NOTES: Bob Murdock out of Cincinnati, OH is looking for a step hydro that raced during the 1920’s thru the 30’s. (513) 232-1173.
 Mark Mason from Laconia, NH is looking for information on the racing history of Baby Bootlegger, a 1920’s Gold Cup Boat. In particular information pertaining to when it raced in Canada on the St. Lawrence River, circa 1927 thru 1950. Mark is trying to verify whether the Baby Bootlegger was in fact a seven-time St. Lawrence Champion. Mark is also looking for a 1940’s atomic 225 cubic inch hydroplane, designed and built by Canadian, Gerry Longtin.

CHALLENGES:
Bob Silva sent me newspaper articles showing that Doc Wolfe from Missoula, Montana with his 280 Agitator did in fact race at the Orange Bowl Regatta in 1968. His Wickens designed, home built 280 took an overall third against some of the best competition available. For such a small town in Montana, it looks like it housed some very famous Wickens 280 owners. 
This month’s challenge is: What ever happened to the Hey Jude! owned by Don and Jude Wood? Anyone with information, please contact this writer.
 Joe Salemi from Geneva NY is looking for photos and information regarding Joe Michelini out of the Chicago, IL area. Joe raced D-Runabout with a Speedliner hull, #D-711-V, in the early fifties. Please respond to Joe Salemi at 315-781-0727.
 Mike Reitman of Soquel, CA has purchased a sixties 266 “Pop” Schroeder hull. He is restoring the hydro back to its heyday as the Wha Hoppen, F-23. Mike is looking for information regarding the boats color schemes. His major question is what motor was in this hull. Mike would also like to know how many 266’s did “Pop” Schroeder build? (831)-479-1595 or fax (831)479-1674.

RACE SITES:
  July 8 thru 11 Detroit, MI Chrysler Jeep APBA Gold Cup.
 If you are planning to run your Vintage raceboat on this historic Gold Cup course, you need to send me your letter of intent: 2011 74th St. NW, Bradenton, FL 34209
 July 24-25,    Seneca Lake, Geneva, NY 
 If you are interested in attending this beautiful Geneva Lakefront Park event, contact Dan Naegele (315) 536-9901
 August 6, & 7,  Lake Tahoe CA 
 Contact Lake Tahoe Yacht Club General Manager, Keith Fields @ PO Box 7620 Tahoe City, CA 96145 or phone (530) 581-4700 Fax (530) 581-4771.

GET WELL SOON GOES OUT TO:
Dick Sooy is not feeling well. He is staying at home. We can pick up his spirits by dropping him at note. He would like to hear from his old friends and customers. Dick’s address is: Rd 3 Box 44, Hickory Lane, Mays Landing, NJ 08330. Phone(609) 625-5151.

ON A SAD NOTE:
George Cusick, another Legend from the Cambridge, MD area, passed away last year. George drove Bob Tuttle’s famous Red Top in the 145 cubic inch hydro class to multiple National Championships and High Point titles during the sixties. He also set both APBA and UIM World Speed records in the 145 hydro class. George was inducted into the State of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame, Gulf Marine Racing Hall of Fame and Yachting Magazine’s All American Racing Team. Cusick retired from active racing in 1970. Certainly everyone that watched George drive or competed against him, admired his keen racing skills as well as his mechanical ability.

BOB SILVA’S WEST COAST REPORT:
Dave Pagano of Australia reports that the Vintage/Historic raceboat scene is gaining popularity Down Under. Pagano notes that he has uncovered the former record-holding 266 Hydro-Phobia 69-F, built by Fred Wickens for owner/driver Art Kastner. In the 1970’s the boat was sold and shipped to Australia where it was seriously damaged while racing and was thought to have been scrapped. Apparently not so. Dave says that while the damage to the hull is extensive, it is restorable!
Tahoe update: Tahoe Yacht Club’s Keith Fields (telephone 530-581-4700) continues to get queries about the 27th Concours d’Elegance, August 6th and 7th, 1999. It will feature Vintage/ Historic raceboats along with immaculately restored wooden runabouts. Anyone attending the Lake Tahoe show may want to take the 30 minute drive to Reno’s HOT AUGUST NITES (H.A.N.). Reno’s H.A.N. features one of the best automotive related swap meets on the West Coat (Aug. 5th-7th) where you may find boat racing literature, toys and classic racing engine parts.

 Challenge Answered: 
What became of the most famous Will Farmer built 280 hydro Beverly Ann? 
Bill Coberly of Bakersfield, CA called with the answer: Beverly Ann was sold to Joel Smith and raced as Oklahoma Kid 1964-1967. Bill Coberly purchased the boat form Smith in ’67 and renamed it Hallucination E-120. The first West Coast race for Coberly’s famous Farmer hull was at Long Beach Marine Stadium’s 1967 Labor Day regatta. Bill Hollingsworth drove it to victory over reigning Region 12, 280 hydro champ, Jerry Ballard with his Hallett Tijuana Taxi 102-E. Coberly was so impressed by the winning ways of Hallucination that he decided to create a two-boat racing team. In 1970 purchased the Farmer hull Miss Cottontail. It was renamed Sundance E-212, and was driven by then rookie Terry Turner. Pressing business obligations forced Coberly to disband the two-boat team. Turner purchased Sundance and installed a Meyers-built 273 Plymouth. Hallucination was sold to Pat Gudvangen who successfully campaigned the boat until it barrel-rolled in a turn and was speared by another boat at Mission Bay, San Diego. Thus ends the story of the former Beverly Ann, as it was a total loss. As for the former Miss Cottontail, aka Sundance, Coberly feels the boat may still exist in someone’s Southern CA garage.

VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH:
The late Red Loomis of Monrovia CA uses body english to keep his 135 hydro Plumber’s Folly 56-A under control in this 1958 photograph. The birch-decked Hallett hull featured baby blue cowlings over a modified 1940 V8-60 Ford powerplant. Plumber’s Folly was the last and most successful of the various 135’s that Red campaigned in the 1950’s. The colorful Loomis went on to chauffeur Unlimiteds such as: Miss Bardahl U-40, Miss Wickman U-11, $ Bill U-21, and Savair’s Probe U-50, which carried him to 7th place in Unlimited drivers point standings for 1965.

©1999 Tom D'Eath