I6JCJJf1Itts GLOBAL BOAT TRANSPORT

MY ROAD TItA RES ;ART Getting back on the water

DEPARTMENT~ ~From The Editor

From The Top: e Looking Back .. . Looking Forward

Spotlight On: Tavares, F

This Date in History

You Make the Call

Rooster-Tales: Steve David Stole Our Hearts

Inside the Cockpit: Hal Leduc

Suited for Safety

Scorer's Forum

Category Corner Inboard PRO Modified Stock

Region Roundup Region 7 Region 10 Region 15

PROPELLER IIIIIIIIIIII/II/FROM THE EDITORII

Thereafter

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PROPELLER

Ever since he was a child, Hal LeDuc has been enthralled with boat racing. From the days as a child of watching his father Harry cover the APBA Gold Cup as a reporter for the Detroit News to getting behind the wheel of his Vintage Hydroplane Opechee, Hal lives to be on the water.

Question: How did you first get into boat racing?

Hal LeDuc: Well, my dad was a well-known sports writer. His name was Harry LeDuc and he wrote for the Detroit News. So as I grew up right after WWII, going to the races down by the Detroit River with my dad carrying his type writer around then. I can remember being on a Coast Guard boat in the center of the Gold Cup Race, probably 1946 or '47 and the boat was called Miss Golden Gate and I think Miss Pepsi was in that race and quite possibly won it. I grew up going to the Gold Cup races and had a wonderful opportunity to meet all those people involved and my dad went back to the days of Gar Wood and actually he and John Wood and Nolan Johnson were the first to go under the Belle Isle Bridge, way back, over 100 MPH. Our history goes back a long way. Where we live now is a home that my wife and I bought from the rest of the family, so it's the home I grew up in and down the street is where the Muncey's had their summer home and dad was quite instrumental in getting Bill Muncey into bigger boats

Q: What is it about the Vintage category that you enjoy?

HL: It's very unique especially when I look at my own background with my dad, and growing up in the sport. Beyond the water were some of my heroes were Fred Alter, Art Asbury, Tom D'Eath, folks like that. I never would have had another opportunity to do that and the people in general are terrific people, we've become family. I remember when I first called Tom D'Eath to see where to run the boat. He said come over to Carehaven and well put it in the water and draw out an imaginary course and go have some fun and that's exactly what we did. He mentioned he had considered starting a Vintage division of APBA and I joined right away. I'm sure I wasn't the first one but I was in the early membership of that and last I knew we had well over 400 members so it's been quite a growth period since 1992. We love the people, and we get great weekends on water in wonderful places, so it's been a great experience.

Q: Did you have to restore your boat?

HL: I did, the boat was in pretty good condition in general but it had weather exposure on one side of the boat to some degree. In the beginning, that was 1992 when I bought it the boat was first built in 1968 by Rich Hallet but we replaced seven

deck ribs and get a new deck on it and put new bottoms up and off we went. Since then it has been restored a second time, years ago by Steve Balcer who was from the Bay City area. We're probably in the best shape we've been at the moment due to Steve's work.

Q: What was the process like in restoring the boat?

HL: I like working with wood and I had built some other boats. So I had at least enough confidence, but not skill, to take on the project and the deck ribs looked like vertical grain fur. We used Sitka Spruce as terms of stringers. It was a pretty big job but with the same token I was so enthusiastic about getting the boat going, that the time and the effort was not really a great concern. My wife Helena is very supportive of the effort. I spend a lot of time with the guys but they were all doing the same thing and we were able to get some confidence from people who are more experienced and it all worked out well.

Q: Where did your boat get its name?

HL: Well the name of our boat is Opechee and that is named after a lake in New Hampshire. I spent two years in New Hampshire. I'm a Michigan person and that's where I met my wife Helena and we spent some together before we were married on Lake Opechee sailing actually, not boat racing per say, but it was a wonderful memory for us and it happens to be, we found out an Indian name that means "Beautiful Bird in Flight" So Helena says it

........................................................................................................................................................ PROPELLER fits it pretty well so that should be the name of the boat so here we are.

Q: Having mentioned that your father was a gateway for you to get into boat racing, what value do you put on family in the boat racing community?

HL: I do believe that activities together in the family is essential, in my view and more so than ever with all the youngsters growing up, being buried in the phone games and exercise of the thumbs. I think (boat racing) is a wonderful opportunity for

REGION 5:

11/8-11/10

11/16-11/17

REGION 12:

11/29-11/30

one generation to the next to be able to pass on the opportunity for the excitement of the sport and the mutual involvement parents pass to their sons and daughters who are interested in developing a mechanical side of a person's aptitude, as well as the driving skills they develop along the way. And most importantly all the people you get to meet who have a common interest in the sport and are also helpful, there 's just a great unity there to be involved in. In my view it lends itself to a particular family, it's a wonderful bonding opportunity. I would like to thank everybody that has been so supportive of

our efforts in Vintage. They'll be family and friends forever. We appreciate everybody's help along the way and we've had a lot of great get-togethers off the water as well and we are thankful for all of that and we look forward to the future.

Tavares, FL

St. Cloud, FL

Vintage

Offshore

Parker, AZ Special Event, Inboard, Inboard Endurance, Stock Outboard, OPc, Junior Classes

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

STEVE DAVIE) STOLE ElUR IifEARTS

In 25 years of Unlimited hydroplane racing - the last 13 as driver of Miss Madison Racing's Oh Boy! Oberto - Steve David has accomplished so much.

In the cockpit he has allowed a team that was sometimes an also-ran to evolve into a winner and then a champion. He's won races, claimed season championships and garnered respect for not only himself but Miss Madison Racing, his sponsor the Oberto Sausage Company of Seattle and his boat owner the citizens of Madison.

But more importantly, Steve David has won our hearts. And it is that which saddens us to learn that at age 59 the boy from Chillicothe, Ohio, and man from Lighthouse Point, Fla., has announced his retirement as driver of our hometown Miss Madison.

As our driver, David became one of us, not just in name but also spirit. Miss Madison Racing has a long history of competent and dedicated drivers but few have embraced our town - or been embraced by it - to the extent of David.

For a person who spent just a handful of days per year in Madison, somehow David became our neighbor - a person we took great pride in and were blessed to have as our ambassador to boat racing and the world.

How is this so? Because for David, Miss Madison Racing has always been more than just a boat ride and a chance to compete. In many ways Miss Madison Racing defines Madison - hard work and competent but with humility and confidence - and David quite simply gets that on a level unlike any driver we've ever known.

Steve David has - and always will be - more than just a boat racer to us. Amazingly, other communities where David has competed in on our behalf feel the same way. We've witnessed it time after time from Madison to Evansville to Detroit to Seattle to San Diego and other parts of the world. David will be missed by many.

Steve's career stats will read 18 career wins, six driver's championships and four national championships -plus he's a six-time inductee into the American Power Boat

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Association's Hall of Champions and an inductee into the APBA Honor Squadron.

All that in a quarter-century of racing the fastest boats in the world.

We will miss Steve David as our driver, but we will miss him even more as a neighbor and as an ambassador to all that is good in our community. We wish him and wife Sabrina well in retirement and leave our welcome mat out always for his return.

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CULVER NEW PRESIDENT In the closest election since the voting

privilege was extended to the whole membership, Merlyn Culver, of Dayton, 0., has been elected Preaident for 1954. Trailing only 36 votes behind Culver, who has been Chairman of the Stock Outboard Racing Commission for al­most two years, was Paul Sawyer, inter­nationally famous Tnhoard driver, of Rochester, N, Y.

Culver succecd.s Gibson Bradfield, of Barnesville, 0., who served in 1952 and 1953. The vote for the nine general of­ficers, including each candidate who re­ceived more than scattered support, was tabulated as follows:

PRESIDENT Merlyn Cnlver, Dayton, O ............. 613 Paul Sawyer, Rochester, N. Y . .... .. 577

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Dr. Wayne R. Ingalls, Bell, Calif. .. 523 Fred Hallett, Oakland, Calif ........... 4D7

Fox, Cincinnati, O . .......... 244

INBOARD VICE PRESIDE T Franklin Foulke, Essex, Md .... ....... 157 Kent Hitchcock,

Newport Bcach, Calif. .. ... .. .... . 23 OUTBOARD VICE PRESIDENT

Roy Harwood, Jackson, Miss. ...... 97 STOCK VICE PRESIDENT

Donald L. Guerin, Rochester, N. Y. 283 Richard McFadyen,

Montclair, N. J .............. .. ....... 171 MODIFIED VICE PRESIDE ~T

Edward Haup1ner. City Island, N. Y .... ... .. .. ... .. .... . CRUISER VICE PRESIDENT

Wm. Edgar John, Rye, N. Y. ...... .. 4 SECRETARY

Jos. B. Swif~ Mt. Dora, Fla . ........ 614 E. M. Peatross, Richmond, Va ... .. 55B

TREASURER J. Trimper, Buffalo, N. Y. 880

Richmond, Va . ... ... 168 Fla. .. .. .. .. ..... 114

Votes for the 12 leading candidates (or three.year terms on Council were as follows:

ELECTED Gibson Bradfield, Barnesville, O . .. 860 W. Melvin Crook, Montclair, N. J. 712 Kent Hitchcock,

Newport Beach, Calif. ............ 389 Lou Eppel, Cedar Grove, N. J ....... 315 William Tenney, Dayton, O ........... 386

DEFEATED Elgin Gates,

Huntington Beach, Calif ....... .. 281 Samuel Crooks,

Madeira Beach, Fla . .... .......... .. 213 Richard McFadyen,

Montclair, N. ]. .......... .. ...... .... 208 Herbert Bentley, Mt. Carmel, Conn. 2M Jack Cohn, Chicago, Ill ......... ...... .. 195 J ames McGehee, Natchez, Miss. .... 180 Morlan Vise~ Los Angeles, Calif ... 173

Power Boat Racing's Honor Squadron CHARLES F. CHAPMAN (10) "Chap" has lahored un· GEORGE REIS (6) At the wheel of his own "EI La· tirillgly with other far.siglued officials in behalf of garto ," George won the Gold Cup in 1933-34-35 and orderly administration and standardized rules for the holds the record for total Gold Cup wins by anyone sport of boat facing. (Essex, Conn.) owner·driver. (Lake George, N. Y.) GAR WOOD (10) from 1920 to 1933, t hi s world· W. D. EDEN BURN (i) for many years until his death, famous driver with his various uMiss Americas" com· Eddie was the sparkplug behind the successful Gold Cup pletely dominated the in.t.ernational competition for the and Harmsworth Races that focused world attention Harmsworth Trophy. (Detroit, Mich.) on Detroit. ( D~eased)

FRED JACOBY, JR. ( ~ ) Outstanding member of the ADOLPH APEL (4) Refinements of the early three-point Jacoby racing family, he was a top competitor in Out· suspension designed by Apel have resulted in the daz7 .. board racing and is described by one selector as "the ling speeds displayed by today's modern hydroplane in. world 's greatest Outboard driver." (Palisades, N. J.) all racing classes. (Decl:.ased ) JACK COOPER (81 Alway. noted for his ski ll and CHRIS SMITH (4) Among the famous boats designed or determination, "Pop" was the undisputed dean of In· built by this master craftsman of the 20's were the board hydro drivers when fatally injured driving "Tops "Miss America" spedsters raced so successfully by Gar Ill " in 1948. (Deceased) Wood. (Algonac, Mich.) HARRY GREENING (6) An eminent Canadian sports· J. STUART BLACKTON ( 4, ) Winner of the 1914 Gold man, Harry is well rt:membered for the endurance ree· Cup with " Baby peed Demon II," Blockton built six ords he set with "Rainbow IV," a Gold Cup contender, separate boats for international competition in th e. and " Rainbow VlJI." (Hamilton, Out.) Harmsworth Trophy races. (Deceased)

(Number3 in Partfltil«C$ indicate votes received from Board of Selectors.)

HISTORY (Continued from Page 4)

Fifty Years of Racing History by W. Melvin Crook

NOTE: The foUowing history of APBA , which is the best we have ever seen, wa.s writ· ten by W. Melvin Crook, Chairman of lhe Inboard Racing Commission. For permission to reprint it, we are indebted 10 Yachting magazine, in whose pages it first appeared.

Rounding out 50 years as the super· Dixie II topped the field of eight start· supervisory group (LM.Y.U.) was visory body of organized power boat ers. through an A.P.B.A. member club competition in the United States, the Of great significance was the crea· (Y.A.A.) . This anomalous situation is American Power Boat Association ex· tion in 1913 of the association's first finally <In the way to being abolished. hibits an undiminished vitality which Racing Commission, consisting of Allen Two years ago, responding to pressure has brought it through many a crisis K. White, chairman, Reuben B. Clark, from within the ranks of A.P.B.A., Presi· during tbat turbulent half.century. secretary, and Fred Lord. This group dent Horsley and International Affairs Where other organizations have failed was to cooperate with race committees Chairman George Sutton worked out to survive social and teclmological of individual clubs in racing matters, a joint tenancy of the "national autbor· changes, or tbe pillage of militant com· issue interpretations of racing rules ity" function with Y.A.A. It is believed peling groups, the A.P .B.A. has always when disputes arose, and grant sanc· that this will soon lead to A.P .B.A. reo managed to roll with the punches and tions for races. Thus were combined capturing its right to act as the sole counterattack at approximately the within the province of the Racing Com· U.S. representative of the sport in in· right times. mission those functions which, in later ternational matters.

A boat powered by an internal com· years, ' emerged as A.P.B.A's real ex· Those who are accustomed to the bustion engine was still a novelty when cuse for existence. modern regatta program introducing a A.P.B.A. was born in 1903. Appro· However, the real power of the Asso· .eemingly endless procession of differ· priately enougb, its organization was ciation, until very recently, rested with ent limited classes recognized by uncompJicated at the outset. The official its executive body, known as the Coun· A.P .B.A. might be startled to learn that family consisted merely of W. H. Ket· cil. For three decades membership on 30 years ago the Association was all but chum, president ; J. H. McIntosh, secre· the Council was limited to A.P.B.A's wholly preoccupied with cruisers and tary; Anson B. Cole, treasurer; and elective officers, plus the members of unlimited hydros and runabouts. In Henry Gielow, measurer. the Racing Commission and the Ad· 1922 there were six recognized divisions

Probably the first significant act of visory Technical Committee. This smaJl of racing craft: Cruisers, Express Cruis· the fledgJing group was to accept from "roup had the powers of corporate di· ers, Speed Cruisers, Open Boats, Dis· New York's Columbia Yacht Club an rectors and sole authority to formulate placement Racers, and Hydroplanes. unbeautiful gold.plated urn which was racing rules. Cruisers were classified into the three ominously named the "American Power For the first 15 years of its existence categories according to a rating for· Boat Assn. Challenge Cup for Forty. A.P.B.A. remained a relatively informal mula. An "Open Boat" was one not Foot Class and Under." Conveniently, "club of clubs." In 1918 the Association fitting into any other category and jf inac.curately, nicknamed the Gold was able to report that 54 member clubs weighing 60 or more Ibs. per rated hp. Cup, this bauble has since become the pointed with pride to no less than 1424 If it weighed less than 60 Ibs. per bp., most highly.prized power boat racing of tbeir members serving in our Anny it was considered a " Displacement trophy in the world. and Navy. In that year, by Chapter 471 Racer." The rules made a polite bow

The A.P.B.A. achieved its first real of the Laws of 1918, the Legislature of to what is today the backbone of in· boner by posting the Cup for compo- the State of New York conferred upon board racing by providing for limited tition on a handicap basis. Contests in A.P.B.A. the "special act" corporate classes-four for hydr<ls, four fordis. 1905, '06 and '07 were conducted under status it enjoys to this day. placement boats. For each class there the now largely.discredited handicap The American Power Boat Assn. has was a prescribed minimum length and ,system. Dedicated to "promoting speed frequently exhibited a willingness to a minimum weight, as well as a maxi· contests and improving and perfect. let other organizations take over phases mum piston displacement. ing engines and boats," the Gold Cup of its supervisory authority. This led, The year 1922 saw the first major .during the handicap era failed miser· on the international side of the scene, amendment to Gold Cup rules since the ~bly in promoting or improving fast to the emergence of the Yachtsmen's handicap restriction had been ditched winners. The first 1904 race produced Association of America. Popularly sup· 15 years earlier. In apparent revulsion ,a winner's best.heat speed of 23.6 posed to have been formed in 1922 by over the boatloads of surplus Liberty .m.p.h.; by 1907 the comparable mark a /(roup of Detroiters interested in pro· engines that had been dominating Gold :had dropped to 20.8. moting a sort of "Indianapolis race for Cup competition since the first World

At this juncture A.P .B.A. exhibited 'the first of its many acts of self·preser· vation by changing the r ules and throw· 'ing its premier trophy open for chal· lenge by any sort of boat and motor ·combination, with no handicap involv· ·ed. The initial contest under these wide· open rules saw the winner's speed jump 'more than 10 m.p.h. as E. ]. Schroeder's

Page 4

power boats." the Y.A.A. soon develop· War, the moguls limited the race for ed into the "national authority" in this 1922 and thereafter to monoplane hulls country of the Internati<lnal Motor with engines of no more than 625 cu. Yachting Union. In the national picture, in. There seemed scant doubt that this Y.A.A. was just another member club had been a wise move when tbe 1922 of A.P .B.A. race for the Cup found a dozen boats

Thus, for more tban a quarter of a finishing at least one heat, compared century, the channel of official com· with three behemoths the year before. munication between our top national body (A.P.B.A. ) and the international (Continued on Page 6)

While A.P.B.A. had been concentrat­ing on unlimited and cruiser competi­tion, the Mississippi Valley Power Bo.at Assn. had been staging races fea­turing boats with power plants of limit­eded piston displacement. At the an· nual A.P.B.A., meeting on Oct . 25, 1923, it was voted to adopt the M.V.P.B.A. rules in their entirety with classes for inboard hydros with the followinl!; displacement limits: 1% litre, 151, 215, 340, 510, 610, 725 and noo cu in., and runabouts up to 625 cu. in. F i N~ action A.P.B. A. acquired the rul66 which had produced such fine

competition III the valley of "01' Miss." Whether the elder Association could have risen to its present position of national dominance without the limited classes is a moot question.

Although outboard motors were on the market while A.P.B.A. was a mere youth, early model outboards weighed too much per hp. to produce speeds at­tractive to race enthusiasts. However, by 1924 the outboard had been develop­ed to the point where some models could drive a planing hull fast enough to arouse the competitive urge. Having by then learned to appreciate the need for expanding its sphere, A.P .B.A. promptly whipped into print a set of rules for racing boats propelled

" Outboard Detachable Motors." Classes we're provided for motors under 12 cu. in. (Class A) ; 12 to under 17 cu. in. (Class B) ; 17 to under 30 cu. in. (Class C) ; and 30 cu. in and over (Class D). Motors had to be kept strictly stock. Hull limi 's amounted to a bare length minimum of 14 feet.

The Association had acted not only promptly, but most wisely in giving whole· hearted recognition to this new type race boat. Today, more than three­fourths of its activitv revolves around the racing of "detachables."

A.P.B.A's stewardship of outboard racing progressed well during the next few years. in 1927 a new standing com­

(Continued on Page 10)

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..... ___ PROPELLER / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /CATEGORY CORNER/ /

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SHOW US WHAT YOU GOT! SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES FOR A CHANCE TO BE FEATURED IN NEXT MONTH'S PROPELLER

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REGION 1 APBA boat racing has returned to Rising Sun, Ind., after an absence of more than a decade.

Perfect sunny weather welcomed participants and fans to the picturesque Ohio River town on August 16-18 for ''A Roar Of Thunder."

The busy schedule of events included the Powerboat Superleague OPC racing, Grand National Inboard hydroplanes, Vintage Raceboat demonstrations,Jet Ski shows and a display appearance by the Oh Boy! Oberto-Miss Madison Unlimited hydroplane showboat.

The Superleague OPC hulls have long been a fixture in southern Indiana. For many years, they performed a few miles upriver at Aurora, Ind., but transferred their program to Rising Sun in 2013 on account of extensive road construction in the vicinity of Aurora.

The fast-turning tunnel hulls kept the crowd enthralled at Rising Sun with first-place going to perennial champion Terry Rinker in the SST-200 class, Brent Dillard in SST-120 and Sam LaBanco in F3.

Visitors from Madison, Ind., who were disappointed with the cancellation of the Madison Regatta, due to flooding over the

Fourth of July weekend, got their fill of hydroplane action at Rising Sun. The Grand National boats put on a fantastic show with plenty of side-by-side racing on the one-mile oval course. Steve Kuhr emerged as the winner with The Irishman after a battle royal with Danny Walls,Jr., in the final heat.

The Vintage hydros paid tribute to boat racing's classic past. Nearly a dozen campaigners of yesteryear took to the water in a series of high-speed fly-bys. The Vintage show was coordinated by the newly-organized Ohio Valley Vintage Hydroplane Association of APBA.

The oldest boat to participate was the 225 Cubic Inch Class Barracuda, a 1947 Fred Wickens hull, which is believed to be the only Inboard hydroplane from the 1940s still in running condition.

At day's end, the local committee handed out engraved plaques to the participants. The plaques depicted a photograph of the Hoosier Boy, a famous Liberty-powered Unlimited hydroplane from the 1920s that is displayed at the nearby Ohio County Historical Society Museum.

In summary, the 2013 Rising Sun Regatta will be remembered as a fine example of cooperation between various APBA categories to achieve a common goal. Only by working together can power boat racing achieve its potential in the 21st Century.

/ /Fred Farley

REGION 10 Our season is all but over in the Northwest, with only the Kilos at Devil's Lake remaining. Jim Codling gives us a recap on the Inboard highlights at season's end:

"Here it is, the last few days of September and the rains and winds are here, I mean really here. Winds are up to 60 mph, rain almost four inches over the next couple of days, looks like a good time to kick back and check over the '13 season.

I went to Diane Burns'memorial Saturday evening and saw some really old friends from way back in the Green Lake days. Bud looked like he was coping well with his loss, and some great times with his family were remembered. Looking over the crowd there, I saw racers, some retired, that had accumulated over 90 titles and records during their careers. And the wine was very good. Rest in Peace, Diane. Howard Anderson's service was also this past weekend, with over 250 people coming to remember him and his famous smile, he will be missed.

I am glad the Sammamish race was cancelled. We would not have gotten even one boat in with that weather; it was just

.......................................................................................................................... ................. .................. PROPELLER "oS '. terrible. If you can imagine me cleaning being handed out. Fall is setting in hard, Compton's Gold Streak. When it's done, out the drains, not a pretty site, even at 2:30 but drivers have their equipment in their it will see the water with our growing in the morning. shops for rebuilding, redesigning or even fleet, including John and David Leach's

Sid Rennells' protest was for naught, as the appeals committee voted it down Being robbed of a Nationals win is hard to swallow, and condolences to the Rennells family on the loss of their son.

We had a renewed 2.5 stock class pop up at Chelan. Dutch Squires' helped Lil Austin get his timing fixed, and something else must have happened to get the 01' S-36 up and flying. The five boats there put on a good show, switching heat winners all weekend.

John Walcker and his crew put on a nice event somewhat marred by weather, but it was a great show. The GPs also sparkled and rattled the mountains surrounding the beautiful city of Chelan. John is looking for some more help next year keeping that long time event running in the future.

Off to the Kilos this week, the Thorsens' long time Oregon event, with all the help of the Johnson family and a host of volunteers, the fastest Kilo in the country rolls on. One of the self-taxed events we have in our region. Next up is the Region 10 annual banquet in early November."

We do expect to see a few of the Cal Ore boats down at Lincoln City this year, as they generally send a few through the straightaway traps. Larry Darneille provides us with a recap of their season:

"The Cal-Ore US Championship season was abbreviated by low water levels but the three races that were held consisted of some of the most competitive racing in many years. Early in the season it was evident that Tyler McGinnis was the boat to beat. Tyler went on to sweep the season but drivers like Jeff Lewis, Derek Woolsey, Jeff Laird, Rob Watson and Rocky Jones kept him looking over his shoulder. It was not uncommon after a leg distance of 12 miles to have the top five drivers covered by less than 15 seconds.

The year-end meeting and banquet will be held Nov. 10 at the Lucky Seven Casino in Smith River, Calif. The 2014 officers will be elected as well as the 2013 awards

new construction with an eye on being the Buccaneer. Ron Morrison shines this dominant boat in 2014." month's Vintage spotlight on the venerable

E-I0l: One of our highlights in the Northwest was Tacoma Inboard's great production of the Inboard Nationals, held in early September. This was the finale of a successful TIRA season, as their Commodore, Sean "Big Dog"Warren tells us:

"First, TIRA would like to thank everyone who attended the 2013 APBA Summer Nationals at Spanaway Lake. Without all of you it would not have been the great show that it was. TIRA would also like to congratulate all of our Summer National Champions. None of this would have ever been possible without the entire Tacoma Inboard team and all of our sponsors. The spectators were treated to some very exciting racing along with good food and drinks from all of our vendors. Ana Cappelletti and her group did a great job getting everything ready and the members really helped to pull it all together. From registration to racing, to the Saturday night pit party, all the way down to the award ceremony; it all went off without a hitch. This was a true testament to the team's hard work, dedication and preparation. TIRA is already looking forward to hosting the 2014 Western Divisional at Moses Lake, Wash., in late May, so make your plans early to attend as this is a wonderful race venue with some very fast water.

Now that the race season has come to a close the hard work begins again, TIRA will again host three races in 2013 starting with the above mentioned Moses Lake race, followed by the Terry Troxell Memorial Regatta in Pateros, Wash., and then back again at Spanaway Lake for the Yapachino Memorial Regatta. Hopefully everyone can kick back for a little while and enjoy a little down time, the region banquets will be going on along with APBA and region elections so catch your breath and let's start looking and planning for the 2014 race season."

We've seen another successful Vintage season, with some new, old boats hitting the water, and some others nearing restoration completion for next season, like Steve

"Buccaneer"- the name carries the unmistakable image of Ron Jones Sr. signature hulls, the 101 racing number and large white skull and cross bones on the dark blue aircraft style tail fin; this, along with these rig's performances, always up front, out front. Over 50 years now, the John Leach family's "Buccaneer" brand holds a unique place in Region 10 racing. In fact anywhere in the nation among inboard hydroplane groupies, mention "Buccaneer" and you'll likely get immediate recognition.

All of John Leach's racing hulls have been Ron Jones Sr. creations. His first one was a 136 class conventional that was otherwise noteworthy in that it was the first inboard hull Ron Sr. ever built. John got it in 1956 and raced it until drafted into the Army when he sold it to the one and only Bill Muncey. Upon John's return from two years military service there was a new Jones conventional 280 class hydro awaiting him. This one was the first to carry the "Buccaneer" name. The number was E-OO and it displayed a skull only, the cross bones would come later. John raced this boat until 1962. In the mid-60s John raced another "Buccaneer" 280 conventional, this one built from Ron Jones Sr. plans.

On Thanksgiving 1970, John picked up a new Jones Sr. pickle fork cabover hull from the Jones shop in California. This boat also began with the E-OO number but when the J ames Bond 007 phenomenon arose APBA struggled over number requests and finally decided not to allow "00" racing numbers. John was issued number 101, a number his "Buccaneer" hulls have carried ever since. In 1972 John drove the pickle fork hull to the 280 straightaway record at Devils Lake and the 280 competition record at Lake Sammamish. This boat was sold at the 1973 National Championship Regatta in Dayton, Ohio and went on to race successfully on the east coast. It would return. In 1974, John and the "Buccaneer" team moved up to the 7-litre class with a Jones Sr. hull and 427 Chevrolet engine. With number J-I0l

..... ___ PROPELLER .......................................... ......... ... ·········· ······· ············· ········· ············ //REGlON ROUNDUP// the skull and cross bones were flying even passed away unexpectedly on September the lead, then pulls far to the outside, falls bigger. John in this boat set the competition 15th. The news of Dan's passing travelled back, and in the next moment shoots like an record twice on successive days on Green fast to our region, and we felt honored to arrow back in front because of the smoother Lake. have Jean Mackay-Schwartz carry on with water in his outside lane. He runs with wide

In the mid-90s an ad for the pickle fork "Buccaneer" 280 appeared in the APBA Propeller Magazine. David Williams of the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum called and asked would John consider buying and donating it. John did. The boat had been under a tarp in upstate New York and was in very poor condition. But the volunteers at the Museum did their thing, giving it new sponsons. Mter 9 years at the Museum, it was deemed that the Museum's main focus was on vintage Unlimiteds and negotiations permitted John to buy the boat back. Ron Jones Jr and Bob Mackey completed the restoration. Thus we are fortunate to have the pickle fork Jones hull "Buccaneer" 280/5-litre with us today on the Region 10 Vintage circuit, its skull and cross bones still unmistakable. Son David drives it now but John Leach remains alongside seeing to its well-being."

Our outboard season concluded with two races in September, one at Soap Lake, and our fall classic, the Lawrence Lake Record Regatta. The outboards hadn't run at Soap Lake since 1977, and were welcomed back to the community with open arms. Despite unseasonably high temperatures and racers learning some of the nuances of racing in some unusual water, the event went off well, thanks to Race Director JW Myers and his crew of officials.

Lawrence Lake turned into a one-day race, when high winds rolled into the Puget Sound basin Saturday night following Saturday's race. Saturday conditions were mostly favorable, and three new one-mile competition records were set: Daniel Wilde bumped the ASR record with Sidewinder power to 47.86 mph; and Kyle Lewis, piloting Lee Sutter's runabout broke two records setting a new mark in 25SSR at 57.636 mph, and the CSR record at 58.53 mph. Congrats to all the new record setters.

Finally, the end of the 2013 season was a rough one for our region 10 outboarders, when we lost two racers who were very close to us. Dan Schwartz, who began his racing career on the Oregon stock outboard circuit and was a frequent visitor to the northwest,

hers and Dan's travel plans and participate open air vents in the cowl that might give at Lawrence Lake in Yelm the following him a little extra boost. weekend. Dan was not only a tough, hard-nosed competitor, but an enthusiastic participant, a thorough race inspector and one of the most resilient competitors I ever knew. I'm going to miss Dan a ton, as will many of us.

When we were at Lawrence Lake and still reeling from the news of Dan's passing, we were dealt another hard blow when we learned that Howard Anderson passed away on September 19th. For many years, Howard WAS racing in the Pacific Northwest. His team was always fast, always well prepared, and always looked as good as it ran. Howard gave tirelessly to our sport, serving as a category chair, a commissioner and served many other positions in the sport. But he was also one of the most fun people to be around, at or away from the boat races. Howard lived the kind of life that all of us should aspire to: He worked hard, played hard and loved his friends and his family. Who could ask for more? Our region has a huge void now. Over time, it may be filled, but the impact these two men had on all our racers in the Northwest will never be forgotten. To say they will be missed just doesn't seem enough right now.

/ /Patrick Gleason / /Shawn Warren / /Larry Darneille / /Ron Morrison / / Jim Godling

REGION 15 "Sad, sad, really sad," laughed 'Scary Jerry' Rinker when he stepped up to the winner's podium in Orange, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 22,2013. Well, his contenders are used to the fact that in the Tri-Hull-class only the trophies for the second and third place are available for other drivers. Winner, Jerry Rinker is an excellent driver in rough water. It can happen that the 70-year-old takes

The water was choppy most of the time and the temperature was low for September. Friday and Saturday, raincoats were in high demand and testing on Friday was cancelled because of wind and storms. The spectator turnout was not so good on Sunday in spite of the fact that weather conditions had improved tremendously.

Of those who finished in the top three in SST -45 two were disqualified. Inspection was tough, and one driver who was disqualified asked for a complete inspection of his motor in order to be prepared the next time. It certainly was no fun to hold the second place trophy up and then have to give it back. Only the fastest three in each class got inspected, but those who moved up later had to go through the same strict rigmarole under Roger Carr's watchful eye.

Bud Nollmann, who had won SST-45 in the first qualif)ring heat, didn't finish the final because he cracked a rib during that qualifier and torpedoed a buoy in the final. Always smiling, he played "tough guy" and didn't show his pain. He kept going till the end but left fast at the end, he needed to recover. Rinker was also glad that the rough dance in vicious waves was over. He had hurt his neck in an earlier heat and wore a protective brace.

The J -Hydro-class got another upgrade, after running at Highlands with much faster A -motors, the J -motors ran a wider course making them look seriously professional. It seems that the program is on the right course to win new contenders for the races of tomorrow. Most of the J -Hydros are sponsored by Sport Marine, i.e., basically by S.P.O.R.T , the Schuberts'racing organization.

Tracy Hawkins won the first qualifier in F1Sport, then ran last in the second heat after a prop change. Curtiss Nunez ran away with the final heat, chased by Minnesota man Merv Bjork. Mike Schubert's Johnson engine was on strike again. Mike got off the beach fine, blasted out of the turns fine and

.............. .... ............. .... ................. ............. ... .. ...... ......... .. ................ ................ .. ..... ... .... ...... .................. PROPELLER "oS '. could even run with the pack, but he was rev-limited to 6000 RPM, less than ~ his top motor speed.

After the finale, some celebrated, some needed to recover and some inspected their motors to find out what went wrong. Hans McCauley was among the last group because his motor swallowed a reed and a trim wire broke. The reed broke because the motor swallowed a hard object, even the reed cage was damaged. The local crews made up of fathers, friends and wives will now get ready for the next S.P.O.R.T. race, the Highlands Fall Classic on Sunday, Oct. 13,2013. It will be the last run of the season, the last chance for testing for some.

The race was run like clockwork, the sport rescue team, security, and APBA officials all did a perfect job. After the last heat on Saturday, referee D oug Rea pulled out his fishing rod and angled from the judges stand. On Friday, during the storm, he and Carlton Callahan went down-river in a rescue boat and caught three fish and several crab. The catch was expensive, though, they busted a $ 500 prop during their outing.

Here are the (unofficial) race results, kindly provided by John Schubert and Lindsey Matthews, who again did an excellent job in organization and managment:

Boat # Driver Hometown

1 55 Curtis Nunez Friendswood, TX

2 32 Mervin Bjork Zimmerman, MN

3 2 Tracy Hawkins Willis, TX

4 14 Barry McCollough Buna, TX

5 34 Jeff Reno Okeechobee, FL

6 33 Rob Dinicolantonio Lakeland, FL

7 0.3 Dustin Terry Thibadeaux, LA

8 8 Michael Schubert Richmond, TX

Formula Light Results

Name Hometown

Steve Merleau St. Joseph, MI

Travis Thompson Humble, TX

Don Wilson Jefferson City, MO

Jeff Zeller Fenton, MI

Haley Gibbs Seabrook, TX

Hans McCauley Houston, TX

Mark Schmerbaugh Greenfield, WI

Bud Nollman Osage Beach, MO

Tri-Hull Results

Boat # Driver Hometown

1 10 Jerry Rinker Spring, TX

2 5 Reuben Stafford Richmond, TX

3 4 Wesley Cheatham Trinity, TX

4 97 Kevi n Teague Richmond, TX

5 21 Darryl Middleton Montgomery, TX

6 6 Michael Schubert Richmond, TX

7 15 Phillip Wolfe Groves, TX

8 9 Allen Geautreaux Richmond, TX

9 1 Cory Walker Meadows Place, TX

1

0 3 Dustin Terry Thibadeaux, LA

1

1 7 Jansen Skeen Montgomery, TX

J-Hydro Results

Boat # Driver Hometown

1 T-75 T yl er Teague Richmond, TX

2 T-22 Jeremiah Mayo Rosenberg, TX

3 711-W Jason Doherty Sante Fe, TX

4 T-14 Grant Schubert Richmond, TX

5 T-21 John Ottinger Bay City, TX

The 2013 Highlands Fall Classic didn't lack some dramatic moments. Frontrunners fell back and others took the lead by surprise. Two involuntarily but not unhappily were given a bath afterwards: Chris Hughes (SST-4S) and Phillip Wolfe (Tri-Hull) were tossed into the drink by their competitors. Grant Schubert was a first time winner in J -Hydro, while Tracy Hawkins returned to the winner's podium in F1Sport after a long dry spell.

Scary Jerry, one of the main contenders, nearly lost his motor while Philip Wolfe worked himself up from number five to the winning position in the Tri-hull class. Chris Rinker led for a long time before W olfe took over and Rinker ran second.

In F1Sport two boats had trouble right after the start. In the final heat Barry McCollough was pushing hard on Tracy's heels before he barrel-rolled in the last turn. That's how Mike Schubert, even with motor problems, worked himself into second place. Tracy Hawkins was certainly happy to win, again after he had lost a good motor, trim and prop at Port Neches 2012; that he still hasn't found.

In J -Hydro John Ottinger also made a good showing as number two. Since one of the three restrictor plates was taken out of the motors about 18 months ago, the J -Hydros now run much faster.

Announcer Mike Tilton did again a very good job and talked no nonsense, but the audience was unfortunately not large due to the rainy weekend weather. Sunday's weather was actually pleasant because it was neither too cold nor too hot and although it looked like rain, it rained little and didn't lead to any cancellation.

Baytown Boat Club's food was again very good. The SPORT Rescue diver had to sprint over the race course when Phillip went over, but he had already gotten out by himself and was unharmed.

Two out of four winners ran props that Joe McCauley had reworked, so Joe was certainly also very happy with the results. Bud Nollman sent his prop 'Little Joe' down for Chris Hughes to run. It was nice that a female contender participated again. One can only wish that young Haley Gibbs soon becomes one of the frontrunners.

Thanks again to John Schubert and S.P.O.R.T. for putting on a fine race.

Highlands Fall Classic 2013

Final Results (kindly prOVided by John Schubert)

Boat #

1 13-T

2 T-21

3 711-T 4 T-75 5 T-22

Boat #

4

8

10

Formula Lights

Boat #

4

Sport Formula 1

J-Hyd ro

Driver

Grant Schubert

John Ottinger

Jason Doherty

Riley Teague

Jeremiah Mayo

Tri-Hull

15 Phillip Wolfe 52 Chris Rinker

97 Kevin Teague

3 Dustin Terry

70 Jude Gaspard

1 Cory Walker

6 Klint Dillard 63 Travis Yates

5 Reuben Stafford

4 Wesley Cheatham

Driver

17 Chris Hughes

2 Travis Thompson

9 Don Wilson

43 Chris Santeree

22 Michael Schubert

77 Glyn Mathews

14 Haley Gibbs

Boat # Driver

4

2 Tracy Haw kins

8 Michael Schubert

14 Barry MCCollough 55 Curtis Nunez

5 Reuben Stafford

3 Dustin Terry

Driver

/ /Gornelia Kuffner

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