The initial stage of getting Gas-Hopper back in running order and possibly back on the water this year is under way.
I have been noodling how to put the Raceboats that have been donated to Kids & Classics Boatshops Museum to highest and best use. The ACBS Toronto Chapter has made Raceboats the theme for their Gravenhurst show this year and we are racing to have Gas-Hopper running by then – at least.
Also in our fleet we have a Glen L Thunderbolt with a Chevy 348 W engine in it, we have much of the hardware off Hippity Hopper (which was stolen) and a Glen L TNT.
There may be another Dave boat available – I’ll check on that – it will involve a trip to the US with a flat trailer to get it.
Here’s my proposition:
I would like to build a bit of a racing fleet around Gas-Hopper to honor Dave Norton who was one very interesting guy!
It’s likely that Raceboats will attract certain kids to our youth programs that sailing and rowing may not. Dave was really just a kid himself – seems perfect.
This division or team within our K&C non-profit organization might work together to create the story of Dave in a novel way. The Camper when restored mechanically and externally would house the story and go with the team to events (short straw drives). The boats that are added get done up in team livery.
Create a website etc to promote both the Dave Story, keep the team in touch, fundraisers, etc
Your suggestions would be appreciated..Would you consider helping & how – (you might be far from here). How did you know Dave? can you help with his story (which is every other racers story in a sense).Here are a few recent pictures attached:
Great to see that you are doing. I considered Dave to be one of nicest people I have ever know and considered him to be a great friend. In fact he was my best man at my first wedding. I met him when I was around 15 ( 1975) and we were friends until I moved away from the Toronto area when I was in my 30’s . I spent countless nights hanging around the shop on Darrell ave. ( A street I later lived on) the shop in Port Perry, or visting the house on Brookside. We went to many, many races together I had the chance to learn alot helping Dave work on / build / paint a lot of the boats I see on your website. Seeing them brings back A lot of memories. Very suprised to see Gas Hopper as I know it was Dave’s wish to have his ashes put in the boat and have the bailers pulled out on Hayward long reach. Please don’t read any resentment into the last statement I’m just surprised is all and happy to see the boat in such good shape and perhaps gettng back into the water. Last time I saw the boat in the water was at Picton. We nagged Dave to bring the boat out to a race and while holding the boat alongside the dock Jules Le Boeuf ( I believe) drove his boat parallel down the dock and rammed straight into the side of Gas Hopper holing her and busting a rib. Wait now, maybe that was Hippity Hopper. I had never been able to find an obituary for Dave until today and I had always wondered what had become of him in his final days Did I read it correctly that he passed away in 2011? Dave and I shared the same birthday ( June 10) and If I remember correctly he was 50 years older that me ( I’m now 53) so that he lived to be 101? Anyways as I say great to see the pictures and wish you well with your efforts. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any help to you. Kindest regards Shawn Haley. Shawn@erwinsbakery.ca
Hope this is going to Vintage Hydroplane. My husband is the owner of Dave Norton’s 1953 Meteor Sedan Delivery which had the same paint when we received it. Would love to talk about it with you
Great to see that you are doing. I considered Dave to be one of nicest people I have ever know and considered him to be a great friend. In fact he was my best man at my first wedding. I met him when I was around 15 ( 1975) and we were friends until I moved away from the Toronto area when I was in my 30’s . I spent countless nights hanging around the shop on Darrell ave. ( A street I later lived on) the shop in Port Perry, or visting the house on Brookside. We went to many, many races together I had the chance to learn alot helping Dave work on / build / paint a lot of the boats I see on your website. Seeing them brings back A lot of memories. Very suprised to see Gas Hopper as I know it was Dave’s wish to have his ashes put in the boat and have the bailers pulled out on Hayward long reach. Please don’t read any resentment into the last statement I’m just surprised is all and happy to see the boat in such good shape and perhaps gettng back into the water. Last time I saw the boat in the water was at Picton. We nagged Dave to bring the boat out to a race and while holding the boat alongside the dock Jules Le Boeuf ( I believe) drove his boat parallel down the dock and rammed straight into the side of Gas Hopper holing her and busting a rib. Wait now, maybe that was Hippity Hopper. I had never been able to find an obituary for Dave until today and I had always wondered what had become of him in his final days Did I read it correctly that he passed away in 2011? Dave and I shared the same birthday ( June 10) and If I remember correctly he was 50 years older that me ( I’m now 53) so that he lived to be 101? Anyways as I say great to see the pictures and wish you well with your efforts. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any help to you. Kindest regards Shawn Haley. Shawn@erwinsbakery.ca
Hope this is going to Vintage Hydroplane. My husband is the owner of Dave Norton’s 1953 Meteor Sedan Delivery which had the same paint when we received it. Would love to talk about it with you
See above