2003 News

Latest News  December 18, 2003  

I've requested new information on the new boat from Nancy. Since we're right in the middle of the holiday season, it may be a week or two before I get all the new specs on the boat. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the War Party racing team!

Latest News  December 1, 2003   

 There's a new War Party 556 TAF for next year's race season! Jerry and Nancy picked up the boat a few weeks ago. From what I understand, Jerry is getting it ready for the Houston Boat Show. I have pictures of the boat, but I still need to talk to them to see if they want to post the before and after pictures, or if they'd rather post the pictures after they've applied the new paint job.  Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! 

Latest News  October 30, 2003   

 Although Jerry and Nancy made it to the World Finals in Phoenix, they were not able to get a new hull in time to race. I spoke to Jerry a few weeks prior to the finals and he told me he had talked to a few people about a new hull, but nothing had materialized at that point, but if he managed to get a boat in time, he'd be there racing. The motor was sent to California to be rebuilt. There was a lot more damage than what we had realized from the crash in Bryan, Tx. 

Latest News  October 2, 2003   

 October is here and the World Finals in Phoenix are just a few weeks away! I spoke with Jerry and Nancy prior to leaving the races in Bryan, Tx. and they indicated they intended to continue racing. Nancy has recently informed me that not only will they be in Phoenix for the World Finals, but that Jerry will be racing! At present, I do not have any information about the boat we'll be racing. When I have further details from Jerry or Nancy, I'll get them up here to keep everyone up to date on our progress. 

Latest News  September 20, 2003

 Just got the news today that Todd Haas of the former Biohazard team crashed in San Diego today. Our prayers are with you, your family and the rest of the crew. Get well soon! 

Latest News  September 15, 2003

 Please welcome our newest sponsors. Click on the links below to visit their web sites!

 HeavyTruckDealers.com and Tetralene Companies

Latest News  September 15, 2003 

 The water was nice, the weather and temperature was near perfect. Jerry's first qualifying run gave us all quite a shock! The boat came up off the line and started to dance similarly to the qualifying run in Marble Falls, but Jerry managed to set the boat. By half track the boat came up just a little again and Jerry got it to set back down. By 3/4 track, the boat came up for the third time and took a hard right. From there it was all over. It all happened so fast, I could hardly believe I was seeing the crash. Styrofoam, fiberglass and other parts were flying everywhere. The capsule lid came off at some point during impact, leaving Jerry exposed. When the capsule settled in the water, it was upside down. Had it landed upright, it's possible it could have filled with water and sunk to the bottom of the lake. Jerry thought he was already sitting at the bottom of the lake since all he could see was water. His helmet started to fill with water. He purged the water from his helmet and within a few seconds, SDBA Rescue was on the spot. They hooked up to the capsule and turned it over to see Jerry giving them a "thumbs up" sign, then Jerry said "We've got to stop meeting like this". Not knowing what was taking place out on the rescue boat, I was at the ambulance in just a few seconds praying that Jerry would be ok. When they got Jerry to the lake shore next to the ambulance, I could see that Jerry appeared to be coherent and not seriously injured. Some minor cuts on his hands and legs but nothing serious that we could see. A trip to the hospital along with a battery of precautionary x-rays revealed Jerry walked away from a 150 mph crash with only minor cuts and bruises! Readouts indicated Jerry was running in the 6's, which is right where we wanted to be. Anyone know where we can get a new hull? We've got to get ready for the World Finals in Arizona!

Amen!

Latest News    August 11, 2003 

 As always, Marble Falls was a spectacular event. The second race for the new hull, and trying to get everything "dialed in", Jerry did an outstanding job in qualifying even though the boat was dancing a little and wasn't taking a good set. Tony Scarlata in the Canyon Special put us out of the running for the weekend. Thanks to Hubert for the great food at the races and thanks to all of you for your support! 

Everyone wish Jerry a Happy Birthday! 

Next up... Bryan/College Station! The SDBA sanctioned event. 

Latest News  August 29, 2003 

  We're back again with a new boat! The Gadsden, Alabama race was the debut run for the new hull that Dave Ferguson (aka "Big Trouble") gave us.  It was a scramble to get everything together after making the decision to run with the Mako hull instead of the concept boat provided by Bobby Hewitt. Jerry's first run was a "show stopper". The prop wasn't adjusted quite right and when Jerry hit the throttle, the boat decided it wanted to fly straight up and caught some serious air and hang time. The downward impact caused Jerry to hit the throttle again and it did another acrobatic jump. What a ride! Marble Falls is just around the corner!

A Special Thanks!   August 25, 2003 

 We would like to extend a Special Thanks to Bobby Hewitt for the use of the "winged" hull we ran in Waco, Tx. The capsule is the only air-conditioned capsule anyone has ever seen. We also would like to thank Bobby for his dedication, support, and assistance putting it all together for the Waco race. 

Latest News    July 1, 2003 

  We're back in the winner's circle!! Jerry's performance was nothing less than exceptional for the weekend's races in Waco. This was Jerry's first race since the crash in Red Bluff and he did it in a new concept boat built by Bobby Hewitt. We had a full team there for support, not to mention Don Crisp found his way back home! We're glad to have him back with us for as long as he's willing to stay. It was my first time to meet Bobby and Don and I have to say they are some exceptional characters! For those of you who know them personally, you know what I'm talking about! Jerry broke on the first qualifying pass, then qualified 6th on the second pass. Don Ermshar qualified 1st so he was our first competitor for Sunday's race. Don broke, but hey, we'll take a win any way we can get it. Jerry got a bye on the second race so he eased it down the track to be paired up with Singleton's High Risk team for the finals. Jerry pushed the lights a little and got the lead on Singleton. By 3/4 track, Jerry had him covered up. It seemed the motor was running a little fat all weekend so it leveled out about 3/4 track and without the top end speed we needed, Ken slipped by for the win. The next races are in Augusta and Gadsden. Jerry and Nancy will be racing Bryan/College Station and Wichita, KS on the SDBA sanctioned events this year as well. Thanks to all of you for your help and support in Waco. I had a great time and I will see you in Marble Falls. 

Latest News   June 5, 2003

  I received an email from Nancy and they want to thank all of the racers, their wives and crew members who helped at the pit with the boat selling t-shirts etc., and the racers that provided us with food. Especially thankful for all of the prayers and concern from everyone including the fans. Very special thanks to the IHBA rescue team. They did their job. RESP and RFC were right there with us through the entire situatuion. A very special thanks to Dave and Kerri Ferguson and Ron Braskkma for their help and generosity. Thanks to MSD for their help. 

Latest News      May 26, 2003
  While I do not have complete details on Saturday's events in Red Bluff, Ca., I do know that Jerry was involved in a crash which basically destroyed the War Party. The cause of the crash was reported to be a broken propeller ear. Jerry sustained two broken ribs and some bruises, but we had another report that he was headed back to the race track Sunday. I've also been told that some of our fellow racers recovered the motor and had thoroughly cleaned and flushed it. Many thanks to those involved! Once I have the full details of Saturday's events from Nancy, I'll update the site to let all of you know how Jerry is doing.