Qatar's Villwock Ready to Defend Governor's Cup Title

Madison, July 05 (QNA) - Dave Villwock, the defending National High Points champion, begins the defence of his crown at this weekend's Lucas Oil Indiana Governor's Cup, the opening round of the 2012 Air National Guard H1 Unlimited Series at Madison in the US. The Washington State driver, who runs an Ellstrom Racing hydroplane in the H1 Unlimited series with the backing of Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al Thani and the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF), reverts to the number one for this season, having used Qatar's number 96 to claim the crown at the Oryx Cup in Doha Bay last November, The Peninsula daily reported Thursday. The most successful hydroplane racer in history, Villwock has amassed 65 wins since 1992 and won three races last year in Detroit Tri-Cities and San Diego on his way to a first National High Points' title in four years. He overhauled the late Bill Muncey's total of 62 race wins last season the retired Chip Hanauer won 61 races and is third in the rankings. Twelve hydroplanes will take to the water on the Bill Cantrell Memorial course on the Ohio River this weekend, where the QMSF-supported Villwock will line-up against arch-rival Steve David, last year's Madison winner at the helm of U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto. David won three successive High Points' titles before Villwock snatched the title back in Doha Bay last autumn. Other drivers likely to challenge for overall honours in Indiana include J Michael Kelly in U-37 Schumacher Racing and the 2011 Oryx Cup winner Scott Liddycoat at the helm of U-88 Degree Man. Testing and qualifying will take place today and the pole position qualifications will take place in the same evening. (QNA)