July 2008
by Bob Silva and Bill John III
  
VINTAGE TRIVIA: 
Swap Shop Ad: July 1959 – For Sale: 135 hydro, “Glo-Girl”. Was the “Cumon Baby I” ... one of the first 100 mph 135s in the country. New condition, fancy custom trailer, Hi-J prop; ready to race. Complete $1,450.00 ...without trailer, $1,200.00 ... Will deliver within 500 miles for gas expense. Contact W.F. Gardner, Austin, Tex. 

EVENTS: 
July 4-6   Valleyfield Can.   Valleyfield, Quebec Canada Contact:Ben Lemay 450-371-3291
July 11-13 Detroit MI         APBA Gold Cup Contact:Alan Radue 248-616-1317
July 18-20 Waterford MI       Quake on the Lake Contact:Joe Schulte 313-885-5976
July 19-20 Oroville WA        Contact: Carol Dodge 206-365-4094
July 24-27 Bemus Bay NY       Chautauqua Lakes Regatta Contact:Ron Mativy 716-665-9744
Aug 9-10   Algonac MI         Silver Cup Regatta Contact:Joe Schulte 313-885-5976
Aug 14-17  Clayton NY         Antique Race Boat Regatta Contact:Charlotte Brooks 315-686-4104 x229
Aug 16-17  Pateros WA         Pateros Hydro Classic Contact:  Tim Hamilton 253-531-0500
Aug 23-24  Celina OH          Governor’s Cup Regatta Contact:Joe Schulte 313-885-5976
Aug 29-31  Wheeling WVA       Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta Contact:Debbie Joseph 304-233-4738
Sept 5-7   Buffalo NY         Buffalo Launch Club Vintage Regatta Contact:Bill DeGlopper 716-773-6093
Sept 13-14 Hillsboro OH       Rocky Fork Contacts:Billy Noonan 502-396-3120 or Joe Johnson 812-866-8940
Sept 20-21 Utica MI           Streak on the Creek Contact:Joe Schulte 304-885-5976
Sept 26-27 Lake George NY    Lake George Regatta Contact:Teresa Hoffman 518-371-8683
Sept 27-28 Lake Chelan WA    Contact: John Walker 800-962-8723
Oct 3-5   Issaquah WA        Lake Sammamish Contact: Lenny Baker 425-776-1847
Oct 18-19 Sacramento CA      Minden Reservoir Contact: Bob Silva 707-964-1711  
 

ON A SAD NOTE:
Judy D’Eath, 61, passed away suddenly on Tuesday morning, May 20, 2008. She was a member of APBA, ACBS and the Classic Raceboat Association. Judy is survived by her husband Tom, daughter Diana, son Scott, grandchildren Olivia and Madeline Griffith and Michael and Kayla D’Eath, sister Linda Dillabough and brothers John and Ronald Corriveau.
Judy and Tom D’Eath were partners in life as well as a team in the world of boat racing, and they had a magic together that would radiate and touch others. Judy shared an enthusiasm and dedication with Tom through his many years of limited inboard and unlimited racing. When Tom was appointed Chairman of the Vintage and Historic Division in 1993, Judy was right there helping to organize events and help write Tom’s Propeller Vintage Notebook articles. Judy shared the driving chores as they towed their vintage hydros thousands of miles across the country, to build and support the V/H division. Starting in 2003, Judy and Tom put their lives on hold for two years to save the APBA Gold Cup. They were instrumental in forming the Detroit River Racing Association and getting the race on proper footing. Judy gave so much, to so many. 
The Vintage and Historic family sends our deepest condolences to Tom and his family. 
Godspeed, Judy. 
Donations on behalf of Judy D'Eath may be made to:
ACBS Scholarship Fund
PO Box 689
Mt. Dora, Florida 32757    

BOB SILVA’S WEST COAST REPORT:
The following is from a California Speedboat Association Vintage Newsletter; written by Bill Walti following an interview with racing legend Lou “Sonny” Meyer Jr.
The 48 hydro “Lou-Kay” and her Original Owner
by Bill Walti
I intended to write about the restoration of the 48 cu in hydro, “Full House Mouse”, but decided this approach was so much more interesting. Besides, Bob Foley has not restored the hull, proffering to keep her in all her race-worn glory.
In his excellent book: Inboard Racing—A Wild Ride, Bob Foley, Pub.by Author House, (www.authorhouse.com), Bob provides a definitive historical background about racing a 48 cu. in. hydro. The following is a summary of owner succession of “Full House Mouse”, taken from Foley’s Appendix 4 –Race Boat Archaeology:
 “Full House Mouse” was third of three boats Lou Sonny Meyer Jr. owned and raced as “Lou-Kay”, Y-99. The Hallett hull set the first of Sonny’s records in 1950. Then Ralph and Bill De Silva designed and built a hull that was too slow, so in 1954, De Silva built from Kenny Ingram plans, the new record setter “Lou-Kay”. She was to become Foley’s,”Full House Mouse.”
Mickey Remund (“Piranha” driver/mechanic, “Pride of Pay n Pak” unlimited driver) bought “Lou—Kay” in 1956 and raced her as 69-Y, “Full House Mouse”. The boat’s right side was rebuilt after Remund crashed at Seattle’s Green Lake in 1960. The boat was sold to Cecil Oswald around 1961-1962. The late John Lyle became the fourth owner in 1964-1967. Bob Foley bought and raced the “Mouse” from 1967—1979 as Y-116. He tells an exciting story about racing this little rocket in his book. The boat was retired to storage in 1979.
I was curious to learn more about Lou Sonny Meyer Jr.: how he got into boat racing and what he did after “Lou-Kay”. So I phoned him. After briefly talking to him I sent him an e-mail. What follows is his response to my questions as a loosely sequenced letter, written, November 1, 2007. 
I found it fascinating... I hope you do too:
I have lived in Crawfordsville, Indiana since 1995. 
Born November 6, 1930, retired 2 years ago as a race engine supplier and mechanic. My hobby is building and flying radio- controlled model airplanes.
Worked for my father (ed.note: Louis Meyer, 3 time Indy winner) from 1946 to 1965 at Meyer and Drake Engineering, manufacturing the Offenhauser Racing Engine, West Los Angeles. Because of WWII we were the only production racing engine company in the world, producing 1 and 1/2 engines a day.
In 1965 my father, family and I moved to Indianapolis to start Louis Meyer Inc., building double overhead cam V-8s for Ford Motor Company.
Dale Drake got me started in hydroplane racing in 1949. Dale’s son, John, raced A outboard hydros.
My father, not wanting me to drive racecars, purchased a 48 cu.in. hydro from Rich Hallett. Dale Drake reworked an outboard prop with a cutback of 9 degrees to match the shaft angle. We went to Salton Sea and I broke Milford Scull’s straightaway record by 20 miles per hour.
Eddie Meyer, my father’s older brother, campaigned the Avengers, 135 cu.in. hydros. Eddie’s son, Bud, raced the 225 Div.I hydro “Firecracker”. Ted Jones built these boats. Eddie also maintained Robert Stack’s (the movie actor) hydro. Eddie won the Seattle Seafair race in his 135 hydro. 
The Lou-Kay was named after me and my sister Kay, who was the first female to operate the starter of an Indy car at the 500. Her driver was the first female driver, Janet Guthrie, in 1977.
After “Lou-Kay” I ran the {135}“Avenger” through 1957. Then I retired from boat racing.
I sold Louis Meyer Inc. to Patrick Racing in 1980, and then worked for Patrick as Manager of engine and gearbox departments. My son Butch also works for Patrick. He is now Technical Director of race control of the IRL Pro Series.
I left Patrick in 1986, took a years vacation traveling in a motor home and ended-up in Phoenix as engine manager with Granatelli Racing. Since Granatelli, I have worked for Menard Engine Group, and Blueprint Racing in Chicago as engine manager. Also Runyon Racing, building V-8 engines from Suzuki motorcycle parts, for Midget racing.
The auto racing associations keep changing over the years so I’ve been a member of: AAA-USAC-CART-IRL.
My father built engines and racecars in our back yard, six-car garage when he was racing. This is where I grew-up learning to be an engine and racecar builder.
When I lived in California I raced as a member of the SCSC (Southern California Speedboat Club).
Regards,
Louis (Sonny) Meyer
 
 



VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH
photo missing, subscribe to Propeller
Lou “Sonny” Meyer Jr. straps on his helmet as his father, Louis Meyer gives him some words of advice. 
Sonny drove 48 cu.in. hydros named “Lou-Kay” to 1-mile and 5-mile competition records during the 1950s. 
His father was a three winner of the Indy 500, while his uncle, Eddie “Pop” Meyer and cousin, Bud were top competitors in the 135 hydro “Avenger” team.
 

©2007 Bob Silva & Bill John III