CHANGING OF THE GUARD:
Vintage and Historic Chairman Tom D’Eath has
not only become president of the Detroit River Regatta Association, but
is now the interim Chief Operating Officer of Hydro-Prop. Tom and his wife
Judy have spent the past two years restoring the APBA Gold Cup – both the
trophy and the premier boat race. It is a big job that just got bigger
with the added Hydro-Prop responsibilities.
Therefore, after 12 years, Tom is handing over
leadership of Vintage and Historic to someone who will continue to grow
the category. Effective immediately, Tom Bertolini of New Baltimore, MI
is the new Vintage and Historic Chairman; and Alan Radue of Clinton Township,
MI is the Vice Chairman. Tom and Jacq Bertolini have been involved with
Vintage for several years, and host the annual Winter Gathering. Tom brings
substantial leadership qualities to the job, and has played a pivotal role
in moving Vintage to where it is today. Also a DRRA director, he created
DRRA offices at APBA Headquarters.
BOATS UNDER RESTORATION:
Steve Roskowski is starting to restore the
91 ci hydro THE TOPPER. He is anxious to get the most out of the Alfa engine
and will tackle that first and then move onto the hull this winter. In
digging through his Dad’s notes he found three names that he cannot get
through to with the old phone numbers and Internet searches. Members who
can help Steve locate: Richard Crouse, Jim or Jack Sellers and Burt Davidson
please contact him at: Auto Research Center, 4012 Championship Drive, Indianapolis
IN 46268 or call: 317 291 8600 ext 23.
NOTES:
APBA Vintage/Historic race boats are making
news! A resent issue of Antique and Classic Boat magazine features a ten-page
report by Donna Feathers and Bill DeGlopper on the history of the Buffalo
Launch Club and the 2003 Buffalo Race Boat Reunion. There are also two
pages on the history of the Jersey Speed Skiffs by Skip Gillam.
Bill Clack forwarded and article from Classic
Boating magazine about the Danbury Fair Races. Advertised as “the first
water speedway of its kind in the U.S., the races were conducted from 1948-51
on a half mile course under the lights! Thirty, 44ci. Crosley powered,
identical 10 ft. runabouts competed in qualifying and feature races. While
most of the drivers had no prior boat racing experience, there reportedly
were big name drivers, such as Guy Lombardo, who took the wheel occasionally.
Check out the entire story and views of Robert Harrity’s restored Danbury
racer in the 2004 May/June issue.
CHALLENGES:
Bobby Jones is desperately seeking formation
on his Grandfather’s E Service Runabout. MISS BEE BEE, E-4 owned and driven
by Edgar Jones from 1955-66 of Hampton, Virginia, won the ESR Nationals
at Buffalo in 1958. The boat was then sold to Tom Jebson of Newport News
VA. who raced her as MISS AMY D, E-87 until 1972. Jebson recalls selling
the boat to a young guy from Florida. It’s likely the boat went on to race
in North Carolina and may have ended up in Morgan City, LA. which was the
last hot bed for ESR’s before the class was discontinued. Jones, who wants
to track down the Davis design hull, can be reached at: jones231@bellsouth.net
EVENTS:
August 19 –22 Clayton, NY:
Contact Marv Hart at 315-686-5030 or marvinh@attglobal.net
Sept 9 - 11 Grand Island, NY: Buffalo
Launch Club Contact Bill DeGlopper 716-773-6093 or squeegeede@adelphia.net
Sept 25 Lake George, NY: Teri Hoffman
518-371-8683 or Thoffman@lk-george.com
Sept 24 – 26 Louisville, KY: Joe Johnson
812-866-8940 or drummerjoe_55@yahoo.com
REPORTS:
The Boat Racers Reunion was held June 10-13,
at the Los Angeles County Fairplex, in Pomona, CA. The attendance saw 4000
people walk through the pit area, and 350 members attending. The Honorary
Awards program began at noon on Saturday.
More than 35 plaques were presented,
starting with Ken Black presenting awards to Bobby Sykes and Barry McCown.
Sykes was known as a master engine builder and drove the GUESS WHO to a
266 class record in 1952. McCown held the world record in the 1960’s in
his BFH drag boat BANZI. Bill Fauntleroy of Lifeline Jackets presented
a plaque to Marion Beaver. Marion began his racing career in the PODH class
and was a multi-national champion. He also owned two record holding and
National Champion 225’s; UNCLE GUMMY and GUMMY’S GHOST. The beautiful UNCLE
GUMMY was towed from Parker, AZ for display at the show. Among other awards
presented: Ron Jones Sr., from Seattle, for his masterful hydroplane designs.
Mike Waters and the Crackerbox Club presented the Crackerbox Award to Danny
Mang. The Award for Boat Racing Historian went to Harlan Orrin; Photographer
Award to Jack Cool; and for Boat builder, Bob Patterson. Bill Henderson,
and Gordon Jennings Sr. were honored for their racing careers.
Circle boats on display included: K-69 FREEDOM;
P-21 GRAMPS; P-24 CRACKER JACK; P-66 MR. MAGOO; P-69 THE ENEMY; P-87 HOT
CINDERS; THE WOODBOX; PS-346 THE ROCKET; Y-116 FULL HOUSE MOUSE and F-59
MISS CALIFORNIA.
Drag boats included: SO LONG; MEAN STREAK;
BAILIE’S IRISH DREAM; TOO MUCH; THE LAST VIKING; THE DISTRUBER and LIL
SKEMER.
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©2004 Bob Silva & Bill John III |
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