Mark Johnson grew up in the New Jersey area. Early on he exhibited a keen interest in race boats, engines and all the details of competitive racing. He started racing when he was 14 in the T boat class in 1975. Teamed up with his Dad, he enjoyed immediate success and they won national championships and high point titles in that class. As he grew older Mark became very adept not only in all the hydro classes but in the Jersey Speed class as well. In 2000, he won the summer nationals in 3 separate classes on the same weekend in Hampton, Va. At years end, Mark was inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions. In 2002 at Decatur, Illinois, Mark piloted the Barker’s Rewinder to the summer nationals title. Later, the team won the eastern divisionals and UIM World championship. Which earned Mark another induction into the APBA Hall of Champions. He continued to drive the Rewinder, winning the Summer Nationals in 2003 and 2008.
In his later years, he also participated in the Vintage & Historic division as driver in the JSS class.
While a resident of Grand Island, Mark became involved as a worker in the pits for the NFBRA Thunder on the Niagara annual races . Mark was a superb driver on the course and a true sportsman. He was always there to help anyone in need in the racing community.
Aluminum flatbottom – looking for info
Hi there, my name is Julianne. I’m doing some internet searching for a friend who just acquired a boat last week. It’s completely aluminum, and we were told it was built in 1953, but we don’t know for sure. By any chance would anyone have any clues for me?
Julianne
Darryl M Monette
Darryl Monette served as Commodore of Niagara Frontier Boat Racing Association for over 10 years. He also was APBA Region 2 chairman for several years. He was totally dedicated to the sport of competitive boat racing for all of his adult life. Talented in all aspects of boat racing he was adept at boat building, engine building and maintenance and very skilled as a driver in several APBA inboard classes. He also worked on one of the Unlimited hydroplane teams for a while.
As a young man, he was familiar with the local boat racing community He attended all the local regattas held on the Niagara River. Soon, he acquired his first hydro; an 850 called Loose Lips and began a long career as owner-driver of hydroplanes in several classes. Darryl became skilled in all aspects of racing both with his own boats and additionally being involved in the promotion and production of highly successful races held on the Niagara River for many years. Other hulls he campaigned included One More Time, Summer Magic, Fantasy. His rise to superb success was rapid and highlighted by the outstanding accomplishments in 2006. That season Darryl drove Fantasy 711 in the National Modified to the Summer National, North American, Eastern Divisional, and MACH series Championship titles. He finished as National High Point Champion, earning the designation as US-1. He also was the Maryland Cup Champ and Virginia Triple crown champion. In 2008 he won the World Championship in Valleyfield PQ.
Darryl met his wife Luanne, the love of his life, at a Valleyfield race and they formed an inseparable team for twenty years. Together, they worked in all capacities of our racing world. Luanne continues to help with everything NFBRA does. In the past she worked with the family race boat, and currently serves on the Thunder committee. Furthermore, Luanne also helped the dive team with yearly capsule training. Once again with the Thunder on the Niagara race you can see her buzzing around the race site in a golf cart doing a multitude of tasks.
In later years, Darryl shifted his concentration to the local Niagara APBA Underwater Dive team and continued to serve in that capacity for many of the local races. He also volunteered his assistance with the APBA driver school boat program instructing students taking the class held at sites in the North East. Participating in the Vintage & Historic division, Darryl’s expertise made him a sterling certified inspector. He served in that capacity at several Buffalo Launch Club vintage events.
Darryl was one of the great people who distinguish themselves by always being willing to assist when needed. He was one of those rare people who gave back to the sport he loved.
By Bill DeGlopper, Region 2 , Vintage & Historic
(Bill authored this article for the APBA Propeller, Sept 2018 edition)
Howie Benns
An article written by Bill DeGlopper & Linda Emanuele that recently appeared in APBA Propeller about Howie Benns.
30 x 20 photo
I had one of Phil Kunz’s 8×10 photos that I bought from him hanging up next to my hydro. He photographed this at Newport, KY in 1966 of my Moonshine Baby battling Briar Hopper. The 8×10 always looked so small next to the 19′ hydro. I sent in the digital copy Phil sent to me and had it made into a 30×20 photo-on-canvas. Above is what it looks like. My wife just came back from the garage after seeing it for the first time and said, “First off, OMG….that is frickin’ amazing”. (click on photo 2x to see it bigger)
Note added 2018-Mar-12: I talked with P. Kunz and he is willing to have these 30×20 photo-on-canvas prints made for anyone who wants one. It will ship direct to your house from a photo shop in California. Canvas is stapled to solid wood 3/4″ frame, has a back fabric cover put on it and a v-notched hanging hook. It comes ready-to-hang. The photo shop even includes a pair of white gloves in the box. Very nice quality. $100. Contact P. Kunz.
Slo-mo-shun IV
Neat photos and conversation on the team testing ideas out on SloMo IV over at Leslie Fields’ Hydroplane History facebook page.
