Dave Villwock: The Mind Behind the Speed EP | 78

This week on Chasin’ Tails, we sit down with one of the most dominant and polarizing figures the sport has ever seen — Dave Villwock.This isn’t a highlight reel interview. This is the real conversation.Dave takes us through the evolution of unlimited hydroplanes from the inside. From learning the ropes as a kid around the boats, to becoming one of the most feared competitors in the sport, to reshaping how hulls, propellers, and race strategy are approached today.We dig into:The shift from riding to driving — and the mental load that comes with itWhat he learned studying legends and how mentorship shaped his edgeThe technical side of winning: propeller engineering, hull balance, and making boats easier to driveWhy team chemistry matters more than horsepowerThe psychology behind dominating a fieldReal-time penalties, rule enforcement, and what unlimited racing gets wrongThe importance of drivers having personality — even if that means being the villainDave opens up about equipment failures that cost races, relationships with owners that changed careers, and why collaboration behind the scenes often matters more than what fans see on the water.We even get into the wild crossover between racing innovation and government engineering projects — including how propeller design knowledge extended far beyond boat racing.If you care about how boats actually go fast…If you want to understand the thinking behind the throttle…If you love the nuts and bolts of unlimited racing…This one’s for you."You just wait."Episode 78 is live.