Dean Chenoweth's Fatal Crash @ Columbia River 1982
- 7 months ago
Four-time national champion Dean Chenoweth, 44, was killed during a qualifying run on Saturday, 31 July 1982, in the second day of the 18th Annual Columbia Cup for unlimited hydroplanes on the Columbia River course near Pasco in Franklin County, one of three cities that make up the Tri-Cities region of the state of Washington.
Dean Chenoweth's "Miss Budweiser" boat lifted in the air while traveling at 175 mi/h (281.5 km/h) and crashed upside-down in the water crushing the pilot. He was pronounced dead half an hour later.
The veteran champion driver from Tallahassee, Florida, recorded 25 victories in 15 unlimited hydroplane seasons, mostly racing with Bernie Little's "Miss Budweiser" boat, fitted with massive Rolls Royce engines. At the time of his death, Dean Chenoweth was leading the standings and was headed for his fifth, and third consecutive, title.
Originally from Xenia, Ohio, Dean Chenoweth was survived by his wife, Jenny.
The restored "Miss Budweiser" was later driven by Ron Armstrong for one race and by Jim Kropfeld who became the regular driver of the boat for most of the eighties.
R.I.P
Dean Chenoweth's "Miss Budweiser" boat lifted in the air while traveling at 175 mi/h (281.5 km/h) and crashed upside-down in the water crushing the pilot. He was pronounced dead half an hour later.
The veteran champion driver from Tallahassee, Florida, recorded 25 victories in 15 unlimited hydroplane seasons, mostly racing with Bernie Little's "Miss Budweiser" boat, fitted with massive Rolls Royce engines. At the time of his death, Dean Chenoweth was leading the standings and was headed for his fifth, and third consecutive, title.
Originally from Xenia, Ohio, Dean Chenoweth was survived by his wife, Jenny.
The restored "Miss Budweiser" was later driven by Ron Armstrong for one race and by Jim Kropfeld who became the regular driver of the boat for most of the eighties.
R.I.P