BOATS UNDER RESTORATION:
The stories of the brave men and the boats
they drove, while trying to set a World’s Water Speed Record, are gripping
sagas. This includes the former 276 mph world water speed record holding
“Bluebird”, K7 jet powered boat. Driven by British daredevil sportsman
Donald Campbell, the 26.4 foot “Bluebird” was destroyed in a 320 mph blow
over on England’s Lake Coniston on January 4, 1967. The crushed and twisted
alloy hull rested on the lake’s bottom for 34 years. She was finally recovered
in 2001, following four years of diving and surveying, and is now under
going restoration. Present world water speed record holder (at 317.596
mph), Australia’s Ken Warby, will pilot the “Bluebird” in a demonstration
run, before the boat is placed on display in a museum. You can read the
fascinating story of “Bluebird’s” history, dedicated recovery and painstaking
restoration process as told by team leader and press officer, Bill Smith.
Online at: www.bluebirdproject.com
NOTES:
Bill DeGlopper sends a thank you to the vintage/historic
members for the cards and kind words following the passing of his wife
Nancy, July 5, 2008. At the Detroit Gold Cup, the 2008 Vintage season was
dedicated to Nancy DeGlopper’s honor and has meant a lot to the DeGlopper
family.
Paul “Kiwi” Russell wrote to say that he has
been having a lot of fun since joining APBA’s Vintage/Historic. Paul
recently acquired a Lauterbach copy that was built in New Zealand in 1981
and ran successfully in the 2 Litre Stock class at “Down Under” events,
until 2006. After getting the hull to Vancouver, British Columbia, Paul
renamed the conventional, "First Mate" and went to work correcting the
rudder, worn strut bearings and trying to find a suitable propeller. At
a 2007 Chelan, WA. event he met Californian Scott Schatz of S&S Performance
and Marine who was racing a Crackerbox and vying for APBA High Points.
Schatz later sent him plans to frame up a new improved rudder and strut
bushings, along with 3 props to try out. Paul was able to make a stainless
steel copy of one of the loaned props and it worked perfectly on his hydro.
Noted Paul, “This was truly unselfish of Scott, given the busy schedule
he runs. I am truly thankful.”
Following their first trip to witness the Detroit
Gold Cup, Australia’s Graham and Kerry Coddington would like to thank Kevin
Klosterman and his crew, Jim Dernoncourt, Dan and Debbie Joseph and their
family, and all the Vintage Unlimited drivers they met and chatted with.
Their help, generosity and friendliness made them feel very welcome during
their visit. “It was terrific to meet such drivers as George "Buddy" Byers,
Ron Snyder, and Howie Benns, and to chat by phone with Larry Lauterbach.
We had a great time and witnessed some good racing and Vintage flybys,”
noted Graham.
VINTAGE TRIVIA:
Propeller Swap Shop Ads from July 1973.
For Sale – SK 52, “Roughneck”,
Wood Patterson, 4 years old, excellent cond. Will deliver anywhere in the
U.S.A. $5,800 without engine or $7,800 with a fresh 400 cu. in. destroked
Bubby Wilson Chev. Call B. Wasserburger in Calif.
For Sale – 7-Litre Hydro “Miss Heavy Hauler”
’68 High Point Champ, ’71 and ’72 National Champ, ’71 and ’72 World Champ,
fresh engine, all hardware, trailer, everything goes for $8,000, ready
to run. Call Lenny Ryden, Northbrook, Ill.
EVENTS:
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
BOB SILVA’S WEST COAST REPORT:
The California Speedboat Association held its
Second Annual APBA V/H event at Lakeport, CA. on June 21st. Twenty-five
boats registered for static display with five running flybys on the Clear
Lake course. Boat owners and spectators alike were still reeling from the
recent spike in gasoline prices, which may account for the drop in boat
and crowd attendance from last year’s inaugural event. On the plus side,
there were fourteen new entries and CSA added 10 new members to their club.
Thanks to all the participants, volunteers and officials that helped put
on the Lakeport regatta, making this the only APBA Vintage and Historic
sanctioned event in California.
VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH
Paul "Kiwi" Russell drives his New Zealand
built bright yellow, 2 Litre vintage hydro, “First Mate” on Lake Sammamish
at the Region 10 “Tastin & Racin” event. Since running his hydro for the first time
in 2007, Paul has participated in three APBA V/H 2008 events.
“It is so interesting meeting many of the old
racers that talk of their early days. I hope one year to make it to one
of the larger East Coast vintage events.”
Graham, Kerry and Molly Coddington at home
in Australia with their beautiful vintage GP-17, "Midnight Miss" (the original
"Scorpio" Lauterbach).Graham drives the Grand Prix hydro while wife
Kerry helps crew. Their little Maltese dog, Molly, loves to greet
people at the race meets, wearing her own team race shirt and ear muffs
for blocking out the engine sounds.
©2007 Bob Silva & Bill John III |
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