Roostertail Talk
A show dedicated for preserving the history, breaking down the racing and looking to the future of the incredible sport of Unlimited Hydroplane racing. My name is David Newton, and I will be bringing you a weekly show in which we will discuss the boats, drivers, owners, crew members, legends, fans and anything that is involved with the sport that I love; hydroplane racing. Fans you can now sign up for a subscription service for the podcast! As you can imagine, running a podcast can be pricey (from hosting fees, website fees, travel, equipment, etc.). You can help the podcast by subscribing to our new service, Roostertail Talk+. The podcast is still free to all on our website and through all major podcast platforms (such as Apple Podcast, Spotify, Castbox, etc) but with Roostertail Talk+ there is more you can enjoy ! With this service you will get early links to new episodes, enjoy access to extra content, raffle prizes and more. This is a new service that we will be adding to as we move along. As always your support to make this show grow is very appreciated! TOMORROW, there will be an announcement for the first prize for subscribing to Roostertail Talk+. You can subscribe with the following link! https://www.buzzsprout.com/434851/supporters/new
Episodes
We sit down with Ed Thompson, John Shaw, and Brett Hall to hear how Kool Kat Motorsports grows from a fan favorite into a serious two-boat Grand Prix operation. We dig into East Coast vs West Coast racing, the family roots behind the program, and the craft and marketing choices that make their team stand out. This is part 1 of a 3 part interview. Don't miss part 2 airing Tuesday, March 30th. Enjoy!
We wrap up our conversation with Fran and Edward Muncy by tracing how a tight-budget team kept winning, how the crew culture stayed joyful under pressure, and why Chip Hanauer set the tone in the pits and on the water. We also correct a few historical details and leave with a clear picture of what hydroplane racing needs next to grow.
We pick up part two with Fran and Edward Muncey as we talk about carrying on Bill’s vision from driver to owner and into a new era. From the cabover shift to turbines, Chip’s rise, and the Atlas Blue revival, the story fuses grief, grit, craft, and showmanship.
Episode 171: Fran and Edward Muncey, Part 1
We kick off season eight with an interview with Fran and Edward Muncey. In San Diego Fran traces a chance meeting, a swift marriage, and the making of a racing showman whose heartbeat was jazz. Family stories, sponsor strategy, and the art of the start reveal how style, planning and music shaped their mission of speed.
This will be a 3 part interview. Look for part 2 to drop next week in Episode 172. Until then, I...
We talk with Eric Christensen on the night before he picks up the classic H1 hull “Tubby,” laying out a plan to get on the water. Eric talks about the work ahead of him and his goals for the 2026 H1 racing season!
Christensen Racing Social Media
*Photo from Christensen Motorsports Social Media Page
Help the podcast by subscribing to our new service, Roostertail T...
Spray hangs in the air, engines hammer the river, and a championship teeters on a half‑boat‑length margin. We crack open a restored broadcast from the 1964 APBA Gold Cup in Detroit and ride every surge, swerve, and split‑second decision that made this one of the most dramatic finishes in unlimited hydroplane history. This is all in thanks to Bob Van Den Akker who donated audio footage to the podcast!
Unfort...
The conversation widens beyond speed for Episode 168. We start part 4 by comparing the different hulls that Tom raced for Bernie Little and Budweiser Racing. Tom then relives the stock car crash that fractured ended his driving career. Then he walks us through the reinvention: launching APBA’s vintage and historic category and behind-the-scenes story of saving Detroit’s Gold Cup when the experts said it was finishe...
From the Squire Shop highs and a path toward a championship to the uneasy birth of a Miller-backed program, the story tracks the shift from piston power to turbines. What ties everything together is the human calculus. Owners with leverage, marketers with favorites, crew chiefs who can translate risk into speed, each choice nudges fate. Tom talks retirement in ’86, but it wasn’t surrender; it was a clear-eyed call t...
A river can be an opponent. Detroit’s course demanded patience, precision, and nerve—and Tom takes us inside the cockpit where strategy beat horsepower and a single weekend helped rewrite how champions are crowned. Tom dives into his strategies on outsmarting faster boats and getting his perfect starts. If you love motorsport strategy, boat setup secrets, and the gritty truth behind historic wins, this one’s for you...
A phone connection to Detroit’s past opens into a story of risk, grit, and craft. I sit down with legendary hydroplane driver Tom D’Eath to trace the path from a kid on a bike chasing the sound of engines to a champion whose name echoes on the Detroit River. Tom walks us through the early pull of the sport, including family boatyard days, outboard marathons, and the intoxicating feel of 135 hydros that smelled like ...
Step back in time to the thrilling 1983 Indiana Governor’s Cup! Experience this unforgettable race through rare, preserved original race audio that captures all the drama, speed, and excitement of the era. A huge thank-you to Laurie Marlow for sharing this incredible piece of hydroplane history!
Help the podcast by subscribing to our new service, Roostertail Talk+. The podcast is still free to all on...
Charlie Grigg takes us behind the scenes of hydroplane racing sponsorship, revealing how what began as financial support for the U3 team evolved into profound friendships and becoming part of the racing family. The conversation with Charlie and co-host Mike Hall explores the human side of boat racing that fans rarely glimpse. Charlie shares how simple comforts like providing chairs and shade for the team created wha...
Charlie Grigg shares his journey from being a riverside kid watching unlimited hydroplanes in the 1960s to becoming a key sponsor for Ed Cooper's piston-powered racing team. Along with co-host Mike Hall, a longtime Cooper team member, we explore how passion and community spirit drove Charlie's decision to bring the thunder back to the Columbia Cup. Join us next week for part two of our interview with Charl...
Brandon Kennedy returns for part 2 of his interview with Roostertail Talk. He will share news on the future of the Madison Racing Program as well as other fun stories along the way. He also talks more about his own weekly podcast called Chasin' Tails.
Next week we'll be back with more interviews and surprises... enjoy!
Chasin' Tails Podcast
*Photo from Brandon Kennedy Coll...
Brandon Kennedy's life has been intertwined with hydroplane racing from birth. Kennedy embodies the rare fourth-generation racer whose path to the highest levels of the sport seemed almost predetermined.
In this revealing conversation, Kennedy takes us through his remarkable journey from those early days watching his father, grandfather, grandmother, and other family members compete to becoming the 25t...
In this revealing conclusion to our three-part interview with Brad Luce, the voice of H1 Unlimited pulls back the curtain on race officiating, broadcasting challenges, and the passionate people working to grow the sport we love.
Throughout the interview, Brad's passion for hydroplane fans shines through. As an H1 board member, he constantly advocates for improved fan experiences – from ensuring venue g...
The voice behind the rooster tails opens up about life in the broadcast booth. In this candid conversation, veteran hydroplane racing broadcaster Brad Luce reveals many things that keep him going to announce the races for H1 Unlimited. Brad has an immense commitment to keep viewers informed, engaged, and part of the racing family that spans generations. Whether you're a devoted hydroplane enthusiast or curious ...
The roar of engines and spectacular roostertails captivated Brad Luce at just two years old, igniting a passion that would transform him from wide-eyed fan to the voice of H1 Unlimited hydroplane racing. This candid conversation reveals how deeply racing can embed itself in someone's life, creating an unbreakable bond spanning decades. Through fascinating anecdotes Brad captures what makes the sport special to ...
The unsung heroes of hydroplane racing deserve more recognition - the people behind the scenes who make this thrilling sport possible through their passion and dedication. This week, I sit down with one such unsung hero: Chris Denslow, H1 Unlimited's official photographer for over two decades.
Whether you're a photography enthusiast, a hydroplane racing fan, or simply appreciate stories of passion...
Legendary hydroplane racer Mark Tate takes us behind the scenes of one of racing's most thrilling eras in this final installment of our three-part interview series. With candid reflections and genuine emotion, Mark shares stories that showcase the deep personal connections formed in this high-octane sport.
Through Mark's stories, we experience the golden age of unlimited hydroplane racing through the e...
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