Fred Farley of Seahurst, WA has written a soon to be published book titled “40 YEARS OF THUNDER." Publication of the book has been DELAYED until fall of 1998. You will be able to obtain your copy of this book through the UHRA at 19530 Pacific Hwy. S., Suite 200; Seattle. WA 98188.

 Attention: All you old time boat racers! Send us your memorable stories and pictures. We would like to use them in our article. All pictures can be returned.

VINTAGE RACERS REDISCOVERED:
Pat and Michael Steffick of Nutter Fort, W.Va., have inherited a 17 foot 266 cubic inch hydroplane that never raced. This is a 1951 or 1952 all natural mahogany Lauterbach with maroon cowlings. She is powered by a 1948 Mercury flathead alcohol conversion with 4 Stromberg carburetors, Edelbrock heads and intake, Vertex magneto and Isky components. The boat sat in their Uncle’s three level barn since 1959. He apparently tested the boat one time when it lost its propeller and shaft. Their uncle made the necessary repairs, but the boat never saw the water again. The boat was never named, nor were APBA numbers painted on the sponsons. From the pictures they sent she appears to be in excellent condition. So those of you who are still looking for their favorite boat of the past, keep looking they are out there!!

CELEBRATIONS:
The Motorsports Hall of Fame has inducted Carl Kiekhaefer to its rooster of Hall of Fame members at the 10th Annual Induction Ceremony held on June 3, 1998, at the State Theatre in Detroit. We would like to extend our congratulations to the Kiekhaefers and all of their Mercury Marine family.

FAMOUS TROPHIES OF THE PAST:
Louise Scartine of New Castle, DE sent us a copy of the deed of gift requirements for the Jack “Pop” Cooper Memorial Trophy. Mrs. Jack Cooper commissioned the Trophy to be awarded at the APBA annual meeting in memory of her late husband. The trophy went to the Owner of the 150 ci. hydro that made the fastest heat average in any APBA race on an approved for records course. The deed of gift states that “If the trophy is won three times by the same person, it shall become his perpetual property and deed of gift become null and void." The mystery is that Sid Street did win the Trophy three times but never retired the trophy. Wayne Thompson also won the trophy three times and the trophy is in his family’s possession. 
 There was also a second Jack “Pop” Cooper Memorial Trophy. The donor of the second trophy was Joseph J. Taggart. This trophy was awarded to the Owner of the Unlimited boat making the fastest qualify speed for the Gold Cup race. Take-home trophies were provided for 10 years by Joe Taggart. At the end of the 10 year period (August 1967) the trophy reverted to APBA and the donor was to decide whether or not to renew competition for the trophy. The last recipient was U.S. Equipment Co., George Simon with the Miss U.S. - 115.138 mph, and driver Bill Muncey.  We want to thank Louise for doing the research on these famous trophies.

VINTAGE TRIVIA:
Boy does this bring back memories!!! Elizabeth City, NC; circa 1954  The following was published in the local newspaper. “Many of the outboard owners had come a long way. A common sight before the Saturday races was a driver curled up asleep in the back seat of a car with out-of-state license tags.”

VINTAGE FACTS:
Gary Thimsen of Elizabeth City, NC was researching some early regattas that had taken place in Elizabeth City. Gary copied the newspaper articles from the 1954 and 1955 regattas and sent them to us. An interesting note from the 1954 International Cup Race caught our eye. George “Buddy” Byers Jr., was there with one of his early 7 Litre Miss Desoto. Mile trials were held at this event and Buddy set a new 7 Litre record. Driving Miss Desoto on choppy water, he averaged 115.20 in two runs over the measured stretch. The former record was 114 miles an hour. He came close to losing his boat on the second run. Abreast of the barge to check on his speed, Byers noticed he was drawing water. He called for ropes and the rear of his boat was under water by the time he got a loop around it. Byers found that he had broken a water line, and repaired it. A patrol boat towed him to the pit. He came back for another run on the mark but rough water caused him to waive off the run.
 In the afternoon inboard competitions which climaxed the International Regatta the crowds' favorite was Henry Lauterbach, who got a dunking when he flipped on the further curve while driving Wa Wa in the 135 Hydro event. The Portsmouth boat builder, still in his wet clothes, went on to win the following 225 Hydro race with WaWa II. In the 266 hydro event he placed second with Sagana in both the first and second heats. The Rogers Memorial Trophy went to W. Curt Martin of Hampton, VA driver and owner of Mar Bell for the 266 Hydroplane Race”.

RACE SITES:
 Aug.  13-16, Clayton, NY:  The Antique Race Boat Regatta ‘98  Contact
     Bill Danforth  (315) 686-4104.

VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH: 
Chrysler Queen, H-1 Owner/Driver George “Buddy” Byers, Jr. Buddy is putting his famous Chrysler Queen through its paces during fly-bys at Clayton, NY 1996. This Lauterbach 7 Litre hydroplane is powered with a Chrysler Hemi engine, masterfully prepared by Bob Cunningham of Columbus, OH.
 

CAPTION ON SECOND PICTURE:
Picture from Red Bank, NJ 1947. The Ventnor hydroplane Tempo VI, G-13, 1946 Gold Cup Winner, with owner Guy Lombardo of Long Island, NY. driving. The Ventnor G-99, Miss Peps V, owners Walter and Roy Dossin with driver Danny Foster, all from Detroit. The Miss Peps V was the 1947 Gold Cup Winner. Between these two boats they captured four Gold Cup wins. Prior to Guy Lombardo purchasing G-13 Tempo VI, the boat was known as My Sin, G-13 with owner/driver Zal Simmons. Zal won the Gold Cup in 1939 and 1941.

©1998 Tom D'Eath