Area Sports by Michael Dashiell

Wil Muncey and the UL-00 Trafficade Racing Team are stopping by All About Storage in Carlsborg on Sept. 5 to sign autographs and answer questions about boat racing, as part of a promotional tour for the Strait Thunder championship race.

Strait Thunder, sponsored by Victoria Express and now in its sixth year, is the championship race of a yearlong, national series conducted by the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association. The event is slated for Oct. 3-5 in Port Angeles.

Unlimited Lights are a class of automotive-powered hydroplanes 20-26 feet long and 11-12 feet wide. The boats are gas or alcohol fueled with powerful engines and reach speeds up to 165 mph.

Muncey, ranked fifth nationally and hoping to finish the season in fourth place with a good showing at Strait Thunder, is scheduled to be on hand between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to sign autographs, hand out copies of the popular "Thunder & Lights" magazine and answer questions. He will walk visitors through the hydro starting sequence and explain how drivers begin their races.

Visitors are asked to park in the old Costco parking lot on the corner of U.S. Highway 101 and Hooker Road.

Lynne Schlosser, manager of All About Storage, will have food and coffee on hand. At 2 p.m. there will be a drawing for a free pit pass for two winners.

For more information, call 681-6789.