Simply going about his business one moment, Trent Ling the next moment found himself cajoled into boarding the vintage Miss Madison Unlimited Hydroplane on the mighty Ohio River in Madison, Indiana.  Hydroplane driving legend Chip Hanauer insisted that Trent take to the race course when Miss Madison restorer and pilot Dave Williams offered the opportunity.  After a quick primer, a suit fitting, and several pats on the back, Trent was onto the course for a four-lap run.

“It was one of those things that developed so quickly that I didn’t really have a chance to consider whether it was a good idea or not,” Trent recalls 10 years later. “Chip felt that my love of the sport simply required that I take full advantage of this chance.  Dave was so accommodating and professional, and he even insisted that I take the wheel down the straightaways.  I still can’t believe that it all came together at such a moment’s notice on the hometown course of the Madison 31 years after it won the Gold Cup on the same course.  I’ll always be thankful to Chip and Dave for making this come together, even against my own will.”

For those scoring at home, that’s Trent seated on the right and Dave Williams on the left.  Dave waves on the first pass while Trent drives.  On the next pass when both are waving, apparently nobody is driving!

For Trent’s hydroplane riding and steering debut, as broadcast on ESPN, check-out the video below:

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