BOAT RACER DOESN'T LET MS SLOW HIM DOWN ~

DEPARTMENT~ C)From The Editor

From The Top: Unofficial Race Results

This Date in~History e

Spotlight On: Clayton, NY!

Race Calendar

Rooster-Tales: The U. S. A-Team

Inside the Cockpit: Gordon Jennings

You Make the Call

Suited for Safety

Behind the Barn Doors: The Vintage and Historic Division of the APBA: Founding and Future

Region Roundup Region 6 Region 8 Region 10 Region 14

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OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS -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 ofleadership, officiating, safety, or other activities contributing to the benefit of the APBA not direcdy related to the racing of a specific boat. Previous honorees are:

-2008 Penny Anderson Edmonds, Jill -2009 Ernie Dawe Indio, CA -2010 George Thornhill Tacoma, Jill -2011 Brian Small Dracut, MA -2012 Tracy Trolian Milan, MI -2013 Roger Carr Sanjuan Capistrano, CA

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

It is not required that there be a selectee

each year, but it is encouraged that there be a selection process each year. Any member interested in making a nomination for this award may do so by submitting the nomination with written details to APBA Headquarters.

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

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

PROCEDURE: l.Nominations reminder will be in the ]une,]uly, 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 acandidateforinduction, the nominee must receive a vote of at least 50% of the Honor Squadron Committee members. 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: (a) major boat race promotion accomplishments (new race sites; race sponsors) (b) major structural improvements in APBA's organization; (c) major contributions to APBA's functioning through rule restructuring, driver and official recruitment, committee activities. (d) Major technological improvement to one, or several, aspects of the sport. (e) Exceptional long-term racing accomplishments may be considered. The description of each contribution, exceptional service, or accomplishment must be specific.

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We could do it right here, with a captive audience.

"This ties it in to our extended families. Her extended family is all the River Roar people and all the volunteers, and mine is the drivers and the pit crews. And this is the one place where we're all together."

Rico has been a longtime fixture on the board of the 27th annual River Roar, helping to bring in nearly 10,000 people each year for the races, the carnival and concerts such as Fuel on Friday and Alice Cooper on Saturday. Her organization has raised more than $1 million for local charities through its yearly effort.

PROPELLER

But coordinating the event always left little time for her boyfriend of eight years.

"I used to tell him to bring someone along because I wasn't going to have time for him," Rico said. "He would walk around, watch the boats and listen to the boats ... Then one day, he bought a boat. He said 'Honey, you did this to me.'

"I love this event, I love boat racing, I love raising money for charities and I love that the whole community comes together for this. So now he's part of something I love."

Carrigan became a very special part of it this year. The owner of a construction company in Fenton, Mich., Carrigan recruited help from his daughters Caitlyn and Clarissa and Doan and Cunningham -not to mention the American Power Boat Association and the U.S. Coast Guard, which was enforcing a no wake zone at the time - to pull off his perfect proposal. "You know, this is her day," he said. "This was just perfect to do it here."

//PICTURES CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

sa.. .......... l • .." ....... ..... til .................... ....... F. PWoI __ ....

My second IIRide of a Lifetime" hydro experience By JoHN E. BRIDGE" • PHoTOS BY BERNARD BECKER, BoB KNowus AND STEVE WOOD"

Well, here I go again. I said I would never write another article because of how long it took to

write the. first one-on driving the SST 120 tunnel hull at the APBA Driving School last year. However, I felt I should describe the differences between the two boats and pass along some great memories.

On May 21st, 2010, I managed to get my crew to· gether and head down to Dayton Ohio for the Second APBA Driving School uRide of a lifetime". The crew con­sisted of Bernard Becker, Bob Knowles and my nephew Steve Wood II.

We had some unfinished business; we all had in­tended to drive the 2BO (5 litre Hydro) last year, but it just wasn't meant to be. Now that I reflect back, I am thankful we could all go down again for another excit­ing, laughter-filled weekend.

As I'm sure you can imagine, the "bull" was flying on the way down as to who was the best driver last year and who would do the best in the hydro this year. Funny-we never did quite get those two questions answered to our own satisfaction.

Saturday morning we aHended the Driving School . with our instructors: APBA Vice President Mark Wheeler, and B-time National Champion Dan Kanfoush (who also holds 13 World Records). Fl Champion #62 Chris Fairch­ild would instruct the SST 120 student drivers again.

Dan had brought along his son Eddie's plastic hydro­plane to show what not to do-like turn right at high speeds-showing how the hydro would ride up on the turn fin and cause us rookies big trouble! Dan also warned us to ease into the throHle when leaving the dock so as to not knock anyone in with the propwash! More on that later ...

After class we headed to the Lake to get sized for our safety equipment by Lori Weber and Laurie Allen. I told them I was not going to wear the XXL step-in life jacket this year. My so-called friends and family made some comments last year that I looked like Gumby!

6 • PROPELLER' AUGUST 2010

APBA President Mark Weber stated that if that was my only complaint, then they must have done a preHy good job.

The XL fit just fine, thanks to losing some weight just for this Driving School experience.

We then headed to the pits to climb into the hydros and reacquaint ourselves with the quick release 5-point belts, removable steering wheel and engine gauges.

The students would alternate between two hydros this year. APBA owns a beautiful Staudaucher rein­forced open cockpit cabover with a 305ci Chevy small block. The other hydro was Mr. John Shewbrooks's 2.5 litre Modified methanol burning enclosed canopy cabover SHO HUFF with its red hot paint job.

Mr. Shewbrooks was very generous to lend his Na­tional Championship hull for us rookies to drive around the eight buoy I-mile oval course.

Crewing for the 2.5 litre Mod was 200B World and Grand National Hydro Champion Mr. Tony Black and his lovely daughter Shannon (a 2008 Rookie of the year).

One of the big differences between the tunnel boat and the 5 litre was the size of the cockpit. I still kind of dropped into the seat, but it was a lot larger in the shoulder area and easier to get out of. The 2.5 Mod with the canopy was a tighter fit. Not knowing which boat we would be driving, we all climbed into both and studied the differences.

I have one question: do everybody's arms get bruised from geHing in and out of these things, or are we just wimps? (not that we would notice or even care because of the excitement and the adrenalin).

By the time we got back to the other pit area, the names had been drawn for the driving order. Steve was lucky enough to be #1; then Bernie at #3, Bobby at #4 and myself at #10. I will admit I was a IiHle worried about a motor failure, being that for back.

Steve was suited up and ready, siHing in the 5 litre. Mark Weber was going over everything again, as Dan finished a test run in his state-of-the-art 2.5 litre hull.

Remember Dan's warning about leaving the dock? I guess Steve was preHy excited; he proceeded to soak me. I was at the end of the dock, taking video of him leaving for his run when he hosed me. I called him a few choice names and then checked to see if my camera still worked. Luckily, it did.

Each driver was warned to watch out for a brisk breeze down the back chute, to avoid a blowover.

Steve proceeded to make 10 good-looking laps. He started out cautiously, then increased his speed until he was holding it wide open all the way around the course.

Bernie was next up from our crew. He took off in the 5 litre and never looked back. After he returned to shore he shouted, "I kicked the #S%A out of that course!" Steve and I looked at each other, smiled, and said, "Right."

Well, after video review, it seems his first four laps were much wider than he had thought. We then saw how he improved tremendously after he got a feel for the boat, and the timing down for his turns.

Bobby was belted in and ready to drive the 2.5, since the 5 litre had to be wrenched on after Bernie's run. I would have to say Bobby was probably the most hon­est. After he got back on shore, he came right out and said, "I was scared for the first couple of laps." Then he said a IiHle prayer, and put his foot to the floor and never let it up. He couldn't believe how fa~t the turns came up. "1 have to turn again already," he would say to himself (probably out loud).

Another gentleman drove the 2.5 Mod very well that day-Mr. Jim Schebil. Fans of the APBA Gold Cup owe him their gratitude for helping to keep our great race financially supported. He said he has a lot more respect now for raceboat drivers after the thril~ he experienced behind the wheel.

Time ran out on Saturday before I could enter the cockpit. I told my crew that they must have known to save the best for last. (You can imagine the snide com­ments I received.) We went to the Meet and Greet Party that night and had a great time talking about every­one's run and mingling wnh the staff and crews.

Sunday morning brought perfect condnions-sunny blue skies and hardly any wind. The water was smooth, just waiting for a race boat to rough n up.

TIme (orne for me to don my Sweet Suit (driving sun) hfe jacket, and the dreaded neck seal that snaps to the bottom of the helmet. Once the helmet's visor is dosed, this completes the seal so that if your helmet comes in contad with water, a valve doses and the onboard oxygen system delivers air to your helmet. The seal is necessary, but it is VERY tight and hard to pull over your head.

Lori Weber looked at me and said, ·Well, do you want to sit under this tent, or do you want to drive a hydroplane?" My helmeted head snapped upward as I jumped to my feet MLet's do it." The 5 litre was on the trailer getting checked over and fueled. I climbed "oard, using the skid lin 10 step up onlo the hull. Don then belted me in and briefed me again about the gouges and dashboard lights.

He then said, MLet's meek the radio.N The volume was ear-pierdngly loudl My hands refleXively went to my helmet (os if I could cover my ears). I shook my head back and forth. Dan laughed, "I guess we need to turn it down a Intle."

I was backed into the water and turned around, poin~ng out toward turn one.

Dan snapped my visor dosed and stepped bock onlo the dock. Mark's voice come into my helmet: "You are clear 10 go: I hn the ignition switch and idled out until I heard Don soy "GET ON IT!" With a roar from the engine, I was Qn plane and headed to turn one.

Down the bock chute I went for the first time. I was taking it easy and thinking how much different the speed and wind fek in this open cockpit from the en dosed canopy of the tunnel hull. You get a mum greater sensation of speed out in the open.

Up come turn two-my first full turn. I gingerly turned the wheel to the leh and felt the skid fin hook up and grab, but was mil ~iding sideways. I gave her more throttle and she started to come around buoys 6, 7 and 8. Talk about a difference-fhe tunnel boat can make almost 90° turns in the hands of a professional hke Chris Fairchild. This boot takes wider turns.

Here I came down the front chute, wanting to see what it feek nke to have her wide open. 1 pushed the pedal to the floor as hard as I could. ·Wow, n I thought, "lhis is awesome," os I danced across the water, get­ting jarred from side to side while floating on the hull's

cushion of air. I wasn't quite as nervous as last year, so aher mak­

ing some laps 1 pushed the radio button on the wheel and yelled "'fAA WijOOI" I'm sure everyone that could hear me knew what a great time I was having.

Laughing, Dan asked how the gauges looked. Oops-fhat's right; I should have been checking those. I radioed bock, R50 pounds of oil pressure ond no lights; all's well."

About halfway through my run, Don started coach­ing me on where and when to set up for my turns. He told me to come out a little closer to the shore so I (auld are in and be right on buoys 3 and 4 when leaving the turn. I guess I listened, because he coiled in,

"Beautiful tum; you look like a pro out there." I radioed bock, "lhanks a lat, Dan-coming from

you, that means a lot!" It was ~me for that dreaded call from our offidallop

(ounter, Laurie Allen: "You are coming up to your last lop." Aw, shucks. As Chris hod said lost year, Dan said, "Make it a good anel" Down the bock chute and into my last turn I went. I

purposely stayed out wide when entering the turn so I (auld get os dose as possible to the exit pin.

I guess I must hove misjudged my slide a little, be­cause apparently I nudged the buoy. I wasn't going to admit it, but the video doesn't lie (darn cameral. Dan even called in and said,

"Leave our buoys alonel" (luckily it didn't sink.) When returning to the pits, all I could think about

was what a great thrill this hod been. Also, what came to mind wos a fond memory of

seeing Bill Muncey clopping for his aew aher the 1972 Gold (up win in Detroit. So, ahar I killed the motor and was coasting in, I clapped in appreciation for the APBA stoff and crew for all their hard work and dedication that mode this Driving School a reality. There are tao many to list, but you know who you all are. I consider you all friends and hope you feel the same way.

Maybe this will be the last time I drive a race boat, or maybe not; but if it is, I would like to thank every· body for letting me fulfill a dream of a life~me.

You 011 really don't know how much this meant to me-or maybe now you do!

It truly was a I~e-akering experience-my second Ride of a Ufetime.

Priceless BY ICMN L4crr

APIA JlRide of a UfetimelF: $300.00

Hotel room in Dayton ON: $285.00 Driving a real hydroplane_

and not being this 94'Y ,

PRICELESSI I'm in the top photo. The guy in the little boot

is my buddy John Bednarski. I sent him ~ctures and video of my "Ride of a Ufetime" at the APBA

Driving School in May 2010.1 was so proud. His response was the above picture titled,

"You're not the only one with a need for speed." (I get no respect.)

I laughed so hard 1 cried. Then I added my spin to it and sent it back to him.

Also, see a video from one of the participants of the Driving School at

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObekOhlfk24

//CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 _~,a PROPELLER ----

PROPELLER ________ IIiIIIIIIID:IIIirrIIII~ --

------------------------------ PROPELLER

Though it has been a bumpy ride, tunnel boat racer Ruben Ascencio is now looking to experience smooth sailing in and out of the water.

Ascencio is participated in the 2nd annual Maple City Grand Prix May 31st through June 1st, in La Porte, Ind., and even though he has Multiple Sclerosis, he was persevering to finish first.

Hearing about the Maple Grand Prix from other drivers who were at last year's event, Ascencio couldn't wait to hit the water in La Porte.

"They all said the fans were great and it was a lot of fun," said Ascencio.

It was over the course of many years before Ascencio was officially diagnosed with MS. He said the doctors would diagnose him with inner ear syndrome when he had vertigo and carpal tunnel when his hands tingled.

He said the first symptoms started when he was 16 and became dormant before resurfacing in college and then frequently as he grew older and became a husband and father.

Mter being officially diagnosed in 2004 by a neurologist, Ascencio said he began to shut down.

PHOTO BY / / PAUL

"I laid on the couch and had a pity party," said Ascencio.

His wife Rina encouraged him to get off the couch and Ascencio attended his first boat race in 2005 at the Gold Cup in Detroit to watch a friend make hairpin turns.

Ascencio has always been a NASCAR, Indianapolis 500 and Formula One fan, so he naturally became hooked on watching boats whiz by at more than 140 miles per hour on the water.

"Going to the corner, grabbing a handful of steering wheel for a turn and doing that 35 times," said Ascencio. "It's what we call serious fun."

By 2006, Ascencio was a driver participating in races, working full time and making healthier lifestyle choices. He has competed in the Pro Tunnel Tour Races and the American Power Boat Association F2 circuit.

"My wife thinks I'm crazy," said Ascencio with a laugh. "But just to drive and the adrenaline, it's a part of my therapy."

Ascencio has to receive injections three times a week for MS. At first, he felt the treatment to be painful but since his children, Mona, 11 and Ruben, 10, have started helping it has become easier.

"They actually fight over who gets to give Dad a shot," said Ascencio.

Racing has also become a lifestyle his entire family in Texas has embraced. Ascencio said there hasn't been a race where the whole family hasn't traveled to and his son now competitively races go carts.

"I think we used this diagnosis to our advantage. N ow we do more as a family and try to have more exciting lives," said Ascencio.

Ascencio also gives speeches through patient programs, talking to those recently diagnosed with MS.

"I encourage everyone not to be scared," said Ascencio. "You have your ups and downs but don't let things like a disease beat you up."

Ascencio's short term goal is to win a race. "But in the long term, I want to be a good husband and father. I want to teach my kids that having a bad break does not mean you should quit."

REGION 1: REGION 7:

9/6-9/7 Taunton, MA PRO, Modi fi ed, Stock, Junior 8116-8/17 Rising Sun, IN Vintage, Inboard, ope 9/20-9/21 Kingston, NH PRO, Stock, Junior 8/30-8/31 Oshkosh, WI PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior

REGION 2: REGION 8:

8/9-8/10 Clayton, NY Vintage, Junior 8/9-8/10 Crane Lake, MN ope

8116-8/17 Towanda, NY Special Event, Inboard 9/13-9/14 Forrest Lake, MN ope

9/6 Grand Island, NY Vintage REGION 10:

9/12-9/14 Redwood, NY Modifi ed, Stock, Junior 8/2-8/3 Seattle, WA ope, Unlimited

REGION 3: 8/4-8/9 Moses Lake, WA Modified, Stock, Junior

8/30-9/1 Lock Haven, PA Modifi ed, Stock, Junior 8116-8/17 Oak Harbor, WA Vintage, Inboard, Inboard Endurance, ope, Junior

9/6-9/7 Mays Landing, NJ Inboard Eatonville, WA PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior 8123-8/24

9/13-9/14 Wildwood Crest, NJ Speda l Event Inboard

Millville, NJ Modifi ed, Stock, Junior 8123-8/24 Lewiston, ID Special Event, Jet River Racer

1 0/ 11 -1 0/1 2

REGION 4: 8123-8/24 Pateros, WA Vintage, Inboard, Inboard

Endurance 8/2-8/3 Hampton, VA Inboard

8/29-8/31 Coeur d'Alene, ID Vintage, Inboard, Unlimited 8/29-8/31 Wheeling, WV Vintage

8/31-9/1 Grants Pass, OR Outboard River Racer 9/27-9/28 New Martinsville, WV I nboard, Offshore, PRO,

Modifi ed, Stock, ope, Drag, 9/6-9/7 Spanaway, WA Vintage, Inboard, Inboard

REGION 5: Endurance, PRO, Modifed, Stock

Hernando, FL 9/20-9/21 Yelm,WA PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior

9/27-9/28 ope 1 0/ 17 -1 0/19 Lake Alfred, FL PRO

10/4-10/5 Lincoln City, OR Special Event, Inboard, Inboard Endurance, PRO, Stock, ope,

11 / 1-11 /2 Tavares,FL Vintage Junior

REGION 6: REGION 11:

8/2-8/3 Portsmouth,OH ope 10/3-10/5 Antioch, CA Vintage, Inboard, Stock, ope

8116-8/17 Indian River, MI Stock, SLT, Junior

8/23-8/24 Celina,OH Vintage, Inboard, Junior 1 0/18-1 0/19 Nicolaus, CA Special Event, Vintage, Inboard,

PRO, Modified, Stock, ope, Junior 8123-8/24 Dayton,OH Modifi ed, Stock, Junior

9/6-9/7 Grass Lake, MI Stock REGION 12:

9/13-9/14 Big Rapids, MI Stock 8/1-8/3 Long Beach, CA Inboard, Inboard Endurance, ope 9/12-9/14 San Diego, CA Inboard, Stock, ope, Unlimited,

Junior

REGION 15:

9/20-9/21 Orange, TX ope

For four generations the Jennings family in Foothill Ranch, Calif., has been racing boats. Beginning with his grandfather, Gordon Jennings has carried the family torch through a lot of highs and lows. Retiringfrom driving in 1995 after an accident, today, Gordon helps his son Gordy Jennings race AX and Gordon shares with Gordy everything that this sport has taught him both on and off the water.

Question: As a third generation boat racer, what does that mean for you to carryon the Jennings family tradition?

GordonJennings: My dad was passed away racing in 1974 in a K Boat, so all of his friends and some of my friends, we were building a boat together and I just started racing. I began racing after my dad's accident when I was 15. All I did all my life was go to boat races, so it was just in my blood. The only thing my dad didn't do was win a National Championship. He set a lot of records, won Western Divisionals and won a lot of races. When I first won a National Championship in K Class in 1989, that was a huge thing for me.

Q: How did you first get into boat racing?

GJ: Back in the day when they had SK and K my dad drove both, after my dad died I had a little hydro and a buddy of mine and I built an E boat. I ran that for a while and then I started driving Super Stock and I have always been a flatbottom fan.

Q: Would you say that National Championship was your proudest boat racing moment?

GJ: I would say that was probably the most special one, yeah. We worked pretty had for that championship. I think there were about 14 to 15 K -Boats that year so we had to qualif)r and it was pretty tough. That whole year, Richard Thompson, who I drove for, built a band new boat and he painted it just like my dad's K-boat so it looked pretty much similar. That whole year it was a really good boat, it was really fast and I think we had speed on everybody all the time and it was just a really good team that worked really hard . We set some goals and we accomplished them. That year we set the kilo records, we set the %-mile record and won high points. We did everything that year.

Q: What does it mean for you to see your son Gordy carryon the Jennings family racing tradition?

GJ: it means a lot and he's doing really

well. I just don't want to see him get hurt or anything like that. With the advancements in safety equipment, things are much safer these days than when we raced. So, I'm not too worried about it, but things can happen.

Q: You've had quite the boat racing experience. What is it about the sport that keeps you coming back?

GJ: You know that's a good question. I think the biggest thing is actually getting to go around the country and meet different people and you get acquainted with people and make friends. Just going to see them and visit them is kind of like a boat race but it's also like a vacation.

Q: With all you have been through in your boat racing career, what are some of the life lessons that you have learned through boat racing?

GJ: You can never take anything for granted and this next one may be hard for some people to understand but when you win a lot people will accuse you of a lot, like cheating. It's that part of the sport that makes me try even harder. A lot of people don't understand that the people that win all the time are the people that work harder and they don't understand how much time it takes to win all the time and how much up keep it takes and trying different things.

Q: What's the one piece of advice that you would give to somebody who is just starting out in this sport?

GJ: What I would try to tell everybody is that, two things; don't be afraid to ask

..................... ........ .......... .................................... ................ ... ...... .... .... ....... ........ ............................ ......... PROPELLER _ ...... anybody any questions about how to drive a Q: Is there any chance of you getti-;;'g in a boat or what they are doing wrong. Second, boat again? all of the boats that are winning, you go look at their boats and copy them or try to make it better so you can go faster than them. You don't copy the guy in last place, you copy the guy in first place.

Q: What is the most important thing that your son learns from boat racing?

GJ: I want him to make friends and I've taught him pretty well so far that if something happens on the race track, I want him when he comes in to be calm and talk to me about it and then if there is a serious

problem then we can go talk to someone. He has been really good about coming in and not over reacting.

GJ: I have it and I just play around with it sometimes but I have done everything in a boat that I need to do. I have won a few championships, five or six Western and Eastern Divisionals, set records and all that stuff. My wife Katie has been supportive through the whole thing and she has been through a lot too because I got in my accident in 1995 and in 2001 her brother Lance Faulkner passed away, but she still supports it and she backs me and my son and we have fun.

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\.W ... &_c- PROPELLER /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// liN PICTURES//

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REGION 6 August - here we go with the Dog Days - hot, steamy, sweltering days of sun and fun. Where will we be racing? Well, some Inboards will go to Hampton, Va., August 2nd and 3rd for the annual Hampton Cup Regatta, the 87th renewal, or is it 88th? It isn't as old as the Gold Cup or Indy 500, but it's older than most everything else. Featured is the Inboard Eastern Divisionals, plus it is a MACH Series event (points, points, points.) for MACH members, and ESIS, as well (east coast series counterpart

to MACH). Good luck to all going. When that is over, Celina, Ohio, will hold the Ohio Governor's Cup Regatta on Grand Lake St. Mary's, August 23rd and 24th. The dynamic duo of JimSechler and Dan Kanfoush will be defending their Cup win fiercely, count on it.

Outboard wise, here are the events: OPC Tunnel boats on the Ohio River, Portsmouth, Ohio (8/2-3); Marathon championships are at stake for runabouts and SLT's in the Top O'Michigan (8/16-17) in Indian River, Michigan; Dayton Record Runs (8/23-24) will attract 300 or

so entries of J's, stocks, and mods to the Hydrobowl (Eastwood Lake) in Dayton, Ohio.

Walled Lake (Michigan) held their Thunder Regatta June 14th and 15th,with Inboard hydros, Vintage, and SLT's entertaining the crowd.

Y: 1L Mod saw Y-1 (SechleriKanfoush) first, over a fast closing Y-44 (Joe Sovie), with Keith McMullen third in Robert Wilson's Y-80.

S: 2.5L Stock's Doug Martin (S-33) hauled

! ................................. . .. ..... ................ ... . ................ . ....................................... . .. .. . ........ .................. .... .... . . . PROPELLER -: ....... in from Virginia to haul out the gold, S-17 Keith Fickert runnerup, Tony Kreitzer (S-67) third, and an improving Jennifer Falcinelli (S-55) fourth.

A: 2.5L Mod found Dan Kanfoush stepping into the Louisiana based, George English / Royce Richards owned, A-52 Fat Chance II and leading the way over Andrew Tate in A-25 (a second English-Richards entry) and Camden, Ohio's Jamie Wilson in his new (to him) A-5.Jamie has been on the sidelines for 10 these 10 years or so, welcome back. Both Kevin Kreitzer (A-64) and Alexis Weber (A-7) had tough luck, with mechanical issues creating DNF's.

E: 5L Stock heralded the return of Andy Keogh (E-13) to the water oval, with a solid win over Colby Denman in Stover Hire's newly acquired Hire Voltage (E-37). Jeff Sankuer (E-17 Modern Drummer) took third over Carl Adams (E-323). Tom Bergman (E-8 owned by Mike Cashin) rounded out the field.

NM: National Modified had a true shootout, with the potent NM-357 Old Crow of Andrew Christopher, piloted by Dan Kanfoush (he's everywhere) out­gunning Tom Newman's NM-I00.

GNH: Grand National Hydroplane big blocks were out in force, with Stevie Kuhr (G NH -317 Irishman) coming back from a gun jump in the heat, to win over a strong GNH-ll (Andy Denka owned, John Jenkins driving) and Dan Walls in his GNH-68 (wrenched by Alex Findlow). Three others suffered mechanical issues (Kevin Kreitzer in GNH-515 One Way, Patrick Sankuer in GNH-6 Showtime Racing, and Jared Walls in GNH-12),

REGION 8 Well with the weather not cooperating in the first part of the season in Region 8 and not being able to race in Champlin, Minn., or Detroit Lakes thus far. It definitely doesn't mean that there isn't a lot of exciting things taking place as we continue to grow in a positive manner, not only for the Twin Cities powerboat Association as well as the American Power Boat Association.

ending their day prematurely.

SLT: Outlaw SLT's wound up with Jeff Howie and Jake Jerge (X-8) teaming up to take 1st over John Heuninck and Meg Nolan (X-44), with the US-l of Steve Heuninck and Chris Ritz 3rd (more on that in a minute). Also competing were Jim Yacko and Stephanie Greene (XI7), Kyle Yacko and Rachel Anspach (X-7), and Mark Hoderek and Gary Kowalski (X-77). Chris Ritz is usually running his inboard Y boat, but decided to find out what it is like to finish a race, picking the reigning National Champion was a good strategy.

Vintage: a dozen Vintage hydroplanes and three Vintage Jersey Speed Skiffs took to the waters, showing off their workmanship and style of the race days gone by. Classes represented were T, S, E, N, F and JSS.

Thanks to Jennifer Grigg for the Walled Lake Thunder results ...

Father's Day, June 15, well, only Ma Nature won. Hmm, she decided all the Dad's got the day off. Well, a good time was had by all, anyway.

Bay City Roared on the Saginaw River in Downtown Bay City, Michigan. OPC tunnel boats are featured. Mark Schemerbauch punched in with a hard earned victory (a first win for him in BCM); the Rinker's Terry and Robert, ruled the other finals. As usual, the waters got a little testy, with a Sunday weather shaker coming and going, but the program was completed to the delight of all present.

Joe Whetstone Memorial, aka Great Lakes Challenge: down south near the

Region 8 is excited to announce that regionals will be held in Forest Lake, Minn., for all classes. The Twin Cities Power Boat Association also has an open request to hold nationals in Forest Lake for the following classes; SST-60, Formula 150 and Mod U. Since nationals will not be happening this year in Kankakee, Illinois.

One final note since the Detroit Lakes race was canceled, it is looking like it is going to be rescheduled for the weekend after

Indiana border, Constantine, Michigan and the MHRA hosted considerable competition at the American Legion, with full fields in several classes; Brian Palmquist (750CCMH) and Steve Lisius (302SSH) both earned North American Championships, notable achievements. Other winners: 21 of them, too many to list here, but Colin Smith took home four final wins in the two days, busy boy, that Smith kid.

The IOC (Indiana Outboard Club) invaded Hillsdale, Mich., and put on a show with 184 entries all told (Hillsdale is not that small of a town, but where did they put them,). Nate Mitchell thought he'd done just fine with four (4) final wins (count them, four.), but Dan Koschka outdid him with five (5), a trifecta on Saturday, just a double on Sunday. Colin Handy got his very first win, complete with dunk afterwards. Saturday night, time for a bath, but, that first win is the best reason to get thrown in the water, Colin, congratulations.

July 4th racing in Pittsburgh, Penn., with the APR Superleague found Ashton Rinker and Rob Rinker winning North American Championships in the SST-120 and SST -200 classes, respectively. Rob went on to victory overall in the EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta on the wild and wooly Allegheny River.

/ /Don "EIi" Whitney

the Forest Lake races. Once again we will keep you updated on any changes. Hope everyone has a safe rest of the race season and we hope to see you at the races.

/ /David Garza

.t..t:-_- PROPELLER ... ....................................... ......... ... ································ ········· ·········· //REGlON ROUNDUP//

R E G I 0 N 1 0 Also up at Soap Lake was the maiden The race continues to be a well done event Vintage appearances for three rigs, Dick with the new blood out working so hard to Clintworth's 'Madam Blue,' Steve and gather sponsors and fans, and a great new Mary Compton's 'Gold Streak' and Dan and live stream, it was worth the effort.

Tacoma Inboard Racing Association is busy Debbie. Gill's 'Cat Ballou.' 'Madam Blue,' preparing for their first event of the season. A107, 1S an 1976 Ed Karelsen hull with 4.3 commodore Ana Cappelletti fills us in with litre Chevrolet 6 power. 'Gold Streak,' E27, the latest news from TIRA: is a 1979 Jones Marine hull; Steve credits

"Qyickly approaching our first event for TIRA is the Block Head Machine presents the Terry Troxell Memorial Regatta in Pateros, Wash Aug., 23rd and 24th. Our race chairman Tim Hamilton and Julie Porter have been working hard to make this another great year on the Columbia.

Getting ready for some exciting racing as everyone will be gearing up and dialing in their motors for two weeks later the Scott and Linda Carson presents the Inboard Western Divisionals/ Yapachino Memorial Regatta Sept., 6th and 7th at Spanaway Lake. This year we are also welcoming select outboard classes to attend the event and we are looking forward to some deck to deck racing by all. We are very excited to have Brad Luce and Jeff Ayler announcing once again with their amazing commentating, and Dwight Malhiot will do his phenomenal job giving you the play by play for the exciting racing had by the outboards.

We are excited to hear of all of the Vintage that are coming to both Pateros and Spanaway and Jim Olson will be guiding us with the nostalgia of those roaring engine that so many of us grew up listening to. So come out to enjoy some racing"

Speaking of nostalgia, one of the world's oldest kids, Ron Morrison recaps our vintage highlights from Soap Lake:

''As 2014 Vintage action begins, the Soap Lake Regatta delivered the testimonial to 'Vintage in his own right' Don Kelson and the Kelson family's five decades of many faceted contributions to the sport. The five running Don Kelson hydro hulls on site displayed the range of classes and design variations in Kelson's racing creations. It is noteworthy that beyond each of these hulls having its own racing history, all have now been restored and are alive and running as part of the Region 10 Vintage fleet.

Bev, Ron and Ron Jr. Power comes from a 273 Plymouth. 'Cat Ballou,'N37, is a 1982 Kelson hull running a 283 Chevrolet. These owners/drivers seemed happy with what each had accomplished with their restoration and were ready to 'be safe and have fun' on the race course. Good thing too, because that's the Vintage motto."

Meanwhile, Jim Codling is keeping himself busy as always. Here's his update from Seattle Drag and Ski and Seattle Inboard:

"Burley rocked for our club guys, with Austin Eacret and Dutch Squires roaring to wins, and Nick Bononcini coming home with the coveted Governors Cup. Despite the slim hydro field, the crowd loved it. Sid Rennells lost the SS-96 in an accident with Tyler Roth driving the white rocket. The driver bruised a rib but otherwise was ok, the boat not so much.

The #70 boat of Bill Faulkner was the fastest boat there. The rocket Pro Stock set a new course record twice over the two day race and it was racing against its own speed from two years ago and ended up 1st in the race for the Mink.

Duff Daily's' big orange K Boat was ruthless in the rough river, roaring to many victories over the long three day weekend. The SE class showed they are a force for the future, a nice field but a number of broken engines. All of our members raced well and they all had a pretty good time.

Aaron Stevens went over to help Chas Dodge and Dick Price with logistics and did a good job with all the insurance items and crowd issues with Kristi, our new race chairman.

Thanks to Carol Dodge and Kim Bussmeir and her guy Tim Hamilton. We had a good team for 01' Dick Price. The racing was the fastest ever on the river course in every class, and the K guys took home the Mink, heck of a deal.

Over with the outboards, things are a little quiet before Seattle Outboard hosts the StockIModlJ Nationals at Moses Lake, Aug., 4th through 9th. Race Chairman Kyle Bahl and his committee have logged enough trips from the west to the east side of the Cascades to earn frequent driver miles. Their efforts have paid off though, with a number oflocal sponsors and a real buzz going over there about the event. Beer Garden in the park, a live band, dinner and a movie in the park one night, a pizza feed the next night, and the usual Nationals­traditional Qyalifiers and Finals banquets are all shaping up nicely, so if someone stays home because 'there isn't anything to do there', they're just not paying attention, and did we mention tow money? Why, yes we did. When was the last time that was offered at a StockIModlJ Nationals?

The Unlimited season is well under way now and with several teams and a good number of drivers based out of Region 10, that's keeping things busy here too. J. Michael Kelly is working hard in his "Iron Man of 2014" campaign, he set a record and won the Western Divisionals in C-Stock Hydro and SST-45; has really turned around his 5-litre program and has that boat running great; and kicked off his return to Ted Porter's Graham Trucking team by grabbing a win in the Indiana Governor's Cup in Madison Ind. All of which begs us to ask the question, when does he sleep?

That's it for this month. Hope to see lots of you at Moses Lake.

/ /Patrick Gleason / / Ana Gappalletti / /Ron Morrison / /Jim Godling

~ .... ................. ... ............ ... ..... . .... ........... ....... ......... .... ................. ..... ...... ........... ..................... ........... ........ PROPELLER -... ~-d

R E G I 0 N 14 go unnamed in short article, but we greatly 500cc Runabout - Rick Saver appreciate the efforts of all of you.

OSY 400 - Aaron Salmon (Yes, John Peeters finally relinquished his title after Georgia Powerboat Racing Association

hosted the 2014 PRO Nationals in Kingston, Tenn., July 1st through July 4th. Over 80 boats battled for National Championship in their respective classes.

This was the second consecutive year that this event was held in Kingston. The local hospitality and support was again outstanding with large crowds in attendance for each day of racing action. A special thank you is extended to Rick Ross and the Parks Department for all their considerable efforts that resulted in another successful event.

Your 2014 PRO Nationals Champions are as follows:

Antique C Racing Runabout - JJ Walls

Antique C Service Hydro Jim Nilsen

Antique C Racing Hydro - JJ Walls

Antique C Service Runabout - JJ Walls (This is two years in a row that JJ took three of the four antique division titles!)

125cc Hydro - Kristi Ellison

250cc Hydro - Chris Hellsten

We especially would like to thank Dave Augustine for serving as referee, Joyce 175cc Hydro - Brent Simmons

Golley for serving as chief scorer and Jerry Davids for being our inspector. Tom and 350cc Hydro - Kevin Ellison

Nikki Burwinkle are Kingston citizens and tireless volunteers who helped out in 700cc Hydro - Sean McKean

countless ways. Of course, there are always numerous club members and volunteers that llOOcc Hydro - Sean McKean

many consecutive years defending it).

K PRO Hydro Will Augustine (has Will finally won his last K PRO crown??)

We also ran J hydro to the schedule and Region 14's very own Sam Tennell secured his first victory!! Good job Sam!!

/ /Buddy Tennell

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