NOTES:
Bill Coberly also tells us in his letter that he feels that the conventional 3-pointer was the "golden era" of inboard racing, and the "classic hydroplane". He is thrilled to read about so many boats that still exist and are being restored. He hopes that the Vintage & Historic Division grows and grows. He looks forward to participating in our vintage events and hopes for more activity on the West Coast. This is a good time to remind all of you .WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT THRU MEMBERSHIP! This is the time folks, join our Division now. When APBA gave us the permission to proceed with the Vintage & Historic category this year, we had no members, just an idea. The year is over and now we have 25 paid Driver/Owner members and 10 Associate memberships. I know from the response to our column and the enthusiastic letters that I have received that there are more antique buffs out there that have not yet joined. Step up to the plate and join our organization. Your continued support is necessary for the success of our V & H Division. APBA is also offering dual memberships for those members wanting to participate in multiple divisions at a reduced rate.

NAMES OF THE FAMOUS PAST:
We received a letter from Ed Nabb of Cambridge, MD there was so much information in his letter that it seemed like a good idea just to reprint portions of his letter. Let me start off by saying that we were able through our column, to assist in the reunion of Dave Sloan Jr. of Sarasota, FL and Ed Nabb who were quite good friends but had lost contact with each other when Ed was recalled in the Korean War. It feels good to know that we were able to help in some small way.
Ed goes on to say, "Your article carried a photograph of my old friend Joe VanBlerk and - an item of interest - Joe's
father was an engine builder, Van Blerk Motors, and created and sold the first stern drive". It was rather crude looking affair, cast of bronze, was for a very modest power, had a tilt-up feature and its own rudder. It was quite unlike the sophisticated units of today which are attributed to another old friend, Jim Wynn.
 Another item is that little Cambridge, Maryland has more Hall of Fame members than any city on earth -- a total of eight -- including Polly Wright Barat who is the senior living member.
 Among the 1956 members is Tommy Young from the Eastern Shore of Virginia, who was a very studious looking lad, wore thick glasses, his parents ran a large nursery on the Atlantic Coast and -- today -- Tommy is President of Martin Marietta. I should mention that 1940 member Chauncey Hemline has a son who is currently a headliner on television  -- LA Law. Chauncey owned and drove that crazy 225 called Voo-Doo. George Schrafft, a 1938 member, was the son of the famous candy maker. Merlin Culver, 1946-47, was the father of Jon Culver who has long been active in the administration of Off Shore. Stanley Dollar --1949 -- was from the shipping family and, of course, you know the history of the family of Sam Dumont, 1951."
Ed, I would like to thank you for sending me a copy of the Hall of Fame membership Roster thru 1963. For our members I would like to tell you that, circa 1963, Ed Nabb was the only person who was ever awarded all three of the World's top awards -- Hall of Fame -- Honor Squadron and UIM Medal of Honor. We are informed that there is a joke around Cambridge that -- one of these awards was for racing -- one was for politics and -- one was for living so long.
Upon review of the Hall of Fame Roster, we see the name of our old friend Skeeter Johnson (1956) from Cambridge, who in this writer's opinion was the best natural driver in the history of boat racing. We would like to acknowledge Elmwood Pliescott Sr. (1952). I sure miss our strolls thru the pit area with "Big Woody" eating shelled peanuts and talking racing, George Cusick from the Red Top, another Cambridge Hall of Fame Member.

REPORTS:
Gulf Marine Hall of Fame Members

 1937
Ken MacKenzie (1938) 
Frank Muzzey (1938)

 1938
Hector Alexander 
John Bramble  (1939,1940,1947,1948)
Samuel Crooks (1940,1946) 
Robert Gambrill (1940)
Fred Hahn 
E.A.N. Kerr 
George Schrafft (1939,1940)
Joseph Taggart (1953)

 1939
Louis Burk (1940) 
John Hyde 
Joseph Monigle
Fred Casanave 
Gordon Knapp 
Julius Schloss (1940)
Jack Cooper (1947,1948) 
Charles Mack 
Harold Wilson
Andrew Crawford (1940) 
Julius Manger 
Richard Wolf
Thomas Ehrhart (1940)

 1940
Sidney Allen 
Norman Frey 
J.D. McIntyre
Irving Barney 
Chauncey Hanlin 
Earl Orem
Thomas Chatfield 
Walter Jennings 
Ray Rieder
John Crippen 
Tracey Johnson 
Barclay Stevenson
Henry Davis Jr. 
William Kammerer 
John Stiles
Polly Wright

 I will include a few more years of the Hall of Fame Roster in my next column.  Keep those cards and letters coming, we really appreciate all your efforts.

VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH:
Bud Wiget of Lakeland, FL in one of his racing runabouts setting a One Mile Record in Concord, CA. Bud started racing in 1932. He raced outboards and inboards successfully for many years. Member of the Honor Squadron and Hall of Fame. He accumulated over 40 APBA and UIM Record Certificates.

© Tom D'Eath