01711novdecpropissuu by APBA

VOLUME 71, ISSUE 4 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

APBA.ORG • USA: $5.00

RECORD WATER

Records Fall at Devils Lake Kilos

FREEWHEELING The “Vintage Nationals”

detroit Hydrofest!

Thank You

for your Financial Support for the past 50 Years! TRUSTEES Geo. Byers Jr., Founder/Chairman Rick Sandstrom, Vice Chairman/Treasurer Dave Richardson, Secretary R. Steven Hearn, Dr. Dan Joseph, Larry Lauterbach, Gary Romberg, Edgar Rose, Robin Shane, Charles Strang Honorary Trustees: Jeff Magnuson, Fran Muncey

APBA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 17640 East Nine Mile Road Eastpointe, Michigan 48021 Phone: (586) 773-9700 Fax: (586) 773-6490 Linda Likert, Bookkeeper www.apbahs.org

The APBA Historical Society has paid out over $320,000 in grant requests for such things as: 1) Supplying propellers for the Junior Classes 2) Funding the Hall of Champions Breakfast 3) Funding APBA Outboard Driving Schools 4) Designing and supplying Honor Squadron medals 5) Buying helmets and life jackets 6) Funding various rescue team projects 7) Funding and promoting the 300SS Class 8) Helping fund the Hall of Champions Ceremony 9) Helping outboard racers attend the World Championship in Europe Please donate today. Sincerely,

Rick Sandstrom Vice Chairman-APBA Historical Society

Stan Fitts, Kay Hallett, Bernie Little, & Bill Sterett Jr. in Memoriam Non-Profit Tax Deductible IRS 501(C)3 Photos courtesy of Gleason Racing Photography, Paul Kemiel, David Recht and others

IN THIS ISSUE 17640 East Nine Mile Road, Eastpointe MI 48021-2563 PHONE: 586.773.9700 WEB: apba.org EMAIL: apbahq@apba.org twitter.com/APBARacing facebook.com/APBARacing EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACCOUNTING MEMBERSHIP SANCTIONS/ HIGH POINTS PROPELLER EDITOR

Patrick Mell Linda Likert Sabrina Haudek Cindy Minoletti Tana Moore

pmell@apba.org llikert@apba.org shaudek@apba.org cminoletti@apba.org tmoore@apba.org

2018 APBA OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Howie Nichols president@apba.org VICE PRESIDENT Chris Fairchild VP@apba.org NATIONAL COMMISSIONER Charles Strang NC@apba.org TREASURER Steve Compton treasurer@apba.org SECRETARY Mary Williams secretary@apba.org LEGAL COUNCIL Steven Hearn legal@apba.org Adam Allen azallen@hotmail.com Kyle Bahl racerkyle@hotmail.com Jerry Davids Sr. racer3d62n@hotmail.com Fred Hauenstein fhauenstein@new.rr.com Jean MacKay-Schwartz jean84c@earthlink.net John Runne j.runne@hotmail.com Mark Tate mtate@suncoating.com Mark Wheeler mark.wheeler@wmich.edu CATEGORY REP Jeff Brewster jeff_brewster_59s@yahoo.com REGION REP Roger Carr rcinr12@aol.com COUNCIL-AT-LARGE: Penny Anderson, Jeffrey Conant, Richard Fuchslin, Patrick Gleason, Sheri Greaves, Alex Jennings III, Jack Meyer, Steve Noury, Jan Shaw, Bob Wartinger, Rachel Warnock, Matt Yarno

2018 RACING CATEGORY/COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Inboard Inboard Endurance Junior Classes Modified Offshore OPC Outboard Drag PRO Special Event Stock Thundercat H1 Unlimited (interim) Vintage and Historic

James Sechler Ted Kolby Patrick Gleason Tom Sutherland Mark Wheeler James Chambers Jr. Chris Fairchild Kristi Ellison Scott Schatz Jeff Brewster Jeff Howie Charlie Grooms John Krebs

inboardracing@apba.org ted@tedkolby.com junior@apba.org modifiedoutboard@apba.org offshore@apba.org jchambe1@tampabay.rr.com chris@fairchildracing.com prooutboard@apba.org roshaboats@yahoo.com stockoutboard@apba.org masterauto1150@yahoo.com cgrooms@cliftyengineering.com krebs233@yahoo.com

2017 REGION CHAIRMEN Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Region 6 Region 7 Region 8 Region 9 Region 10 Region 11 Region 12 Region 14 Region 15 Region 16

Dave Jones John Krebs Ann Shaw Richard Shaw Jeff Titus Eli Whitney Kris Shepard Brian Tabara Denver Ray Mut Rick Sandstrom Julian Rucki Roger Carr Buddy Tennell Carleton Callahan Dutch Squires

region1@apba.org region2@apba.org region3@apba.org region4@apba.org region5@apba.org donaldeli.whitney@sbcglobal.net region7@apba.org brian@tabararacing.com denvermut@hotmail.com info@propshopltd.com renegadep28@aol.com rcinr12@aol.com region14@apba.org region15@apba.org region16@apba.org

PROPELLER© welcomes unsolicited articles and photos. Views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publication and do not represent official APBA policy. Advertising herein cannot be construed as an endorsement by APBA or its members. PROPELLER (ISSN 0194-6218) (USPS 0047-800) is published six times yearly for $25.00 (U.S. and Canada); $55.00 (foreign) by APBA, 17640 E. Nine Mile Road, Eastpointe, MI 48021-2563 Periodical postage paid at Eastpointe, MI, and additional mailing office. Postmaster: send addresses to APBA, 17640 E. Nine Mile Road, Eastpointe, MI 48021-2563.

From the Top Incoming APBA President Howie Nichols 2 In Brief APBA Election Resulkts and More 4 APBA: Looking Back/Moving Forward

UN-CONVENTIONAL New Format for APBA National Meeting 6 Race Calendar

FREEWHEELING “Vintage Nationals” in Wheeling, West Virginia 9 RECORD WATER Rockey Stone Kilos and John Myers Memorial 12 EVANSVILLE HYDROFEST Racing Returns to the Riverfront 14 TATE WINS PRESIDENTS CUP with “Muncey-like Start” 16 SHANE STRIKES GOLD AGAIN APBA Gold Cup, Season Finale 18 CAL-ORE RIVER RACERS 2017

SAFETY LESSON LEARNED Smith Brothers Offshore Racing 22 Category Corner Junior Classes Inboard Stock Outboard

23 24 26

Race in Peace

Region Roundup 1, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12

ON THE COVER: The Buckeye Kid, owned by John Taggart, Belle Isle, FL, romps at the Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta over Labor Day Weekend. F. Peirce Williams photo

FROM THE TOP BY HOWIE NICHOLS, APBA PRESIDENT

APBA President Howie Nichols with dad Pete and daughter Becky at Hinton, West Virginia.

I would like to thank all those members of the Association who participated in the September elections and welcome to the Board of Directors those newly elected members: Fred Hauenstein, Mark Tate, Jerry Davids Sr., Kyle Bahl, and Adam Allen; along with returning members Chris Fairchild, Jean MackaySchwartz, John Runne, Charlie Strang, and outgoing President Mark Wheeler. The Region and Category representatives to the BoD will be chosen by their peers once all Region meetings have been completed. The Board of Directors conducted an election per the APBA By-Laws on Tuesday, October 3rd, 2017 and elected Chris Fairchild as Vice-President and I was chosen as the President of the Association. Thank you again for the support and I look forward to working hard to better APBA. A special thank you goes to Mark Wheeler, who has spent the past six years serving as President to the organization. I can only hope that I can fill his shoes and continue to move APBA forward. THANK YOU, MARK! The Council at Large also elected new members Rachel Warnock, Jeff Conant, Sheri Greaves, Rich Fuchslin, Jack Meyer, and Jan Shaw. The folks that remain on the Council are Matt Yarno, Patrick Gleason, Penny Anderson, Alex Jennings III, Bob Wartinger, and Steve Noury. The Category Chairs and Region Chairs are also members of the Council at Large. I urge the membership to contact any of these folks with questions or concerns. They are our eyes and ears on the ground as they serve as an advisory adjunct to the BoD. 2018 Committee appointments are in process along with Commissioner, Region, and Category Chair elections. Stay tuned for updates! Congratulations to all the drivers and teams for their accomplishments during the 2017 racing season. Some of these will be recognized at the APBA National Meeting/Convention held January 24-27, 2018 in Chicago, IL. I hope you can all attend and congratulate

them on their accomplishments this past year. I have been working diligently since February along with Mary Williams and Mark Wheeler on revamping the structure and schedule of the National Meeting. Six seminars have been added into the schedule with the help of John Runne and Adam Allen. These were detailed in October’s SPIN by Promotional Committee Chairman John Runne. Check out our website www.apba.org, go to the Schedule/Results tab and scroll down to the 2018 Annual Meeting for updates and schedules. The meeting schedule is also in this issue of your Propeller magazine. Don’t forget to book your room and send in your registration early, as we anticipate an increase in attendance with all the seminars. Now is your chance to learn how to use products to their fullest extent; and you can also be part of the meetings where decisions on the future of racing are made. Our 2018 BoD is hitting the ground running with a review of the By-Laws and General Racing and Safety Rules to ensure all members can have the best experience while participating in APBA events. If you have any items that you would like reviewed, please write them down and send an email off so it is documented with nothing left open for interpretation. This is your organization—be a part of it, and have a voice in the decision-making process. Membership renewals should be in your mailbox. Take the time to fill them out, use them as a Christmas present and take advantage of the discounted pricing before February 28th. The only way for you to participate in 2018 is to join now so you can gather all your points and continue to receive the Propeller magazine and SPIN updates. From J members to Unlimited, and Offshore, APBA has a lot to offer its membership. You can only take advantage of the benefits if you join now. Don’t wait to join at an event; this could result in delays of processing. Take it upon yourself and don’t rely on the conducting club to get your membership processed correctly.

APBA 2018 National Meeting January 24-27, CHICAGO CrownE Plaza - Chicago O’Hare Hotel and Conference Center www.crowneplazaohare.com ReservationS: 877-337-5793 $109/night single/double 5440 North River Road Rosemont, Illinois 60018

Check your choice of events below and return the registration form by JANUARY 8th, 2018 to: APBA, 17640 E. 9 Mile Rd. • Eastpointe, Ml 48021-2563 • APBAHQ@apba.org • Fax: 586-773-6490 OR, REGISTER ONLINE: www.apba.org/resources/annual-meeting-2018-4334 ___________________________________________________________________ Last Name

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Credit Card Number _______________________________________________________ Expiration Date (month/year) _______/_______ Security Code ______________ Cardholder’s Name (printed) ______________________________________________________________________ Billing Zip Code ___________________________ Cardholder’s Signature ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

IN BRIEF... President Wheeler accepted member proxies and voted accordingly.

ELECTION RESULTS On Thursday morning, September 21, 2017, the American Power Boat Association held its Annual Meeting for election Purposes in Eastpointe, Michigan, to announce the winners of the 2017 Board of Directors and Council at Large elections. This year we received 2153 votes divided between 8 candidates and 31 write-ins for the Board of Directors. Below are the Annual Meeting minutes. Meeting called to order by President Mark Wheeler at 10:00 am. Attendees: Patrick Mell, Sabrina Haudek, Linda Likert, Cindy Minoletti, Mary Williams and President Mark Wheeler. Ballot results from Jerry Treppa & Associatesâ&#x20AC;&#x161; Independent Accounting Firm: Board of Directors - Top 5 candidates elected for a two-year term. Candidates Votes Received Fred Hauenstein Jr. 298 Mark Tate 298 (tie) Kyle Bahl 257 Jerry Davids Sr. 229 Adam Allen 228 J. David Augustine Sr. 223 Steve Compton 219 Katelyn Shaw 175 Write-in Votes for 31 members 226 Council at Large - Top 6 Candidates elected for a four-year term. Candidates Votes Received Rachel Warnock 314 Jeff Conant 253 Sheri Greaves 248 Richard Fuchslin 238 Jack Meyer 234 Jan Shaw (write in) 26 Other Write-ins 92 4

President Wheeler acknowledged the newly elected Board members Fred Hauenstein Jr., Mark Tate, Kyle Bahl, Jerry Davids Sr, and Adam Allen. President Wheeler acknowledges the newly elected Council at Large members Rachel Warnock, Jeff Conant, Sheri Greaves, Richard Fuchslin, Jack Meyer and Jan Shaw. He asks that this information be published on the APBA website, emailed to the candidates, and be included in the upcoming issue of the APBA newsletter and Propeller magazine. Meeting adjourned at 10:10 am. Respectfully submitted, Patrick Mell, APBA Executive Director NEW APBA OFFICERS: On October 3rd, the new Board elected Howie Nichols as APBA President and Chris Fairchild as Vice President for a twoyear term. Congratulations to all new officers, Board and Council members.

Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation (as required by the U.S. Postal Service)

Publication Title: Propeller Filing Date: October 3, 2017 Publication Number: 0194-6218 Issue Frequency: Bimonthly (through 10/17) Number of issues published annually: 6 (through 10/17) Annual subscription price: $25.00 Publisher and Owner: American Power Boat Association Contact Person and Editor: Tana Moore Managing Editor: None Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities: None Complete mailing address of American Power Boat Association known/general business office of 17640 East Nine Mile Road publication, owner, editor, publisher: Eastpointe MI 48021-2563 The purpose, function and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes have not changed during the preceding 12 months. Issue date for circulation data below: September/October 2017 Extent and nature of publication

Average No. copies of each issue during preceding 12 months

Total no. of copies (net press run) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Sales through dealers, carriers, street vendors and counter sales (not mailed) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails Paid Distribution by other classes of USPS Mail

APBA IDENTITY

Total paid and/or requested circulation

Yes, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen the above logo before. In response to the vote of the membership, this is again the official APBA logo. Look for new decals with your 2018 membership.

Free copies mailed at other classes:

Also, the APBA post office box (PO Box 377) is going away. The address is simply: 17640 E. Nine Mile Road Eastpointe, MI 48021-2563

Total:

Free Outside-County copies: Free Inside-County copies: Free distribution outside the mail: Total free distribution: Total distribution: Copies not distributed:

Percent paid and/or requested circulation:

No. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date

2345 2300 2103 2184 0 0 0 0 0 0 70 63 2173 2247 0 0 0 0 9 12 0 0 9 12 2182 2259 163 41 2345 2300 93% 98.2%

Required publication of statement of ownership in the NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 issue of this publication. The editor, Tana I. Moore, certifies that all information furnished on this form is complete.

Tim Settle and the F-77 Barracuda at the Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta.

APBA: Looking Back/Moving Forward BY MARK WHEELER, APBA PAST PRESIDENT 2011-2017 I became the President of the American Power Boat Association on November 1, 2011. It was an interesting time for APBA. We were in the process of launching our Digital Transformation, K and K had just informed APBA that they would not renew our regatta insurance, and Gloria Urbin, our longtime Executive Director and friend, was retiring. We were able to work through these challenging times and place APBA on a firm footing to move forward. Thanks to everyone who worked to keep APBA moving forward over the last six years! I’m particularly happy to report that APBA is currently in a strong financial position. Thanks to the work of our Treasurers and the Finance committee, APBA’s 2016 net income was over $42,000; our projected net income for 2017 is approximately $33,000. Our current assets total just over one million dollars. As I think about the past six years, several items keep coming up. I’m sure some will consider this a bit of a history lesson. In some ways, that is true. However, I prefer to think of them as recurring themes. Our problems don’t seem to change much from year to year. Our response to these problems does—and needs to—change. As APBA looks toward the future, the two main things we need to focus on are risk management and reducing the barriers to entry into powerboat racing. Some will argue that promotion should be listed here also. I think it already is; successful promotion reduces powerboat racing’s barriers to entry.

RISK MANAGEMENT The key to the containment of insurance costs, and our future, is risk management. We’ve made great improvements in our risk management over the last six years, and the procedures that are now in place are excellent. We need to keep up the good work. Arguments that “We’ve always done it this way,” or “We did our best,” simply don’t fly. As a friend of mine is fond of pointing out, “We get in the most trouble when we don’t follow our own rules.” Make sure your club is compliant with all APBA rules and insurance regulations at each regatta.

driving school next summer. APBA offers a sanction discount if the racing weekend conducts a driving school. There are no extra insurance charges if the driving school is conducted in conjunction with a race. Our rule books provide a significant barrier to entry to new racers. They are overly complicated and difficult for prospective members to understand. We need to eliminate many of our rules and make our rulebooks easier to understand. The Race Management Committee, and some of our racing commissions, did a good job simplifying rulebooks at the 2017 National Meeting. It was a good start, but we need to do more. Moving forward, I encourage the APBA Board of Directors, APBA’s racing commissions and committees to reduce the size of our rule books and inspection manuals. APBA needs to make better use of social media to promote our powerboat racing and thereby reduce the barriers to entry. We’ve taken some positive steps in this area, but we need to do more. Moving forward, I’m sure this will be a major focus of the APBA Promotion Committee. Mark Wheeler photo by Robert Koschka

BARRIERS TO ENTRY Driving schools are one of the best things we do to reduce the barriers to entry into powerboat racing. Several of our clubs put on their own driving schools; the Inboard and OPC commissions conduct driving schools each year. Driving schools are one of the things that clearly work to increase membership and boat counts. Two of our most successful outboard clubs, Michigan Hydroplane and Seattle Outboard, were the first to adopt driving schools. Both clubs continue to embrace driving schools with impressive increases in boat counts as a result. APBA has conducted driving school seminars at past national meetings, and another driving school seminar will take place at the 2018 National Meeting. If your club is not putting on a driving school, please make sure that some of your club members attend the driving school seminar. Follow up by putting on a

Portage Bay Systems, Inc.

Steve Greaves 206-371-0486

Email: sgreaves@portagebaysystems.com Web: www.portagebaysystems.com/marine

UN-CONVENTIONAL

APBA National Meeting Jan. 24-27, 2018 BY JOHN RUNNE, PROMOTIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN The 2018 APBA National Meeting will be well worth attending. This year we are making some changes to the standard group of meetings we’ve had in the past. Last year you, the members, asked, “What does APBA do for us?” You sent the message that changes must be made in the organization. The Board of Directors heard your plea.

driving school at your race. We will refine a template of do’s and don’ts and a step-by-step outline toward success. Remember, all of us are responsible for the preservation of this sport.

We created a committee to explore how to reverse the trend of shrinking APBA membership and better serve both the members and the clubs.

Data Logic Seminar - Roger Caddell, National Training Manager for AiM Sports will present a seminar on how best to use the Mychron Data Acquisition System. Many of us use the Mychron system to aid us in improving our performance on the water.

The APBA Promotional Committee was established to identify areas where changes could take place and to develop a path to growth. We needed to provide the membership and clubs the tools necessary to succeed at the local level. Now, there are many resources available for local race promoters and clubs on our updated APBA website. Among the documents available are: • APBA Demographics • Event Checklist • Coast Guard/DNR support document • Sample documents: Event Budget, Host Site Proposal and Host Site Agreement, Sponsor Proposal, Sponsorship Agreement, and Ambulance/Vendor Agreement The 2018 National Meeting will offer, for the first time, six seminars available to all. Come and learn how to improve your racing program, and that of your region. Marketing & Promotion Seminars (Two) Sherron Winer and Jean MacKay-Schwartz: Building on last year’s Seminar, learn some tips from the experts on how to generate income for your race through promotion. Learn how to approach a community with confidence and show the decision-makers how their community can benefit from an APBA event. Learn how to attract new members to the world of boat racing. Driver School Seminar: We will have a brainstorming session with the most successful facilitators in all categories, working together to teach clubs the best methods to hold a successful

Fuel Seminar - Sunoco Race Fuels representative Deanna Manbeck will teach us how we can get the best performance out of our fuel. Propeller Seminar - led by Jeff Titus: Learn from some of our most experienced propeller builders about the science that goes into making your propellers work. Find out what information your prop builder needs to get the most out of your reworks. Motor Mechanics and Inspection Seminar Ed Runne, Jerry Davids, Michael Weiner , Tom Johnston, Jeff Williams: Visit with factory representatives and builders of your motors. Learn from the best how to get the most out of your motor. Ask questions and present the issues that you have had with your motor. Learn how to troubleshoot problems when they arise and get tips from the winners’ circle to improve your motor’s performance. Also, take this opportunity to learn how to inspect motors so you can pitch in at your local races and take the Inspectors tests to help the overworked local inspectors in your region. As you can see, the 2018 National Meeting has something for everybody to enhance your racing experience. All seminars will be held Friday and Saturday, January 26 -27, 2018. Be there or get left behind the competition!

2018 National Meeting Schedule WEDNESDAY - 1/24/18

FRIDAY - 1/26/18

8:00am - 5:00pm 9:45am - 10:45am 11:00am - 12:00pm 10:00am - 10:30am 10:45am - 11:15am 11:30am - 11:45am 1:00pm - 2:45pm 3:00pm - 4:30pm 4:45pm - 6:00pm 6:30pm

8:00am - 5:00pm 7:30am - 8:30am 8:00am - 8:45am 9:00am - 11:30am 9:00am - 11:30am 9:00am - 11:30am 9:00am - 11:30am 9:00am - 11:30am 10:00am - 11:30am 8:45am - 4:00pm 11:45am - 12:45pm 1:00pm - 4:00pm 1:00pm - 2:30pm 2:45pm - 4:15pm 4:30pm - 6:00pm 6:30pm - 7:30pm 7:30pm - 10:00pm 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Registration Hall of Champions Meeting Honor Squadron Committee - Closed Finance Government Affairs New Class Committee SO / MO / PRO / J Combined Meeting Rules and Race Management Board of Directors Category Chair Dinner with the President

THURSDAY - 1/25/18 7:30am - 5:00pm 8:00am - 9:15am 9:30am - 10:15am 10:30am - 11:15am 11:30pm - 1:00pm 1:15pm - 6:15pm 1:15pm - 6:15pm 1:15pm - 6:15pm 1:15pm - 6:15pm 1:15pm - 6:15pm 1:15pm - 6:15pm 1:15pm - 6:15pm 1:15pm - 6:15pm

Registration Insurance Insurance Q & A Referee & Assistant Risk Manager Ladies Social Luncheon Special Events Stock Outboard Racing Commission Modified Racing Commission PRO Racing Commission OPC Racing Commission Inboard Racing Commission Offshore Vintage

8:00am - 12:00pm 7:00am - 8:00am 8:00am - 9:30am 9:30am - 12:00pm 9:30am - 12:00pm 9:30am - 12:00pm 1:00pm - 2:15pm 2:30pm - 4:00pm

Registration Propeller Seminar Fuel Seminar Inspectors Outboard Motor Teardown Seminar Inboard Motor Teardown Seminar Promotional Committee Annual Meeting of Members / Board of Directors 4:00pm - 5:00pm Photo Shoot Hall of Champions 5:00pm - 6:00pm APBA Reception / Cocktail Party 6:00pm - 10:00pm APBA Dinner / Awards

CrownE Plaza - Chicago O’Hare Hotel and Conference Center www.crowneplazaohare.com ReservationS: 877-337-5793 $109/night single/double 5440 North River Road Rosemont, Illinois 60018

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Registration Promotional Committee Safety & Rescue / Product Demo Stock Outboard Racing Commission Modified Racing Commission PRO Racing Commission OPC Racing Commission Inboard Racing Commission Driver School Seminar Scoring Committee Region Chair Luncheon with President Historical Society Meeting (Open) Junior Class Committee Data Logger Seminar Race & Rule Management Inboard Reception Inboard Awards Combined Category Awards

SATURDAY - 1/27/18

APBA 2018 National Meeting January 24-27, CHICAGO

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TENTATIVE

RACE CALENDAR REGION 1

7/13-15/2018 COA Annual Thompson Regatta, Thompson, CT, - West Thompson Lake PRO Outboard, Modified Outboard, Stock Outboard, Junior Classes

REGION 5 11/18-19

Englewood Beach Waterfest, Englewood, FL - Gulf of Mexico

Offshore

TAVARES FALL THUNDER REGATTA HURRICANE IRMA UPDATE - 9/27/2017 from vintagereaceboatshop.com It is with regret that we inform you the Fall Thunder Vintage Race Boat Regatta, scheduled from November 17 to 19, 2017, in Tavares, Florida, has been cancelled. As a result of Hurricane Irma, the docks in Wooton Park have been completely destroyed. The City of Tavares believes it will take up to 18 months to replace the docks. After meeting with the City of Tavares, consideration was given to holding the event absent any docks. The City believes that the environmental hazards and the clean-up of the wreckage of boats and docks will be completed before November 1. Regardless of this assurance, the Board of the CRA feels that asking persons to launch and retrieve boats under these compromised conditions is unwise. Debris floating to the surface while boats are in the water has been raised as a concern as well. The water level of Lake Dora is extremely high. Advance registration money will be refunded. Monthly Fun Run & Gathering on October 7th was held as scheduled. And we look forward to next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tavares Spring Thunder Regatta - March 16-18, 2018. Stay posted for developments on our Website www.vintageraceboatshop.com. Bill and Kathy DeGlopper romp in the JS-77 ZIPPY PICKLE at Wheeling, West Virginia. F. Peirce Williams photo

FREEWHEELING! Bob Hampton in the GP182 Xanadu at the Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta. F. Peirce Williams photo

Ken Warby’s TIGER, a 1976 Everingham ski boat, side by side with Leia Glasgow in #13 Danger Zone, a 1964 Patterson. F. Peirce Williams photo

FREEWHEELING!

“Vintage Nationals” Rock Labor Day Weekend “I love the smell of methanol in the morning!“ Race Director Debbie Joseph gazed across the Ohio River as engines roared to life around her in the pits. The 12th annual Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta was underway. This stretch of river has seen everything from canoes and paddlewheelers to coal barges. On this Labor Day weekend, over 30 loud and proud Vintage raceboats took over Heritage Port. No wonder this regatta is dubbed “the Vintage Nationals.” Wheeling marked the western edge of the USA after the Revolutionary War. George Washington’s nephew is buried there. Mark Twain was once the spokesman for Wheeling Cigars and surely enjoyed the beautiful view of the Ohio River and surrounding mountains. The Marshall University Fife and Drum Corps played; the blood-spattered soldier and Indian relaxing in the hotel lobby turned out to be reenactors of the battle of Fort Henry. Just upriver the oldest continuously used suspension bridge in the USA spans the Ohio. Built high enough to allow paddlewheel boats to pass underneath, it sure makes a graceful backdrop for a regatta. Debbie and her husband Dan Joseph have deep roots in Wheeling. Dan won the 2017 Dr. Lee Jones Patron of Youth award for his strong support of local charities like Easter Seals, college athletic programs, and much more. Dan and Debbie love Wheeling, and they love Vintage boats. So it was natural for them to bring a freewheeling APBA Vintage & Historic show to their hometown. The Regatta enjoys strong community support—including police, EMS and fire service, Wesbanco sponsorship, and cranes donated by Savage Crane Service—and gives back accordingly. The event is free and open to the public, and all proceeds go to the Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center in Wheeling. It takes work to put on a regatta, but this crew made it look easy. When Referee Barry Pray was asked the difference between refereeing a regular race and a Vintage regatta, he said, “These people have the right idea. They just come out and have fun.” Barry’s birthday fell on Sunday, so of course there was cake and “Happy Birthday” sung at the drivers’ meeting. Co-pit manager Rachel Anspach

was everywhere, coordinating heats, helping get boats in and out of the water, and finding time to romp in the T-59 Scraps. Rich Evans efficiently inspected boats and safety equipment. The Niagara Dive Rescue Team and Risk Manager Dave Edwards watched over a (fortunately) uneventful weekend. Richard Delsener displayed his immaculate South Paw, and announced the heats with knowledge and humor. He wisecracked, “If you want to test your marriage, come down here and buy a Vintage boat.” Yet clearly Vintage works for some marriages. Bill and Kathy DeGlopper worked as a team in the pits and in the cockpit of the Jersey Skiff Zippy Pickle. Harry and Kathy Holst (she’s his crew chief) kept the E-160 Heatwave all shined up and ready to roar. There is a special kind of smile at Wheeling. You see it on the faces of kids in raceboat cockpits. You also see it on the faces of drivers like Margaret Myers (L) who just stepped out of boats. Local news anchor Paige Madden (R) ran a few laps in the Josephs’ S-102 The Judge. It was her first time in a raceboat. Was she scared? “Oh, my God, yes!” she said, but look at that smile... The Fastest Man on Water, Ken Warby, was there with his wife Barbara and boat Tiger. Ken received the Henry Lauterbach Award at the event. Every raceboat had a story: abandoned in a barn, found in a field, lovingly restored, or built from scratch. Tim Settle described how his life changed when his father towed the F-77 Barracuda home behind the family station wagon. While his dad was disappointed in the “beat-up old raceboat,” Tim loved it. He spent years restoring it and proudly drives it today. While Inboards predominated, outboards totally rocked. Among others, Warren Burke brought Bad to the Bone, a speedy SST-60 powered rocket.

Rachel Anspach driving T-59 SCRAPS, a 1200cc Stock Franklin hydroplane. F. Peirce Williams photo

(L-R) Mike Webster in the E-888 MISS NEW JERSEY and Bill Whitehouse’s E37 HIRE VOLTAGE. F. Peirce Williams photo

Harry Holst and crew chief Kathy kept the E-160 Heatwave shined up and ready to roar. Plus, they had fun! F. Peirce Williams photo

V&H Chairman John Krebs took advantage of the great attendance to have an impromptu Vintage & Historic meeting. Good chance to hash out some ideas prior to the APBA National Meeting. The main issue: making sure drivers respect speed and safety constraints. Solution: back the referee’s decisions. Fast, fun, freewheeling. What a way to celebrate Labor Day! Beale Tilton’s FG-63 ROWDY and Fuzzy Norris’s 51 outboard made some noise. F. Peirce Williams photo

Warren Burke brought Bad to the Bone, a speedy SST-60 powered rocket.

Rockey Stone Memorial Kilo and John Myers Memorial Quarter Mile

RECORD WATER! STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE AND DENISE JOHNSON It used to be that you would wake up on a Saturday morning, look at the lake, and say, “Wow, that’s record water.” And then hope the wind didn’t pick up. Now, you can get regularly updated forecast information from the National Weather Service with estimates by hour on wind speed, direction, temperature, and humidity. Friday morning of the Devil’s Lake Time Trials, I checked the forecast, and then texted Craig Selvidge that “this could be epic record water Saturday.” So what does that mean at Lincoln City, Oregon? It means winds generally out of the west, that don’t exceed 2-4 mph, with a little cloud cover to keep things stable. Temperature in the low 60s, and relative humidity at 65-75%. Add that to a sea level lake ½ mile from the Pacific Ocean, and you have record water. When those conditions last for 10 hours, it is epic—18 national records epic.

Bob Wartinger took the 1/4 mile in 500ccMH... ...while John Peeters took the Kilo for Rich Fuchslin.

Added to those near-perfect weather conditions were several potential speed battles. Jeff Bernard and Austin Eacret both had their eyes on the 2.5 Litre Stock record. The team of Rich Fuchslin and John Peeters had a four-cylinder Mercury poised to go after the 500ccMH records, but would have to deal with Bob Wartinger and his two-cylinder Yamato. Antique outboard records were in play. The Campbells and Gibsons had come out from the Midwest to tackle speed records held by West Coast iron raced by Steve Greaves and Jim Nilsen, among others; with Hall of Champions Jackets at stake. Finally, the Olson/Pavlick armada also trekked from the Midwest with intent to increase their J/AX straightaway records. Records began falling quickly Saturday morning. Jeff Bernard opened the day by bumping the 2.5 Litre Stock 1/4 mile by 4 mph. By shortly after noon, Eacrett had bumped that record another 3 mph to 116.883, and in a couple more hours took the 22 year old kilo record in that class to 112.720. Justin Gibson was another early record breaker in C Racing Hydro for the 1/4 mile, moving the mark to 68.207. By noon, Jim Nilsen was breaking his own C Service Runabout 1/4 mile standard at 56.057. Not to be outdone, Jack Campbell III also set a 1/4 mile mark in C Racing Runabout at 62.2783. 12

The Olson boys, Cody and Cole, had a busy day: CODY OLSON J Runabout Kilo 40.377 AX Runabout 1/4 54.167 AX Runabout Kilo 53.720

COLE OLSON — AX Hydro 1/4 58.327 AX Hydro Kilo 59.201

Note that Cole’s AXH Kilo mark is just a hair slower than the ASH Kilo mark set by Bob Smiley and his Sidewinder at 59.240. Travis Ulsh and Ryan Gowin traded the KPRO Kilo mark back and forth, with Ryan just squeaking past Travis by 7 thousandths of a second at 55.301. Daren Goehring set two 1/4 mile marks; 500ccMR at 72.260 and patiently raising his speed in 850ccMR to 84.626. RJ West showed similar patience at the 1/4 mile distance, pushing the SST45 standard to 84.905. Mikey Pavlick took the 300ssH 1/4 mile speed to 63.492. John Peeters continued chasing Bob with 1/4 mile records in 125ccH and 175ccH at 80.071 and 80.428 respectively. But it was his weekend-long battle with the legendary Bob Wartinger in 500ccMH that was a treat for all attending. Peeters opened the weekend with a record run on the 1/4 mile of 85.836 with the Mercury. Wartinger followed later with his Yamato, upping the record to 88.801. Next was Peeters running on the Kilo track, taking that record up to 87.843.

Then a fog bank rolled in as late afternoon set in. The temperature dropped noticeably on the lake, and the air became damper—you could smell the ocean. Wartinger clicked off four passes in succession through the Kilo traps; 88.743, 89.981, 89.050, 90.381. That’s right – 90 mph with a twocylinder Yamato. After the run, there was blue ice in the carburetor venturi, testament to conditions

changing for a moment to atmospherics usually seen in the morning. And then the sun reappeared. The Kilo record was now at 89.710. Peeters took another shot at the Kilo on Sunday morning, and took the record higher to 89.981.

region records set (Tay Diamond and Tanner Cole). Another outstanding job by Laureen Thorsen’s event crew!

The totals for the weekend: 22 total national records set (several broken multiple times), three

Austin Eacret set both 1/4 Mile and Kilo records in 2.5 Litre Stock.

Cole Olson at 59 mph in AX Hydro.

RJ West set 1/4 mile records each day in SST45.

Joe Sovie in the Y44 and J Michael Kelly in the Y1 blast around the Evansville course.

EVANSVILLE HYDROFEST PHOTOS BY PAUL KEMIEL

Hats off to Executive Director Bob Warren, Operations Director Vernon Stevens, Race Director Randy Lientz, the Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Roar Corps volunteers, APBA officials, and APBA Inboard racers and crews! Over Labor Day Weekend, despite a hurricane hangover, championship Inboard racing returned to Evansville. Fifty-three Inboard hydroplanes competed for APBA Eastern Divisional and North American Championships, and fans turned out in force to enjoy the new Evansville HydroFest™. Evansville’s riverfront is ideal for powerboat racing, but this was the city’s first regatta since 2009, when Thunder on the Ohio ended its run after 31 years. Fans remembered the good times, however; and sponsor, volunteer and City support was strong. This hurricane-swept weekend presented unusual challenges. Hurricane Harvey’s rain postponed Friday’s testing and outdoor concert. Saturday brought 25+ mph wind gusts up the front straightaway, making for very rough water conditions. On Sunday, the Ohio River rose, depositing lots of big debris (read: trees) in the racecourse, and a faster current moved course buoys out of position. The all-volunteer Outboard Boating Club of Evansville crew was equal to the task, however, working tirelessly Saturday and Sunday to provide the best river conditions possible. The 2017 event was profitable, but the HydroFest™ Executive Board conducted a thorough review, identifying several key areas for improvement. Local nonprofits SWIRCA and More, Vanderburgh County CASA, and the Evansville Museum Guild had helped with ticket sales and were rewarded with checks. Thanks to everyone’s efforts under very difficult conditions, the inaugural Evansville HydroFest™ was successful, and the City of Evansville, Indiana looks forward to a return on Labor Day weekend in 2018. Congratulations to the APBA Inboard champions, and to the race committee that brought racing back to Evansville!

2017 EVANSVILLE HYDROFEST RESULTS Saturday, Sept. 2 DIVISIONALS GRAND NATIONAL HYDRO GNH41 CAL PHIPPS GNH17 FREDERICK SHEARER GNH317 STEVE KUHR GNH52 JOHN GRIGG NATIONAL MODIFIED NM357 ANDREW CHRISTOPHER NM81 MICHAEL A WIENER NM247 GREG ISAAC NM72 CHRIS OWEN 5 LTR E13 DETROIT INBOARD RAC LLC E51 MARK MANOS E9 HARRY CLACK 2.5 LTR STOCK S137 CHRIS FANARIS S33 DOUG MARTIN S92 ALFRED THOMPSON 1 LTR Y41 TIM COLLINS Y80 BOB WILSON Y563 ROBERT WEAVER Y19 JOHN CULVER Y40 SCOTT MELOWIC Y44 JOE SOVIE GRAND PRIX GP55 SCOTT PIERCE GP12 BOB SCHELLHASE3 GP27 CHARLES WIGGINS

GP20 LARRY LINN GP74 ROBERT HALL GP19 TOM ECKENBERG GP15 JERRY HOPP SPORTSMAN ADVANCED SA14 PARKS JONES JR SA801 PAUL REID SA57 ROBERT JONES SA33 BRANDON CUSHING SPORTSMAN ENTRY SE57 ROBERT JONES SE29 JIM CLAUSS SE127 KATELYN SHAW SE133 BRANDON CUSHING Sunday, Sept. 3 NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS GRAND PRIX GP12 BOB SCHELLHASE GP55 SCOTT PIERCE GP74 ROBERT HALL GP15 JERRY HOPP GP19 TOM ECKENBERG GP20 LARRY LINN GP27 CHARLES WIGGINS (DNS) SPORTSMAN ENTRY SE57 ROBERT JONES SE29 JIM CLAUSS SE133 BRANDON CUSHING SE127 KATELYN SHAW

Bob Schellhaseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GP12 team celebrates a North American Championship.

E13 Detroit Inboard Racing LLC and Harry Clackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s E9 deck to deck. SA14 Parks Jones, Jr. takes the Sportsman Advanced Divisional title.

With “Muncey-Like Start...”

TATE WINS PRESIDENT’S CUP FROM H1 UNLIMITED • PHOTOS BY PAUL KEMIEL Talk about throwbacks.

the five-lap final on the 2.73 mile Detroit River course.

Andrew Tate’s flying start for Saturday Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Hydrofest President’s Cup championship final heat was reminiscent of the late, great hydroplane driver Bill Muncey. Muncey was known for great, flying starts as he blew by the opponents to go and win a race.

Tate and Shane both won their two preliminary heats, with Kelly and Henderson taking second in both of their heats.

In his U-9 RealTrac/Delta Gear, Tate stayed behind the pack prior to the start, picked up major speed, found a lane and then hit the start-finish line on the nose as the clock hit zero. The results were “Muncey-like.’ As J Michael Kelly in the U-12 Graham Trucking and Jimmy Shane in the U-1 Miss Homestreet were leading a pack of boats to the start, Tate held back— then flew by the opposition in lane 3 with major speed to take the early lead, continuing to lengthen his lead lap after lap to win the President’s Cup. The last time the Unlimited hydroplanes raced for the President’s Cup was 1977—and the winner was Bill Muncey, of course. “We knew Jimmy and J Michael were going to fight it out for lane one,” said Tate, the 28-year old from Walled Lake, Michigan. “We just wanted to keep our nose clean and run our own race. It’s kind of nice when it all comes together.” Kelly took second in the final while Shane placed third. Bert Henderson, competing in his first H1 Unlimited race in the U-7 Spirit of Detroit, was fourth; and rookie Dustin Echols in U-440 Bucket List Racing was fifth. Tate averaged 150.654 in

The day started out poorly for the eight-boat fleet when Tom Thompson in the U-11 Miss DiJulio presents J&D’s Hydraulics lost a propeller and the shaft in heat 1A. Meanwhile, Kevin Eacret in the U-99.9 KISW Miss Rock sponsored by CarStar suffered a spectacular blowover accident in heat 1B. Eacret escaped injury, but both his boat and the U-11 were out for Sunday’s APBA Gold Cup. For all qualifying, heat and current H1 Unlimited high points, go to the Results tab on H1Unlimited.com. (L-R) Bill Muncey (APBA Historical Society photo); the President’s Cup, and Andrew Tate (Paul Kemiel photos).

Great place to watch a race: the view from the Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Hydrofest. Paul Kemiel photo

Jimmy Shane in the U-1 Miss Homestreet duels with J Michael Kelly in the U-12 Graham Trucking.

SHANE STRIKES GOLD AGAIN FROM H1 UNLIMITED • PHOTOS BY PAUL KEMIEL Jimmy Shane knew he had the team and boat to make some noise at the Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Hydrofest; and he did put it all together. Shane in the U-1 Miss Homestreet made a perfect start in the five-lap championship final heat from lane two, then ran away from the field to capture the oldest active trophy in all motorsports—the APBA Gold Cup—for the third time in four years. The 31-year old from Renton, Washington said, “I consider this to be my first outright Gold Cup win. I won in 2014 when J Michael Kelly was penalized and in 2015, when Jean Theoret was penalized. This time there were no penalties; it was a clean race, and it feels good to hold this Gold Cup.” It was not an easy weekend for the Homestreet team and it wasn’t a clean start to the first attempt at a final. Despite winning four of five preliminary heats, late Friday Shane was edged out by Andrew Tate in the U-9 Realtrac/Delta Gear for the top qualifying spot. The doubleheader weekend featured two H1 Unlimited Hydroplane races for the first time in the modern history of the sport. On Saturday, in the first of the two races—the President’s Cup—Miss Homestreet captured both preliminary heats, then had to settle for third behind Andrew Tate in the U-9 and J Michael Kelly in the U-12 Graham Trucking in the championship final heat. On Sunday, in the Gold Cup first final attempt, Shane survived a collision with Bert Henderson in the U-7 Spirit of Detroit coming out of the Roostertail Turn seconds before the start of the race. Henderson’s boat then swerved hard to the left in front of Kelly in lane one. Kelly’s Graham Trucking boat had nowhere to go and ran up and over Henderson’s cockpit of the boat. The top of Henderson’s safety canopy was torn off. Both drivers escaped injury. Kelly’s Graham Trucking team and the other H1 Unlimited race team crews worked feverishly to change an engine, a canard wing and a propeller to get the boat back for the restart. “It was unbelievable,” said Shane about the effort to get the Graham Trucking back on the water after the accident. “It was a marvelous spectacle to watch maybe 50 people from all the different teams work together to put that boat back together. That is just one aspect of what makes this sport great.” In the final, four boats answered the bell for a clean start and a clean race. Shane then showed everyone why he is the defending National High Point 18

Champion and now a three-time Gold Cup winner. His average speed of 152.579 over the 5-lap 2.73-mile course easily outpaced Tate and Kelly. In fact, Kelly fought back in the final to grab lane one and fight Shane and Tate for three laps. Then, as Shane was taking full control of the race, Kelly ran through two wakes, losing his canard once again. Tate ended up placing second; Jimmy King in the U-3 Griggs Presents Ace Hardware took third. Kelly, the 2016 APBA Gold Cup winner, then received even more bad news. He was disqualified for a fuel violation. The H1 fleet then headed to San Diego for the Bayfair Regatta Sept. 15-17. Andrew Tate in the U-9 Realtrac/Delta Gear took home the Bill Muncey Cup Presented by HomeStreet Bank at San Diego Bayfair on Sunday, and Miss HomeStreet Bank’s Jimmy Shane racked up the points to win his third consecutive H1 Unlimited National Championship. Tate saved his best for the last race of the season by jumping out to an early lead and holding off a hard-charging J Michael Kelly in the U-12 Graham Trucking. Kelly nearly passed Tate, but by Lap 4 Tate pulled ahead for good. Kelly finished second and Shane took third in the final. “The Bill Muncey Cup is definitely a prestigious award that I’m very proud to have my name on with the U-9 team,” said Tate, on winning his third race of the 2017 season that wrapped up in San Diego. Earlier in the day, Shane locked up the national championship when Tate was penalized for crossing through a restricted area on the course and lost points. That helped Shane’s Madison, Indiana-based team win its eighth national championship since 2008. “Our team goal is always the national championship and we accomplished that goal this year,” said Shane, celebrating his fifth national championship. “I’m honored to be in great equipment with a great team and great sponsor; and that’s what it takes to win a national championship.” Both Shane and Tate were victors in Sunday’s heat races. In fact, every heat during the weekend was won by either Shane or Tate. Shane was doing double duty on Mission Bay. He also captured the final in the piston-powered Grand Prix World Supercharged Hydroplane race.

Old school, still cool: the U-3 Griggs Presents Ace Hardware, driven by Jimmy King, and (left) the boat’s Allison engine.

2017 was another year of solid attendance for HomeStreet Bank San Diego Bayfair, which is traditionally the last stop for many boat racing tours. “HomeStreet Bank has been an incredible partner for San Diego Bayfair,” said

Race Director Bob Davies. “We thank HomeStreet’s CEO Mark Mason and his great team for their support.”

CAL-ORE RIVER RACERS 2017 BY JAY ‘BYRD’ REESE Never underestimate the heart of a champion. Perhaps that was proved by Roger Sanderson (#B200) Monday, Sept. 4th as he won the Wild River Pizza & Brewing Labor Day Regatta hydroplane race on the smoky, hazy Rogue River in Grants Pass, Oregon.

most heralded and dominant racer, Don Burnison. Burnison won 8 Boatniks, and won 19 races consecutively at one point in his career. His passing will give a memorable feel to the upcoming 60th Boatnik Tom Rice Memorial Cup presented by the Active Club, when the new season kicks off next May.

Sanderson, a 5-time Cal-Ore River Racers Association champion, bounced back from defeat in the prior race to command the 18-boat field by securing his 5th win on the 7-race summer circuit and the CORRA Championship.

2017 Wild River Pizza & Brewing Labor Day Regatta Results 1) Roger Sanderson, #B200, Hoopa, Ca. 2) Chad Stichter, #100+, Grants Pass, Or. 3) Jude Hostler, #50, Hoopa, Ca. 4) Jesse Reinhart, #17, Grants Pass, Or. 5) Levi Torgerson, #6, Grants Pass, Or. 6) Michael Dickson, #20, Willow Creek, Ca. 7) Virgil Moorehead, #40R, McKinleyville, Ca. 8) Robert Buckman, #05, Hoopa, Ca. **Rookie of the Year 9) Jeff Lewis, #007, Grants Pass, Or. 10) Matt Richardson, #23, Grants Pass, Or. 11) Cameron Kirkland, #68, Grants Pass, Or. 12) Justin Hood, #A1, Grants Pass, Or. 13) Kody Sells, #527, Grants Pass, Or. 14) Frank Lara, #30II, Hoopa, Ca. 15) Bryan Dickerson, #622, Grants Pass, Or. 16) Jim Eldred, #R35, Grants Pass, Or. 17) Dereck Ely, #11, Grants Pass, Or.

The veteran from Hoopa, California ironed out his late-season problems to win all 4 legs of the race from Griffin to Baker Parks, while starting 17th. Sanderson, in the My Circle-K/Oregon-California Supply hydro, has won 12 races in the last 3 seasons, including back-to-back CORRA High Point titles, and consecutive Boatnik Championships. “You can’t win them all, but I’m fortunate to have some great people around me, and helping me with my crew, family, and sponsors. These guys are fast out here, and push you, so it’s fun. They are all going to be champions, too, one day. We just had the right combination today.” Indeed, Sanderson sounds prophetic: 20-year-old Chad Stichter from Grants Pass finished 2nd in only his second race of the summer. Veteran Jude Hostler of Hoopa, Cal. stayed in the race after being tossed out at Gold Beach in August, and stormed to a 3rd place finish. Hostler has stood on the podium twice in the last 3 races. Jesse Reinhart and Levi Torgerson, both of Grants Pass, finished 4th and 5th, respectively. Reinhart runs a Mike Friesen-built boat, and Togerson pilots an old Frank Word title boat. Reinhart had everything to gain, and nothing to lose chasing Cameron Kirkland (#68) in the CORRA points race. Reinhart needed a top-3 finish to bump Kirkland out of the runner-up spot. That didn’t happen. Reinhart scrambled to repair a blown-out lower unit from the last fray. Kirkland started the day having won the last 2 races, but did not finish as his steering cable severed in Leg 2. Kirkland placed 11th. He could only watch the last half of the race from the pit area in disbelief, yet had enough points to be series runner-up to Sanderson. California drivers Michael Dickson (#20), Virgil Moorehead (#40R), and Robert Buckman (#05) all finished on the lead lap, and all finish the year in the Top 10. Buckman wrapped up Rookie of the Year honors as he entered the weekend in 8th place, and the top rookie with 3 finishes. As the Cal-Ore group ended the season, they prepared for the annual Winter Meeting in early November to elect new officers, and discuss rules and by-laws. In 2017, the 59th official year of racing, we saw the passing of the sport’s

2017 CAL-ORE RIVER RACERS TOP-5 POINTS 1) Roger Sanderson, #B200, Hoopa, Ca. 3,476.38 2) Cameron Kirkland, #68, Grants Pass, Or. 2,247.49 3) Jesse Reinhart, #17, Grants Pass, Or. 2,146.40 4) Jeff Lewis, #007, Grants Pass, Or. 1,614.62 5) Michael Dickson, #20, Willow Creek, Ca. 1,593.83 Roger Sanderson, Grants Pass Labor Day winner and 2017 points champion

Cameron Kirkland accepting his trophy at Gold Beach, Oregon.

Jesse Reinhart and Jude Hostler would swap podium spots.

Second place Chad Stichter reeling in Michael Dickson.

Above, CORRA Champion Roger Sanderson. (L) Referee Larry Darneille at Gold Beach.

Smith Brothers Racing winning their class in November 2016 at Offshore Powerboat Association World Championships in Englewood Beach, Florida. Mike Horne photo

SAFETY LESSON LEARNED BY RICHARD SMITH, SMITH BROTHERS OFFSHORE RACING TEAM At the May 2017 Point Pleasant Beach Offshore Grand Prix, an Offshore Powerboat Association, APBA sanctioned event, our team was involved in a tragic accident involving two race boats. The result for us was our driver and me being ejected from our boat and the eventual sinking and loss of the 26’ open cockpit boat. We did recover the boat, but it took nine days before the boat was back on the trailer. I write this to convey to fellow racers some observations made from our experience. Safety Equipment: We both wear Lifeline offshore jackets with current certification. We both wear Bell helmets with current Snell certification, both 100% orange. Cockpit safety: Our boat is equipped with two functional kill switches. There are no sharp or protruding objects in our cockpit. The intercom wiring is breakaway. Our cleats are all recessed. Course safety: The incident occurred between turn 1 and 2. Stationed there was a NJ State Police boat, A USCG boat, a OPA safety boat with a diver. OPA rules require a race to be stopped in the event of a participant in the water. Without going into the details of the accident, our boat was hit by another boat that catapulted our boat into the air, causing our ejection. There was no time to brace for the impact, as we did not see it coming. The result was that one second we were turning and next we were flying through the air. There was no time to prepare for the crash. Our ejection resulted in minor bruising, but no other injury—partially due to the fact there in nothing in our cockpit to get caught or entangled on. The intercom wires either unplugged or broke. The kill switches were both pulled, and the engine was shut off before it landed upside down in the water, no doubt saving the engine from ingesting water while it was still running.

The safety boats were on site within seconds of the accident, and a diver was deployed from the safety boat. The race was immediately stopped. The next wave of boats from the third start came to a halt before the incident site. We spent less than a minute in the water before being picked up by the NJSP and then transferred to the USCG because they had an enclosed wheelhouse, and there was concern about hypothermia after being in the chilly spring Atlantic water. What I have taken away from the accident: Make sure your required safety equipment is up to date on its certification. You never know when your life may depend on it to operate as it was designed for. Look at your cockpit. Open or enclosed, what poses a risk should you be ejected or inverted? If you can reach it in normal situations, for sure in an accident you could possibly hit it unintentionally. Seeing the damage our cockpit took after landing upside down from a height of 10-15 feet, I for sure do not want to stay with the boat. Make sure you will be ejected if things go bad. I know we want to be snug in the cockpit, but there’s a time to get out. There’s nothing wrong with asking your race officials what rescue assets are on site. As I said earlier, we spent less than a minute in the water (the boat sank within that time). You might want to look at your boat and determine if it will float. If not, you might want to address that. No one expects something like this to happen—we didn’t. However, looking at your boat and equipment before each race is just common sense. There is a lot on the line. Smith Brothers Offshore Racing Team comprises Driver Pete Smith, Throttleman Rich Smith, Crew Chief Bud Wilson and a dedicated crew. The team’s victories include: 2009 and 2015 Offshore Powerboat Association Class 6 National Champions 2015 American Power Boat Association Class 6 National Champions 2013 and 2016 Offshore Powerboat Association Class 6 World Champions.

CATEGORY CORNER

Nate Pittman and Kori Ladd negotiate a turn at the Wild Ones Regatta at Grass Lake, Michigan. F. Peirce Williams photoJ

JUNIOR CLASSES

BY PATRICK GLEASON, JUNIOR CLASSES COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN As the 2017 season draws to a close, we have seen some great racing this year. I was personally able to see some new J straightaway records broken at Lincoln City, Oregon in late September. The Olson brothers brought their Midwest show out to the left coast. They ran strong enough on Saturday to take Sunday off, so they could go see what an ocean looks like! Cody Olson set the AXR ¼ mile record at 54.167 MPH, and the JR Kilo record at 40.377 mph. He also bumped the AXR kilo record up to 53.720 mph. Not to be outdone, older brother Cole pulled off a couple of new records himself, taking the AXH ¼ mile record to 58.327 mph, and the AXH Kilo record to 59.201. Their Mercury motors really move! Congrats to the Olsons on great records,

capping off a very successful season. As we move into the off season, now is a good time to start thinking of changes you might like to see in the J Classes. I’ve always been a big fan of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it;” and for the most part, I belive APBA’s J classes are working well. Our memberships continue to increase, we have had strong boat fields at Nationals, and local races seem to be well supported in the regions and clubs where J Classes are run. Still, there’s always room for improvement. If you have ideas, let myself or a member of this year’s J Committee know, and we will make sure it gets into the hands of the right people.

the J Committee members. It’s been an honor to be asked to steer the APBA J classes by outgoing president Mark Wheeler for these past years. I expect that our new President Howie Nichols will probably be looking for another chairman to take over. Change is good, both for APBA and the leadership group involved. Fresh perspective and ideas are always welcome, and remember that APBA is a member-driven organization. I’ve enjoyed meeting and working with all of you, and am excited to see what the future of J racing in APBA has to offer. See you at the races!

Finally, the J Committee Chairman is appointed annually by the APBA President. Likewise with 23

INBOARD

BY JAMES SECHLER, INBOARD CHAIRMAN The long season is finally over! It was a lot of fun watching all the teams in contention for a High Point championship battle it out until the end. Congratulations to all this year’s winners! We finished our season with a flurry, having two of our three title races in the last two months—Eastern Divisionals and Summer Nationals. The Evansville race committee took on double duty, taking on their first limited Inboard event in addition to having Eastern Divisionals. Evansville hosted the Unlimiteds for many years, but this was their first attempt at running the limited classes. Congratulations to Randy Lientz and the rest of the Evansville team. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate. The Race Committee and Officials battled all weekend, and by 5:00 on Sunday all but the 2.5 Stock class had gotten their Eastern Divisionals in. Due to some confusion in the pits, some of the 2.5s were not put in the water when they were supposed to be; instead the GPs were put in to run their Sunday final. By the time the remaining 2.5 Stocks were in the water and their heat started, two of the boats that had been in the water for over an hour had collected enough debris under them that neither could start. There was not enough time to restart the heat as the Coast Guard took back the river at 5:00. To all the 2.5 Stock teams that made the trip to Evansville, I can only say I’m sorry I wasn’t paying closer attention to what was happening in the pit area during this time. Randy and his team are evaluating the weekend and have already taken steps to resolve the issues. This race has the potential to be a great event and the fans were fantastic. I can’t wait to see what they do next year. This year Spanaway held the Inboard Summer Nationals. Anyone who has been to Spanaway knows that TIRA puts on a great event, and this was a great weekend of racing, with a couple of East Coast teams making the trip west. In the 5 Litre class, Mike Grendell and his team made the trip with Patrick Haworth doing the driving duties. Add in Jeff Bernard and Jimmy Mauldin, and you had one of the fastest 5 Litre heats of the year. It was a great final; and in the end, it was Patrick winning the title. Congratulations to Patrick, Mike and the entire Bad Influence team! As another season comes to an end, we already need to start planning for next year. One of the most important keys to reversing our declining membership is better communication. The best way we can do this is by having really good class representatives. A good class rep can make or break a class. I know it’s a thankless job but someone needs to do it. The class in which you have invested so much time, money, and energy may just depend on it. The job requires constant communication with other members of the class. Simply posting a comment on Facebook asking racers where they plan on racing next year isn’t good enough. You need to write emails and make phone calls. It’s the only way to know what the rest of the class is doing so you can let the other teams and

race committees know. If you have any interest in being a class rep, please let your Commissioner or IRC Chairman know. Finally, as this year comes to an end, so does my time as Inboard Chairman. While there were certainly some challenges over the year, I was fortunate enough to have great support from the Commission and people who love the sport as much as I do. It has been an honor to serve as Chairman and I want to thank everyone for all their support. I look forward to seeing you all at the National Meeting! All the best.

2017 YAPACHINO MEMORIAL NATIONALS OWNER / BOAT # / PLACES / QUALIFYING / FINALS 5 LTR DOUG RAPP JIM MAULDIN HARRY CLACK JOHN REIFEL JOHN BOSSERMAN PATRICK BERTRAM

79 31 9 226 6 57

1 2 3 5 DNF 7

1 100 2 95 3 90 4 80 5 6 70

200 193 185 178 170 163

2.5 LTR STOCK CHRIS FANARIS AUSTIN EACRET JASON ASLAKSON NICK BONONCINI SHAWN WARREN

137 36 77 5 138

4 1 2 DNS 6

1 85 2 100 3 95 4 5 75

200 193 185 178 170

1 LTR TIMOTHY COLLINS JOHN CULVER BILL WALLACE

41 19 21

1 2 3

100 95 90

200 193 185

CRACKER BOX JOHN CANFIELD JULIAN RUCKI JULIAN RUCKI STEVEN OLSEN

5 99 28 6

DNF 2 1 DNS

1 2 95 3 100 4

200 193 185 178

SPORTSMAN ADVANCED BRION (LENNY) BAKER 78 2 DANIEL BEMENT 55 1 SHAWN WATERS 27 4

1 2 3

95 150 85

200 193 185

SPORTSMAN ENTRY BRANDON CUSHING 133 KEITH NELSON 12 ROGER DENNY 200 KIP BROWN 130 DAVE HOOKER 400 BILL STRAIN 156 MATT MATTSON 76

1 100 2 3 90 4 95 5 85 6 75 7 80

200 193 185 178 170 163 155

1 DNS 3 2 4 6 5

Above, Patrick Haworth driving the E-79 Bad Influence earlier this year at Cambridge, Maryland. Below, J Michael Kelly piloted Tim Collinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Y-1 to the Summer National title. F. Peirce Williams photos

Teamwork: the launch at the Wild Ones Regatta at Grass Lake, Michigan. F. Peirce Williams photo

STOCK OUTBOARD BY JEFF BREWSTER, STOCK OUTBOARD CHAIRMAN As our season quickly comes to a close, I am already planning for next year. Racing promotion with the purpose of attaining new members has come to the forefront once again. This year I believe the most success in promotion had to do with the effort to have a complete rig available for sale in the pits. At a race this fall, I set up an older, used hydro and a sealed 300SSH engine for sale that was purchased with funds provided by the Historical Society and our Stock Outboard Racing Commission. Surprisingly, by the end of the first day, I had four different people very interested. The following day, the man with the check in hand first took it home. 26

He had attended a driving school the weekend before and was ready to race! The importance of having available rigs for sale and the success of gaining a new member makes it very easy to create a new goal for next season. I hope to have a complete 300SSH rig available for sale at every Stock Outboard race. Will it be easy? Heck no, but if I can find some volunteers to help me, it can be successful. There are so many different forms of motorsports available to the public today. If we are the easiest to get intoâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; and sometimes the cheapestâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;we have most of the battle for new membership already won. If you have an available spot on your trailer and an interest in gaining new members, please let me know. If not, I can surely understand. Your efforts

can be simply within your club, helping with existing driving schools, mentoring a new driver or creating a driving school for the first time. Can you imagine if every race in the 2018 season hosted a driving school on Friday?...coupled with a rig for sale in the pits that can be taken home that same day? That is a recipe for success, my friends. Together we can achieve this goal and successfully grow our membership!

RACE IN PEACE PAUL GRICHAR

MARK JOHNSON

JEFF MINAR

Longtime Grand National racer Paul Grichar passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends, on August 30, 2017. Grich lived an incredible life. He was born to the late Leo and Catherine Grichar on Jan 14,1937 in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, but lived most of his life in West Covina, California. Grich was well known in the sport of powerboat racing. He had been inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions three times in 30+ years of racing, primarily in Inboard Endurance. He made his living as the owner and operator of Paul Grichar Racing Engines. Grich is survived by his wonderful wife Becky of 51 years, son Guy, sister-in-law Pat Ingoglia, many nieces and nephews, and his beloved German shorthair dogs Howie & Opah. A celebration of life was held at the Hurst Ranch in West Covina on October 28. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his favorite charities, the St. Jude Hospital for Children, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN 38105 or to your local Humane Society. — Published in San Gabriel Valley Tribune on Sept. 12, 2017. Teri Ziemer photo

Mark Louis Johnson, 55, of Grand Island NY, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2017, shortly after a diagnosis of lymphoma. Mark was born in Somers Point NJ, to Elsie and Bill Johnson. He graduated from Mainland Regional High School, class of 1979. Mark worked for many years as a Technician for Praxair Chemical Company in Niagara Falls, NY. He had a great passion for racing Inboard hydroplanes, and was several times National Champion and a 2-time APBA Hall of Champions inductee. Mark is predeceased by his mother Elsie Johnson, and survived by his father Bill Johnson (Barbara), his son Joshua Johnson, sister Peggy Rodriguez (Michael), fiancee Shari Shields, niece Alison Struzek (Tim), nephews Ahren Dennis, Tyler and Dalton Rodriguez, and great niece Paytyn Struzek. He is also survived by Jeremy Smith, whom Mark raised as a son. Donations in his memory may be made to Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263. Mark was a champion and is deeply missed. —Middleton-Stroble & Zale Funeral Home

Jeffery Randall Minar, 63, of Tukwila, Washington, passed away Sept. 9, 2017. He was a longtime crewmember with Ellstrom Racing, known for wearing scrubs while he worked on boats.

Below, images from Paul Grichar’s career. Grichar family photos

BILL PEARSON William Gordon Pearson Jr., 69, of Lakeville, Minnesota, was fatally injured at the Canadian Boating Federation’s Rideau Ferry Vintage August 19th while driving his vintage hydroplane Edelweiss GP-444. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth G. and William G. Pearson Sr. He is survived by his wife Gail; daughter Candice Pearson-Bloom (Earl Bloom); sons Mark (Christy) Moryn and Michael (Kari Peterson) Moryn; grandchildren Isaiah Matthews and Montana Moryn; sister Beverly (David) Bergman; and other loving relatives and friends, including his special companion Rascal. Memorials are suggested to The Shriners Children’s Hospital or BARK K-9 Rescue (PO Box 7262, St Paul, MN 55017) www.barkmn.org. —White Funeral Home JON STRUZEK Jon Struzek, 46, of Pottstown, Pa. passed away on Friday, September 15, 2017. He was born in Norristown, PA on April 20, 1971 and lived in Pottstown most of his life. He was a graduate of Spring-Ford Area High School, class of 1989. He was the president of Valley Forge Grinding Wheel of Bridgeport, Pa. Jon was an APBA member and avid hydroplane racer. Survivors include his wife Melissa Struzek, children Amber, Colin and Tia Struzek, all of Pottstown, PA; parents Walter & Camille (Polinski) Struzek, and brother Tim (Alison) Struzek. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Gift of Life, 401 North Third Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123. —Published in The Mercury on Sept. 19, 2017

Grand Prix action at the Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Hydrofest. Paul Kemiel photo

REGION ROUNDUP

REGION 1

Region 1 drivers embarked on quite the September racing schedule. Drivers could compete at four different Northeast race sites in 23 days. Lock Haven, Pa.; Standish, Maine; Redwood, New York and Kingston, New Hampshire all hosted races on consecutive weekends. Those taking on the challenge of maxing out their credit cards by traveling every weekend were: Billy Allen, Steve Noury, the David Woodle family, and the Akerstroms.

have open testing on Friday, so drivers can make those final adjustments to their equipment as the season rapidly winds down. All proceeds from the test session were donated to the Kiwanis. In addition, 47 tickets were sold for the Saturday evening meal put on by the Kiwanis. Each meal ticket included ten raffle tickets for the chance to win various prizes with a total value over $500.00. The ten winners selected their prizes at drivers

meeting on Sunday. By the time the SSOA bean counters were done, SSOA was in a position to give a check for $750 to the Kiwanis as an expression of our gratitude for providing the venue. Bruce Nichols again conducted the Friday driving School. Two of those students joined APBA for the weekend. Anya Lyons (AXH) and Chris Stager (300SSH) made their racing debuts on Saturday

First on the docket was the three-day Labor Day weekend in Lock Haven. Feature race of the event was the Dash for the Cash and, for the second consecutive year, it was Region 1â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Billy Allen taking home the big check. Our New England drivers also fared well in the J Hydro Class, winning all three days with three different drivers: David Woodle, Eli Campbell and Eden Deware. Other winners at the Lock were: Dave Woodle (JR), Eli Campbell (ASH), Pete Nichols (ASR), Bruce Nichols (25SSR) and Mike Akerstrom (CSR & 850ccMR). Also taking podium positions were Rachel Warnock 2nd - ASH and Mike Young 2nd - 25SSR. For just the second time in 15 years, South Shore Outboard was on the water at Standish, Maine for a fall event. This race was very reminiscent of the Damariscotta, Maine race held in September from the late 1960s until 1978. Bright sunshine, brisk air and a slight breeze made us all realize why New England in the Fall, especially in Maine, is so cherished. It has become a Standish tradition to 28

Reverend Dr. W. David Thomas accepting a Hurricane Relief Fund donation from Race Director Steve Noury. The donation was made on behalf of the South Shore Outboard Association in appreciation of the First Congregational Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support of the 10th Annual Kingston Fall Classic. SSOA drivers and families also donated over two dozen boxes of canned goods and paper products for the local food pantries.

and were given the green light by Referee Thompson to race with the pack on Sunday. 300SSH was the largest class of the weekend, and after seven previous Region 1 races, we had some repeat winners. Rookie driver Greg Hamilton kept the field in his roostertail Saturday with some nifty driving. On Sunday it was Jeff Sherwin, leading start to finish with a perfect start. Montreal, Canada’s Matt Latter made his first trip to the podium with a third place finish on Sunday. Surprise performance of the weekend was Eden Deware, with wins in both J Hydro and AXH on Sunday. Her breakthrough wins were even more impressive because she had to overcome late starts and work her way through the field. Also strong in J Classes: David Woodle’s wins in JR, AXH and AXR. Bobby Cronin was another multiple class winner on Saturday, taking first in 20SSH (second largest class of the weekend) and OSY400. On Sunday it was Jeff Sherwin taking the win in OSY400. We also had a newly re-lettered ASR answer the roll call on Saturday. After a 25-year visit to Cocoa, Florida, Pete and Donna Nichols have moved back North to Newport, New Hampshire. Pete is now campaigning 11-A on his Bennett ASR. This relocation will certainly add to the excitement in the Aged Stock Runabout (ASR) class, as veterans Billy Simmons and Bruce Nichols look forward to battling Pete on a regular basis in 2018. Standish Saturday Results: JR - David Woodle 1B, Quin Roberts 9A; JH - Eden Deware 9B, David Woodle 43B, Quin Roberts 9A; AXH - David Woodle 43B, Eden Deware 6B, Jack Lyons 6A; ASR - Billy Simmons 1J, Bruce Nichols 1B, Pete Nichols 11A; ASH - Erin Woodle 44B, Lily Deware 6B, Billy Allen 22B; CSR - Howie Nichols 4F, Mike Akerstrom 229A, Bill Forster 96D; CSH - Billy Allen 26A, Bob Howe 2A, Jeff Sherwin 229A; 25SSR - Tim Noury 33A, Bruce Nichols 2B; 20SSH Bobby Cronin 26A, Jeff Sherwin 229A, Joe O’Connor 82A; 300SSH - Greg Hamilton 77A, Jack Cavanaugh 24A, Jeff Sherwin 229A; OSY400 - Bobby Cronin 26A, Jeff Sherwin 229A, Joe O’Connor 82A Standish Sunday Results: JR - Eli Campbell 44B, David Woodle 1B, Quin Roberts 9A; JH - Eden Deware 9B, David Woodle 43B, Jack Lyons 6A; AXR - David Woodle 1B, Jack Lyons, Eli Campbell 9A; AXH - Eden Deware 6B, Davis Woodle 43B, Eli Campbell 42A; ASR Billy Simmons 1J, Pete Nichols 11A, Bruce Nichols 1B; ASH - Erin Woodle 44B, Eli Campbell 9A, Lily Deware 6B; CSR - Howie Nichols 4F, Bill Forster 96D, Tim Noury

33A; CSH - Billy Allen 26A, Bob Howe 2A, Jeff Sherwin 229A; 25SSR - Bruce Nichols 2B, Dylan Murray 27CE, Jack Cavanaugh 24A; 20SSH - Bobby Cronin 26A, Jeff Sherwin 229A, Bob Howe 2A; 300SSH - Jeff Sherwin 229A, Jack Cavanaugh 24A, Matt Latter 99CE; OSY400 - Jeff Sherwin 229A, Bobby Cronin 26A, Dave Jones D3; 125CCH - Bob Cronin A26, Jack Cavanaugh A1.

With just enough time to fill the tanks, it was off to way upstate New York for the 21st Annual Crystal Lake Regatta. Fishers Landing Racing Club again put together a great package; and with help from SSOA officials, the program ran like clockwork. The Saturday evening Boat Cruise was enjoyed by all who attended, and truly displayed the charm of the Thousand Islands Region. Those earning podium finishes from New England were: Billy Allen 1st - 20SSH, David Woodle 1st AXH, Mike Akerstrom 1st - 858ccMH, Jeff Sherwin 2nd - 300SSH and Steve Noury 3rd - CSR. Drivers and teams started arriving for the 10th Annual Kingston Fall Classic amid a street repaving project in front of the pits; but with the assistance of the Kingston Police Department, we were able to navigate the construction and settle in for a fantastic weekend of racing. With no wind and temperatures topping out in the high 80s, it was more like a midsummer event than a Fall Classic. The organizers again put tremendous effort into pre-race planning, and it paid off. With limited pit space, every square yard was utilized to park the race trailers to the convenience of all. After nine previous Classics, the course was somehow widened to take the dogleg out of the backstretch. Pre-race ceremonies kicked off with Reverend Dr. David Thomas’s eloquent invocation and blessing before the drivers, families and spectators. Sarah Jayne Howland then sang the National Anthem. Racing started promptly at noon, and three days of points racing were underway on challenging Greenwood Pond. Two days of points racing were run on Saturday, and the Top Gun once again was David Woodle. Davey ran eight classes on Saturday and brought home five wins, a second and a third. Also taking home five wins was Bobby Cronin in 20SSH, OSY400 and 125CCH. Woodle and Cronin each won two more races on Sunday. His seven weekend wins put Cronin in second place on the all-time Kingston win list with 26 total wins. On the

strength of his CSH wins both days, Billy Allen pushed his Kingston career wins to 36, the most by any driver. Mike Akerstrom and Rachel Warnock were also multiple winners on Saturday. And, two rookie drivers earned their first podium finishes: David Campbell and Anya Lyons finished second and third in AXH. The 300SSH class continues to grow, and was the top class with 10 entries. It also remains one of APBA’s most competitive classes, as we had three different winners over the three days of racing. On Saturday. Jack Cavanaugh won the first race, and defending SSOA Champion Jeff Sherwin won the second. Sunday was all about the Comeback Kid out of Mansfield, Massachusetts. After sitting out of racing for the past three years, Colleen Tweedy hopped into Jeff Brewster’s 59S and left the full field in her roostertail. It was in 2007 that Colleen showed up at Kingston after sitting out the five previous years of racing, and swept the ASH field all three days. This set her on her way to three SSOA Championships in the next five years. Are we prepared for a repeat? For the 5th consecutive year, Deb Howe organized the potluck supper in Mason Hall for a standingroom-only crowd, followed by an awards presentation for the two days of Saturday racing. Kingston Saturday Race #1: JR - David Woodle 1B, Quin Roberts 9A, Jack Lyons 23P; JH - David Woodle 43B, Jack lyons 6A, Eden Deware 6B; AXH - Eden Deware 6B, David Campbell 42A, Anya Lyons X; ASR - Pete Nichols 11A, Bruce Nichols 1B, Erin Woodle 44B; ASH Rachel Warnock 22B, Erin Woodle 44B, David Woodle 4B; CSR - Mike Akerstrom 229A, Howie Nichols 4F, Bill Forster 96D; CSH - Bob Howe 2A, Billy Allen 26A, Jeff Sherwin 229A; 25SSR - Mike Akerstrom 229A, Bruce Nichols 2B, Jack Cavanaugh 24A; 20SSH - Bobby Cronin 26A, Jeff Sherwin 229A, Bob Howe 2A; 300SSH - Jack Cavanaugh 24A, Jeff Hamilton 77A, Jeff Brewster 59S; OSY400 - Bobby Cronin 26A, Jeff Sherwin 229A, Bob Howe 2A; 125CCH - Bob Cronin A26, Dave Jones A1, Jack Cavanaugh 32; 175CCH - Dave Jones A1, Bob Cronin A26, Jack Cavanaugh 32. Kingston Saturday Race #2: JR - David Woodle 1B, Jack Lyons 23P, Quin Roberts; JH - David Woodle 43B, Eden Deware 6B, Jack Lyons 6A; AXH - David Woodle 43B, Eden Deware 6B, David Campbell 42A; ASR - Bruce Nichols 1B, Pete Nichols 11A, Erin Woodle 44B; ASH - Rachel Warnock 22B, David Woodle 4B, Erin Woodle 44B; CSR - Mike Akerstrom 229A, Michael Rorke 4CE, Bill Forster 96D; CSH - Billy Allen 26A, Bob Howe 2A, Joe

O’Connor 82A; 25SSR - Tim Noury 33A; 20SSH - Bobby Cronin 26A, Ken Terry 38N; 300SSH - Jeff Shewin 229A, Mike Akerstrom 13B, Chris Stager 86; OSY400 - Bobby Cronin 26A, Bob Howe 2A, Joe O’Connor 82A. Kingston Sunday: JR - David Woodle 1B, Quin Roberts 9A, Jack Lyons 23P; JH - David Woodle 43B, Eden Deware 6B, Jack Lyons 6A; AXH - Eli Campbell 42A, Jack Lyons 6A, Eden Deware 6B; ASR - Bruce Nichols 1B, Pete Nichols 11A, Erin Woodle 44B; ASH - Rachel Warnock 22B, Lily Deware 6B, Jack Lyons 6A; CSR - Mike Akerstrom 229A, Bill Forster 96D, Thom Noury 32A; CSH - Billy Allen 26A, Bob Howe 2A, Dave Breisacher 26P; 25SSR - Bruce Nichols 2B, Mike Akerstrom 229A, Jack Cavanaugh 24A; 20SSH - Bobby Cronin 26A, Bob Howe 2A, Nick Nowak 81B; 300SSH - Colleen Tweedy 59S, Jack Cavanaugh 24A, Erin Woodle 45A; OSY400 - Bobby Cronin 26A, Bob Howe 2A, Joe O’Connor 82A.

Drivers and families donated over two dozen boxes of canned goods and paper products to the Town of Kingston and the First Congregational Church food pantries. In addition, a collection was taken and a check was presented to the First Congregational Church to support their Hurricane Relief Fund to aid those affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Erma. It has been a whirlwind of a month. Until next issue - Speed Safely. —Lowell Hanson REGION 5

Hurricane season is not my favorite time of year ...that is putting it mildly. It is also racing season, so I do have mixed emotions...as long as those nasty tropical systems stay away! Usually projections for the year are made by the weather experts and very little happens. NOT THIS YEAR! The Ocean Cup was run on August 17th. Good weather prevailed, and that is fortunate, as the record run was from Key West to Cuba and back to Key West. Gene Stephens was in Key West and Fred Hauenstein was in Cuba. Five records were set by the Offshore Extreme equipment, sponsored by Lucas Oil. OK. Then the ugly weather started in our part of the world. We all saw what happened in Houston, Texas. Jeff and I have been through many hurricanes, but have never dealt with a flooding issue like Hurricane Harvey. It seemed to stay in the Gulf Coast area forever. Harvey subsequently caused the cancellation of the OPC 30

Nationals in Shreveport, Louisiana, as well as the SPORT event held annually in Orange, Texas. Since then, SPORT and Powerboat Superleague agreed to work together to add the F1 Class to the New Martinsville event in late September. Then Hurricane Irma headed through the southern Caribbean Islands and the Keys. We were hoping it would stay away from Florida, but that was not to be. By Sunday Jeff and I had put up the storm shutters and taken everything inside. That was a good thing, as Hurricane Irma came right through our county. The good news is we had no structural damage, but bad news was no power for 10 days—and that means no AC in 100-degree weather. It can sure make one appreciate those things you take for granted. My thanks to all the people who contacted us several times to be sure we were OK...sure reminds us of the wonderful friends we have in the racing family. As I am writing this article at the very end of September, we have just finished cleaning up the debris and downed trees—three weeks later. (And we are among the lucky ones.) Bill Johns notified Jeff this week that the Tavares Fall Thunder has been cancelled. This is a very popular Vintage Race Boat Regatta held in Tavares, Florida each November. Hurricane Irma struck again there, totally destroying the dock area at Wooten Park on Lake Dora. Bill said he would keep everyone informed, as repairs may take up to 18 months. He does hope to hold the Vintage event in the spring at this location. The Region 5 Annual Meeting is scheduled for October 22nd. We will all get together, count our blessings for getting through a tough summer, and plan for a better 2018. When stated that way, then I guess 10 days of no power and no AC isn’t really that bad L but it sure seemed so at the time. Thanks for listening. —Sally Titus REGION 6

Well, we’ve used up the 2017 racing season. The Region 6 Fall Meeting is in the books, and election results for commissioners and region officers are coming out soon. APBA BOD elections are complete, and the BOD has elected APBA President Howie Nichols and VP Chris Fairchild. Recognition needs to go to outgoing Prez Mark Wheeler for

his service to APBA, as well to Fred Hauenstein, outgoing VP. The Next Big Deal: getting ready for the APBA National Meeting in Chicago, with a number of seminars planned to offer some education and training for all of us. Your representatives and leaders can learn useful information and skills to bring back to the region. Check the APBA website for details, including scheduling. August and September got busy for racing in the region, mostly featuring Stock, MOD, and OPC outboards, with a successful Vintage meet at Wheeling, W. Va. and the APBA Gold Cup thrown into the mix! Weather held for most of these. Racing on the Ohio River, Detroit River, and inland Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky lakes was plentiful and competitive. North American Championships were earned in Pittsburg (Bob West – SST45), in Hillsdale (Brian Boyd – 850ccMR); PRO Divisionals in Hillsdale (Jack Campbell, and a trifecta for Justin Gibson); the President’s Cup, not contested by Unlimited Hydros since the 1960s, was awarded in Detroit on Saturday (Andrew Tate), while Sunday saw the APBA Gold Cup hoisted (Jimmy Shane)! Hot drivers lately include Terry Kerr (SO) in a couple classes including Marathon (grinning like the cat what ate the canary). In the Junior ranks, Nate Pittman, the Olsons (Cody and Cole), Karissa Mitchell, Maxwell Brabb and Kelsey Bennett are multi- winners, while Isabella Hearn, Nathan Kowalski, Noah Hicks, and Benjamin Brabb kept them honest! The Michigan doubleheader: Grass Lake and Hillsdale! Great racing weekend greeted the competitors, and I race-chased them both! Same day, finals in both sites! Stock Outboards in Grass Lake were getting it, heat after heat, no delays, just like clockwork! Ed Hearn, on the bully pulpit as pro-nouncer, tried to keep things moving, but the scorers really ran the show. They brooked no interference and no suggestions from said pulpit, and ran a tight ship! Budding referee Laura Wheeler kept an eye on all the racing, while Mark Wheeler educated this writer as to the success of the 300SSH class in building numbers with a spec engine premise (big class, competitive elimination heats and a consi, with S. Lisius

stopping the Kerr juggernaut in the final). Duke Johnson, at Hillsdale, had an eventful weekend, foregoing driving himself in order to keep an eye on this most picturesque racing site! Reminded me of Inboard races at Rocky Fork, driving around the lake and park to reach racing, fine viewing lines and comfortable, shaded pits. Plenty of competition, too, as the Mod and PRO drivers exercised the loud pedal! ThunderCats rounded out the show. The IRA and Duke get a round of ‘AttaGuys’ for their efforts! And YES! These sites are indeed about an hour apart. Grab the map, the roads are good, and race-chasin’ is fun! — Don (Eli) Whitney APBA Region 6 Chairman REGION 9

Calling All Region 9 Boat Racers: Trying to spread the word that we will have a combined NOPBA and Region 9 Meeting at Pier 21 Marine in Kenner on 5th November. Even if you are not a current member, please accept my invitation to come to the meeting and renew friendships. The RC boats have a great program going with Voodoo in Reserve. We have had the OPC Nationals in Shreveport. We have Vintage Inboards and an Unlimited hydro in the Region now. Stock, Mod and PRO Outboards are racing in Alexandria again. Region 9 is alive, and Boat Racing is alive too. It may not be what it once was, but what else is today? Let’s support each other and keep the faith. Looking forward to visiting with friends of boat racing on 5th November. Tell your friends and come visit. —Denver Ray Mut, Region 9 Chairman REGION 10

As I go to write this, it’s early October and our 2017 is wrapping up. Only one more event left on the water, and that’s our fall classic, Mahogany and Merlot on beautiful Lake Chelan. Featuring five Vintage Unlimited and over 20 Vintage Inboard entries, as well as a few Vintage outboards, this event is a real crowd pleaser, and is something that the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum and our Region 10 Vintage contingent can really hang their collective hat on. Here is Ron Morrison’s wrap on the Region 10 Vintage scene: “From July forward there has continued a solid

count of Vintage entries at the Region 10 Inboard regattas, with 15 at Black Lake, 9 at Pateros, 12 at Spanaway and 9 at Manson. For the upcoming Vintage-only Mahogany and Merlot Regatta at Lake Chelan (October 7-8), a projected 20 Vintage Inboard hydros will join the headliner Vintage Unlimiteds, along with other assorted people and equipment from boat racing’s past. M&M looks to be a great Vintage show, proving that in this region Vintage activity is alive and a strong part of APBA sanctioned boat racing. “The region’s Racing School has been a visible opportunity for some individuals to get the training and experience to drive a real race boat on a real race course. Vintage has been at it too, in its own way. The relaxed, safe Vintage format has allowed some first-timers (including ladies), and some old-timers as well, to get seat time on race water. And, several of these Vintage rides in Vintage heats have brought subsequent boat purchases. Hey, Vintage can sell boat racing too! “Looking ahead, the Vintage meeting will kick off the Region 10 Annual Meeting on Saturday morning, November 4th. This is it, a “be there or be square” get together for the Vintage faithful. All the Vintage news: the now and what’s coming, facts and theories, dirt and rumors, who’s in, who’s out. You’ll hear about possible new Vintage-only sites in the works for next year, about known boats going away and new ones getting right and ready. If you are about Region 10 Vintage, get it on your calendar!” Seattle Outboard Association wrapped up their successful season with three great events at Eatonville Washington’s Silver Lake, Burien’s Angle Lake, and closed the season out at Lake Lawrence near Yelm, Washington. Here’s what club Secretary Ana Cappelletti has to say about their fall season: “What a year! Great races, weather, water... Everyone should be happy and proud of the accomplishments of each race, team, volunteer and official to make a great 2017 season! “We left off last article with a couple of races left. “To start off, Eatonville was a great race. Ron and his crew did a great job! There were 40 people that went through the New Folks in Boats on Friday, and one person purchased a boat and

raced on Sunday! This is what it is all about... “The Novice C Champion this year was Makai Anderson. Also, our PRO winners were: KPRO- Mahkai Anderson 350- Jamie Nilsen 1100r- Zach Malhiot Service Runabout- Jamie Nilsen Service Hydro- Jim Nilsen 125- John Maroney 700R- Dwight Malhiot “Angle Lake was a couple of weeks later with Matt Yarno at the helm making sure that all was taken care of and that the race was another great success in its second year. The city and all involved are very excited, say nothing but good things about the race and can’t wait for the following year. It was also the Mod Divisionals, and here are the winners: Ken McMurphy- 500ccMH Kelly Hannon- 200ccMH Steve Bork- 750ccMH Daren Goehring- 850ccMH “Lawrence to follow for the last race of the season...and boy, was it a good one! There were six records set on the 1 mile record course: John Peeters- 125ccH, DSH, 20SSH Kyle Lewis- CSR, 25SSR Jason Williams- 750ccMH On Sunday, once again that’s how it goes when we get toward the end of the season. Mother Nature decided to come to play and we got blown off. Even so, we had a great race and no one can complain about that! “As the season comes to an end, we approach nominations for the club and region. At meetings and banquets we can reflect on the season that is in the books and look forward to next year. We as a club, are now focusing on our races for next year, but the big one is our Nationals in Moses Lake July 16-21, 2018.” Tacoma Inboard Racing Association hosted two highly successful races this year, one in Pateros, and the Inboard Summer Nationals at Spanaway, WA. Commodore Ana Cappelletti tells us how it was: “And, just like that…. It’s over! The 2017 season has come to a close. The challenges for our club this year came with holding the Western 31

Divisionals, along with the Nationals a month later. It was quite the task, but it was a success! I want to thank our race directors and their committees for making our races happen! We had some deck to deck racing at both events and we lucked out on weather...well, almost. “At Pateros, we had some great water on Saturday for our Western Divisionals, but Mother Nature had another idea on Sunday. With five heats left, the wind started to just blow. It didn’t stop (wait for it; yep, you got it right) until after we called the race. It was somewhat windy until after trophies were awarded. Glad that everyone was safe on and off the race course! “At Spanaway, we had a good turnout. We are thankful to those that travelled far and wide, including our Canadian friends. Congrats to all of our winners at both events. We give out two awards besides our Divisional and National trophies. At Pateros, we have the Terry Troxell Memorial award. This year’s recipient is Jason Aslakson. At Spanway our Yapachino Memorial Award recipient was Jeff Bernard. “Tacoma Inboard had a great year, and we are thankful to all that made it another great season! We are taking nominations for a couple of board positions,and those will be announced in the next article. “Our region meeting is coming up soon, so please come to the meeting to have your voice be heard, and enjoy the banquet that night! “ The Region 10 Inboard season concluded with a great Seattle Inboard event over at Manson, just up the road a piece from Lake Chelan. Here’s Jim Codling’s account of the event: “With the Manson regatta roaring to a finish for Seattle Inboard and race chairmen Julie Porter and John Walcker putting together a fast 2-day show, despite the wind it was finished at 5 PM Sunday evening. “A lot of family racing over the weekend featured outboards, inboards and some very fast OPC entries. The committee tried hard to keep the large crowd entertained. The Dodge family was there in force with Carol doing the flags, Chas the referee, and Russ doing the course. The Yarno family had Pat scoring, Matt as Risk Manager

and Duane doing setup and running his Vintage boat—so it really was a family event.

as the ballots and reservations go to different people and addresses!”

“Our friends and neighbors over there in Manson made up a large group of sponsors, and packed the front road street.

And that pretty much puts a wrap on our 2017 season, folks. Enjoy your offseasons, and we hope to see you at another race sometime!

“Jeff Bernard spanked the 2.5 class all weekend, and several different drivers pushed the Mauldins’ record-holding 5 Litre #31 to some very impressive victories all weekend. We saw our new guy, Steve Huff, win the final on Sunday. He beat the record holder, and Jeff Bernard’s new ride, as he drove around them on the outside of the 1-mile course (not an easy task).

—Patrick Gleason

“In the SE class, everyone was chasing the orange rocket of Keith Nelson most all weekend. SE class points leader Brandon Cushing was having some motor problems, and not winning the finals.

Region 12 is in trouble! We have not been a large region for many years and will continue to decline at the rate we are going. The problem is that we have two groups in competition for our racing members. If the two groups were cooperating it would be great, but they are not; and it is destructive to the sport. Some of you will blame APBA, but I was on the BOD when it was decided that the flatbottoms had to have capsules by a certain date. I voted for this, as another flatbottom driver had died at the previous Thanksgiving regatta, and it was happening way too often.

“The OPC fleet, headed up by Mike Maskall and Mike Nass, our local Formula 1 guys, blasted the course as Rick Adams brought the crew to the party, and the NOMA crew came to play. They also had a nice SC class which raced well all weekend with a couple of different winners. Seemed like Mike White was the class of the weekend, winning a couple of heats. “In the Stock classes the Marquard family (Trey) was tough on the kids in the small classes; a lot of different place positions moved around as they ran different classes. We saw Cayden Cole spank the field in J Hydro; and Ken Zahn, Tim Mattson and Trey, all running well, along with Alec Johnston showing his transom to the field a couple of different times. I was glad to see the youngsters at the event. “Last but not least, one ol’ racer did return and ran several boats in the vintage classes: Gordy Cole, a long time SIRA member, volunteered as race chairman, along with Jerry Kelson. They both pushed the Vintage group, which were a crowd favorite. Special thanks to both of these men along with all the other volunteers... It takes a village! “Next up are Region 10 elections and the upcoming banquet, this year under the direction of Seattle Drag and Ski, and Alex Harper as chairman. Be sure to read the directions carefully

REGION 12

I apologize for not writing about the race in San Diego, but when you don’t go it is hard to write about an event. We have not attended many events this year; it is the first time in some 60 years that I have not been racing.

Whatever the reason for the split, it has to be fixed somehow. It is confusing to everyone, and instead of picking one or the other group, some drivers are just staying home. It is even confusing to the officials. I understand that at San Diego a ruling in SST 45 was based on the Western Formula Lights rules, but this was an APBA race so APBA rules should have been used. I hope this gets some of you thinking. How do we fix this, and get our sport back on track? The first step will be for all of those interested in the sport to attend the upcoming region meeting in November. Here we can decide how we go forward. How do we get a spirit of cooperation going into the future? I sincerely hope that we can all get back on the right track and help our sport. The holidays are coming, and I hope all of you have a great season. I have been trying to get one of my granddaughters in a boat, but kids have so much to do now... Again, have a great holiday season. —Ernie Dawe

REMEMBER WHEN (L-R) Bill Schumacher with George Simon in 1995 at the Detroit Gold Cup race. Bill drove the MISS BARDAHL to two Gold Cup championships in 1967 and 1968. George Simon was the owner of MISS US 1, with driver Roy Duby breaking the world record of 200.419 MPH in 1962 at Guntersville, Alabama. Paul Kemiel photo

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