REPORTS:
BILL JOHN III REPORT
   We are hard at work on a joint project with Travis Hickman to build a new/replica Gentleman’s Racer. We are just about through with the initial design phase of our John/Hickman Speedster. I drove Travis crazy, he put a ton of hours into it, but we got the “look” that we wanted and Travis was able to capture my vision with a stunning design done with CAD software that produced beautiful color renderings. What a joy to work with a true artist. 
   We just have a little more work on the aft cockpit dimensions and the seat height and then we will begin to engineer the running gear design and motor location. After several wild drive line setups were considered, including an exotic v-drive setup, we have decided to go with the classic reverse rotation marine small block motor with a Borg Warner C-72 direct drive transmission. This Speedster will be absolutely stunning and will be running hard on our 2008 APBA Vintage Race Boat Circuit.
We also want to thank all the event organizers and the many volunteers at all the APBA vintage events we attended in 2006. The amount of volunteer time that these APBA vintage events chew up is unbelievable, and we want all the volunteers to know that their time is very much appreciated!
   APBA Vintage Winter Gathering - February 25, 2006
Tom & Jacq Bertolini invited us to Detroit for our fourth annual APBA Vintage Winter Gathering. This year's Winter Gathering attracted over 90 hard-core, vintage race boat addicts. We all had a great time, the vintage banter and videos continued well into the wee hours.
Valleyfield, Quebec APBA Regatta - July 7-9, 2006
Ben Lemay worked hard to bring our vintage race boats back to Valleyfield again this summer. This is a huge event, the largest inboard regatta in North America, running a mix of inboard hydroplanes, unlimited hydroplanes, Jersey Speed Skiffs, flat bottoms, and of course our beloved vintage race boats.
Detroit APBA Gold Cup Hydroplane Regatta - July 14-16, 2006
Tom Bertolini and Alan Radue returned from our APBA annual meeting and started planning for this summer's Detroit APBA Gold Cup. Tom ran the APBA/Gold Cup program and Alan handled the Vintage program. The Gold Cup is perhaps the most exciting event on our vintage circuit - as we get to run on the historic Gold Cup Course with the Unlimited Hydros.
Clayton Antique Race Boat Regatta - August 17-20, 2006
Marv Hart and crew worked very hard to expand Clayton to a full, four day APBA vintage event. Clayton is the birthplace of our APBA Vintage & Historic Division, holding our first antique boat regatta in 1992, and Clayton continues to be the biggest event on the APBA Vintage Race Boat Circuit. This summer's regatta expanded to 4 full days, featured a Drivers Clinic, and with addition docking, well over 100 vintage race boats, ran demonstration laps on the course setup in front of the Museum. Make no mistake about it, Clayton was THE vintage event last summer.
   Recap of the 2006 Season: 
Wheeling Vintage Race Boat Regatta - September 2-3, 2006
Dan & Deb Joseph invited us to Wheeling, West Virginia to participate in their first APBA vintage regatta, on Labor Day weekend on the Ohio River in downtown Wheeling WV. Safety inspections and registration were on Saturday Sept. 2, with a meet-and-greet for the public in the pits in the afternoon. Dinner was held inside for vintage people and invited guests, followed by a public showing (big-screens!) of the movie "Madison." Then after and an early Sunday morning Drivers Meeting, we ran vintage exhibitions heats all day long.
Buffalo Vintage Race Boat Regatta - September 8-10, 2006
Bill and Rich DeGlopper planned another great Buffalo vintage event. Their hospitality is second to none, and the beautiful vintage boats started arriving on Friday morning, Sept 8th with registration and APBA vintage safety inspections during the day, followed with the now famous free "Pit Pass Party" at the Launch Club. The Vintage boats were on display on Saturday and ran demonstration laps on the historic BLC race course all day long. The sights and sounds were spectacular from the docks, and you just gotta check out the great videos produced by Rich DeGlopper.
Lake George Vintage Raceboat Regatta - September 22-23, 2006
Teri and Jean Hoffman again hosted their biannual Lake George vintage race boat regatta. The fun started on Friday morning, September 22nd with a huge hot air balloon rendezvous, followed in the afternoon with a parade of our vintage race boats right through Lake George village, followed in the evening with the infamous feast at the lakeside home of Jean Hoffman. Then on Saturday we ran vintage heats on the course all day long.
Bill (Is it spring yet???) John
 

ON A SAD NOTE: 
Art Lukens passed away Jan.2, 2007. Art was a former racer with his HALF ‘N HALF T-3, an APBA official and member for many years. Art’s wife, Elaine was a chief scorer while son, Tad and daughter, Amy also raced. Art and Elaine moved to Clearwater, Florida several years ago continuing their involvement in racing from that area. Art was always known to have a smile, hug and helping hand for everyone he knew. Cards may be sent to:  The Lukens Family  2245 Glenmoor Rd.N,  Clearwater, FL 34615. God speed, Art.
 

BOB SILVA’S WEST COAST REPORT:
   APBA’s Vintage/Historic Division is growing by leaps and bounds as racing hydroplanes and runabouts that have been stored in garages and barns now undergo restoration. Dick Lindstrom and Son, Frank Camilli, share a rare story; two hulls being in the family for 40 years before restoration.
   The love of boats is ingrained in the Lindstrom’s bloodline, as Grandpa Walter Lindstrom, was a second generation sailing ship builder by trade. He started building the family a modern day ski boat, using blueprints for a new 1953 Crackerbox hull, purchased from I.E. Debbold Co. It would be a boat building project never completed, halting construction when his sons became heavily involved in a budding land racing sport. 
   In 1952, quarter mile drag racing was still in its infancy when the Lindstrom brothers, Dick and Dave, built the first rail dragster to run out of Northern California’s Humboldt County. Drag racing fulfilled the brother’s need for speed until 1957 when local boat racer, Melvin Scott mentioned that Jack Shaw’s 136 ci hydroplane was up for sale. Dick bought the 1954 built Rich Hallett hull only to find its V8-60 Flathead Ford block had cracks between the cylinders and valve inserts. Fortunately, a good deal for a new block and extra parts was acquired from local, retired midget racer, Dick Gustafson. Lindstrom then designed and built a new engine cowling and applied a beautiful white with purple scallops paint job to the hydro. “Jack Shaw had named the boat WATERBALL, 23-S, after his favorite drink”, said Lindstrom, “but I recalled an old fisherman’s superstition that said it was bad luck to change a boat’s name, so I didn’t dare do it.”  Apparently, it didn’t matter, as he was dogged by bad luck. Broken exhaust headers jinxed one first place run, and after only five races, what seemed to be a winning combination collapsed with a caved-in right sponson. “The boat was running great, the engine turning 6,800 rpm, with a 10 1/2 x 19” prop”, recalled Lindstrom. The damaged hydro sat inside his shop through several racing seasons. “I made new engine mounts and drew-up a cowling design with big air scoops to change over to a Corvair engine”, remembers Dick, “I almost sold it several times”; and over the years it became a place to stack things, as it sat covered in a dark corner for nearly 40 years. When Lindstrom learned of APBA’s Vintage/Historic Division, from a 1999 issue of PROPELLER, it sparked a renewed interest in his hydro, and restoration began shortly thereafter. 
   As a kid, Frank Camilli recalls seeing a vintage dragster and two boats sitting in the family shop. “I was fascinated with that Crackerbox, because it was always lying upside down and covered.” Following his Grandfather’s death, Frank was given the hull by his Grandmother, Josephine with the promise he would finish building the boat. Once it was outside and turned right side up, Frank was stunned by the runabout’s graceful lines.
The original, stroked 296 ci Mercury Flathead, removed from the old dragster, awaits installation in the Crackerbox. “I still have the 534 dollars in receipts for materials and hardware; the blueprints are up on a wall.” He’s torn between using a vintage, racing paint scheme or planked mahogany decks as used with family ski-Crackerboxes. Frank adds, “I’ve already got the boat’s name, DAT’S A GOOD YON”, it’s a favorite family saying, following the completion of a ship or boat. 
   A vintage hydroplane and Crackerbox, now that’s two more good ones!

VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH Dick Lindstrom’s, WATERBALL 23-S, a 136 cu in hydro, freshly painted and ready to race for the 1958 season.  (L-R) Grandpa Walter Lindstrom, Argil Savage, unidentified, unidentified, Eddie Beard and owner/driver Dick Lindstrom.  The 1954 Rich Hallett built hull is undergoing a complete restoration in Samoa, California and plans are for an appearance on the 2007 vintage circuit.   ©2007 Bob Silva & Bill John III