Hydroplane Superfan "Elam Vic" Inspires New Spirit Award

Vic Nelawake

On Friday, March 12, friends and family in the Detroit area said goodbye to Victor David Nelawake, 55, who passed away following a sudden heart attack on February 22.

Calling "Elam Vic" a superfan is actually an understatement. Although he bled orange and blue and was a vocal supporter of his beloved U-16 Ellstrom Elam Plus, Vic loved the whole sport and eveyone in it.

At the H1 Unlimited Awards banquet on March 6, U-17 owner Nate Brown announced that Vic will be remembered with a new award which will go to an outstanding volunteer.

The Vic Nelawake Spirit Award recognizes an individual whose voluntary contributions to the sport of Unlimited Hydroplane Racing stand out among all volunteers, and have demonstrated the same selfless dedication and inspiring spirit that Vic was known for.

Any person who makes an on-going, beyond a single season, and outstanding voluntary, non-salaried contribution of time and talent is eligible to receive the Award.

Any person with current H1 or race site credentials can recommend a potential honoree. Recommendations will be encouraged throughout the season.

The Award nominating committee, consisting of 2 crew chiefs, 2 volunteer team members, 2 non-team volunteers, and a Chair will select by secret ballot 5 nominees from all those recommended. The nominations will be announced no later than January 1 of each year.

All persons holding H1 credentials for the season of nomination are eligible to select the honoree through mail-in or electronic ballot.

The Award will be presented at the Annual H1 Awards Banquet.

The Award recipient will serve as Chair for the following season.

Information from H1 Unlimited Hydroplanes