Owner/Driver: Bill Brandt

Hometown: Kennewick, WA

Yearly Boat Points Finishes

2024: 4864 points, 10th of 33 boats

2023: 13033 points, 3rd of 34 boats

Unlimited Hydroplane Info

U-64

Hull #7664

The Esquire debuted in 1976 as the Miss Vernors in Madision. It would race as a wingless boat for many years, as the U-64 Miss Vernors, U-64 Miss Esquire, U-64 Squire, and U-64 The Squire Shop. In the early-mid 1980s, the boat was campaigned under a variety of sponsorships, including Pat O'Days U-96.5 Miss KYYX, which had the first female driver in the sport (Brenda Jones). The boat failed to see action after being run in the 1985 and 1986 season as the U-4 Oh Boy! Oberto.

In 1977, Jerry Bangs continued driving the boat after piloting it in 1976. After missing the first race of the season in Miami, the boat ran in the final 8 races for the year. It ran as the U-64 Miss Esquire in the first 5 of these races, and was highlighted by a 2nd place finish at the Dayton Hydroglobe. Unfortunately Bangs was killed at Seattle while the boat ran as the U-64 Squire; the Esquire/Squire would finish 5th in national high points.