MEMORIES:
Steve Sharp witnessed the introduction of the 3 point at an Harve De Grace, MD race, when F. Mortimer Auerbach showed up with one of his Emancipators. He also remembers Edison Hedges and his Eagle runabouts. The last one had an inverted bottom that made it leap out of the water as it ran. Do you know who was our referee and announcer then? Answer: Al Bauer. Steve also remembers one year back in the 50’s when a boat at the President’s Cup that was outclassed, but was running with the hot ones…It was a mahogany double ender called Miss Syndicate, out of New York. “Do you think that anyone knows about that boat?” asks Steve.

ON A SAD NOTE:
Richard M. Sooy of Hickory Lane, Mays Landing, NJ passed away on Sunday May 2, 1999. Dick Sooy designed and built his first hydroplane in 1949. Thus began Dick’s career as a boat designer, builder, driver, and owner. 
 Throughout the years, Sooy was a front running driver in many hydro classes. In 1952, he set his first World Record at Cambridge, MD. In 1953, Dick became the National Champion and High Point Champion in the 136 cubic inch hydroplane class, with a boat called the Double Eagle. In 1954, Dick Sooy was inducted into the Gulf Marine Hall of Fame. 
As a designer and builder, Dick built more than 150 boats. He gained the reputation for building many champion Hydros in the 136, 145, 280 and stock 7Litre hydroplane classes. His boats have been credited with setting some 51 World Records and many Championships. Dick was one of the founders of the 280 cubic inch hydro class. In 1956, he built his first 280. He also built and campaigned the first cabover designed 280 hydro. Later selling it to Arnold Boyance whom renamed the boat Mr. Neon. Another cabover design was built in 1956 for the 136 cubic inch hydro class. The boat was the Ginger B. Dick was a loyal member of the APBA Inboard Division his whole life. He served as an Inboard Racing Commissioner for 5 years. He was solely responsible for the concept and introduction of the stock 7L class. Dick was also responsible for the introduction of the stock 72 c.i. hydro class. Sooy also found time to be an APBA Inspector. Dick served as the Chairman of the Technical Committee for the 72, 136, stock 7 L and Jersey Speed Skiff classes. 
In 1976, Dick Sooy was honored by Region 3 with their “Man of the Year Award”. This award exemplifies the dedication that Dick Sooy had for APBA and Region 3 especially. He worked tirelessly for our sport. He was a many-time Race Chairman, and Past President of the Winding River Boating Association. 
I personally raced against Dick Sooy at the Orange Bowl and Southland Sweepstakes Regattas. He was a fierce competitor, but very much a sportsman. He never lost sight of the little guy or the beginner in boat racing. He always lent a helping hand when needed. Certainly the boating fraternity will miss this Pioneer. Who is going to help to put on races? Who is going to create the ideas for new classes? Who is going to fill his shoes? 

RACE SITES:
  July 8 thru 11 Detroit, MI Chrysler Jeep APBA Gold Cup.
  July 30 -August 1 Dayton, OH Inboard Regatta Vintage is on the schedule. Contact Jack Hines (937) 898-0562
  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

BOB MOORE’S EAST COAST REPORT:
Thanks for the Memories… and a very special Thank You to the Winding River Boating Association and in particular, thanks to Jack Fisher, Fred Rechsteiner and Charlie (Bud) Hornickel for the great party they threw in honor of the Winding River’s 50th Anniversary.
 “Old” boat racers, “new” boat racers and all the in between came out in force to help with the celebration. Over 170 racers attended this event on the weekend of April 17 & 18 at Wheaton Village in Millville, NJ. Others came from as far away as Florida, California, South Carolina, Maine and Ohio.
 This is what vintage boat racing should be. The old boats, the old drivers and the old race fans gathering together with the new racers, swapping stories, telling lies and just reminiscing about boat racing. Take note, Clayton, it’s not the boats it’s the people that make the event.
 We went down on Saturday afternoon, towing the Old Timer (how appropriate). This old Sooy hydro gained fame back in the late 60’s when it raced as the Stingray, one of the original kamikaze 280’s. Shortly after our arrival, Doug Apy showed up all the way from Florida with his Jo-Carol Too, a jersey speed skiff replica. Other vintage boats displayed were Dick Soy’s Double Eagle; Richard Cost’s BU, Slo-Slo; Frank and Ronnie Smith’s 1 Litre hydro, Constant Pressure; Greg Strand’s 1950’s A hydro and Rob Garrantano’s Lasting Impressions, the beautifully restored wooden jersey skiff.
 Complimenting the Vintage boats were also a good array of modern race boats, great contrast.
 Many of the guests arrived throughout the day on Saturday. Among the first to arrive were Art Hafner and his wife. I hadn’t seen Art in a number of years. This was just a sampling of what was to come. All weekend, I greeted former competitors whom I had not seen in some cases since the 60’s…Wow! What a great experience.
 Sunday morning dawned, bright and sunny. It was a little on the nippy side. But no matter, the renewal of friendships warmed the day. Old friends who had not seen one another, in some cases in over 40 years, greeted one another and finished the conversations that they had started all those years ago. As John Fitzgerald remarked, he had overhead several conversations all about the same race and as it turned out there must have been 17 different winners of that race and John was one of them!
Highlighting Sunday’s activities was the talk given by our Vintage Chairman, Tom D’Eath. Tom spoke fondly (and not so fondly at times) of his early racing career in Region 3 and at Millville (the Baby June really did win that day.) Tom also mentioned in his address many names of some of the early heroes from Winding River. Super job Tom, a great ending to a super weekend. A very moving moment was the tribute given by Steve Sharp commemorating the racing career of Dick Sooy and his dedication to the sport. Cecil Sooy accepted the plaque on behalf of the ailing Dick. All our prayers are with the Sooy family.
 Once more, great job Winding River…and Jack Fisher, Bud Hornickel and Fred Rechsteiner…”Thanks for the Memories”

HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH:
Tops with “Pop” Cooper at the helm of his Speedliner 225 ci hydroplane. (Picture circa 1946 or 1947). Jack “Pop” Cooper was always noted for his skill and determination. Pop was the undisputed dean of Inboard hydro drivers when fatally injured driving the Tops III in 1948.

©1999 Tom D'Eath