Chip Hanauer
Record 11-time APBA Gold Cup winner and youngest International Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee.
Lee Edward "Chip" Hanauer, born July 1, 1954, in Seattle, is the third most successful Unlimited Hydroplane racer in history. He won the APBA Gold Cup a record 11 times and drove the Miss Budweiser in the early to mid-1990s. In 1995, he was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame as their youngest inductee. Hanauer graduated cum laude from Washington State University in 1976, the same year he made his racing debut. Before going full-time as a hydroplane driver in 1978, he worked as a teacher of emotionally disturbed children. He won his first race in 1979 in Ogden, Utah. In 1982, he replaced owner/driver Bill Muncey, who died in the final race of the 1981 season, and won his first Unlimited National and World Championship that year.
Quick Facts
- Full name
- Lee Edward 'Chip' Hanauer
- Born
- July 1, 1954, in Seattle
- Education
- Washington State University, cum laude, 1976
- Racing debut
- 1976
- First race win
- 1979, Ogden, Utah
- Apba gold cup wins
- 11 (record)
- Consecutive gold cup wins
- 7 (1982–1988)
Facts from the source article.
Background
In 1982, after Bill Muncey's death in the final race of the 1981 season, his widow Fran followed his wish to continue the team and selected Chip Hanauer to drive Atlas Van Lines. Hanauer was reportedly picked by Bill to replace him. He went on to win his first Unlimited National and World Championship that year. By 1985, he had won his fourth consecutive Gold Cup and another National Championship. In 1986, he tied Garfield Wood's record for the most consecutive Gold Cup wins. He broke that record in 1987 with his sixth consecutive Gold Cup, then added a seventh straight victory in 1988. In 1990, he again won the National Championship. At the end of that season, he left hydroplane racing to try auto racing, driving for Toyota in 1991. The team owner later commented that Hanauer would certainly have been successful in automobile racing had he pursued that career. But Hanauer returned to the water in 1992, joining Bernie Little's Miss Budweiser team.
Did You Know?
- He won seven consecutive Gold Cups from 1982 to 1988, breaking Gar Wood's record.
- Hanauer lost his voice due to spasmodic dysphonia and regained it after botox injections into his throat.
- He volunteers as a transporter for Disabled American Veterans, driving veterans to appointments at the VA Medical Center in Seattle.
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