NOTES: 
In February, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Bob Walwork, a well-known Mercury factory driver. This meeting and lunch was arranged by John Culver, longtime time APBA official, outboard and offshore racer. Tim Newman from Apopka, FL took delivery of a newly completed replica “The Bomb” Reveau boat. Marcel Raveau built his famous Reveau hulls in Sarasota Florida during the late 50’s. Bob Walwork and Marcel worked together creating these beautiful boats. Reveau boats still hold the 25,000 mile Endurance Record. Yes! I said 25,000 continuous miles! This boat ran day and night on Lake X to set the record. Quite an accomplishment! Today, Bob with over 35 years experience in boat building is recreating some of these famous hulls. Bob’s vast racing experience with Mercury Marine and experimental testing at Lake X is quite extensive. We will write more about him in a future issue.

BOB SILVA’S WEST COAST NOTES:
Several 1954 Hallett hydros have surfaced in California garages. Dick Lindstrom has the 136 class Water Ball, 12-S, built by Rich Hallett for Jack Shaw of Klammath, Oregon. Dick has kept Water Ball in storage at his Eureka shop since 1958, when he last raced her at Lake Yosemite and damaged a sponson. He is looking for a Ford V8-60 block to complete his restoration. If you can help him out call 707-822-2471.
 In El Cajon, Keven Braun has the Falcon-powered 145 Hallett once campaigned by Guy DelVecchio as Sunset. Kevin would like to acquire information on the boat’s history before Guy raced it. Also in Kevin’s garage sets a Ron Jones cabover once raced as Pisces, 88-S, by Dr. Fred Mendes. Pisces set a kilo record for 145’s in 1974 at 104 mph. Kevin said, “The boat needs extensive repair, but all the pieces are there.” He hopes to restore Pisces back to its original look. Kevin’s phone # is 619-444-8278.
 Harland Orrin Jr., of Fallbrook, CA would like to build a replica of a 1950’s E Racing Runabout. He plans to construct something along the lines of E-Gad, Hot Duck, Cream Puff, Squirl-E or Slipper-E. They all were of the conventional design with the driver sitting behind a fuel injected Dodge Red Ram. Harland is quite capable of building boats from scratch, having worked for Mandella, Rayson-Craft and Sanger. The latter for whom he modified drag flatbottoms into circle racers. His 150 hydro, Home Wrecker, set an Unblown Gas Hydro Drag record in 1965 using a 327 Chevy in place of the Chevy II. If you have plans for an E Racing Runabout, or photographs, Harland would be most pleased to hear from you at 619-723-0767.
 Bob Walters mentioned a 16 ft. Lauterbach in Southern California. This sounds like Daryl Hixon’s F-34, Cousins Imp-patient. Daryl raced the red hull to Region 12 high points for the 5 Litre class in 1974. The boat was one of the very few Lauterbachs to race in California and it was powered by an injected Chevy V-8.
 Oops!  I’d like to correct a couple of items in the “Hurricane IV” story. As Tom noted, it wasn’t Hurricane IV but Scooter Too that was on a display pole in Washington state. Also, it was Scooter, not Scooter Too, after whom Bill Stead placed second at the 1954 Lake Tahoe race.

CHALLENGES: 
Vintage Member Jeff Magnuson from Alfred Maine, is requesting information regarding Cricket II, G-44  an Unlimited hydroplane. The boat might possibly have been built by The Switzer Brothers, Bob and Dave.  Does anyone know how to contact them?  Does anyone have any knowledge of the Cricket II’s history. If so, please contact Jeff at 207-324-1300.
 Bob Walwork, out of Palmetto, FL is on the lookout for any original Reveau boat. Bob’s number is 941-729-5295.

RACE SITES:
 May 31 thru June 1 Detroit, Michigan  Chrysler 1997 APBA Gold Cup INVITATION ONLY!  We are getting down to the wire guys! Send your letter of participation for the 1997 Spirit of Detroit Vintage event to: Tom D’Eath 2011 74th St. NW Bradenton, FL 34209 (941)792-7554. The Vintage Coordinator is Mark Edmonson (810) 329-4292. Remember this might be your only chance to run on the Historic 2 1/2 mile Gold Cup Course. If participation drops off, Detroit might consider dropping the vintage event from the schedule. We need your support.
 July 4 thru 6  Valleyfield, Quebec  Confirmed!!! All classes of Vintage & Historic are on the schedule. Contact: Marc Rousse at (514) 371-6144. This is a must for 1997! An absolutely gorgeous course to run. The race committee would like Vintage Grand Prix boats to attend. Okay, you conventional lovers get those boats out of the barn!! Many Vintage members have already indicated that they are going to Valleyfield. I encourage outboarders and inboarders alike to make this a stop on your summer holiday.
 August 15 thru 17  Stuebenville, OH    Tentative
 September 6th  Clear Lake, Iowa    Tentative. Contact: Jim Cummings Home Number(612) 391-6280.

FAMOUS NAMES OF THE PAST:
Gar Wood Jr., son of the famous “Gray Fox," passed away on January 9, 1997. Bill Sirois, illustrious offshore and endurance driver, also passed away this last January, after a long illness.

VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH: 
U-10 Scooter Too.    The Scooter Too was designed and built by Bart Carter for Henry Kaiser in 1955. The white and mahogany 28 ft. hull was powered by a 24 cylinder Allison W-24. Driven by Jack Regas in ‘55 and ‘56, she was dogged by bad luck, sinking in 3 races. George McKemen drove her in 1957 as Adios for new owner Stan Adams. In 1958, she was purchased by George Gilham and driven by Norm Evans. She finished her racing career in 1959 as U-26, Miss Tri-Cities with 135 limited hydro ace Red Loomis driving. Sadly, she then sat on a pole as an advertising display until the years and weather claimed her. Too many Vintage boats have been lost this way.

©1997 Tom D'Eath