Bernie Little, owner of the 10-time world champion Miss Budweiser unlimited hydroplane, is the winningest owner in the history of his sport with 65 career victories. Little, who will campaign a new turbine-powered unlimited in 1989, is celebrating his 27th anniversary this season. His Miss Budweiser team captured a third straight world championship in 1988 – a feat not accomplished since 1975 – during a nearly unbeatable season. Driver Jim Kropfeld won five of the first six races and broke speed records. Little has posted world titles in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1988. Born in McComb in the 1920s, Little parlayed a career as a barnstorming pilot, jack-of-all trades car salesman and restauranteur into a major league mega-bucks business empire. He then entered the world of motorsports. Through an association with August Busch III, then vice-president of Anheuser-Busch, Little got a sponsorship from the company. He brought the first completely enclosed cockpit to the sport – his greatest innovation – which is credited with saving the lives of many drivers.