Volume 68, Issue 6 // July 2012 apba-racing.com
USA: $5.00
Post War Racing Boom How War Affected Racing for the Better
Anchors Aweigh A Navy Vet Pursues Boat Racing Dream
Patriotic Boats The Ultimate Sign of Respect
! E U S S I T O I R T A P E TH
Propeller // In this issue
17640 E. Nine Mile Road, PO Box 377 Eastpointe MI 48021-0377 PHONE 586-773-9700 FAX 586-773-6490 E-MAIL apbahq@apba-racing.com WEB: www.apba-racing.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR //Dan Wiener apbahq@apba-racing.com ACCOUNTING //Linda Likert linda@apba-racing.com MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR //Sabrina Haudek sabrina@apba-racing.com SANCTION/ HIGH //Cindy Minoletti cindy@apba-racing.com POINTS COORDINATOR COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR //Ryan Berlin rberlin@apba-racing.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR/ WRITER //Joe Pas jpas@apba-racing.com SR. ACCOUNT EVECUTIVE //Jamie Kirts jkirts@apba-racing.com DEVELOPMENT STAFF //Racquel Fakhouri rfakhouri@apba-racing.com //Abe Alcodray aalcodray@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.
Volume 68, Issue 6 // July 2012
Anchors Aweigh
4
Spotlight On...Detroit,
8
A Navy Vet Pursues Boat Racing Dream
MI
Post War racing boom 12 Welcome to the cookout 16
Patriotic Boats
20
APBA Announcements
32
DEPARTMENTS From The Editor: American Heroes From The Top: My 4th of July Driving Digital Advancement
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Big Bad Engines
Make the Call APBA Grapevine By The Numbers Suited For Safety Looking Back: Power boating and the Olympics Category Corner Modified Outboards Stock Outboard PRO Nationals: Return to Lake DePue Inboard OPC Safety Capsules & the OPC Website
Announcements Racing Calendar In Pictures... Region Round Up In Memoriam: Lowell Edward Schumacher In Memoriam: Tammy Dawe
// FROM THE EDITOR /////////////////////////////////////////////
AMERICAN HEROES > // RYAN BERLIN, communications director
As America prepares to celebrate its 236th birthday, we at Propeller will be paying homage to the men and women who have made this country what it is today. Whether you’re an active service member, a veteran or a free citizen, the Fourth of July reminds us not to forget where we came from but also gives us hope for our future. The future looks bright for Navy veteran and Offshore driver Josh Lamirato. Serving in multiple tours of duty, he found time between stints to get behind the wheel of a boat and win a championship. With his military career now in jeopardy, Lamirato is hoping to get his boat back on the water and once again enjoy the sport he grew up watching.
The American Power Boat Association has a storied history, but during World War II the sport of power boat racing could have been finished due to the war effort. Almost all racing ceased during the war, including the APBA Gold Cup. However, with victory came significant change and innovation, innovation in the form of the Allison warplane engine. When it was discovered that the Allison engine could be used with an Unlimited hydroplane, the sport grew exponentially and became more popular than ever. Honoring those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for this country is something that any real American appreciates. For boat racers the ultimate tribute they can make to show their appreciation is painting their boats like the stars and stripes. For four racers, Stacy Funk, Jeff Shepherd, Greg Keller and Gordy Jennings, they couldn’t be prouder to honor the troops who do and have protected this country and allow them to have the freedoms that allow boat racers to do what they love.
//2
// FROM THE TOP ///////////////////////////////
Propeller
My 4 of July th
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// Mark Wheeler, APBA President
The Fourth of July brings pleasant memories for most Americans. We rejoice at the thought of the birth of our nation. We associate July 4th with parades, cook outs, and fireworks. Like most APBA members, I associate the 4th of July with powerboat racing. When I think of racing of the 4th of July weekend, my thoughts quickly return to 1975. July 4, 5 and 6, 1975 was probably the most enjoyable racing weekend that my parents, my brother Steve and I ever had. My father was self-employed and was typically at our marina from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., so we never had much time to spend together as a family. This weekend was so special because my entire family was there. July 4th was on a Friday; we began the weekend at an MO/PRO race hosted by the Michigan Outboard Racing Club in Beaverton, Mich. I don’t remember how Steve and I did, but I do
remember how exciting it was racing BMH (now 350MH) with Dad’s Champion Hot Rod on my trusty Byers Craft hydroplane. Our family stayed in Beaverton until the town’s fireworks show was completed and then traveled to Muskegon, Mich., for an MO/SO race hosted by the West Michigan Boat Racing Association where I raced BMH and 25SSH. The 25SS engine was a shiny new Mercury that my dad purchased for me (using funds that he had originally set aside to purchase a new pickup truck). I won my first race that weekend with the 25SS, and I still have the trophy. The trophy brings back great memories of a wonderful family weekend. July 4 falls on a Wednesday this year. However, APBA has many races on the weekend before and the weekend after. I hope each of you can make some family memories.
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Anchors Aweigh A Navy Vet Pursues Boat Racing Dream
propeller
As a child,
Josh Lamirato sat in front of his family’s television and watched American Power Boat Association racing on ESPN
>
“(Boat racing) is something I wanted to do since I was a kid. I grew up watching it and I remember seeing the races on Fox Sports Net and ESPN,” Lamirato said.
Unable to act on his love for motorsports and boat racing at the time, he joined the Navy and became an air-traffic controller. Lamirato served all over the world, including Germany, Italy, Iraq and Kuwait, in active duty from 2002-2007. When Lamirato left the active service, he found a job with the Federal Aviation Administration as an air-traffic controller and with his signing bonus he bought a 36-foot Baja Outlaw and turned it into a racing boat. “That’s pretty much how (my racing career) started. I fixed it up a little bit and turned it into a race boat and got my opportunity that way,” he said.
For two years, Lamirato ran in the Offshore circuit winning a Class Three Championship in 2009. After racing for another year, still in the reserves, Lamirato was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011, putting his boat racing dream, again, on a short hiatus. So without the ability to fly over the water, he would try to do so another way—in F-14s.
“I wanted to be a pilot, so I figured the best way to do that was to go enlisted and try to get an aviation rate. I went to a recruiter in my junior year of high school and they had me take an aptitude test to see what I qualified for,” Lamirato said.
“They said I pretty much qualified for anything I wanted, and the next best thing to being a pilot is an air-traffic controller. They do the same stuff that pilots do, they just don’t fly. So I figured that would be a good starting point. Nearly a decade later, Lamirato has made a career out of the military. Over the years, he has traveled the world and been recognized for his services repeatedly. As a facility-wide supervisor, Lamirato was ready to get back on the water and rekindle his dream, and love for boat racing.
As a facility-wide supervisor, Lamirato in charge of an entire air-traffic control team. Throughout his service he has been awarded the Army Accommodation Medal for his services in Afghanistan and four medals of accommodation (three as an air-traffic controller and one for his Hurricane Katrina relief efforts). In 2004 Lamirato was recognized, along with some coworkers, by Robert Mueller, the director of the FBI.
Upon his return from Afghanistan in 2011, it was discovered that Lamirato had contracted a disease that will never allow him to be deployed into active duty again.
“More than likely, from what I have heard over here at the medical department, I will never be recalled…” Lamirato said. “They can’t put me in a position to be away from a medical treatment facility. I have to be near a hospital at all times. “The whole goal for being a reserve for the Navy is to be deployable, that’s the only reason we have the Reserves. If you can’t meet that criteria that usually means they will medically retire you.” Never being able to serve as a reserve again is a hard reality for him to accept. However, as one window closes, another one opens. Serving overseas for the past year, Lamirato is ready to get back on the water and rekindle his dream, and love for boat racing.
“It has been a couple of years since I have had my boat on the water, and really I just want to get out there and have some fun. I have missed it” he said.
Right now Lamirato is replacing the engines on his boat and has a lot of regular maintenance to keep up. He is hoping to find a sponsor so he can get his boat on the water for some part of the 2012 season. “If I could find somebody to help me out this year, I would really love to get back on the water this year, but it looks more like the 2013 season” Larimato said.
“I hope we can get this thing figured out. I know Offshore boat racing can be up there with NASCAR as far as spectators,” Lamirato said. “I think people would really come to like it like NASCAR if they could come to understand it.”
// 5 7
// 6
// Driving digital advancement /////////////////////////////////////////////
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Big, Bad Engines >
Monthly Update from Crown
Last month, you heard about the APBA’s big vision: Develop the tools that will allow the APBA to find and secure $100K in sponsorship for the 2013 Racing Season.
One of the things we know is needed to achieve significant sponsorship monies is an increase in site views. A lot of activity takes place in the world of power boat racing (Google has more than 1.4 million links alone), and the Association is looking to harness that activity to create an opportunity for new revenue. But just how can you consolidate traffic, simplify administrative management and provide a richer member experience online? This month the Outboard Performance Craft (OPC) Category has begun to do just that.
When the opportunity came up to renew the existing OPC domain and hosting contracts, OPC Chairman Adam Allen reached out to the APBA to see if the recently created online environments could be a viable way to promote OPC-specific information. The category found out the answer was a resounding, “YES!” If you haven’t already, log on to apba-racing.com/outboard-performancecraft to see just what we mean. Here you
will find everything you need to know about some of the biggest, most powerful outboard engines in Powerboat Racing. This is just some of what you’ll find: • Consolidated news that’s relevant to the OPC membership • OPC races • A robust repository of OPC resources • Information about regional commissioners And that’s not all. Another unique component of the site is an embedded Facebook module that allows a prospective racer an opportunity to like the OPC Racing page and begin following it… as well as, shows the always-changing status of the page. This helps to keep the site fresh and relevant… and attractive to would-be racers.
So how does this create a digital advantage for the APBA? Traffic is consolidated
Not only can OPC racers still find the information that was previously available at their own url, they can do it while benefiting the larger association. All OPC traffic will now flow through the apbaracing.com domain showing potential sponsors a higher level of member engagement. Higher engagement=higher sponsorship potentials.
Administrative Management is simplified
Running a web site is a lot of work. The new APBA site has a user-friendly content management system and is flexible enough to include a large amount of OPC-specific content. The burden of keeping a site fresh, up to date and hosted has been removed from the category leadership and is being led by the APBA staff.
Richer member experience
It’s hard to run a site, it’s also hard to keep a site engaging. From one centralized place an OPC member can see high points, relevant races, look up manuals and other resources and see what’s happening on Facebook. That’s quite an experience! Two other categories will be rolling out similar sites in the coming weeks. Be sure to keep an eye out for them. The opportunity is there for all categories to get in on the action and help the Association consolidate web traffic, reduce category administrative burdens and create a richer member experience. Think your category should be next? Let the corporate team know.
// 7
// SPOTLIGHT ON /////////////////////////////////////////////
Spotlight on:
Detroit, MI
// Pack a bag and find your way
For nearly half of its 103 year existence, and every year since 1989, the APBA Gold Cup Race has been held in Detroit. Over the years, Detroit has gone through has gone through quite a transformation from a booming metropolis to urban tundra. Detroit’s blue-collar residents, however, refused to give up on their city, and that perseverance is showing now more than ever. “This a very, very big area and, consequently, it is very, very diverse. So there’s something here for everybody,” executive vice president and chief operating officer of Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau Michael O’Callaghan said.
// 8
“If people want to take in a little culture while hanging out on the river and watching the (races), they can go to the (Detroit Institute of Arts) or the Charles Wright Museum of African American History. We have a great deal of culture that’s available in downtown Detroit.”
“The stuff that is traditionally there is certainly noteworthy. The DIA is arguably one of the best half-dozen museums in the United States,” O’Callaghan said. “Their collection is almost second to none in the U.S. There is incredible art that rotates through the DIA on a regular basis.”
Over the July 13th weekend, the DIA will feature various exhibits and classes that people can sign up for and have some fun while escaping the blistering Detroit summer sun.
When going through the exhibits, people will see artifacts that have made this country what it is today; the Wright Brothers house and work area, Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park Laboratory (which was picked up and relocated to Dearborn) or John F. Kennedy’s 1961 Lincoln SS100X Limousine.
Since 1885, the DIA has been expanding people’s minds by becoming the first U.S. museum to have Vincent Van Gogh’s Self Portrait as a part of its collection. The 658,000 square-foot museum has over 100 galleries, a 1,150 seat auditorium, a 380 seat lecture hall, an art reference library, and a state-of-the-art conservation services library.
What would a visit to the Motor City be without a stop to The Henry Ford, in Dearborn. The Henry Ford is the nation’s second most visited museum in the U.S., only behind the Smithsonian, according to O’Callaghan.
Propeller
In a city filled with doubt and uncertainty, there is one thing the residents of Detroit can count on year in and year out; the APBA Gold Cup.
After visiting two of the larger museums in the country, ”any trip to Detroit wouldn’t be complete without a trip to a Coney Island,” O’Callaghan said.
“The coneys have become a tradition here in Detroit and now they’re at a point where the coneys are boxing their product up and sending them out on demand.”
Once you have had your two coneys with everything (mustard and onion) and chili cheese fries, from either Lafayette or American Coney Island, take a trip around the city, by bicycle, and visit various downtown attractions like Hart Plaza, Campus Martius Park, Eastern Market, Greek Town, Mexican Town and Polish Village. Polish Village is located in Hamtramck which is a two-square-mile island right
in the heart of Detroit. Hamtramck is diversity at its finest, with 20 different ethnicities and 20 variations of food and culture.
“(Hamtramck) is a place where Polish immigrants moved to when they came to Detroit and there are a number of traditional restaurants. There has been a bit of a change in the way that area has developed over the past couple of years,” O’Callaghan said.
“There are a significant number of ethnic restaurants that include Middle Eastern, Russia, French and many more. It has become a place where there are many restaurants that people should try, especially people who enjoy experimenting with food that they don’t typically eat.”
In addition to the incredible food in Detroit and the obvious connection to the Gold Cup, one cannot forget that the place the Gold Cup is on display the other 362 days of the year is a quick 15 minute drive away. APBA headquarters is located in the Detroit suburb of Eastpointe. After a long day in the sun on the Detroit River at the 104th Gold Cup race, enjoy a cool peaceful night at Campus Martius with live entertainment, or take a trip to one of three casinos (MGM, Greektown or Motor City).
“There really is something or everybody, whether it be taking a trip to one of three casinos or taking a trip across the river to Windsor, and we certainly don’t discourage that,” O’Callaghan said. “There is just a lot to do in metro Detroit.”
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// MAKE THE CALL /////////////////////////////////////////////
You Make the Call
“If I have this back before supper...she’ll never know!” -Kevin Tombs this month’s photo:
“your caption goes here” SUBMIT
/////// WIN AN APBA PRIZE PACK // 10
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 //////////////////////////////
propeller
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:
WEBSITE UPDATES/ REPAIRS
Tohatsu in 850ccMH
New Forum/Social Community
///getting social // 11
Post War racin // photos by phil kunz
propeller
War is complicated. It’s one of those elephants standing in the corner that people would like to ignore, except it’s here to stay, for better or worse.
r ng boom And while listing war’s detractions could fill several tomes, it has its positives, as far as in its role in history.
What war usually does is consolidate, usually in the form of money and how it’s spent. In the name of patriotism, government spending is thrust into jobs and research aiding the effort at home and overseas. The result is a leaping growth of technology in medicine and engineering. The latter made a huge impact in the sport of unlimited hydroplane racing following World War II.
During the war, “all or most” of boat racing was stopped due to shortages of fuel, said David Williams, a representative of the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum. “It would have been considered unpatriotic to have races while the war was on.” This also meant that the hallowed Gold Cup race was postponed for years. What could have been thought as “devastation” to the powerhouse racers of the then-limited and unlimited hydros the war proved to be just what the sport needed. A “huge supply of World War II fighter plane power sources became available for sale to the general public. The Packard Rolls-Royce Merlin, (and) the G.M. Allison,” wrote Fred Farely, historian of the HR Museum.
The Allison engines, originally developed in Britain, became middle America’s racing engine of choice. At a cost of $100 per unit, the sport, once a club for the ultra-wealthy, saw a dramatic increase in drivers. What would have been only two or three participants prior to WWII, races saw upward of 20 teams in the pits, Williams said.
More than a cheaper entry point into racing, the next biggest draw to the hydros was speed. The V-12 Allison engine dominated the Gold Cup following the war, shattering speed records multiple times per event. In the 1946 Gold Cup, the old record for the 3-mile course was destroyed, raising it to over 77 mph, according to Farely. In 1949, an Allison-powered boat took the 30-mile Gold Cup heat record to over 78 mph. Prior to WWII, speeds of more than 70 mph were deemed “impossible.” By the 1950s, with its popularity at an all-time high, the limiteds gave way to unlimited hydros. In 1957 the American Power Boat Association declared its new king, allowing the creation of its own category.
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By the Numbers…
Memorial Day has come and passed, but our country’s Independence Day is another reminder of the sacrifices American military men and women have deposited into collective We /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////our ///// //////////freedom. /////////// /////////////// remember because in times of need, many of us rise to the occasion, sometimes in more ways than one. The need of more Coast Guards meant More than this number civilians in the Reserves were of the largest U.S. yachts required at home. Scores of were gathered for use by boat owners during the World Wars eagerly joined the Coast the British government. Guard Auxiliary. This month’s The approximate number of Coast Guard Auxiliary By The Numbers looks into the members during World War II. Another 50,000 Second World War’s “proud and worthy” tradition. enlisted in the Reservists.
50,000
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100
432,000
Number of tons of shipping was lost due to German submarines in February 1942. Attacks on merchant and naval ships put a huge strain on petroleum, which became a problem for many hydroplane racers, notably the Detroit Gold Cup.
By the end of the war, about 2,000 women worked as part-time Reservists mostly as port security.
{
2,000 151
People rescued by Auxiliary in a 1942 two-week period. These types of rescues freed up many Coast Guards for other wartime services.
137
The number of men and women Reservists who died on active duty. Many were the result of heart attack in pneumonia, a likely effect of long winter patrols on open boats and older enlistees.
400
The model number of the V-12 Allison warplane engine developed during WWII by the U.S. Following the war, availability to consumers provided a new source of speed for hydroplane racers for years following the war.
1936
By this year, many middle class Americans enjoyed Christopher Columbus Smith’s assembly line-made family cruisers. These boats would become an essential part of the Auxiliary, early on.
By June 1942, the number of flotillas used in the Auxiliary. Portland, Maine was home to the War’s largest-sized flotilla at 431 boats, in 1943.
Members of the 3rd Naval District of New York. It was second to only Boston who accrued more than 13,000 Auxiliary members.
V-1710
11,318
// SUITED FOR SAFETY ///////////////////////////
Propeller
/
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Boating Safely – It’s a Responsibility, It’s a Lifestyle
// F. PEIRCE WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY
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// Rachel Johnson, Communications Director, National Safe Boating Council
There’s nothing better than a little R&R with family and friends on our nation’s waterways during the summer months. However, approximately 500 people drown each year from recreational boating accidents, so it is imperative to always boat responsibly. That includes wearing a life jacket, being alert and aware while on or near the water, and obeying navigation rules. Each year, the U.S. Coast Guard partners with boating safety organizations, including the National Safe Boating Council, to work together year round to raise awareness of taking proper safety precautions while spending time on the water. By embracing responsible boating practices, Americans can avoid preventable injuries and enjoy our nation’s waterways. Safe boating is responsible boating. Individuals can prepare for excursions by taking boating safety courses and filing float plans with family members, relatives or friends. To prevent accidents and drowning while on the water, boaters should remain aware of weather conditions, perform vessel safety checks, and ensure each passenger wears a
life jacket and that all required safety equipment is on board. Safe boating is also sober boating. Alcohol use is a leading factor in fatal boating accidents, so limiting alcohol use while on or operating a boat can save lives.
As part of the North American Safe Boating Campaign, the National Safe Boating Council is encouraging all boaters to take the “Safe Summer Pledge.” The pledge allows boaters to share with their family and friends their dedication to boat safety and wearing a life jacket each and every time they are on the water. The pledge can be signed and shared via your social networks by visiting www.safeboatingcampaign.com.
3. Take the time to ensure a proper fit. 4. 5.
Life jackets meant for adults do not work for children, who should wear properly fitted, child-sized life jackets. Do not buy a life jacket for your child to “grow into.” On recreational vessels underway, children under 13 years old must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket unless they are below decks or in an enclosed cabin. Some state laws vary – check with your local Marine Law Enforcement Authorities.
Recreational boaters choose to boat because it’s fun and enjoyable. Recreational boating is also safe when the captain and passengers take the proper steps In addition, following these life jacket before, during and even after the boating safety tips for recreational boats will help experience. Choosing a safe boating keep you, your family and friends safe on lifestyle will become second nature, and the water this summer. protect you, loved ones and others that 1. No matter what water activity you have choose to participate in this relaxing and exhilarating outdoor activity. planned, always remember to wear a life jacket. 2.
Make sure your life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard-approved. Double check that your life jacket is appropriate for your boating activity.
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// Welcome to the cookout /////////////////////////////////////////////
// Barry “CB” Martin, Propeller culinary Columnist
Welcome to the
Cookout!
>
“It’s summer time, summer time, sumsum-summer time” I don’t remember all the words to that song from the late ‘50s but it always hits me this time of year. I always find myself humming that tune when we are driving to the lake or the salt water sound. I suppose everyone has a tune they remember from their youth and associate it with summer vacation. This one is mine and I’m sticking to it. When I head to the beach or the boat I generally pack something to eat. Often it’s a picnic box with sandwiches, chips, fruit and sweets. But if I’m going to be there for the entire day or longer, I like to pack food to prepare on the grill. Burgers, sausages and hot dogs are certainly tasty but I also enjoy something from the farmer’s markets I pass along the route. I buy what’s fresh and I get to experiment a bit with the recipe each time. I adapt the basic recipes and techniques to suit the meat and the veggies I find at the market.
Toward the early part of the summer season I generally bring chicken or steak as the protein and find fresh veggies at roadside stands. Toward the middle-to-end of summer there is more abundance and variety so I may have fruit and berries mixed in with cooked vegetables – this adds a pop and sweetness that compliments fresh fish, pork and shrimp. These two recipes are my versions of simple summer fare that just about everyone can make into their own version with the addition of spices and additional ingredients. Depending upon what’s fresh in your neck o’the woods you may find a new creativity in your outdoor cooking. G’head – live a little!
Thanks & Welcome to the Cookout! ~ “CB”
CB’s EZ Chicken Francesco
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propeller
CB’s EZ Chicken Francesco
This dish was inspired by my Facebook friend Francesco, a talented home cook who lives in Germany. We’ve never met nor spoken but we share recipes, tips and ideas about food thru the magic of the internet. He created a dish in his kitchen that I wanted to translate to the grill. It’s full of fresh seasonal vegetables and versatile enough to use different proteins as the center piece. I grilled seasoned skinless chicken breasts—but you could easily use pork tenderloin, steak or even fish. Ingredients
Fresh seasonal vegetables: asparagus, green beans, snap peas, brussels sprouts, onions, cherry tomatoes, peppers, corn—cut, sliced, trimmed, etc. for sauté Black olives: rinsed and sliced Capers: rinsed
1 large lemon: whole Cooking oil
Seasonings like lemon-pepper, curry, Montreal steak seasoning—you get the idea
Chicken, pork, beef, fish, shrimp—which protein you prefer Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Directions
Prepare the meat by salting about 30 minutes prior to grilling
Prepare the vegetables you’ve chosen by trimming, peeling, shaving and whathave-you to get them ready for the sauté pan
For the meat
Brush away excess salt on meat and blot wet spots away using a paper towel, spritz lightly with a cooking spray and place on a Medium-High (350°F – 450°F) “Where it hits it sits!” Don’t mess with it—because you want those purdy grill marks. About two minutes into the cooking if fish or seafood, a bit longer if beef, pork or chicken, use the tip of your knife to gently lift the edge of the meat to see if it is sticking to the grates. When the proteins in the meat are seared brown, they will release from the grates—at that point the meat will pretty much flip without much effort. When it releases, turn it over and sear the other side.
Depending upon the meat and thickness you want to achieve, an internal temperature of about 135°F for rare beef or lamb, 145°F for seafood/fish and about 165°F for chicken. You can remove the meat from the cooking surface about 5° below that target temp and let it rest in warm spot, not breezy. Use something like an empty insulated cooler. The meat will continue to rise while the juices absorb back into the muscle fibers. Don’t slice it until rested at least five to 10 minutes! For the vegetables
You can certainly grill vegetables and you can stir fry them too. When you turn the meat the first time, prepare a pan (large enough to accommodate the vegetables you plan on cooking) on the side burner or other section of the grill to use for sauté of the veggies. When the pan is hot drizzle enough oil in the pan to sheen the bottom—it should dance just a bit, but not
smoke. If it’s smoking—it’s too hot. Toss in the vegetables like onions and peppers first and get them sweating, then add mushrooms, tomatoes, asparagus—once again: you get the picture. When the vegetables are sautéed remove from the pan to a platter or individual plates and season with Salt, Pepper and some good olive oil or butter—as you see fit. Present the grilled meat atop and—voila! You are ready to eat. This is tasty when served with rice or crusty bread. CB’s EZ Grilled Corn on the Cob
My preferred way for grilling fresh corn on the cob is a no hassle way to cook this tasty summer-time treat. Buy the freshest corn you can, leave it in the husk and don’t do a dang thing to it. When the grill is Medium-High (about 350°F – 450°F) toss it on. That’s right – toss it on. The silk will burn away at the top of the ear and the outside husks will char. As the husks char on one side—use tongs to slowly rotate them. When they are charred on all sides of the ear of corn—remove. Use a thick towel to hold the ear and with quick movements, grab the top of the husks where the silk used to be and pull it down to the stem end. You can butter it and serve it like that, or you can use a very sharp knife to cut off the peeled back husks and the lower portion of the ear at the base. OK—that’s EZ, right?
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// LOOKING BACK /////////////////////////////////////////////
//////Power boating and the Olympics >
The 1908 London Summer Olympic Games featured the first and only motorized sport to participate in any Olympiad, powerboat racing. Due to its lack of popularity, with only a handful of participants and less than ideal weather, the sport was canceled and never ran again.
For more than 100 years, both the American Power Boat Association and the Modern Olympic Games have been
Since its failed attempt at the 1908 Olympic Games, powerboat racing has come a long way. From speeds of only 19 mph in 1904 -- and zero popularity -- to over 200 mph, the APBA today enjoys a large fan base from all over the country. Powerboat racing has truly become a worldwide event.
APBA VS
1903
Union Internationale Motonautique
GOVERNING BODIES
Eastpointe, Michigan
HEADQUARTERED
Mark Wheeler
1942, ‘43, ‘44 and ‘45
16 Regions
13 Categories
Cruisers, Express Cruisers, Speed Cruisers, Open Boat and Displacement Racers
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entertaining fans and athletes alike. Here’s how both organizations, similar in age, stack up to each other.
Propeller
YEAR FORMED
PRESIDENT YEARS MISSED BECAUSE OF WAR PARTICIPANTS EVENTS DEFUNCT EVENTS PUBLICATION
With more than two centuries of sporting experience between them, the Modern Olympics and the American Power Boat Association have a lot to look forward to in the future, including possibly reuniting. According to UIM President Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, who was part of the annual International Olympic Committee in Canada, in May, he’s hoping powerboat racing can rejoin the Summer Games.
MODERN OLYMPICS 1896 International Olympic Committee Lausanne, Switzerland Jacques, Rogge 1916, 1940 and 1944 205 Countries 26 sports Tug of War, Water Obstacle Course, Motorboat Racing, Golf and Baseball Olympic Review
Propeller
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PATRIOTIC BOATS
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For boat racers the ultimate sign of respect to their country is painting their boats to look like the American flag. Representing a country is something done with pride, honor and respect. Whether it’s hanging a flag outside your house or eating 68 hot dogs during the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. during the Fourth of July weekend. For boat racers the ultimate sign of respect to their country is painting their boats to look like the American flag. “I have a profound respect for anybody that serves, (whether it’s) our veterans or our troops. We decided to put ‘God bless our troops and veterans’ on the side of our boat,” OPC driver Stacy Funk said. ”In turn, our son enlisted, and then, in May, our second son enlisted. So, I have two enlisted sons. It’s not directed to them in any specific way, it is directed to everybody in general just to say thank you. If it weren’t for them I wouldn’t be racing.” After wrecking her boat, Funk had a choice about what she wanted to do with it. To continue to honor the troops she decided to paint her boat exactly how it was before the crash.
PRO outboard racer Greg Keller has two identical boats, an 1100cc runabout and a 350cc runabout, decorated with America’s stars and stripes. Having a sister and a daughter in the United States Air Force, it’s extra special for him to represent his country. “My sister has been to Iraq and Afghanistan and my daughter just recently signed up a couple of years ago,” Keller said. “There was a little military inspiration (to paint it that way), and just being a red-blooded American I don’t really see any other option. “We don’t necessarily support all of the war efforts that go on, but we’re behind our service men and women and support them always.” No matter the situation, in times of war or peace, boat racers have always been representing the red, white, and blue on their boats.
For three generations the Jennings family has had a red, white and blue themed boat. After his father, Gordy Sr. tragically lost his life at a race in 1974, Gordy Jr. carried on his family tradition and began racing as a 15-year-old, in 1975.
“My real dad was killed in a K-boat in 1974, his boat was painted like that and we copied it. Of course we made a couple of changes, but I raced K with that for three years, set a bunch of records and won championships,” Jennings said. “My dad set some records but he never won a championship, and I got the chance to win one in this boat, (with his paint job). “Now my son, Gordon III, is running AX Hydro, and his boat is all red, white and blue. He loves it and is having a really good time.” As the new generation comes up, the American spirit and tradition of family live on through boat racing. In a multigenerational sport, it’s important not to forget how we got here.
“I really like boat racing, and I’m proud to be in a country that allows us to (race) wherever we want, whenever we want,” F-1 driver Jeff Shepherd said. “I hope people think of that when they see anything that looks like our flag. If it weren’t for our troops we wouldn’t be able to do what we love.”
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// Category corner /////////////////////////////////////////////
>
Category corner >
Modified Outboard
// TOM SUTHERLAND,MODIFIED OUTBOARD Chairman
What have you done for your sport lately? Have you done anything beyond attending races to help grow the sport of boat racing? With the season in full swing, what trends have you noticed? Has the boat count improved over last year? If you don’t like the answers to some of these questions, then ask yourself, what can I do to improve the situation? Some of the clubs are working hard to improve our sport, conducting racer schools and trying to put on enough local races to keep the non-travelers interested and active. Club participation is important. You will notice that some
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clubs spread the work around. Different people work as referees, inspectors and scorers at their club’s various races. And yet another club will risk burnout by having the same few people do the scoring, inspecting and refereeing. Where do you fit in? Ask yourself, “what can I do to help?” Or, if you are one of the worker bees, encourage others to help. The bottom line is that everyone needs to do something to help if we are to build up membership and improve race participation. See you Alabama.
Propeller
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STOCK OUTBOARD // Jeff Brewster, Stock Outboard Chairman
The 2012 racing season is just getting under way and believe it or not I am already thinking about our next national meeting in Texas. Before we know it, we will be headed to the “Lone Star” state to plan for our next season. Even thought it seems a bit premature, now is the time to refine some of your ideas that could help our sport and make it better. Take some time to use your racing friends as a sounding board for your opinions. They
may be able to help or even improve your idea. Most likely after a few adult beverages in the evening, you may also get to hear what they really think.
In all seriousness, if you have been thinking about what is wrong with our sport and you have a well thought out idea on how to fix it, I would love to hear it. Either I or your local commissioner can help you mold your idea into a proposal for Texas. I can speak for our entire
Stock Outboard Racing Commission on one item: We the SORC care, we are concerned and want to listen. Make your voice be heard, we can’t make changes if you don’t speak. I hope to hear from you. Have a safe summer and don’t forget to help the racer in the pit beside you. They may be struggling more than you are and need some help.
PRO Nationals return to Lake DePue // Steve Greaves, PRO Chairman 2012 PRO Nationals
Later this month, for the 28th consecutive year, the PRO National Championships return to beautiful Lake DePue in DePue, Illinois. The Championship dates are July 27-29. Testing is on July 25 & 26. The following is the schedule of racing action: DePue 2012 Schedule
Wednesday, July 25: Testing
Thursday, July 26: Testing Qualification for O175 WC if necessary Friday, July 27: O175 WC, OSY400, CRacH, 125R KPH, CSerR, 500H, O175 WC Saturday, July 28: O175 WC, CRacR, 250R, 350H, 175H, CSerH, 700H, 500R Sunday, July 29: 1100R, 250H, 175R 125H, 350H, 1100H Many thanks to the DePue Men’s Club, the U. S. Title Series, and the village of DePue for organizing what will be 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”. There will be a drivers’ party in the pits on Thursday evening and an Awards Banquet on Saturday evening. We look forward to seeing everyone at DePue for a great 2012 Nationals. 2012 Championships:
The following table shows the various PRO Championship races remaining in 2012 as of July 2012. 2012 Eastern PRO Divisional Championships:
July 7-8: OSY400, 125H Thompson, CT; Connecticut Outboard Association August 31-September 2: 700H Hartford, CT; US Title Series
2012 Western PRO Divisional Championships:
August 25-26: 350R, 500R, 1100R Eatonville, WA; Seattle Outboard Association 2012 PRO National Championships:
July 27-29: All PRO classes DePue, IL; DePue Men’s Club
2012 PRO North American Championships:
August 31-September 2: 250H, 700H Hartford, CT; US Title Series 2012 UIM World Championships:
July 27-29: O175 DePue, IL; DePue Men’s Club
The 2012 1100R Eastern Divisionals has been released and is now available. Should any club be interested, please let us know. OSY400 Jetty Starts:
Per a rule change effective now, the OSY400 class has been utilizing jetty starts during the past few months. Officials and race committees have been developing guidelines for jetty starts and to date, the jetty starts have proved to be an interesting change with lots of fan appeal. If Race Committees have questions about implementing jetty starts, contact us, and we can put you in touch with officials who can share their experience.
- Sparky
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// Category corner /////////////////////////////////////////////
////Inboard >
//Sean M. Bowsher Inboard Technology Advisory Board
Hello fellow Inboard Division members and welcome to the future. As radios, computers, phones and cameras all combine into the size of a deck of cards, we must also condense and evolve. If you race boats, you know you must do more with less. Which is not to say quality suffers, but being the minimalist society we are, we take what is given and make the best out of it. Just ask any champion, they always make it happen. “So what does all this minimalist technology have to do with me?” Well I’m glad you asked. I have recently been appointed to head up the Technology Advisory Board. Defined - the board will work with APBA staff to help develop our technology. This includes: apba-racing. com, digital Propeller, APBA social, data gathering, video, live streaming and much more.- In a nut shell we are going to bring the APBA Inboard Division in line with the technology of today. From a less paper intense online registration procedure to live on board video streams and lots in between. We are currently working on getting more live streaming kits out to races so more people can enjoy seeing the races. Right now we have a few dedicated individuals who spend all day doing the live streams for us. Our goal is to get help for them with better quality equipment (and bandwidth). As we all know, we race on four fronts east coast, west coast, central U.S, and our brethren to the north, Canada. We would like to get two
dedicated individuals on each front to help live stream. Even if live streaming is not possible at an event I would still like video footage to post.
Also I’m a firm proponent of the GoPro cameras to use on board and handheld throughout the pits and on the docks. These cameras are small with great 1080p HD video. They are waterproof and with the new Wi-Fi Combo Kit, it enables remote control, live preview and playback on smart phones and tablets, live streaming to the web and more. This means that anyone with a smart phone can download the free application and watch, in real time, what the cameras are seeing. The application has the ability to switch between 50 active cameras; so spectators can watch real time on board video and crew chiefs can see who really cut off who or have a camera looking at the gauges (drivers don’t look at gauges). Learn more at gopro.com. APBA has spent a lot of time and resources with the new apba-racing.com website. We have come a long way but still have more to do. In the near future we will be launching the individual boat racing Divisions websites. OPC will be the first with Inboard next. The intent is to make the Inboard Division website your first stop for all things boat racing. We don’t want you to stop visiting all your favorite boat race sites but we want you to come to the Inboard site to get the important information you need, from registration to rule changes, driver bios and news.
So what are your favorite websites for boat racing and where do you get most of your information? Roostertails, Hydroplanes Quebec, Inboard Hydroplanes, Yahoo! Inboard Message Board? Or maybe you get on Facebook and Twitter. How many use your class representative? These are all great sources of information and we want to use that. So let us know where you go to get your information so we can compile a list and keep everyone informed. E-mail me at sean52@roostertails.net and let me know. Information is power and the more info you can let me know the better job I can do. Just as wood boats evolved into carbon fiber boats so we must evolve the technology of our Inboard Division. The technology is in place, we just have to utilize it. Just because “that is the way we have always done it” doesn’t mean it cannot be done better. With a new breed of young and talented racers coming through the ranks that have grown up with texting, e-mail and smart phones, they will be the future of APBA. Let’s not give them an 8 Track player and rotary phone and tell them to do their best. Let’s give them the tools, technology and information they need to take the APBA Inboard Division and the APBA to the next level.
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Propeller
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OUTBOARD PERFORMANCE CRAFT Safety Capsules
As the racing season heats up, the OPC Safety committee has identified a potential concern regarding capsule floor failures as an issue on older safety cells. We had one instance where the mounting plate pulled through the bottom of an SST45 capsule. Before the committee met, Tom Stanley ran an analysis and came to the conclusion that the reason for the failure was not due to our new mounting design, rather due to a weakened safety cell floor due to mostly age. Pictures that were taken have also confirmed this. A plan has been put in place to address this and get some answers to the teams on how they may proceed if they have concerns of their own: 1. Data collection and Analysis
You will have received an e-mail by the time this is printed asking for the known year the capsule was manufactured, the manufacturer and any known repairs that have been made to the capsule.
This data will help us know of what age and types of boats are in the field. We will also be able to identify the lay ups that were used based on the records OPC has collected over the years.
2. Education
This data will be reviewed by the committee and through the engineering help of Tom Stanley, Sam LaBanco and Bob Wartinger, a recommendation for reinforcement will be published for the teams to do as they see fit for their equipment. Your cooperation this is greatly appreciated by all. Website
The OPC Website opcrace.com will have a new home by the end of July. When you attempt to go the website you will be re-directed OPC’s section on the APBA website. Here you will find all the appropriate safety and technical information as you had previously at the opcrace.com site. We will also have our own ability to update OPC’s news and technical information. I want to thank Sam Labanco Jr., for his efforts for maintaining our old site for what really was a nominal fee. Going forward you may contact myself or Tammy Wolf-Jacob for any updates you would like to see on the site.
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// Category corner /////////////////////////////////////////////
OUTBOARD PERFORMANCE CRAFT cont. >
Driving School
I wanted to give you all an update in regards to the Driving School endeavor that OPC has started for 2012.
Our first run at this took place in Dayton, Ohio. As you all may know APBA rents the lake in Dayton for capsule testing for both OPC and Inboard. The testing is integrated in between the student runs as it takes some time to switch drivers in and out of boats. OPC had three students sign up to run the SST 45 for approximately 10 laps each.
Due to the unknown of when the boats would arrive from Seattle, we were not able to promote OPC via APBA in a timely manner as they had 25 students signed up for the Inboard school boat. This left little water time to add more students for OPC. All students were very excited before, during and after their rides. I believe that two of the students we will see again this year in a race boat of their own or through OPCs rental program at Bay City, Trenton and Kankakee. The 3rd student is a crew member for Dana Tomes (Herd Racing) and wanted to be able to take a ride for the thrill of it!
All in all the event was in my eyes EXTREMELY successful!!!!! I can’t thank the help of Fairchild racing, Tammy Wolf-Jacob and Jim Fox enough for the work that was done to make this “trial run” of Driver School a success. We also had some assistance this weekend from Larry Spencer, Jimmy Robb Jr. and Bill Chatfield. If this is any indication as to the success of the program we will be rapidly moving in the right direction for the growth of our sport and category.
On a side note to the school Heather Steinberger from Boating Magazine was one of our students (and potential racers) was on assignment to write an article for the fall issue of “Boating”. The article will be themed as a novice racer and the experience of driving a tunnel boat. It will also include information on getting started in racing as well as who to contact to participate in future driving schools. If all goes the right way a follow up article will be done on her racing at one of our events. This will give us some great momentum for 2013 and beyond. And of course NONE of this would have happened without the help of Sea-Way Marine, APBA Historical Society, The Dave Packer Trust and Dewald Propellers. See you at the races!
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Propeller
////Scorers Forum // Peggy Wendt
>
I am not only a Chief Scorer in the Inboard Category .... I am a member of the National Scoring Committee, Vice Chairperson for Region 3 and currently sit on the Board of Directors for APBA. As you can see I wear many hats. All of these positions have one thing in common, which is to represent APBA and to uphold it’s rules and by-laws. This year along with our new President came a new Insurance Company, ASIS .. ASIS has asked all of us to be diligent in following the guidelines for Risk Management set by APBA.
A lot of this information can be found on our APBA website under the Resource section. Once you open the resource directory go to page #3 for Reference I Risk Manager’s Meeting 2012, read the presentation infom1ation which was created by Our Chief Referee Mmy Williams. At the end of the presentation it state’s that the Referee “Risk Manager” is ultimately responsible for the compliance of the rules at the race site. However evety member of APBA must be on the lookout for ways to help our Risk Manager’s complete these task so that we are 100% compliant at each and every race site.
As A Chief Scorer we are pmt of the race committee. Also we are the first line of defense so make sure you do your pmt. For example: Make sure all the conect Waiver’s are signed, have a Minor Release for all minors under the age of 18 (racing or NOT). Make sure each entry blank is filled in full etc. If evetyone does their part it will all come together easily. Remember the end goal is to have a safe and fun weekend of racing ! !
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APBA Announcements
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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. • 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
• APBA Headquarters shall notify the
nominees prior to July 15
• Candidates shall submit to APBA
Headquarters, an acceptance letter by August 1st
• 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. Previous honorees are:
• 2008 Penny Anderson
Edmonds, WA
• 2009 Ernie Dawe
Indio, CA
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• 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.
6. 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: • Major boat race promotion
accomplishments (new race sites; race sponsors)
Any member interested in making a nomination for this award may do so by submitting the nomination with written details to APBA Headquarters.
• Major structural improvements in
Notice of Honor Squadron Nominations
• Major technological improvement to
The APBA Honor Squadron is the highest non-racing award that the APBA offers each year.
• Exceptional long-term racing
All nominations must be received no later than September 30th, 2012.
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. To be a candidate for induction, the nominee must receive a vote of at least 50% of the Honor Squadron Committee members
APBA’s organization
• Major contributions to APBA’s
functioning through rule restructuring, driver and official recruitment, committee activities one, or several, aspects of the sport
accomplishments may be considered. The description of each contribution, exceptional service, or accomplishment must be specific.
// Racing Calendar //////////////////////////////
Propeller
Racing Calendar REGION 1
REGION 7
7/7-7/8 Thompson, CT
PRO, Modified, Stock, Outboard Drag, Junior
REGION 2 8/17-8/19 9/21-9/23
Clayton, NY Vintage Geneva, NY Vintage-Inboard
REGION 3 9/8-9/9 9/15-9/16 10/6-10/7
Mays Landing, NJ Inboard West Milford, NJ Inboard Wildwood Crest, NJ Inboard
REGION 4 7/14-7/15 8/31-9/2
Sharptown, MD Modified, Stock, Junior Wheeling, WV Vintage
REGION 6 7/1-7/4 7/7-7/8 7/13-7/15 7/14 -7/15 7/20-7/22 7/21-7/22 7/30-8/5 8/4-8/5
Pittsburgh, PA Offshore, opc Lakemore, OH Modified, Stock, Junior Detroit, MI Inboard Marietta, OH OPC Trenton, MI Stock, opc, Junior Constantine, MI PRO Grasslake, MI Stock, Junior Portsmouth, OH opc
8/11-8/12 Indian River, MI 8/25-8/26 Celina, OH
STOCK, Superlight Tunnel Boat, Junior Vintage, inboard
7/25-7/29
DePue, IL
PRO
REGION 10 7/7-7/8 Olympia, WA 7/7-7/8 Gold Beach, OR 7/14-7/15 Tillicum, WA
Vintage, Inboard, Inboard Endurance Outboard River PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior
7/21-7/22 Oroville, WA 7/21-7/22 Rogue River, OR 8/25-8/26 Eatonville, WA 9/8-9/9 Moses Lake, WA 9/22-9/23 Yelm, WA
Vintage, Inboard, Inboard Endurance, OPC Outboard River PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior
REGION 11 7/7-7/8 Chowchilla, CA
Vintage, PRO, Modified, Stock, OPC, Junior
REGION 12 9/14-9/16
San Diego, CA
Special Event, Unlimited, Offshore
Morgan City, LA
OPC, Junior
REGION 15 7/7-7/8
// in pictures /////////////////////////////////////////////
Show us what you got! Submit your pictures for a chance to be featured in next month’s propeller
SUBMIT
2.5-liter Modified Inboards head down the straight away at Walled Lake Thunder. // EKStudio
in pictures... Joseph Sovie, from Ogdenburg, Ohio, works on his 5-liter inboard at Walled Lake Thunder.
Inboard racer Dan Kanfouch can’t believe what he is looking at.
// EKStudio
// Patrick Bafile
Daniel Koschka (NAC) for 350 MOD Hydro in Huntington, Ind. // Leo Schlotter
The 56R goes on the bonfire after hours in Newberg, OR. // Mike and Denise Johnson
propeller
Jack Fournier takes the traditional dunk celebrating his first victory in CSR at Newberg, ably assisted in the wetting by Kevin Valentine and Bill Dingman. // Christine Gleason
David Sullivan plants it on the corner in C Stock Hydro at Newberg, OR // Patrick Gleason
Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush poses with Dubai Victory Team in 1999. Bush got behind the wheel of the 46-foot, twin-powered V12 boat and drove at speeds near 120 mph.
Two military soldiers show their support for the APBA. Frank Banducci conducted a session of capsule training in his backyard pool in Pinole Calif. the participants are thoroughly taken through the essential steps to make a successful escape from an overturned boat simulator. // Gloria Crim
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// REGION ROUND UP /////////////////////////////////////////////
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region round up // F. PEIRCE WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY
// F. PEIRCE WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY
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REGION 2
On June 2, a portion of the vintage fleet journeyed to the scenic Lake George to kick off the spring portion of the APBA race boat regatta schedule. Mother Nature became an uninvited guest, much to the dismay of event Director Teri Hoffman and host Adirondack chapter of ACBS. Referee Larry Lauterbach was forced to call the event after showing great patience by waiting for the day-long fog to clear. Nevertheless, participants enjoyed the fine hospitality shown by the hosts. Coming up on Aug. 18 and 19, Clayton’s 1000 Islands Museum will host a huge Vintage event. Clayton is where the division began and Director Dave Richardson has a series of activities planned on both land and sea. It truly is a can’t miss event for vintage owners.
The North American Championships will also take place on Aug. 18 and 19, and are hosted by the NFBRA. The Thunder on the Niagara, directed by Pete Hackett, is expecting another big turnout this year for the exciting event in Gratwick Park in North Tonawanda, N.Y.
Saturday, Sept. 8, the Buffalo Launch Club will be the site of its Raceboat Reunion, which is a huge event jointly sponsored by the APBA Vintage and ACBS. The feature hydros include three Unlimiteds that will run on the famous BLC course. Miss US, Miss Bud, and the Gale are all early entries. Rich DeGlopper is chairman. For more details go to www.oldboatsbuffalo.org. Empire State Boat Racing Association is returning with the second annual HydroBowl on Seneca Lake at Geneva Lakefront Park Sept. 21 through 23. The race site is across Seneca Lake from Watkins Glenn (famous for auto racing), located in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country and within convenient walking distance to downtown Geneva. The people of Geneva are anxious to welcome the racers back this year. The MACH Series hydroplane classes, flatbottoms, and skiffs are planning on a great show this year. Vintage boats will
be participating as well to keep the history alive and roaring on the water. So, plan on showing up with your boat and join in on the fun. More details can be found here. hydrobowl.com REGION 10
Busy times in the Northwest corner of the lower 48…racing is in full swing, by the time you read this the outboarders will be halfway through their season, the inboards will be at Black Lake, the Cal Ore River gang will have a number of races under their belts, and the Unlimiteds will be heading from Detroit to Tri Cities, hopefully with minimal wounds. SOA is looking forward to their upcoming race at Little American Lake. This is a race site we haven’t visited since the late 1960s. One of its distinguishing characteristics is that the lake, and access to it, is on Joint Base Lewis McChord, one of the largest Army Bases in the nation. As such, all racers and families have had to submit to a background check to gain access to the post. However, it will all be worth the extra work: The MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) group is bending over backwards to accommodate our members and provide us with a pristine race site. We feel that there is the potential for a very good partnership between APBA Racing and the Military. Eventually, these guys will get out of the Army and be looking for something fun to do with their time and money. It’s our hope that their experience will have at Joint Base Lewis McChord with Seattle Outboard Association and APBA will make them go look for boat racing in whatever area of the country they call home, and become fans of the sport. If this works as well as we expect it to, we hope we can work to seek out more opportunities for APBA to partner with other military groups in the U.S. Seems like a great place to pick up new members. The Region 10 Inboard gang has a couple of events successfully completed by now, as Jim Codling reports:
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Out here in the “Wild West,” we are hoping that our summer restarts by the 4th of July. Most all of the boats missing from Moses Lake are just about done now and ready to roll. A lot of our folks are heading for the South Dakota race in late June and then Burley the following week, both of these events should be history when you get this Propeller. Our next big event is the “Skookum Creek” Western Divisional event in Olympia. This long time classic is again the crown jewel of our racing in Region 10. Race Chair Jerry Dugan and a large bunch of helpers worked on this event for six months to get all the issues resolved and the race rolling on July 7th and 8th.
Little Creek Casino will be the host hotel, so get your rooms early. After that we go to Oroville for that northerly race. A new group has stepped in to take over for the town and they have worked out a lot of issues to get that event going again with the new gang up near the Canadian border.
Our Unlimited fleet is going back together after their very long sea trip to Qatar. Most of the fleet is almost ready to go. And we have a new addition with the return of the Gregory’s and their new sponsors Degree for Men. Long time limited race sponsor and unlimited crew boss John Walcker has bought the U-57 and plans on running it with the Evans brothers as co-owners, which will be a fun group to watch. The fun starts in Madison, Ind., in a few weeks. The passing of Fred Leland is a loss to all the racers. Fred was an inventive man and a great racer. He will be missed. And we finish up the July news with Larry Darneille’s Cal-Ore River racer report: “The 2012 Boatnik at Grants Pass is history. This year’s race was a milestone as Grants Pass’ Jeff Lewis won his ninth Boatnik crown surpassing his racing partner Don Burnison’s eight wins. Jeff has been racing the northwest rivers for 43 years and had just recently built a new boat for the 2012 Cal-Ore US Championship season. Jeff barrel rolled
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the new boat in practice five days before the race resulting in damage that couldn’t be repaired for the race. He retrieved his and Don Burnison’s old boat the “Geezer Rocket” from Don’s barn and drove on to victory. Consistency was the name of the game this year as many of the front runners were out of the race with in two laps. Tyler McGinnis of Gold Beach blew his new boat over two miles into the race and Derek Woolsey of Grants Pass threw a blade while fighting for the lead in the first lap. This year’s water level was perfect for speed but rough with the constant pounding of equipment. Only five of the fourteen starters finished with 2011 rookie of the year Doug Branham, of Hoopa, CA second behind Lewis, followed by Robert Calvosa of Eureka in third, Sonnyman Downs of Klamath, CA fourth and John McAllister of Junction City, OR fifth. “There will be a new class added to Cal-Ore this year. The Labor Day race at Grants Pass will debut River Racer Runabout. The class will feature D runabout hulls with the river racer spec engine. The class will run on a shorter and milder course than the hydros. Each venue in 2013 will feature a different course layout for the runabouts with the focus on having the race more in front of the fans than the longer point to point race for the hydros. The initial plan is for the runabout race to be held on Saturday afternoons after the hydro qualifying with the main hydro race held on Sunday.
“The next race will be at Hoopa, CA June 9 and 10. All of this year’s races feature a qualifying time trial over a short course for the starting position in the Sunday event.” And that’s about it for now…I’m headed off for Tastin’ and Racing at Lake Sammamish State Park this weekend to enjoy one of our premiere events that brings APBA racing to the public in the Seattle area. It’s always a good time, regardless of the weather. See you soon! - Patrick Gleason Region 11
“Think May; think Minden.” Well, at least that’s our slogan out here in northern
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California. This year, we got just enough boats pre-registered for a fun race in May, but mysteriously our ambulance service provider was unavailable at the last minute, and we wound up stranded on the beach. Boat count via pre-registration indicators was average…a little light in one or two classes. Weather was generally pretty nice. Drat!!! We’ll have to wait until the East Bay Boat Club (EBBC) Chowchilla race on July 7 and 8. Northern California Outboard Association (NCOA) is looking to go “back to Sparks” … on Aug. 18 and 19, following “Nationals” season. Sparks was a great spot to race in the 60s and 70s. The site evaporated as development progressed. This site is right next to Interstate-80, and thus even more convenient for racers and spectators. The Williams family has done a lot of hustling up in that area to open our opportunities for a big return. Hold those dates and join us …. SO/MOD/ PRO/I (Crackerbox). The original Minden race that we had to cancel, is now re-set for the weekend of Sept. 8 and 9, with a “3-days-of-racingin-2-days format”. This is a great race site and setteling. It’s about as pleasant of a site as we can find. The late-season Minden Race will then also remain on our board, and is still slated for Oct. 13 and 14. These are all SO/MOD/PRO and Crackerbox events. We are all ecstatic with the continuing progress that Dan Schwartz makes toward his recoveries and glad to have him back at our races and as an active voice at the Spring Region Meeting. What a heroic effort, and Jean is beyond incredible in her patience, dedication and focus on seeing Dan through these trying times. (A special article is being prepared, for a coming edition, with more detail.) We mourn the loss of our Stevie West (OPC supporter) as she passed from our presence last week. I am informed that a specific tribute will be prepared for inclusion in this edition in the “Tributes” column. May she rest calmly near calm waters and light breezes.
I regret that I have not yet received any specific updates to this year’s “Delta Thunder” SO/OPC race event in Isleton, California as of this writing, but am comforted knowing it will be timely to include it in the next edition. Please get the above race dates in your electronic personal organizer or on the old-fashioned wall calendar, and be ready to race your heart out with us, starting up, once again, in early July (Chowchilla, CA.) See you all at the races and drive safely.
In Memoriam:
Lowell Schumacher 1940-2012 Lowell Edward Schumacher of Shelby Township, died in Menominee, Wisc., at a boat race on Saturday, May 26. He was born in Detroit to Lester Frederick Ferdinand and Francess Annetta (Young) Schumacher. He is survived by his children, Elizabeth Schumacher Pulick and her husband, Michael; David Lowell Schumacher and his wife, Krista and grandchildren, Eric Michael & Rachael Pulick and Matthew David & Ryan McCoy Schumacher. Lowell was also survived by his sister, Joan Blake. He was predeceased by his parents.
Lowell Edward Schumacher, born July 28, 1940, was a man with a huge heart. He could be identified by his many talents: a skilled tool and die maker, a craftsman of wooden race boats, an avid coin collector, and a man who could fix most anything. Above all, though, he was our father, his children wrote. “(Lowell ) built me a boat back in 197778 and I won the ’79 world championship with that boat in Dayton, Ohio. He and I always celebrated our birthdays together in Constantine, Mich. We go back a long ways,” Dan Kirts said.
“His craftsmanship was far superior to everyone else, as far as I’m concerned. Everything that he did with a boat was just perfect. When I found out about his passing I just couldn’t believe it, I dropped everything. I think everybody in boat racing is devastated.” Schumacher was always willing to help. Whether you were his neighbor, his best friend, or his racing opponent, he would give you anything he had. He was a man who would jump out to help you, even if it meant that he didn’t get a chance to
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race. Not many people have a heart that large. He was also simple man, another trait you don’t often find these days. He didn’t need “things” to be happy. He found his happiness in nature and in people. He grew up loving the lake and would spend every minute there that he could.
“He was just a very, very special person. He was always there and it didn’t make a difference if it was a Schumacher boat or what it was. If it needed repairs all they had to do was call him and he would be down there,” Kirts said. “He was just there for everybody that was his family. Boat racing was his family.” As a young man he loved to water ski and throughout his life, the lake was a place where he could go FAST! Schumacher never slowed down on the water and any day spent at the lake was a great one. At home, he loved his flowering Paulownia tree, the birds on his feeder, and the miraculous “evening primrose” flowers in his yard. Schumacher loved the simple things. Schumacher’s friends were those who could really see and appreciate the man he was on the inside. He cherished his friendships and loved spending time with them at boat races, the Holloway, on “the Big River”, Torch Lake, and especially at Hot Boat Weekend!
“Lowell, Danny Kirts and myself go back a long time and I broke down (when I heard of his passing). TO see grown men come together and mourn the loss of Lowell was a pretty said situation,” Fred Mason said. “He was high, highly respected and well thought of. He will be missed a great deal. It’s something you can’t measure.
“The highlight of his whole day when he went to a race was to see a boat that he built run correctly, he took that right to heart.”
The thing that brought Lowell the most happiness was spending time with his children and grandchildren. He could not be more proud of them and he could not have been a more loving father and grandfather. He didn’t live his life for his work. What was most important to him was coming home to his family at the end of the day.
Some say that you die twice. Once when you stop breathing and the second time when someone says your name for the last time. While Lowell is not physically present with us any longer, we can forever cherish the many memories and life lessons he leaves behind; his influence in shaping who we are today keeps his legacy alive in all of us. “The only thing that keeps coming to mind is that he was the most fair and honest person I ever knew. Whatever he said he did, he did. He was the most said and honest person I ever knew in my life,” Miller said. “Lowell was very respected and loved. He loved racing, fast boats and racing them. He loved building them so they performed well. That meant everything to him.” “I am losing a good friend, a very good friend and somebody like that is going to be awful hard to replace,” Kirts added. “He was probably one of the most honest guys I have ever met. He was just a super man, that’s all there was.”
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In Memoriam:
Tamara Dawe 1972-2012 Powerboat racing has lost a strong advocate, a generous spirit and a fierce competitor. The unexpected death of Tamara (Tammy) Dawe, 40, on June 12 is a terrible loss to her family, friends and countless students who knew her as a caring and dedicated Language Arts teacher, yearbook advisor and friend.
racers, just as she did with her students. She applauded others’ victories, even when they beat her. Seeing her dad win an award, or her brother win a world championship, was as exciting to her as her own accomplishments. She cheered for Inboard and Junior racers as well as those from her own Stock Outboard category.
She became a strong contender in A Stock Hydro and 20SS Hydro, often beating the boys and coming close “but not close enough!” to a national title. She did win Sectional Hydro honors, scored in the top five in High Points and won her share of races. However, despite being competitive, Tammy could take a loss with good humor. When her boat caught fire at a Wakefield Nationals (and made the cover of Propeller), she took it in stride. When she accidentally pulled the kill switch at the 2011 Nationals, she admitted it and kept right on going.
Teaching, her day job, was something that Tammy went full throttle at as well. As yearbook advisor, Tammy helped the kids raise money when the funds were not there. She attended every event at Mesa Linda Middle School in Victorville, Calif., where she had taught for seven years. A former student said of her in the Victorville Daily Press, “She always was there for me when I needed help. She helped me stay out of trouble. She was a very caring and amazing woman.”
In the February 2012 issue of Propeller, Tammy told the story of how she got started in racing. Having her dad, Ernie, and brother, Steven, heavily involved in J Stock Outboard and eventually OPC, it was inevitable that Tammy would jump into a boat someday. She said, “I went out full throttle and have been hooked ever since.”
For Tammy, racing was not just about winning. “I have yet to win a national title or get into the Hall of Champions, but I know that if I never do, I will always have my boat racing family and that is all the Hall of Champions I need,” she said. Encouraging young girls and women to enter the sport, Tammy mentored young
As a longtime Region 12 reporter, Tammy covered many Stock Outboard Nationals and local races. She served on the APBA Council-at-Large and the Stock Outboard Racing Commission for years.. She and Ernie, worked tirelessly to recruit new racers. She encouraged, pleaded, harangued—whatever it took—to get boats out of garages and racers into boats on the water..
Along with her parents Ernie and Mary Jo Dawe, brother Steven (Annica) Dawe, sister Mandy ( Jeff ) Smith, and nieces Katelynn and Kara Jo, an entire sport mourns the loss of a champion who showed everyone how to live life. Race in peace, Tammy Dawe. We miss you.
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