Blue Angels

[DavidGee24]

Looks like there's only 6 teams, but two of them have two boats. So, a total of 8 boats.

When I was a kid in Seattle it was Miss Budweiser, Circus Circus, and O'Boy Oberto.

Miss Budweiser always looked the best and often was the winner as I recall.

If you go back a little further, it was Atlas Van Lines and Pay N' Pak.

I grew up in Rainier Valley and Beacon Hill yet never attended or even watched the races. It probably would have been nice to catch them back in the '70s when it was probably less crowded than I imagine it is now.

[XpertDBA]

My father was absolute best friends with Billy Schumacher. He was known for driving the Miss Bardahl and won 2 championships in 1967 and 1968. He also drove the Pride of Pay N' Pak in 1971 and dueled with the King of the Sport, Bill Muncey in 1972. He also drove the Miss Weisfields boat in 1975 and the Miss Olympia Beer in 1976.

He used to get us free pit passes every year for the Hydros. Amazing to be down there during the races. I remember one year getting on TV as a kid being questioned by Wayne Cody about how much I was enjoying watching the races.

Bill Muncey died while racing in Alcapulco, Mexico in 1981. Billy Schumacher was already retired, but that definitely kept him from ever returning to the sport. I remember how visibly shaken he was after that event happened.

He spoke at my father's funeral in 2007, and recently passed away in 2023.

[Walla Walla Dawg II]

Great memories.

[DanielVogelbach]

If you go back a little further, it was Atlas Van Lines and Pay N' Pak.

I grew up in Rainier Valley and Beacon Hill yet never attended or even watched the races. It probably would have been nice to catch them back in the '70s when it was probably less crowded than I imagine it is now.

I only watched the races on TV, but as a kid in Seattle I remember learning about hydros and the Blue Angels at a very young age. You would see the Blue Angels around town during that time as I recall. One time I went and watched time trials for the hydros which is maybe the day before or something. So, I have seen the boats live on the lake exactly one time. I would like to see them again. Those boats are mind blowing. I don't even know how it works as far as tickets or where you go to watch. I know if you have a boat there's a way to watch from your boat - not sure if first come first server or what.

I do remember Pay N' Pak for sure. I don't know much about the racing teams or the drivers. There was one named Chip Hanauer I think that was good when I was a kid.

I also kind of remember watching and there was a mix of piston powered and turbine powered, and the piston powered ones had no chance but they were still in the same race.

[Pharmabro]

Looks like there's only 6 teams, but two of them have two boats. So, a total of 8 boats.

When I was a kid in Seattle it was Miss Budweiser, Circus Circus, and O'Boy Oberto.

Miss Budweiser always looked the best and often was the winner as I recall.

,
Also, Atlas Van Lines, Miss Madison, Squire Shop, Pay N Pak, Renault, I believe there was another beer boat that was pretty good for a year or two. Maybe it was Coors or Coors light Silver Bullitt. And of course Miss Tri-Cities > Ms. Seattle

[Donn Beach]

Grew up a few blocks from the race course. My memories are more of the transformation of the neighborhood each year. Sleeping on the shore Saturday night in anticipation. Before they had fences and admission and everything.