Legendary Unlimited Hydroplane Race Boat owner. He led Boats and teams under the sponsorship of Winston Eagle, and Smokin Joe's during the 80's and 90's.
Woomer entered the sport in 1984 after purchasing the assets of the Pay-N-Pak team and raced under the flags of Tosti Asti, 7-Eleven, Cellular One and Winston Eagle.
He won a total of 15 races, including two Gold Cups.
He won twice on the Columbia, the last time in 1995 with the Smokin' Joe's.
Woomer had developed a lucrative business in the Seattle area called Competition Specialties, and it was his goal to win a national championship in unlimited hydroplanes.
There were times -- especially in the 1990s -- that Woomer and his driver Mark Tate did battle with Bernie Little and whoever he had driving Miss Budweiser. Either team could dominate at times.
Like Little, Woomer did things right, making sure his team had all the available resources needed. The Woomer team was one of two powerhouses in the sport in the 1990s.
He announced his intent to retire in 1997, leaving unfulfilled two goals -- a win at the Seafair race in his hometown of Seattle and the coveted national championship.
By November, Woomer had changed his mind, hiring Budweiser crew chief Ron Brown to do a major overhaul of the team and boats.
"The only way I'll stay in unlimited racing is as a winner, pure and simple," he said after making the announcement. "We'll be out for bear in '98."
It never happened.
Woomer died of a heart attack April 22, 1998, at the age of 58.
Woomer entered the sport in 1984 after purchasing the assets of the Pay-N-Pak team and raced under the flags of Tosti Asti, 7-Eleven, Cellular One and Winston Eagle.
He won a total of 15 races, including two Gold Cups.
He won twice on the Columbia, the last time in 1995 with the Smokin' Joe's.
Woomer had developed a lucrative business in the Seattle area called Competition Specialties, and it was his goal to win a national championship in unlimited hydroplanes.
There were times -- especially in the 1990s -- that Woomer and his driver Mark Tate did battle with Bernie Little and whoever he had driving Miss Budweiser. Either team could dominate at times.
Like Little, Woomer did things right, making sure his team had all the available resources needed. The Woomer team was one of two powerhouses in the sport in the 1990s.
He announced his intent to retire in 1997, leaving unfulfilled two goals -- a win at the Seafair race in his hometown of Seattle and the coveted national championship.
By November, Woomer had changed his mind, hiring Budweiser crew chief Ron Brown to do a major overhaul of the team and boats.
"The only way I'll stay in unlimited racing is as a winner, pure and simple," he said after making the announcement. "We'll be out for bear in '98."
It never happened.
Woomer died of a heart attack April 22, 1998, at the age of 58.
Legendary Unlimited Hydroplane Race Boat owner. He led Boats and teams under the sponsorship of Winston Eagle, and Smokin Joe's during the 80's and 90's.
Woomer entered the sport in 1984 after purchasing the assets of the Pay-N-Pak team and raced under the flags of Tosti Asti, 7-Eleven, Cellular One and Winston Eagle.
He won a total of 15 races, including two Gold Cups.
He won twice on the Columbia, the last time in 1995 with the Smokin' Joe's.
Woomer had developed a lucrative business in the Seattle area called Competition Specialties, and it was his goal to win a national championship in unlimited hydroplanes.
There were times -- especially in the 1990s -- that Woomer and his driver Mark Tate did battle with Bernie Little and whoever he had driving Miss Budweiser. Either team could dominate at times.
Like Little, Woomer did things right, making sure his team had all the available resources needed. The Woomer team was one of two powerhouses in the sport in the 1990s.
He announced his intent to retire in 1997, leaving unfulfilled two goals -- a win at the Seafair race in his hometown of Seattle and the coveted national championship.
By November, Woomer had changed his mind, hiring Budweiser crew chief Ron Brown to do a major overhaul of the team and boats.
"The only way I'll stay in unlimited racing is as a winner, pure and simple," he said after making the announcement. "We'll be out for bear in '98."
It never happened.
Woomer died of a heart attack April 22, 1998, at the age of 58.
Woomer entered the sport in 1984 after purchasing the assets of the Pay-N-Pak team and raced under the flags of Tosti Asti, 7-Eleven, Cellular One and Winston Eagle.
He won a total of 15 races, including two Gold Cups.
He won twice on the Columbia, the last time in 1995 with the Smokin' Joe's.
Woomer had developed a lucrative business in the Seattle area called Competition Specialties, and it was his goal to win a national championship in unlimited hydroplanes.
There were times -- especially in the 1990s -- that Woomer and his driver Mark Tate did battle with Bernie Little and whoever he had driving Miss Budweiser. Either team could dominate at times.
Like Little, Woomer did things right, making sure his team had all the available resources needed. The Woomer team was one of two powerhouses in the sport in the 1990s.
He announced his intent to retire in 1997, leaving unfulfilled two goals -- a win at the Seafair race in his hometown of Seattle and the coveted national championship.
By November, Woomer had changed his mind, hiring Budweiser crew chief Ron Brown to do a major overhaul of the team and boats.
"The only way I'll stay in unlimited racing is as a winner, pure and simple," he said after making the announcement. "We'll be out for bear in '98."
It never happened.
Woomer died of a heart attack April 22, 1998, at the age of 58.
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