NOTES:
Recently I was inducted into the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum’ Hall of Fame. It is certainly quite an honor, to be included in this prestigious gathering of Racing legends, such as Ted Jones, Fred Alter, Danny Foster, Col. Rush Schleeh, Guy Lombardo, George Simon, Bernie Little and many others. Thank you again for this honor. 
 Heard from Gordon Jayne of Mentor, OH. The sale of his 150 cubic inch Lauterbach hydro, Coal Cat, has fallen thru. Gordon would like to find a home for this boat. It is in very nice shape and could easily be readied for Clayton 98. If you are interested call Gordon at (440) 257-7977.
 Bob Walter of Okoboji, Iowa wrote us he sold his One Litre Fancy Dancer (the former National Champion, Pachanga) to Skip Rawson of the Rocky Hill, NJ. Skip, a longtime time Vintage member, has increased his collection by this purchase. He plans to bring one of his hydros to Mt. Dora, FL this spring.
 Bob also tells us that Dr. Rick Rader, the new owner of the Jade Dragon, 266 cubic inch hydro, is enjoying the boat a lot. He had vinyl graphics made up for the front deck and tail fin, with jackets to match. 
Dr. Rader has also purchased a Jones 280 cabover hydro. He likes the cabover, because it is faster and handles better. But he still prefers the Lauterbach for its history and nostalgia. While testing his Lauterbach hydro, he must have struck something in the water and had some damaged the sponson top.
 Warning to all you prospectus vintage buyers: If you buy ONE vintage raceboat, the trend seems to indicate, that this will lead to two or more! 
 Speaking of Mt. Dora, FL, this ACBS event is becoming the unofficial gathering place and reunion of APBA vintage raceboats and members. At this time no APBA Inboard hydro events have been scheduled in the state of Florida. Which is very unfortunate because everyone looked forward to escaping the cold and snow by coming to Florida to race. Florida always had what was called the Grapefruit Circuit, originating back in the thirties. A devastating blow to the Inboard Division was the loss of the St.Petersburg’ Southland Sweepstakes Regatta. This was the Daytona 500 of Inboard racing. Both racing members and former racing-members gathered on the banks of Lake Maggorie, to watch the latest and greatest of hydroplanes present and to share stories of the past. It is nice to see that Mt. Dora has created an opportunity in the sunshine for our APBA members to get together again.

RACE SITES:
 July  9 -12,  Detroit, MI: ‘98 Chrysler Jeep Detroit APBA Gold Cup.
 August 13-16, Clayton, NY:  The Antique Race Boat Regatta ‘98

VIDEO:
When you are groping for Christmas present ideas, don’t forget that we have a few videos of the Antique Race Boat Regatta ‘96 Clayton New York. Price $30. Send your check payable to APBA, and your mailing address to Libby at the APBA offices. This would be a great gift!

FAMOUS NAMES OF THE PAST:
I want to touch this month on the APBA’s Honor Squadron. Started in 1953, as a feature of the Associations 50th Anniversary, the Council wished to honor outstanding individuals for distinguished contributions to the sport of power boat racing. There were initially 10 charter members. Participants from all areas of the sport are considered for membership. This is the WHO’s WHO of Powerboating. I have compiled a random sampling of some of the early members and their accomplishments. Christopher Smith, the founder of Chris Craft Corporation, master craftsman, boat designer and builder; Gar Wood, the Babe Ruth of our sport, world famous owner/driver who dominated international competition from 1920 to 1933; Jack “Pop” Cooper, the undisputed Dean of inboard hydro drivers, when fatally injured driving Top’s III; J.Stuart Blackton, 1914 Gold Cup Winner, driver of Baby Speed Demon II; George Reis won three consecutive Gold Cups (1933,34 & 35) in his own El Lagarto; Ole Evinrude a pioneer in the outboard motor industry; Stanley S.Sayres owner of the famous Unlimiteds Slo-mo-shun; Fred “Pop” Jacoby builder of some of the fastest racing outboard boats in the world; Ted Jones designer and builder of revolutionary unlimited hydroplanes; John L.Hacker, an international known naval architect who was closely identified with speed on the water since the turn of the century; Bill Muncey, Eight time Gold Cup winner, 62 career unlimited victories; Bud Widget started racing in 1932, winning races and setting records and inspiring youngsters to achieve higher goals, and in 1965, Carl Kiekhaefer the founder of the Mercury outboards was inducted along with Les Staudacher and Paul Wearly. I would like our members to know that information on all of the Honor Squadron members can be found in our early rule books. This record documents our sports’ history and roots.

SPECIAL REPORT:
We would like to remind our vintage members that we have a very famous racing vehicle residing way up North. It has a distinctive and festive red and white paint scheme. Reindeer Powered, we all know this vehicle as SANTA’S SLEIGH. The elf’s will have their work completed for December 25th. Merry Christmas to All!!

VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH:
WHO DAT, US-A1. This 135 cubic inch Lauterbach hydroplane powered with a Edelbrock Ford V8-60 flathead, won the 1953 National Championship, with owner/driver the late Don Wilson, formerly of Dearborn, MI. This boat won the National High Point title under the name of Marbell and owner Curtis Martens in 1951. Don subsequently purchased the boat renamed her to WHO DAT and went on to win many races. Don, in an Unlimited Race, along with two other drivers, was killed on what is now called “Black Sunday” in Washington DC.

PHOTO CAPTION:
Lakeland, Florida;  January 1941, Left to Right, unidentified Racer, Frank and Mildred Foulke and the Legendary Pop Cooper share some freshly squeezed grapefruit juice on the famed Grapefruit circuit.

©1997 Tom D'Eath