January/February 2018 Propeller Magazine

VOLUME 72, ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

APBA.ORG • USA: $5.00

ENDING AN ERA 31 Years of Powerboat Superleague

MAHOGANY & MERLOT Chelan’s Perfect Vintage

CRACKER BOX BATTLES

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free stuff for clubs!

Composites

F1-SST45 boats.

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Several categories offer promotional materials to help grab attention for your races, and they are free!

The Stock Outboard Racing Commission: 300SSH cards, storefront posters, decals, category brochures.

Email stockoutboard@apba.org or contact your local Stock Outboard commissioner.

The Inboard Racing Commission: Banners and annual schedule posters are available to clubs.

Email inboardracing@apba.org or contact your local Inboard commissioner.

Modified Outboard brochures are available from Jeff Williams at mjracing@windstream.net.

IN THIS ISSUE 17640 East Nine Mile Road, Eastpointe MI 48021-2563 PHONE: 586.773.9700 WEB: apba.org EMAIL: apbahq@apba.org twitter.com/APBARacing facebook.com/APBARacing ACCOUNTING MEMBERSHIP SANCTIONS/ HIGH POINTS PROPELLER EDITOR

Linda Likert Sabrina Haudek Cindy Minoletti Tana Moore

llikert@apba.org shaudek@apba.org cminoletti@apba.org tmoore@apba.org

2018 APBA OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT NATIONAL COMMISSIONER TREASURER SECRETARY EX-OFFICIO LEGAL COUNSEL

REGION REP CATEGORY REP

Howie Nichols Chris Fairchild Charles Strang Steve Compton Mary Williams Mark Wheeler Steven Hearn Jean Mackay-Schwartz John Runne Fred Hauenstein Mark Tate Jerry Davids Kyle Bahl Adam Allen Rick Sandstrom Jeff Brewster

president@apba.org VP@apba.org NC@apba.org treasurer@apba.org secretary@apba.org mark.wheeler@wmich.edu legal@apba.org jean84c@earthlink.net j.runne@hotmail.com fhauenstein@new.rr.com mtate@suncoating.com racer3d62n@hotmail.com racerkyle@hotmail.com azallen@hotmail.com info@propshopltd.com jeff_brewster59s@yahoo.com

COUNCIL-AT-LARGE: Penny Anderson, Jeffrey Conant, Richard Fuchslin, Patrick Gleason, Sheri Greaves, Alex Jennings III, Jack Meyer, Steve Noury, Jan Shaw, Rachel Warnock, Bob Wartinger, Matt Yarno

2018 RACING CATEGORY CHAIRMEN Inboard Modified OPC PRO Stock

Dutch Squires Tom Sutherland James Chambers Jr. Kristi Ellison Jeff Brewster

inboardracing@apba.org modifiedoutboard@apba.org jchambe1@tampabay.rr.com prooutboard@apba.org stockoutboard@apba.org

2018 COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Inboard Endurance Ted Kolby Junior Classes Jeff Williams, Mark Wheeler Offshore Mark Wheeler Outboard Drag Chris Fairchild Special Event and Thundercat Robin Shane Vintage and Historic John Krebs H1 Unlimited (interim) Charlie Grooms

ted@tedkolby.com junior@apba.org offshore@apba.org chris@fairchildracing.com robin.shane@verizon.net krebs233@yahoo.com cgrooms@cliftyengineering.com

2018 REGION CHAIRMEN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16

Dave Jones Scott Reed Ann Marie Shaw Richard Shaw Jeff Titus Eli Whitney Kris Shepard Aaron Wachholz Denver Ray Mut Rick Sandstrom Julian Rucki Roger Carr Buddy Tennell Carleton Callahan Justin Squires

dmj-dmj-32-d@att.net reed28n@gmail.com instpov@yahoo.com shawracingt2@yahoo.com jstitus2@embarqmail.com donaldeli.whitney@sbcglobal.net racershep46@att.net xtremeh2@gmail.com denvermut@hotmail.com info@propshopltd.com renegadep28@aol.com rcinr12@aol.com btennell@bellsouth.net carletoncallahan@yahoo.com novakid@yahoo.com

From the Top As We Head for Chicago... 2 Race Calendar 3 In Brief Remember When... 4 APBA Scorers, Thank You! 5 The Big Picture Fred Hauenstein Jr. is UIM Senior Vice President 6 The Brits Could Be Coming Powerboat P1 Offshore 8 Hidden Figures That Made Hampton Cup Regatta a Success 10 Ending an Era 31 Years of Powerboat Superleague Racing 12 Cracker Box Battles Brotherly Love Has Its Limits 14 Quake at the Quarry East Bay Boat Club Takes the Cake! 16 Mahogany & Merlot Chelan Serves Perfect Vintage 18 Inboard Nationals- West Gleason Racing Photography 20 Category Corner Junior Classes 22 Modified Outboard 23 Outboard Performance Craft 24 Stock Outboard 25 Race in Peace 26 Region Roundup 1, 5, 6, 10 28 Seafair Snapshot 32 ON THE COVER: Back where it all began in New Martinsville, West Virginia...

SST 120 drivers Dean Durand, #69 of North Augusta, South Carolina, and Jeff Reno, #34 of Okeechobee, Florida, battle on the Ohio River in the final race of the Powerboat Superleague series. F. Peirce Williams photo

PROPELLER© welcomes unsolicited articles and photos. Views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publication and do not represent official APBA policy. Advertising herein cannot be construed as an endorsement

by APBA or its members. PROPELLER (ISSN 0194-6218) (USPS 0047-800) is published six times yearly for $35.00 (U.S.) $55.00 (foreign) by APBA, 17640 E. Nine Mile Road, Eastpointe, MI 48021-2563 Periodical postage paid at Eastpointe, MI, and additional mailing office. Postmaster: send addresses to APBA, 17640 E. Nine Mile Road, Eastpointe, MI 48021-2563.

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FROM THE TOP

BY HOWIE NICHOLS, APBA PRESIDENT

As We Head for Chicago

APBA President Howie Nichols with dad Pete and daughter Becky at Hinton, West Virginia.

We are now well into the New Year. I truly hope everyone had a great holiday season with family and friends. As I write this, we are busy wrapping up details for the National Meeting. The awards presentations, commission meetings, banquets, and seminars require a lot of time and attention. I am grateful for the experienced hands who make this event work.

seminars to inspire and educate new drivers, old drivers, officials, and every APBA member. Sherron Winer and Jean Mackay-Schwartz now lead the Promotional and Marketing Committee, and will continue to help clubs promote their events, learn how to garner sponsors, and think outside the box.

These seminars aim to enhance not only your own racing program, but your event as well.

Many thanks to Annual Committee Chair Sheryl Rucker, who is our liaison with the hotel and so much more. Sheryl has a VERY long To-Do List.

When you arrive at your meeting room and find it set up with everything you need, or enjoy a delicious banquet, that’s because Sheryl and the hotel staff did their job well.

I have certainly been part of Annual Meeting planning before, but this is my first time as your President. That extra responsibility gives me more to think about as we work and socialize together.

Every meeting has one ultimate goal: to grow our sport. The payoff from all our planning will be a strong 2018 racing season, new members, and active, enthusiastic participation in APBA at all levels.

Ryan Berlin, former APBA Director of Operations, stepped in when we asked him to help with the Hall of Champions. In no time he had lined up a video team and gotten the ball rolling. Ann Fitzgerald again supplied the handsome jackets given to the inductees. Tana Moore coordinated with Ryan to ensure a fantastic event and video presentation was ready for all to enjoy.

Thanks also to Penny Anderson, Tracy Trolian, Linda Hauenstein, Tana Moore, Jeff and Mary Williams, and Chris Fairchild for all the planning and prep work. Cindy Minoletti, Sabrina Haudek and Linda Likert at Headquarters handle banquet reservations, tickets and printed schedules, and all the usual last-minute questions and requests.

The typical Annual Meeting format changed this year, with seminars being added into the mix to give attendees more of a Convention feeling.

In 2017 John Runne presented ideas on how to improve the marketing of APBA. He now chairs the Steering/Member Retention Committee. With help from John and many others, we have launched

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Many changes will have been made by the Board of Directors, commissions, and committees. Keep in mind these decisions are made with the goal of helping you, the racers; a lot of insight and experience goes into each decision. Before you begin social media rants, take the time to research and understand each change. Many factors come into play that you may not realize. Every action is taken with the thought, “How do I improve APBA?” Give your elected officials a break. They spend a lot of their own time and money to look at these items so that each of us can reap the benefits on and off the race course.

I hope all of you enjoyed your time in Chicago and made the most of the National Meeting. The various committees worked hard to give you a fresh, fun and challenging few days.

Keep in touch; let me know your thoughts and concerns. See you at the races.

RACE CALENDAR REGION 1 7/13-15 Thompson CT - PRO-MOD-SO-J CLSES

REGION 3 6/16-17 West Milford NJ – INB 9/15-16 Landing NJ – INB

REGION 4 1/26

Washington NC – SE

REGION 5 2/3 3/3-4 4/5-8

Palmetto FL - OPC Lakeland FL – INB-SO-OPC-J CLSES Jessup GA – PRO-MOD-SO-J CLSES

REGION 6 8/10/12 Springfield OH – VINTAGE-OPC 8/25-26/17 Dayton OH - INB-MOD-SO-J CLSES

Steve Walde #560 of Discovery Bay, California driving Sport C at Spanaway, Washington.

Gleason Racing Photography

REGION 7 6/22-24 Rock Falls IL - PRO-MOD-SO-J CLSES 8/31-9/2 Evansville IN – INB 9/15-16 Beloit WI - PRO-MOD-SO-J CLSES 9/22-23 Madison IN - VINTAGE

REGION 9 8/30-9/1 Shreveport LA – OPC

REGION 10 7/15-22 Moses Lake WA - MOD-SO-J CLSES NATIONALS all 3 categories

REGION 11 4/21-22 Oroville CA – SE-INB-IE-OS-PRO-MOD-SO-OPC-JCLSES 5/19-20 Oroville CA – VINTAGE-INB-PRO-MOD-SO-OPC-J CLSES 7/28-29 Nicolaus CA - VINTAGE-INB-PRO-MOD-SO-OPC-J CLSES 9/22-23 Nicolaus CA - VINTAGE-INB-PRO-MOD-SO-OPC-J CLSES

REGION 14 6/15-17 Nashville TN – OPC 6/22-24 Guntersville AL - INB-SO-UNL

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IN BRIEF...

THANK YOU, JOHN! At left are some of the fine-looking certificate folders donated to APBA by John Peeters (Penway Media).

Thanks very much, John. These will keep record and award certificates secure and spotless.

THUNDERKITTENS? DRAG RACERS! As the boring winter season is upon us, above is a fabulous vision from the Tabor City Fall Halloween race. The Drag Queen competition raised several hundred dollars for the J Scholarship foundation (and a few eyebrows). The lovelies left to right: Jerry Davids, George Luce, Matt D’Agostino, Noah Romberg, Joel Kiddy, Tommy Schlarb and Brian Palmquist. Photo courtesy of Matt D’Agostino

Deanna Yacko wrote that a couple of the Thundercat racing families are expecting babies. Scott Falzon boat #69 and his wife Lauren Falzon are expecting their first child June 7, 2018. Also, Jayson (Co-driver #7) and Stephanie Greene (co-driver #17) and their 2-year-old son Ean will be welcoming identical twins June 2nd. We happily anticipate the arrival of new Thundercat babies.

REMEMBER WHEN...

Detroit Gold Cup 1995: Jerry Hopp, driver of the Miss APBA sponsored boat.

Qualifying speed 138.851 Paul Kemiel photos

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APBA SCORERS, THANK YOU! A Few Suggestions from HQ APBA scorers, you are the heroes at every event. Working all weekend in all weather, you register the entries and record the racing for High Points and the record books. Once the race is done, you go home, catch up on rest, and pack up the results to send to APBA Headquarters. You do important work, and you are appreciated. Thank you.

As you work, here are a few things that can make the paper trail smoother.

THE SANCTION: Everyone listed on an APBA sanction MUST be an APBA member. So, if you are the Chief Scorer, your name should be on the sanction and you should be a member. Your helpers, God bless them, do not have to be members, and their names do NOT go on the sanction. Applaud them at the drivers meeting or the banquet, but do not add their names to the sanction.

THE JOB: The Chief Scorer is in charge of registration and scoring. She is responsible for reviewing and submitting all summary sheets, scorers/timers data sheets, original entry blanks, any computer-generated items, release waivers, minor releases, money, and any other registration forms to APBA. AT THE RACE SITE: There is a program available you can use to check to see if a racer is a current member, which category they are registered in, plus physical/capsule training expiration dates:

www.apba.org/scorers/list.php Username: scorer1 Password: APBAscore1! (case sensitive).

Use this link to help you collect the correct membership dues, single event or crossover fees.

PHYSICALS AND CAPSULE TRAINING: Ideally, racers should send their physicals and capsule training forms to APBA with their membership.

This way their card will show an expiration date, and indicate that they have fulfilled those requirements.

If their capsule training and physical expiration dates are not on their card, the above link will confirm what is on file at HQ. This will save you time; you won’t have to ask for and check their paper copies.

If a racer brings a current physical and/or capsule training form to the race, ask him if he wants to pay $10 for an updated membership card. Let him know this is the BEST, most efficient way for a racer to register throughout the season. It saves everyone time.

IF THE RACER WANTS A NEW CARD- use the additional registration form and attach the paperwork to the copy you return to APBA with your paperwork.

IF HE DOES NOT WANT A NEW CARD- hand back his paperwork and move

on. Unless you want a copy for your own records, please do not attach a copy to his entry blank to send in with the results. Some racers would rather bring physical and capsule training forms to every race than pay for a new card. HQ does not need those forms with your results; we take your word for it that the racer is qualified. So please check the forms, but do not send them in unless the racer is paying for a new card.

SENDING IN THE PAPERWORK: All Minor Releases should be together, and all Adult Releases should be together. Do not staple them to other forms. These releases are filed separate from the results, and kept on file for 7 years at Headquarters.

THE ORDER: There are three different forms for each class that runs at a race: Summary Sheet, Scorers and Timers Data, and Entry Blank. Please keep these 3 forms together by class—NOT by form.

For example, the summary sheet for 200MR, then the Scorers and Timers Data sheet for 200MR, then the entry blanks for 200MR. Next is the summary sheet for 750MR, then the Scorers and Timers Data sheet for 750MR, then the entry blanks for 750MR. You would do this for each class. After the paperwork has been thus grouped by class, it should be put in order by computer number. The computer number for 200MR is 05310, so it would come before the 750MR class (number 05360). The results are entered in the High Points program in computer number order.

When going through the results, when there is a question, it is much easier to look behind a summary sheet than to have to dig through a pile of Scorers and Timers sheets or entry blanks. If you want to go a step further, the entry blanks should be in the same order as they are on the summary sheet. This also helps when there are phone calls questioning results.

Please use a paper clip per class to keep paperwork together instead of staples.

Removing staples is time consuming.

The Scorers Handbook is a very useful tool. If you can’t access the website at your event, print it out and take it with you. Your answers to a dilemma will be at your fingertips—you won’t have to guess how to handle a situation.

Thank you, scorers, for all you do. If you can add the above to your work habits, you will help make the paper trail from the race site to APBA Headquarters a smooth one.

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Becoming Senior Vice President of UIM

PICTURE

THE BIG

BY FRED HAUENSTEIN, JR.

1978: Fred Hauenstein, Jr. was the Johnson Factory Team driver.

My involvement in the management/politics of APBA and UIM started when I was a member of the OPC Technical Committee in 1976, working on engine technical rules and inspection procedures as an engineer at OMC (Johnson/ Evinrude outboards).

I first attended a UIM annual meeting in 1979. In 1980 I was elected to the UIM’s International Technical Commission, where I served for several years.

During the four years I served as APBA President, I was a UIM Administrator by the original (ancient?) agreement whereby APBA gave up some international governance and joined the UIM. This privilege is unique among UIM member nations.

In 1995 I moved to the UIM International Sports Commission [COMINSPORT] and was elected to chair that group, a position I still hold (probably because no one else wants to do that much work). The heads of UIM Commissions are called Presidents in an effort to reward them instead of any other benefits.

The UIM COMINSPORT is the body in charge of the international sport rules and administration. It studies the rules and proposes changes, administers

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the international race calendar, allocates the titled (World and Continental Championship) races to the various nations, and manages the World Records.

Each year we receive countless rule change proposals from around the world.

COMINSPORT must go through each one to decide if it is needed, correct, and/or written in understandable wording before they go to the Council for acceptance or rejection. We also manage the international calendar to prevent date or class conflicts. One added assignment I have is to check every world speed and endurance record application for accuracy and compliance with the UIM record rules before they are confirmed.

In addition, I chair the UIM Formula One Committee, the UIM management committee of the F-1 World Championship Series, where rules and activities are discussed and acted on.

As “President” of COMINSPORT I again sat on the UIM equivalent of a board of directors, the UIM Council. In 2010 I was elected an administrator of the UIM, opening the door to higher offices; and this year I was elected Senior Vice President, an office second only to the President of the UIM. As Senior VP I am also a member of the Executive Committee (ExCo), which assists the President

Fred at work in UIM, Abu Dhabi 2011.

Vahur Joala photo At right, the official appointment letter from UIM.

in the day-to-day management of the UIM for issues handled between Council or General Assembly meetings.

The UIM is the body that sanctions and certifies World Championships and World Records. Through UIM rules and procedures, one can be confident that World Records are established or broken under very accurate circumstances. These records are recognized worldwide. The same is true of World Championships— they are recognized, accepted and honored worldwide. UIM rules are fair, and title races are overseen by independent UIM Commissioners in addition to the officials of the races’ host nations.

The UIM is made up of National Authorities—over 60 nations are members. These are associations within their countries that sanction their own boat racing. Each country is only allowed one National Authority (NA) of the UIM (APBA is the NA for the USA).

Each year the UIM organizes the General Assembly, or annual meeting, of all the member nations’ representatives. This week-long

series of meetings works on all the previous year’s competition and new rules proposals, etc. The week culminates in the Council meeting, where votes are taken on new rules; and the General Assembly meeting, where elections and bylaw changes are voted on by all the attending NA representatives.

It’s a lot of work, of course, but following retirement from Mercury Racing after 30 years, it has kept me on my toes and busy for hours each day. There are perks: I occasionally travel to far-flung destinations for meetings and regattas, meeting racers and fans from around the world. Each year the UIM also organizes a spectacular Awards Gala in Monaco, where the past year’s World Champions are celebrated. It’s eye-opening to see the many nationalities represented; we are all different, but we are united by a passion for powerboat racing. It has been a privilege to share the responsibility of governing our sport, both in APBA and in UIM. Becoming UIM Senior Vice President is just another way to serve the sport we all love.

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Powerboat P1’s new chief executive has recently returned to Orlando from a business trip to the UK, and he has an important message for P1 SuperStock racers in the United States: British powerboat teams could be planning an invasion in 2018.

Azam Rangoonwala is busy finalising plans for what will be his first full season as the boss of P1, the world’s leading marine motorsport brand that promotes powerboat and jet ski racing on three continents. Azam’s father, Asif, founded the business 15 years ago. As its chairman he has built a

THE BRITS

to July. “Partnerships are at the heart of our P1 business,” says Azam, “and our alliance with our racers, fans, venues and sponsors is testimony to the growth and stature of the P1 SuperStock series.”

P1 understands that the key to a great event is building long-term relationships with host venues to achieve business goals and to deliver results for its sponsors. Media and television broadcast relationships play a vital role in building P1’s national and international presence and in delivering exposure for race venues and commercial partners. P1’s free-to-

could be

COMING

Says Powerboat P1 Chief Executive

BY ROY MANTLE | POWERBOAT P1 HEAD OF PR company that has been responsible for staging more than 500 powerboat races in that time and achieving television coverage in more than 150 countries. With P1 SuperStock racing in the UK being put on hold this year, a number of the top race crews there are casting an eye across the Atlantic with a view to mounting a challenge for the USA title.

Leading the possible British invasion could be the current World and UK champions, Sam and Daisy Coleman from Wales. The brother and sister pairing have become a real force in SuperStock racing, as they proved in the World Championship in India last March. Azam hopes that they will secure the necessary backing to compete in Florida this year. “Having secured two SuperStock titles in 2017, I know that Sam and Daisy would love to add the USA championship crown to their growing collection; and they certainly have what it takes,” commented Azam.

This will be the eighth season of P1 SuperStock one-design, single-engine racing in the United States. Mercury Racing will again be the presenting sponsor of the five-venue national championship that will run from April

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watch Grand Prix of the Sea events are designed to excite and entertain, ensuring spectator enjoyment and sponsor value with a significant impact for the local economy.

“As we own the commercial, marketing and media rights to our race series, we can be flexible in the way we create and develop business partnerships,” explains Azam “and our aim is to build long-term relationships that can change over time to meet new needs and objectives on both sides.”

Companies and brands like Geico and Visit St. Pete brand a P1 Panther race boat to generate awareness and create a platform for leverage activity, whilst P1 partners with Experience Kissimmee to mount joint PR programmes.

The coming season will see the P1 fleet return to popular venues around the Florida coast, but there’s also a new name on the race calendar that marks a big step for the SuperStock championship. The iconic Miami Marine Stadium, built in 1963 just south of the city, will host the opening race weekend in April before P1 moves to what is effectively its hometown venue in Kissimmee, where the event will feature a barbecue and beer festival. The P1 Grand Prix is just one example of Kissimmee’s diverse sporting industry that directly impacts local economic development.

For the fifth consecutive year Jacksonville will welcome the SuperStock teams in early June for the St. Johns River Grand Prix, and St. Pete Beach will host its second P1 event later that month.

For the season finale the series moves to southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast at the end of June. The 34th Annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival will once again attract tens of thousands of spectators to enjoy the outstanding racing and carnival atmosphere. Azam describes Sarasota as “the big one” and, if the final round of last year’s championship is anything to go by, it could well produce a tense and dramatic end to the 2018 championship battle.

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Throughout the weekend, race fans watched boats reach speeds up to 150 MPH.

HIDDEN FIGURES

That Made the Hampton Cup Regatta a Huge Success

BY LEONARD BANKS Hampton, Virginia continues to be a magnet for some of the best Inboard racers in the country. Behind the 42 boats running the 92nd Hampton Cup Regatta at Fort Monroe were hidden figures who tirelessly planned and worked to make the event a success. On September 23-24, 2017, race fans were treated to the best seats at the oldest continuously run motorsports event in America. The Mercury Bridge provides the largest viewing area for hydroplane racing on the East Coast. And, the Regatta continues to be free.

On Fort Monroe’s Mill Creek, hydroplanes, Jersey Skiffs, and flatbottom boats cruised through the waves at speeds topping 150 MPH. Ashore, fancifully dressed pirates mingled with screaming fans to enjoy music by Drew Ballantyne and Zen Mojo, an antique car show, and wonderful food and drink.

Hampton Cup Regatta Vice Chairman Kraig Cole and 200 volunteers, including Race Director Lisa Adkins, Referee/Risk Manager Don Melillo, Assistant Referee David Shaw, Inspector Tom Pakradooni, Pit Manager James Shepherd, Scorer Ann Marie Shaw and Assistant Risk Manager Kent Powell made it happen.

Alongside committee members, volunteers work through previous weekends to cover every detail. Their work is visible from the pit area to the VIP section.

The focus is on giving 25,000 fans the best two-day boat race of their lives.

“They are doing everything from helping us set up the equipment, tables and chairs, railing around the VIP area and trash cans, to placing port-a-potties, dropping blocks along the course, taking check-ins, and helping food vendors,” Kole said. “There are so many facets that go into this event, no one person is more important than any other in my mind.

“We see about 12 to 14 classes of boats here at the Hampton Cup,” he said. “We tell everybody, if you have an Inboard boat and you want to bring it out here to run, come on—we will make you feel at home.”

Hydroplane racing has always has been vulnerable to danger. On Saturday, day one of the Regatta, Al Thompson flipped his boat in a turn. The next day David Turner suffered the same misfortune. Thankfully, both racers were uninjured.

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Whether it’s the start of a race where helpers hold boats, or in the turns where boats are at full throttle, Regatta Pit Manager James Shepherd takes nothing for granted. After hundreds of races, Shepherd continues to preach safety first.

“We brief everybody; I tell them to keep their hands and feet out of the way,” Shepherd said. “If you don’t know what you’re doing, you can get hurt.”

A lifelong racer who is no stranger to danger is 2017 SE Class winner Jim Clauss SE-29. In 1997, Clauss was hospitalized for a month with pelvic and rib injuries from a K Boat accident during a Regatta Cup race. After 41 years as a racer and owner, Clauss continues to seek thrills. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t exciting.”

Clauss has been the SE National Champion for the last two years. Competitor and friend Joel Jones SE-57 maintains that Clauss is the best driver at the event: “I’ve been chasing him for the last few years, and he’s the man to beat.”

Unofficial race results: Winners both days: J. Michael Kelly in Timothy Collins’s Y-1 (won the Henry Lauterbach Award for most overall points); John Shaw driving Wayne Hagatha’s T-1; S-33 Doug Martin; SA-516 Dale Hernandez.

Sat/Sun Winners: A-33 Jim Aid/A-64 Kevin Kreitzer; NM-72 Chris Owen/ NM-100 Tony Black driving for Tom Newman; SE-57 Park Jones driving for Joel Jones/SE-29 Jim Clauss; JS-7 Tom Pakradooni/JS-991 Billy Sewell; J Hydro- 45N Ayden Sovie/55E Nicholas Wheeler.

E-54 John Shaw won the Eddie Cannon Memorial Award. Jimmy Stewart and Chris Oliver won the Ronnie Hearn Sportsmanship Award.

Currently, Kole and staff are planning for next year. Whether collecting surveys or getting feedback from race volunteers, the goal is to satisfy the public.

“We actually start the month after the race ends,” Kole said. “We will have a brief meeting about what went right, and what went wrong—maybe we can do better—then we can start planning for next year.”

After racing J Hydro, Grant Liddycoat (left) and his friend Spencer Conrad enjoy the festivities at the 92nd Hampton Cup Regatta.

(L-R) old friends and race enthusiasts Joel Jones, James Shepherd and Jim Clauss share a kindred spirit that can only be found at the Hampton Cup Regatta.

Henry Lauterbach Award winner and top point producer J. Michael Kelly crosses the finish line in Timothy Collins’s Y-1 SHENANIGANS.

Among the numerous Regatta enthusiasts was the notable cast of Blackbeard’s Crew; Lady Hope (middle) and Mr. Cutter (right) thrilled race fans with whimsical pirate stories of days gone by.

Prior to the start of each race, pit crews were cautioned on the importance of safety, as they held onto hydroplanes.

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ENDING AN ERA

Powerboat Superleague’s 31 Years of APBA Racing Come to an End It isn’t often that you can write your eulogy. Above all, we must answer the question of legacy: what was our impact? How did two people manage to sustain a racing circuit for 31 years? It’s a story and a history unique to us and the series we developed: Powerboat Superleague.

Doing What Seemed Impossible: Explaining a career choice in powerboat racing is difficult. Many within this fraternity never expected Powerboat Superleague to succeed—certainly not with two outsiders that did not come from racing families—and certainly not that first year. However, life takes interesting turns; one season became two, then three, and racing became the driving force of our lives.

From the beginning in 1987 at New Martinsville, West Virginia, and coming full circle to end there in 2017, we understood that the key to creating a successful series would be to honor our commitments: to the race sites, the drivers/teams, and the sponsors.

All three entities are important, and each deserves to be treated fairly and equally. Our philosophy is unchanged: do what you say, do it ethically and professionally; and honor all of your financial commitments (even if it costs you part of your retirement fund).

Some things are critical to developing a race site. Never be underfunded–don’t count on the admissions gate to pay your bills; have a written agreement between the host site and the club; promise only what you can deliver, and deliver on your promises.

Only One Can Win: Distilled to its essence, racing is competition toward the goal of winning. Each race is a condensed structure of conflict and resolution–only one person can win. Being tossed about a racecourse, slammed by gravity while negotiating a turn is not the choice of fun for most people. However, for drivers, it is, as four-time Superleague Champion Gary Pugh remarked, “the place to be.”

Our record of circuit entries unrolls with an impressive list of names.

Through the years, we crowned over 50 OPC champions in the SST 60 and SST 120 classes. Many were honored in the APBA Hall of Champions; and two (Jay Price/Shaun Torrente) continued in the world arena with UIM and the international Formula 1 series. Engraved in Powerboat Superleague

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records are 31 series title winners, including one woman. Some were multi-year winners (S. LaBanco, B. Rogerson, N. Haraway, T. Kratochwill, B. Dillard, C. Reno and T. Hood in SST 60; J. Travis, A. Thornton, G. Pugh, S. Torrente, D. McDowell, T. Rinker, and A. Rinker in SST 120). A few won championships in both classes, albeit during different seasons.

By the Numbers: Along the way, we met interesting people, forging friendships that will last a lifetime. Our races brought us to 15 states, where we conducted 179 events in 45 different locations—from small communities (New Martinsville, West Virginia/Chattahoochee, Florida) to large cities (Memphis, Tennessee/Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania/Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio/Louisville, Kentucky), on 16 rivers, eight lakes, two channels and one bay. Series racing gave us incredible opportunities, including participation in two international races (Canada and Northern Ireland). Superleague events have included World, North American, and National championships as well as divisional and regional titles.

Our races often hosted other categories and classes; in fact, the only APBA category we have not experienced is Inboard Endurance.

We have been privileged to meet invaluable APBA members who became our friends and guided us as part of our officiating staff.

Without these generous people, a critical element for success would have been missing. They represent some of the best minds in APBA, in alphabetical order: Lee Bias, David Black, Jim and Marie Bremer, Tim Calhoun, Dan Cartwright, Trent and Tonya Damron, Jeff Grigg, Bill and Kathy Hesson, Lou Jordan, Gloria (Plaxco) Mitchell, Roger Moser, Ron Plaxco, Doug Rea, Bob Schubert, Ken Scoville, Mike and Janie Tilton, Jeff and Sally Titus, Jan and Laurie Vidal,

A Few Questions and Some Unexpected Answers Perspectives of Superleague principals Sam and Sherron Winer.

Joe Wespiser and Ken Winkle. Many others stepped in to help when one of our staff could not attend an event. Our gratitude to all of them, and to the APBA officers and headquarters staff, is beyond measure.

The Legacy: Powerboat Superleague was developed and managed by us, but it was never personal; our focus was on producing the best event on any given weekend in whatever community chose to host our race. We combined the tradition of powerboat racing with as much innovation as possible. The past 31 years have given us some of life’s best moments, allowing us to blaze our trail, surrounded by our best friends. Superleague has been a memorable adventure that few will experience, but one that suited us.

—Sam and Sherron Winer Top, L-R: Darrell Beaulier, Tracy Hawkins, Jerry Guinn and Sam LaBanco were among the competitors at our first race in New Martinsville. All four participated in our final series event—Tracy, Jerry and Sam as drivers, while Darrell was an official.

Above, framed certificate sent by Stan Fitts on the occasion of our 100th consecutive race, and a trophy presented by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Superleague was chosen as a National Gold Medal winner for state park events.

At left, award created by SST 120 driver Jeff Reno and his company Things Made From Strips, presented during the final series race, New Martinsville, 2017. That same year we were also honored with a proclamation by the U.S. House of Representatives and entered into the Congressional record (a total surprise).

The OPC Achievement Award, presented during the APBA Friday night Awards Presentations

by OPC Chairman James Chambers. (It left us speechless; a rare occurrence) Checkered flag, prepared by Mike and Janie Tilton and signed by drivers, teams, and officials.

SAM

SHERRON

Favorite Race Site: Raystown Lake, near Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, was a beautiful place with a great local committee.

Their promotion of the event drew tremendous crowds, and the entry fields were consistently large.

Favorite Race Sites: Pittsburgh, Pa., Bradenton, Fla., Aurora, In., Columbus, Ohio, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Knoxville, Tenn.; but if I must choose just one, New Martinsville, WV–it’s where this adventure began.

Best Moments: Events that were well-promoted and brought plenty of spectators to the race, often their first introduction to powerboat racing. Columbus, Ohio in 1988 stands out; you could feel the excitement.

Best Moments: Seeing everyone at registration—drivers, team members, their families, friends and fans. It is a reunion with people important to me, a celebration and an affirmation of family. I love interacting with kids at events— getting down to their level, asking about their favorite boat, sharing the excitement of perhaps their first experience with powerboats.

Worst Moment: When we had to cancel or drastically shorten an event while on site. It is difficult to explain to fans, and you can see the disappointment. In Columbus, Ohio (1989) a flash flood on opening day cancelled not just the race but also the entire festival.

Future of Racing: I am uncertain about this. We have provided a model for others to follow, but will they? It is encouraging that new APBA/OPC clubs promoted series races in 2016 and 2017.

What You Hope Everyone Will Remember about Superleague: Consistency, and always doing what we said we would do.

What People Don’t Know about Me: As President and then Chairman of the Board of the US Jaycees, I met five U.S. Presidents— Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush. I had the honor of introducing Carter to a Jaycees assembly.

Favorite Downtime Pursuits: Hanging out on my fishing dock, sometimes wetting a line; and playing golf.

Worst Moment: Having to watch an on-water incident. You trust your staff and rescue team; you know they are well-trained, but until a rescue is confirmed by the head of safety and the chief referee, all you have is hope and faith that the outcome will be positive.

Future of Racing: If I had a crystal ball... The future will require perseverance, dedicated work and a better understanding of sportsmanship. All of us must move beyond a “me first” attitude and consider everything that goes into a successful race. That includes viewing the event from the perspective of the race site host and the sponsors. This philosophy must include APBA. It is frustrating to hear, “I just want to race my boat.”

APBA is a volunteer organization; everyone must help ensure its future.

What People Don’t Know about Me: I have always wanted to travel the Wakan Corridor in the Himalayas along the Silk Road in Afghanistan.

(Sam won’t be going.)

Favorite Downtime Pursuits: Keeping everyone on their toes by doing the unexpected while taking time to read, be a chef, create photos, and work in my studio.

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P28 RENEGADE and 99P WICKED at Spanaway 2017.

Gleason Racing Photography

CRACKER BOX BATTLES

BY JULIAN RUCKI

The 2017 Cracker Box season has come to an end. It was quite a season for both Rucki brothers, starting at Havasu City up to the grand finale in Manteca, California. A season-long seesaw battle between the brothers finished with excitement.

On Sunday at Manteca, with Richard behind the wheel, the P28 was a beast to be reckoned with. First heat Sunday, with a 33-point deficit to overcome, Richard threw caution to the wind. He and the P111 hit the start first, with 99P WICKED not far behind. P28 and P5 were in a spirited battle for first and second positions.

With P111, P56 and 99P fighting hard, 99P headed into turn one, dove under all the other teams and had the bead on the exit pin, only to be denied by P56 who got there first. That’s when the 3-boat battle started.

P111 inside, 99P middle and P56 outside, battled for 3 laps. P111 got away from P56 and 99P heading into the last lap. Meanwhile, P28 held a solid 2nd behind the untouchable P5. Heading into turn 2 for the last time, P56 had maybe 2 boat lengths. 99P powered into the turn with a full head of steam, ate up the two lengths at the top of the turn, and headed for the finish line, looking to capture 4th place to minimize the points gain the P28 was going to get. Then the first round of excitement happened.

99P hit a hole on the stretch; she kicked hard left; the driver (me) went right.

I was as far out of a boat as you could get and not get wet. Body was twisted, belly and legs over the shear and on the transom; right hand was able to grab the turnbuckle while the left hand was slapping the water; gas pedal shoe 3/4 of the way off. By some miracle, as I had accepted that I was going to get wet, the wicked she-devil settled. Kyle, my trusty rider, yanked me back into the seat and I was able to get my half-shod foot back on the throttle and finish a boat length behind P56 for the 5th place (a tad nervous, for P28 had picked up

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20 of the 33 points to close the gap).

Then we heard the call. P28 and P111 had jumped the gun, and P111 was called for a course infraction in the turn—not enough overlap.

So, instead of giving up 20 points to P28, I picked up another 5 for a 38-point lead going into the final. 99P just had to start and finish. Not being one to just coast, I went out and figured what the heck—even if I took 5th and P28 took first, P28 could not close the gap.

So, 99P took the inside lane, came up for the start and, with 1 second left, took off to have a nice clean lane and smooth water for awhile until the powerhouse P5 caught me. Just as we exited turn two, P5 flew by. As we headed to turn one, there was a boat down in the water—the P28.

It would appear all is good for the old girl. As 99P kept racing, she dropped a right bank cylinder (felt like a plug wire). Still muscling enough power, we continued to battle P111 and P56 as we passed the stalled-out P28. While watching that team trying to get their boat to fire, all hell broke loose. 99P really started to sound unhealthy. I throttled out of it, still concerned that the P28 team might still get her fired up. It was not going to happen, as smoke started billowing out of both headers. I shut the 99P down, right next to the P28. Both the #1 and #2 boats in the title chase sat there and watched our buds finish the race. The 99P had just won the title. It had been 31 years since my last title, in the Snow Goose.

Not the most exciting victory lap, but I will take it.

This was a total team effort and we had no idea which boat would win.

I want to thank all of our team and supporters. Could not have achieved this with out any of you. Skippy, thanks for the rock-solid power plant that never missed a lick (well, until the last 2 laps). I hope I didn’t hurt her too much. To

my brother, who assembled the motor and did all the muscle on both boats. I know it was hard for him to give up the wheel at some of the races to support Nikki in her college debut, playing soccer for SF State. Gary Hyman, thanks for making the road trips and stepping up to help both teams, no matter where we needed you. John, Court, Tony, your devotion to the old girl, and the support you gave me, kept me inspired. Believe me, there were times I wasn’t sure I could finish. Getting too old for this stuff. Kyle, my young Padawan, you had your rookie rider moments, but man, you were the rock for both teams. You worked your butt off at all the races. As promised, if the 99P won the title, your rookie driver season starts in 2018 in the old girl. Brian, thank you for sacrificing your own boat for the rest of the season, to take over the driving duties in the P28 when Richard couldn’t be there. Region 11 racing clubs, thank you for keeping racing alive here.

Region 11 Crackers are on the rise. Excluding the mighty powerful P5, the teams that raced this weekend are well matched—pretty even in the power and ability of their rigs.

Should be exciting as we look forward to 2018. We hope to see more Region 12 boats find their way back to the race course, and Region 10 is on the rise as well, with some new boats coming out for 2018.

The Crackerboxers getting their awards for the Summer Nationals at Spanaway, Washington 2017. (L-R) P28 team, rider Brian Schmeltz and driver Richard Rucki. In the middle, P5 team Tony Lombardo and Kyle Lewis, and 99P team, driver Julian Rucki and rider Kyle Masuen.

Photo by Norma Ausejo

Richard Rucki in the P28 RENEGADE at Spanaway.

Gleason Racing Photography

Where it all started: watching Dad race skiffs in the ’60s. Jim Rucki around 1965-1967 in JS-13 FIRESAIL somewhere on the New Jersey shore (rider unknown).

In 1987, at Lake Merritt in Oakland, California, Julian Rucki and Jim Lubman in JS-1 SNOWGOOSE defending their 1986 US-1 title.

JS-13 BLADE RUNNER is Richard Rucki and rider Dick Schuppert.

Photo by Tre Braun.

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Stuart Ford driving 300SS Hydro, a class that is taking off in Region 11.

QUAKE AT THE QUARRY

BY JEAN MACKAY-SCHWARTZ For the fourth consecutive year, East Bay Boat Club hosted the Bob and Stevie West Regatta in Lathrop, California on October 28-29, 2017. The Mossdale Quarry site on I-5 is near bedroom communities for Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay.

Schrock’s racing weekend was cut short when the bottom of his 750ccMH delaminated, leaving him stranded. Stuart Ford was also seen taking a break from Race Director duties and jumping into the driver’s seat of a 500ccMH campaigned by Schulte Racing.

The previous article in SPIN, “The Little Club That Could,” described the methods and means used to attract the 500 spectators that attended the event.

Stepping into Region 11’s 300SSH contest, Tim Herman, Arizona, borrowed some gear and hit the course to mix it up with Joe Johnson, Dave Biagi, Dave Hale, Mike Wright, Kristen Lopez and Tony Lombardo. Charles O’Banion, an enthusiastic new driver who was able to get several laps in testing, came in grinning and immediately rolled over his Single Event into a Full Racing Membership for 2018.

Thank you, Joe Johnson and Chris Madewell, for showing him the way around the course and helping navigate through cornering. Great idea, Chris and Joe!

From the racing standpoint, the year-end race attracted drivers from Arizona, Texas, Washington, Oregon and California seeking precious end-of-season points, in hopes of clinching national titles. In October’s Indian Summer weather, with temps in the 80s, fans had a great day and were thrilled by the competition.

A strong showing of C Stock Hydro, the biggest class of the weekend boasting 9 entries, proved to be actionpacked, lead-changing heat racing. Fans were brought to their feet cheering on the likes of Joe Johnson, Chris Madewell and Dave Biagi answering the call from Sutter Racing (Kyle Bahl/Lee Sutter), Jim Tryon, David Hale, Roger Hewson (sporting his new CSH), with Casey Wright rounding out the field...Let’s go racing, boys!

With the help of entries from Region 10 (Washington/Oregon) and Region 15 (Texas) the 750ccMH and 850ccMH classes were brought back to life in Region 11; and drivers delighted the fans with close competition. Daren Goehring, Jason Williams, Jason Schrock, Joe Johnson driving for “Lil Fox” Racing, and Matt Allen driving for Schulte Racing put on a great show. Allen garnered first place finishes in 750ccMH on Saturday and 850ccMH on Sunday. Unfortunately,

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A nice showing of A Stock and 200cc Mod Hydros took to the water, with some nice girl power: Pamela Wilde, Kelly Hannon and Shana Tucker led the way around the course. Great competition between Pamela Wilde and Kyle Lewis! Driving for Tony Lombardo, Kyle split heats with Pamela on Saturday, and she took the win on time (5:39.10 to Kyle’s 5:39.57). Tony and Kyle regrouped and came back for the win on Sunday.

Welcome back to Hoot Brothers Racing and congratulations to Ray Hoot for Inboard Rookie of the Year honors. Ray returned to racing with a Cracker box, taking on the likes of Julian and Richard Rucki. But the dynamic Rucki duo could not be undone—Julian and “Wicked” clinched the Cracker Box National High Point Championship for 2017!

Some impressive Sport C driving featured lead changes between wily veteran

Steve Walde and Sport C newcomer Karl Bishop. Karl is a veteran driver, new to sit-down classes, but making the rig roll. Russell Mead, finishing in the top three, made the trek down from the Northwest to mix it up with our locals.

On Saturday night, EBBC hosted a Driver’s Party and presented awards for Saturday heat races. Pat Brians and Richard Fuchslin of Li’l Fox Racing put together a great pulled pork spread. Thanks to the Wilde Bunch, who again went outside the box to pull the event together. Steve negotiated a maze of county and APBA permits; Dan organized and registered; and Pamela Wilde supplied year-end cake.

Thanks also go to Teri Ziemer, Stuart Ford, Steve Wilde, Joe Johnson, Allan Rouse, Heidi Vincent, Jean Mackay and Daniel Wilde for being a great race committee. Special thanks go out to the scoring team of Sue Walde, Cathi Biagi and Judy Williams. We could not have done the weekend without you ladies, and our flaggers provided by Brian Rodrigues.

EBBC would like to thank Robert Brown of Brown Sand Inc. for being a great host and we look forward to returning in 2018.

Kyle Lewis 28-R. Alan Lagervall photo

Yee-haw!

Cracker Boxing with Hoot Brothers Racing (Ray and Steve Hoot).

David Recht photo

Schulte Racing team L-R: Jos John Schulte, Stuart Ford, Matt Allen. Schulte Racing photo Below, Pam Wilde’s year-end cake.

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Mahogany & Merlot Chelan Serves Perfect Vintage STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOHN WOODWARD The starter begins to roll over the slow moving pistons with a pop here and there, and an occasional smoke ring or two. Those anxious seconds go by as the engine pushes to breathe, then suddenly the WWII V-12 awakens in grand fashion with belching smoke and flaming stacks. There is truly nothing quite like the sights and sounds of a piston-powered Unlimited hydroplane coming to life, drawing the attention of everyone within earshot.

There are very few places in our great country where you can witness this spectacle live, but only one place left where you can hear, see and feel the Vintage Unlimiteds in large numbers up close and personal, doing what they do best.

It’s called Mahogany & Merlot, the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum’s annual stand-alone Vintage regatta on picturesque Lake Chelan. David Williams, director of the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum, and a host of hydroplane VIPs have been bringing boats to Chelan for many years to do exhibitions and raise funds for the museum. However, when Mahogany & Merlot came onboard in 2009, the event blossomed to become one of the best displays of Vintage hydroplanes in the entire country.

Hydroplanes are no strangers to these waters. They have been running on the Lake for 60 years. The tiny town of Chelan put itself on the map when it Mahogany: dozens of hosted the first Apple Cup in beautifully crafted Antique and 1957.The following year, local Classic raceboats and runabouts from a bygone golden era. favorite Norm Evans won the ’58 Apple Cup in the U-40 Miss Bardahl, further propelling the small community into the national spotlight. Mitch and Mark Evans, Norm’s two sons, still live and work in Chelan and are very active within the sport.

The Vintage Unlimiteds are indeed the main attraction, but there is much more to Mahogany & Merlot. The Mahogany side of the regatta features dozens of beautifully crafted Antique and Classic raceboats and runabouts from a bygone golden era. The Merlot side of things is pretty much

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self-explanatory. The rolling hillsides around the lake provide the perfect atmosphere for growing grapes. Twenty vineyards in the valley mean great wine and fine dining after the sun has set.

However, Mahogany & Merlot would not be complete without one of its other main attractions, the Vintage Inboards. At last year’s event, Vintage ran eight different classes of Inboards ranging from 1 Litre Stock to the mighty GPs and 7 Litre classes. The popular 280 class, with its evergrowing numbers, always puts on a good show. With wide lanes to run in, it’s not uncommon to see four 280s running side by side lap after lap, making this a dream for amateur and professional photographers alike.

I have had the pleasure of driving a Vintage boat on the historic waters of the Ohio River in Madison, Indiana and in Wheeling, West Virginia; and then at the famous APBA Gold Cup course in Detroit, Michigan.

As wonderful and memorable as those venues are, there is something magical about Chelan, where the water is crystal clear, the skies are blue 300 days out of the year, and the breathtaking scenery is like staring at a Norman Rockwell painting.

So you ask yourself, “Is there really a place that offers so much of what I’m looking for?” Indeed there is, and I highly recommend adding this event to your 2018 racing schedule. Hook your boat up, drag her out west and come join us at the 9th annual Mahogany & Merlot Vintage Regatta in Chelan, WA. on October 5-7th, 2018...you will not regret it.

Five Kelsons get ready to rumble.

Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum Director David Williams driving the Pay N Pak Unlimited.

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Austin Eacret S-36 and Jeff Bernard in Chris Fanaris’s S-137.

INBOARD NATIONALS-WEST PHOTOS BY GLEASON RACING PHOTOGRAPHY Spanaway Western Nationals Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 5 Litre E-79 Doug Rapp E-31 Jim Mauldin E-9 Harry Clack and Jeff Bernard 2.5 Litre Stock S-137 Chris Fanaris S-36 Austin Eacret S-77 Jason Aslakson 1 Litre Y-41 Tim Collins Y-19 John Culver Y-21 Bill Wallace Cracker Box P-5 John Canfield 99-P Julian Rucki and Richard Rucki 28-P Richard Rucki and Julian Rucki SA SA-78 Lenney Baker SA-55 Daniel Bement SA-27 Shawn Waters SE SE-133 Brandon Cushing SE-12 Keith Nelson SE-200 Roger Denny

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At right, J Michael Kelly takes Tim Collins’s Y-1 to the lead and a national title while John Culver’s Y-19 dogs him. Below, David Hale gets airborne in the Y-30.

A hard-charging field of 5 Litres hits the start.

SE-133 Brandon Cushing gets a little air as he takes the lead in Sportsman Entry.

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CATEGORY CORNER

Preston Reitz 819-R and Cayden Cole 62-R driving hard at Eatonville, Washington.

Gleason Racing Photography

JUNIOR CLASSES

BY MARK WHEELER AND JEFF WILLIAMS, JUNIOR CLASSES COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRMEN The 2018 season brings some changes to the membership of APBA’s Junior Classes Committee.

Jeff Williams and Mark Wheeler have been appointed as Co-Chairs. The other members of the committee and the categories they represent are: Chris Fairchild (OPC), Fred Hauenstein (MO), Jim Nilsen (PRO), Jim Sweeney (SO), and Andrew Tate (INB).

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The Junior Classes Committee will meet at the 2018 APBA National Meeting in Chicago on Friday, January 26, at 1:00 pm. The meeting is open to all.

If you have any items that need the Junior Classes Committee’s attention, please send an email to junior@apba.org.

As in the past, new complete J/AX Mercury engines are available directly from APBA. In a change from past practice, J/AX Mercury short blocks (complete powerhead less starter, ignition, and fuel system), and J/AX gears cases are also available for purchase from APBA.

APBA recently took steps to ensure that engines and parts remain readily available to families.

APBA also has restrictor plates for OMC engines for sale. All items can be purchased from the APBA shop: https://apbashop.com/t/equipment.

MODIFIED OUTBOARD

BY TOM SUTHERLAND, MODIFIED OUTBOARD CHAIRMAN Congratulations to our three Modified Outboard inductees to the APBA Hall of Champions. They are David Bennett, Austin VanOver and Brian Boyd.

Also, congratulations to the 2017 Modified Rookie of the Year, Scott Miller from Polk, Pennsylvania.

Looking ahead to 2018, the Modified Outboard Category has proposed two new classes, 125ccMod Runabout and 125ccMod Hydro.

These classes will be powered by a 125cc PRD 2 cycle water cooled go-kart engine. This is a proven,

readily available engine currently used to race go-karts. Howard Pickerell has spent the last five years adapting this engine to an outboard tower housing and gear foot. He currently is able to put this engine on a Rossi, Hot Rod, older Mercury and OMC “A� tower. Howard has run this engine twice this past season at two APBA races.

Now that these classes are approved, it is the hope and plan of the Mod Commission to purchase three or four of these engines and set them up for racing.

For more information, please contact myself (734649-9852) or your Mod Commissioner.

The approximate cost of the PRD engine, engine to tower adapter and new Rossi gear foot is around $3,500.00. To complete the package, you will need a tower and drive shaft.

John Peeters setting a record in 500cc Mod Hydro at Devils Lake, Oregon.

Gleason Racing Photography

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OPC

BY JAMES CHAMBERS, OUTBOARD PERFORMANCE CRAFT CHAIRMAN We look for 2018 to be an outstanding year for OPC. Although Sam and Sherron Winer are stepping back after 31 years running their very successful Powerboat Superleague, other active multi-event groups are revving up. The NGK Formula 1 Powerboat Championships, Powerboat Nationals, and Twin Cities Powerboat Club, among others, will run key events in 2018. OPC racers will have races to run, from grassroots regattas to Divisionals and National Championships.

Hats off to all who organize and run these events. Do you love OPC racing? Your participation is welcomed. Step up and help out when and where you can. It takes everybody’s time and talent to keep races going.

The NGK Formula 1 club got an excellent start in 2017. We look forward to seeing what this group can do in 2018. Powerboat Nationals was hit with bad weather, but ran some excellent events. We hope for a smoother ride in 2018.

As this Propeller reaches you in February, the Annual Meeting in Chicago will be history.

We welcomed several newly elected OPC Commissioners: Dan Bunting (Reg. 6), Mark Schmerbauch (Reg. 7), Aaron Wachholz ( Reg. 8), and Mike White (Reg. 11). My thanks to all commissioners for attending the meeting and working to benefit the OPC Category.

The Hall of Champions again honored our top racers in Chicago.

Congratulations to our 2017 OPC inductees Lee Daniel and RJ West.

The 2017 Scorer’s Achievement Award recipient is LouAnn Wachholz from Region 8. This award represents a lot of hard work and dedication to scoring.

OPC is proud of you, LouAnn. In the March/April issue I will bring everyone up to date on the new rules and championship events scheduled during the OPC Commission meeting in Chicago. 2018 looks to be a very good year for OPC racing!

F1 driver Wesley Cheatham has a moment at New Martinsville, West Virginia.

F. Peirce Williams photo

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STOCK OUTBOARD

SORC Ballot #5 Rules Adoption

BY JEFF BREWSTER, STOCK OUTBOARD CHAIRMAN All proposals below have been approved by the majority in the balloting of the SORC. After passage of the SORC, each change is effective 30 days after posting on the APBA website.

MERCURY 402XS

Proposal: Remove the engine completely from our class structure.

Reason: It is no longer used.

MARATHON ENGINE INSPECTION

Rule: Bottom of page 4 of the Tech Manual.

(Levels of Inspection) Proposal: Remove Marathon National Championships from Level 2 & add it to Level 3.

Reason: This is based on the fact that it is a national championship and counts the same towards the Hall of Champions, that it should be a complete teardown just as at the closed course Summer Nationals.

HOT ROD 20CI

Proposal: Remove the engine completely from our class structure.

Reason: It is no longer used.

SIDEWINDER 15H

Proposal: Remove the engine completely from our class structure.

Reason: It is no longer used.

300SSH CLASS COOLING

Proposal: Allow the 300 class engines to have the same new cooling rule as the rest of our Yamato engine classes.

Reasons: 1) Some 300 drivers report issues with cooling.

3) This is not a requirement to do so, and is up to each driver if needed.

4) This only affects cooling and does not offer a speed advantage.

20SSH

Proposal: Make the Model 321 the motor of choice in 20SSH. Reasons: 1) Stock Outboard’s mission statement reads: Stock Outboard will attempt good competition in all classes via a philosophy of allowing the motor of choice in each class to be the currently manufactured engine.

2) We know that the 20 class having two engines of choice has caused some current drivers and potential new drivers some unrest.

3) We should only have 1 engine per class, as the engine of choice, for all our classes. In 20, it should be Yamato 321.

4) I fully understand that both Sidewinder 20S and the Yamato 321 are currently manufactured engines. By having 2 engines designated as engines of choice, it does not add to the stability of the class.

25SSR MOTOR OF CHOICE

YAMATO 300 SERIES ROPING PLATES

Proposal: Remove the language in the chart on page 78 of the Tech Manual that states that you must use the old style transistor with the old style roping plate. Also, remove the language that states that you must use the new style transistor with the new style roping plate.

Issue: The old style roping plate is no longer available.

STOCK OUTBOARD WESTERN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Southern California Outboard Association (SCOA) would like to hold the Western Championships at Havasu Landing, California on March 3-4, 2018.

STOCK OUTBOARD EASTERN CHAMPIONSHIPS

The South Shore Outboard Association would like to defer their race from Standish, Maine to Jesup, Georgia. This race would then be held April 5-8 by the Peace River Outboard Association.

ETC.

A few other rule changes will have been resolved during the National Meeting. Please check apba. org and the Stock Outboard Facebook page for updates. Please contact your local commissioner if you have any questions, or email me at stockoutboard@apba.org.

Proposal: On page 14 of the Tech Manual, where we list the Permitted engines for each class, put an * next to the Yamato 302 – 321 as the Motor of Choice.

Reason: The class is heavily weighted to Yamato power, and making any other engine the “Motor of Choice” will be detrimental to the stability of the class or obtaining growth. I would suggest there be no “parity” adjustments to the class at this time.

We seem to have a fairly good balance in this class.

2) This will allow crossover into other Yamato classes.

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RACE IN PEACE SHANON BOWMAN Shanon Bowman, 66, passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at his Point Pleasant, New Jersey home.

He was loved and is survived by his children Lily and Aaron.

Additionally, he leaves his sisters Tracy and Jennifer, brothers Craig and Tyson, stepmother Tibby, and many nieces and nephews.

Shanon was an extremely talented designer and craftsman. For over 40 years, he built outboard racing hydroplanes, selling them all over the United States and Canada. He raced them as well. He was considered one of the toughest competitors, winning hundreds of races including six national championships.

With a frequent smile and great sense of humor, his closest friends were often his biggest race course rivals and competing boat builders.

A service will be held for Shanon on Saturday, March 17 at 1:30 PM at the Solebury Friends Meeting House on N. Sugan Rd., New Hope, Pennsylvania. A reception will be held later that afternoon.

Additionally, brother Craig promises a party in his honor next summer at Lock Haven.

JON CULVER Jon Maxwell Culver, 84, passed away on October 21, 2017 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

Jon was born in Pomeroy, Iowa to Merlyn and Helen Culver. They moved to Dayton, Ohio when Jon was a young boy. He was introduced to boat racing early, when he became his dad‘s crew chief. Jon became a “B” Class Stock Outboard racer. He was too young to to run the Albany-New York Marathon, but Jon got special permission—and won. The following year, in 1949, at the first Stock Outboard National Championships, he won the “B” Utility Class title. He set 1-mile straightaway and 5-mile competition records, and went on to win three more Stock Outboard National titles.

Jon graduated from the University of Florida with a Mechanical Engineering degree—very useful for a boat racer. In 1962 he was named chairman of the newly formed OPC Category. By 1966, he was running a 17’ Glastron powered by twin Mercury 100 HP engines.

Jon won a string of victories including the Hudson River Marathon, the Six Hour Orange Bowl Grand National JJ Championship, Nine Hour Orange Bowl Regatta (Miami, Fla.) and the Miami-to-Nassau run. His national titles span D Hydroplane, C Runabout and JJ classes; plus two Gulf Marine Racing Hall of Fame awards. He set a UIM 5-mile competition record in 1966.

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After retiring from competition, he expanded his professional career at Culver Aeromarine, became a Glastron boat dealer, and tested products for Borg Warner. For his participation in APBA leadership, Jon was inducted into the APBA Honor Squadron in 1982.

He bacame APBA Chief Offshore Inspector in 1980, verifying class technical rules and safety requirements.

Jon also helped to establish the Sarasota Offshore Grand Prix as a national event. As he moved to the sidelines, he stayed in touch by walking the pits, looking over the fleet and talking to racers.

In 1978 Jon and his family moved to Winter Haven, Fla. There he became extremely interested in restoring antique cars. With his wife Carole, he moved to Sarasota in 1991. He met with fellow car enthusiasts at his bimonthly car club lunches.

Jon is survived by his wonderful and loving wife of 57 years, Carole Culver; children Jon Culver and Christy (John) Bocinsky; grandsons John and James Bocinsky; and his sister Marilyn Reynolds.

The family requests donations be made to Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org —from the Herald Tribune, Nov. 10-12, 2017 SKIP FULLER Frank A. “Skip” Fuller, Sr., 87, passed away Friday, December 22, 2017, in his hometown of Union Beach, New Jersey.

Born to Frank and Elsie Fuller, he was a graduate of Keyport High School. Skip proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War as a Machinist’s Mate, Third Class. Upon his return from service, he worked for many years as a Chemical Operator, retiring from IFF of Union Beach in 1995.

An avid lover of the outdoors, Skip especially enjoyed hunting, fishing and boat racing. He was a member of the APBA and a charter member of the Central Jersey Racing Association.

Skip is survived by his devoted wife, Kathryn Joan, children, Frank “Chip” Fuller, Jr. (Deb) and Barbara (Eric) Brink, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and his sister Mildred Aumack. Skip was predeceased by his sister, Elsie Bennett.

A memorial gathering and service were held on January 5th. Donations may be made in Skip’s memory to the APBA J Scholarship Fund OR to the Grace United Methodist Church in Union Beach.

Memories and Condolences may be shared at www. bedlefuneralhomes.com —Published in Asbury Park Press on Jan. 2, 2018

MERRY MILLER Merry May Miller, age 78, of Lake Villa, Illinois, died on Thursday, November 23, 2017 at the Valley Hi Nursing Home in Woodstock, Illinois. She was born in Detroit, Michigan and was the youngest of four daughters.

As a child she enjoyed playing baseball with the neighborhood boys, summers at the family cottage Up North, and hanging with friends. After graduating from high school, Merry attended Michigan State University in East Lansing where she met the love of her life, Frederick J. Miller. They married on October 27, 1962.

The young couple lived briefly on Riverside Drive in Trenton, Michigan in a house that overlooked the site of the Trenton Boat Race in its early years. Later they moved to a home only a block from the elementary school their children would attend.

Merry was Fred’s constant supporter, becoming the Chief Scorer for Trenton Outboard Racing Club and at other races that Fred ran. Boat racing took the family all across the country, into Canada and even to destinations in Europe.

Merry is preceded in death by her parents Charles Henry and Ellen Adeline (Potratz) Sharrer, Sisters Suzanne Mann, and Sally Engle, and her husband Frederick Miller. Left to honor Merry and remember her love are her children, Stacy (Michael) Iwanicki and Gordon (Lea) Miller, granddaughters Kyra Miller and Meta Haynie, grandson Logan Haynie and her eldest sister Caroll Frye.

Merry will be remembered as a kind, gentle, yet spirited woman who supported her husband in his boat racing and cherished her family and extended boat racing family.

A memorial luncheon was held on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Docker’s Restaurant in Fox Lake, Illinois for local family and close friends.

A second memorial will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at the Trenton Roar on the River, where Merry’s family and many friends will share memories. Her ashes will be taken to be with Fred in Goderich, Ontario.

Donations may be made in Merry’s name to Journey Care Hospice, Valley Hi Foundation, American Lung Association, the Alzheimers Foundation, or the Trenton Roar on the River.

—Stacy Iwanicki

LLOYD MIZE Lloyd Allen Mize, 79, died on December 4, 2017 at River Fountains of Lodi, an assisted living facility.

He was born on February 15, 1938, in Long Beach, California to LeeRoy and Adelene Mize, one of eight children. His family relocated to Acampo and after graduating from Galt High School, Lloyd served in the National Guard Reserves.

On August 20, 1959, he married Wanda Evelyn Bailey.

Together they raised three children. Lloyd was a union carpenter. He retired after 50 years from Carpenters Local 152. Lloyd had many interests, from playing the trumpet to fishing, hunting, bowling and skin diving.

However, his passion was always boat racing.

Lloyd was a member of the APBA and Region 11’s East Bay Boat Club. Always a top contender, he was well loved and respected by his racing family. Known as King of the Kilos, Lloyd set many amazing straightaway records in numerous runabout classes. His boat number 53-0 will forever be in the record books. Lloyd also raced a full closed course schedule for decades. He was inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions in 1988. He set 13 competition records throughout the season, and won the DMR National Championship and the Formula E National High Point title.

Lloyd is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Wanda; son Lloyd Jr.; daughters Tammy (John) Haynes and Larie (Allen) Merilles; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Family and friends whose lives Lloyd touched gathered to reminisce, grieve, support each other and, of course, chat at a celebration of life on December 16, 2017.

—from Lodi News-Sentinel from Dec. 14 -20, 2017 JOSEPH SGRO Joseph Sgro, 63, of Bellmore NY, lost his life in a powerboat accident near Marathon, Florida Nov. 9, 2017. Sgro, president and director of Outerlimits Powerboats Inc., was participating in the Florida Powerboat Club’s annual poker run. His friend Joseph Nestola, injured in the accident, said Sgro “was a great guy and a great family man...He was a good friend to everybody and a hardworking entrepreneur.”

Originally from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, Sgro and his friend Joe Latona got into trouble with a “loud, fast, annoying” old raceboat, and decided to try real racing.

He and Latona took second place in their 28-foot Manta Fever in their first race in 1986.

In the Powerboat P1 World Championship, Sgro piloted a 43-foot V-bottom at Grand Prix of the Sea events across Europe and the Middle East. He was inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions in 1989, and won over a dozen national and world titles by 2009.

Sgro bought into Outerlimits Offshore Powerboats in 2015 after his friend and company founder Mike Fiore died in a high-speed powerboat crash during the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in 2014.

On Nov. 9, the Outerlimits Powerboats Facebook page stated, “Today we lost our great leader Joe Sgro. Nothing made Joe more happy than driving an Outerlimits. It was his passion that kept Outerlimits alive. Joe and Mike [Fiore] are now racing again.

Godspeed my friend! You will be deeply missed. RIP”.

Joe is survived by his wife Eileen, their five children and three grandchildren.

— from Newsday and FLKeysnews.com; photo from offshoreonly.com BOB SWITZER Robert Leigh Switzer, 85, cofounder of Switzer Craft Boat Company in Crystal Lake, Illinois, passed away at his home on December 29, 2017. He was well known in the marine industry for manufacturing, promoting, and racing boats for Switzer Craft, including the futuristic Switzer Wing.

Today they are popular among Vintage owners. Bob’s many racing victories included three national outboard championships, and the Albany to New York marathon in 1952.

Born in Chicago to Russell and D. Roma (Schladorn) Switzer, Bob married Carol Arvidson in 1956. He was a veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserve.

Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who brought wisdom and fun into everyday experiences. He parlayed his love of boating and racing not only into his livelihood, but family recreation. His family made frequent trips to Lake Cumberland, KY and regular boating excursions on the Chain of Lakes waterway. He also enjoyed snowmobiling and belonged to a local motorcycle club.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Carol; children, Nancy (Steven) Kasprzyk, Tracy (Cari) Switzer, Steven (Jami) Switzer, Peter (Cushie) Switzer; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brother David (Marilyn) Switzer.

A memorial service was held on Thursday, January 4 in McHenry, IL. More information can be found on the Justen Funeral Home website.

—from the Northwest Herald, Jan. 3, 2018

ED THIRLBY Edwin “Ed” G. Thirlby, 79, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2017 at home. Ed was born in Traverse City to the late James and Alice (Bird) Thirlby. He married the love of his life, Beverly Bradford, in 1958.

They celebrated their 59th anniversary on July 12, 2017.

Around 1963, Ed and Beverly opened their first Thirlby Automotive store. Today it has grown to 12 stores in northern Michigan. Although Ed retired in 1991, his wonderful legacy of hard work and dedication is carried on by his children, Ed, Julie and Mike.

Ed was most passionate about Professional Racing Outboard (PRO) racing from the age of 12. Ed not only loved racing, but also built custom outboard motors that helped earn multiple championships for racers from coast to coast. Some Thirlby-powered honors are: 25 APBA Hall of Champions inductions, 109 National titles, 72 US Title Series (USTS) championships, two UIM World championships, 10 Colonel Green Awards, two North American championships, and hundreds of USTS and APBA podium finishes.

Ed received APBA’s highest honor in 2003, when he was inducted into the APBA Honor Squadron. His passion for boat racing became a family tradition as his wife, children, and grandchildren became involved. Very generous with his time and knowledge, Ed became a mentor and friend to several members of the racing community. The relationships that he forged will forever remain.

Ed was a life member of the Elks Lodge #323. He loved dogs, and his faithful companion Whitey was always at his side.

Ed is survived by his loving wife Beverly, children Julie (Butch) Strait, Lynn (Tim Swinehart) Thirlby, Edwin Thirlby, Jacqueline Thirlby; Mike (Julia) Thirlby; grandchildren Lynn (Shawn) Helms, Crystal (Derek) Dehn, Whitney Strait, Juliana (Joe) Schump, Jeffrey (Christina) Green, Dru (Lindsay) Green, Brandon (Leah Salay) Thirlby, Collin (Ashley Schaudt) Thirlby, Tyler Thirlby, Preston Thirlby, Andrew (Ashley Rucker) Ansorge and Parker Thirlby; great-grandchildren Harrison, Charli, Sawyer, Elizabeth, Wade, Claire, Henry, Faith and Willa; sister Judy (Doug) Peterson; nephew Russell (Heather) Fruchey; and loving caregiver Dawn Anderson.

Ed was preceded in death by two sisters, Susan Fruchey and Mary Thirlby.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Cherryland Humane Society or to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

— www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com

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Jamie Nilsen racing like a PRO at Eatonville, Washington. Gleason Racing Photography

REGION ROUNDUP

REGION 1

As we headed toward the end of our racing season, Team Nichols ignored the obvious—leaves turning brown and skies becoming gray—and stayed focused on racing. They embarked on trips to Wilson, North Carolina, Millville, New Jersey and Tabor City, North Carolina. The season-ending trip was especially sweet, as the seventy-something youngsters had a first at Wilson in ASR, podium finishes at Millville, and ran first and second in ASR at Tabor City along with a 2nd in 25SSR. Thank you to Bruce and Pete for carrying the SSOA banner.

Meanwhile, back in New England, the Region 1 annual meeting was held in Derry, New Hampshire and was well attended. After a recap of Region activity in 2017, we voted to retain the existing slate of officers for another term.

Leading us into 2018 will be Region Chairman David Jones; Vice Chairman Larry Roberts, Secretary Mike Akerstrom and Treasurer Richard Currier. Akerstrom will also retain his position as Stock Outboard Commissioner. He will be joined

by Modified Commissioner Alex Poliakoff and PRO Commissioner Bobby Cronin at the National Meeting in Chicago. Serving as Directors for the 2018 season will be Bruce Nichols, Pete Nichols, Jeff Sherwin, Tim Noury, Steve Noury, and Shawn Weber.

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Region Awards were presented as follows: Region Rookie of the Year was Kingfield, Maine’s Joe O’Connor. Joe participated in the CSH and OSY400 classes. In addition to his accomplishments on the race course, Joe has been active in revitalizing former race sites in the State of Maine, and has been in contact with several Chamber of Commerce groups that have expressed interest in bringing racing back to their communities.

The John & Shirley Crowley award was presented to Alan Akerstrom. This perpetual award was established in 1979 in memory of, and in appreciation for, the extraordinary efforts of John and Shirley in their supporting and promoting the sport of powerboat racing. The recipient of this award is judged on overall contributions in a non-racing capacity during the past season, exemplifying the unselfish leadership and enthusiasm so well demonstrated by the Crowleys.

Congratulations, Alan.

The Lawrence Castagneto Sr. Memorial Award was established in the mid-1970s. The award was created to bring recognition to a Region 1 race that demonstrates the high standards typified by the award’s namesakes, Lawrence Sr. and Margaret Castagneto. A club’s efforts in organizing and conducting a race are judged by the racing fraternity, and recognized for its accomplishments

as the best event in Region 1. This year’s award was presented to South Shore Outboard for making the 10th Annual Kingston Fall Classic the top event of the 2017 season.

The Region plans on a minimum of five weekends of racing next season, is upgrading all rescue equipment, and may purchase a digital clock.

Connecticut Outboard Association held their annual meeting at the home of RC Hawie. After a fine outdoor barbecue, members got down to business. The leadership in 2018 is: Commodore Shawn Weber, Vice Commodore RC Hawie, Treasurer Fred Suhy and Secretary Annette Weber. Angela Weber will continue to handle the newsletter and marketing duties. After a recap of the 2017 season, which included the 40th consecutive running of the Thompson, Connecticut event, plans are coming together to celebrate COA’s 90th (!) anniversary.

As part of the COA meeting, the following awards were presented. Bob Brzozowski was the proud recipient of the AG Godialis Award for his time and service to the club. An honorary lifetime membership was presented to Fred Suhy for his unselfish service to COA over the years.

South Shore Outboard Association also held its Annual Meeting in October, and election of

Club officers was held. Leading SSOA into its 67th season will be Commodore Tim Noury, Vice Commodore Billy Allen, Secretary Steve Noury and Treasurer Dick Currier. Joining the officers on the SSOA Executive Board were Membership Chairman Bobby Cronin, Website and Social Media Director Bruce Nichols, Sergeant of Arms Jeff Sherwin, By-Law Director Alan Akerstrom and Technical Director Pete Nichols.

In order to get all classes and all heats run both days, I ask for your cooperation regarding registration. Ann Shaw and I will be there all day on Friday. If possible, please register on Friday.

Registration is also scheduled for 7 AM to 8:30 AM on Saturday. This does not mean show up at 8:25!

Delays at registration will delay drivers meeting, and that will delay getting boats on the water... If we all work together we can do it all.

REGION 6

Until next issue, Speed Safely!

I do ask a big favor of anyone who plans to attend.

Let me know you are coming. It is very helpful for registration, as well as PR/Press information if I know in advance who is attending in the scheduled classes.

Dave Noble (Box 21 Rescue, APBA Safety Committee member, Region 6 Inboard Alt. Director) was seriously injured in October. He was assisting at an accident scene when a second vehicle struck the wreck. Dave lost a leg, but is getting a prosthesis. He’ll be in Chicago and at the Region 6 Spring Meeting in February!

—Lowell Hanson REGION 5

OK, I promise no more hurricane talk; besides, it was 42° here this morning, and that is too cold for hurricanes. Obviously we have to turn these articles in about 4 weeks before publication in order for Tana to put Propeller together, but it does seem funny talking about next year’s racing season two weeks before Christmas. Sure hope some of you were able to have that talk with Santa about “special race boat” presents under the tree.

In December, Jeff and I attended the planning meeting for the 2018 Orange Cup Regatta the first weekend in March. We have already had that talk with Santa for excellent weather and calm water.

My thanks to Katelyn Shaw, who notified everyone on Facebook that YES, the race is ON—and asked all to let us know who is planning to come to the event. I am always amazed at the immediate responses to Facebook posts; and that is what happened when Katelyn said the race was on! I was able to take this information to the meeting and it was very helpful in planning classes and a daily time frame for the event. The Orange Cup will have Capsule Training on Friday morning, testing on Friday afternoon, and record-setting racing on Saturday and Sunday. J The following are the classes scheduled: AXR 20SSH CSH 300SSH and CSR—(we will run 25SSR combined with CSR).

OPC/SST12O (this is not a record course.)

Inboard: 1 Litre Mod, 2.5 Stock, 2.5 Mod, 5 Litre, National Mod, Jersey Skiffs and SE

My email is jstitus2@embarqmail.com. My home address is: Sally Titus, 333 Holmes Ave., Lake Placid, Fla. 33852.

If you could send me your entry blank via snail mail or email, that is great. Or, just email me your name/class/boat# (owner/driver if different) and I will make out an entry blank for you and have it ready at registration. Remember to join APBA prior to the event if possible; otherwise we will handle that at registration. Keep in mind you get a discount on APBA membership if you renew before Feb. 28th. If you need capsule testing, let me know that too. All of this information is on the circular and on the APBA website.

Something new: Polk County Sports Marketing and the Orange Cup Committee want to promote you and your boat as much as possible BEFORE the event. They have created a Personal Information (bio) form and sent it to me. Please email me (info above) requesting the bio form and I will email it back to you. Please fill it in and return it to me; either scan/email it or print/mail it to me. I will see that Sports Marketing gets it and makes you famous!

This will be the 80th running of the Orange Cup Regatta. That is impressive... let’s make it the best Orange Cup ever!

Thanks for listening —Sally

Memories: What a year. There have been way too many moments of silence this year, but that is life. Latest is John Pulbratek (November 23), a Prop Rider and Inboarder from Warren, Mich.

Godspeed! We almost lost Einar Glasius, too. Einar is back home, doing OK, revisiting the MDs later in December for a long-term fix. Will they even let him see a Luigi’s pizza, much less sample it?

Happier note: Box 21’s own Mickey Retman passed his dunk test! Mickey suffered a stroke last year, and has made a tremendous comeback!

Congratulations to Mark Wheeler for being awarded an Honorary Life Membership in APBA! His past service, participation, advice, and just being around justify this honor—well done!

APBA Region 6 racers, owners, officials, officers, crew and supporters held their 2017 Fall Meeting Oct. 21-22, 2017 at the Holiday Inn French Quarter in Perrysburg, Ohio. The various facets reviewed the racing year, elected region officers and racing commission representatives, and made plans for 2018. Elected officers form the Region 6 BOD: Region 6 Chairman Eli Whitney; PRO: Chair Mike Thirlby, Director Mark Wheeler; OPC: Chair Barry Wolf, Director Dale Meier; Stock Outboard: Chair Brian Mitchell, Director Tom Johnston; MOD: Chair Tom Sutherland, Director Jeff Williams; Inboard: Chair Barry Pray, Director Steve Spisak; Officiating Committee: Chair Rich Falcinelli, Director Rich Evans; Club Committee: Chair Kevin Kreitzer, director Mary Williams.

Region 6 Racing Commission Reps: PRO: Mike Thirlby, Austin VanOver; OPC: Dan Bunting; Stock: Tom Johnston, Terry Kerr, Brian Mitchell; MOD: Jeff Williams, Eric VanOver, Tom Sutherland; Inboard: Don Melillo.

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The 2018 Region 6 Spring Meeting February 1011, 2018 features facet and committee meetings, BOX 21 dunk tests, and the annual Region 6 Awards Reception and Ceremonies. The reception will reprise the 2017 format: meet & greet with finger foods and champion recognition (awards and applause) following. The facet and committee meetings cover news from the APBA Annual Meeting, plus racing schedules and plans—be there! Looks like the MHRA will combine their awards banquet and ceremony with the Region 6 Awards Reception mentioned above. The more the merrier in Perrysburg!

2018 looks to have plenty of racing, so sign on for the ride! Outboarders, look for a June 2018 SpeedWeek in Constantine, Mich. Back-to-back weekends feature MHRA Stocks leading off, culminating in Mod Central Divisionals and PRO Nationals. There were darn near 300 entries in 2017, but there is more room, so over 300 is in the cards! Inboarders are working on a complete reversal of 2017, with a return to racing at Waterford, Michigan’s Pontiac Lake and Rocky Fork Lake, Ohio; Tony Stalder’s new Indian Lake (Ohio) Regatta; and another potential new race site in Cadillac, Michigan! Dayton, Ohio’s Eastwood Lake will once again test outboarders’ mettle at the Dayton Record Runs, with two Inboard Hydroplane classes (7L GNH is one of them!), thanks to cooperative efforts of Ed Hearn and Greg Kreitzer! Rumors are afloat of relocation of the APBA Driving School in Region 6 to a new location, still near Dayton, Ohio. Monetary stipulations are generating the speculations. STAY TUNED! Voices from Tawas Bay, Mich. are clamoring for racing there, and we should see a return to outboard sites across the region. Don’t forget the Top O’ Michigan Marathon Nationals in Indian River in August! The Ohio River should be chock full of racing nuts, with tunnel boat races at various sites. We hope better weather across the region this year will keep the river clean! Look for more action at the new Clark County Fairgrounds (Springfield, Ohio) pond. (We need an “official“ name, as this privately owned site is worthy of boat racing stadium status!)

Tunnel boats and another Intercollegiate Electric

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Boat Nationals will race there!

March 2-4, 2018. Sign up, guys!

Marine Prop Riders enjoyed a full day of activities November 11. First, track racing at Kart 2 Kart, a warmup to the annual Awards Banquet that evening. Thanks to Rich F. for organizing; everybody won! Ref had to be blind; no penalties nor black flags. That evening at Clinton Twp.’s ConCorde Inn, 75 banqueteers broke bread together. After honoring our veterans, class championships and perpetual awards were doled out. Jim Sechler was named Marine Prop Rider of the Year; Mark Weber earned the Jim & Elsie Edwards Memorial Vintage Award (A-55 Mom’s Worry); Mike and Jerry Terry presented the Joseph “Doc” Terry Memorial to Mike Weber; Turner Racing “won” the Hard Luck Award, for the acrobatics that broke their boat in half; Grant Ward “Unsung Hero” went to a big guy with a big heart, Greg Kreitzer; Rookie of the Year to Dave Turner, with mentions for efforts to Scooter Grigg and Dylan Goodell. Class Hi-points: Y-1 Tim Collins; S-17 All In Keith Frickert; A-64 Kevin Kreitzer; E-13 Lady Luck Bartush-Keogh, with Andy Keogh driving; NM-100 Tom Newman; GNH-317 Irishman Steve Kuhr; GP-100 Fat Chance Joan English, Royce & Kathy Richards, Andrew Tate piloting; overall most points Y-1 Tim Collins Shenanigans. Banquet committee gets beaucoup de kudos! Kathleen and Mario Maraldo, Kathy and Royce Richards, Alexis Weber, Nancy Spanich, Stephanie and Grag Walczack, Grace Variano and Marie Flis!

—Don (Eli) Whitney, APBA Region 6 Chairman

The December 6th club meeting was held at the Weber/Ritz Motorsports complex near Utica, Mich., with a holiday potluck dinner, videos, photos, bench racing (lies), and an ugly sweater contest, along with a little club business. The Prop Riders do this every year. Look for more in 2018!

The January 3rd meeting returns to Juliano’s, on Van Dyke just north of I-696, 7:30 PM sharp (yeah, right – sometimes I am so far behind I think I’m in first place!). All are invited. 2018 club memberships available. Need directions? Check the website and call!

Rich Falcinelli is trolling for volunteers to man the MPR display planned for the Detroit Autorama

REGION 10

With our 2017 season in the books, Seattle Drag and Ski were our hosts for the Region 10 Meeting and Banquet. SDS “Godfather” Jim Codling breaks down the event and tells us what else his band of Pirates are up to: “All the clubs and region parties are well underway. A lot of old friends got together for the many recaps of the ’17 racing season. The three Inboard clubs will be holding a giant party in mid-January, with awards for all clubs—and there are a bunch. The event is at the Embassy Suites. The APBA National meeting follows at the end of January. I hope that some Inboard harmony can revive soon, as the election has hurt a lot of feelings.

“We lost Ed Morris, our original leader of the Region 10 recue group, in November. Let me tell you, he was a character.

“Jim Crestinello died of natural causes, also in November. He was an original member of the rescue team. We will miss them both. We’ve shared a lot of great memories with those two.

“The 2018 racing schedule is taking shape. There seems to be some controversy over racing dates, both here and among favored races in other categories and regions. We have some work to do this year on that project.

“Start repairs and paint jobs now, so you can get them done in time for the coming season.

“Those Brad Cole wraps are very impressive. He is now doing large yachts as well as our little boats.

“Also remember, Jesse Robertson’s decals are really well done; keep it in the family. Scott Baker’s shop is filling up with prop work, so get there early. I am coaching him up, showing him all my prop talent...hummmm.

“In short, use our guys and gals to do work for your team. It all helps, and a few dollars more of less is not going to break you. I have a friend

who drove his fishing boat to Anacortes to do the bottom work. For $285.00, he could have had it done here in Seattle, saving seven hours of travel each way. My goodness, does anyone use an adding machine anymore?

congratulate everyone on a great and successful season. We also would like to thank Jeff Bernard and all of his team for working tirelessly on the school boat and bringing more people into our sport.

“At our last Inboard event, we saw a couple of new guys step up from Vintage and outboards to take a whack at Inboard boats. Chase Aird ran the wheels off of the S-360 during a 2.5 Stock heat. Ron Magnuson ran the Gang Green hydro in the Vintage event, and now plans to buy it.

They both wore huge smiles while coming back to the dock.

“It takes a lot of time and dedication for all that we do in this sport, and this is what keeps the motor going (pun intended).

“A big thanks to all our race workers. All year long, we could not do this without you. “ Mike White has been our stalwart in keeping the OPC category moving, Here’s Mike’s recap of OPC in the Northwest: “The Formula 150 class participated in three regattas; GT-1 and SST 45s, two regattas; and Sport C, six regattas. Thank you to the clubs that put on these races and let us participate. Thank you to the Region 11 racers and crews that came up from California.

“Seattle Drag and Ski put on an awesome Banquet and Region award ceremony. Awards for OPC went to Formula 150 Rick Adams, GT-1 Larry Shepard, Sport C Russell Mead, and the George Babcock Award to Mike White.

“We also want to congratulate all of our Region 10 High Points winners, and once again, Jeff Bernard on getting inducted into the Hall of Champions. We also want to give a huge shout out to all of our winners in APBA. We wish everyone happy holidays. Stay safe and work hard to get those boats ready for next season.

See you at the races (and meetings).”

Finally, Ana also updates us on what is going on at Seattle Outboard Association: “So it begins...The couple of months off will be spent updating equipment, building and repairing boats, buying new motors, all to get ready for the 2018 season. SOA had a great year! A lot of records were set, many High Point champions and National Champions came out of Region 10 this past year! We want to

congratulate all of the winners in both Region 10 and all of the other regions. SOA has a lot coming up in 2018.

“The Outboard Nationals will take place at Moses Lake July 16-21, 2018. We are all really excited to host a great race and to watch some of the best racing around! We are looking forward to the meetings coming up, and banquets to celebrate our accomplishments over the 2017 season. We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and that Santa brings everyone new boat parts and motors. See you all next year!”

We have a strong contingent headed to Chicago in January for the APBA National Meeting, and are looking forward to seeing what the new meeting format has in store for us. We’ll also get to see a number of our members honored for their accomplishments in 2017. Three of our racers are getting inducted in the Hall of Champions this year. In addition to Ana’s mention of Jeff Bernard in the Inboard category, Kyle Lewis (Stock Outboard), and Jim Nilsen (PRO Outboard) will all be recognized for their stellar performances.

Congratulations to each of them. We look forward to seeing them, and all of you, in Chicago soon!

—Patrick Gleason R19

GPS Class action at Spanaway, Washington.

Gleason Racing Photography

“Region 10 OPC election results were announced.

OPC Commissioner and Activities Chairman will be Mike White. There is already a buzz in the air about the upcoming 2018 season. We are looking forward and excited about another great season.”

Tacoma Inboard Racing Association wrapped up its season in fine form, as Commodore Ana Cappelletti explains: “What a season! Tacoma Inboard had a great year! We held both the Western Divisionals at Pateros and the Inboard Nationals at Spanaway.

We had a lot of great racing, and enjoyed seeing some of our friends from back east! We want to

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seafair snapshot Mike Maskall #22 of Chilliwack, British Columbia, took 2nd place on Sunday in GT-1 class at Seattle Seafair August 5-6, 2017.

Chris Fairchild of Paw Paw, Illinois (inset) was the class winner both days.

GLEASON RACING PHOTOGRAPHY

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DONATE TO THE OUTBOARD DRIVING SCHOOL FUND!

Outboard Driving Schools are a proven way to bring new members into APBA. The APBA Historical Society maintains a fund to provide grants to local clubs to help offset expenses, so they can introduce more newcomers to the thrill of racing.

Invest in the future of racing. Please consider a donation to help APBA clubs with their Driving Schools in this racing season and in years to come.

The APBA Historical Society is a 501(c)3 corporation, so your donation to the Driving School Fund is fully tax-deductible. Contact Linda Likert at the APBA office, or visit www.apbahs.org .