Another former race site has been added to the APBA Vintage circuit, thanks to the efforts of former 136 hydro driver, Bill Steinfield. On a whim, Bill brought his restored 145 Sooy, HIGH SOCIETY, S-96 to South Carolina’s Georgetown Wooden Boat Show last year. It was the only hydroplane on display and even though she was minus her racing Falcon engine the boat was a big attraction with spectators and sponsors. So- much-so, that Georgetown asked Bill if he could return in 2005 with more Vintage/Historic race boats for display and flybys! Contact Bill at 843-236-8743. 
 
VINTAGE RACERS REDISCOVERED:
Old boat racing movie films, from the 1950’s through 1970’s, are becoming all the more sought after with the rising popularity of APBA’s vintage/historic division. Unlimited races seem to have a fair share of professionally produced footage but pro-coverage of outboard and limited inboard racing is rare indeed. So, it was a surprised APBA vintage member, Steve Drucker, who discovered dozens of reels of pro-quality, 16mm color-footage stored in a basement near his New Jersey home. 
The late Don Herring’s passion had been shooting inboard and outboard races on the East Coast, from 1969-73. Thanks go to Mrs. Barbara Herring and her Son, Don who have generously loaned the film reels to Drucker, who has invested his own dollars and time to transfer the silent film onto the DVD format with music added. Steve views Herring’s footage as a treasure that should be shared with all those interested and is making the DVD’s available at a price that isn’t prohibitive. 
“It’s great stuff” say’s Drucker, up-close action on the race course, there’s some slo-motion and crane and pit footage of boats and drivers. Don Herring mostly shot inboard action, but there is outboard and some unlimited, too. “Race sites include: Long Branch, Norristown, Mays Landing, Red Bank, Montgomery, D.C. and Dayton, to name a few.” Contact: Steve Drucker at 732-530-2061 or Eggsplurt@hotmail.com  
                                                      
FAMOUS NAMES OF THE PAST: 
Richard Parks reports that retired Colonel Russell Schleeh is doing well and living in Mission Viejo, CA. and that he sends his best to all his fans. 
Schleeh was a test pilot for the Air Force when he received his very first hydroplane ride in the SLO-MO-SHUN IV with driver Mike Welsch, in 1954.  Ted Jones noted Schleeh’s love of high speed and, despite the fact he had never raced any type of hydroplane, hired the Colonel to drive his brand new hull, REBEL SUH, U-11.  But following the first race the U-11 was sold to Bill Waggoner Jr. and renamed, MAVERICK, U-12 with Bill Stead driving. Waggoner soon added a second boat to his racing team, the SHANTY I, U-29 and wisely hired Schleeh to drive. The rookie driver won the first three races piloting the U-29 and went on to capture the APBA Unlimited National High Points title for 1956. The following year, Schleeh’s season soured when the SHANTY I lost a sponson and was destroyed in a crash at the President’s Cup. The battered and sore Colonel was lucky to walk away from the crash. He turned his attention to the time consuming construction of Waggoner’s SHANTY II, but the experimentally designed hull proved to be unstable and never entered a race. Schleeh then shared seat driving time in THRIFTWAY TOO, NITROGEN TOO and MISS RENO for the 1960-61 seasons. He returned to his winning form in Bill Harrah’s TAHOE MISS, taking second in National Points for 1962. The Colonel drove the former MISS WAHOO, renamed MISS EXIDE before hanging up his helmet in 1963. Russell is one of the very few hydroplane jockeys to ever grace the cover of a Sports Illustrated magazine which he did for the August 12, 1957 issue, a very collectable item for vintage hydro buffs today.    

EVENTS: 
June 11-12:  Pomona CA.      Boat Racer’s Reunion: contact Richard Parks RnParks1@juno.com  
June 10-12:  Kent Narrows MD.Kent Narrows Vintage Regatta: contact Larry Lauterbach 410-643-4521
July 1-3:    Madison IN.     Madison Regatta: contact Joe Johnson 812-866-8940
July 8-10    Valleyfield     Quebec, Canada : contact Benoit Lemay 450-371-3291
July:15-17:  Detroit MI.     APBA Gold Cup: contact Alan Radue 248-616-1317
July:23-24:  Waterford MI.   Quake on the Lake: contact Tom Bertolini 586-716-4490  
Aug.13:      Columbus OH.     Scioto Riverfest: contact Kevin Klosterman 614-336-3590  
Sept.10-11:  Grand Island NY. Race Boat Reunion: contact Bill DeGlopper 716-773-6093 or squeegeede@adelphia.net
Sept.15-17:  Wolfeboro NH.    Vintage Raceboat Regatta: contact Bill John 603-569-5824 or vintageraceboatshop.com
Oct. 15-17   Georgetown S.C   Georgetown Wooden Boat Show: contact Bill Steinfield 843-236-8743 
  
REPORTS:
Bill John III Report: 
It's finally spring time in Wolfeboro, the sun is shinning, the temps are in the 60's and I’ve got my shop doors wide open with the stereo blasting Rock & Roll. Anyway, time to start thinking and planning for this summer's N.H. Vintage Race Boat Regatta. The Regatta has evolved into a major stop on our APBA Vintage Race Boat Circuit and we are attracting the finest vintage race boats in the country. It takes over 100 volunteers to put on a Regatta of this size (as I am finding out, being the co-chairman this year) handling permits, registrations, parking, media, sponsors, cranes, boats and programs, etc. Please consider volunteering some time to help out during the Regatta and join all the fun. You can contact me at my shop phone: 603-569-5824 or email: http://www.VintageRaceBoatShop.com
Speaking of vintage race boats, my buddy Super Dave is making good progress on a "replica" Jersey Speed Skiff being made for local Gerri Prusko. Super Dave is actually building the boat at his shop in Georgia, and it will then be transported in May to my New Hampshire shop for varnish work on the deck and transom, final rigging, upholstery and lettering. We have finished the MISS LORI ANN, a Chris Craft Speedster owned by Ken Sandhage, and last week we rolled in HOT DOG, a very nice 1947 Hacker Deluxe Utility, owned by Tony Coco.
 
ON A SAD NOTE:
Del Daily passed away March 12, 2005 at the hospital of natural causes. He was 83 years old. The noted driver was always a strong competitor and supported boat racing to his fullest. Driving his famed OH MONA he was often accompanied by his son Duff as riding mechanic. He later competed in the SK and Super Stock classes. Del and his wife, Mona were APBA race officials and active in keeping boat racing in Florida.

Roberta Nichols Yakel passed away in her sleep, April 3, 2005. She was the founder of the NDBA (National Drag Boat Association) in the 1960’s. Dr. Nichols also held 3 patents for flexible fuel vehicles and co-authored over 50 publications.  
God Speed to our fellow racers from the vintage race boat family.
 

BOB SILVA’S WEST COAST REPORT: 
The Boat Racers Reunion, at the Los Angeles County Fairplex in Pomona, CA. June 11-12, 2005, will be honoring the following people and organizations: Rusty Biesemeyer, Lance Faulkner, Carl G. Thornhill, Rick Wimer, Don Ermshar, Eddie Hill, Bud Meyer, The Edelbrock Co., Chuck Pierce, George Striegel, Betty Cook, Adelle Stone, Chip Hanauer, Gar Wood, and Rick Fowler. There is an open entry for static display of vintage and current race boats. All boats must be moved in on Sat., June 11th by 9AM and will remain on public display until Sunday, June 12th at 6:15PM. The Reunion is still trying to contact the families of Betty Cook and Rusty Biesemeyer, any help that you can give in locating these two honorees would be appreciated, contact: Richard Parks at RnParks1@juno.com 

John Buck, the owner of the Grand National Roadster Show, announced he would love to have race boats on display at his January 2006 show, held at the L.A. County Fairplex, in Pomona, California. The show attracts more than 50,000 spectators annually and there will be no fee to display your boat.

Ross Wallach, the Commodore of S.C.S.C. is looking for 20-25 vintage race boats (Drag or Circle) to display at the Long Beach Sprint National’s, "Race Against Hunger", August 13 & 14, 2005. Display boats will receive (four) complimentary passes and one VIP parking pass. You’ll also have a chance to watch APBA’s Summer Nationals for the Crackerbox class at the Long Beach Marine Stadium event, which will be filmed for the Outdoor Channel's "Speedzone" show to air nationally. Display space is limited, so contact Ross Wallach at (562) 633-6200 or email: rossdbos26@yahoo.com