One of Seattle's most popular sports celebrities will be making his first ever visit to Jackson Prairie Speedway Saturday.
Former unlimited hydroplane pilot Chip Hanauer will be competing in the Steve Taylor owned and prepared Dwarf car.
In 1976, Hanauer began his unlimited hydroplane career driving Tad Dean's U-22.
In 1979, Hanauer captured his first unlimited race in the Squire Shop.
In 1982 and 1983, he won the Unlimited National and World Championships piloting Fran Muncey owned Atlas Van Lines after her husband Bill lost his life racing.
In 1985, Hanauer started driving the Miller Brewing entry switching to the Circus Circus boat in 1990.
Hanauer may be best known for coming out of retirement to race for Bernie Little and the infamous Miss Budweiser, where he set several more records including winning seven races in a single season in 1992.
After several horrific accidents that left him with broken bones, concussions, and four fractured vertebrae in his neck, Hanauer officially retired in 2000.
In 1995, he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame at age 40. He's won seven National Championships, seven Seattle Seafair crowns, 11 Gold Cup trophies, and a total of 61 Unlimited Hydroplane victories, one short of his mentor, the late Bill Muncey.
As with Hydros, Chip is enjoying success racing Dwarf cars as well, having recently captured a main event win in Port Angeles on May 19th.
Hanauer and his fellow Dwarf car racers will start hot lapping at Jackson Prairie Speedway at 5:15 p.m. with heat racing commencing at 6:45.
Also scheduled to be racing will be the Stingers, Student Stingers, and Wingless Mini Sprints.
For more information including weather conditions contact the track at (360) 262-9667 or visit the JPS website at www.jacksonprairiespeedway.com.
