered hydroplane sometime this year. Jim has for the past year been working close with Fred Leland's camp in developing the automotive engine program. Jim claims that the main turbine program is ready to go, and that an auto powered hydroplane will be ready to go half way through the season. Hopefully we will see it out at the Columbia Cup!

Fred also recently visited a shop in Spokane to get some dyno time in on an engine. A local paper was there to give coverage: please click here for the article.

For years now we have heard of teams stepping forward to work on incorporating an automotive power-plant into the U class and none of them has followed through. For the sake of the sport, I hope that with Harvey's help, the Leland racing team will come out this year with one. Under the leadership of Sam Cole, the sport is in grave shape right now, and one of the only things that will be a positive boost for it would be an automotive hydroplane to bring in new fans and sponsors.

Watch the video below for more information on the auto hydroplane and what is going on in Fred's shop.