Author and hydroplane driver Dave Williams lectures July 31
Boeing and Wahoo Hydroplane race imageSEATTLE, July 27, 2010--Hydroplane driver and race boat historian Dave Williams will be at The Museum of Flight on July 31 for a lecture and book signing about Seattle's unique relationship with the world of unlimited hydroplane racing, a sport that blends powerboating and aviation. Williams is author of over six books on sport of powerboat racing. He is also the Executive Director of the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum in Kent, Wash. His presentation will look at unlimited hydroplane racing and its ties to aviation. The program is at 2 p.m. in the William M. Allen Theater, and is free with admission to the Museum.

David Williams has been driving raceboats of all classes since 1977 and has been driving unlimiteds since 1993. He was the primary hydroplane stunt driver for the MGM feature film starring James Caviezel, Madison. He will be signing copies of his latest book, "Dancing with Disaster, The Mark Evans Story."

Almost every successful unlimited hydroplane design borrowed from aviation construction techniques, control systems and engines. Many successful drivers were also airplane pilots. Given Seattle's longstanding ties with aviation, it is not surprising that unlimited hydroplane racing became the city's first professional sport.

Image: Modern and vintage hydroplanes on Lake Washington, 2009. Museum of Flight image.
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The non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest independent air and space museums in the world. The Museum's collection includes more than 150 historically significant air- and spacecraft, as well as the William E. Boeing Red Barn® - the original manufacturing facility of the Boeing Co. The J. Elroy McCaw Personal Courage Wing displays 28 World War I and World War II aircraft from the United States and other countries including Germany, Russia, and Japan. Over 30 aircraft representing the first century of aviation are displayed in the all-glass T.A. Wilson Great Gallery. The evolution of space flight and a look into the future are presented in the exhibit, Space: Exploring the New Frontier. The Airpark includes outdoor displays including the first jet Air Force One, a supersonic Concorde airliner and the prototype Boeing 747 jumbo jet. Interactive displays in The Flight Zone provide educational and entertaining activities for young children. The Museum's aeronautical library and archival holdings are the largest on the West Coast. More than 140,000 students are served annually by the Museum's on-site and outreach educational programs--the most extensive museum-based youth aviation and space education program in the country. The Museum is the only air and space museum in Washington State that is both nationally accredited with the American Association of Museums and a Smithsonian affiliate.
 
The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field half-way between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for active military, $8 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org.
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