Whispering Turbines of Hamilton builds some of the most powerful racing engines in the world and are the 2007 National Hydroplane Champions

Hydroplane racing is the longest running motor sport competition in the country. It is now in it’s 100th year; by contrast, the Daytona 500 is in its 50th. Southern California and Florida are the main racing areas, but Seattle, the Great Lakes, Gulf Coast and New York City also have regular heats. The team that produces the engines that won the 2007 National Championship, however, is located near Hamilton.

Whispering Turbines http://www.whisperingturbines.com/ , located off Gold Creek Road, rebuilds engines for helicopters and catamarans, and for these streamlined, high-tech boats. Tracy and Cindi Bratvold are the company principles and they employ their son, Adam, as well as Marvin Kyle, as technicians.

The shop is as clean as a hospital surgical room, and currently holds three stands with Vietnam-era helicopter turbines on each. Tracy explained that the two blue-and-orange engines are being rebuilt for the hydroplane racing team that he, his son and wife are associated with all summer long.

by JOEL GALLOB – Ravalli Republic

Full Story: http://www.ravallirepublic.com/articles/2008/02/20/news/news01.txt