VINTAGE RACERS REDISCOVERED:
Grant Fielden of Tampa FL rediscovered a Watson Lewis 6 or 7 Litre which was left in a storage yard. This possibly is one of the last hulls that Watson Lewis built. Grant would like to find a new home for this craft. It is in great shape because it has been kept inside. You can reach him at (813) 251-6714.

FAMOUS TROPHIES OF THE PAST:
Ken Kasserman, Race Director, of the New Martinsville, West Virginia Regatta has been intrigued by our discussion of legendary trophies of APBA. New Martinsville had the famous World Trophy, a large sterling silver world globe on a base. Ken does not have the record on its actual value, but it must have been in the thousands, as it was kept in a bank vault between races. The trophy was created by NM Mayor Robert Bruce and the Magnolia Yacht Club board and was first presented in 1946 to the winner of the HOT 266 class. The names of winning boats read like a who’s who. Some of the winners that Ken remembers hearing the old timers talk about and a couple of which he was lucky enough to see himself were Seabiscuit and Al Brinkman; 3 times, Skeeter Johnson and Wa Wa Too; 6 times, Bon Bon Too, Ballyhoo, Mai tai Tu and Miss Washington D.C.
 The sad news is what happened to the trophy. In 1970’s sponsorship of the race passed to a variety of community organizations from the originating Magnolia Yacht Club. The race fell on hard financial times and was discontinued in the mid 1980’s. The Yacht Club also experienced difficulties and was disbanded around that time. As part of the liquidation of club assets, Ken believes the World Trophy was sold for the salvage value of the silver. At least that is the commonly accepted story around there, as many of the officers are now gone and no one seems to be talking.”
 There is some good news to report. They have resurrected a boat race at this legendary location in New Martinsville. It is also a limited inboard race that will be held on June 13 and 14, 1998. They plan to bring back the World Trophy this year. Since the area is famous for glass, they plan to come up with something in glass to duplicate the old World Trophy. The large trophy will be perpetual; and the winner will receive a smaller replica. “ It’s a shame we can’t use the original;, but this is our committee’s attempt to preserve some of the history of the APBA.” 

CHALLENGES:
Bob Silva’s Challenge: Jack “Pop” Cooper, known as the dean of hydro drivers had a memorial trophy named in his honor after he was fatally injured in a 135 cubic inch hydro race in 1948. The trophy was to be awarded to the 135 class boat that ran the fastest heat of the year on a record course. Buddy Holloway in Screaming Eagle II won it in 1953. Rich Hallett’s Holiday captured the award in 1956, and Red Reeder’s Hellava won it as a 150 hydro in 1963, to name just a few of the past winners from the West Coast. Whatever became of this trophy, it seems as if it should be given out for the 2.5 Modifieds now?

 APBA member Tom Isaac of Tampa, FL is looking for a copy of the PBS documentary television program on the Notre Dame Racing Team. If anyone has one call Tom at (813) 661-4625.

RACE SITES:
June 20 - 21, Celina, OH  Contact Mark Weber (810) 775-2219
July  3 - 5,  Valleyfield, Quebec  Contact Marc Rousse (514) 371-6144.
July  9 -12,  Detroit, MI: APBA Gold Cup. Time is running out! This event is by invitation only. Send your letter of intent to participate ASAP to me. This is your chance to run on the historic Detroit Gold Cup Course.
July  19,   Sylvan Lake, MI Contact Bill Hickson (248) 682-6730
August 13-16, Clayton, NY:  The Antique Race Boat Regatta ‘98  Contact Bill Danforth  (315) 686-4104.

BOB SILVA’S WEST COAST REPORT:
Inboard speedboaters in California took a big step toward organized racing when twenty-three owners gathered at the Lake Merritt Cafe in Oakland in the year 1934. Lead by "Pop” Baker and Dr. F.T. Barron, the group favored few and simple rules. No hull restrictions, classes to be designated by cubic inch displacement, and barring superchargers  but allowing overhead cams in the 230 class. A rules' committee was then appointed for the 151, 230, Unlimited and 12 Litre classes. Thus began the foundation for the California Speedboat Association (C.S.A.) which is still in existence today.

JANUARY ARTICLE RESPONSE BY JEFF MAGNUSON:  Keep it Flexible... Keep it Fun!
 As we have discussed from time to time, I fully agree with the acceptance of a broad range of craft into APBA Vintage ranks, even to include those created “in the spirit” of racers past. This “Spirit” Category would include Tom Costello’s U-235 Miss Rosie and my SK-57 Flashback. Basically, I feel we need all the enthusiastic members we can get. So my tendency is to exclude very little.
 The proposed separation of replicas from restored originals has much merit. In fact, it would be quite simple in many cases. This is the beginning of a road down which the Antique car people and the ACBS boat people have traveled for years. 
 The car group has various committees attempting to determine just what percentage of original hardware really constitutes a “restoration” in a given case. In ACBS circles one restoration is one serial numbered scantling built into a very well executed replica that utilizes appropriate original type engine and hardware. Heck, I’ve got more than enough leftovers to restore another It’s A Wonder that would be far more than authentic than that! This is not fantasy. This is what happens.
 One could come up with an extensive list of contests outside of APBA sanction that I know we wish to pay tribute to as APBA Vintage Members. The fact that a given boat raced under APBA Sanction could probably be verified in many cases and a certificate awarded if this was desired. There may arise cases however, where perhaps 5% or 10% of the boat actually remains that raced under such rules, and so it goes. Exactly who is qualified to sit in judgment? You point out this very real problem. 
 My approach would be to continue avoiding judging entirely. Those who care to study various aspects of the hobby will know the facts, or lack of facts in their chosen field. Hopefully they will write articles or even books to inform more marginally interested individuals. These specialized experts are invaluable assets but it is risky business to generalize such knowledge beyond specific limits. 
 Let’s see if we can continue to make progress by keeping it flexible and keeping it fun. So far so Good!

VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH:
 Dr. F.T. Barron pilots his 135 hydro, BABY MOLAR 14-A, around the Turlock Lake race course in 1940. Dr. Barron, an Oakland dentist, was one of the founders of organized inboard boat racing in California, back in 1934.

©1998 Tom D'Eath