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[ZOOM] Photo by Dawn Barnes
Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server
UL-58
Hard Hat Racing / Union Dooz
Owner & driver: Pingree "Ping" Conflitti (Harper Woods, Mich)
Occupation: Journeyman Electrician - IBEW Local 58
Team Manager: Dawn Barnes
Crew: John Poprick, Bonnie Robertson-Poprick, Kathy Sarvis
Class: Unlimited Light / Grand National Hydro / Grand Prix
Engine: 468 Pontiac w/ Merlin Block & Dart Super Big Chief Heads
Hull: Staudacher, with updates by Jones and Auld
Paint: Cal Phipps

Pingree "Ping" Conflitti became interested in hydroplane racing as a young boy, watching the Gold Cup hydros race on the Detroit River. In 2001, he volunteered his time and pleasure boat for a rescue crew at the Detroit Gold Cup Race. He then became a rescue diver at local APBA races for the remainder of the 2001 season.

It soon became his goal to acquire his own boat and race it. In April 2002 he purchased a hydroplane out of Seattle, Washington, and named it Union Dooz.

For 2003, Ping's major sponsor is Microsoft, as "Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server". For more team info and photos visit the UL-58 website.

John Poprick helps Ping prepare
Photo by Brian Reed
UL drivers (from top) Greg Hopp, Phil Bononcini,
and Pingree Conflitti run side-by-side as they await the
starter's flag. The trio finished 1-2-3 in the same order.
Photo from The Olympian newspaper

Team Highlights and Awards:
2002 1st Place - Valleyfield Quebec - Regatta de Valleyfield - Unlimited Light
(Valleyfield was Ping's first "full-on" race after his requisite rookie laps!)
2002 2nd Place - Kamsack Saskatchewan - Thunder on the Duck - Unlimited Light
2002 2nd Place - Pontiac, Michigan - Quake on the Lake - Grand National Hydro
2002 3rd Place - Decatur, Illinois - Summer Nationals - Grand Prix
2002 3rd Place - Olympia, Washington - Columbia Cup - Unlimited Light
2002 "Rookie of the Year" Award - Marine Prop Riders
2002 "Inspiration" Award - Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association


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Photographs copyright by each photographer. Team info copyright per team.