SPEED OF LIGHTNING SOUND OF THUNDER

[Music] Well, a lot of people go to doctors. I don't know any doctors. I love the water. Salt water is the greatest healing power in the world. >> Perhaps it is for Bernie Little because he's king of the water. Unquestionably king of the water's fastest sport, unlimited hydroplane racing. He has the soul of the ancient mariner and the passion of AJ Fo. For Bernie Little loves the water, but loves it best as a raceway when the growl of hydroplanes rip the calm and churn the blue into a wall of white. These are cats on the prowl, snarling, scratching, stalking in pursuit of a quarry they can never catch. The dreams of Bernie Little. As the owner of Hydroplanes Unlimited, he is the most powerful man in hydroplane racing, the winner of more than 50 races and eight world championships in 20 years. Yet, it is not enough. And his passion for more makes him the sport's central attraction. >> Everybody says to me that uh the best show is on the dock watching me when my boat's out there. And I guess I don't realize what I'm doing. I'm just really involved in that boat. We can talk to the driver and I've never put a headset on because I talked to him from the dock. >> Oh, >> and be it good or be it bad. And uh a lot of people say, "Geez, Bernie, I think he heard you." I said, "No, I think it's mental telepathy." >> Driver Jim Cropfield. >> Well, Bernie's a he's a very energetic person. He's a he's out to be number one in anything that he does, whether it's boat racing or in business, selling his yachts or with his airplanes or his little motor scooters or whatever. and he uh his enthusiasm just rolls right on over into the team here and we're we're we strive to be number one and he's kind of the kingpin of our whole operation right here with the Miss Lewis. >> Winning his national championship that he has earned throughout the years does not come easily and uh Bernie demands a lot of people and that's what it takes to make a machine like this run and um it it doesn't come easy and Bernie makes it that way. So, uh, >> but the dedication of Bernie Little's own team is matched by the respect and admiration of his rivals. >> Bernie Little is unlimited hydroplane racing. Uh, his generosity, his devotion to this sport, what he has put into this sport far exceeds what he's taken out. And he's one of the winningest owners there is. >> He's been in this sport, I think, 23 or 24 years now. And he wants every win just as bad as he won the last one. You'd think after that many years a guy' run out of a little steam, but he's always prepared and he's tough. And boy, he's tough to beat, but we'll beat him. >> That's everyone's goal, to beat Bernie Little. But it's his goal to beat the record books, to be faster, and to be safer. >> His introduction of the fully enclosed hydroplane cockpit is part of his effort to protect all drivers. For Bernie Little understands risks. He was once a barntorming stunt pilot and a Navy hero in World War II. >> He also understands the good life. He seems to control his fate and fortune as easily as he controls the wheel of his luxury speedboat. But Bernie Little didn't inherit his wealth. He made it the hard way. He worked for it. Uh, all I can remember is during the depression and everything, I I just wanted a lot out of life. And uh uh and I just felt the only way I'd get that was get up at 4:00 in the morning, run my paper routes, run another at 5:00 at night and snow up to my knees up in Ohio. And uh that seemed like it was worthwhile. So I cattied them Sundays. I washed and waxed automobiles. I did whatever I could do to make some money to put aside for when I was old enough to do some of the things I wanted to do. >> And what he wanted to do was race. The season opens in Miami. Intensions are high. A turbine hydroplane is never won on the ocean. The splash of salt spray causes a turbine to overheat. A problem Bernie Little's team has addressed with an experimental air intake system. But when Miss Budweiser qualifies in Miami at more than 122 mph, an average lap speed only 4 mph less than the 1982 record, optimism runs high. And in the racing heats, pilot Jim Cropell runs fast. Bernie Little's team is triumphant. The season begins with victory. [Music] Fantastic. I mean, Miami is my home. >> But four months, 10 races, and thousands of miles later, when Miss Budweiser arrives for the season finale on Lake Me behind the mighty Hoover Dam, the prospects for an overall championship were as bleak as the weather. Like any experiment, the new hydroplane had sometimes performed imperfectly. The result, the Miller American, another turban now held the seasonl long points lead. Word of the impending shootout between the two fastest boats in the world has spread through Nevada like rumors of a silver strike. But under Sunday's steady winds, Lake me has turned mean, a minefield of moving potholes. The risks are high, the stakes higher. [Music] >> They want the national champship and all he needs to do is just finish like he is. You know, if he gets three seconds and well, if I'd get three first, I'd win. But that's pretty hard to do. >> Three firsts in three heats, it's an almost impossible task. But in heat number one, Cropell takes command. Miss Budweiser flies into the lead, bouncing and skipping on the choppy surface. Cropell pushing her so close to airborne that Bernie Little voices concern. >> Slow down, Croppy. But Crop Beld speeds on until exceeding 150 mph. He almost flips. The lake has issued a warning. Too fast is too dangerous. >> But what happens if he doesn't go fast enough? On the final turn, Cropeld finds out. >> Did you see that? He near lost it totally. That's from running slow. Come on, Jim. Amazingly, he recovers and speeds on to claim victory. >> All right, >> the celebration is brief. >> Stiffening winds and mounting fears force a postponement. The drama will stretch to Monday for the final two heats. >> Thanks, Dave. >> Monday is clear, offering the prospect of outer limit speeds. Heat two. Cropell throttles his boat into an early lead, commanding the outside lane as if answering the distant cries of Bernie Little. Go for him. >> Skimming over the surface, Cropfeld leaves his troublesome challenger, the Miller American, in the distant wash of his soaring rooster tail. For Little and Cropfeld, a loss in this heat, even second place, means a loss of the season championship. Cropfeld accelerates as if he's on a moon launch. And for a terrifying instant, it seems he is. But he regains control, riding 3,000 horses like a cowboy who tames a single bucking Bronco and then easily brings her home. Heat three. The spoiler is the boat called 7-Eleven with the talented and aggressive Steve Reynolds at the wheel. A perfect start. >> Go crappy baby. >> Cropell surges for 7-Eleven's pursuit is unrelenting. Ahead, turn one. All right, >> Miss Budweiser, holding the required lead, accelerates for the inside lane. Reynolds also races for the inside. Then the boats collide. >> Oh my god. Come on, Jim. Hell, 7-Eleven was right inside of us. >> Amazingly, a crash that could have caused death has only caused repable damage. >> Oh, the 7-Eleven tail is off. As Steve Reynolds limps around the course, a relieved Bernie Little begins to taste the impossible victory. >> One more lap here. >> Cropeld responds. The pace setter through the final turn. He is untouchable as they make the dash for the finish line and the checkered flag. Bernie Little's passion, Jim Cropell's talent, a team's dedication. These are the qualities of champions. [Music] We're the national champions. >> So Bernie Little can rejoice. Not just because he won a single race or a seasonl long title. Not just because he was faster and safer, but because his formula worked again. Struggle, persevere, try harder than the other guy. That's the magic of Bernie Little. What a way to go.