Propeller Magazine June 2012

Propeller Volume 67, Issue 5 // June 2012 apba-racing.com

Kent Narrows, Maryland

From Crab - Fest to Fine Dining

Pit Party

“The Ultimate Tailgate with Chef Barry�

“Grrrrr. rARf. rARf.” Translation, “Wear your life jacket, Champ!”

Brought to you by the National Safe Boating Council and those who nag love you.

safeboatingcampaign.com

Propeller // In this issue Volume 67, Issue 5 // June 2012

17640 E. Nine Mile Road, PO Box 377 Eastpointe MI 48021-0377 PHONE 586-773-9700 FAX 586-773-6490 EMAIL apbahq@apba-racing.com WEB: www.apba-racing.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR //Dan Wiener ACCOUNTING //Linda Likert MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR //Sabrina Haudek SANCTION/ HIGH //Cindy Minoletti POINTS COORDINATOR COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR //Ryan Berlin ASSOCIATE EDITOR/ WRITER //Joe Pas SR. ACCOUNT EVECUTIVE //Jamie Kirts DEVELOPMENT STAFF //Racquel Fakhouri

apbahq@apba-racing.com linda@apba-racing.com sabrina@apba-racing.com cindy@apba-racing.com rberlin@apba-racing.com jpas@apba-racing.com jkirts@apba-racing.com rfakhouri@apba-racing.com

2012 APBA OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT NATIONAL COMMISSIONER TREASURER SECRETARY LEGAL COUNSEL

//Mark Wheeler (12) wheeler@wmich.edu //Kristi Ellison(11-12) parroth222@aol.com //Charles Strang ROI15@comcast.net //Jose Mendana Jr. mendanaracing@gmail.com //Jean MacKay-Schwartz jean84c@earthlink.net //R. Steven Hearn(11-12) shearn@kcgov.com //J. David Augustine Sr.(12-13) patndave2@verizon.net //Ernie Dawe (12-13) dawecraftboats@aol.com //Chris Fairchild (11-12) chris@fairchildracing.com //Fred Hauenstein, Jr. (12-13) fhauenstein@new.rr.com //Dan Kanfoush (11-12) dankanfoush@yahoo.com //John F. Sharp (12-13) john.sharp@sbcglobal.net //Peggy Wendt (12-13) peggyprostock@aol.com //Donny Lick (Region Rep) donnyllick@comcast.net //Adam Allen (Category Rep) adamopcchair@gmail.com

COUNCIL-AT-LARGE: (12-15) Penny Anderson, Tammy Dawe, Alexander Jennings III, Mark Miskerik, Robert F. Moore, Jeff Titus, (10-13) Laurie Allen, Jeff Conant, Jean MacKay-Schwartz, Jack Meyer, William B. Walker, Rachel Warnock.

2012 RACING CATEGORY/COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN INBOARD //Mark Weber hydromark55@att.net INBOARD ENDURANCE //Ted Kolby ted@tedkolby.com JUNIOR CLASSES //Buddy Tennell btennell@bellsouth.net MODIFIED OUTBOARD //Tom Sutherland tls@wengco.com OPC //Adam Allen adamopcchair@gmail.com PRO //Steve Greaves sgreaves@portagebaysystems.com R/C MODEL //Brian Lepinski rcuhydronut@charter.net SLT //John F. Sharp john.sharp@sbcglobal.net STOCK OUTBOARD //Jeff Brewster Jeff_brewster_59s@yahoo.com UNLIMITED //Sam Cole boatracing@msn.com VINTAGE & HISTORIC //Butch Kropfeld thecarriageshop@fuse.net PROPELLERŠ 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 4 times yearly for $25.00 (U.S. & Canada); $55.00 (foreign) by APBA, 17640 East Nine Mile Road, PO Box 377, Eastpointe MI 48021-0377 Periodical postage paid at Eastpointe MI and additional mailing offices.

Postmaster: send address changes to APBA, P.O. Box 377, Eastpointe MI 48021-0377.

PIT PARTY

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Welcome to the cookout

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spotlight on:

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Fathers Day

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KENT NARROWS, MD Looking back:

BETTER KNOW YOUR FLAGS

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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DEPARTMENTS From The Editor: From The Top: Driving Digital Advancement

Plans to Find New Sponsors Heats Up

Make the Call APBA Grapevine Suited For Safety Category Corner Racing Calendar In Pictures...

Region Round Up

// FROM THE EDITOR /////////////////////////////////////////////

// F. PEIRCE WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY

From The Editor –JUNE 2012

// Ryan Berlin Communications Director

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Summer is a time for friends, family, lemonade, grilling, beaches and racing. As the summer season heats up so does the racing.

Synonymous with summer sporting events is tailgating and grilling. In this issue of Propeller learn how the pros do it with BBQ recipes from Char-Broil Chief Grilling Officer Chef Barry “CB” Martin. Martin will teach you how to properly care for your grill and transport your food. In addition to safe grilling tips, Martin will teach you how to make his famous sliders and a steak recipe that will open your eyes to a whole new side of grilling. Next read about the traditions of pit parties and how the drivers and fans properly celebrate before, during and after a race.

Mike, Mark and Steve Weber have multiple championships between them but find out what this family is doing to honor the men in their life who instilled their passion for boat racing. In a decade long journey Mark set out to find the original boat his dad Ray and grandfather Harold built with their bare hands. The boat is now being restored to its original condition and will be ran on the vintage circuit.

In Looking Back learn about the origins of the APBA and UIM flags and if you’re new to racing find out what all of the flags used during the races mean. 20 years ago Hurricane Andrew wreaked havoc in southeast Florida. One flag that once flew high about its home at Marine Stadium in Miami is expected to rise again.

The summer season is among us and temperatures will rise, so kick back with that tall glass of cold lemonade, fire up the grill and cook your dad the best steak he has ever had.

// FROM THE TOP ////////////////////////////////

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My boat racing hero

// LAURA WHEELER

My father and boat racing are not things you can separate. As a child one of my earliest memories is of me playing on the playground with my dad at a boat race in Burlington, WI. I first started helping my dad work on his racing stuff when I was about six or seven years-old. My job was to tell him when the end of the boat reached a certain point on the trailer when he was unloading it. A few years later, my duties increased and I started helping him launch his boat at the races.

I never wanted to race when I was in elementary school. That all changed when my dad and I went to the race in Big Rapids, Mich., when I was almost ten.

The next summer my uncle bought a boat for me to race and my dad and I went testing. I never felt like my dad wanted me to race, but he says he is amazed he hid it so well. Now, I am about to start my seventh season of boat racing.

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Fond Memories // LAURA WHEELER

I know that on Father’s Day, my dad will be thinking about his father. My Grandpa Vern started racing in the 1940s. My dad and uncle learned most of what they know about motors from him. Grandpa Vern’s racing career ended before I was born and didn’t come to very many races. But every year I knew him and my grandma would be at the race in Big Rapids. He died almost ten years ago and I know that both my dad and uncle miss him greatly.

To most of you, my dad is the APBA president, your fellow D Mod Hydro racer or the guy who threw your son out in A Hydro that one time. But to me he is my crew chief, the person who gives me more advice about racing than anyone else and, most importantly, he is someone I look up to. I hope that someday I can do as much for boat racing as he has. Happy Father’s Day, Dad!

The year my racing career began, my dad and I went to the Dayton Record Runs in Ohio. My dad was refereeing, along with racing two classes, and I was racing one class.

If you have ever been to the race at Dayton then you know that Chief Referee Edward Hearn starts the drivers meeting promptly at 8 a.m., not 8:01 a.m. or 8:02 a.m. but 8 a.m. sharp.

My dad was worried about getting all the boats set up before the drivers meeting began. We got up really early and drove the five minutes to the race site. When we got to the pits, it was still pitch-black out. So, we sat for 20 minutes in the dark until the sun started to come up—20 minutes that I could have been sleeping!

I’m very lucky to have two father figures in my life. My uncle has done so much for me. He has loaned me boats and motors over the years. He is the one who fixes all the things my dad can’t.

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Pit Part // Joe Pas, Associate Editor/ Writer

The social rite of tailgating when consuming copious amounts of grilled food and great times among friends becomes something of an American past time during many occasions.

Likewise, the amorous art of the pit party and community get-together is also a long-standing tradition for drivers and fans of the American Power Boat Association. Just as there are dozens of different regattas in any given year there are just as many different traditions for each venue.

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“It’s common in each race site to have its own tradition before or after the race,” said veteran PRO driver Dwight Malhiot.

“Let’s say it’s after a normal race and it’s Saturday night, well everyone knows where to go at each venue.”

In Bremerton, Wash., Malhiot’s hometown, the end of the race means a trip to his friend’s bar for food, libations and conversations.

and to put a face to the name of people who race all over the country,” Malhiot said of the “over 20-year old” tradition.

Meant for his Vintage brethren, there was In his experience, the Drivers’ Party began just far too much food so he decided to in a local hotel and continued to grow share the wealth of good eats. from there. Now, more than 100 people will attend, bringing chairs down to the “I walked around and invited the entire race pit area with paper plate in hand on the site to supper. On Saturday (the next night), Wednesday night before the weekend start. the Pit Party had a large crawfish boil with Gallons of chili will be consumed and one crawfish, corn and potatoes, fried catfish gentleman, according to Malhiot, has and hush puppies,” Marshall said. “We eat, become renowned for his gas powered drink and have a good time. We tell stories mixer-created Mudslide drinks. of races years ago and always have a good time.” “(The Party) lasts until the beer runs out |or when you get tired. It’s a great time,” The Saturday open-air event has become Malhiot said. very popular in the area, he said, so much so

“I don’t care if it’s the midwest, east coast, west coast, we all will talk about the day of racing, the good and bad, whether it’s In Morgan City, La., Jay Marshall, a around a fire, in a bar or tossing bean bags,” Vintage racing enthusiast who grew up Malhiot said. watching his uncle race hydroplanes, described a similar scene. In 2009, when The best part of any pre- or post-party is the city’s powerboat association invited the camaraderie, according to Malhiot. In Vintage boats to participate in the Easter particular, the PRO Nationals in De Pue, Divisional Championships, he put on his Ill. is home to the “Drivers’ Party” or an best show from the kitchen.

“East Meets West.” When east meets west drivers from all over the country come to the highly anticipated meetand-great.

“Sometimes it’s the only time you get to see people. It’s a really good way to mingle

cheese which is a Cajun pate’ with crackers, fresh French bread and about eight bundt cakes,” he said.

On the menu: “I prepared a large pot of crawfish etouffee, some dirty rice which is rice fixed with a pork meat dressing, Cajun link sausage, boudin, which is a rice dressing in a sausage casing, nice and spicy, Hog Head

that a Morgan City man, with no apparent affiliation with racing, donated $1,000 just for an invitation to the pits.

While wind sometimes plays havoc with the races, themselves, there’s a Louisiana motto that Marshall appears to take to heart in the event of canceled events: “You may go away mad, but you will not go away hungry,” he said.

To the people with filled bellies at the Morgan City race site, truer words may never be spoken again – until the next year.

THE REVEREND No longer lost in the reverie of a pit party or ceremony is the anonymity of a newlywed racing couple. That’s because the sight of PRO veteran Dwight Malhiot in his plaid jacket, with “Mickey” drinking cup in tow, has become an all too familiar sight for many racing families all over the country.

“I marry people at races,” Malhiot said.

For about 10 years, he has given his own version of the marriage vows or renewals

to newlyweds and longtime spouses, sometimes right in the pit area. Usually, a family member will tip off Malhiot that a marriage took place outside the racing “extended family.” To make up for the unsuspecting couple’s oversight, he performs the ceremony including the signing of a marriage certificate.

And his title? Reverend Master Tech of Our Lady of Used Cars and Trailer Sales – of course.

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Welcome to the Cook // CHEF Barry ‘CB’ Martin

“Over the years my go-to become the Big easy Smo When I am cooking a meal on location meaning away from the comforts of home and my indoor kitchen – I think of convenience and food safety. Convenience is prepping the food and supplies so they are easy to access and require little effort on site. Safety is about keeping the food under 40°F while in transit and storage before use, maintaining cleanliness when cooking, serving and proper clean up so the next cook is just as easy and safe.

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kout

o cooker has oker�

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First I plan for the cooker, or grill. It has to be compact so I can carry it to the location in my rig, be easy to operate and maintain and, most of all, be versatile enough so I can cook all the meals on it. That’s a big order for most cookers; camp stoves can be small and easy to pack but are pretty much limited to frying or boiling. Camp ovens are also a one-purpose cooker. Grills tend to be too large to haul around or usually too small to be cooking for a serious group of hungry folks.

For simple ease of use tailgating, camping or lake-side at a picnic the Grill2Go Ice is perfect. It has food storage containers, transports like one of those slick carryon pieces of baggage with a telescoping handle and wheels AND it cooks like a sun-of-a-gun with high heat for grilling steaks and low heat for slow cooking roasts.

Over the years my go-to cooker has become the Big Easy Smoker, Roaster & Grill because it can do all three of those methods and it’s low maintenance cooking. I’ve prepared a 20-pound turkey, a 15-pound standing rib beef roast and hundreds of chicken wings and drumsticks in this cooker. I’ve also grilled burgers for groups of up-to 25 hungry teenagers (OK it was in shifts!) on the ultra-hot grates.

The second part of planning any outdoor cook is food safety because it pretty much dictates the menu. Beef and pork are easy to prep and can be kept near freezing prior to cooking. Fish, if freshly caught on location, is a tasty meal – but keeping it cold during the transport or having a meal dependent upon catching it can be problematic. Chicken is easy to cook but always a problem regarding proper storage

to prevent cross contamination in a field kitchen situation.

I prepare meals in batches and serving quantities – using plastic containers for the meals and sealable plastic bags for individual servings. I plan for no leftovers and no storage problems and choose containers than can be re-used and/or easily packed for proper disposal. I keep raw meat away from other foods and eating surfaces to ensure the day, weekend or week is not interrupted by a trip to the emergency room.

Ok enough about what I cook on and how to plan – let’s eat! Here are some recipes I’ve prepared on location – all of which can certainly be prepared on your favorite grill or outdoor cooker. I just like to “dance with the one that brung me!” You can stay in touch with Barry on his new Facebook Page: “Grilling with Barry CB Martin”

CB’s EZ Grilled NY Strip Steak Ingredients

2 (8 oz) New York Strip Steaks (1 inch thick) Sea Salt or Kosher Salt Freshly ground black pepper

Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Yield: 2 servings

Instructions

1. Remove steaks from packaging and dry off with paper towels.

2. Lightly season both sides with a pinch of good salt & freshly ground pepper.

3. Rest for 30 minutes

4. Place steaks on the preheated HOT (450ºF - 650ºF) grill for approximately 3 minutes per side to make sear marks - using tongs to turn.

5. Depending upon thickness of the steaks and your desired doneness you may also rotate the steaks about 90º to form cross- hatch sear marks.

6. Check for doneness using an instant read thermometer (130ºF for Rare)

7. Remove steaks from grill and allow to rest for at least 2 minutes on a warm plate or platter(they will continue to cook from internal heat and raise to approximately 140ºF internal temperature for Medium Rare).

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CB’s Sliders These sliders are easy to make and you don’t have to mess around with all of those little tiny burgers!

Kids love em and they make great finger food for parties.

Instructions

Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes Yield: 20 servings Serving Size: 4 per person Ingredients

1 Pound Ground Chuck 20 Dinner Rolls American Cheese (or other favorite), sliced into 20 1-inch squares Canola Oil Spray 1/2 Teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 Teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 Teaspoon course salt 1/4 Teaspoon cumin Butter pickles Sliced cherry tomatoes Mayonnaise Ketchup Mustard Relish

1. Combine dry seasoning ingredients in a small bowl.

2. In a large bowl, add the meat; sprinkle with the dry seasoning mixture and incorporate gently, making sure not to overwork the meat.

3. Place the meat mixture in the center of a sheet pan that has been lined with parchment paper or foil

11. Remove the meat from the refrigerator, and discard the plastic wrap.

12. Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut meat into 20 2x2-inch squares.

13. Use pan or the griddle portion of your grill to cook the onions until lightly browned.

14. Remove onions from the heat and set aside.

4. Loosely cover meat with plastic wrap.

15. Place foil packet containing rolls over indirect heat, to warm.

7. Gently press the halves together, and re-cover with the plastic wrap.

18. Close the grill lid to melt the cheese.

5. Using a rolling pin or bottle, roll out the 16. Add meat patties to grill and cook meat until it covers the surface of the approximately 3 minutes per side, pan and is about 1/4 inch thick. turning once.

6. Using the parchment paper, lift the 17. After turning the patties, top each meat, and fold it in half lengthwise. with one square of cheese.

8. Refrigerate meant for at least 20 minutes to chill.

9. Slice each dinner roll in half, and arrange rolls on a large square of foil; loosely wrap and seal.

10. Preheat the grill to medium.

19. Place bottom halves of warmed buns on a serving plate and using a spatula and tongs, remove cooked patties from the grill and place one on each of the buns.

20. Top with a teaspoon of grilled onions and the other half of the bun.

21. Serve with condiments.

// Driving Digital Advantage /////////////////////////////////////////////

Plans to Find New Spo >

Monthly Update from Crown

The last six months has provided the APBA with a number of new initiatives and technologies aimed at making the membership experience better. These include an updated Web site and magazine, a new social community and renewed energy around social technologies and digital communication. As exciting and engaging as these initiatives are, the APBA’s digital transformation is not about these things… at least not individually.

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Launching new initiatives and new technologies is not without its own hiccups… and we’ve worked through a number of those. But changing course for the APBA is tied up in much more than a flashy site or trending discussions.

It’s about building a unified Association that can influence growth because each racing team, category and region are stronger together, rather than attempting to build the sport on its own.

You can probably imagine that we receive a lot of feedback on how to make the current initiatives even better. You might be wondering how the group evaluates what should get done right away and what can be modified at a later date. The team has a lens it is using to make those decisions. In fact, it’s tied up in a goal the team is working toward for the 2013

onsors Heat Up Racing Season:

Develop the tools that will allow the APBA to find and secure $100K in sponsorship.

• Beginning to reach out beyond the

APBA current membership • Improving the merchandising strategy • Understanding member demographics that potential sponsors will require • Development of additional landing pages and campaigns to attract boat enthusiasts not yet with the Association

This is a pretty big goal. Truth be told it took the group a while to even believe that it was actually possible. And while we may not achieve it, our efforts are going to And the list goes on… drive us toward paving the best course to make it a reality. With this as our objective, As the summer heats up, the efforts to get Crown and APBA will assess the strategic the word out to new members and likely work needing to be done through a lens sponsorship partners will be heating up that helps us determine if a requested too. We’ll be working to create an change will help us achieve significant environment that is attractive to potential sponsorship revenue or not. sponsors. They are sure to want: • Recognition for their brand The team has a list of no less than 50 • Access to desired clientele significant items that are needed to achieve such a lofty goal. This list includes • An ability to edge out one of their competitors for awareness items such as: • A seamless online and offline • Increasing the number of people who experience visit APBA online sites • Ability to engage in a live sports • Increasing the current number of environment advertisers

So why does all this matter to you?

Engaging with the new online channels and promoting them with other members and non-members will be necessary to prove that the Association is motivated and active and worth an investment of sponsorship money. So definitely keep the feedback coming and when you submit ideas or contribute thoughts remember the lens that decisions are being made through and help show how your idea will be a positive modification to grow future revenue.

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// SPOTLIGHT ON /////////////////////////////////////////////

Spotlight on:

Kent Narrows, Maryland

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Hard shell crab, soft shell crab, crab cakes, crab salad and crab puffs are all different ways you can order your crab while you are in Maryland at Kent Narrows, in Queen Anne’s County, for the 22nd annual Thunder on the narrows.

Whether you’re in the mood for fine dining or just a plain old crab-feast Kent Narrows has the place for you. An abundance of restaurants are located right in the narrows.

Bridges Restaurant-Bar-Dock, open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, offers fine dining with a fantastic view of the Chesapeake Bay. Bridges was nominated in 2010 as the best new restaurant by the Restaurant Association of Maryland.

No matter if you’re looking for pizza, salads, small plates, gourmet sandwiches or a creative dinner entrée, Bridges has what you’re looking for.

For something a little more laid-back, relaxed and Florida-esqe, head over to the Big Owl Tiki Bar for some crab and their famous summer cocktail, the Orange Crush.

After you’ve had your fill of how-you-likeit crab and you’ve tossed back a couple of Orange Crushes, burn off the extra calories with some kayaking or some biking.

Enjoy a peaceful, scenic bike ride through one of Queen Anne’s County’s four state parks. With over 5,300 acres of land, plus a 60-acre lake for fishing and boating, QAC’s parks are a great place to enjoy your downtime between or after races.

When you’re ready to kick your feet up from all the running around you’ve down make sure to book your lodging accommodations at one of the many hotels or bed and breakfasts in Queen Anne’s County.

Enjoy a cozy, quiet stay at The Manor House or the Claddaugh Farm Bed & Breakfast. For more lodging you can choose from a Holiday Inn, Best Western or Hilton.

Kent Narrows it a quiet, peaceful cozy area but when the boats roll into town the thunder begin to roll. Filling both

Saturday and Sunday will be Inboard, vintage and Junior races. Hogg Bay will be marked with a one and a quartermile course.

Drivers in the eight different Inboard classes, as well as the Vintage drivers, will complete four laps for a five mile total while the Juniors will only complete three laps for a nearly four mile drive.

With all the excitement of the races retiring to your hotel for some much needed R & R would only make sense.

After you’ve had your power nap and rested up after a full day of excitement out on the water and in the parks, make sure to head over to the 31st annual Bay Music Festival at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H park.

Beginning Saturday, June 9 at 3 p.m., the festival will feature music from several of the region’s best artists from blue grass, rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly. There will be plenty of food, drinks and fun for the entire family.

///////// Pack a bag and find your way

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// MAKE THE CALL /////////////////////////////////////////////

You Make the Call

“Sir, I’m gonna need you to step out of the boat and swim a straight line.” - Burl Keating this month’s photo:

“your caption goes here” SUBMIT

/////// WIN AN APBA PRIZE PACK // 14

A MONTHLY CAPTION CONTEST Have you noticed that our Association is full of clever and witty people? Hey, let’s just say it… we have more than a few wise guys and smart alecs. Well, here’s your chance to put those skills to good use. Not only will you get recognition for your special “talent”… if your caption is deemed to be the funniest, it will be featured in next month’s Propeller, and just might win a prize.

Click on this month’s image to go to the Social Community and begin submitting your witty captions. You can also upload your own images that might be featured in an upcoming You Make the Call caption contest!

Remember that we’re a family organization… so please keep it clean.

// APBA GRAPEVINE //////////////////////////////

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apba community Ever wonder just how your friends knew? Bet they heard it through the grapevine… Here’s just some of what you may have missed if you haven’t checked in on the APBA Social Community:

APBA Website - Your Help Needed!

Greenwood lake

2012 Stock/J Grass Lake Nationals - Info

///getting social // 15

Fathers Day

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Inspired to race by their father and grandfather, Mike, Mark and Steve Weber have multiple racing titles between them and their biggest inspirations never got the chance to see them win.

“I lost my dad when I was 26. He never saw me win a championship, let alone 11 of them. The boat that began my brother’s and my career was launched 60 to 90 days after my dad died,” Mark said.

Some of the earliest memories the Weber’s have of their father (Ray), who passed away in 1989, and grandfather (Harold), is watching them hand craft a hydroplane, “Mom’s Worry.” For Mark, the earliest memory he has of Mom’s Worry is when it was sold.

“I have only one visual memory of the boat, and that’s when it was sold. I did not understand why my dad would want to sell such a cool thing, of course I was only six years old,” Mark said.

Mom’s Worry was originally built in 1963.

Harold, Ray and Mark’s uncle Dick spent many, many hours out in their garage crafting the machine.

Ray raced Mom’s Worry for three or four years and then, throughout the years, it was “sold and raced, sold and raced and sold and raced,” Mark said.

With the hours of labor and blood, sweat and tears that went into Mom’s Worry, and the popularity of the Vintage Category, Mark took it upon himself to track down the Weber Family boat and buy it and restore to its original condition.

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Able to track it down, every six months for three years, Mark inquired about the sale of the boat. Finally one day the owner agreed to sell.

“I basically bought some frames and hardware, that is all that was left of the boat,” Mark said.

After nearly eight months of work by Scott Liddycoat, Mark has had the boat in his possession for nearly three years, and he is in the slow process of fully restoring it to its original form.

“Everyone is excited about it. I have established a rule, written by me that cannot be changed; every sibling has to drive the boat and, of course, nieces and nephews have to drive the boat also,” Mark said.

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“As I got the boat it clearly became more emotional. I go out in the garage and to work on the same boat that your father and grandfather worked on. … Sometimes I just find myself looking at the boat and I go back in time. It would be disrespectful for me not to run this boat,” Mark said.

Mark’s older sister Sandy said, “It’s really neat how Mark found the boat and it’s looking just like my dad had it.”

Sandy has never been behind the wheel of a boat but she is looking forward to sitting in the cockpit where her dad once manned the wheel.

“I have always wondered why my brothers do this stuff. I am only worried about the engine, but I was told that I can’t hurt it.”

A lot of work has gone into restoring Mom’s Worry and all of the Weber’s are excited to see her ride again.

“The boat is almost 50 years-old and to know that they built a boat that is still in one piece, it needed a lot of work but structurally it was there. Obviously they built a pretty sound boat,” oldest brother Mike said.

“To know that a part of my grandfather and my dad is getting put back on the water, it’s all pretty cool and we’re excited to see it run. To look at the ways they put things together, it’s not only being a part of what they did 50 years ago, to redo it and try to put it back the way it was. …

It’s special to know that dad and grandpa 50 years ago were doing this exact same thing.”

Mark originally purchased the boat and wanted to restore it for the history of the Weber family. As he continued to work on it became a lot more emotional for him.

When Mom’s Worry is finally completed and being towed on its original trailer with white-wall tires and launched into the water, Mark knew right away that there is only one person who would be first to sit behind the wheel.

Getting the keys first will be eldest brother Mike.

“He made me a national champion in the boat that he built in his garage and I am going to throw him the keys at the lake for the first ride. He’s the oldest brother and I am just paying my respect to him,” Mark said.

To this, Mike said, “It doesn’t matter who drives it first. It is going to be special no matter who drives it where, when or how.

My dad and grandfather died before Mark, Steve and I reached the levels that we did ,and it would have been cool for them to be there for that. So, they are living on through this project and a lot of the things we do. Father’s Day will always be special.”

With the fourth generation of Weber’s carrying on the family racing tradition, it is hoped that they will look after the family heirloom.

“This boat will never be sold, ever. If my nieces and nephews do not want to continue and maintain it then we will donate it to a museum,” Mark said. “It will never be sold.”

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// Looking back /////////////////////////////////////////////

better know /////your flags There are many ways to convey a thought, an emotion or an action.

Regional cues in body language, for instance, can sometimes tell a lot about a person.

On June 14, 1777 the United States of America adopted its first rendition of the stars and stripes sewn by Betsy Ross. Celebrated every year since then the country recognized the institution of the young nation’s new symbol. Nearly 140 years later, 28th President Woodrow Wilson made Flag Day an official holiday.

In racing, with exceptions by country and sport, the flag is a universal language that gives direction without need for voice or sign. In the APBA, it’s time you found out what exactly each flag used during a race entails.

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RACING FLAGS:

Green Flag: Time between five-minute and one-minute guns, and while race is underway, with the exception of the last lap.

White Flag: Time between one-minute gun and start, and signifying leader has started last lap.

Red Flag: Competition is stopped. Slow down.

Yellow Flag: Problems on the race course.

Continue with caution or hold position.

Black Flag: Return to pits. Do not leave pits.

Checkered Flag: Finish. Finitio. Fin. UIM FLAG:

The international governing body of all powerboat racing, the Union Internationale Motonautique is the guiding light for all national authorities.

Its flag dons a large red cross in fore of a

white background with an encircled red propeller at its center. The meaning, while nothing emotional, according to UIM expert Charlie Strang, it’s a symbol for a stamp of approval for the best powerboat racing in the world.

APBA FLAG:

More than a century ago the American Power Boat Association began with the intent to provide boating enthusiasts with the opportunity to enjoy their craft.

Representing the APBA was a blue flag with a red propeller blade that said APBA and 16 stars circling the blade.

“When the APBA was established in 1903, I think they established a flag or a logo.

That lasted for a good many of years until we (redesigned) it for more media recognition,” past APBA president and current APBA Historical Society treasurer Stan Fitts said.

“We like to stick with the blue because of

propeller

water and the red because it was an outstanding color. We didn’t reinvent the wheel as far as colors go. I think it was more to have it photo friendly.”

Over the years the APBA has had a few variations of flags, each redesigned to give the organization more attention.

“The original flag lasted a long, long time and in the last ‘70s is when we were working on name recognition, Fitts said.

“We want something that will show the person looking at it what it is.”

MARINE STADIUM FLAG:

For nearly 30 years the city of Miami and Marine Stadium were represented by a flag that once flew high above the now condemned structure.

Opened in 1963, Marine Stadium was deemed unsafe in 1992 after Hurricane Andrew came through and wreaked havoc in southern Florida.

“The city of Miami deemed it was unsafe

to continue operating so they shut it down.

The very last event there was Unlimited Hydroplane in June of ’92,”Friends of Marine Miami Stadium treasurer and current APBA treasurer Jose Mendana said. “Ever since then the stadium has been closed, until about three years ago when (our group) began a push to save the stadium.”

There is no structural damage to the once glorious stadium and Marine Stadium is currently in the process of being restored.

The 6,566 seat stadium will be hosting boat races and other events in the near future. The flag that once symbolized all of Miami will, one day soon, fly again.

building, Hilario Candela, as well as Donald Worth and George Hernandez, Mendana is excited to be part of the rebuilding process and he is looking forward to what the future holds for Marine Stadium.

“This is humbling and an honor for me to take part in something that I idolized as a kid,” he said. “When it opens again I will feel good in that I had a hand in the work to bring it back and my dream goal is to actually drive my boat in there and someday that will happen.”

“That flag symbolizes a unique architectural work…It is the only one of its kind in the world,” Mendana said. “(When people see that flag) they are going to think of history that is an iconic part of Miami and everybody has a memory of that stadium.”

Working with the original architect of the

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>

$500

By the Numbers…

For the APBA, summer means finally going outdoors and getting to the water. So as we trek into the hottest months of the year, with images of grilled hotdogs and checkered flags dancing in our heads, let’s look at some facts for the season.

79% Men dominate the tailgate, as nearly 8 in 10 party-goers own the Y chromosome.

4,000,000 A 2001 survey by Weber Grill reported that number of portable grills purchased by owners with the intention of using them for tailgating.

15

30%

The average amount a person who tailgates will spend per year on food, beverages and other amenities.

The purchasing price of the Solo Cup Company by a Mason, this year. Despite the red Solo Cup’s renowned presence at the tailgate, it was reported that the company has $700 million in debt.

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The FDA recommends the use of SPF 15-rated sun screens for daily use. While SPF 30 is suggested for extended bouts outside, you’ll want to target water-proof applications as more important when going out on the water.

>

300 Million

The yearly average of meat eaten in lbs. per American.

The most popular meat was poultry at 114 pounds per person. America, as a country, was second, only to Luxembourg.

20,000,000 The approximate amount of hours spent tailgating this year.

the percentage of people who party before an event but never actually attend it.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

1869

Football reins supreme in the storied history of “the parking lot picnic.” So, many observers of the very first football game held in the Ivy Leagues believe the very first tailgate was held in 1869. There are many theories, however, to the actual “first” tailgate.

> >

// SUITED FOR SAFETY ///////////////////////////

propeller

Suited for safety With racing season in full swing, and the first day of summer right around the corner, it’s important for racers to remember to stay properly hydrated.

Racers of all categories wear a lot of different safety gear that is heavy and hot: helmets, fire-proof suits, Kevlar and not to mention those who race in a capsule.

When temperatures rise, water is your best friend.

“Any break when a drive can replenish, if there is an opportunity to drink every 30 to 45 minutes that would be excellent,” said Dr. Joel Kahn, medical director of preventive cardiology at the Detroit Medical Center and professor of medicine at Wayne State University.

“Other than fat the next most common component of your brain is water.

Dehydration can affect the function of your brain and cause headaches. It also might impair your reflexes and in a (boat racing) situation that would be rather serious.”

When dehydration becomes an issue it can affect many of a person’s major organs, which is why it’s imperative to stay hydrated.

Dr. Kahn suggested that one of the best ways to stay properly hydrated is to drink plenty of water before a race starts.

“There should be a lot of pre-hydration, drink a lot of water and some water with electrolytes, like Gatorade. Gatorade isn’t a good daily drink for most people, but when you’re sweating a sizeable amount of volume I think Gatorade and electrolytes might make some sense,” Kahn said.

Drinking water and Gatorade could prove to be very helpful in preventing dehydration, which could lead to the hemoconcentrating of a person’s blood.

With less water, his or her red blood cell count increases and could lead to an increased risk of blood clots, Kahn explained.

“If there is some equivalent of a Camelbak where drivers could drink while they are racing, that would be great,” Kahn said.

“You want to avoid things that dehydrate like alcohol and caffeine products that would cause you to urinate more.

“You don’t want to do anything that would lead you to (getting) into a boat dehydrated and then getting into trouble.”

Drinking a few liters of water an hour or two before the race starts would be optimal, according to Kahn.

So, remember to avoid alcohol, caffeine, energy drinks, but drink plenty of water to protect yourself and the other drivers around you.

////////////// // F. PEIRCE WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY

// 21

Silver Lake Castle Rock With the exception of a few snowbirds that headed south for Stock Divisionals in Arizona, Silver Lake near Castle Rock, Wash. served as the lid-lifter for Region 10 outboarders on the weekend of May 5. In the Northwest, one has to be more specific about which Silver Lake, as you can’t throw a rock without hitting one there are three on our schedule this season.

This particular body of water, while long a testing site for southern Washington/ northern Oregon racers, was hosting its first competition. After the usual site for the regions first race fell through, race director Kyle Bahl pulled the new site from his helmet and, with his race committee, put on a successful event with more than 80 entries each day. The steep ramp and small launch zone were a challenge, but using dock starts for larger

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classes and the gentle encouragement of Rick Hannon and his bullhorn kept the program moving.

Saturday started wet and muddy, a continuing theme for the day. In Stock, Mike Perman made a cameo appearance from his airline gig to win 25ssr. Jerzee Holman took 20ssh. ASH went to Colin Rucker, and Bahl won both CSH and CSR. The Junior classes saw Rucker win AXH, and Daniel Korpe AXR; while JH went to Ryan Gowin. Mod category winners were Daren Goehring in 500ccMH and 850ccMH, and Jason Williams in 750ccMH. OSY 400 enjoyed its last weekend with no weight, and Erik Bender was the Saturday winner. Ken McMurphy won the local Novice C class.

Sunday dawned cool and foggy and the

// Mike Johnson

bones that only recently re-warmed began to chill again. But the sun soon appeared and racers were treated to blue skies, warm temperatures, and a gorgeous view of Mt. St. Helens in turn two. Repeat winners included Holman in 20ss, Bahl in CSR, Goehring in 500ccMH, Gowin in JH, and Williams in 750ccMH. Kyle Lewis took CSH, Aaron Peterson ASH, and Kyle Hannon 25ssr. Olivia Valentine prevailed in AXR, Dave Anderson in DSH, Holman in OSY, and Ron Magnuson in Novice C. Next stop for Region 10 outboards is Moses Lake the weekend of May 19, where selected classes will turn the big wheels in the thin air on a mile and a quarter records course with the Inboards.

Propeller

// Category corner /////////////////////////////////////////////

>

Category corner // F. PEIRCE WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY

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>

Propeller

// Jill Barnhill

modified Outboard >

// Thomas Sutherland, Modified Outboard Chairman

Tabor City, N.C. was again the site of this years Modified Winter Nationals. The weather was up and down all weekend, but the racing was top notch. Winter Nationals champions were crowned in all classes except for 250ccMR and 400ccMH.

Abby Pond took time out from her risk manager duties to win the very competitive 200ccMH class, beating father and son Andy and Bruce Hansen. Andy, who had been spending the week with his wife and their tomato plant touring the south, came back to win the 200ccMR class, beating son Bruce. The big classes, 850ccMH and 850ccMR, were won by Jason Hay and Bob Dunlap, respectively.

Eric VanOver, driving a brand new Cliff Johnson Hydro came out on top of a very strong 500ccMH field. Tom Sutherland won 250ccMH and Jimmy Warren beat a very talented field to win the 750ccMH title. Jerry Davids Jr. picked up where he

left off last year by winning 350ccMH. Not to be out done by his son, Jerry Davids Sr. won three Winter Nationals Championships. In 750ccMR Jerry edged out Bob Dunlap for the title, and in 350ccMR Jerry came out on top over Jeff Williams and Larry Stenander.

The 500ccMR class was special this year -- the largest class of the weekend. There were 10 entries with half of the field running the Cliff Johnson Mod Pipe Kits, which are available for purchase through APBA. The race started out on a sour note on the first lap when Jeff Williams hit a roller into a stiff wind up the backstretch in his brand new (never been raced) Luce Runabout. His boat went sideways toward the shore shaking the snakes out of a bush.

Jerry Davids Sr. and Eric VanOver helped Jeff through the snakes to the rescue boat.

Jeff suffered a broken rib but toughed it out through the remainder of the weekend as the inspector. Jerry Davids Sr. went on to win 500ccMR on his way to complete the hat trick.

Thanks to many people who made this race a success. Race Director Steve Dunn was so busy that he didn’t even race.

Referee David Augustine and scorers Joyce Golley and Amie Pond spent the whole weekend across the lake on the judges stand. Jeff and Mary Williams kept everybody honest in inspection, while Abby Pond made certain that everyone had a wrist band and Howie Nichols periodically relieved Dave Augustine on the judges stand. Thanks for a great weekend.

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// Category corner /////////////////////////////////////////////

Stock Outboard

>

// Jeff Brewster, Stock Outboard Chairman

In a time of reduced numbers in our sport, mentoring becomes more important than ever.

Sportsmanship in our racing community is wide spread. There is not a race that I attend that I do not see this occur, not just one time but many times over the weekend race. Our racers do not think twice about running to the aid of our competitor when they have motor issues, or need a special tool in order to get on the water to race.

We need to take this a step further to bring in new members to our sport.

We can all be mentors and leaders of our sport. We all know the word mentor, but do we really know what it means?

According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, a mentor is an experienced advisor and supporter: somebody, usually older and more experienced, who advises and guides a younger, less experienced person.

Think back to that one time when you first started racing. The one person who reached out to you, who gave you the

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encouragement, let you take his or her boat out, try a prop or a motor to help you along, or just got greasy with you during an engine repair. Mentors can be in various shapes and sizes. They can be incredibly undeniable or consist of just a brief word of encouragement that keeps the passion in our sport. Many of us take our wisdom for granted and forget just how much we have learned over the years how helpful we can be with just a few words.

A way to look at being a mentor is all the equipment we racers accumulate over the years that we just can’t bear to part with for some reason or another. Many of us are those who own boats and motors that are collecting dust in the garage and are constantly moved just to make room for more. Even if you wanted to sell the equipment, with the economy in the shape it is in the resale value is very low, so why not lend it to a rookie? Not only will you add space to your garage but you will be giving the opportunity of another class and more seat time that the rookies really need to make their efforts worth it.

Propeller

We have all experienced bringing a guest to the weekend races. For those who have never been involved with the sport it can be downright boring. They usually can be guaranteed the dominant racer with tons of speed over all the other racers gets a great start and leaves the rest of the pack to follow like ducklings following Momma Duck. Even I find it boring to see a race like this. Usually your invitee gets basic questions answered, and then they are left to fend for themselves as we, the racers, have our own stuff to be completed in order to race. When thinking of mentoring, make sure you have the time the time to actually spend with your newbie. It will be extremely difficult to be able to mentor if you are racing in the same class. Everyone runs for points, so I hesitate to say, for the longevity of the sport, I think about giving up racing for the weekend and just be there to help the new driver. Use your expertise and knowledge to propel this new driver to be as many of us are, die-hard boat racers.

Heck, by being a mentor, we just might find the time to visit with those we often see but never have a chance to go spend time with because we are just too dang busy with all the racing. By the time you do get the time you remember to look for that person only to find they have already left.

There is nothing more defeating to a rookie driver who shows up at a race, has problems or is constantly having one issue after another. Usually they have pit crew with them, but they are just as or even more inexperienced as the newbie. Look for those racers who are new, introduce yourselves and be on the lookout when it is time for them to race. Just giving a hand helping them get in the water, hold their boat, pull their motor over or are there when the race is over with a bottle of water and a high five. Those who are struggling to get out of the pits will not forget the help and one day you may be in the same situation and I bet that driver will be there for you.

There is no need for new drivers to struggle as we did when we started racing.

If we are to get our sport to grow, we need to make it easier to keep these drivers interested in coming back and racing with us year after year. If you have a driver that lives close to you, invite them over and get to know them. Better yet, take them to your “secret” testing spot. They need to learn where the safe places are to test and actually many may need to learn how to test. Are they trying too many things at once? Is their set up visibly incorrect? Are they in the need of some decent props to try? Ask them what their experiences are on the water. Don’t forget to explain to them that some of our worst accidents of

the past have been during testing. We tend to let our guard down and not pay attention to the water conditions. Usually, we are working too hard on the equipment between runs to also keep an eye on the water. Are there skiers or Jet Ski’s in the distance? Will their wakes be dangerous in the next run? And remind them that most of us experienced drivers often tend to forget as well, always have a rescue boat ready to go. Have a “just in case plan,” because the “what if ” scenarios have bit many-a-racer before. It is little tidbits of information that can be given without sounding arrogant that will help the new driver succeed in becoming more confident and ensuring the longevity of a member that our sport so desperately needs.

We have all learned that it is not easy to get started and be able to travel to the races with the many costs that face us. Just buying into the used equipment can be a daunting task for anyone. With the rising cost of fuel, sharing becomes even more important than ever before. If you have an extra rack on your trailer, invite a rookie to join you in your travels to your next race.

Who knows, you may end up with something that you had not bargained for.

A lifelong friend.

// 27

// Category corner /////////////////////////////////////////////

PRO RETURNS TO Beautiful Lake DePue for 28th Time > // By Steve Greaves, PRO Chairman 2012 PRO Nationals:

For the 28th consecutive year, the PRO National Championships return to beautiful Lake DePue in DePue, Ill. The Championship dates are from July 27 to the 29. Testing is on July 25 and 26.

Mark your calendar and make your travel arrangements now for the best PRO show in all of boat racing.

Many thanks go out to the Nationals’ wonderful hosts --- the tireless members of the DePue Men’s Club. More thanks go to the U. S. Title Series for their terrific professionalism in the conduct of the Nationals regatta. The village of DePue goes out of its way each year to make this a great event.

In addition to the National Championships in 19 different classes, the regatta will host the UIM O175 class World Championships. Also DePue will be the site of the “Boat Racers Reunion”. So in addition to having the top PRO racers from all around the country (and perhaps from around the world) vie for Championships, it will be

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a great opportunity to renew all the great friendships in the PRO boat racing family young and old.

It will be a great event. If you’ve never been to DePue, this is the year you’ve got to attend. We look forward to seeing everyone there for some great PRO racing.

OSY400 Rule Changes:

Effective now, the OSY400 class has a requirement for a minimum overall weight of 396 lbs and a requirement to use jetty starts (except where the race committee determines the site would not support a jetty start). Divisionals and Nationals are required to use jetty starts. Jetty starts have always been popular with spectators.

Try running OSY400 at your local races and watch the fan appeal of jetty starts.

Approved Championship & Record PRO Officials:

Divisionals, Nationals, Worlds, and record races that offer PRO classes require a Referee, Scorer, and Inspector who have been approved by the PRO Commission for the type of regatta. The current

listing of approved Referees, Scorers, and Inspectors and what types of regattas they are approved for are listed in the PRO Technical Manual. The PRO Technical Manual can be found on the APBA web site under “Resources”.

2012 Championships:

The following table shows the various PRO Championship races during 2012.

Be sure to attend as many of these races as you can. The PRO show is always exciting.

Propeller

2012 Eastern PRO Divisional Championships:

Jun 9-10

CSerR, CSerH, CRacR, CRacH

Jun 14-16

125R, 175H, 250R, 250H, 350R, Winona, MN; US Title Series 350H, 500R, 500H, 1100H, KPH

Jul 7-8

OSY400, 125H

Thompson, CT; Connecticut Outboard Association

Jul 20-22

1100R

Constantine, MI; US Title Series

Aug 31-Sep 2 700H

Huntington, IN; Indiana Outboard Association

Hartford, CT; US Title Series

2012 Western PRO Divisional Championships:

Jun 23-24

All PRO classes except 350R, 500R, 1100R

Seaside, OR; Columbia Outboard Racing Association

Aug 25-26

350R, 500R, 1100R

Eatonville, WA; Seattle Outboard Association

2012 PRO National Championships:

Jul 27-29

All PRO classes

DePue, IL; DePue Men’s Club

2012 PRO North American Championships:

Mar 31-Apr 1 125R, 125H

Winter Haven, FL; US Title Series

Aug 31-Sep 2 250H, 700H

Hartford, CT; US Title Series

2012 UIM World Championships:

Jul 27-29

O175

DePue, IL; DePue Men’s Club

// 29

// Announcements /////////////////////////////////////////////

APBA Announcements Notice of Elections

This year we are electing four board members for a two year term. There are no council at large members up reelection this year.

1.

2.

Anyone wishing to be nominated should send a letter of intent and brief personal profile to the Nominating Committee, c/o APBA Headquarters, prior to June 15. This will place your name on the nomination ballot that will be sent to the Nominating Committee The nominating Committee, which is made up of the board of directors and category chairmen, will nominate candidates prior to July 15.

3. APBA Headquarters shall notify the nominees prior to July 15.

4. Candidates shall submit to APBA Headquarters, an acceptance letter by August 1st.

5. Proxies will be mailed to each member entitled to vote on or before August 20th

Notice of Award Nominations

Each year the Don Allen Sr. Memorial Leadership Award shall be presented during the APBA Annual Meeting. This award honors service contributions to the American Power Boat Association in the areas of leadership, officiating, safety, or other activities contributing to the benefit of the APBA not directly related to the racing of a specific boat.

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Previous honorees are: • 2008 Penny Anderson, Edmonds, WA • 2009 Ernie Dawe, Indio, CA

• 2010 George Thornhill, Tacoma, WA • 2011 Brian Small, Dracut, MA

The contribution may be judged on the efforts of a single year, or for work done over a period of years, at the judgment of the selection committee. The selection committee is chaired by the sitting APBA President, and shall comprise of the previous five surviving selectees.

It is not required that there be a selectee each year, but it is encouraged that there be a selection process each year.

Any member interested in making a nomination for this award may do so by submitting the nomination with written details to APBA Headquarters.

All nominations must be received no later than September 30th, 2012

Notice of Honor Squadron Nominations

The APBA Honor Squadron is the highest non-racing award that the APBA offers each year.

PROCEDURE:

1. Nominations reminder will be in the June, July, and August Propellers, and on the APBA website.

2. Nominations are due October 1st.

3. Ballots and copies of the nominations are mailed to the Honor Squadron Committee by October 15th.

4. Ballots are due October 31st.

5.

6.

To be a candidate for induction, the nominee must receive a vote of at least 50% of the Honor Squadron Committee members.

A maximum of 2 nominees will be selected by the Committee for induction into the Honor Squadron, for presentation at the next APBA Annual Meeting Banquet. In case of a tie, the chairperson will resolve it with her/his vote.

CRITERIA FOR NOMINATION AND SELECTION OF CANDIDATES:

Extensive service and contributions to APBA and powerboat racing such as:

(a) Major boat race promotion accomplishments (new race sites; race sponsors) (b) Major structural improvements in APBA’s organization;

(c) Major contributions to APBA’s functioning through rule restructuring, driver and official recruitment, committee activities. (d) Major technological improvement to one, or several, aspects of the sport. (e) Exceptional long-term racing accomplishments may be considered.

The description of each contribution, exceptional service, or accomplishment must be specific.

// Racing Calendar //////////////////////////////

Propeller

racing calendar REGION 1 6/9-6/10 Milton, NH 7/7-7/8 Thompson, CT

PRO. Stock, Junior PRO, Modified, Stock, Outboard Drag, Junior

Region 2 6/2 9/21-9/23

Lake George, NY Vintage Geneva, NY Vintage, Inboard

Region 3 6/9-6/10 9/15-9/16 10/6-10/7

Lock Haven, PA Modified, Stock, Junior West Milford, NJ Inboard Wildwood Crest, NJ Inboard

Region 4 6/2-6/3 Elizabeth City, NC Vintage, Inboard, Stock,

Junior 6/2-6/3 Hinton, WV PRO, Modified, Stock,

Junior 6/9-6/10 Kent Narrows, MD Vintage, Inboard, Junior 8/31-9/2 Wheeling, WV Vintage

Region 6 6/9-6/10 Walled Lake, MI Vintage, Inboard,

Superlight Tunnel 6/16-6/17 Constantine, MI Modified, Stock, Junior 6/23-6/24 Bay City, MI OPC 6/30-7/1 Beaverton, MI PRO, Modified, Junior 7/1-7/4 Pittsburgh, PA Offshore, OPC 7/7-7/8 Lakemore, OH Modified, Stock, Junior 7/13-7/15 Detroit, MI Inboard 7/30-8/5 Grasslake, MI Stock, Junior 8/4-8/5 Portsmouth, OH OPC 8/11-8/12 Indian River, MI Stock, Superlight Tunnel,

Junior 8/25-8/26 Celina, OH Vintage, Inboard

Region 8 6/15-6/16 6/16-6/17

Winona, MN PRO Detroit Lakes, MN OPC

Region 10 6/2 Everett, WA

6/9-6/10 Issaquah, WA 6/23-6/24 Burley, ID

6/23-6/24 Seaside/Astoria, OR

7/7-7/8 Olympia, WA

8/25-8/26 Eatonville, WA

9/22-9/23 Yelm, WA

PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior Vintage, Inboard Inboard, Inboard Endurance, Stock, Junior PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior Vintage, Inboard, Inboard Endurance PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior

Region 11 6/2 Lakeport, CA Vintage 6/9-6/10 Hoopa, CA Outboard River Racer 7/7-7/8 Chowchilla, CA Vintage, PRO, Modified,

Stock, OPC, Junior

Region14 6/23-6/24 Evans, GA

PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior

Region 15 7/7-7/8

Morgan City, LA

OPC, Junior

Chamberlain, SD

Vintage, Inboard

Region 16

Region 7 6/2-6/3 Pell Lake, WI

6/9-6/10 Huntington, IN PRO, Modified, Stock,

Junior 6/30-7/1 Rochelle, Ill PRO, Modified, Stock,

Junior 6/30-7/1 Menomonie, WI OPC

PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior

6/16-6/17

// in pictures /////////////////////////////////////////////

Show us what you got!

Submit your pictures for a chance to be featured in next month’s propeller submit

in pictures...

Drivers position for a first place finish at the Lake Havasu World Championship race in Lake Havasu, Ariz.

Photo by // Chris Denslow

After a school shooting in Chardon, Ohio, rookie racer Dave Deck had community members and students sign the hull of his Stock 20SSH to as part of a fundraiser and to show his support for his community. Photo by // Dave Deck

Mark Allen and Daren Goehring follow Dave Anderson in 850ccMH photo by // Mike Johnson

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propeller

Kyle Lewis, Kyle Bahl and Zach Malhiot share close quarters in C Stock Runabout at Silver Lake near Castle Rock, WA Photo by // Christine Gleason

Ryan Rogers and Gary Weaver compete and get a little air during the World Jet Boat Marathon held in Idaho. The Pure Insanity team finished first in the Shore Lodge Class A in 5:37:13

The Lucas Oil boat and Sthil boat fight it out for a first place finish in at the OSS Smokin’ The Sound in Biloxim Miss.

Photo by // Frank Mignerey

Photo by // Michael Stancomb

APBA driving school instructor Dan Kanfoush guides one of his students back to the docks.

long beach- Racers drive hard for a first place finish at the Inboard Endurance Category GPS 95 Photo by // Mike Guardalabene

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// REGION ROUND UP /////////////////////////////////////////////

Region Round up

// F. PEIRCE WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY

// 34

>

>

Propeller

Region 2 Region 2, New York is hosting four APBA events this season. June 2, Teri Hoffmann will again host the Lake George Vintage Race Boat Regatta. Co-sponsored by the Adirondack chapter of ACBS, it will be a vintage-only event. The race course is situated on the end of the lake in front of Fort William Henry.

Aug. 16-19, Clayton’s 1000 Islands Antique Boat Museum will host the 20th anniversary of the Antique Race Boat Regatta. Dave Richardson is chairman of the activities, and a large turnout is anticipated for this vintage-only event.

“Thunder on the Niagara” takes place Aug. 18-19 at North Tonawanda’s Gratwick Park. Pete Hackett, director, announced that this year’s event will be the North American Championships. All classes are invited to compete on the 1-¼ mile course. MACH series participants are also anticipated to be entered.

Sept. 8, the Buffalo Launch Club will host the 34th “Shuffle off to Buffalo” regatta.

This event is a vintage-only event and is co-sponsored by ACBS. Three vintage unlimited hydroplanes are the featured attraction, and they will run fly-bys on the oldest APBA course in the U.S., dating back to 1903.

Sept. 21-23, “Hydrobowl” returns to Seneca Lake at Geneva’s Lakefront Park. It is both an inboard and vintage event and features a Mid-American Championship Hydroplane Series race.

Melia Koerner is race director. For event information go to HydroBowl.com.

Hydrobowl

Region 3 It’s hard to believe that the 2012 American Power Boating Association’s racing season has already begun and, before we know it, it will be time to attend one of our own Region 3 events. I have been caught up with the business of life and have been remiss in submitting an article these last few months. I apologize to my readers. I secured a new job in January and began working full time, right before my husband, Mitch, had to

undergo total hip replacement surgery.

Needless to say, I was busy getting acclimated to being back at work again and trying to help out my husband when I was needed. Mitch has been busy working very hard to make a complete recovery, and he is doing remarkably well. He says that he can’t wait to get behind the microphone again and announce at his first race. I can’t wait to be there, too, as his assistant.

Even though this is old news, I would be remiss if I didn’t write about the wonderful time I had at the Region 3 Awards Banquet held at the Wyndham Gardens in February. Dave Shaw served as master of ceremonies, and he was his usual witty self. The Region 3 directors assisted in presenting various awards. It was an evening out that was all about seeing old friends and sharing in the accomplishments of our family of boat racers. The food was good as usual and we always enjoy watching the boat videos. It’s a night we always look forward too and it never disappoints.

In Memoriam: Fred Leland

The entire boat racing community is mourning the loss of Fred Leland, whose courageous battle with cancer ended quietly overnight at his home in Kirkland, Wash. He was 74.

In a career spanning more than three decades as a driver, owner, builder and one of the sport’s great innovators, Fred Leland became one of the most important figures in modern Unlimited Hydroplane racing. His team, Leland Unlimited, won 17 races, including two Gold Cups, and a national championship.

“There are few people who have made an impact on this sport the way Fred has. He has always been there for boat racing in good times and bad,” H1 Unlimited Chairman Sam Cole said.

“Having known him for more than 30 years, he was an innovator, a competitor and most of all, a friend. We will all miss Fred for who he was and remember what he meant to boat racing.”

Fred Leland was a fixture on the Pacific Northwest Limited Inboard circuit for many years. He made his Unlimited debut at the 1978 Seattle Seafair Regatta as the rookie driver of Bob Miller’s MISS B & L PLUMBING.

Here are the recipients of the Awards given at the Region 3 Inboard Awards Dinner

At Seattle in 1983, Leland was driving an Ed Karelsen-designed hull named KISW MISS ROCK. He won the Consolation Heat but was flipped out of the boat during the Final Heat. (This was in the days before safety canopies.) Fred was not seriously injured but that was the end of his driving career.

1.5 Litre Stock

1st place- John Shaw, T-125, My Shameless Mistake

Long time hydroplane announcer and friend Steve Montgomery called Leland, “One of the most amazing men I ever knew.

When I met Fred, over 30 years ago, he was the most humble, hardest working person I had ever come across. When he wanted a new boat, trailer or building, he would build it with his bare hands.”

3rd place- Brandon Kennedy, T-1, Shameless, Say What?

“He would show up with Miss Rock in the Seattle pit area on Thursday and he hadn’t slept for a week. I was thrilled for him when his hard work and perseverance started producing success for him on the race course. No one was ever more deserving.”

2.5 Litre Stock

As a designer, Leland experimented with a number of interesting concepts. These included a hull powered by a massive 2,500-cubic-inch Packard PT Boat engine.

2nd place- Frank Beck, T-53, Fast Times

1st place- Gene DeFalco & Howie Schnabolk, S- 80, On the Edge 2

2nd place- Willard Wilson & Joe Longo, S-146, Lil Lectron

3rd place- Charlie Williams, S-261, Sea Land Specialties 5 Litre

1st place- Budget Buster Racing, E-30, Big Bird 2nd place- William Chew, E-48, Miss Kathy’s E-Motions

In 1992, Fred upgraded his program with a new hull, powered by a Lycoming turbine engine. With Nate Brown as driver, the craft was instantly competitive.

Brown, who went on to a successful career as a driver and team owner said, “Fred is like a dad to me. He trusted me to build a boat for him and then he even trusted me to get qualified and run his boat. I race today because of Fred ...and I appreciate all he has taught me. I feel honored to be in the list of drivers who got their start with him. I am blessed in so many ways and knowing Fred Leland is one of them.”

Some of the Unlimited sport’s most respected chauffeurs have taken a turn behind the wheel of a Fred Leland race boat at one time or another. In addition to Brown, these include Chip Hanauer, Dave Villwock, Mark Evans, Mike Hanson, Scott Pierce, Terry Troxell, and Greg Hopp.

Continue to page 37

// REGION ROUND UP ///////////////////////////////////

National Modified

1st place- David Sutton, NM-18, In The Red

2nd place- Budget Buster Racing, NM-30, Big Bird Grand National Hydro

1st place- George Conover Sr., GNH-18, Magnum Jersey Speed Skiff

1st place- Jamie Attardi, JS-40, Pacifier

2nd place- Trevor Kirsh, JS-100, Summer Storm

3rd place- Gary Jones, JS-316, Red Baron Pro Stock

1st place- Jim Clauss, PS-34, J & J Marine 2nd place- Tom Richmond, PS-9 Swipes, Richmond Racing 3rd place- Peggy Wendt, PS-529, Wendt Racing Out of Region

1st place- Sam Horner, S-88, Playin Again 2nd place- Wayne Hagatha, T-5, Trophy Hunter 3rd place- Eric Tolnes, PS-86, Already Gone Special Awards:

Man of the Year - Richard Shaw Scartine Award - Brian Small

Rookie of the Year - Matt Henning

Dick Sooy Award (most points in one class) Gene DeFalco & Howie Schnabolk, S-80, On the Edge 2

National Champions - Trevor Kirsh, JS100, Summer Storm Tom Richmond, PS-9, Swipes Richmond Racing

Tom Kelly Memorial (person who publicizes the sport) David Paraskevas hosts Skiff website

Jon Award - (Bad luck, but never gave up) Blair Davis

Outstanding Crew Award - The Savage Family Dopey Dunkers - Courtney Stewart,

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Kenny Walton, Tom Diabo, T.J. Sohn, Rob Convery, Brandon Kennedy

Region Chairman’s Award - Jim Clauss

According to Dave Shaw 85 people attended the dinner. Ken Smith led the capsule training with the help of members of the Region 3 & 4 Rescue team and the Town Bank Dive Squad. Fifty-three people received the training. Thanks, Ken and everyone who helped you. Thank you, Shaw family, region directors, officers and everyone else who helped with the two events! You all did a great job. I know I had a good time.

I was very pleased to hear the news for the first time that Matt Henning not only was our Region 3 Rookie of the Year, but also was the National Rookie of the Year, Eastern Division, for 2011. I was so happy it brought tears to my eyes.

Matt’s accomplishments are many. His total points: 1615 in his rookie season!

(T-1, 1,235 points and T-125, 380 points). He raced in 19 heats and won 10 of those (five of which were finals).

He won the Summer Nationals. He won both qualifiers and the final. The final was only his 11th heat of racing In Hampton, Va. Matt won the Henry Lauterbach Memorial Award for best performance of the weekend, which was very well deserved! Matt placed 3rd in National High Points in T-1. Besides his accomplishments on the race course, he’s a nice teenaged young man I’ve watched grow up from one of the little Pit Kidz.

Congratulations Matt!

Congratulations also to our region’s esteemed National champions Trevor Kirsh and Tom Richmond. There’s a whole lot that goes in to winning a national championship. I know that for most boat racers it usual takes a year of hard work and perseverance to get there, not just all the hard work of the one winning season.

I salute you! Congratulations to all the award recipients. Good luck this year, everyone!

I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing everyone in Elizabeth City, N.C. June 2-3 and in Kent Narrows, Md. on June 9-10. I

wish everyone safe travels.

Contact Barbara Brown

Region 10 Racing in Region 10 kicked off at Seattle Outboard’s brand new race site, Silver Lake (please read Mike Johnson’s entry, page 22), in the town of Silverlake, Wash, which is located in the shadows of Mount St. Helens.

Eighty-three entries showed up on Saturday and 87 on Sunday … and a few teams were missing. So, if our season opener is any indication of the rest of the outboard season holds, we should have a pretty good year ahead.

Next up on the docket is the inboard opener at Moses Lake Solar Cup Regatta. Ana Cappelletti and TIRA have taken the reigns of this event, and all is going smoothly. A surveyor is secured and a 1.25-mile record course will be run. Expected are the Region’s usual assortment of Inboard and Vintage classes; new flatbottom classes SE and GPS 95; and six selected outboard classes. The event will be in the books by the time you read this, so hopefully next month we will have some updates on great racing and new records set.

Jim Codling offers some additional thoughts on the up-and-coming inboard racing season:

“A new season is close at hand for us out here on the left coast.

“I really would like to think that maybe we can go back a few years and have some more fun at the events. It seems to me that too many of our racers, and not just here, just run too hard, too close to the edge for an amateur sport. Most all of us have to get up on Monday morning and get off to work, school or whatever in our lives.

Sometimes I think we forget that.

“The extra four or five feet we could give in that corner would save a guy or gal from tipping over, or losing the windshield or something else. Monday still comes, and we need to be there. Common sense might make for more fun for everyone, including

Propeller

the racers, the officials and all the fans.

“Now is our time to restart our racing lives and work with the clubs and the race committees to ensure we can have fun, be safe and follow all the new rules we have in the 2012 season. With ASIS, our new insurance company, things are different. Please work with all the race sites to comply with the new rules. No shortcuts:come early, race, stay after and clean up so everyone can enjoy the events.

watched the event unfold in eight days on four rivers. There were over 200 volunteers, from safety boats to communications, who conducted each segment and then moved the whole show to a new location, sometimes over a 100 miles overnight, and were ready to go at 9 a.m. the next morning. The race was held on the St. Joe, Snake, Clearwater and Salmon Rivers.

“Participants from Canada, New Zealand and the U.S. competed for the $40,000 purse paid to four UIM classes: Unlimited; “A lot of our friends can help new race A class; CX; and FX classes. In the end sites. They can also help the youngsters go a CX boat, GM Z3 crate engine, driven racing, get back there and find someone by Ryan Rogers of Lewiston, Idaho and who needs a little help whether it’s navigated

by Gary Weaver of Crabtree, crewing, a little entry fee money, repair OR survived all 24 race-legs to win the dollars or whatever. Lend a hand so we overall championship.

Race organizers can all keep rolling and have some fun.

Kim Friend and Kyla Sawyer stated that “Oh well, from the pulpit … see you all they were very thankful for the volunteers, soon, and don’t forget your rooms at sponsors and businesses that supported Black Lake. Already 23 rooms have been this race, as well as saying, ‘We had the reserved from our block. Off now to Tastin very best race teams competing, and and Racing in early June!”

Northern and Central Idaho’s hospitality was second to none.’ There will be more Rounding out this month’s news, Larry coverage on this race in an article in next Darneille has this update from the Calmonth’s Propeller. “ Ore River racers: “It is a beautiful spring in Southern Oregon with the temperature rising into the 70s, but with that comes snow melt and swollen rivers. The start of the season at Boatnik in Grants Pass is three weeks away with hardly any test time on boats.

This year’s crop of rookies needs test time on the water and have to fit it in with the rise and fall of the river flows, but with structured training sessions they will be ready for the season start. Jeff Lewis and Tyler McGinnis will both be testing their new boats in preparation for the season.

“The first annual Cal-Ore Golf Tournament was a success with enough funding raised to sponsor the Ron Robertson Memorial Race at Rogue River, Ore., June 23-24.

“The Toyota Weaver Seed Jet Boat Marathon World Championship was held in northern and central Idaho April 13-21. I had the honor of being the referee at one of the best organized events that I have been involved in. Record crowds

It looks like a few changes in the Unlimited ranks in these parts as well.

Matt Gregory is back with Degree Men as a sponsor and Scott Liddycoat at the helm.

Matt has relocated his racing operations from its old home in Las Vegas to Tukwila, Wash, and it’s great to have him and his team in the Northwest. Mark and Mitch Evans will campaign the U-57 with Mark in the cockpit for the Chelan Red Rocket. Rob Graham has stepped up to sponsor Ted Porter’s U-5 again, this year with Jimmy Shane driving. Kelly Stocklin has an interesting project, upgrading Joe Frauenheim’s former G-13 hull to run a T-53 turbine engine and will compete this new platform at selected races.

Ellstrom, Brown, Unlimited Racing Group, O’Farrell, Leland, and the rest of the gang are all gearing up for the Madison opener in July. We look forward to seeing them all on the water.

That’s it for this month. Look for some racing news in next month’s column!

Cont.

Fred Leland

Leland recorded his first Unlimited victory at the 1994 Texaco Cup on Seattle’s Lake Washington with Villwock as driver Fred’s most successful season as an owner is 1996 when his PICO AMERICAN DREAM swept the competition, claimed six victories, and won the National High Point Championship, also with Villwock.

The 1997 season was another triumph. With Mark Evans at the wheel, PICO AMERICAN DREAM won four races in a row at the Tri-Cities, Kelowna (British Columbia), Seattle, and San Diego.

By far the most memorable moment of 1997 occurred at Seattle. After winning Heat 1-B, Mark flipped upsidedown in Heat 2-A. Evans was uninjured and rebounded to win the Final Heat.Never before in the history of Unlimited racing had a driver flipped a boat upside-down and come back to win the race, all on the same day.

In 1999, Fred caught the racing world by surprise when he lured Lee “Chip” Hanauer--the winningest living Unlimited driver at the time--out of self-imposed exile to work his particular magic for the Leland Unlimited team.

Chip hadn’t driven a U-boat in three years. Hanauer, nevertheless, got back into the spirit of things rather quickly. He piloted MISS PICO into the winner’s circle at his debut race in Lake Havasu City (Arizona), and went on to win at Madison (Indiana), and Detroit (Michigan).

The Detroit race was particularly noteworthy. This one was for the APBA Gold Cup--the ultimate prize--that Leland had won once before in 1996.

The 1999 Gold Cup is perhaps Fred’s finest hour as a hydroplane racer. The boat had sustained damage when it scraped a sponson on a freeway overpass while en route to the race site.

The repaired MISS PICO didn’t make it into the water until race day morning. But the Leland team and Chip Hanauer nevertheless demonstrated their championship mettle and pulled off a classic victory in the race of races.

Fred built no fewer than eight turbine-powered Unlimited hulls between 1992 and 2000. But he never gave up on internal combustion engines for Unlimiteds--including automotive engines. After several years of development, Leland hoped to water test just such a craft in 2012.

The last appearance in competition of a Fred Lelandowned hydroplane occurred at the 2011 Oryx Cup/UIM World Championship in Doha, Qatar, on the Persian Gulf. The team placed third overall with Greg Hopp as driver.

Condolences and memories have come from friends and competitors alike, including five time H1 Unlimited Driving Champion Steve David, who called Leland, “One of the toughest competitors I ever faced.” Then added, “As so many of us have discovered in life, one’s exterior may be gruff, but the soul is where beauty resides. There will be an immeasurable void left by the loss of the untold generosity and kindness of Fred Leland.”

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In Memoriam: Louis J. Aiello, Jr. “Lou”

At the age of 91, Palm Beach Gardens, FL resident and longtime APBA member, Louis J. Aiello, Jr. passed away April 28, 2012.

Aiello, Jr. was born in Morristown, NJ on Jan. 31, 1921.

He was raised in both Montclair, NJ and Palm Beach, FL. He was trained in refrigeration and meat cutting while working with his parents Louis and Mary (Russo) Aiello and his brother Eugene, in the family business, Aiello’s Market of Palm Beach. During the 1970s and until he retired he worked in refrigeration and air conditioning in Florida, Washington and Arizona.

In 1942 Aiello, Jr. entered the United States Army and served as military police. After completing his active duty, Aiello, Jr., continued on in the US Army Reserve until retiring in 1981. He was a lifelong member of the Reserve Officers Assoc. of the United States. For military service during World War II, both Lou and his brother are named on the honor roll wall at the Memorial Fountain Park, Palm Beach.

In 1946 Lou married Mary Catherine White in West Palm Beach. Over the years they lived in West Palm Beach, Village of North Palm Beach, Lacey, Wash., Lake Havasu, Ariz., and then returned to West Palm Beach.

During the late 1950s Lou and Mary were some of the early residents of the Village of North Palm Beach.

Beginning in 1960, for three years Lou served on the Village Council holding the office of Vice-Mayor in 1963. Lou and Mary were married 47 years when Mary passed away in 1993.

Lou’s favorite activity was officiating for the American Power Boat Association (APBA). His lifelong association with speed and powerboats began in 1934 when he entered an outboard race at Lake Hopatcong, NJ. After World War II he no longer competed in races but stayed involved in powerboat racing as a race official.

On one of his rare weekends “at home” in 1971 he officiated at the first Old Port Cove Inboard Invitational Regatta. In 1996 he was the APBA Region 5 Man of the Year. In additional to the APBA he had been a member of the Florida Inboard Racing Club, Florida Outboard Racing Association and the Palm Beach Offshore Club.

Lou is survived by his Florida family: nieces; Mary Ann Williams (Alan) and Nancy Kissel (Ken), nephew; Eugene J. Aiello (Kathy), great nieces & nephews and great-great nephews, and his long time companion, Marian Taylor; and, by his Washington family: daughter; Marion Lynn (Doug), granddaughters; Julie Lynn, Maria Lynn, Shauna Mercer (Dan), and Laura Logan (Mike), great-granddaughters and a greatgrandson, a great-great-grand daughter and grandson.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the APBA Historical Society, 17640 E. Nine Mile Road, Eastpointe, MI 48021 or to the church of your choice.

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Region 12 You may have heard that the Inboard Endurance Category GPS 95 Class was made official at the National meeting in January, and I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce some of the competitors in Region 12.

Brent Daily is 48 years old and a propeller manufacturer at Prop Works West. His boat is a 1977 Eagle, #955, named “Recyclable.” If you’ve seen his boat you won’t forget its name is painted to look like a giant Coors beer can! Brent’s most memorable event was finally getting to race with Jeremiah “Officer” McCorkle at the Parker Thanksgiving Regatta 2011.

He said it was the hardest he’s had to run the boat and that caused his motor to break, which may have been a good thing, since he was getting beat. But Brent is rebuilding and we hope to see him give Jeremiah a run for his money next time.

Here is what Brent likes about GPS 95 class:

“GPS 95 class is a fantastic step up from the 80mph Nostalgia class, and it is really nice to be able to make small steps up to the Pro Stock class,” he said. “GPS 95 is very challenging, and it takes extreme concentration to drive the hardest you can yet have the wherewithal to make sure you don’t break out, a very exciting class.”

Jeremiah McCorkle is 36 years old and races a 1977 Biesemeyer, #11, and has competed in five races in two years. He credits his success in 2011 to being given the opportunity by racing legend Paul Grichar and Ben Marrone to race a sponsored engine, and the numerous hours of work by D’Cucci Boats and Prop Works West. His most memorable moment was winning in GPS 95 class at Long Beach Marine Stadium, a place where for years he used to watch circle racing.

“I would never have thought I’d be thrown in the water so soon,” he said.

(I can only imagine, must be nice!)

Jeremiah’s thoughts on GPS 95 class:

“I believe the GPS 95 class is a great place for those that will opt-out from

the mandatory capsule rules taking effect in 2016 and will become one of the most competitive classes the APBA has seen in years,” he said. “As with the new Sportsman Entry class, I believe it will be a wonderful start for newcomers who are interested in competing in flatbottom racing. Since starting in boat racing, I have met and become great friends with so many, and the term ‘like a big family’ has never been so true”.

Chris Irick is 30 years old and the GPS 95 boat he races is a 1968-ish Hallett long deck, #113, and is powered by a 488 Chevy with 11.5:1 compression. The fastest his boat ran was 93mph. Chris’s most memorable moment was at the 2011 Parker Thanksgiving Regatta at Blue Water when he was finally beating Jeremiah McCorkle, and on the second lap he threw the rods out of it so bad that they almost hit Jeremiah. It made for a good YouTube video (check out “2011 Parker Thanksgiving Regatta.”) I can tell you first hand that it was an exciting heat of racing, and afterward I heard Jeremiah say he was ducking shrapnel. Chris has been involved in boat racing since he was 15 using drag boats with his dad, then he began circle racing in the 80 mph class at Puddingstone last year.

When the GPS 95 class started, he jumped on the opportunity to go faster and is now building a K boat, #K-034. It sounds like Chris has the need for speed!

The GPS 95 class was a great learning experience for Chris and a stepping-stone to fulfill his lifelong dream of racing boats.

He had a great time and met many very helpful people willing to lend a hand or give advice.

He said he would like to extend a special thanks to Matt and Randy Letcher of Jet Boats Plus “for giving me the opportunity to get into racing by driving their boat, and to the best looking crew chief in the pits; to Candace Christiansen for making sure the boat was ready and safe every time it hit the water; to Kenny Wilcox for helping me set it up and get that old boat to run as fast as it did; and to my mom for being at every race, even though she said she would never watch me race a boat.”

propeller Propeller

Scott Houghton, 54 years old, has been racing for ten years. His boat is a 1977 Barron Sprint, PS12, “Old School.” His most memorable event was a Sunday flip at Long Beach Marine Stadium last year and the subsequent rebuild. Scott said, “GPS 95 is an exciting class, not only for newcomers but also for us old guys on our way out. This class has made my racing FUN again, great bunch of people here.”

There were more racers that participated in GPS 95 last year, including Jeff Wooten in #204 and Adam Bloomfield in #810.

These are a great bunch of guys in Region 12 competing in GPS 95 class. They are forming lasting friendships and running some challenging, memorable races, but most importantly they are having fun, and that’s what racing’s all about.

apba-racing.com

17640 East Nine Mile Road, PO Box 377, Eastpointe, MI 48021-0377