Winning A National Championship With Talent, Or Is It Luck?

Volume 72, Issue 10 // October 2012 apba-racing.com

USA: $5.00

End of an Era

Looking Back: Scary Fast

Rooster-tales:

Fair or Foul?

Marshall Eldredge Officially Ends His Racing Career

Winning A High Point Title At All Costs

ProPeller

DEPARTMENTSFrom The Editor: Coming to a Close

From The Top: APBA Financials

Driving Digital AdvancementExpecting the Unexpected

Rooster - Tales: Winning A National

Championship With Talent, Or is it luck?

Looking Back: Scary Fast

By The Numbers

Suited For Safety

Category CornerStock OutboardModified OutboardPRO OutboardSLT

Scorer’s Forum

Racing Calendar

In Pictures...

Region Round Up

End of an Era 4 Marshall Eldredge Officially Ends His Racing Career

Spotlight On...WILDWOODS, NJ 8

faIr or foUL...Winning A High Points Title at All Costs 12ROOSteR - taLeS: WINNING A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH TALENT, OR IS IT LUCK? 18

PULLiNg A FAST ONE 24 When racing concludes, mischief ensues

// In thIs IssueVolume 72, Issue 10 // October 2012

17640 E. Nine Mile Road, PO Box 377

Eastpointe MI 48021-0377

PHONE 586-773-9700 FAX 586-773-6490

E-MAIL apbahq@apba-racing.com WEB: www.apba-racing.com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR //Dan Wiener apbahq@apba-racing.com

ACCOUNTING //Linda Likert linda@apba-racing.com

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR //Sabrina Haudek sabrina@apba-racing.com

SANCTION/ HIGH

POINTS COORDINATOR //Cindy Minoletti cindy@apba-racing.com

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR //Ryan Berlin rberlin@apba-racing.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR/ WRITER //Joe Pas jpas@apba-racing.com

SR. ACCOUNT EVECUTIVE //Jamie Kirts jkirts@apba-racing.com

2012 APBA OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORSPRESIDENT //Mark Wheeler wheeler@wmich.edu

VICE PRESIDENT //Kristi Ellison parroth222@aol.com

NATIONAL COMMISSIONER //Charles Strang ROI15@comcast.net

TREASURER //Jose Mendana Jr. mendanaracing@gmail.com

SECRETARY //Jean MacKay-Schwartz jean84c@earthlink.net

LEGAL COUNSEL //R. Steven Hearn shearn@kcgov.com

//J. David Augustine Sr. patndave2@verizon.net

//Ernie Dawe dawecraftboats@aol.com

//Chris Fairchild chris@fairchildracing.com

//Fred Hauenstein, Jr. fhauenstein@new.rr.com

//Dan Kanfoush dankanfoush@yahoo.com

//John F. Sharp john.sharp@sbcglobal.net

//Peggy Wendt peggyprostock@aol.com

//Donny Lick (Region Rep) donnyllick@comcast.net

//Adam Allen (Category Rep) adamopcchair@gmail.com

COUNCIL-AT-LARGE: Penny Anderson, Alexander Jennings III, Mark Miskerik, Robert F. Moore,

Jeff Titus, Laurie Allen, Jeff Conant, Jean MacKay-Schwartz, Jack Meyer,

William B. Walker, Rachel Warnock. Tony Lombardo

2012 RACING CATEGORY/COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN INBOARD //Mark Weber hydromark55@att.net

INBOARD ENDURANCE //Ted Kolby ted@tedkolby.com

JUNIOR CLASSES //Buddy Tennell btennell@bellsouth.net

MODIFIED OUTBOARD //Tom Sutherland tls@wengco.com

OPC //Adam Allen adamopcchair@gmail.com

PRO //Steve Greaves sgreaves@portagebaysystems.com

R/C MODEL //Brian Lepinski rcuhydronut@charter.net

SLT //John F. Sharp john.sharp@sbcglobal.net

STOCK OUTBOARD //Jeff Brewster Jeff_brewster_59s@yahoo.com

UNLIMITED //Sam Cole boatracing@msn.com

VINTAGE & HISTORIC //Butch Kropfeld thecarriageshop@fuse.net

PROPELLER© welcomes unsolicited articles and photos. Views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publication and do not represent official APBA policy. Advertising herein cannot be construed as an endorsement by APBA or its members. PROPELLER (ISSN 0194-6218) (USPS 0047-800) is published 4 times yearly for $25.00 (U.S. & Canada); $55.00 (foreign) by APBA, 17640 East Nine Mile Road, PO Box 377, Eastpointe MI 48021-0377

Periodical postage paid at Eastpointe MI and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send address changes to APBA, P.O. Box 377, Eastpointe MI 48021-0377.

> As our season begins to wind down and comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on all of the things that happened this racing season.Many of us walk away this season having accomplished much of what we wanted, while others walk away disappointed.Smiling more than ever is Marshall Eldredge, who for 67 years, has taken to the water winning numerous awards and championships. After placing second at the in 175 Hydro at the PRO Nationals in DePue, he said this year will be his last behind the wheel. Although he won’t be racing anymore, Marshall will never be too far from the water.

As the chase for a High Points title heats up, the true nature of competition comes into focus. Becoming a High Points champion sometimes means employing gamesmanship – a legal but ethically questionable opposite to sportsmanship. We dive into some of the head and water games pulled in order to be crowned High Point Champion.What would October be without a little trick-or-treating? In this issue we choose trick. Read about all of the pranks and practical jokes pulled on our members, by our members, because some of them were never given “something good to eat.” So before you flip through the pages of this Propeller, grab your candy, pumpkin seeds, cider and enjoy.

Coming to a CloseWrIttEn By // ryan BErLIn, CommUnICatIons dIrECtor

// from tHE EdItor /////////////////////////////////////////////

// 2

>

aPBa FinanCialsWrIttEn By // mark WHEELEr, aPBa PrEsIdEnt

As the 2012 racing season winds down, it is natural for APBA’s members to ask how APBA is doing financially. I’m pleased to report that APBA is sound financially. In fact, APBA is doing better than many had expected. Given the many changes that have taken place within APBA this year, we had projected a budget deficit for the 2012 racing season. There were many reasons for this. For example, we had two executive directors on our payroll for two months earlier this year. We are also in the first year of the investment in our digital transformation/upgrade. I’m pleased to report that APBA is doing better than expected. At the time of this writing, the most recent profit/loss statement available is dated June 30, 2012. This profit/loss statement shows that APBA’s year-to-date net profit is $35,500.80. As of June 30, APBA’s current assets total $944,486.97. Of these assets, $653,889.48 are “liquid assets” in the form of checking/saving balances; over $200,000.00 of these funds belong to APBA’s categories. For those who want detail, I’ve posted APBA’s most recent profit/loss statement on our social forum under the heading “APBA’s Profit/Loss Statement”. I will use the profit/loss thread to post updated profit/loss statements as they become available. Copies of APBA’s financial statements have been passed out at the last nine APBA national meetings. I will continue this practice.

FINaNCIaL StateMeNt

ProPeller// from tHE toP /////////////////////////////// ProPeller

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STARTFINISH

Eldredge family began racing.

1926

1929

19451949

1971

2008

2012

Marshall has been a

inspector, including chief

inspector at two world

championships.

Marshall’s father took first place at the Lake Alfred Grand Free-For-All.

Marshall got behind the wheel for the first time at age 15.

Marshall’s father won a National Title and set two world records.

Marshall won the 175CCH Nationals.

Marshall Eldredge retires.

After a long and illustrious 67-year racing career, PRO racer Marshall Eldredge has finally decided to hang up his helmet and retire from boat racing.Eldredge’s decision to retire came after the 82-year-old placed second this year in 175-Hydro at the PRO Nationals in DePue, Ill.“I have raced since 1945 and I have decided to quit driving. I haven’t quit owning and I will have my equipment and I will have my grandson drive,” Eldredge said. “I decided, at 82, it’s time.“I didn’t really expect to do as well as I did but I knew I was at the end of my career. I probably should have retired four years ago

END OF AN ERAMarshall Eldredge officially ends his racing career

when I won the PRO Nations but I felt like I could still do it, and this year I knew I couldn’t.”The Eldredge family began racing in 1926 when Marshall’s father first got into the sport. By 1929, Marshall’s father won a National Title and set two world records. Needless to say, the Eldredge’s were born to race boats.Marshall didn’t get behind the wheel until 1945 when he was 15. He made his debut 30 days after the end of WWII. It was only three years into his career when Marshall experienced one of his biggest racing thrills at the Lake Alfred Grand Free-For-All in 1949 when his dad took first place. Watching his father then

was one of his proudest moments, he said.For the Eldredges, it’s not their own accomplishments that make them proud, it’s seeing each other flourish.“By far, my favorite day ever at a race was when (Marshall) won the 175CCH Nationals in 2008,” Marshall’s grandson Jon said. “I was so proud to see him accomplish what had eluded him for so long. The love and respect shown to him there was truly touching. It was a very special day.”Jon, who is following in the family tradition and racing PRO, has learned everything he know about power boat racing from his grandfather. The two most important things Marshall taught Jon:

// 4

STARTFINISH

Eldredge family began racing.

1926

1929

19451949

1971

2008

2012

Marshall has been a

inspector, including chief

inspector at two world

championships.

Marshall’s father took first place at the Lake Alfred Grand Free-For-All.

Marshall got behind the wheel for the first time at age 15.

Marshall’s father won a National Title and set two world records.

Marshall won the 175CCH Nationals.

Marshall Eldredge retires.

ProPeller

“Get good starts and drive smart.”“He may not have always been the fastest one but he got great starts, he always drove smart and that’s what he did even up to his last ride,” Jon said. “He has been doing this forever, and he has pretty much seen the entire evolution of boat racing.”Much has changed on the world of boat racing over the years, and Marshall has been there to see it, always at the front of the line to get the next best thing. Marshall has always liked racing with the most up-to-date equipment, according to Jon. And no matter what happened to him during his racing career, he was always able to shake it off and keep grinding. The

most exciting time in Marshall’s racing career came in the early 1960s and ‘80s.Since 1971, Marshall has been an inspector, including chief inspector at two world championships. Marshall has done it all in racing. He has raced everything from 125cc to 1100cc Hydro in the PRO division. He ran Stock for a few years in 25SSH and DSH. He also ran an Inboard for a little while, driving JB Broadus’s 266.When it came time for Marshall to make his announcement at the PRO banquet in DePue, he took the crowd by surprise.“When he got up on the microphone at the banquet and told everybody he was

retiring, that was really the first time he’s said that,” Jon said. “I figured after the final heat (in DePue) that was probably it. To go out at the podium at the nationals at his age and with everything he’s done, that was kind of the perfect way to go.”Even though Marshall won’t be racing anymore, he will never be far from the water, attending as many races as he can with Jon, being actively involved, tinkering and getting his hands dirty. “For that I’m grateful. I am so blessed to have him be such a huge part of my life,” Jon said. “He’s my hero … and I look forward to going to more races with him and continuing our family’s legacy.”

// 5

// 7

// drIVInG dIGItaL adVantaGE ///////////////////// ProPeller

>Monthly Update from Crown

The fall brings with it a few expected things: the changing of leaves and the transition from shorts to sweaters just to name a few… But there may have been a few things you didn’t expect to see with the arrival of Fall. For example, 1. Over the past 7 months, the APBA website has had a 76% increase in the number of unique visitors. That’s 23,200 unique visitors looking at nearly 90,000 unique pages2. Since May, the number of total visits to the website has increased 13.06% month over month. 3. The APBA Facebook page reach has grown from 1,887 users in January to 151, 574 users this July – that’s an increase of 7,932.54%Surprised? You probably shouldn’t be. Like the boats you come together to race, the digital world moves fast. It takes a

certain amount of skill, determination and ingenuity to succeed. Yet it also takes patience, both on and off the water. The data shows that the numbers are growing. Month after month we are seeing an increase in website activity, social users and digital propeller views. While not a silver bullet, these trends are moving in a great direction. This type of activity is absolutely critical for the APBA as it actively looks to sell sponsorships. This is the information potential sponsors are asking for - information that technology makes easier to quantify. Here in this season of visible change, take a moment to look back on your own year with the APBA. While the season may be changing right on schedule, the great experiences had, the races won, new friendships made and growing influence of the Association just might surprise you.

exPeCting the UnexPeCted

// 8

SPOTLIGHT ON:

// PaCk a BaG and fInd yoUr Way

Wildwoods, New Jersey

// PaCk a BaG and fInd yoUr Way

For 15 years Wildwoods Crest, NJ has been hosting the Wildwoods Hydrofest. Three years ago, the race was approved to honor the best performance over the weekend with the Governor’s Cup. “The cup’s criteria is a performance award for outstanding performance. The winner has to be from a competitive class, with at least five legal starters,” race director Ann Fitzgerald said. “Somebody who is racing again three or four other boats isn’t going to win the cup.”All classes with five legal starters are eligible to win the Governor’s Cup. The award is given to the racer who, between all of their heats, has the best overall performance. If there are any ties between boats, the driver who comes closest to or exceeds an APBA competition record for the one-mile course will be awarded the trophy.More than winning a trophy, Wildwoods, NJ Governor’s Cup Hydrofest is about bringing tourism to a region toward the end of the summer season.“The Wildwoods NJ Governor’s Cup Hydrofest always delivers thrilling international powerboat racing and draws thousands to our island each year,” John Siciliano, Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement Development Authority executive director said. “Sunset Lake in Wildwood Crest provides the perfect setting for the event, and the six-block marketplace featuring powerboat racing merchandise, crafts and foods truly make it an event the entire family can enjoy.”There are more than 100 volunteers and staff to make sure that the 10-block festival goes off without a hitch. Joining the Inboard boat race on Oct. 6 and 7 will be a seafood and music festival along

Atlantic Avenue. The music and seafood festival will feature live music, activates for children and tons of seafood, according to Wildwoods Chamber of Commerce executive director Tracy DuFault.Considered the doo-wop capital of the country, according to DuFault, Wildwoods is a small mom-and-pop-run area with plenty to do between the races.

“Our boardwalk boasts more rides and amusements than Disneyland, and the boardwalk is just under two-miles long,” DuFault said. “We have a fantastic convention center right on the boardwalk that has beautiful views of the ocean.”Made up of over 70,000 wood planks, stretching nearly two-and-a-half miles, Wildwoods’ boardwalk is loaded with places to eat, especially vendor food. When it comes to pizza and French fries there are only two choices; Mack’s or Sam’s.

“There are a ton of pizza places up here, but those are the two people go to. We also really do have some great dining as well,” DuFault said. “Pacific Avenue is coming alive as just a dining destination. We have some great restaurants, Italian, we have a new restaurant which is called Cattle and Clover which is being marketed as an Irish steakhouse.”If steak and pizza aren’t to your liking, Pacific Avenue also features Mexican restaurants, and various other fine dining experiences.When the racing, rides, food and National Marbles Hall of Fame have all taken its toll, check into one of the many independently owned motels on the five-mile-long island.“When you’re checking into a motel here, chances are that the desk clerk is the owner or the owner isn’t too far away, and the hospitality is amazing,” DuFault said. We only have one commercial property and everything else is independently owned and operated.Taking the leap into the 21 st century, Wildwoods has a smartphone and tablet app that can be accessed with lists of the hotel, food, and recreational activities that the five-mile island has to offer. Of course the main draw on Oct. 6 th and 7 th is the Wildwoods NJ Governor’s Cup Hydrofest.“Our committee prides itself on a professional presentation of an efficiently ran event. The event is about exciting powerboat racing and putting on a show and entertainment for the visitors,” Fitzgerald said. “We believe in running a three to four hour show and making it about entertainment.”

“Our boardwalk boasts more rides and amusements than Disney land…”

>

// sPotLIGHt on ///////////////////////////// ProPeller

//9

// yoU makE tHE CaLL ///////////////////////////////////////

Have you noticed that our Association is full of clever and witty people? Hey, let’s just say it… we have more than a few wise guys and smart alecs. Well, here’s your chance to put those skills to good use. Not only will you get recognition for your special “talent”… if your caption is deemed to be the funniest, it will be featured in next month’s Propeller, and just might win a prize. Click on this month’s image to go to the Social Community and begin submitting your witty captions. You can also upload your own images that might be featured in an upcoming You Make the Call caption contest!Remember that we’re a family organization… so please keep it clean.

Whats the APBA ruling? Is leap frogging legal? – Duane Herin

YOu Make the CaLL

a montHLy CaPtIon ContEst

this month’s photo:

SuBMIt

////////// WIn an aPBa PrIZE PaCk

>

a montHLy CaPtIon ContEst

// aPBa GraPEVInE //////////////////////////////

GEttInG soCIaL

aPBa CommUnIty

>EVEr WondEr jUst HoW yoUr frIEnds knEW? BEt tHEy HEard It tHroUGH tHE GraPEVInE… HErE’s jUst somE of WHat yoU may HaVE mIssEd If yoU HaVEn’t CHECkEd In on tHE aPBa soCIaL CommUnIty:

AUDIO FROM OPC NATIONALSAPBA 1/4 MILE CHALLENgE SPORTSMAN ENTRy CLASS

ProPeller

//11

Similarly, in racing, the chase for a High Points title can unexpectedly jump up on drivers, especially after summer nationals. What was once just another season on the water becomes a full-throttle, cross-country run of speed and spreadsheets -- how many points does he have? How many races do I need to qualify?In the realm of sportsmanship versus gamesmanship -- the former carrying a positive connotation while the latter carrying a negative -- it’s possible for competitors to continue as they were within the full spirit of competition, or to dwell in the ethical gray areas of the rules. For the pitcher who’s near perfection, the gamesman facing him might try to bunt the ball for a base hit or an error. For the driver who’s already winning in High Points, he might decide to scratch himself from completing a legal class for the final heat, to the dismay of his competition.

Fair or Foul?Winning a High Point title at all costs WrIttEn By // joE Pas, assoCIatE EdItor

One of the most coveted individual achievements in baseball is the perfect game. In Layman’s terms, that’s when a pitcher doesn’t allow an opposing team to take a base by getting a hit, walk or error -- 27 batters up, 27 down. Rarely does a pitcher even think of the possibility until half of the game is over, then the pressure builds exponentially with every pitch.

>

// 12

Perhaps it’s a bad comparison, if in scope alone. Boat racing is different than other sports and even other motorsports. However, there is some evidence to suggest that even in a family-oriented sport, there can be a slightly detestable side for the sake of the chase. THE gAMES THEy PLAy A stock outboard driver, who wished to remain anonymous, said the sport is experiencing more instances of ethically questionable gamesmanship, even occurring as recently as the Grass Lake Stock Nationals two months ago.“In CSR, I think, the leader slowed his boat almost to a stop before the finish, turned to look back and waited for his teammate to pass. The eventual winner was leading the class in high point,” the source said. “I never saw anything like it before.”Such an act hurts the drivers chasing the points leader. They count on the field playing to their best capabilities. The source attributed it to the growing mentality absorbed through other sports, such as NASCAR. The source likened the Grass Lake incident to when NASCAR teammates, usually in packs of three or four, allow the last car to drift before going to the front.The anonymous drive saw times when rivals “scratch” or remove themselves from races by “packing up Sunday and leaving.” Whether the reason is because of bad blood or gamesmanship, the outcome is “unfortunate.”Mark Weber, Inboard chairman, said he saw something similarly egregious. Years ago, a high point champion launched his boat for the final heat, but, instead of

racing, he drove to the infield and cut his engine. The final class was a boat short of a legal start, therefore, eliminating his closest competition from earning any points. It guaranteed his high point championship.“I don’t want my kids to learn bad habits like this,” the anonymous stock driver said. “Chasing points can take the fun out of racing. We give yellow and red flags for penalties that occur during the race, I’d like to propose implementing similar deductions toward protecting the sport.”Weber said he believes new rules should be judged on one principle: “Can they be enforced?”“If they can’t be easily enforced, what was once created to solve grey areas becomes a new set of grey areas,” he said. “People will find a way to circumvent the rule book.“I tell everyone the only way to avoid anything like that is to race. When it gets to the end of the summer, you’re racing your ass off, we track everything in spreadsheets; we know exactly what everyone is doing and what it will takes to beat them.”A lot of guys take the High Point chase very seriously, according to the source. “There’s a cat and mouse going on when one says he isn’t running for points, but then they start showing up at any race he can get to,” the stock driver said.“It’s not like they’re competing for $5,000 and a trip to Aruba. I think winners still get two patches, two decals for the boat and a certificate. You would swear it’s everything in the world to them.”

IN gOOD FUN Tim Small, a multi-class PRO Outboarder, knows a thing or two about high point drama. Last season, he and his longtime rival Mike Krier took the 250CCR class down to the wire. Small, who managed one more race than the winner, failed to catch Krier -- by a measly six points.“You can’t afford to have even one bad race,” Small said. “I’ve won my share of high points championships. Some years you go for the Hall of Champions, and others you focus on Summer Nationals. We don’t race for big prize money, so you want to get everything you can out of it.”Racing season after racing season, throughout his entire career, Small hasn’t seen too much gamesmanship. “I don’t think much happens; we’re a family, and we support one another,” he said.“Sometimes you’re far from home, so you’re going to race no matter what. We may be enemies on the water, but we’re also friends once we’re docked.”Tom Sutherland, the Modified Outboard chair, echoed much of the sentiment when he tried to recall whether such unethical practices occurred.“In general, I suppose ‘bad’ drivers are going to do ‘bad’ things, but it doesn’t really happen that often,” he said. “At least, I never saw it.Boat racing doesn’t have the luxury to play such games, according to Sutherland. It comes down to economics.“One, we need to pay the club entry fees, and two, some people drove a long way (to race),” Sutherland said. “So people need to race, not fight.”

ProPeller

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6The Seattle Outboard Association is the club that has hosted the most races so far this season, with six. SOA is located in Edgewood, Wash., and has had races in Eatonville, Everett, and Castle Rock, Wash.

19 The number of races that took place on new sites in 2012. Sparks, Nev., Evans, Ga., and Milton NH are among some of the new cities that joined the APBA Circuit.

14:

THe MIcHIgAn RAcIng HyDRoPlAne

AssocIATIon HAs PuT 30 “sTuDenTs”

THRougH ITs ouTBoARD DRIvIng

scHool. of THose 30 DRIveRs, 10 of THeM

HAve gone on To RAce THIs seAson.

30

The total number of people who earned any points in the CSH Stock class so far this season. As of September 9th, Kyle Lewis is leading the CSH High Point chase with 4,221 points in 14 races.

20The number of total races held so far in Region 10, the most

of any APBA Region.

106

>By the numBers…

Is the number of APBA members that raced internationally so far in 2012.

Speed and time Records are either set or broken every year. In 2012 29 APBA records were set.

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That’s how many racers repeated as National Champions in 2012. Some of the back-to-back winners include John Peeters, Ed Hearn, Terry Rinker. Rick Miller and Dan Kanfoush are the only drivers to repeat in their category, MOD and Inboard respectively.

29:

Terry Rinker and Rick Miller were the only two racers to win three National Championships in their OPC and MOD classes. Rinker won titles in in F1, SST-120 and SST-200. Miller won titles in 500ccMR, 500ccMH and 350ccMR.

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> With all the advancements in safety protection for unrestrained outboard drivers over the last 25 years, we have come a long way from swim trunks, t-shirts and tennis shoes to cut suits and life jackets with built-in impact material. Still, the one area of vulnerability that still needs to be addressed is foot protection. For a number of years, many racers wore wet suit booties or windsurfing/jetski booties. Made of neoprene rubber, these were flexible, lightweight and kept sand and gravel out of your boat and your feet. Unfortunately, they offered little protection in the form of cut resistance. A step up from these are running or tennis shoes. Again, the flexibility and weight are suitable, but most of these shoes feature foam construction, and as such are very buoyant. The buoyancy of a running shoe can adversely affect the ability of a driver’s lifejacket to float them properly. Some racers have taken to leather work boots, which provide good sole and toe area protection, but often do not have cut resistant materials in them and may not be flexible enough for some racer’s needs. One of the best and most overlooked benefits of the work boot over a tennis or running shoe is that its added weight offsets the buoyancy of the driver’s safety equipment and can aid the lifejacket in doing what it’s supposed to do, which is float a driver in a face-up position. Think of these boots as doing the same thing that a keel does on a sailboat.Cut resistant socks have been introduced to the sport and have proved themselves effective in many cases. Priced in a range under $100 per pair, they are a great “first step” in providing protection for feet in the racing environment. Made with lycra, there is a lot of stretch in these, which is great for youth drivers with growing feet. They have proven on several occasions that they can reduce potential injury. And, they work with any shoe style the driver prefers to wear. The one caveat to this of course is that the shoe itself should be of suitable construction to stay on the foot in a racing environment: socks alone, even made of the best materials out there, cannot and will not do the job by themselves.So, what about the shoes, then? This would all be a lot easier if there was a shoe built specifically for outboard racing. The requirements of The Ultimate Outboard Driving Footwear consist of a few unique challenges. First it must be flexible, especially for runabout drivers who move around in their boats. It must provide a level cut protection and be made from cut resistant materials. It must stand up to repeated cycles of getting wet and drying out. And it must be of a price that makes sense to the cost/benefit analysis. Our application provides a unique set of requirements, and unfortunately, the outboard racing community does not represent a large enough market segment to get any major shoe manufacturer excited about developing a shoe that fulfills all of our unique needs at a price under $100 per pair. So, we find ourselves looking for the best thing we can that can do all these things that we want our shoes to do, at a decent price.Lately, a number of racers have been adopting chain saw boots as their footwear of choice. These boots seem to meet a number of our requirements. There are a number of these on the market, and they vary in features; however the most suitable ones include a steel toe cap, Kevlar material inside, a leather upper, good arch support and a puncture resistant Throughsole. The outer sole should be rubber and resistant against heat, oil and gasoline. A six or seven inch height gives adequate coverage and support to the ankles

and allows a lack of gap between the end of the cut pant coverage and the ankle area. Finally, the cut level rating number should be as high as you can find. Cut Level ratings range from one to five, with five being the highest. Most of these boots range in the one or two range, and you should try to find the highest rating you can afford. These boots are out there and readily available. The biggest challenge is the cost. They typically range from $250 per pair on up. While we as racers think nothing of spending hundreds of dollars on a propeller or an engine part that makes us go a little faster, we always seem to find it hard to justify spending money on something that could save us even more money in the long run. A racer who recently invested in a pair of these boots for himself and his son made the observation that when an ambulance ride alone as the result of a foot injury recently cost his family $1,000, investing a couple hundred dollars in protective footwear was a no-brainer.The bottom line is to get the best protective footwear you can afford. Whether it’s a pair of socks that is less than $100, a pair of boots for a few hundred dollars, or both, an investment in this area can save you dollars (and toes) in the long run.

the “sole” oF yoUr ProteCtionWrIttEn By // PatrICk GLEason

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ProPeller// sUItEd for safEty ///////////////////////////

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Rooster-tales:WrIttEn By // doC mILLEr// 18

A Race is a moment in time when drivers must be at their best. Winning involves a little bit of luck and a little bit of talent. To say you drove the boat in both heats the best you could, and the boat and you were the best in that moment in time, to me that is talent. Getting the motor, boat and driver to perform at its highest level, you can win most races with that combination, but Lady Luck will always play her part. Here is our story about both factors at the American Power Boat Association’s Modified National Championships in Rainbow City, Ala.The What’s up Doc? Race Team is a group of people committed to Modified boat racing. The team is headed by Rick Miller, a Grove, Okla. dentist with 35 years of experience in MOD racing. He has won over 70 national championships in APBA, AOF, NBRA, and he is a three-time inductee into the Hall of Champions. In Rainbow City, Rick seemed to have Lady Luck on his side in 500cc Mod Hydro, 500cc Mod Runabout and 350cc Mod Runabout. He finished second in 350cc Mod Hydro and 400cc Hydro.Rick’s nephew, 15-year-old Braxton Miller, drove a recently purchased runabout to victory at a race a week earlier. It was apparent that Rick should drive the boat in Rainbow City. He decided to use Braxton’s motor and prop and made a run during testing. He saw some big numbers but discounted to a GPS failure. So with

three laps of testing he was a 500 Mod runabout driver. The boat everyone was talking about was George Luce’s C Mercury. He had won this event several years before. Both George and his son had been dominating in this class and no Yamato could hang with them. In the first heat, George jumped to the lead with Rick getting a poor start, but after three laps Rick was reeling him in, finishing a strong second. The second heat, Rick hit the line with a full field on the inside and beat George, in the Orange N Boat, to the first turn. George believed Rick would side wide and dove to the inside right behind him, however the Red and Black boat tracked close to the buoys and George went to the inside of the course, missing the center pin. Rick won his first C Mod Runabout Championship by pulling away from the field. Unlike the runabout, the What’s Up Doc? Team has worked very hard at improving our 500cc Mod Hydro. At the last national championship in Wakefield, Mich., Rick had the fastest qualifying time, but jumped the gun in the first heat. When something like that happens, it can stay with you all year long. This year, the race was run in difficult conditions when pleasure boats began to enter the cove where the race was held. The first start of the race, Rick was quick on the inside and came out in the lead, but Eric Vanover and Steve

Dunn crashed causing a black flag. The second start of the first heat, Rick came out of the turn 3rd with perennial winner Brian Palmquest taking the lead and Jim Warren in second. Brian hit a pleasure boat wake and is now all over Facebook, taking a hard right turn that put him in the water. Jim Warren finished first, with Rick coming in right behind him. In the Second, heat Rick nails the start and drives away from the field and wins on time over Jim Warren in his flashy red and white boat.The 350cc Runabout could not be any more convoluted than the 500 but had just as much of a surprising ending to an exciting race. Chuck Zokowski, a veteran racer, stole the start and drove away from Tom Nuchio, winner at the Stock Nationals a week before. Rick passed Tom for a second place finish with his many-time-champion OMC powered yellow and purple Sorenson runabout. Chuck and Tom were driving 25XS Mercurys. In the second heat, Tom hit the turn first but Rick rode side-by-side most of the race with Tom “Nuch” in his Yellow and baby blue Bennett boat. There was a tie for first, but Chuck won on time. Tom finished second and Rick third by two seconds. In inspection, Chuckie Z forgot that in MOD division the XS motor must run a restrictor, this is not true in the Stock division. ‘Nuch’ was also running a Zokowski motor and both were dismissed in inspection. Rick’s OMC passed.

WInnInG a natIonaL CHamPIonsHIP WItH taLEnt, or Is It LUCk?Rooster-tales:

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Many of us can tell our grandchildren of our near misses … “We could have won if this or that happened.” This is the rest of the story. In the 400cc Mod hydro, Rick won the first heat with Jeff Carter, the local favorite, in his B Hot Rod, in a close second and Justin Vanover in third. In the second heat on the last lap, the ‘Magnum,’ a very good OMC, threw a rod. Carter got first; Justin finished second; and Rick placed third. But in inspection, the Hot Rod was just a little short of the specs. Justin wins his first national championship in the boat that Braxton Miller will drive next year, and Rick got second. The OMC is in pieces after throwing a rod, but finally comes back together through the good hands of Andy Hanson and Charley Holman.In the 350cc Hydro race, the money was all on Rick because he was driving a two-time winning motor of Ross Webster. The motor is exceptional, but the 350cc class is completive. Junior Davids, Steve Dunn and all the Indiana drivers have won big races. In this class, there are a number of motors that can be used. The Yamato 80 with a

tuned exhaust is the most popular, but the 20ci Hot Rod and the 22ci OMC are also legal. Each engine has different minimum weights to try and equalize the performance. Rick has always competed with the OMC motor, but never won the nationals. This first heat saw Jeff Carter jump the gun and get to the turn first, with Daniel Koshka and Rick closing on him. In the second turn, Daniel, the multi-time-High-Points-winning driver in this class, took the outside around Carter while Rick took to the inside. On the third pin, Carter closed the door and touched the buoy; Daniel drove around the outside to a first place finish. In the second, Rick found the turn first and won the heat. Daniel won on time. The APBA Nationals at Rainbow City was all-in-all a great event. We would like to thank those who gave their time and effort to make it successful. Jeff Carter, Howie Nichols, the Indiana Outboard Club and, last but not least, Jeff Williams who worked extremely hard all weekend long. We do believe in Luck and you just can’t win without it.

// roostEr-taLEs /////////////////////////// ProPeller

One of the fun things I am involved with as a member of the APBA is the Vintage Division. Like me, all my boats and motors are vintage. These 50’s and 60’s craft are what I grew up with and what I love to run. I help out as a member of the organizing committee for the biennial Antique Raceboat Regatta (RBR) held at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY., the third weekend in August on even years. We just wrapped up 20 years of RBR with the 11th running of the RBR August 17-19. A program begun a few RBR ago is the Legends of the Past program, and the Daniel J. Murphy Award goes to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of the Vintage Division.This year Ken Warby was awarded membership to the Legends of the Past as an owner/driver by the organizing committee at the 11th RBR. Ken is the fastest man ever on water, with a record (317.6 mph) that has stood untouched for almost 40 years. Here’s his story.Ken Warby was born in Newcastle, Australia on May 9th, 1939. He attended his hometown Manual Arts School as a teenager, and then Newcastle Prep for training as a tech apprentice. While still a child Ken heard about Donald Campbell setting a series of 200mph plus World Water Speed Records and was so impressed he announced to his mother he would someday do the same. He found drawings of Campbell’s boats, the Bluebird, and made a model which he powered with the small jet cylinders that were available to kids in those days. “I frightened a lot of frogs down at the park,” Ken says.Warby built his first boat at age 14. It was powered by a 1934 Ford four-cylinder engine. “It was poorly made... wrong

wood, wrong glue, and the wrong engine.” The boat’s top speed was 20 MPH. In 1957 at the age of 17 he acquired a second hand boat with a side-valve Ford motor and continued to mess with it until he was drafted into the Australian National Service. There he was assigned to the Royal Australian Engineers. Upon release from the service, Ken went into training in the steel industry as a mechanical engineer.Rekindling his interest in boats, Warby acquired a Skiff, which he raced for four or five years. These were mainly club races which provided a good boating and racing education, but he needed a better boat. He would later acquire a black hydroplane Raider. Equipped with a 272 Ford V8 it was capable of 80 MPH. He won a number of races with this boat, but drove it into the ground. In 1965, with his friend Mike Crawley, Warby purchased a boat named “Monte Cristo.” This fine handling rig with its powerful Ford V-8 engine became the terror of the club racing circuit. Finally he won the APBA 266 Cubic Inch Australian Championship.In 1968 Lee Taylor Jr. broke Campbell’s world record setting a mark of 285mph. Shortly after that Ken drew up the first sketches for what eventually became his world champion jet hydroplane, the “Spirit of Australia.” For power he went to a military surplus sale and bought two jet engines, Westinghouse J-34s, which had once powered Lockheed Neptune antisubmarine airplanes. In 1970 Warby moved to Sydney to take a job as a sales manager for a company dealing power tools and industrial gear. That year he began putting down the Spirit’s keel. He had so little money for the project that when he traveled for his company he would sleep in his car and pocket the hotel money so he could buy

materials. Altogether Ken invested only about $10,000 in Spirit of Australia. When it came time to address the engine, Ken realized he knew very little about jets. So he called Australia’s Richmond Air Force Base to ask if anyone could show him around a jet. Two volunteers came forward, Peter Cox and Rex Crandel. With their help his boat became jet powered. He also sought the help of Professor Tom Fink of New South Wales University who had some involvement with Campbell’s Bluebird craft. Fink helped Warby wind tunnel test a model of the Spirit. When it tested even better than the Bluebird, he asked, “Who designed this.” “I did,” Ken replied. At first Fink thought his leg was being pulled as he was dumbfounded that a “novice” could have come up with such a design achievement.The Bluebird’s design flaws caused the craft to lift off the water when reaching speeds over 250 MPH. Once airborne it is all over but the funeral, which is how Campbell lost his life in 1967. Fink’s design advice resulted in a new metal cowl over the engine and the placement of a tail from a Cessna 172 airplane. By 1974 the “Spirit of Australia” was completed and a number of high speed runs were made. Very quickly Warby broke the Australian Water Speed record with a run of 162mph, soon followed by another at 166mph. But there were mishaps. After striking something in the water and sinking, one of the engines was ruined. Having no sponsor Warby was still financing this project on his own, so this was a considerable loss. Fortunately he still had the other $100 engine. Shell Oil eventually helped him a little by providing free fuel but no one else wanted to become involved. In October of 1977, at Australia’s Blowering Dam the second engine carried the boat to a new national record of 245mph. At that point Warby decided he needed a windshield installed.

WrIttEn By // BrIan j. LaWson

sCary FastkEn WarBy – fastEst man on WatEr

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ProPeller// LookInG BaCk ///////////////////////////////

ProPeller

More misfortune...a misplaced screwdriver ruined the second engine just days before Warby was to make a new record breaking run at Blowering Dam. Back home, sitting in the mud in the back yard, he had a spare engine he’d purchased for 65 dollars. After transporting this engine to Blowering, the team worked night and day cleaning, installing and getting it operational. The next day Warby raised his national record to 265mph. Fink noticed a certain amount of drag on the rudder so two-and-one-half inches were removed. This resulted in the “Spirit of Australia” setting the world record of 288.60mph, November 20th, 1977. Warby has always found it remarkable that he set the record with a sixty-five dollar engine.Now gaining some attention, a sponsor came forth. Soon “Fosseys,” the name of an Australian linen store, was painted on each side of the boat. In truth, the 7,000 dollars they contributed did little more than pay for feeding the Warby team, Warby’s world record resulted in him being named “Australian Sportsman of the Year.” Noting this fame, Royal Australian Group Captain Bob Bartram contacted Warby, asking him to come to visit his base where the Air Force refurbished jet engines. While visiting he met Lt. Wing Commander David Appleby who today as retired Major Appleby is in charge of Warby’s boat crew. One thing led to another and soon Appleby and his apprentices were looking at the $65 engine in the Spirit. The examination found it was 30-percent rusted and corroded, so it was not operating at full power. The official story is that Bartram’s operation rebuilt that motor, but it is more likely that they swapped it for a newly rebuilt unit. Then, so government auditors would not raise an eyebrow, they switched the I.D. plates. Warby says, “I’ll never tell.” Whatever, the “Spirit of Australia” was

now at full power. Oct. 8th, 1978, at Blowering Dam, Warby and his craft raised the World Record to 317.596mph. The record has remained there ever since.Now the endorsements came. Bill McRae, Chairman of Speedo, an international bathing suit company, invited Warby to a board meeting where he handed him a $50,000 dollar check. Shortly thereafter Australian leader, Malcolm Fraser, made arrangements for Warby and his boat to tour America. In 1980, while Warby was in the U.S., American, Lee Taylor, attempted to break the record in a rocket powered boat on Lake Tahoe. He died when at nearly 300mph the craft went airborne, broke in half and disintegrated. In 1991 Craig Afrons, a good friend of Warby’s but who had little experience on water, met the same fate at Sebring, Florida. He also went airborne. “That’s the big problem,” says Warby, “These are boats, not airplanes... they do not fly very well.”In 1983 the Australian National Maritime Museum purchased the “Spirit of Australia” where it hangs on display today. No longer having a boat, Warby began to pursue other interests. For a while he raced jet dragsters, quickly becoming the terror of Australian drag strips. After that he messed with jet powered trucks, but because there were banned in America this did not become a successful venture. In 1990 he disposed of the dragsters and the trucks. Today he still lives in Cleves, Ohio, where he owns a redi-mix concrete business.Around 1997 Warby began making plans to build a new boat. Working in his spacious garage in Cleves, he eventually produced the “Aussie Spirit.” It too was fitted with a Westinghouse J-34 engine for which Warby admits he paid far more than $100. In 2003 he took the boat to

Taree, Australia, where he put it through a number of runs. Water conditions were unsuitable for full speed operation but were fine for proving runs which revealed the boat had rudder problems. “You do not want to drive at 300mph when you can’t steer,” he says. While in Australia Warby was honored with the presentation of a permanent plaque at Blowering Dam commemorating his world record. Back in Cleves he reworked the rudder in time to take the boat to the Crescent City Kilo in Florida. The lake there was too small for him to attempt a world record, but considered it worthwhile to have America see the boat run for the first time. Ken Warby is now 73 years-old but finds himself guided by the same spirit that drove him as a kid when shooting those model boats across that frog filled lake. He admits the sport of pursuing the world’s water speed record is dangerous, in fact with its current 80% death rate it is the most dangerous sport in the world. And yes, it is expensive, and requires considerable wisdom and technical expertise. But for those who might consider achievement at this level, Warby says, “You have to ask yourself, ‘How bad do you want it? When you find yourself sitting at one end of a measured course with an 8,000 horsepower jet engine just a foot or so behind your head, and realize you have about a 50-50 chance of reaching the other end alive, you have to ask yourself ‘How bad do you want it?’” When not running Aussie Spirit, Ken has a collection of fast boats including Fury, a 1200 hp flat bottom that he takes to Vintage events to thrill the crowds.Looking Back, Ken Warby, fastest man on the water for almost 40 years.

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When racing concludes, mischief ensues

A team parked their 40’ gooseneck trailer in the wrong spot and we decided to move it just to see what they would do, so we borrowed someone’s truck hooked it up and moved it to the other side of the pits. The next morning when I woke up the owners had called the police, the police said “did they steal it?”...”no it’s right here”... “did they vandalize it?”... “no”... “so someone just moved it??”... “yes”... “and? where is the problem??” upon finding out it was us I’d like to say they laughed but... moral of the story, make sure the person you prank has a sense of humor. // CHrIs faIrCHILd

This little cook shack is right in the middle of the pits, at our race site in Eatonville, Wash., and we like to throw an outboard boat up on the roof on Saturday nights. This picture is of John Peeters’ ASH from a few years back. Enjoy! // kyLE BaHL

This year, a friend of mine who has raced a couple times – let’s call him Bob, Bob and I drove from Michigan to Lakeland, FL for the Stock Winter Nationals. 85 degrees and sun was a great change from mid 30s and overcast. While we were there, Bob had an interesting reason to change attire. As I was untying one of the boats from the trailer, my friend walks up to me and says: “What happens when you come out of a Porta-John without any toilet paper? Your tee-shirt turns into a tank top.” Needless to say, it was probably the most expensive toilet paper Bob ever used. // ELEk HUtCHInson

Pulling a fast one

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With all of the downtime between racers, drivers have to find a way to keep themselves entertained. When they aren’t working on their engines trying to find that extra mile per hour edge, the mood becomes relaxed and pranks and jokes get pulled. There are a number of pranks and we heard about, some more serious than others, but all-in-all they were in good fun. Whether it be an outboard racer filling a competitors boat with Jell-O or an Unlimited driver leaving the dreadful watermelon rind where his competitor can find it. Lots of jokes have been pulled over the years and here is a list of some of the best pranks that have been pulled over the years, told by the pranksters themselves.In region 10’s SOA, the club used to have a trophy at our fall time Moses Lake race called the apple cup. The Apple Cup is also the name of the prestigious football game played by the huskies and cougars every year. Each person would sign a piece paper to claim they were representing which school and their points would go to that team. At the end of the weekend the points would be tallied and the trophy would be presented to the winning school, this would usually cause some of the younger of racers school pride to show. Come Saturday night there would always be one or two boats from the opposing teams followers saran wrapped, covered in whipped cream or showered in red stuff if it was a huskie fans boat or purple for a cougar fans. It doesn’t seem to happen much anymore but it was always a funny memory to show up at the race site Sunday morning and see a boat covered in stuff then having that driver swear they will get them back. // ZaCH HEGEmann

Shadow Cliffs Park, Pleasanton CA; a gorgeous day for a boat race; spectators, pit crews and fans are focused on the pending start of the Sport E Class. Excited anticipation has the crowd suspended in near paralysis as they all held their breath. The announcer barked into the sound system, “Gentlemen, Sport E drivers, the water is yours!” Local driver, Bob Gibson, started his engine and “KABOOM!” A

thick cloud of black smoke was expelled from his engine and blanketed the entire launch area. Amidst the gasps and screams of everyone standing by, the view of Gibson and his boat was totally obliterated! Panic and bedlam overcame the entire scene! “What just happened?” “Dial 911!” “Send in the medics!” “How is the driver?” “What’s left of the boat?” “What do we do now?” Blood chilling hysteria threatened to take over the previously well-run event. But then…

The ominous smoke quickly began to clear, Gibson and boat were safe and showed no signs of damage or injury…maybe just a little shaken! But what appeared in the middle of all the confusion was a rather jovial and obviously amused Delbert Phipps! What the…? Yep! He had orchestrated the whole show by skillfully attaching a smoke bomb to the ignition of Gibson’s motor! While others were trying to regain their composure and settle their shaken nerves Delbert carried his pride and a load of chuckles the rest of the weekend! Who knows how many times the story was retold and perhaps embellished? And who knows what Bob Gibson’s comeback was? // GLorIa CrIm

At the Region 11 Awards Banquet this past February many driver accomplishments were recognized and duly awarded. As Frank Banducci’s name was announced, he walked proudly to the front of the assembly and standing tall prepared himself to humbly accept the recognition he was about to receive. The surprise was much greater than Frank could have imagined!Before the gathering of his peers he was given “THE BLONDE MOMENT” Trophy. (Picture @left). His claim to fame would be for the achievement garnered when, before a crowd of race fans at Lake Minden CA, he instantly transformed his Sport C boat, “Happy Guy,” into a U Boat! As the boat submerged Frank remained steadfast aboard the stern! He gallantly stood prepared to “go down with the ship”.Alas, it did not go that far as rescue fleets were on the scene to save the “U Boat Commandant” and salvage the boat as well.The sink stopper in the blonde’s hand signifies the self-bailing duck bills that “failed to withstand the pressure of in-coming water over the 28 minute idling period prior to that day’s race”, emphasizes Frank! //GLorIa CrIm

“MoRAl of The SToRy, MAke SuRe The PeRSon you PRAnk hAS A SenSe of huMoR.”

Pulling a fast one

ProPeller

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>CategORY CORNER

>CategORY CORNER

stoCk oUtBoardWrIttEn By // jEff BrEWstEr, stoCk oUtBoard CHaIrman

It is hard to believe that our season is almost over already. As they say, “time flies when you are having fun.” As we start the process of putting the boats and motors away for a long winter, the planning starts for the 2013 season. I also find it a time to catch up on jobs I promised would get done around the house, that never were completed during the season.Please put your area region meeting in your calendars now and start planning for it. The fall meeting is very important and gives you the chance to vote for the commissioners of your choice. This is where our organizational process starts and is the foundation of where our rule making begins.If you have a rule change in mind or just an opinion, I welcome your email or call at any time. I will be glad to work with you to make your idea into a proposal for the commission. Your voice can still be heard at our national meeting in January if you cannot attend.

modIfIEd oUtBoardWrIttEn By // tom sUtHErLand, modIfIEd oUtBoard CHaIrman

It’s that time of the year when the competition for High Point Championships and Hall of Champions gets hot and heavy. You never know who will show up at a race or how far they will travel to win a championship or a berth in the HOC, or both. Some of the main contenders this year for the three HOC spots are Andy Hansen, Jerry Davids, Sr., Rick Miller and Eric VanOver. Good Luck.With the end of the racing season near, it’s not too early to be thinking about fall region meetings and the national meeting in Dallas - Fort Worth. One of the main

agenda items of the region meetings are elections of officers and commissioners. Please participate. Your opinions and ideas are important. If you have any proposal or agenda items for the national meeting, send them to me. The sooner, the better. That gives us time to discuss them and ask questions if there are issues that may need some clarification. Please don’t wait until the last minute.I just returned from the Grass Lake race this past weekend where racer school was held on Friday, Sept. 7. MHRA had nine new racers race this weekend, eight never-

I recently stopped in to our home office on the way to a race and I was reminded on how great it is to be an APBA member. Getting a chance to talk with each of our employees in person was great and to be able to see what they do for us day in and day out was amazing. I haven’t been able to visit for many years now and had forgotten that it had been enlarged years ago and was able to see the incredible display of our history set up by Stan Fitts. All of the trophies I have ever heard of as I grew up in our sport is on display. Along with the trophies, there are many personal collections added and photographs on every wall that gives it a racing museum presence. I was in awe to see the size and age of some beautiful trophies. Plus, it was pretty cool to see the names on them and know that they held that trophy at one time.If you are ever able to visit you will be glad you did. It is “your” building, and it is awesome.

CONtaCt JeFF BReWSteR

evers and one racer recycled from the 70s. These were people who attended Friday’s racer school and the racer school held on the Sunday after the Stock Nationals. MHRA has been aggressive and persistent in getting people to attend racer school and keeping them interested and in the loop, and it has been paying off. Racer school works.

CONtaCt tOM SutheRLaND

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ProPeller

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END OF THE RACINg yEAR: When we get to October, we know the end of another racing year is fast approaching. Soon, the High Point chases and the Hall of Champions races will be decided. The winners of the prestigious Col. Green Round Hill Trophy, the George Townsend medal, the Gilbert Petermann plaque, and the PRO Officials award will all be named as well. And remember that PRO High Point Champions earn patches to be sewn onto a special red PRO High Point Champion jacket (one jacket per driver).

CATEgORy ELECTIONS: In early November come the important Category Commissioner elections. The

PRO Commissioners have important decisions to make on behalf of the PRO Category. It is very important that all PRO Commissioners attend the APBA Annual Meeting and PRO Commission meeting next January. Be sure to nominate and elect Commissioners who have the time and are willing to pay the expenses of attending the Annual Meeting.

WAyS TO gROW THE PRO CATEgORy: The 2013 PRO Commission will be considering ideas that can foster growth in the PRO Category. If you have any thoughts, please get them to the PRO Chairman or to your local PRO Commissioner.

WrIttEn By // stEVE GrEaVEs, Pro oUtBoard CHaIrman

Pro oUtBoardTHANkS: The terms of the 2012 PRO Commissioners come to an end on Oct. 31. The 2012 Commission served with distinction through an interesting year. These great folks serve without any compensation for their time or expenses. They are dedicated to the PRO Category. The 2012 PRO Commissioners are: Barry Anderson, Howard Anderson, Jr., Tom Cronk, Kristi Ellison, Rich Fuchslin, Bruce Johnson, Dwight Malhiot, Michael Schmidt, Bill Tetro, Mike Thirlby, George Thornhill, Mike Weinandt, and Pat Wright. I appreciate the help of all the Commissioners during 2012. Next time you see a PRO Commissioner in the pits, please say thanks.

CONtaCt SteVe gReaVeS

oCtoBEr marks tHE End of tHE Pro yEar

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sUPer light tUnnelWrIttEn By // mark HodorEk

Unlimited, Vintage, Offshore and Superlight Tunnel Boat (SLT) races as well as US Navy jet air shows made for a tight schedule at the 2012 APBA Detroit Gold Cup Race event on July 13, 14 and 15. Many volunteers helped to make it all happen on schedule.SLT racers Kyle and Jim Yacko, Gary Kowalewski and Mark Hodorek had previously cleaned the grounds and set the portable launch ramp to launch the SLTs on the bank of the Detroit River. Al Ashworth, Gary Kowalewski and Blake White led the racers and pit operations crew to stage and launch the boats on time. Under their canopies, the racing crews worked tirelessly to make repairs to SLT boat number 7, 9, 22 and 77 before and between heats to prepare them for the water. Many spectators stopped to ask about operation of the boats at the busy SLT pits located just across from the grandstands.On Saturday, after a successful Lemans-style start off the dock near the grand stands, the pack of SLT boats dashed across the River to the first turn in front

of the Detroit Yacht Club. The water was calm allowing to boats to achieve full speed. The highly tuned Experimental SLT #9 boat driven by Rob Metcalf and Jeff Zeller sped ahead of the rest of the boats with their nearly flawless operation. Following close behind was Experimental Class boat US-1 piloted by John and Steve Heuninck. Maintaining a narrow margin for third place after four laps was Experimental team #77 driven by Mark Hodorek and Gary Kowalewski. Inching in to nearly steal that position was the Experimental Class boat #24 of Jeff Howie and Jake Jurge in fourth. The Outlaw Class boat #32 driven by brothers Andrew and Christopher Ashworth took first place in their class this heat after overtaking their competitors Kyle and Jim Yacko in the #7 boat after the first turn. This was the very first SLT race for the father-and-son Yacko team to compete in.The next SLT heat was run after a spectacular air show demonstration and pit operations lunch break. The SLT teams again started together off the dock in front of the grand stand spectators and ran the heat resulting in the same finish order as

before. As they raced past, the SLT boats were dwarfed by the size of the large buoys on the race course around the famous Roostertail hairpin turn. Some of the SLT racers followed the outside course markers on their final lap and waived to the many race fans in the grandstands and on the docks of the Detroit Yacht Club.On Sunday afternoon, a stiff south wind turned the water of the Detroit River choppy. In these conditions, large dips in the water’s surface are created which are followed by waves that alternately bump a speeding boat’s sponsons into the air resulting in loss of control. This caused SLT boat #9 to eject its drivers in the backstretch of the second lap of the first heat. The drivers were not hurt but did get an escort to the medical dock on a rescue boat to get checked out. The SLT race was stopped and the boats were pulled from the River due to the tight racing schedule.After two Unlimited boat racing heats were completed, the SLTs took to the water to finish the last three laps of the previously unfinished heat. A video of this heat was taken from a webcam mounted

oCtoBEr marks tHE End of tHE Pro yEar

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As we close on yet another year, I look back and wonder where the time went. I am in my 46th year of working on the judges’ stand and I still enjoy it. There have been changes throughout the years: boat numbers used to be any color you wished on any background color you wanted; there were only deck numbers (no combing numbers); every judges’ stand had a cannon that went off at the start of each race; there were no digital starting clocks and the timer’s watches were in a “bank” or a group of twelve watches that were started when the first legal boat passed the starting line; there were no camera starts, just the scorer’s eyes; there were no scorer’s tests or “approved scorers”; there was even no Scoring Committee. The two constants in all of the years I’ve scored are the rules and the camaraderie

among scorers. Currently, Chief Scorer’s must pass a written test using their knowledge of the rule book and scorer’s handbook on a yearly basis. Why? Because rules change from season to season and your integrity depends on your knowledge of the current rules at the site where you are scoring. Don’t bend the rules to save time or to favor one driver over another. As of the writing of this article, there are 70 approved Chief Scorers in the APBA. That number has grown over time. Why? Well maybe it’s because we beg people to score ... but really it’s because scoring is a social outlet for most people who don’t race. Personally, I enjoy it because I know what’s happening on and off the race course at all times. I’ve met, and have made many friends from all over the United States

and Canada. I know if I have a question or problem, there is an army of people from the Scoring Committee and APBA that I can call for help. Their names and numbers are easily accessible in the Scorer’s Handbook.So as this year fades, invite a friend to come see what you do at registration and on the judges’ stand. Once they understand what exactly it is you do and why you do it, they just might be right there next to you at the next race. Besides, with all of the improvements we’ve made -- definitive numbers, no cannons, camera starts, one timing device for the whole heat of boats, computer programs and a bevy of back-up scorers for help -- why would they not want to watch the races in the best possible seat?

sCorEr’s forUm

raCingCalendar

WrIttEn By // jILL GLossnEr

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on the motor cover of the US-1 boat and is available for viewing on the group’s website: http//inflatableboatracers.webs.com.During this heat, Experimental Class SLT US-1 lead the pack around the course with team #24 nearly taking second place from team #77 at the finish line. DJ Hunter and Melissa Semak in Outlaw boat #22 were left floating in the middle of the course when his adrenaline caused the driver to over-crank and break his throttle handle. This allowed Outlaw boats #32 and #7 to advance to first and second places respectively for this heat.P1 Offshore Race boats were next on the course before the SLTs ran their final five lap heat. The SLT #9 boat experienced an electrical problem and could not start

this heat. The rest of the SLTs started together off the dock with some bumping between boat numbers 32 and 77. With team US-1 out in front again, the #24 boat was next around the first turn buoy and could not be passed the rest of the race by #77. The #22 Outlaw Class boat came in first this heat for their Class followed by team #32. A propeller change improved the performance of SLT team #7’s boat this heat but not enough to change their position in third place for the Outlaw Class.After the Gold Cup Unlimited final heat, all racers assembled at the awards stage. Plaques were awarded to the overall points-winning racers this weekend. Awards were given to the Outlaw teams #32 for first place, #7 second and #22

third. Overall winners for the Gold Cup SLT Experimental Class race were team US-1 in first, #77 second and #24 third. Photographers snapped pictures as each driver and co-driver gave thanks or spoke about their experience this weekend before they left the stage.What a show the 400 members of the Detroit River Regatta Association put on this weekend with Race Director Tom Bertolini and Race Manager Mark Weber leading the way. Thanks to them and to our sponsors: The Detroit Yacht Club and Rick and Patti Parenteau at Harbor 9 Marina. The SLT Scoring, Inspection, Referee and Dock crews among others made this race possible as well. SLT racers are already looking forward to next year’s APBA Detroit Gold Cup Race.

CONtaCt MaRk hODORek

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ProPeller

raCingCalendar

REgION 3

10/6-10/7 Wildwood Crest, NJ Inboard

10/13-10/14 Berwick, PA Modified, Stock, Junior

REgION 4

10/20-10/21 Tabor City, NC Modified, Stock, Junior

REgION 9

10/13-10/14 Memphis, TN OPC

REgION 10

10/6-10/7 Chelan, WA Vintage

10/13-10/14 Lincoln City, OR Inboard, Inboard Endurance, PRO, Modifed, Stock, OPC, Junior

REgION 11

10/6-10/7 Isleton, CA Vintage, Inboard, Stock, OPC, SLT

10/20-10/21 Nicolaus, CA Inboard, PRO, Modified, Stock, OPC, Junior

// raCInG CaLEndar ////////////////////////////// ProPeller

sHoW Us WHat yoU Got!sUBmIt yoUr PICtUrEs for a CHanCE to BE fEatUrEd In nExt montH’s ProPELLEr

SuBMItRookie CSH drivers David Sullivan, Ryan Magnuson and Jake Wheeler compete for position. // PatrICk GLEason

Peter Lauer pulls ahead and wins the National Championship in ASR in his 24M at the Stock Nationals in Grass Lake, Mich.// ray donG

New AXH driver Johnny Adams learns the ropes from his father Aaron and Mark Mallory at the Seattle Outboard Associations Racing School, “New Folks in Boats.” // PatrICk GLEason

Stock Outboard Chairman Jeff Brewster waits idly by as his crew works to fix his motor at the Stock Nationals in Grass Lake, Mich. // ray donG

Brian Boyd, Robert Laws and Jerry Davids, Sr., fight for position in 750MR at the Dayton Record Runs in Dayton, Ohio. // dEBra stonEr

In PICtUrEs...

In PICtUrEs...

Cracker Box drivers Scott Schatz and Jeff Hansen took first place at the 2012 Lucas Oil Sprint Boat Nationals in Long Beach, Calif. // sCott sHankLIn

A future racer poses for the camera in her cut suit at the Hydrobowl in Dayton, Ohio. // dEBra stonEr

Eric Van Over and Shawn Brill race to the finish in 500MR at the Dayton Record Run in Dayton, Ohio. // dEBra stonEr

The Comp Jet boats take-off at 2012 Lucas Oil Sprint Boat Nationals in Long Beach, Calif. // sCott sHankLIn

OPC driver Tammy Wolf Jakob prepares 75 year-old Jenny McCourtie for her two seater OPC rider with driver Shaun Torrente. // PaUL kEmIEL

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ProPeller// In PICtUrEs///////////////////////////

>regionround up

// f. PEIrCE WILLIams PHotoGraPHy

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> REgION 3

I had a good time this weekend socializing and exchanging ideas about the future of boat racing while enjoying good food and good company. The good times began Friday night when we joined Mrs. Daniel J. Murphy Jr. at a local restaurant and had dinner with her, some of her family and a few others. For me, the fun lasted up until Sunday night when the weekend came to a close and the sun set in Mays Landing, N.J.I’m sure for a few there were the usual frustrations in the pit and some disappointment on the race course. I can think of one team in particular whose number one national high points chances may have been ruined, giving hope to two other teams. I’ll get back to that subject later. There wasn’t anyone injured who needed to be transported to the hospital. That to me is a successful, blessed racing event. Everything else is just numbers. They are important numbers, but they’re just numbers. Here are the finals from both days of racing.

sATuRDAy sePT. 8: 1.5 LTR 1st Place- T-125-John Shaw- owner, Matt Henning-driver2nd Place-T-1-Doug Hagatha- owner, John Shaw- driver3rd Place-T-81-Timothy Lee- owner, Richard Shaw –driver2.5 LTR 1st Place- S-88-R. Sam Horner- owner, Bobby Kennedy-driver 2nd Place-S-80-Howie Schnabolk- owner, Richard Shaw-driver3rd Place- S-92-Al Thompson, owner/driver1 LTR 1st Place-Y-80-Robert Wilson -owner, Keith McMullen, driver 2nd Place-Y-20-Christina Molinari-owner, James Wilson- driver in qualifier, Christina Molinari- driver in final.Pro Stock 1st Place-PS-29- Jim Clauss- owner, Dale Hernandez Jr. -driver

2nd Place-PS-34-Jim Clauss- owner, Robert Convery-driver. (PS-9 and PS-529- D.N.S.)Jersey Speed Skiffs 1st Place-JS-77-Tom Petterson- owner/driver, Tabi Carr- riding mechanic 2nd Place-JS-40-Pat Dender- owner/driver, Scott Rittman-riding mechanic 3rd Place-JS-721-Jimmie Stewart- owner, Courtney Stewart-driver, Jerry Ewancio-riding mechanic.

sunDAy sePT. 9: 1.5 LTR 1st Place-T-81-Timothy Lee- owner, Richard Shaw-driver 2nd Place-S-80-Howie Schnabolk- owner, Richard Shaw-driver3rd Place-T-2-Richard Shaw- owner, Tabi Carr-driver2.5 LTR 1st Place- S-88-R.Sam Horner- owner, Bobby Kennedy-driver2nd Place-S-33-Doug Martin- owner/driver3rd Place-S-80-Howard Schnabolk- owner, Richard Shaw-driver1 LTR 1st Place-Y-80-Robert Wilson - owner, Keith McMullen, driver 2nd Place-Y-20-Christina Molinari- owner, James Wilson- driver in qualifier, Christina Molinari- driver in final.Pro Stock 1st Place- PS-9-Tom Richmond- owner/driver2nd Place- PS-29- Jim Clauss- owner, Dale Hernandez Jr. -driver3rd Place-PS-34- Jim Clauss- owner, Robert Convery-driverJersey Speed Skiffs 1st Place- JS-77-Tom Petterson- owner/driver, Tabi Carr- riding mechanic2nd Place-JS-1-Trevor Kirsh- owner, Jimmie Stewart-driver, Peg Ewancio-riding mechanic3rd Place- JS-40-Pat Dender- owner/driver, Scott Rittman, riding mechanic

I always find it very interesting, and it amuses me, that the 1.5 LTR owners are usually driving a different boat than the one they own. It means racing against their own boats in a lot of heats. It makes it very interesting when listening to the announcer. I always have to read and re-read my notes two or three times later to make sure it’s not a mistake. Then I’ll still ask my husband if it’s correct. It must really confuse the rookie race fan.There were lots of highlights for me that I want to mention. I want to thank Pat Dender, owner of JS-40, for giving my daughter Lauren her first ride ever in a Jersey Speed Skiff in the flag run on Saturday. She was originally going to be a rider in the Yellow Jacket when we got into racing, but she had my beautiful granddaughter who turned 10 years-old last week, and then my grandson, five years later. She got brave enough to finally try a ride in one, and she loved it. Thanks, Pat!I want to personally thank Bobby Kennedy for showing excellent sportsmanship on Saturday -- Dave Savage and Jimmie Stewart, too! If theses three guys hadn’t stepped up to the plate and got the outboard running on the Region 4 Rescue boat before the flag run, there wouldn’t have been a flag run or any heats run at all. The one working rescue boat towed the other one off the course while the drivers and riders were strapped in the skiffs, ready and waiting to go out in the four boat flag run. Bobby Kennedy ran and got tools, jumped in the broken-down rescue boat and started working with Dave ‘Sav’ Savage. Then Jimmie Stewart ran over. You might have thought they were racing to change a part in a skiff before the one to the five. They got it done! Kudos to the three guys.

I heard later from Region 4 Rescue that Bobby took his volunteerism one step further and volunteered his time to work on the outboards after the season is over to get them running really well. Bobby just graduated last year from Wyotech, so he’ll be putting his skills to good use helping a great cause. Thanks, Bobby!

ProPeller

On Sunday in the 1.5 LTR Final, Matt Henning was way behind the field in T-126. The other boats were crawling along trying to burn up seconds on the clock. Matt came roaring up “old school” with no time to spare, and with the exact four required boat lengths, he leapfrogged in front of the whole field into lane one. He got a decent, but not a perfect start. Richard and John Shaw led going into the turn. Richard Shaw came over into John’s lane. John went up into the rooster-tail and landed on top of Matt Henning. Matt got into the infield and out of the way of the course. Richard went on to win the race. John Shaw came in second. The boat Matt Henning was driving, which was damaged by John Shaw, was John Shaw’s boat. With all the leapfrog action going on that weekend, they could have changed Lake Lenape’s name to Leapfrog Lake. Some leapfrog to get lane one, others to get lane two, others to get their way. It’s become an art form, and it’s very entertaining to watch if you know what you’re looking at. I like the excitement of watching when they have to compete for lanes. To each his own, I guess.Despite extreme high winds and heavy rains, we still had a lot of fun Saturday night at the covered dish Pit Party hosted again this year by Joan Ludwug and Alan Birch, who live across from the race site. We just moved the party under canopies and into their huge garage. Kenny and Dale, from Region 4 Rescue, Max Ewancio and Jimmie Stewart, from Region 4, were all celebrating birthdays.On Sunday, after the races, the overall winners for the weekend were awarded trophies in first, second and third place in all classes. Then, Mrs. Murphy presented the Daniel J. Murphy Jr. Memorial Award to this year’s recipient, Matt Henning. Congratulations to Matt and to his family. I’m sure they are quite proud of this accomplishment.I want to thank Mrs. Murphy for her sponsorship year after year. Ever since reading the article I wrote saying our club might lose our race, Mrs. Murphy came

forward, though she didn’t know what Winding River Boating Association was, she’s been there for the club ever since. She is a philanthropist with a deep, long lasting love for the sport of Inboard power boat racing who was meant to read that article. I know I am forever grateful that she did. Thank you, George Conover, the officers, the trustees, Linda Sherwood, the program committee, the volunteers, the risk manager; Warren Brown, the scorers, the referee ; Dave Shaw, the starting line, those who were turn judges, Mitch Brown and Chris Brown for the use of your boats, our announcer; Mitch Brown, Janice Sutton for making the lunches, Karen Rivera for selling tickets and T-shirts and everyone else who helped to make this race come together.Ann and Dave Shaw wanted me to be sure to mention in my article how grateful their daughter Katelyn was about everyone who was able to attend her wedding shower in the pits at Cambrdge. She said she really enjoyed it. They said Katelyn had wanted to be at the race in Mays Landing, but she had to be at a fundraiser with her students on Sunday, instead. On Sunday, JS-3 Making Memories managed to finish the Jersey Speed Skiff final but they blew their engine. They are currently in 1st place in national high points. I was talking to the Outlaw family after the races on Sunday and they said this will keep them from going to Geneva, N.Y. in two weeks. So the JS-40 or JS-1 teams now have a chance to catch up and overtake them in the points race if they go to Geneva and then on to Wildwood. I would say it’s safe to bet that both those teams will be in Geneva in two weeks. Once you think there’s a chance you can move up in points, it’s like an obsession! Good luck to all top three teams in all classes.The APBA National High Points race that has been heating up all season is only going to make it all that more exciting on Saturday, Oct. 6th and Sunday, Oct. 7th at The Wildwoods N.J. Governor’s Cup Hydrofest, and it’s also the Eastern

Divisional Championship. It’s at Sunset Lake in beautiful Wildwood Crest, N.J . There’s fun, excitement and racing’s best at the Jersey shore. National High Points championship titles will be on the line, too. Who will have a “1” on his or her boat next year? Ann Fitzgerald and her team put on one of the finest boat racing venues in the East! Please don’t miss this race!The week before Mays Landing Ann Shaw sent me an email I’d like to share with you. “Mason James McClure, Birthday-11/12/01, he’s 10 years old. He has an older sister, Ciara and a younger brother, Gavin. Mason will be starting Middle School this year in 5th grade. He is involved in several sports besides boat racing. He plays football, baseball and wrestles. He loves to put mechanical things together and has also been in two high school plays. In addition he also plays the guitar. Mason started coming to boat races with his Dad and Uncle Thom (Heins) when he was about six months old. About a year ago his Uncle Thom showed him the J-stock boats and asked him if he wanted to try it. So the whole winter Mason was preparing to drive a J-Stock Hydro at the Kent Narrows, MD race. Mason came to Kent Narrows and drove his first j-stock hydro and loved it. This summer he raced in Kent Narrows, MD, Cambridge, MD and Hampton VA. On August 25th Mason drove to Vermont with his Mom, Dad and brother to look at a J-stock for sale. Mason is now the proud owner of his own J-stock and cannot wait to paint his boat over the winter so that he can race next summer.”This is an example of the kind of emails I would love to get more often. There are new adult racers out there. If you’re shy, have your wife, mother, girlfriend, sister, team member --someone -- send me a paragraph or two (or more) about you. It’s not that bad. Please? Until next time, stay safe. CONtaCt BaRBaRa BROWN

REgION 6

Saturday, Sept. 8 was blown out. The wind blew from the West-Northwest all day

// rEGIon roUnd UP /////////////////////////////////////////////

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with gusts up to 20-25 mph ... even when not racing, we still had a casualty to an Easy-Up. MHRA Member Mike Deck had to run to the E.R. to find a broken, fractured finger ... turned out it made him drive pretty well on Sunday, though!Due to Saturday’s conditions, folks chasing High Points, and “three over two” in select classes ( JH, JR, ASH, ASR, 20SSH, CSH, CSR), we went to one heat racing to get through the whole weekends racing in one day. Entries overall, including the marathon, were 200 for the entire weekend -- pretty good for a light turnout!Over the weekend, we had 10 people go through our Racer School, and it turned out to be a HUGE SUCESS! Seven of those students went on and raced, and did it well on Sunday! Of those seven, I think we may have them all hooked Fun Stat: Of those 200 entries, 30 were graduates of MHRA Racer School. Those who went through racer school on Friday were not charged by MHRA to race over this weekend. This is a “good-will” gesture by MHRA. The entry fee, I believe, would not have made a difference if these folks raced or not. Regardless, those seven people who went through Racer School accounted for 21 entries. Add that together, that is 1/4 of our entries coming from Racer School! This race was a light turnout, without a doubt, and Racer School graduates/participants were the “make it or break it” of whether the MHRA lost money or broke even this past weekend. Seems like a pretty good reason to put some time into doing a racer school, J projects, etc. It does take work to do, but pays out in the end -- take these numbers as a prime example. CONtaCt eLek hutChINSON

REgION 7RegIon 7 AnnuAl MeeTIng

DATE: Sunday, September 30, 2012PLACE: The Brat Stop (rear door C) 12304 75th Street (Hwy 50 & I 94)Kenosha, WI 53142 Telephone: 262-857-2011

Meeting Criteria:

1. Only attending members may vote2. You must be present to be elected as a category representative, unless a written letter of explanation for absence to Region Chairman is received 7 days prior meeting. This letter will be shared with attending members.3. Nominations for Region Chair should be sent to Secretary Shepard by 09/20/2012, racershep46@att.netAgenDA

1:00 pm Coffee and get together1:30 pm General Assembly in Bristol room, Minutes and Corrections of last Meeting, Treasurers, ReportInsurance and sanction review for 2012- Safety reports, Driving Schools, Old News, Race Reports, 2013 Prospective Races– by Categories, APBA National Election results, National Meeting and commission requests, Safety; Behavior of drivers and crew members, Reports of grants from Historical Society – new requests, By – Law Updates – any request of changes need to be made in writing and received by Region Chairman by September18. Region 7 Hall of Fame, Dr. Stuart Wilson scholarship, Follow-up Business, Misc./ A.O.B.CATEGORY MEETINGS – Election of Category representatives, Category Meeting for Stocks, Mods, Pro and Inboards and OPC, Reconvene General Assembly for any follow-up of Region business ELECTION of BOD and NEW REGION CHAIRMAN, Time allowed for completion of any Category business, Stories and Refreshments for and from OLD CHAIRMAN, and Adjournment9:30 AM GREAT LAKES BOAT CLUB MEETING, GLBC Election Meeting, Kankakee Report 2012 and plans for 2013, Racers and races to be discussed, Misc. and A.O.B

CONtaCt Dee BeRghaueR

REgION 10

Our inboard group has had lots of activity this year, as Jim Codling notes:

“On the inboard side of racing, we wrap up the 2012 season with the Lake Sammamish event in late September. This longtime Lake Sammamish, three-day race is a lot of fun. They call it ‘Race till you drop.’When you get this Propeller, we will be looking back on our races during the past season and looking at all of the contestants who participated. In the 1 Litre class, the little blue boat that Bianca Bononcini drives had a real good season, along with Cory Peabody with his Henderson Hydro. Same for the new kid on the block, Josh Culver. Several new racers ran most of the season off and on: Jimmy LaBrie, Nick Bononcini and several more, such as the Perkins fleet and, not to forget, James Mallory who tried to get his craft fixed up and back out late in the season.Our 2.5 Litre Mods got a rebirth this year with Justin Weymouth getting his Jones hydro rebuilt and back out with Kip Brown driving. The Bertram family, along with Jared Knelleken ran most of the year, and again is trying to rebuild the class. Always great to see Pat and Chris Bertram travel the circuit.Our 2.5 stock boys got off to a late start, but with the rebuilt Eacret boat running very well the season has gotten very interesting. Mike Hoffine has run the S-12 boat both here and back east with success on both sides of the country, but Lil Austin’s entry into the field has really sparked the fans’ interest. This class is dominated by the Henderson hydros, and the lead dog has been the boat of Dave Solway and Chris Fanaris – boy, do they run! Together they have put the whooping on the #83 -- by five motors. Ouch! The 5 Litre class has been an interesting playground for about three to five lead boats. The new E-55 has run strong, as has the Weymouth’s Silver Cloud boat with Travis Johnston driving. Jimmy Mauldin has run very well, also, with “Handy Tandi” on the headset. The Wally Mobile (E-98) has been hobbled by engine woes all year, and no end is in sight. He hopes to get

ProPeller

back out for this last three-day event.Our Flatbottom fleet has been boosted by the new S.E. Class and the GPS 95 gang. Both classes have been fun to watch grow and promises of at least three more entries than last year. Charlie Marquard and Brian Wehrer’s beautiful K boat has run very well, as has Sid Rennell’s SS 96. Late season arrivals and repairs should include Jeff Gibson and Lenny Baker back out after Jeff ’s repairs and Lenny’s rebuild. A lot of the new guys like Brian Halvorsen have had motor issues, but have been real gamers and promise to return in 2013. We have not seen much of the crackers but maybe next year.We have enjoyed the Comp Jet gang coming up to our area, but do they run. Moyle’s Navy has been strong all year. I hope to see them again before the season ends.Our GP boats stand at six good runners with two more being built over the coming winter.When you look all the classes over, pus the National Mods regrouping, it looks good for the 2013 season.”Down in Southern Oregon, our Cal-Ore River Racers have had a great season, as Larry Darneille writes:“The 2012 Cal-Ore US Championship season has come to a close. The battle for the season championship went down to the last leg of the last lap on a low and rough Rogue River at Grants Pass. The Wild River Brewing Labor Day Regatta lived up to its billing. Going in there were three boats on the starting line that could win the season. Even after qualifications, Jeff Lewis, of Grants Pass, Tyler McGinnis, of Gold Beach, and Derek Woolsey, of Grants Pass, were still in a tight race for the title. Tyler had the pole position with Derek in second and Jeff starting in sixth. The finish of the first leg saw Tyler in first, Derek in second, Jeb Curtis, of Gold Beach, in fourth and Jeff in fifth. The second leg saw Tyler out with engine problems. Derek won the leg with Jeff second and Jeff Laird, of Gold Hill, third.

The third leg saw Jeff and Derek battling for the lead until Derek clipped a gravel bar and damaged his prop chasing the cagey veteran. Jeff won the leg with Jeff Laird second and Derek third. The final leg saw Jeff Lewis in first, Jeff Laird in second and Derek third. Jeff Lewis, in his 43rd year of racing, won the Wild River Regatta with Derek second, Jeff Laird third, and after a pitched battle, Frank Lara, of Orick, Calif., placed forth. Robert Calvosa, of Eureka, Calif., was fifth. Derek Woolsey won the 2012 Cal-Ore US Championship with Jeff Lewis a close second. The close family of Cal-Ore was evident when Rocky Jones, of Hoopa, Calif., barrel-rolled in the qualifier. The crews came together and were up until the early morning hours of race day repairing his boat and engine so he could make the race. This race, as the other races on the Rogue River, take place in two-hour river traffic windows. Thank you to the Josephine County Sheriff Marine Patrol for coordinating river traffic and race rescue.The Cal-Ore Fall meeting and awards banquet will be held at the Lucky Seven Casino in Smith River, Calif., Oct. 6.”Our outboards are on the homestretch of their season, as well. The Smilin’ George Memorial Regatta at Silver Lake near Eatonville, Wash. was another epic event, with more than 112 entries each day of racing. SOA hosted its annual New Folks in Boats outboard driving school on the Friday before the race. SOA put 20 new drivers out for their first experience in an outboard racing boat, and two of those drivers hung around and raced bothSaturday and Sunday. And no Eatonville event would be complete without Tony Perman’s brainchild, the A/C Runabout Tag Team Marathon. This one’s always a great crowd pleaser.Following Eatonville and a bye in the schedule on Labor Day weekend, we trekked over the mountains to Moses Lake for our annual Ameristay Great Escape Hydro Race, sponsored by Ameristay and Lake Bowl. Mother Nature was only kind

enough to give us one good day of weather for the weekend, and there was a smaller turnout than usual, but there was some great close racing in nearly all classes. Our final outboard race will be in the books by the time you read this. The annual Lake Lawrence Records Regatta features a one-mile record course this year, and with the “reset” of Stock Outboard records in 2012, there’s lots of opportunities to set some records. We expect a big turnout for the outboard season finale. The R10 season brings down the curtain on Oct. 13-14 when we host the Annual Rockey Stone Memorial Kilos at Devil’s Lake in Lincoln City, Ore. Think one foot below sea level, marine air and cold, crisp October mornings: If you want to set a kilo record, THIS is the place to do it.Finally: Start making your plans now for the Region 10 Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet. This year, Tacoma Inboard Racing Association hosts our year-end shindig, and I’m sure Christabelle Bernard and her crew has some great plans for a good time. Circle your Calendar for Saturday, Oct. 27, to take place at the Southcenter Doubletree Inn, the same hotel and club that hosted the 2010 APBA National Meeting! A great venue and excellent location. CONtaCt patRICk gLeaSON

REgION 11

Well .... who’d have guessed? Nearly 30-years “away” from one of our trusty race venues, and we returned with grace and style and a flash on Aug. 18 and 19, as N.C.O.A. and the E.B.B.C. co-hosted a long-anticipated outboard regatta with one OPC class “Sport ‘C’ “ and one Inboard class - “Crackerbox” rounding out the racing card.This regatta was an experiment in lots of energy on the part of the local coordinating family: father Craig and son Brett Williams, and every ounce of energy we could bring from both club’s membership to make the event special. Weather was great, publicity has piled on; including lots of T.V. news bites and more

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than a few newspaper spreads arranged by your writer and Region Publicity Chairman. Endless negotiations with local government agencies and possibly the tightest constrictions on our movements and our event conduct led to a little atypical (stress?) but it all came off well, and the local inspectors and overseers seemed to check us off with a clean exit slip. We’re hoping that pays interest in any future approach to them at this venue.The race site we utilized is actually an accidentally flooded quarry that has since been converted to a City Marina Park in the City of Sparks, Nv. Anyone driving through Reno-Sparks on I-80 can see the entire race just off the north edge of the freeway. It is about two-miles from the old Teglia Ponds/Paradise Ponds sight of yore ... one that many old-timers at this year’s race remember with a tear in the eye. (Teglia’s Paradise Pond was possibly the tightest course, layed out as a triangle just to get any amount of a course squeezed in. The old events of the 60’s and 70’s were sponsored by the owner of the local Nugget Casino, John Ascuaga and hosted by a local service organization known as the Pyramid Sertoma Club of Sertoma International. This combination was put together by our legendary and late Henry Wagner, and seemed to be just the ticket to make it a big event.Back to present day, the recent race drew about seven ASH boats, six Sport ‘C’ and five Crackerboxes in addition to lots of three and four-boat fields in SO and MOD categories. They all put on a great race for the local spectators - maybe 800 over the course of a day - in this business/residence ringed Marina.Scott Schatz & Jeff Hansen gave them a thrill in the P-9 as they smoked the water to a first in CB ahead of fearless and keenly skilled driving of Tony Lombardo (Blake Stump on board) in the P-5 and Don Doige driving P-94 with Justin DeLassandra ‘riding’ giving no free space.Local co-cordinator, Brett Williams won his first race during this rookie year, and it was in OSY-400. Congratulations, Brett. He did it by beating out Blake Stump and Aaron Peterson in that order, and a couple

of others chasing not far off the pace. Lombardo came back to win the CSH, where he’s ALWAYS the one to beat ... and Kyle Lewis, down from Seattle, took 2nd, ahead of Aaron Peterson .. fellow traveler from Renton, Wash. Peterson DID come back by leading the pack in ASH ahead of Lombardo and Dave Hale ... a newer face, up from SoCal.Peterson took the 20SSH event with truly great driving and did the same with his CModH (500ModH) ... by consistency against Garland Powell, who was having a few high altitude gremlins appear in his set-up. Troy Davis took the third in this event, even with running a stock motor.Mark Tingley earned his win in 500ccModR, by edging out Garland Powell.Most of our racers were learning what others had had to work for years to master a few decades back: i.e., totally different

set-ups for the altitude in Sparks .... almost 5,000 feet. We hope to be back next year ... possibly with a more forgiving date selection .... and after a full-press off-season program of driver recruitment and re-activation of existing racers.As this is being sent in, the 2nd of N.C.O.A.’s Lake Minden races in Nicolaus (25-min above Sacramento) is being scored. The results of that event will have to be delivered in the next issue .... due to publishing timelines. Also, our Region will be electing Category Chairmen very soon for the coming 2013 season. Get your nominees and your own personal interest known to the Region Chairman - Bill Boyes.We are RACING in Region 11, against odds of the economy and a few things, but we’re totally active and have two hot races yet to go. See you all, lakeside.

CONtaCt keNN ChRIStIe

ProPeller

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