TWIN CITY POWER BOAT ASSOCIATION 2014 MAGAZINE
Jan 2014
TCPBA.ORG
WHAT BOATS ARE WHAT? PAGE 4
2013
Year End Results Page 2
In 2014 REGION 8 elected a new Commissioner, Dave McCormick, who brings a strong knowledge of boating racing, and assisting Dave as Vice Commissioner will be Merv Bjork; we feel both will be great representatives of Region 8.
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VOL. 01 NO. 01
TCPBA COMING TO THE MINNEAPOLIS BOAT SHOW January 30–February 2, 2014 Page 7
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YEAR END
RESULTS G T Pro
Brandon Lick and Stephanie Hansen battled it out until the last race of the season, where Brandon was able to take the race and the TCPBA championship when Steph’s boat hooked in the corner and died out, but Steph isn’t crying any tears, after all, she took the national championship in Kankakee, IL. Joel Stricker Raced every single race of the season taking a total of 1145 season points, putting him in a strong third place finish for the year end.Both Stephanie and Megan Halver pulled double duty racing in both GT Pro and Sport C. Marissa and Becca Fortuna along with Emma Wachholz tried to chase down the front runners, but just couldn’t pull out the win, although Emma did take 3rd place in Kankakee, and Marissa and Becca’s boat (piloted by Jeff Larson) took 2nd.
GTPro Results
First Place Brandon Lick
Second Place Stephanie Hansen Third Place Joel Stricker
Allan Hunting and Nancy battled it out, Allan came in on top, coming in 1st in all but 1 race, and as you may have guessed, Nancy was the one who took 1st in that race. First Place- Allan Hunting Second Place- Nancy Landgraf Third Place- Stephanie Hansen
Sport C
Steph and Nancy Accepting the first place Trophie for Allan Hunting
VP75
wow what a race season! This is a class where you never know what may happen, or who may win the race, hence why the fans call them the “Crazies”. It was a tough, down to the nitty gritty… TIE. Not sure if that has EVER happened in racing, but it did this year in the TCPBA! Paul Jorgenson and Chris Lazarz came in for the season with a point total of 2719. Not sure how we are going to settle who gets 1st, maybe paper, rock, scissors? I do want to mention that Dick Kojetin came in a strong 3rd place, even with being, um….70! Great job guys! First Place - Paul Jorganson Second Place-Chris Lazarz Third Place-Dick Kojetin
Hobby Stock Our hobby stock racers had a short season with only 2 races, where Chris Vadnais took 1st, Tim Fortuna took 2nd. Howard Pipkorn took 3rd.
Note: TCPBA founders: Howard Pipkorn, Dick Kojetin, and Jerry Johnson; noting that both Howard and Dick are still racing; and Dick at the young age of 70.
Tim Fortuna Accepting Trophies For Howard and Chris
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SST60
SST-60 class welcomed a few new racers this season bringing our total boat count to 9! Two of our new F3 racers are women, welcome Jessica Olson and Kris Bjork. What a back and forth battle between the Jeff Krischano and Jeff Hansen boats for who would finish in 1st place. It seemed as though Jeff Krischano and Jeff Hansen were going to “duke” it out, but with Jeff Krischano’s hard knocks (flipping, prop damage, and a collision) and Jeff Hansen unable to make it to 2 races, they both fell down the ladder and opened the door for Dean Hansen to take TCPBA High Points, with son Mike Hansen taking a close 2nd, falling only to his father. We can’t wait to see what 2014 has to offer for the F3 class. In addition we would like to welcome David Garza too the SST-60 class as well this year.
SST-120 was a different story, Brian Tabara led in all
but one race; taking home 1st place high points in TCPBA as well as 2nd place for APBA. I would say he had a near perfect season of racing. The Welch race team traveled around the country racing in and finished respectively in the circuit. Theses racers demonstrated that some of the best racers in the nation call Region 8 their home. First Place- Brian Tabara Second Place- Tyler Welch Third Place- Mark Welch
SST-200 was as exciting as always! Alan Tucker took
home the divisional championship in Detroit Lakes, MN. Merv Bjork, couldn’t resist racing as hard as he could (taking out a few buoys with him) and taking home the win for the season with 1st place high points in TCPBA. First Place- Merv Bjork Second Place- Alan Tucker Third Place- Mark Welch
F-150 Alan Tucker took home the North American
Championship, but once Steve Tabara’s F-150 was up and running, and having a near perfect season, took home the 1st place finish in TCPBA high points. First Place-Steve Tabara Second Place- Mark Welch Third Place- Merv Bjork
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Classes GTPro
GT Pro is an exhilarating 50 mph entry-level class that has competitors using 35HP Johnson/Evinrude w/ power trim on V bottom, Modified V, and Tunnel hulls. The boat material may be wood, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or Kevlar. Many competitors have built their own race boat from detailed plans. The minimum participant age is 12 years old and startup cost is $1,250 to $2,500. Minimum weight is 650lbs including driver and unburned fuel.
Sport C The highly competitive Sport C class exhibits affordable 11ft boats that reach speeds of 60 mph. Sport C’s are powered by a lightweight 2 cylinder Nissan/Tohatsu 40HP engines. Competitors must be 14 years of age. The legal hulls are tunnels, Modified V, or V bottoms equipped with power trim. Minimum weight is 675lbs with driver.
VP75 VP75 is a fan favorite! These high flying – rough riding V bottom race boats are minimally 13ft long and reach speeds of 60 mph. Many of the competing hulls are fitted with roll cages or safety capsules with enclosed canopies. These boats are powered by 75 HP Johnson and Evinrude outboards. Competitors must be 18 years of age. Minimum weight is 900 lbs with the driver.
The Race Course
TCPBA-RACING.COM
The course is a 3/4 to 1 mile course, typically an oval with two corners. A modified ‘LeMans’ start (dead engine) is used from a dock, beach or seawall. As the boats are lined up ready for the start, a one-minute flare is fired and the white flag is raised. At any time past 45 seconds the white flag is dropped to officially start the race. The boats fire their engines and accelerate from a dead stop to top speed of 50 - 135 mph in the straight away (depending on the class) as they speed toward the first turn. Boats jockey for position passing each other in the straightaway and turns, running only inches apart from each other. At the conclusion of the race the overall class winner takes a victory lap with the checkered flag. Fans cheer for their favorite boat or driver and we encourage interaction between the fans and the drivers during every race.
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THE EVENT The event will include a session where the hot pits will be opened up for members of the
public to meet and greet race team members. Autographs are encouraged at this time as many of the teams have prepared signed cards or other promotional items. TCPBA also oers race sponsors/contributors the opportunity to advertise on each of the boats as an event requirement. Larger more inclusive sponsorships of individual business on favorite boats are also available.
Classes Formula V
The ultimate in inland V bottom competition is Formula V (FV), exhibiting high ¬flying, rough riding, power, performance and technology. Boats are minimally 15 - 19' boats long and reach speeds of 75 mph. FV boats are powered by stock up to 105 cubic inch cross flow engines , and equipped with power trim. Competitors must be 18 years of age.
Formula 3 / SST 60 TCPBA’s most popular class is the Formula 3 (F3) Class. These 14ft tunnel boats are equipped with 56 cubic inch OMC’s that reach speeds of 85 mph! These boats are lightweight, agile, and accelerate quickly. Competitors must be 16 years of age. Minimum weight is 825lbs with driver included. Startup costs are between $6,500 and $15,000.
Formula 2 / SST 120 Formula 2 (F2) is one of TCPBA’s most crowd appealing classes. These lightweight tunnel hulls reach speeds of in excess of 110 mph. Competitors in the F2 class race 2.0 Liter and 2.5 Liter engines. The engines produce 200 horsepower and the overall race package with driver weighs 1,100 lbs. Competitors must be 18 years of age.
TCPBA-RACING.COM
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Classes Formula 150 Formula 150 is a class gaining popularity throughout the world! Formula 150 is a unique class that allows 100 to 158 cubic inch power by Suzuki, Yamaha, OMC, and Mercury. The legal Mercury motors included highly modified 2.0 , 2.4 , and 2.5 Liters.. Competitors must be 18 years of age. Minimum weight is 1,050lbs with driver. These high powered boats will reach race speeds of 135 mph. The Kilo straight-away record was set at 138.47 MPH.
SST 200 The SST 200 (Super Sport Tunnel) outboard is the next generation of Formula 2 powerboat racing. This class truly makes speed simple. It uses a maintenance free "green" engine that does not require mixing gas and oil—truly the non-mechanic's friend. The OptiMax is one of only two engines that can be bought and raced as-is direct from the manufacturer. At the same time, SST 200 offers spectacular speed and excitement and is recognized and raced worldwide. The same sleek tunnel hull raced in SST 120 is matched with the OptiMax engine for a powerful racing package. Ready to go green and go racing? If you're looking for speed, green technology and long-term durability, SST 200 is for you!
Hobby Stock
Hobby Stock is a class created to be the most economical way to test the race waters of TCPBA, a way to see if boat racing is for you, without blowing your life savings. Thirty year old performance runabouts with peppy 49 CID 70 HP Johnson/Evinrude engines run in the high forties and give all the thrill and experience of powerboat racing and can be had for less than a thousand dollars. Safety requires an impact vest and crash helmet for up to about $400.
TCPBA-RACING.COM
Tunnel Hull Race Boats They’re fast; speeds up to 135 plus miles an hour on the water with lightweight, aerodynamic boats measuring 12 to 17 feet in length. They’re called ‘tunnel boats’ because a tunnel is formed between two sponsons that run the length of the hull. A lifting eect (just the opposite of ground-eect) results as the air is rammed through the tunnel at high speeds. That eect helps accelerate the boat to its optimum running speed and angle, and leaves it delicately balanced at what the drivers call the ragged edge. Tunnel boats are powered by outboard motors of up to 325 horsepower. Weighing only 250 pounds, the lightweight tunnel boat hull is constructed of Carbon Fiber, Kevlar, and some manufactures use a special hardwood called “Okoume” that has exceptional strength to weight ratio.
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN Visitor Show Information Dates & Location January 30–February 2, 2014
Minneapolis Convention Center 1301 2nd Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55403 Show Hours Thursday, January 30 (Senior Day) ....2pm–9pm Friday, January 31 .........12pm– 10pm Saturday, February 1 .....10am– 9pm Sunday, February 2 .......10am– 5pm Admission Adults (16 and older): $11.00 Children (15 and younger): FREE Senior Day, Thursday, January 30,
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VOLUNTEERING WITH TCPBA TCPBA powerboat racing is seeking event volunteers. Many different opportunities exist including driving a rescue boat, crew for a day, boat holder (in the water), rescue diver, race course entrance manager, and many other opportunities. You can even bring your own fishing/ pleasure boat to the races and serve as a tow boat in the event a competitor becomes stalled! Feel free to reach out to learn more about non driving opportunities with TCPBA powerboat racing!
DRIVE A RACE BOAT
One of the best ways to get started in powerboat racing without a significant financial investment is to attend a Driving School. Various clubs throughout the county hold driving schools throughout the year, allowing future drivers young and old to experience firsthand what it’s like to be in the cockpit of a powerboat at speed. Contact your Local club to find out when the next driving school will be taking place near you! How would you like to drive a race boat? As part of our TCPBA powerboat racing awareness activities we are assembling a number of opportunities to get you behind the wheel. We are offering the following opportunities: •Join us on a local lake where a team of experienced racers will mentor you while you learn more about the operating race boats. You will be provided an opportunity to drive! This is a great way to spend a warm Minnesota spring/summer day on the water! To learn more or setup a time please reach out to one of our mentors. (indicated below) •Please join us for a fun filled afternoon of safety capsule (cockpit) training course .Location and Time to be posted on TCPBA.org..This formal class will teach boating enthusiasts cockpit safety. Rescue personal are flown in to a Minneapolis to facilitate a safety course that outlines safety equipment and provide an opportunity for capsule (cockpit) certification. The cost of the class is $25. Capsule training is a great place to meet and greet the organization. Tunnel Boat Driving School. This formal driving school will be a two day training session including class room. Information at http://www.apba.org/getting-started. The class room will provide an opportunity to learn more about racing history, safety, techniques, and maneuvers from veteran racers.
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2014 Race Schedule
•Cannon Falls, MN (Lake Bilsby) 5/17-5/18 •Menomonee, WI – 5/24-5/25 • Champlin, MN 6/8 • Detroit Lakes, MN 6/14 – 6/15 • Dam Festival Little Falls, MN 6/21-6/22 (Tentative) • Crosby MN 7/26-27 • Superior WI 8/2-8/3 (Tentative) • Crane Lake, MN 8/9-8/10 • Forest Lake, MN 9/13 – 9/14