Brief History of the National Sweepstakes Regatta
The history of modern racing events on the Navesink River dates back to 1927 when the officials of the Old Red Bank Yacht Club decided that efforts should be made to bring speedboat racing to the shores of the then North Shrewsbury River. In the following year the famous outboard race from the New York Battery to Red Bank was held.
With activities much scarcer in 1927 than now, an estimated 15,000 spectators cheered 23 skippers from Battery Park as they dodged tugs, steam boats, river craft and ocean-going liners, and with their frail craft braved the ocean swells across the lower bay. This race alone drew national attention and put Red Bank on the boating map as the "River Sports Center of the East."
Officials of the American Power Boat Association and other organizations were so pleased with the local landlocked waters and yachting facilities, that the Gold Cup Regatta was held in 1929 and again in 1930. These regattas were so successful that it was decided to hold a major regatta every year, and the National Sweepstakes Regatta was established.
Within a short time the regatta reached such large proportions it was no longer feasible for the Yacht Club to underwrite the huge undertaking, and, as a result, the National Sweepstakes Regatta Association was formed.
When the Regatta was in its full glory, Red Bank, together with the President's Cup and Gold Cup Races, topped all other power boat events in contestant and spectator interest. Gold Cup boats, with their exciting "Rooster Tails," thrilled thousands and thousands of boating fans in regattas on the Navesink River.
Unlimited Gold Cup boats will be absent in the future regattas, due to the fact that this type craft has improved tremendously since 1953. They're much faster and larger nowadays. Due to course facilities and safety measures, they finally had to be omitted from the program.
As far as the National Sweepstakes go and its famous trophy, Guy Lombardo was the big winner. From 1930 to 1953, with the exception of World War II years, the Freeport, Long Island, resident won four times.
Guy's first win was back in 1946 with his Tempo VI. He then went three years before getting the honors again in 1950, and again in 1951. His next trophy win was in the year the regatta faded out with the tide, 1953.
Previous regattas raced fine boats such as EI Lagarto, Betty V, Tope II, Emancipator VIII, Peps V, Alto VI, My Sweetie, and You-All. Many fine drivers were at the wheels, with "Wild Bill" Cantrell being the most famous.
After a seven-year hiatus, the regatta was happily revived in 1960 through the efforts of the Community Chamber of Commerce and the Red Bank Parks and Recreation Department, in cooperation with the American Power Boat Association.
The National Sweepstakes Regatta Association was reorganized in 1961, an outstanding two-day racing program was instituted. The very favorable response to the 1965 race by boat owners, drivers and spectators gives every indication that the National Sweepstakes Regatta is back to stay, and Red Bank is again the "River Sports Center of the East".

THE NATIONAL SWEEPSTAKES TROPHY
The Twenty-Seventh National Sweepstakes Regatta finds this famous trophy ranking with the Gold Cup and the President's Cup as the symbol of American Power Boat Racing.
The 30 inch bronze museum piece was acquired by Commodore Gerald C. Holbrook in 1930 and was then valued at $3,000.00. This trophy depicts a Grecian Marathon Runner delivering the laurel wreath of victory after his twenty-six mile run from the Battle of Marathon, and was executed by the famous French sculptor, Cortot, in 1803.

NATIONAL SWEEPSTAKES REGATTA
The River
The Navesink River is one of the many natural geographical blessings bestowed on Red Bank. Since colonial times, this river has played an important role in the development of Red Bank and surrounding towns. Initially utilized to transport produce and wares to and from metropolitan areas, the development of rail lines and modern highways slowly phased out the use of the Navesink in commerce. With the gradual decline of commercial use, area residents were quick to avail themselves of the river for sailing, fishing and water skiing.
The Race
Red Bank, New Jersey, has traditionally become well-known for two major sporting events, held each year on the beautiful Navesink River. Each winter when ice forms on the river in front of Red Bank's Marine Park, championship ice-boat races are held. National championship races have been conducted since the late 1800's. However, the real action at Red Bank starts during the summer, for in July or early August is held the National Sweepstakes Regatta.
The National Sweepstakes Regatta is an inboard speedboat race, in which champion drivers from throughout the U.S. and Canada race their hydroplanes, Often exceeding the speed of 100 miles per hour. The races take up a week-end, starting at 11 o'clock on Saturday, and again at noontime Sunday. Each size boat competes with others of his class. Elimination heats are held and finally towards the end of each day the "finals" are run off. After the last race on Sunday all speedboat drivers, ,their crews, and hundreds of spectators gather to see the awarding of prizes and prize money to the winners and runners-up. Long before the races, a Beauty Queen is selected from the hundreds of aspiring entrants. When the prizes are awarded, this year's Queen, Kathy Boyle, will present the National Sweepstakes Trophy to the overall winner.
This year the National Sweepstakes Regatta will be held on the 23rd 3nd 24th of July. It is expected that a record number of yachts comprising the spectator fleet will enjoy the races this year, and invitations have been sent to major yacht clubs along the northeast. Each year, a prize is awarded to the yacht club with the largest number of craft present flying the club burgee.
For those not fortunate enough to view the races from their own yachts, grandstands have been erected throughout Marine Park. These grandstands are free of charge, and spectators. on a first-come, first-served basis, begin to arrive early Saturday morning carrying binoculars, cameras and cushions. Thousands of spectators crowd the lawns of the private homes along the shore.
This year the United States Coast Guard will station a large patrol craft at the entrance to the Red Bank Bay. This craft, in the interest of safety, will regulate speed of incoming yachts and act as a communications center for the many Coast Guard auxiliary craft patrolling the race course. The New Jersey Marine Police will patrol the course, working along with the Coast Guard. A speed limit of 5 knots and low wake has been set in the harbor for the entire week-end for all other than racing craft registered as entrants in the races. The New Jersey Marine Police will patrol the area both during the races and after the completion of Saturday's and Sunday's races. The mammoth task of traffic flow and control will once again this year fall to the very capable Red Bank Police Department, through whose outstanding operation finds a smooth movement of traffic in spite of the large number of participants and spectators. The Red Bank First Aid Rescue Team will be on hand with a fast patrol craft and underwater rescue equipment. Fire trucks and fire fighting equipment will be located in Marine Park.
The National Sweepstakes Regatta Committee has worked long and hard to provide what traditionally has been one of the Jersey Shore's outstanding sports events of the year.
The Committee extends to you a most cordial invitation to visit Red Bank and enjoy the races.

$5.00 CONTRIBUTIONS
DICK SOOY     CHERI PETTI    BILL FRITZ     STEVE PETTI

$10.00 CONTRIBUTION
JOE MAY BROWN-A winner in the Ski Class at Red Bank, 1965

44 CU. IN. HYDRO
T -3 HALF 'N' HALF ART LUKENS Oreland, Pa.
T -11 JODY ANNA LOUIS DARR Manchester, Pa. 
T-32 DA-RO-BE BOB OVERDORF Montgomery, Pa. 
T-111 TILLMAN MOHR York, Pa.
T-5 DEFENDER JAMES CAMPBELL North East, Md. 
MR. PAC LLOYD GINGERICH Mt. Wolf, Pa.
1965 Nationa! Champion -James Carpenter
1965 High Point Winner-Bob Overdorf
1965 Eastern Division Champion-Bob Overdorf
Minimum Length-9'. The power plant to be one Crosley -Aerojet or Fagedl 4-cylinder, 44 cu. in. engine. 
Fuel is restricted to gasoline only.
 

48 CU. IN. HYDRO
Y-127 LAST BLAST SKIP GILLAM Oceanport, N.J.
Y-1 KAT-N- NAN PAUL BAUER Cincinnati, O.
Y.16 KAT-N-NAN ANNE DUCHELE Ft. Thomas, Ky.
Y-106 WANDERER KEN HOPWOOD Eatontown, N.J.
Y-70 BETTY GAL V DICK LOEB Norfolk, Va.
Y-41 BAD NEWS LOUIS DARR Manchester, Po. 
Y-5 FUGATIVE STEVE PETTI Ventnor City, N.J. 
Y-47 FAT CAT BILL MOORE Norristown. Po.
Y-43 HIGH UP KEEP ED PERRY Norwich, Conn.
1965 National Champion-S.E. Jones, Miami Beach, Fla.
1965 High Point Winner-Paul Baver, Cincinnati, O.
1965 Eastern Division Champion-Paul Baver, Cincinnati, O.
Minimum Length-9'. Maximum Displacement-48 cu. in. 
Fuels are restricted to methanol only for 4.cycle engines, and gasoline for 2.cycle engines.
 

145 CU. IN. HYDRO
S-07 BLUE CHIPS JACK SWEENEY Rumson, N.J. 
S-999 HORNET, II JACK POWELL, JR. Little Silver, N.J. 
S-94 HI Q BOB MOORE Little Silver, N.J.
S-144 ALILOU TOO KIP MITCHELL Fair Haven, N.J.
S-3 THUNDERHAWK FRANK HAWK Red Bank, N.J. 
S-15 HOT STUFF DICK DELLATORRE Linden, N.J.
S-79 PETTI'S PET CHERI PETTY Ventnor City, N.J.
1965 National Champion-Charles Fyffe, Dayton, O.
1965 High Point Winner-George Cusick, Cambridge, Md.
1965 Eastern Divisional Champion-George Cusick, Cambridge, Md.
Minimum Length-13'6". Stock automobile motor of not more than 145 cu. in. displacement. 
No motor built outside the U.S.A. is eligible. Fuel is restricted to gasoline.
 

150 CU. IN. HYDRO
A-120 WOODY'S JR. SPL. WOODY PLIESCOTT Cambridge, Md.
A. MARC TOO SKIP HERBERG Eatontown, N.J. 
A-l06 BABY JUNE BILL BLOC Northfield, N.J. 
A-6 BOB-A-LOU LOUIS SNYDER North East, Md.
A. ROWDY PAUL FLOHN E. Orange, N.J.
A. OKIE-DOKE ERIC DENDER Atlan.Hghlds., N.J.
1965 National Champion-Rudolph Gurley, Newport News, Va.
1965 High Point Winner-Woody Pliescott, Cambridge, Md.
1965 Eastern Divisional Champion-Woody Pliescott, Cambridge, Md.
Minimum Length-13'6". Fuel restricted to methanol only. Cost of complete power plant not to exceed $1,000. 
Maximum displacement is 150 cu. in. on marine motors and 136 cu. in. on converted automobile engines.
 

266 CU. IN. HYDRO
F-999 MISS WASH. D.C. MIKE THOMAS Harvey Cedars, N.J. 
F-888 JADE DRAGON GENE BRAMBLET Miami, Fla.
F-56 FRISKY TOO BOB MARSH Annapolis, Md.
F-47 WEE TOMMY TUCKER ED ALEKSANDROWIEZ Pasadena, Md.
F-247 WA WA TOO SKEETER JOHNSON Cambridge, Md.
F POKEY HARRISON BOGGS Keyport, N.J.
1965 National Champion-Skeeter Johnson, Cambridge, Md. 
1965 High Point Winner-Mike Thomas, Harvey Cedars, N.J. 
1965 Eastern Divisional Champion-Skeeter Johnson
Minimum Length-16'. Fuel restricted to methanol only. No supercharge allowed. Double overhead cam engines are specifically barred. Cost of power plant installed shall not exceed $1,250.
 

280 CU. IN. HYDRO
E-888 MISS NEW JERSEY PERRY WALTER Rumson, N.J.
E-103 VAGABOND WALTER STRVIEK Norristown, N.J.
E-180 MACH SCHNAEL AL HARJES Toms River, N.J. 
E-143 CHARGE IT TOO DICK NEWELL Hamilton Sq. N.J. 
E-20 WILDCAT ANDY LEMESHOWSKY Fairfax, Va.
E-60 LIL TINKER HANS HARTMAN Plainfield, N.J.
E -120 STING RAY MIKE TOURINGAN Brigantine, N.J. 
E.161 SNOOPY CHRIS OLIVER Annapolis, Md.
1965 National Champion-Walter Struzek, Norristown, N.J.
1965 High Point Winner-Charles Dunn, Miami, Fla.
1965 Eastern Divisional Champion-Walter Struzek
Minimum Length-16' and must be powered by a stock engine. 
No alterations may be made to the internal parts of these engines. Fuel must be gasoline with no additives. 
The motor shall be manufactured in the U.S.A. and have no more than 280 cu. in. displacement.
 

7 Litre HYDRO
H-450 DOUBLE EAGLE DICK SOOY Northfield, NJ
H-1 MISS CRAZY THING BILL STERETT Owensboro, KY
1965 National Champion-Bill Sterett, Owensboro, Ky
1965 High Point Winner-Bill Sterett, Owensboro, Ky
1965 Eastern Division Champion-Bill Sterett, Owensboro, Ky
Minimum Length - 16', and must be powered by a stock automobile motor not exceeding 427 cu. in. displacement.
 

SKI RACING RUNABOUTS
SK-171 NO SMOKE BOB LETWENSKI Union Beach, N.J. 
SK-47 DAS FIRESCHPITTINLOUDINBOMMER AGAIN JOE MAYBROWN Long Beach, N.Y.
SK-1 CAROL LYNN CARL GROSSMANN Springfield, N.J.
SK    JACK KIELY Long Branch, N.J.
1965 National Champion-William Dunsmore, Lomita, Cal.
1965 High Point Winner-Carl Grossman, Springfield, N.J.
1965 Eastern Divisional Champion-J. D. Hunt, Jr, Columbia, S.C.
Minimum Length-16'; Minimum Beam-6'3". Minimum weight without fuel or crew, 1,500 Ibs. 
Total maximum displacement of engine is 400 cu. in. fuel must be regular or premium gasoline.
 

JERSEY SPEED SKIFF
JS-4 PURE TOO CHRIS ZIEGLER Long Branch, N.J. 
JS-00 ORANGE CRATE FRED ZBRAMAK Linden, N.J.
JS-88 KISS ME AGAIN PERRY WALTER Rumson, N.J.
JS-68 SO SLO RON ZUBACK Morgan, N.J.
JS-2 MISS RENE GEORGE ZEBOLT Little Silver, N.J. 
JS-12 WILDCAT BILL DARBY Sea Bright, N.J.
JS-11 BY GEORGE JERRY PRIMAUERA W.L. Branch, N.J.
1965 National Champion-Fred Zbramak, linden, N.J.
1965 High Point Winner-Bob Perri, Oceanport, N.J.
1965 Eastern Divisional Champion-Bob Perri, Oceanport, N.J.
Minimum Length-16'; Minimum Beam-6'; Depth of Hull, inside-2'6"; weight without crew-1,600 Ibs. 
The engines must be strictly stock with a maximum of 300 cu. in. displacement. 
Fuel must be regular or premium with no additives.
 

Thanks to Bob Moore for providing this race program!