August 2006 From the Vintage Notebook

August 2006
by Bob Silva and Bill John III

NOTES:
A day that should have been fun-filled turned tragic when a teenage driver crashed his car through the pit fence at the Madison Regatta on July 2nd,, injuring 11 people. Vintage driver Billy Cousins and event organizer Joe Johnson’s wife, Jan were treated and released. However, Dave Johnson’s wife Jean, was critically injured. Update reports from Dave and his brother Joe, find Jean facing a long road of physical therapy and rehab following surgery at the University of Louisville Hospital. Prayers and best wishes to Jean and the Johnson family, from all the Historic/Vintage membership.

CHALLENGES:
The Historic/Vintage Newsletter needs a change. I feel it’s leaning too much to West Coast News and I’d like to see it change. So, the challenge goes out for someone who’d like to take the responsibility of reporting and recording the Newsletter each month. I’d love to keep doing the West Coast Report, however. The APBA Vintage events should have monthly reports, and I know there are some talented writers out there. . . time for a change!

EVENTS:

Aug 18-20 Antique Raceboat Regatta.Clayton, NY.Contact: Charlotte Yehle 315-686-4104
Aug 26-27 Celina Govenor’s Cup.Celina, OH. Contact: Ron Synder 419-628-4182
Sept 2-3 Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta.Wheeling, WV. Contact: Debbie Joseph 304-233-4738
Sept 8-9 Bufallo Launch Club/Raceboat Reunion.Bufallo, NY Contact: Bill DeGlopper 716-733-6093
Sept 22-23 Lake George Vintage Raceboat Regatta.Lake George Contact: Teri Hoffman thoffman@lk-george.com

Sept 22-24 Wyandotte Vintage Fest.Wyandotte, MI.Contact: Mike Cashin 734-788-1879

ON A SAD NOTE:
William “Buddy” Holloway Jr. passed away on June 16, 2006 at age 82 in Sonora CA. Holloway drove his record holding 135ci hydro, SCREAMING EAGLE IV, 6-A to 1-mile straightaway record in 1954 at a speed of 101.373 mph and retired the record when the class cubic inch limit was raised to 150.

Bud Gilbert, age 68, of Templeton CA. passed away on June 25, 2006 at Burley, ID. Bud was a noted racing engine builder and active in Region 12 Inboard racing. He was a member of Kim Gregory’s KRR, Unlimited Light and recent Unlimited teams where he worked on the gearboxes and T55 Turbines. Family requests donations be made to the American Lung Association.

Art McDougall, of Ormand Beach, FL. lost his bout with cancer on July 9, 2006, at age 91. Art raced 48 hydros named ROAD RUNNER, Y-88 from 1954-76. He was a two time APBA High Points winner and elected to the Gulf Marine Hall of Fame in 1961 and 1962.

God Speed to our past APBA members.

BOB SILVA’S WEST COAST REPORT:
Hydroplane designer, Will Farmer once stated that the most famous boat he ever built was the BEVERLY ANN IV. The 280 hydro was built for owner Sidney Johnson and driven by his talented brother, Skeeter. The 265 ci Chevy powered hull won many races and, at Norristown, PA. in 1963, set a kilo record of 104.048 mph. In 1964 the 280 was sold to Joel Smith of Tulsa, OK. and renamed OKLAHOMA KID, with Smith driving it to even more victories in the Southern regions. In 1967 the boat was purchased by Californian Bill Coberly, and renamed HALLUCINATION. Facing her first California test on Labor Day of that year, with Bill Hollingsworth driving, the Farmer built hydro won against a full field of 280’s on their own single pin, salt water, Long Beach Marine Stadium course. Sold in 1971 for a forth time, to a different California owner/driver, the BEVERLY ANN IV aka OKLAHOMA KID aka HALLUCINATION was raced by Pat Gudvangen until an ill-fated day at San Diego’s Mission Bay, where she barrel-rolled and was then centered-punched by a following 280, totally destroying the famed Farmer hydro.

VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH

Bill Hollingsworth driving HALLUCINATION pulls ahead of 1963 National Champion Rex Bixby in his Hickling designed 280, SAM TOO. The 1967 Long Beach Stadium event was the California debut for the formerly kilo record holding Farmer hull, having been recently purchased by Bill Coberly.