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Current News :: |
Shockwave Racing has decided to get back into the Unlimited Light class with a brand new Ron Jones Jr. state of the art hull. Construction starts January 2nd. We will be posting pictures during the different stages of construction, so check back often.
From ulrs.org:
Construction starts January 2nd on the newest Unlimited Light Hydroplane.
Rick and Shawn Bridgeman of Olympia WA are returning to Unlimited Light racing in a big way. They have announced that Ron Jones Jr. will be building for them a new "state of the art" Unlimited Light, with construction starting right after New Year's Day. The Bridgeman's have been part of Unlimited Light racing from the mid 90's. They originally raced the craft now known as Union Dooz and currently owned by Ping Conflitti of Michigan. They acquired the former GP101 from Daniel Mercier of Canada and raced it as an Unlimited Light for 2 seasons, then transferred that hull as the G-17 to the new American Challenge Cup Series (G-Boats) last season. The team plans to compete on the entire 2006 Unlimited Lights circuit with their brand new UL-17 and will announce plans for their G-17 program at a later date. Rick Bridgeman remains the driver, and he's recovered from last July's accident with the G-17 at Tri Cities WA. Rick is eager to return to Unlimited Lights racing. With a proven engine program and hull design, he expects the UL-17 program will be very competitive right away. While it may be a bit optimistic for the team to be ready for Spring Training in mid May, they do expect to be ready for the season opener, Tastin n Racin, in June at Issaquah WA.
8.04.05 - Tri-Cities News - "I'm pretty lucky"
The Olympian ran this article about Rick's flip in the Tri-Cities on Friday (July 29):
'I'm pretty lucky'
Hydro flip leaves Olympia driver counting blessings
BY GAIL WOOD
THE OLYMPIAN
As is her pre-race custom, Shawn Bridgeman stood behind her husband, reached up and cinched his goggles.
"Tight enough?" she asked.
Rick Bridgeman nodded yes, fidgeted with the goggles briefly and slipped into his red helmet. Once again, it was race time for the Bridgemans.
For 15 years, Bridgeman, 49, has raced hydroplanes, squeezing into a wooden craft that is part boat and part airplane that's driven by a high-powered engine. Last Friday, he was behind the wheel of his 26-foot, G-17 hydroplane, the Ted's Red Apple Market, named after the grocery store.
Bridgeman and George Woods, a long-time racer and good friend, were the only two entered in an exhibition race at the Columbia Cup hydroplane races Friday afternoon on the Columbia River in Kennewick.
Bridgeman went speeding past the starting line on the inside lane.
His wife, filled with her usual excitement and anxiety, watched from the docks with the pit crew as her husband sped toward the first corner of the four-lap race. The roar of the two hydros bounced across the Columbia. Bridgeman and Woods skimmed across the river on this hot, blue-sky summer afternoon.
There was a slight wind and a little chop on the water -- ideal racing conditions.
"Look at him go," Shawn Bridgeman said, straining to see her husband's boat.
Moments before the race started, Shawn Bridgeman splashed water onto the bow of her husband's boat. Usually, she pores bottled water on the boat to wash away the bad luck.
"You forgot the bottled water?" someone yelled at Shawn.
"This will work," she said.
Rick Bridgeman eased off the throttle of his 572-cubic engine going into the first turn. Then the Red Apple lauched over Woods' wake and did a spectacular flip.
Witnesses quoted in stories from The Associated said that Bridgeman cut the turn too tight and went inside the buoys, losing control. But replays show Wood accidentally cut in front of Bridgeman. The Olympia driver then got caught in Woods' rooster tail, lifting the nose of the Red Apple.
Bridgeman's boat was suddenly airborne. At about 140 mph, his 26-foot boat that's valued at $125,000 did 11/2 spins, flipping end-over-end and landing upside down.
Bridgeman remembers seeing the blue sky through his windshield. Then he doesn't remember anything until waking in the Kennewick General Hospital with his wife by his side.
On impact, Bridgeman's canopy was ripped off, exposing him to the water. The impact knocked him out. With his boat upside down, he was underwater, unconscious and without air. A rescue boat with several scuba divers on board raced to the accident. It took about four minutes for the divers to unsnap the five seat belts that held Bridgeman into the seat of his hydroplane.
Shawn Bridgeman, who has never missed one of her husband's races, watched the boat flip in horror. Then she hurried to the rescue trailer. When she saw Rick being lifted into the back of the ambulance, she began to run.
With four paramedics working on Rick, Shawn was told she couldn't ride in the ambulance. Anxious, she stuck her head inside the ambulance and briefly talked to her husband. He didn't respond.
He was still unconscious but off of oxygen.
Going over 100 mph, the impact of the water hit Rick Bridgeman's face like a sledge hammer. By the time he was lifted into the ambulance, both his eyes were already swollen shut. Imprints of his goggles that his wife helped put on left circles around his eyes. She's convinced the goggles prevented severe eye damage.
"Not many drivers wear goggles," Shawn said.
Rick was also bleeding from his mouth. The left side of his face, which was the side Shawn saw, was badly swollen. His red helmet had a six-inch crack on the right side. The helmet, the five seat beats and the quick action of the rescue team saved Rick's life.
The accident happened at 4:20 p.m.
At the hospital, Shawn was let right into the emergency room to be by her husband. Remarkably, x-rays and a CAT scan showed no broken bones or hematoma on his brain. Doctors asked Rick if he could identify who was with him in the room.
"I can't see her, but I can recognize my wife's voice," he said.
From the room, Shawn called her two daughters, 26-year-old Shannon and 20-year-old Staci.
"I knew Staci was coming home from work in Westport and I didn't want her hearing the news about her dad on the radio," Shawn said.
The two daughters drove together to Kennewick that night to see their
father.
Shawn stayed by her husband's side all that night. The next day Rick was
released.
"I'm pretty luck," Rick said. "I think I'll go buy myself
a lottery ticket."
Neither Rick nor Shawn blamed George.
"Accidents happen," Rick said. "If I could choose anyone to race next to, it would be George. He's a good driver."
Rick was fortunate, escaping only with bruises. His boat, however, had about $25,000 in damages. He won't race this weekend at Seafair, but he'll race again.
"I think he'll continue to race," Shawn said. "I hope
he does. I'd never tell him not to. It's something we do. It's his call.
I'll back him either way."
Rick said he'll race again.
7.16.05 - Buy a Shockwave Racing Team hat on-line now!
We are now selling our Shockwave/Ted's Red Apple Markets Racing Team Hats in the team store, on the Shop page for $25.00!
7.14.05 - G-17 to test July 23-24
We are going to Moses Lake on the 23rd and 24th to test again before we run at Tri-Cities.
7.14.05 - Photos added from Black Lake test
The boat ran a little better, we ran 3 times and increased our speed by 9 miles per hour so that is encouraging. Pictures of the run have been added to the photo gallery.
7.04.05 - G-17 to test July 9-10
Ted's Red Apple G-17 will be testing at the Black Lake Regatta on July 9-10.
6.25.05 - G-17 promotion day pictures added
Some pictures of our promotion day at SCHUCKS in Lacey, WA have been added to the photo gallery. The team and boat were there from 9-3 today (6.25.05).
6.25.05 - G-17 testing pictures added
Pictures from last weekends (6.18-19.05) test session in Oroville, WA are up in the photo gallery. This was the first test with the new 572 c.i. motor.
6.09.05 - G-17 to test June 16
Ted's Red Apple Market G-17 will be attending Seattle media day on June 16 - Thursday at Stan Sayres pits - arriving at 9:00am, First boat will be in the water at 11:00am. Testing will be over at 1:00pm. There will be 2 turbines, 2 "G" boats and maybe 2 lights. It will be the first time on the water for the G-17.
6.07.05 - New G-Motor installed in boat
The Shockwave Racing Team installed and fired up our new "G-Boat" motor. It is a 572. c.i. Chevrolet Big Block built by Art Davidson with Dart heads and a 871 Ralph Gorr Blower.
3.25.05 - "Madison" in theaters April 22
Distributed by MGM Pictures, the major motion picture "Madison" will release in select cities nationwide on April 22, 2005. Starring Jim Caviezel (“The Passion of the Christ,” “The Count of Monte Cristo”), the film is a father-son action/drama based on the inspiring true story of the tiny, dying river town of Madison, Indiana and its legendary 1971 race for the Gold cup of hydroplane boat racing.
In addition to the thrills of 180mph flat-bottomed boat racing, the picture captures the heart and soul of middle America, following the plight of a small town struggling to support its population and a young father struggling to support his family and his personal dreams.
In the inspiring tradition of screen favorites such as “Rocky,” “Hoosiers,” and “Breaking Away,” Madison is a true slice of Americana. High-speed, heart-stopping thrills meet pride, perseverance and an all-or-nothing shot at greatness on the banks of the Ohio River town called Madison.
“The movie ‘Madison’ captures the charm and beauty of our historic town and its people,” Al Huntington, mayor of Madison, said. “I know audiences will love this wonderful family story.”
Motive Entertainment, which has led the grass-roots marketing campaigns for films like “The Passion of The Christ” and “The Polar Express,” is conducting an extensive outreach for Madison to boating, racing, and family groups and organizations. Paul Lauer, Motive’s president, commented, “It was great to work alongside Jim Caviezel during ‘The Passion,’ and we’re thrilled to get behind his heartfelt work in Madison. We think this movie will be embraced by family audiences everywhere, especially those in rural America, as well as those who love the adrenaline and excitement of death-defying racing at 180 miles an hour.”
The boating industry is responding favorably to the film as well.
“Madison is a thrill – the APBA is excited about the release
of this movie!,” R. Steven Hearn, president of the American Power
Boat Racing Association (APBA) said.
Written by brothers William and Scott Bindley, directed by William Bindley and produced by Martin Wiley and Carl Amari, Madison boasts an all-star cast. In addition to Caviezel, the film features veteran actor Bruce Dern (“All the Pretty Horses”); Jake Lloyd, who portrayed the young Darth Vader in “Star Wars: Episode I”; Mary McCormack (“Dickie Roberts”); Chelcie Ross (“My Best Friend’s Wedding”); Brent Briscoe (“The Green Mile”); and Paul Dooley (“Runaway Bride”). Singer John Mellencamp provides the narrator’s voice in the film.
“It was truly a pleasure to work with Jim Caviezel – he’s an actor who is as timeless as the true story which inspired the film,” William Bindley, director/screenwriter for “Madison” said.
For more information about the film, visit www.madisonthemovie.com.
3.17.05 - New Website Luanched!
We our proud to introduce the new G-17.com! Shockwave Racing and J.R. Caines Design have been working together to produce a website that we hope can be your home for the latest information on the Shockwave Racing Team and the American Challenge Cup Series division of the Unlimited Lights Hydroplane Racing Association.
2.08.05 - Security Race Products Inc. on board for the 2005 season.
Two long time supporters of hydroplane racing have joined forces on the
first ever Thunderboats ACCS team.
The G-17 ACCS team of Rick & Shawn Bridgeman of Olympia WA have
announced that their team, and sponsor Ted's Red Apple Market of Westport
WA will now be joined by SRP. Security Race Products Inc, founded
by Al & Judy LaPointe have been major supporters of various teams
and ULHRA Inc. since the organization's founding in the year 2000.
SRP has been an industry leader for many years in safety equipment
for racers, as well as the production of both driver and team uniforms.
In fact those famous "purple shirts" worn by the ULHRA staff
are produced by SRP. Now Security Race Products joins Ted's Red
Apple Market as associate sponsors on the G-17, driven by Rick Bridgeman,
in the inaugural campaign of the Thunderboats ACCS series. Team Co-owner
Shawn Bridgeman says "we are pleased to be associated with the national
company that specializes in all facets of racing apparel from safety to
casual; from the hard core racer to the race fan."
ACCS stands for American Challenge Cup Series, and features bigger hulls,
bigger & more powerful engines, and faster speeds than its sister
series, the Unlimited Lights. The G-17 team was the first to commit to
the new series with their virtually all new hull, re-built a year ago
by the team in consultation with Ron Jones Sr., and with the ACCS series
in mind. While the boat was a bit heavy for UL competition in 2004,
it's expected to be a very lively and competitive ACCS entry, racing
at near the 3,500 pound minimum.
How much of a difference will there be with the new ACCS engine?
More of a difference than some may believe.
That story coming soon, right here.
- John Lynch
"Voice" of Thunderboats ACCS & the Unlimited Lights
12.04.04 - Shockwave Racing Team will participate in the annual Toyrun.
First "G" Class team welcomes friends, fans & competitors
to a benefit motorcycle run. December 4th.
The G-17 Thunderboats ACCS team of Rick & Shawn Bridgeman, sponsored
by Ted's Red Apple Market, will participate in the annual Olympia (WA)
Toyrun., a 20 motorcycle ride that benefits disadvantaged children as
each participant contributes a toy for distribution at Christmas.
Rick Bridgeman says it's a great deal of fun for a great cause and
he's participated in this run for several years. Participants can
meet at the G-17 race shop on Saturday, December 4th and then head to
the run. At the conclusion there will be a gathering at the Bridgeman
Team shop.
Last year over 6,000 motorcyclists participated!
10.31.04 - Shockwave Racing G-17 becomes the first ACCS Team!
One of the first Unlimited Light teams is now the first ACCS team.
They began racing in the Unlimited Light Racing Series in the inaugural
year of 1995. Twice in their history they secured 2nd place trophies.
In 2003, they stepped up to fulltime competition. In 2004, they upgraded
their racing craft, and in 2005, they will comprise the first ever Thunderboats
ACCS racing team.
They are Rick & Shawn, best known as Shockwave Racing, owners of the
now re-numbered G-17. Racing for several seasons as Ted's Red Apple Market,
the Rick Bridgeman driven entry will sport new Title Sponsorship in 2005,
with Ted's Red Apple Market, now owned as well as managed by Rick Bridgeman,
remaining as an association sponsor.
Rick began racing hydroplanes in 1990 in 5 Liter stock competition, but quickly moved up to Grand National Hydroplane. When Unlimited Lights were launched in 1995, his team moved up and was a consistently solid competitor while racing only the west coast events. In 2003, with the recently acquired former GP101 hull sporting a dazzling black, yellow and red paint scheme, the Bridgeman's decided to race the entire UL circuit. Not only did they claim 2nd place at their home race on Olympia Washington's Black Lake, the then UL-17 also finished a solid 6th place in the final ULHRA season standings.
With the announcement of Thunderboats ACCS nearly 1 year ago, Shockwave Racing, along with consultant Ron Jones Sr. set about to upgrade the hull for entry into the new series. During last winter and spring, what was planned to be an upgrade, became in essence a brand new boat, with larger state of the art sponsons, a 6 1/2 in wider "tunnel" (the area between the sponsons), an additional foot in length, and new, bigger non trips. The only element left from the original GP101 is the center section. The new hull is listed at 25' 8" (minimum is 25') and weighs 3600 lbs (minimum is 3500 lb) and is 13 feet wide (the ACCS maximum). Gary Pugh of Performance Engine Development in Tacoma WA will build the new 575 cubic inch supercharged engine. Pugh also built the team's 468 cu.in. supercharged UL engine, which the team plans to keep in reserve. The 468 will run at a higher "blower" speed than is allowed in Unlimited Lights competition.
Co-owner and driver Rick Bridgeman commented "we are transferring to the ACCS Class because we feel it is going to be the premier automotive powered class of hydroplanes and we are looking forward to being a part of the beginning". Bridgeman went on to say "when we rebuilt the boat we reinforced all the frame seams,had carbon fiber running surfaces on the sponsons, extra strong skidfin bracing and bracketry and a skidfin that weighs approx 75 lbs We did all this with the intent of eventually running the ACCS Class.
The Bridgemans have been more than a race team in ULHRA competition. Like their fellow competitors, the Thunder Valley Racing team who run the UL-40 hydroplane and also have created "Tastin N Racin at their Issaquah WA homeport, the G-17 team and their associates with the Olympia Power Boat Association created Speedfest in 2002 at their home port of Olympia WA. Shawn Bridgeman has been a leader in that race's development and notes " I helped organize an inboard Region race at the site in 1998 and felt that it was an awesome place to hold a UL event and so with the help of Olympia Power Boat Association and the support from Ted's Red Apple we were able to bring the Unlimited Lights and we are looking forward to bringing the ACCS boats to our show in 2005.
After 10 seasons of competition with the Unlimited Lights, the Bridgeman's
are still awaiting their first championship trophy. But one thing's for
certain. They have achieved their "first" in the ULHRA. Rick
& Shawn Bridgeman, along with Crew Chief: Allan Freeto, Communications:
Bill Thompson and crewmembers: Ed Preston, Dave Miller, Curt Gronewald,
Steve Higginbotham plus Marketing Director: Larry Linn, and their substantial
support team of
daughters Staci Bridgeman, Shannon Bracken,their grandchildren, Chloe
and Ty Bracken, son in law TJ Bracken, and Brenda Freeto, Josh Freeto..............all
of them comprise the FIRST Thunderboats ACCS team.
Congratulations Shockwave Racing!
John Lynch
"Voice of the Unlimited Lights"
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