Year: 1958

Owner: Rick Lentz

Driver: Rick Lentz

Model Builder: Jeff Campbell

Construction: Carbon Fiber

Year Built: 2006

Motor: Himax 3630-1500

Radio: Spektrum

Electronic Speed Control: RC-Hydros

Propeller: Graupner Carbon Fiber 45mm

Paint Colors: Green and Yellow with Black and White trim

Graphics: Vinyl by Pacific Graphics, Decals by Jim Clark

Notes about the model: This was a new boat for 2006, a hull duplicate of Jeff’s highly successful Lil Buzzard, and replaced the wood model built originally in 2002 as the Miss Burien, converted to the Miss Bardahl colors in 2004 and finally “retired” in 2005 due to too much race damage. The old wood hull is now being restored by Jerry Courtway for permanent display in the Chelan museum. In 2006, due to a conflicting work schedule, Rick was able to run the U40 in only seven races for the year, finishing in 20th place in season driver points. With Nelson Holmberg’s able assistance, the boat was raced in a total of eight races, ending up in 19th place overall. The boat showed flashes of speed at times but was plagued with speed control problems through the year. The boat has the dubious distinction of being the first (and hopefully only) boat to blow a speed control while testing the new brushless motor. This indicated that water cooling for the motor/speed control set-up is important. A new RC-Hydro.com speed control will be fitted to an AstroFlight 25 motor, which gives hope for a successful 2007 season.

Notes about the real boat: The 1958 Miss Bardahl was the first unlimited built by Ron Jones. The new Miss Bardahl, piloted by Norm Evans, won it’s first race, the Apple Cup on May 11, 1958. Later in the season the “Green Dragon” took first place in the National Sweepstakes at Buffalo, New York and the Rogers Memorial Trophy at Washington D.C. with Mira Slovak in the cockpit. At season’s end, Miss Bardahl was National High Point champion. She had finished first three times, second twice and third three times. The U-40 outpointed second-place Miss U.S. 1, 2,075 to 2,069, in the closest finish in unlimited history.

Notes about 2007: Rick drove the Green Dragon to an 8th place finish in the 2007 Red Dot Championship Series, and scored 6,285 points. For his success, Rick was presented with the 2007 Vintage Class Most Improved Driver award.