21 Unlimited Hydroplane Preview -- Miss Bud, Winston Eagle Might Be Boats To Beat

Miss Budweiser and the Winston Eagle, which have comparable speed, several engines and lots of money, again are the favorites as the unlimited-hydroplane racing season begins Sunday.

A look at the lineup going into the opening race on Biscayne Bay in Miami:

U-1 MISS BUDWEISER -- DRIVER - Chip Hanauer -- LAST YEAR - Bernie Little's boat won four races en route to its fifth national championship in the past six years. Since 1969, Little's team has won 12 world championships. Former driver Scott Pierce jumped the gun in the Gold Cup and the Bud settled for sixth. -- OUTLOOK - With the addition of Chip Hanauer, the Budweiser team is the one to beat. Hanauer has won five driving championships, second only to Bill Muncey's seven.

U-2 MISS T-PLUS -- DRIVER - Steve David -- LAST YEAR - Best finish was third in the Tri-Cities and San Diego. Finished fourth in national point standings. -- OUTLOOK - Having a full-season sponsor should make Jim Harvey's boat competitive, though beating Bud and Winston is unlikely.

U-3 COOPER'S EXPRESS -- DRIVER - Mitch Evans -- LAST YEAR - The U-3 set a world piston-engine heat record of 131.8 mph on the Mission Bay course in San Diego. Evans piloted the turbo-charged Allison engines to third place in Evansville, Ind., and seventh in the overall standings. -- OUTLOOK - Bleak. Ed Cooper's team just enjoys boat racing.

U-6 KELLOGG'S TONY THE TIGER -- DRIVER - Mike Hanson -- LAST YEAR - Third in Gold Cup and second in hometown Indiana Governor's Cup regattas. In final heat of the Columbia Cup, Hanson hooked a sponson in choppy water and did a barrel roll, landing upside down. He escaped with minor injuries and was ready to race the next week in Seattle. -- OUTLOOK - With a full-time sponsor and turbine engines for a second year, the U-6 should be competitive.

U-7 THOR RACING -- DRIVER - Jerry Hopp -- LAST YEAR - The Allison-powered U-7 had its best season in years and won a heat race in San Diego. Finished ninth overall. -- OUTLOOK - This will be the sixth consecutive season that Al Thoreson's boat will race the entire circuit. No chance for victory, but Hopp and crew continue to race for love of the sport.

U-8 THE TIDE -- DRIVER - George Woods Jr. -- LAST YEAR - Finished third in overall standings and second in Gold Cup regatta in Detroit. -- OUTLOOK - New national sponsor will give owner Bill Wurster the needed funds to be competitive. Look for improvement, but probably not enough to compete with the Bud and Winston Eagle.

U-9 UNLIMITED MARINE RACING -- DRIVER - Jack Schafer Jr. -- LAST YEAR - Using twin blown Ford V-8s, the U-9 raced a limited schedule, won a heat in Madison, Ind., and was sixth in the final. -- OUTLOOK - Will be happy just to qualify for Sunday's races.

U-10 WINSTON EAGLE -- DRIVER - Mark Tate -- LAST YEAR - The day-glo orange boat finished second in the national point championship. Tate won the driver championship but was accused at some races of dangerous driving. Won Gold Cup in Tate's hometown of Detroit and took checkered flag in two other races. -- OUTLOOK - Owner Steve Woomer will spend as much money as needed in an attempt to win a national championship, but one thing stands in his way - Miss Budweiser. Should go deck-to-deck with the Bud.

U-19 FENDLER RACING -- DRIVER - Ken Muscatel -- LAST YEAR - Best finish was fifth in Hawaii. Tenth in overall standings. -- OUTLOOK - Second-year driver should improve, but this turbine-powered craft will be underfunded and outclassed.

U-24 EACRETT RACING -- DRIVER - Mike Eacrett -- LAST YEAR - Qualified in Tri-Cities and Seattle as Oh Boy! Oberto Pork Jerky. -- OUTLOOK - Inexperienced. Eacrett qualified as an unlimited driver just last year at the Columbia Cup. Plan is to race only in the West.

U-50 AMERICAN SPIRIT -- DRIVER - Mark Evans -- LAST YEAR - Red, white and blue U-50 was first in Indiana Governor's Cup regatta in Madison, Ind. It was the only boat besides Eagle and Bud to win a race. Finished sixth in overall points. -- OUTLOOK - Crew chief Ron Jones Jr. should keep the boat competitive, but a notch below the top two.

U-65 WESCO RACING INC. -- DRIVER - Jack Barrie -- LAST YEAR - Never made it to water. The 1978 Squire Shop entry has been a display boat the past few years. -- OUTLOOK - Barrie will need earplugs because the crew has installed Griffin engines. Will be loudest boat on dock and possibly on water.

U-89 STILES RACING ENTERPRISES -- DRIVER - Rod Zapf -- LAST YEAR - Appeared at a couple of race sites. -- OUTLOOK - It will be a momentous occasion if this boat qualifies for a race. The U-89 will skip Eastern swing and attempt to race in West.

U-99 KISW/MISS ROCK -- DRIVER - Nate Brown -- LAST YEAR - The Rock boat surprised some by qualifying for the Seafair Cup and finishing fourth in the consolation race. -- OUTLOOK - Different boat, new driver and a switch to turbine engines should give U-99 numerous problems. Owner Fred Leland will campaign Miss Rock on West Coast swing.