Cashmere’s Kyle Davenport sets sights on hydro racing crown

CASHMERE – If local resident and hydroplane racer Kyle Davenport had agreed to his rival’s offer, he would be the Pacific Northwest Boat Racing Association (PNBRA) 2.5 stock high points trophy winner for the season. 

What was the offer?

The rival Monkey Business Race Team, which led the points race the whole season up to the Hampton Cup Regatta in Hampton, Virginia, on Sept. 21-22, suggested that the two rivals forgo another cross-country trip to the East Coast – this time to Lakeland, Florida – and stake it all on the Manson Hydrofest on Manson Bay, Sept. 28-29. The two teams were in a virtual dead heat for first place, with Davenport holding a mere three-point lead.

Davenport passed on the offer.

Despite some engine issues, Davenport won three of the four heats in his boat Bantam at Manson to emerge as the 2.5 stock points leader. 

“I had a bad day on Saturday,” said Davenport. “I won the first heat, and he (Monkey Business driver and Gold Cup winner J. Michael Kelly) took third.

That win put Davenport 13 points up on his rival.

“In the second heat, for the third time this year, the motor experienced a coil failure, and I had a did-not-finish,” said Davenport. “Suddenly, I was down by 87 points and feeling pretty upset.”

To add to his problems, the Bantam’s Pinto engine has a warped head, increasing the risk of major damage to the power plant. When Davenport discovered more water than oil in the oil pan, he consulted with his engine builder. They decided that rather than quit the competition, they would change the Bantam’s oil after each race.

“It worked,” said Davenport. “I won two more victories on Sunday.”

The Monkey Business meanwhile encountered more mechanical problems and was unable to finish the Sunday heats.

Per the earlier offer, had the rivals agreed to call their season at Manson, Davenport would have emerged as the winner. Now, he will make a 6,000-mile round trip to the Orange Cup Regatta on Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland, Florida, on Oct. 19-20, to decide the issue.

“I feel pretty confident about my chances,” said Davenport. “It’s slightly more complicated than this, but basically, he’s got to finish one place ahead of me in all four races in Florida to beat me – if I don’t break down - and he has not been able to do that all year.”

With the winner’s trophy comes “a big fat ring like the Super Bowl ring,” Davenport said.

Davenport has mounted a GoPro action camera behind his cockpit and posts videos of his races on his YouTube channel, BozGoz (youtube.com/@BozGozRacing). Viewers can log on and see what he sees on the racecourse as he maneuvers the fire engine red No. 6 Bantam around the buoys at speeds near or beyond 100 mph. And they can enjoy popcorn in the process.

Davenport has been racing the Bantam for five years. His civilian job is at Rocky Reach Dam, where he has been chief hydro operator since 2018.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media