Miss Madison News

Miss Madison Heads in a New Direction...

(Madison, IN) Todd Yarling of Hanover, Indiana will not return as driver of the Miss Madison, world's only community-owned unlimited hydroplane racing boat. The announcement was made today by Bob Hughes, president of the Miss Madison Inc., the volunteer body that operates the turbine engine-powered craft on behalf of the city's 13,000 citizens.

"The Board of Directors of Miss Madison has decided to head in a different direction," Hughes stated. "Todd Yarling is a fine person and a good driver. He has been an asset to the racing team in the cockpit and by working on the boat. Very simply, we are changing course in our entire operation." As an example Hughes pointed out the turbine engines for the 200-miles-per-hour hydro are being rebuilt and fine-tuned by a turbine specialist. "We've been in boat racing since 1961, longer than any other team, so it's not likely we're starting from scratch," Hughes says. "It's more like we're undergoing a face-lift."

Yarling was Rookie of the Year in unlimited racing in 1983, piloting Jim Sedam's Tosti Asti. A year later he was named the sport's most improved driver. He became the 15th driver of the Miss Madison last year, replacing Mike Hanson. Yarling won his first heat in the U-6 at Barrie, Ontario but, later in the day, the Hoosier-based hydro flipped and sustained considerable damage. Yarling escaped injury.

Yarling drove Miss Madison a total of five races, including Barrie. The other sites were Evansville, Indiana, Madison, Indiana, Detroit, Michigan, and Norfolk, Virginia.

Charlie Grooms, manager of the racing team says applications are currently being accepted. Despite the fact it is not yet known if Miss Madison will financially be able to compete in 2000, Grooms anticipates a number of unlimited and unlimited light pilots will apply.

"We wish the best for Todd Yarling," Groom says. "We hope he can find a ride in another boat. He is certainly deserving of the opportunity." Concerning the prospect for sponsorship Grooms says the team is talking with potential sponsors but has not been able to secure a commitment.