Seven-time NASCAR Cup Sequence Cchampion Jimmie Johnson will notice a dream of a lifetime this summer time, and one profitable bidder and a visitor will be a part of all of it within the newest Motorsports Corridor of Fame of America (MSHFA) charity fund-raising public sale on Carry a Trailer.
This no-reserve charity public sale presents the winner and visitor a two-day VIP expertise on the 2025 Seattle Seafair limitless hydroplane races, together with attendance at an unique penthouse reception on the Seattle 4 Seasons with Johnson (MSHFA Class of 2024), his buddy and “coach” 11-time APBA Gold Cup champion Chip Hanauer (MSHFA Class of 1995) and different motorsports legends and leaders. The following day options Johnson driving the Invoice Muncey (MSHFA Class of 1989) Atlas Van Strains “Blue Blaster” hydroplane at pace on Lake Washington, and the winner and visitor can have “behind the ropes” entry for this really as soon as in a lifetime alternative.
Johnson’s probability to drive the legendary Blue Blaster fulfills a childhood dream and completes a 46-year journey that started in San Diego in September 1979, whereas celebrating his fourth birthday on the Limitless hydroplane races on Mission Bay. His favourite boat, the two-time nationwide champion and three-time Gold Cup-winning Blue Blaster, owned by the legendary hometown driver Muncey, broke down mid-race close to the Fiesta Island seashore.
Johnson’s father, Gary Johnson, carried Jimmie and waded into the water with a crowd of different followers to greet Muncey and his boat. Gary positioned Jimmie on the rear deck of the hydroplane and, amazingly, an image undiscovered for many years emerged in recent times clearly exhibiting a small boy in a yellow hat on the again of the boat. A number of fast telephone calls confirmed it was certainly younger Jimmie.
As a part of Johnson’s 2024 MSHFA induction, the Muncey household – led by Invoice’s widow and fellow Corridor of Famer Fran Muncey (MSFHA Class of 2021) – and Hanauer advised the story of the little boy within the picture and prolonged a proper invitation on behalf of the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum and the MSHFA for Jimmie to drive the Blue Blaster in a tribute to one in all his heroes.
Muncey notched 24 race victories over 4 years within the Blue Blaster, together with three Gold Cups and two nationwide championships. Following his loss of life in 1981, the boat was cosmetically restored, introduced to the Smithsonian Nationwide Air & House Museum in Washington D.C., and later transferred to the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum in Kent, Washington, the place it acquired a full restoration.
The Blue Blaster hydroplane includes a cab-over design and is powered by a supercharged 1,650ci Rolls-Royce Merlin V-12 engine, which was initially constructed for WWII-era Spitfire fighter planes and produces an estimated 2,500 horsepower. The Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum workforce just lately accomplished an engine set up and test-firing in preparation for the occasion.
The profitable bidder and a visitor will obtain two of solely 40 VIP invites to an unique non-public reception being held at a penthouse suite atop the 4 Seasons in Seattle on the night of Thursday, July 31. The profitable bidder and visitor will then be part of the opposite attending VIPS alongside the shores of Lake Washington to look at Jimmie notice a lifelong dream of piloting the Blue Blaster at pace on Friday, August 1. The memorable day additionally consists of the chance for the public sale winners to look at Jimmie take part in orientation runs earlier than driving the Blue Blaster.
Upon completion of the public sale, the profitable bidder will straight pay the Motorsports Museum & Corridor of Fame of America Basis Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group. Full public sale particulars and “need-to-know” info will be discovered within the public sale itemizing on Carry a Trailer.
The MSHFA is housed in Daytona Worldwide Speedway’s Ticket & Excursions Constructing situated in entrance of the famed 2.5-mile DIS tri-oval. Entry to the MSFHA museum is included with each Daytona Worldwide Speedway tour, which run all through every day, or as a museum-only ticket. The museum is open every day 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. almost year-round besides main holidays. It’s visited by greater than 150,000 visitors every year from each state in America and international locations everywhere in the world. For museum tickets name 1-800-PIT-SHOP.
Click on right here for extra info and to register on BaT and bid straight on the Jimmie Johnson “Return to the Blue Blaster” public sale.
