Seattle – August 3, 2025 – For a second consecutive race, the winner of the championship heat at an unlimited hydroplane race was cast into doubt by boats crossing the start line.
And a different boat, but one familiar with capturing the checkered flag, this time the U-91 Goodman Real Estate with Andrew Tate at the wheel, won the Apollo Mechanical Cup at Seafair on Lake Washington.
The drama included U-12 Graham Trucking, driven by Jeff Bernard, was disqualified before the start after entering the demilitarized zone (DMZ) during the pre-start milling period.
Once the boats were on their way towards the start, both U-8 Beacon Electric and U-11 FLAV-R-PAC jumped the gun, earning each a 1-minute penalty, effectively disqualifying them from championship contention.
A week earlier in Tri Cities, Beacon Electric with J. Michael Kelly, Corey Peabody in U-9 Beacon Plumbing and U-21 Spirit of America and Gunnar O’Farrell all jumped the start and landed a one-lap penalty handing the 2025 Gold Cup to Dave Villwock who was third at Seafair.
That opened the door for the consistent and quick U-91, with Tate taking full advantage. He nailed the start, controlled the inside lanes, and earned vindication from a trouble Tri Cities outing.
“This one means a lot,” said Tate, who now sits atop the national driver high points standings. “After the mechanical setbacks and frustration in Tri-Cities, to come here and put together a weekend like this is incredibly rewarding. It’s a testament to our crew’s work ethic and to our partners at Goodman Real Estate and BWR Racing who support us every step of the way.”
With precision driving, flawless boat handling, and a team firing on all cylinders, Tate surged through the competition all weekend long—claiming Heat 3A while recording the fastest lap of the heat at 145.181 MPH.
“We knew we had a shot if we just kept it clean,” said crew chief Mike Hanson. “Andrew gave us a perfect drive, and the crew gave him a perfect boat. It’s the kind of weekend you dream about.”
The next and final 2025 race is San Diego Bayfair, September 13–14, 2025. The national high points championship is still within reach for Kelly, Peabody and Villwock but Tate’s dominant weekend in Seattle has made him the clear favorite heading into San Diego.
Apollo Mechanical Cup Final Results:
1. U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate – Andrew Tate
2. U-9 Beacon Plumbing – Corey Peabody
3. U-27 Miss Apollo – Dave Villwock
4. U-21 Spirit of America – Gunnar O’Farrell (Trailer boat)
5. U-11 FLAV-R-PAC – Jamie Nilsen (+1:00 penalty)
6. U-8 Beacon Electric – J. Michael Kelly (+1:00 penalty)
7. U-12 Graham Trucking – Jeff Bernard (Disqualified – DMZ violation)
Boat points
Pos. - Team - Points
1. Miss Goodman Real Estate - U-91- 4,075
2. Beaeon Electric - U-8 - 3,651
3. Beaeon Plumbing - U-9 - 3,639
4. Miss Apollo - U-27 - 3,354
5. FLAV-R-PAC - U-11 - 3,277
6. Spirit of America - U-21 - 1,738
7. Graham Trucking - U-12 - 1,590
8 Miss Madison - U-6 - 225
H1 Driver points
Rank - Driver - Boat - Points
1 Andrew Tate - U-91 - Goodman Real Estate - 4,075
2 J. Michael Kelly U-8 - Beacon Electric - 3,651
3 Corey Peabody - U-9 - Beacon Plumbing - 3,414
4 Dave Villwock - U-27 - Miss Apollo - 3,354
5 Jamie Nilsen - U-11 - FLAV-R-PAC - 3,277
6 Gunnar O’Farrell - U-21 - Spirit of America - 1,738
7 Jeff Bernard - U-12 - Graham Trucking - 1,590
8 Brandon Kennedy - U-6 - Miss Madison - 225