Hi Motorheads,
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:
Malcolm Black
Kids & Classics Boatshops MuseumThe Beaumont Mill (865114 Ontario Ltd) 905 873-0141
Editor’s Note: Stay up to minute with what’s happening at the Kids & Classic Boatshop here: http://kidsnclassicsboatshops.blogspot.com/