It wasn’t just the drag racers making big horsepower in Qatar last weekend. The unlimited hydroplane guys got invited over by the Sheik to compete for the first time in the country’s history. US soldiers stationed in Qatar were given the VIP treatment by the Oberto’s team, and that rules. Interestingly, these boats that normally compete in fresh water were in salt water, and according to the story we read, were actually faster as they got better “traction” in the salt water.  

It is cool to read the soldier’s comments on hanging out at the races. They really seemed to have had a great time. More than a couple of them sound like hot rodders who were totally into watching the crews tear into the turbine engines that power the wild racing boats.

This was a big deal for the racing association who had, to this point, never been off the North American continent to race. There is large interest in motorsports over in that part of the world and there are also large reserves of cash to fund them. It’s all good in our book. Racers getting a place to race and expand their sport. What’s wrong with that? Great stuff by the Oberto’s guys for hooking the soldiers up.