Chip Hanauer qualified for Sunday’s Seafair unlimited...

Chip Hanauer qualified for Sunday’s Seafair unlimited hydroplane race on Seattle’s Lake Washington by averaging 130.790 m.p.h. in the Miller American.

Hanauer said his crew made a change to the right sponson, an appendage that helps the boats through turns.

“It helps. It’s improved,” Hanauer said.

Jim Kropfeld, driving Miss Budweiser, didn’t try to raise his qualifying speed of 139.833.

Hanauer said his effort against Miss Budweiser was “like a 125-pound wrestler going against a 300-pound wrestler. I’m not saying we can run with them. If I did, I would need a psychiatric examination.”

But he added: “When they ran their 139, the water was pretty good. When we ran, it was pretty nasty.”