CHALLENGES:
Vintage is becoming popular in the world of drag boats, so much so, that two former record holders, Don Edwards (GOLDEN KOMOTION) and Barry McCown (BONZAI) are looking into the possibilities of having a photo book done on the early days of boat dragsters. They are looking for pit photographs taken at the boat drags from the late 1950’s through the early 1970’s. They’d also love to know what became of the negatives and prints of famed drag photographers: Dick Castillo, Rod Flint, Roger Squire and Leo Wildman. If you help in this challenge please contact Don 805-688-9985 or Barry 760-470-9985.

EVENTS:
July 21-22         Waterford, MI.  Quake on the Lake. Joe Schulte 313-885-5976
July 21-22         Oroville, WA. Andi Fitzhum 509-476-4335
Aug 17-19          Rideau, Canada Rideau Ferry Regatta Scott Cameron 613-283-9107
Aug 18-19          Algonac, MI. Silver Cup Regatta. Joe Schulte 313-885-5976
Aug 25-26          Pateros, WA. Tim Hamilton 253-531-0500
Aug 25-26          Celina, OH Governor’s Cup Regatta. Ron Snyder 415-628-4182
Aug 31-Sept 2     Wheeling, WV. Vintage Raceboat Regatta.  Debbie Joseph 304-233-4738                         
Sept 7-9             Buffalo, NY. Launch Club Raceboat Reunion.  Bill DeGlopper  716-773-6093
Sept 9              Spanaway, WA. Jeff Bernard 253-307-3346
Sept 13-15         Wolfeboro, NH. Vintage Raceboat Regatta. Bill John 603-569-5824
Sept 22-23         Utica, MI.  Streak on the Creek.  
Sept 22-23        Lake Chelan, WA. John Walcker 800-962-8723
Sept 29            Lakeport, CA.   Bob Silva 707-964-1711
Sept 29            Raleigh, NC. Tommy Turner 1-800-659-2044
Sept 28-29        Issaquah, WA.  Lenny Baker 425-776-1847

 REPORTS:
BILL JOHN III REPORT
Summer is in full swing here in beautiful Wolfeboro. We pulled four vintage race boats in our annual Wolfeboro 4th of July Parade to promote our Wolfeboro Vintage Race Boat Regatta, on September 13-15th. The sun was out, there were American flags everywhere, the crowds were huge, and we all had a lot of fun. After the parade, we celebrated with lobster and Margaritas at the Wolfetrap – it was a very good day.  Many thanks to Leo at R&L Engines in Dover for finishing the rebuild of the “stroker” motor in my beloved OBSESSION in time for a few test runs to break in the new bullet, so we would be ready to rock & roll at Valleyfield. Special thanks to Ben Lemay for bringing our vintage race boats back Valleyfield, Quebec, July 6-8. This is a huge event, the largest inboard regatta in North America, running a mix of inboard hydroplanes, Jersey Speed Skiffs, flat bottoms, and of course our vintage race boats. Here is a link to lots of photos: http://www.vintageraceboatshop.com/Valleyfield2006Photos.htm
The Invitation/Registration Packets have been mailed for our Wolfeboro Vintage Race Boat Regatta on Sept 13-15, 2007. The past will come alive as some of the best known race boats of bygone eras return to Wolfeboro, for our fifth Wolfeboro Vintage Race Boat Regatta. This summer's regatta expands to 3 full days, and includes over 60 vintage race boats running demonstration laps on a 1 mile oval course, on beautiful Wolfeboro Bay. But due to limited space, if you want to participate, please return your registration as soon as possible to assure yourself a spot. We will be accepting entries on a “first come, first served” basis, and when our permit quota fills up, that will be it. We are working closely with our registrar Gerri Prusko, picking up the returned registrations from the Post Office on a daily basis and updating our Webpage entry list; posting an asterisk next to each registered Owner/Driver. Follow our registration progress at: http://www.vintageraceboatshop.com/NHVintageRegatta2007.htm
After several years of non-use, a few wood repairs, lots of cleanup, fresh oil/filters and a tune up, we launched FOXWOOD, a 1934 Chris Craft, 27 foot Custom Runabout. This absolutely stunning triple cockpit runabout will be running in the opening ceremonies of our Wolfeboro Vintage Race Boat Regatta, with Shaun Berry driving.
On a personal note, we lost a good friend and mentor last week, George Johnson. In 1979, I bought my beloved OBSESSION from Jerry Harper, two weeks later I bought my first trailer from George, and he has been a very special part of my life ever since. He brought many of us together, is responsible for the resurgence of wooden boats on Lake Winnipesaukee, and his passing marks the end of an era. George was the guest of honor at our last shop Christmas Party. 
That’s it for now Gang, and please join us at the shop for our Saturday Morning Gatherings. The coffee and donuts are usually ready by 9:00; we have vintage boat racing videos on our big screen TV.
 

VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH Guy ‘Red’ Wilson puts some body English into driving his E Racing Runabout, SLIPPER-E. 69-E, at Hart Memorial Park in Bakersfield, CA.  The ERR class dates back to the early 1930’s and became one of APBA’s wildest classes by the early ‘50’s.  The straight line bottom hulls had few limiting specs and a 245 cu.in. limit allowed the use of fuel-burning and injected Dodge Red Ram Hemis.    ©2007 Bob Silva & Bill John III