LNT_DePue Boat Races_2023

Welcome from the DePue Men’s Club

It is my sincere pleasure to welcome fans and racers to the shores of beautiful Lake DePue for the 2023 Lake DePue APBA PRO National Championship Boat Races in association with the U.S. Title Series. The DePue Men’s Club is immensely proud to be hosting an unprecedented 37th year of the Illinois Valley’s most spectacular summer celebration. While experiencing many highs and a few lows, we have been truly fortunate to continue to bring this exciting event to our boat racing fans.

The members of the club work extremely hard to bring you such a quality event and would not be able to do this without the dedication of our many volunteers. Their time and effort are very much appreciated, and we cannot thank them enough. We thank the radio and newspapers for their continued publicity, merchants and vendors for their support, and, what more can I say about the fans, the best in the country. We salute you for being there for us all these years. Finally, we thank DePue Mayor Dan Hoffert and our village trustees, as well as all our past leaders, for their continued support of the DePue Men’s Club.

As you enjoy the races, please be mindful of your neighbors. Welcome people to share your space if needed and help them enjoy a great weekend of boat racing. This falls on all of us to promote a magnificent event and encourage our visitors to come back next year. It is what the spirit of community is all about.

On a final note, we like to acknowledge our men and women serving in all branches of the Armed Forces. Your selfless dedication and sacrifice in defending our great nation is very much appreciated. We will always be grateful to you.

We wish everyone a safe and fun-filled weekend and we look forward to seeing you again next year. Sincerely yours,

DEPUE

MEN’S CLUB 2023 OFFICERS

LAKE DEPUE PRO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BOAT RACES 2023 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Wednesday, July 26

• Noon to 5:30 p.m.: Sanctioned testing

• 11 a.m.: Food stands open

• Noon: Beer Garden opens

• 6 to 8 p.m.: Guy Lombardo’s Royal Canadians with Al Pierson (free admission)

• 8 to 11 p.m.: Live music with Jim Noethe (free admission)

Thursday, July 27

• Noon to 5:30 p.m.: Sanctioned testing

• 11 a.m.: Food stands open

• Noon: Beer Garden opens

• 8 to 11 p.m.: Live music with Jim Noethe (free admission)

Friday, July 28

• Noon: Championship boat racing ($5 admission, no refunds)

• 11 a.m.: Food stands open

• Noon: Beer Gardens open

• 8 p.m. to Midnight: Live music with Rodeo Drive (free admission)

Saturday, July 29

• Noon: Championship boat racing ($5 admission, no refunds)

• 11 a.m.: Food stands open

• Noon: Beer Gardens open

• 8 p.m. to Midnight: Live music with Abby Normal (free admission)

Sunday, July 30

• 12:30 p.m.: Championship boat racing ($5 admission, no refunds)

• 11 a.m.: Food stands open

• Noon: Beer Garden opens

• 6:30 p.m.: Award Ceremony and Ra e Drawing

DAILY ADMISSION: $5 • PIT PASSES: $20

LAKE DEPUE PRO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BOAT RACES

2023 RACING SCHEDULE

Wednesday, July 26

• Noon to 5:30 p.m. Sanctioned testing

Thursday, July 27

• Noon to 5:30 p.m. Sanctioned testing

Friday, July 28

• 9 a.m.: Drivers meeting at Hospitality Tent

• 10 a.m. to 11:30: a.m.: Sanctioned Testing

• Noon: Championship racing

First Half

C-Service Runabout, 125cc Runabout, OSY-400, 700cc Hydroplane

Second Half

K-Pro Runabout, 175cc Hydroplane, C-Racing Hydroplane, 500cc Runabout

Saturday, July 29

• 9 a.m.: Drivers meeting at Hospitality Tent

• 10 a.m. to 11:30: a.m.: Sanctioned Testing

• Noon: Championship racing

First Half

C-Racing Runabout, 500cc Hydroplane, 250cc Runabout

Second Half

C-Service Runabout, 350cc Hydroplane, 700cc Runabout, K-Pro Hydroplane

Sunday, July 30

• 10 a.m.: Drivers meeting at Shelter

• 11 a.m. to Noon: Sanctioned Testing

• 12:30 p.m.: Championship racing

First Half 1100cc Runabout, 125cc Hydroplane

Second Half 250cc Hydroplane, 350cc Runabout, 1100cc Hydroplane

Mr. Trent Solorio DePue Men’s Club DePue, IL 61322

Trent,

Congratulations to the DePue Men’s Club for hosting the 2023 APBA/US Title Series Pro Nationals. The club does a wonderful job and our community is very proud of your efforts. As a village, we are very appreciative of everything your club has done for many years.

I want to congratulate you, Trent, as the newly-elected President and all of the newly-elected officers. I am sure you and the club will continue the great job that the DePue Men’s Club has become known for. Its many achievements and successes are the envy of a lot of clubs. The Village of DePue is behind you and your club 100 percent. We will work together to make this year’s event a success.

Meanwhile, the struggle to save Lake DePue continues. It has been a long battle and we continue to fight to preserve this great treasure. Our DePue CAG, led by Tom Dobrich and CAG members, will do the best job possible. With help the Northwestern University Law School and Blum Legal Clinic led by Rob Weinstock and Leah Song, we continue to push for a complete restoration of the lake. We urge your club and the residents of the Village of DePue, along with other area residents, to help us fight the battle for Lake DePue restoration.

As young kids, we grew up with the Pro Nationals and we continue to whole heartedly support them. The good that it has brought to our Village of DePue and surrounding towns is truly amazing. The fans of these races love this event, support this event and support your club. Thank you to these fans. I urge all of these fans to help support the DePue Men’s Club and the Village of DePue so we can continue bringing them these races.

Finally, thank you to the many volunteers who help the success of this event, without them it would not be possible. “WE ARE DEPUE” and remain DePue Strong!

WELCOME TO DEPUE, THE BOAT RACING CAPITOL OF AMERICA

WELCOME RACE FANS TO THE 2023 PRO NATIONALS IN DEPUE, ILLINOIS!

On behalf of the U.S. Title Series, I would like to welcome you all to the 2023 Pro National Championships.

The PRO Nationals is a race that we look forward to each year and this year — the 37th consecutive year that the Pro Nationals has been held at Depue — is no exception. Teams from as far away as Connecticut, Florida, California and Canada are excited to be making the trip to the Midwest for the opportunity to race for a National Championship. We are looking forward to an exciting and memorable event.

Once again, our schedule includes the K-Pro youth class and fan favorite antique service racing classes. Your favorite racers will be back in all the exciting hydroplane and runabout classes with displacements from 125cc all the way up to 1100cc.

We are also once again holding a “Driving School” with the opportunity for a limited number of fans to pilot a race boat. This program proved to be a success with our first Driving School events in 2019 and 2021.

New this year is something old. Race boats and engines of yesteryear will be on display and vintage exhibition laps will be run at intermission. Race fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite vintage race boat entries.

Racing in Depue is like a home coming for many USTS teams. As a place near and dear to so many of us, we believe it is important to give back to this community and will be awarding scholarship money to a deserving student from DePue.

Finally, I would like to thank the DePue Men’s Club and the Village of DePue for the opportunity for us all to come back to what many racers consider their Favorite Race Site. And I thank you, the Fans, because you are what makes it so special to us all.

Sincerely,

Pete Nydahl USTS President

U.S. TITLE SERIES 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT – Pete Nydahl, Bristol, WI • VICE-PRESIDENT – Rich Krier, Indianola, IA

TREASURER – David Tenney, Greenwich, CT • SECRETARY – Andy Kirts, Clio, MI

BOARD MEMBERS: Mike Thirlby, Traverse City, MI; Paul Bosnich II, DePue, IL

U.S. TITLE SERIES 2023 RACE OFFICIALS

RACE DIRECTOR – Paul Bosnich II, Depue, IL • CHIEF SCORER – Denise Eldredge, Port St. Lucie, FL

CHIEF REFEREE – Je Lake, Mendon, IL • ASSISTANT REFEREE – Paul Bosnich III, Williams eld, IL

RISK MANAGER – Andy Kirts, Clio, MI

INSPECTORS: Rex Hall, Smithville, MO; Karl Williams, Spring eld, IL; Jerry Davids, Newport News, VA

FOUNDING OFFICERS OF DEPUE MEN’S CLUB

STEP DOWN AFTER 40 YEARS OF SERVICE

Aer 40 years in operation, the DePue Men’s Club has undergone a changing of the guard as three of its founding members have decided to step down.

President Steven “Slick” Solorio, Vice President Eric Bryant and Treasurer John Widmar o cially passed the baton onto a new generation during the club’s April elections.

Other departing o cers included Dave Marquez, who has been club secretary for the past 12 years, and Steve Rauh, a club director for the past 13 years.

e DePue Men’s Club was o cially formed in 1982, though its actual roots go back to 1979, when Bryant —who coached both Solorio and Widmar at DePue High School — talked the pair into helping launch a DePue Jaycees chapter.

Solorio was elected as president, Bryant as vice president and Widmar as treasurer of the new club, which quickly grew to about 25 members.

Yet while the club was active and successful, some members became frustrated about sharing their dues with a national organization. Within a couple

years, the club opted to dissolve and reincorporate itself as the DePue Men’s Club.

“We felt it was something we had to do to help keep money in the community,” Bryant said. “And probably it was the best thing we could have done.”

e club’s o cers remained the same — and essentially stayed that way for the next four decades.

“Once we got out of the Jaycees, the guys said ‘Why don’t you stay in as

Stepping down from leadership positions with the DePue Men’s Club are (from right) Eric Bryant, the club’s founding vice president, John Widmar, founding treasurer, Steven “Slick” Solorio, founding president, director Steve Rauh and secretary Dave Marquez. The club has hosted the Lake DePue Pro National Boat Races since 1984.

BOAT RACING HAS BEEN A TRADITION AT LAKE DEPUE FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS

The roots of boat racing on Lake DePue go back to 1917. In those days and most years until the early 1960s, the races were always held on Labor Day weekend.

It is uncertain who the sponsor was, but in1931 the DePue Boat Club (DBC) was formed and it sponsored the races for the next 30 years.

e DePue Boat Club is credited with constructing the concrete boat ramp that is still in use today, along with the metal shing pier in front of the big shelter.

A few years later, the Peru branch of the DePue Boat Club was formed and conducted boat races on the Illinois River in Peru along Water Street.

In the 1950s, the DePue race was also the Midwest Divisionals. e Divisionals were an important race in those years as a win at a divisional guaranteed the driver an automatic berth in the National Championship race, without the need to qualify.

In 1961, the DePue Centennial Committee (DCC) was asked by the

Outboard Club of Chicago to host the rst American Power Boat Association (APBA) National Championship races on Lake DePue in conjunction with the DePue Centennial celebration. e Outboard Club of Chicago had been in charge of conducting the races since the mid-1940s.

In 1965, a er three years at other sites, DePue was asked again to host the National Championships, with the DePue Boat Club and the newly-formed Lake DePue Preservation Association, (LDPA), led by Donald Bosnich and John Widmar , as co-sponsors. is was considered the passing of the torch as the LDPA then sponsored the Lake DePue APBA National Championship races every year through 1974.

A er the 1974 race, Lake DePue was deemed too shallow for safe racing, although the Midwest Powerboat Association conducted a couple races in 1975 and 1976 on Memorial Day weekend.

A er much lobbying , and with the help of Richard “Dick” Mautino and Calvin Schuneman, legislation was

passed to allow the dredging of Lake DePue in the early 1980s.

In 1983, the DePue Democratic Club, in conjunction with the newly-formed United States Title Series, held the rst race in DePue since 1976. e DDC realized the task was too big for them and turned to a new organization, the DePue Men’s Club, (DMC), to become the sponsor for the 1984 USTS race.

A er the success of the 1984 race the DMC was asked to host the National Championship race in 1985 in association with the USTS as a conducting club.

And so, the tradition of Lake DePue National Championship boat racing has been in the hands of the DMC , USTS and the American Power Boat Association for the past 38 years.

Going back to the DBC, DCC, LDPA, DDC and DMC, you will nd many grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters of current DePue Men’s Club members. All have taken great pride in the history of racing on Lake DePue.

president another year?’” Solorio said. “ e same thing happened the next year, and then year a er that, and then year a er that. Eventually, the year a er that turned into 40 years.”

e same thing happened with most of the other o ces, Solorio noted. “Our membership wasn’t always that interested in holding elections.”

e club’s association with the DePue Boat Races began in 1984, a er taking over responsibility of the newly-formed United States Title Series from the DePue Democratic Club.

Racing had restarted on the lake the previous year, following dredging operations to deepen the lake in the early 1980s. Interest in the 1983 inau-

gural event was so keen that the DePue Democratic Club quickly realized that larger organization was needed to run the event.

And it became a real learning experience for the newly-formed DePue Men’s Club.

“When we started organizing our rst race we had virtually no money,” Solorio said. “So we went to the town bank — I think it was Colonial Trust — and asked if they’d back us up in case we lost our shirts. To our surprise, they said ‘Sure.’ ey helped us establish nancing as well as set up fund raising.”

In addition to the boats ying around the lake, the races involve a lot of other moving parts. e club maintains around 15 di erent committees to oversee all aspects of the event, from vendors and entertainment, to parking

and tickets, to electricity and outhouses, to food and beer, and much more.

And just because you serve on one committee, it doesn’t mean you might not be working on something else.

Rauh, for instance, oversaw the electrical committee, but also spent time spraying for mosquitoes and dealing with racer parking and food vendor issues.

Solorio recalled putting down straw to deal with mud puddles and mire in the racer parking area during one of the rainy years.

“ e worst part was cleaning it up a erwards,” he said. “It smelled like a barnyard!”

Garbage was an added nuisance in the early years, though that duty now has been relegated to one of the volunteer

DEPUE MEN’S CLUB

groups that now help with the event.

But all agreed that the toughest duty during the races is food committee, which operates the club’s food stand at the park shelter. Serving early morning breakfast and food throughout the races, it makes for a very long day.

e committee that usually gets the most volunteers is, of course, the beer committee, which operates the club’s two beer gardens during the event.

“Yeah, everybody wants to be on that one,” Widmar noted.

Widmar’s position for the past 40 years has been the one no else has wanted: handling the money.

During the races, it was his job as treasurer to set up funds each morning for the four admission gates, beer gardens, donation booth and food stand, and then collect incoming money throughout the day. Each evening, he was responsible for depositing the day’s proceeds at the bank.

“It could be a real long day sometimes,” Widmar said. “Especially with the night beer garden. ose guys would just crumple up the bills and toss them in the bin. Sometimes I’d be out there uncrumpling them until 3 a.m. just to count the take.”

Yet Widmar’s duties didn’t end with the races. He also was responsible for collecting vendor fees, paying for equipment, setting up insurance and myriad other duties before and a er the event, including overseeing club donations, which was the whole point of creating the club in the rst place.

Over the years, the DePue Men’s Club has donated about $500,000 to organizations in both DePue and across the Illinois Valley area. Along with the

2023 DEPUE MEN’S CLUB OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

President: Trent Solorio

Vice President: Alan Bosnich

Treasurer: Trey Solorio

Secretary: Drew Solorio

Directors:

• Grant Bosnich

• Paul Bosnich

• Greg Heredia

• Don Hoffert

• Thomas Hollingsworth III

• Matt Maybank

• Gilbert Moreno

• Daniel Rauh

• Stephen Rauh

races, it’s the opportunity to provide community service that has drawn many members into organization.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve done over the years,” said Marquez. “For instance, there was a time when the school’s basketball court was in terrible shape. anks to the club’s help, it now looks great!”

In addition to numerous other projects around the village, the club also was responsible for replacing the playground at Lake DePue Park.

at said, however, the club is still best known for hosting the Lake DePue Pro National Championship Boat Races, an achievement it has accomplished every summer but one over the past 37 years (the 2020 races were canceled due to state COVID regulations).

A er the success of the 1984 race, the club realized it had a lot of work to do. Chief among them was clearing away some of the trees on the shoreline, which prevented viewing of the races to all but

front row spectators.

Along with overseeing the races, the club also found itself tasked with plenty of other jobs, including lining up food vendors, musical entertainers, a carnival, sanitation services, police, re and ambulance services, electrical distribution, trophies and cash awards, donation programs, just to name a few.

Fundraising has always been a challenge. e races don’t come cheap. Back in 1984, the event cost around $7,000. Since then, the price has more than quadrupled to around $45,000, of which about $20,000 goes towards prize money.

Admission to the races was free up until 1999, when a $2 per person admission fee was established. Admission was eventually raised to $3 and later to the current $5.

“But where else can you bring in your own cooler of beer and food to a festival?” Solorio said. “It’s a small price to pay when you consider that.”

e races serve as a homecoming for the village and the surrounding area, but they also draw in thousands of spectators and fans from all over the country. Each year an estimated 30,000 people attend the event.

e racers themselves are equally impressed with the crowds drawn to what’s become a signature event in their racing year.

When Solorio, Widmar and Bryant launched the DePue Men’s Club back in 1982, they were simply looking for a way to provide service to their community. Back then, they had no idea that four decades later the club would become synonymous with the Lake DePue Pro National Championship Boat Races.

“I’m still in awe of what it’s become,” Solorio said.

A PRIMER ON APBA PROFESSIONAL RACING OUTBOARD BOAT CATEGORIES AND CLASSES

Professional Racing Outboard (PRO) is the American Power Boat Association’s most diverse and electrifying category.

With 19 classes, PRO boats speeds range from moderate to blazing fast, from old tech to cutting-edge tech. Engines in the PRO category can run at upwards of 13,000 rpm (compared to a typical stock race car that runs at 7,000 rpm).

PRO Boats are roughly 9 to 14 feet long and weigh 100 to 250 pounds. Most are made of wood, but carbon ber, honeycomb and other high-tech materials also are used.

Most drivers kneel in the cockpit. Some boats are driven in a lay-down position, while others have the driver seated. Typically, the le hand works the spring-loaded throttle, and the right hand handles the steering wheel.

e boats are of two distinct designs

— hydros and runabouts.

Hydros ride on a cushion of air. e boat contacts the water’s surface on two sponsons (projections) and the propeller. e design is generally unrestricted, challenging those who wish to experiment in boat design and construction.

Runabouts have certain restrictions, such as minimum lengths. While there is great variety in runabout design, generally they have a at riding surface, tapered to a point in front, and do not channel air under the hull. Although typically slower than hydros, the thrill of racing runabouts is unmatched. Just watch a runabout round a buoy and you’ll see the di erence!

irteen of the PRO classes are based primarily on motor displacement.

ey are sometimes referred to as “bore and stroke” classes. e maximum displacements of bore and stroke classes are 125cc (128.75cc), 175cc, 250cc (257.5cc),

350cc, 500cc, 700cc, and 1100cc (1133cc). ere are no minimum weights in these classes, and in the hydro classes, there are few restrictions on hulls.

e three largest hydro classes — 500ccH, 700ccH, and 1100ccH — must utilize a reinforced cockpit (capsule) with a ve-point harness and the driver seated. e 125cc classes must use one-cylinder motors. e 1100cc Runabout must carry two people, a driver and a deck rider.

Most bore and stroke classes utilize a fuel based on methanol and oil.

e K PRO Hydro class is a class for kids only. e OSY400 class is the USA version of the largest UIM powerboat racing class in the world. K PRO Hydro and OSY400 are restricted to gasoline and oil fuel.

e C Service and C Racing classes are based on American-built shing

The three largest hydro classes — 500ccH, 700ccH, and 1100ccH — use a reinforced cockpit (capsule) and a ve-point harness with the driver seated.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DALE HOFFERT, BRADFORD, ILLINOIS

While there is great variety in runabout design, they generally have a at riding surface tapered to a point in front and do not channel air under the hull.

and racing motors from the 1930s to the 1950s.

U.S. TITLE SERIES

e US Title Series, founded in 1982, is recognized as the premier PRO outboard racing series in the United States.

ere are eleven classes in the U.S. Title Series based on the type of boat and the size of the engines. Engines are speci cally designed for racing, burn methanol fuel, and are manufactured all over the world.

A separate race is run for each class consisting of three heats per class and four laps per heat. ere are three distinctive types of boats in the U.S. Title Series: Runabouts, Hydroplanes and Capsules.

MODIFIED OUTBOARDS

In Modi ed Outboard, the engine builder’s skill is just as important as the driver’s. ese boats are easily recognizable by specially tuned pipes that make

them as loud as they are fast. Because engines are constantly being modi ed to make the absolute most of what the rules allow, the competition is always erce. Whether hydroplane or runabout, modi ed classes are de ned by the size of their engines (displacement).

e numbers in the class names de ne the approximate engine size in cubic centimeters. For example, the 250ccMH, or 250 cubic centimeter Mod Hydro, is smaller than the 850ccMH, or 850 cubic centimeter Mod Hydro.

Some classes have minimum weights, which increase with engine size. e smaller classes are o en a good t for younger, lighter drivers (14-year-olds may drive 200-250cc Mod classes, for example). e larger classes take considerable skill and experience. Propellers of four blades or less are used, and prop choice can a ect speed enormously.

JUNIOR CLASSES

Junior Hydroplanes and Runabouts (40 mph) are open to all kids ages 9-16. AX Hydroplanes and Runabouts (50 mph) are open to ages 12 and up.

Hydros ride on a cushion of air. The boat contacts the water’s surface on two sponsons (projections) and the propeller.

The 1100cc Runabout carries two people, a driver and a deck rider.

Junior Hydroplanes and Runabouts (40 mph) are open to all kids ages 9-16.

JOE ROME

Nov. 24, 1946 — Oct. 17, 2022

Joe Rome tragically passed away on October 17, 2022, succumbing to a catastrophic injury incurred in a vehicle accident near Houston, Texas.

Rome was a boat racer’s boat racer. Although, he never competed in a race boat, he had seven decades of experience with water up to his knees in the pits, a wooden gavel in hand at the banquets and, on numerous occasions, wore a black-and-white stripped short sleeve shirt.

Joe knew almost everyone and had friends in every outboard category as well as inboard hydro, at bottoms and marathon boats.

ere have been many an old time boat racer who has been astounded and impressed by Joe’s knowledge and length of boat racing history, drivers and equipment from coast to coast.

Although Joe claimed his life would have been boring had it not been for boat racing and all the people he met along the way, he also was an outstanding member of the small community of Sta ord, Texas.

Sta ord bumps up against the southern city limits of Houston. Joe served on several boards in the city

of Sta ord and a committee with the Houston Livestock Show.

e thing in common between Joe Rome’s boat racing , auto parts business and community service was an abundance of friends to like to hang around and swap stories with him.

Joe was born on November 24, 1946, and grew up in Rosenberg, Texas, a half hour south of Houston. As a youngster, his cousin Sonny Kolb took him to boat races all over south Louisiana and Mississippi during the summers, even making three racing events on a long July 4th weekend.

In his 69 years of boat racing, Joe Rome pitted for Sonny Kolb, Louis Williams, Jr., Wayne Baldwin and Tim Butts.

Joe was very proud to have been part of these teams, but mostly he was grateful for all the friends he met along the way and all the life changing experiences and memories he brought away from his travels and adventures in the world of boat racing.

Joe Rome

2022 LAKE DEPUE PRO NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

2022 Pro National Champions

125CCR Mike Werner Ontario, Canada

250CCR Michael Smith Mexico, NY

350CCR Jerry Davids Sr. Newport News, VA

500CCR Jason Sailer Hamilton, IL

700CCR Jason Sailer Hamilton, IL

1100CCR Nick Hoot/Treiden Schleicher Modesto, CA

C SERV R Doug Martin Black Diamond, WA

C RACE R Devin Hu Anderson, SC

K PRO H Carson Kelly Bonney Lake, WA

125CCH Brian Palmquist Diamond Lake, IL 175CCH Brian Palmquist Diamond Lake, IL 250CCH John Palmquist Boca Raton, FL

350CCH Kurtis Nydahl Bristol, WI

500CCH Doug Hall De Kalb, MO

700CCH Eric VanOver Cincinnati, OH

1100CCH Eric VanOver Cincinnati, OH

OSY-400 John Peeters Arlington, WA

C SERV H Jonathan Nilsen Tahuya, WA

C RACE H Duke Johnson Granville, OH

2022 Modi ed National Champions

125CCMR Ashten Cafarelli St. Joseph, IL

200CCMR Michael Smith Mexico, NY 350CCMR Logan Sweeney Delaware, OH

Logan Sweeney Delaware, OH

750CCMR Mike Akerstrom Westford, MA 850CCMR Mike Akerstrom Westford, MA 850CCMR 2 person Joe Johnson / Ashten Cafarelli Vacaville, CA

125CCMH Dominick Trolian Milan, MI

200CCMH Mike Hauenstein Cedar Park, TX

250CCMH Rhett Hebert Broussard, LA

350CCMH Braxton Miller Grove, OK

400CCMH Rick Miller Grove, OK

500CCMH Daniel Koschka Noblesville, IN

750CCMH Brian Boyd Dayton, OH

850CCMH Brian Boyd Dayton, OH

2022 Junior National Champions

JR Carson Kelly Bonney Lake, WA

JH Brody Wyant Black Diamond, WA

AXR Dominick Trolian Milan, MI

AXH Carson Kelly Bonney Lake, WA

serving clients statewide and in the Illinois Valley Congrats to Attorney Grant A. Bosnich, 2022 & 2023 SuperLawyer "Rising Star"

§ $18.5 million dollar settlement for woman seriously injured when semi crossed center line

§ $8.5 million dollar settlement for a truck driver injured on a loading dock during a delivery

§ $7 million dollars for a union pipefitter who was injured due to hazardous conditions on a job

§ $5 million dollar trial verdict for woman who fractured hip in automobile crash

§ $2.7 million dollar multi-party settlement for construction site accident caused by cribbing

§ $2.5 million fdollar settlement for ironworker who was injured at a CTA train station project

GOOD LUCK To All The Drivers

From the WEST END TAP

Spring Valley, IL

Owners Tim & Greg Bulak

Bar Tenders

Joe Bezely

Bob Prokup

Lee Hansen

Nate Smith

Lisa Rebarcheck

Joe Sobin

Del & Gianna Baracani

Rayna Bickett

Ashley Bean

C.C.

And Thanks to All the Dedicated Fans Over the Years.

2 0 2 3

Welcome Back to DePue

Enjoy your visit and stay safe

Widmars Bryants Foxes

John

Linda & Dennis Roesner

Andrew Widmar

Eric & Annabelle Christian

Bernadette & Dave Gertie, Jack, Caleb

Tiger & Elizabeth

Lenny & Kirsten – Avery, Dilyn, Ryne

Eric R. – Max, Luke

Carolyn & Brad – Eveylyn, Payne, Beckham, Trudessa

We dedicate this page to our family members and special friends who have passed John, Carolyn, Bernadette Widmar, Ali Bryant & Marcia Peterson

SCORE SHEET 2023 PRO NATIONALS

For the PRO National Championships, the drivers run three heats in each class. Drivers receive points for each heat. When the heats are nished, the points are totaled to determine the winner. The drivers are ranked according to their total and are then given a nal position based on this gure. The points that they actually receive are then doubled. Points are scored through the 20th position. In the case of ties, time is the deciding factor.

POINTS BY ORDER OF FINISH

First ...............................................400

Second.........................................300

Third .............................................225

Fourth ..........................................169

Fifth ..............................................127

Sixth .............................................95

Seventh .......................................71

Eighth ..........................................53

Ninth ............................................40

Tenth ............................................30

Eleventh ......................................22

Twelfth.........................................17

Thirteenth ..................................13

Fourteenth .................................9

Fifteenth .....................................7

Sixteenth ....................................5

Seventeenth ..............................4

Eighteenth .................................3

Nineteenth .................................2

Twentieth ...................................1

Village President

Dan Hoffert

Village Clerk

Jane Vickers

SM-LA2078931

Village Treasurer

Laurie Delgado

Village Trustees

Liz Chiesi

Gilbert Moreno

Jake Hoffert

Bill Laicoff

Jack Spanos

Jenna Harrison

da tree Amigos

HOW TO WATCH A PRO NATIONAL RACE

e boats are carried to the water to await the THREE-MINUTE GUN. When the THREEMINUTE GUN is red, that tells the drivers to start their engines and go out on the course.

A GREEN FLAG is displayed on the starting barge and patrol boats are positioned at each turn. e numbers above the clock indicate the number of minutes to start the race.

THE ONE-MINUTE GUN is red, and a WHITE FLAG is displayed and the hand on the clock begins to move.

THE FLYING START: e drivers move to the second turn,

picking their lanes and watching the clock, trying to time themselves to y past the starting line at the exact second the clock hand hits zero.

THE FIRST TURN: It’s everyone for themselves, with boats side by side and rooster tails ying. Someone will be in the lead and everyone else will play catch-up.

THE FINISH: e WHITE FLAG is displayed when there is one lap to go. e CHECKERED FLAG waves in the winner. e race is over. But not for long. e racers must repeat the entire process again in another two heats. e total points from the three heats determines the PRO National Champion.

FLAGS

RED FLAG ............................Activity is stopped, Slow Down

YELLOW FLAG..................Problems on course: Continue with Caution or Hold Position

WHITE FLAG ......................Time Between ONE-MINUTE GUN and Start, Leader has Started Last Lap

GREEN FLAG .....................Time Between THREE-MINUTE GUN and ONE-MINUTE GUN, While Race is ......................................................Underway Except for Last Lap

CHECKERED FLAG ........Finish

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DALE HOFFERT, BRADFORD, ILLINOIS

Hitting the start line at the exact second the clock hand hits zero is key to running a good heat.

The rst boat around the rst turn is the boat that takes the lead.

RACING IDENTIFICATION LETTERS

HOME STATE OF BOAT OWNER

A ...........Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont

B ...........Massachusetts

C ...........California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii

CE ........Eastern Canada, Ontario, Quebec, ...............and Maritime Provinces

D...........Connecticut, Rhode Island

E ........... Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, ...............District of Columbia

F............Florida, Georgia, Alabama

G ...........Minnesota, South Dakota

H...........Indiana

L ............Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas

J ............New Jersey

K Kentucky, Tennessee

M ..........Michigan

N........... New York

P ...........Pennsylvania

Q ..........Delaware

R ...........Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska

S ...........Ohio

T ...........Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico

U ...........North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, ...............Colorado, Utah

V ...........Illinois

W .........Wisconsin

X ...........Iowa, Nebraska

Y ...........Kansas, Missouri

Z ...........North Carolina, South Carolina

ABOUT SAFETY

Many people need a safe way to satisfy their normal desire for competitive speed PRO boat racing under U.S. Title Series rules and regulations. Rigid safety rules are established and enforced. Any driver breaking the rules can be beached for varying lengths of time depending upon the severity of the infraction. Boats, motors, helmets, life jackets, etc.

are inspected regularly and must be kept up to current Safety Advisory Committee speci cations. Hard and fast safe driving rules are rigidly enforced anytime a U.S. Title Series registered racing boat is put on the water, even for testing. Boat racing also has contributed much to improve safety conditions for the pleasure-boating public.

That sunrise on the water. The inaugural meal in your new kitchen. Or that first time—for anything. With a personalized financial plan from Northwestern Mutual, you can focus on the things that matter most—now and years from now. And if your priorities shift, your plan will, too. Because it’s tailored to you. So you don’t have to worry about the what-ifs and can spend your life living.

LET’S GET STARTED

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110 E Main St Ste 220 Ottawa, IL 61350 815-433-4325

www.nickpottho .com

07-1001 © 2022. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) (life and disability Insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include: Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, and member of FINRA and SIPC. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and trust services), a federal savings bank. Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services. NM and its subsidiaries are in Milwaukee, WI. To view detailed disclosures regarding individual representatives, view their information at www.nickpottho .com.

ENGINES

USTS TECHNICAL RULES

1. One outboard engine, may be any reciprocating two- or four-cycle engine

2. Turbochargers or superchargers are prohibited.

3. ere shall be no more rotary valves than number of cylinders.

4. Tuned intake and exhaust is permitted.

5. Propulsion must be by water-driven propellor.

A. Maximum gear case length is 24.25 inches, including the prop nut.

B. Tractor lower units are not legal.

C. e propeller sha to drivesha angle may not exceed 100 degrees.

6. Engine displacement = bore squared x .0785 x stroke x number of cylinders.

A. To convert cubic inch into cubic centimeter, multiply by 16.387.

BOATS

No minimum weights apply.

1. Hydroplanes shall be free of all restrictions.

A. Any boat that meets the de nition of a PRO runabout cannot be raced in the hydro class.

B. 500cc — 1100cc shall be a capsule/reinforced cockpit. 350cc hydro and below shall be open.

2. Runabouts are de ned as displacement hulls where the bottom shall have no steps or break in the longitudinal continuity. No concave greater than 1/16” will be allowed in the width of the bottom of the boat parallel to the planning surface. No design that uses a tunnel e ect is allowed. e side of the boat must form a continuous contour from a single stern to the transom with no concave greater than 1/4”. Trim tabs that are adjustable by the driver while underway are not allowed. Rub rails or li ing handles are allowed provided they are attached to the outside of the boat and they do not exceed 1” in width, 1 1/2 “ in depth or 36” in length from the transom forward. e deck is not allowed to protrude beyond the side of the boat. Turning n brackets may not protrude outside the chine of the boat by more than one (1) inch. Minimum lengths for runabouts are as follows:

125 and 175 R — 11’ 6”

250 and 350 R — 12’ 6”

500, 700 & 1100R — 13’

FUEL

PRO — e use of oxygen tanks in connection with motors is prohibited; fuels that exist as gases at ambient temperature and pressure such as propane, butane and nitrous oxide are prohibited.

K PRO and OSY-400 — Gasoline and oil mixture must be used that meets the current NBRA fuel specifcations.

CLASSES

CLASS DISPLACEMENT

125 Runabout and Hydro

175 Runabout and Hydro

Single cylinder up to 128.75cc

175cc maximum

250 Runabout and Hydro 257.5cc maximum

350 Runabout and Hydro 350cc maximum

500 Runabout and Hydro 500cc maximum

700 Runabout and Hydro

1100 Runabout and Hydro

K PRO H

OSY-400

700cc maximum

Over 350 and including 1133cc

Evinrude and Johnson 15A

Yamato 80, 102, 202, 302

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Congratulations to the DePue Men’s Club on their 38th year of hosting the PRO National Championship Boat Races!

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VFW Post 4668 24th & Donahue Streets P.O. Box 1664

LaSalle, IL 61301-1664 815-223-6665

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EUCHRE

AUXILIARY