NOTES:
The Marine Prop Riders are having a reunion and celebration of their 50th year of existence on November 3rd in Sterling Heights, Michigan. This club has deep roots in both inboard and unlimited racing. You should put this on your calendar as an event not to be missed. Contact person is Maryann Schaller at (810) 364-2588.
 John Patterson (a 1961 100-mph Club member) wants to know why APBA did not continue with the 100-MPH Club after Gulf dropped it? And why are its members not listed in our current APBA roster. Even today an official 100-MPH on water is quite an accomplishment. 

VINTAGE TRIVIA: Have you checked out the great photos on Phil Kunz’s website  or Phil Spruit’s The Vintage Hydroplanes website.

CHALLENGES:
We have two members looking for restorable hydroplanes. Carter Parrish out of Florida (352-288-0715) is looking for a Farmer or Lauterbach 135/150 ci. hydroplane. Warren Greatbach (716-694-7447) from North Tonawanda is searching for a Pop Schroeder 3- point hydroplane preferably a 266. 
 Terry Anderson of Mosses Lake, WA is trying to locate Ken Furniss of Salt Lake City or Ogden Utah area. Ken used to race a 150-ci hydro Avenger. Terry’s email address: t_m_and@televar.com
 Ken Alberton (613)-389-2662 is looking for the 225 Alouette Angel. Email: albertanCES@aol.com.
 Billy Schumacher is looking for a Rolls Royce Merlin engine for the Checkerboard Bardahl vintage project. (206) 328-0868.
 Bill Winn is looking for a two-bladed propeller for his 7 Litre vintage hydroplane Heavy Duty. Phone (616) 582-1144 or email: gonewithwinn44@aol.com
 Vintage hydroplanes available for new owners: 280 Hallet hull, Tijuana Taxi (needs restoring) and the 7 Litre Lauterbach Gangway. Contact person Bob Musson (937) 254-9220 or Phil Kunz (937) 859-3750.
 Jeff Magnuson of Alfred MA is looking for all issues of Lakeland Yachting Magazine from 1948 thru 1954. Shop # 207-324- 9648

RACE SITES:
 June 23 & 24  North Tonawanda, NY Hydromania 2001
 July 6 thru 8  Valleyfield, Quebec, Canada
 July 13 thru 15  Detroit, Michigan - The Gold Cup
 Contact me if you wish to participate in this vintage event. Vintage will have LOTS of water time this year. Make your plans early!
 Aug. 10 - 12th  Hampton, VA Vintage Racing Reunion Contact: Buddy Roper (747) 850-0694. 1 2/3-Mile racecourse, smooth water, static displays and flybys, & East Coast boatracer reunion party. All are invited.
 Sept 7 & 9th  Buffalo, NY, Race Boat Reunion Pit Party at the Buffalo Launch Club and Vintage event with flybys.
 Sept 21-23   Wolfeboro, New Hampshire - smooth water 1 ¼ course. Saturday flybys, Sunday raceboat rides.
 Oct. 6th   Cypress Gardens, Florida - protected water in the Garden on a fast triangular course, by invitation only, hydroplanes & jersey speed skiffs. Contact me (941) 792-7554.

BOB SILVA’S WEST COAST REPORT:
The APBA was founded in 1903, only 8 years before she was born. She could be described as the Matriarch of Region 11 who, along with her late husband Fred, officiated outboard, inboard and unlimited races. She was the first woman inducted into APBA's Honor Squadron. She hasn't missed APBA's annual meeting since 1954. Her 90th Birthday celebration drew over 50 boat racers and the attendees could be described as part of Kay Hallett's extended family.
Kay and Fred owned a speedshop in Oakland, CA. In 1945, Kent Hitchcock of Speed and Spray magazine introduced them to boat racing at a Long Beach Regatta. This was the beginning of a 56-year association with the APBA. After Fred built the record setting V8-60 engine for Tommy Hill’s 135 hydro, Hallett Marine became a meeting place for boat racers. It was only fitting that the California Speedboat Association built their clubhouse on the Oakland estuary next door to Hallett Marine in the early 1950's. Kay became the long standing secretary, writing the club's "Channel Chatter" newsletter and Fred managed the club house while also building both a record setting E Racing Runabout and the Unlimited BREATHLESS. With the Hallett's efforts, the club's membership grew from 50 to 200 members in only 4 years. In 1952 the Hallett’s orchestrated the highly successful Stock Outboard Nationals on Oakland's Lake Merritt. While becoming more involved with inboard/outboard and unlimited officiating, Fred and Kay then turned their talents to writing the rules for Reno's Air Races, using APBA's rule book as a guideline (rules which still stand today). They were also Reno Air Race officials for 22 years. 
Fred and Kay's wisdom have helped guide APBA for 56 years and upon Fred's passing APBA honored his memory with the Fred Hallett Memorial Award (presented in 2000 to Gary Romberg). In 1999 Kay helped revive inboard racing in California by introducing a rule change that allowed Crackerboxes to race under an outboard sanction. Today the Crackers enjoy entry numbers not seen since the 1970's and that has sparked an interest in bringing back some hydro classes, too. 
Kay's APBA/Region 11 activities during the past year alone were enough to keep a 20-year-old busy. She is Council Member at Large; Regatta Scoring Subcommittee; Honorary Inboard Race Commissioner; Historical Society director; Region 11 Officiating Committee Chairman; approved Referee; Scorer and Time Trial Rep. Kay's years of knowledge is a great asset to APBA. She's able to answer questions accurately and without rhetoric, getting to the heart of the matter quickly. 
Happy Birthday Kay, and many more from all of us who have been honored to know you and be a part of your boat racing family. 

PHOTO CAPTION #1
Kay Hallett celebrated her 90th Birthday with her extended family of inboard, outboard and unlimited racers on March 24, 2001, Kay's APBA activities cover 56 years and she has attended every annual meeting since 1954.
PHOTO CAPTION #2
Four of the 50-plus people helping Kay Hallett celebrate her 90th Birthday were: (L-R) unlimited driver Jerry Hale; former 225 national champ/record holder (CALIFORNIA KID) Denton Denny: 136/150 driver (JOKER) Morey Hale and former 135/145record holder (LANKY) Allen Ford.

©2001 Tom D'Eath