ACCOMPLISHING THE IMPOSSIBLE

~~~~JI1C WN WINS APBA CUP ND FIRST CAREER

UNLIMITED RACE

VI

UIM~\ UN O~ l~l·R"~J [~~Lf MOIONAUJIUUf

~ 8 PASSIONATE PROTEGE LIVES HiS REMARKABLE DREAM

TAKING THE EDGE OFF 12 PUSH BOAT NATIONALS

~ ROAR ON TH'E RIVER

QUAKE ON THE LAKE

DEPARTMENTS From The Editor

From The Top: Don't Forget to Vote

SPOTLIGHT ON: San Diego

This Date in History

You Make the Call

Rooster-Tales: Preparation is Key

Inside the Cockpit: Amanda Hager!

Racing Calendar

In Pictures

Region Roundup Region 10 Region 11 Region 12

26

30

FROMTHE EDITOR

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. . making his famil~

DON'T FORGET TO

VOTE

PROPELLER -------------------------------

SPOTLIGHT ON:

I

For nearly 50 years the sights and sounds of Unlimited

Hydroplane racing have roared across Mission Bay in San Diego, Calif. This year

will be no different. "The first race in San Diego was in 1964, so this

year we will be celebrating 49 years," Bayfair board member Gregg Mansfield said. "We always plan

for Bayfair to take place the second weekend after Labor Day and the event has definitely developed around the racing." As always, racing this year will be the HI Unlimited hydroplanes and U-6 driver Steve David will be defending his title on one of the fastest courses on the Unlimited circuit. The 2.5 mile course has the longest straightaway of all the HI courses. Racing on saltwater makes the boats more buoyant. The bay is also wide open so the driver can take wide turns to keep their speeds up, according to HI Chief Referee

Mike Noonan. "The density is up, the speed is up and this is where most of our records have been

set," Noonan said. More than just Unlimiteds, Bayfair will

feature boats from several other categories including Inboard, Inboard Endurance,

Offshore, Stock Outboard and OPC. "(Bayfair) is going to be a

tremendous event again like it is every year. There

is something for everybody there and the entertainment on the water is going to be non-stop." Off of the water the entertainment will be non-stop as well. Expecting nearly 98,000 people in and out over the course of the weekend, there will be plenty of activities for everyone to do. Taking place from September 13 thru 15, spanning three islands on Mission Bay, Bayfair will feature two stages with live music, countless vendors, a Motocross show and a kids zone. "People can get a different flavor for what they want to do. We are trying to broaden now beyond the boat race. This is a family fun festival," Bay Fair Marketing Director Gregg Mansfield said. "This year what we're adding a freestyle Motocross exhibition event and that will happen over on what we call Crown Point. This year also we are adding a microbew festival with 25 microbrewers. "San Diego in recent years has had quite a microwbrew push so this kind of goes with what's going on in San Diego." San Diego features numerous other attractions including Sea World and the Mission Bay Aquatic Center, which is the world's largest instructional waterfront facility. With something for everybody San Diego is a mecca

for culture whether it be through its outdoor activities, museums or food. Contemporary and classical plays, Broadway musicals, opera, the symphony, ballet, popular musical entertainers, dinner theatres and concerts are all part of the arts and culture offerings in San Diego. Known specifically for its world famous zoo, the San Diego Zoo houses approximately 3,700 animals of approximately 660 species in its 100 acres. Recognized as one of the world's best wos, it is accredited as a living museum by the American Association of Museums (only six other zoos worldwide have achieved this status). In addition to giant pandas on loan from the People's Republic of China, spectacular bioclimatic exhibits include Lost Forest, Polar Rim, Discovery Outpost,

Elephant Odyssey and more. The San Diego Zoo also features a 35-minute guided bus tour, children's

petting zoo and baby animal nursery. San Diego features approximately

6,700 restaurants countywide with the neighborhoods of Coronado, Old Town,

Little Italy, Hillcrest, North Park and South Park, La Jolla, Del Mar and

downtown's historic Gaslamp Qiarter, which boasts over 100 restaurants,

standing ou t as dining destinations.

Some local favorites are Luche Libre

Taco Shop, George's at The Cove and Phil's BBQ "2012, Phil's BBQwas named the West Coast Regional Winner of the Travel Channel show ''Adam Richman's Best Sandwich in America." Phil's El Toro tri-tip sandwich is one of ten regional winners that will move on to the final round of judging," public relations corrdinator for the San Diego Tourism Autority Sarah Weinberg said. "Richman selected 30 sandwiches from 10 geographical regions across the country to face his BITE scale (Bread, Interior, Taste, Eating experience)." San Diego is consistently recognized as one of the leading family destinations worldwide for families with children of all ages. In addition to 70 miles of pristine beaches, nearly perfect climate and popular year-round special events, San Diego is known for world-class family attractions

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CHILDHOOD DREAM COMES TRUE Passionate protege lives his remarkable dream ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY / /USAF STAFF SGI MATTHEW D. PLEW It was a beautiful summer morning as the sun shined down onto Hogg Bay. The sound of engines could be heard from the far ends of the parking lot. The scent of sun screen, barbeque and a hint of boat fuel hang in the air around the Kent Island Yacht Club as spectators filled the viewing stands and setting up camping chairs and pop-up tents to get the best view possible of the 23rd Annual Thunder on the Narrows boat races.

Among the racing crews is 16-year-old Chris Szymanski from St. Clair Shores, Mich.1his was his very first boat race. For months, Chris had been learning about the sport of hydroplane racing under the tutelage oflong time Jersey Speed Skiff racer Dennis "The Menace" Macy. Although Chris was not the pilot for his first race, it's clear after five minutes of talking with him that this is the lifetime opportunity he's

been waiting for.

"I'm a poor man chasing a rich man's dream,"

Szymanski said. "What's the point of having a

dream if you don't go after it?"

Reflecting back as young boy,

Szymanski remembers

how his

father used to take him out to Stony Creek Metropark to watch the boat races. It was a time honored tradition for them to bond as father and son. Mter his father passed away, Chris decided to pursue his father's dream of becoming a professional boat racer as a career, for himself.

"It's been four years since he's been gone," Szymanski said. "(Dad) loved hydroplane racing after he loved his family. I just want to do something that would make him proud."

The sense of determination and commitment radiating from Szymanski as he recounts the memories he has of his father are unmistakable. He's instantly snapped back into the present as Macy calls out to him to get ready for their first heat of the day. All at once the air around him becomes electric. Excitement ignites and, like a bolt of lightning, Szymanski runs over to get the Skiff ready. As he preps the

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"Menace" Skiff to be hoisted into Hogg Bay, he looks over at Macy and says, "God bless his heart for getting me into this."

The competition looked tough. Several returning Jersey Speed Skiff champions also made the trip to compete in this National Championship. Prepping their racing equipment, Macy and Szymanski casually talk strategy about how they're going to achieve the best time on the course. A man with a bull horn walks down the harbor dock and announced, "five minutes."

Helping Macy settle into the pilot's seat, Szymanski then takes his place as the co-pilot right next to him. A man in brown wader coveralls helps float them into their starting position. The countdown sounds; five, four, three, two, one. Like a shot from a

into open water. Several laps later, a saltwater-soaked Team Menace emerged from the whitewash victorious. A huge smile is visible on Szymanski's face beneath his racing helmet. He and Macy had finished with the best time out of seven Jersey Speed Skiffs in the first qualifYing heat. It's impossible to keep the animation out of his expressions as Szymanski re-tells the experience.

"Once I set foot in the boat all my nervousness dropped. As soon as we rounded that first turn and started kicking it up I said, 'I got this,'" Szymanski recalled. "Feeling the boat launch back, hitting every wave, looking around at everything, feeling the wind rush past your helmet and around your face, it's amazing."

In his excitement Szymanski pauses and

takes a moment to consider his father. "I'd do anything to see his face," Szymanski said. "For him to see me in these (racing suit), he would just be like 'yeah.'"

The smile returns to Szymanski's face as his mother, Mary, comes over to greet him with a victory hug. The two of them return to the "Menace" Skiff to celebrate with Macy. High-fives and pats on the back are exchanged. A group of their competitors walk over to congratulate them on their win and discuss past racing stories. As Chris basks in the presence of the pro racers around him, he explains how when he attended the APBA Driving School earlier this year, he never thought that racing would change his life the way it has.

"Doing this has given me a much better outlook on life," Szymanski said. "I can wake up and not think about everything depressing that has happened; look outside and say, 'wow, it's a beautiful day to chase after my dream.'"

GETTING RESCUE READY FOR A RACg

PREPARATION IS KEY

Race weekend is quickly approaching. I scan the emails and look over my spread­sheet of the crew for the weekend. The phone rings and after a brief conversation I make another adjustment. Working with an all-volunteer team there is always a last minute cancelation and adjustment. Typi­cally there are changes in work schedules, so people have to reluctantly cancel. Many of my team have put in for vacation months in advance as I have to cover the races. I scratch my head again as I look over the list. Staffing for 10 to 12 events a summer can be challenging. Fortunately I am blessed with a great group of experienced and dedi­cated professionals to back me up.

I open the e-mail from the race director and start setting up the room assignments at the hotel for the team. Mter that is completed I put together a team update with the hotel and room assignments for the weekend. I send this out just before the race so every­one knows where they are staying and who they are bunking with. The team update will also give everyone the time to meet race day, what time the race is to start so ev­eryone knows when

• we will be on the water. Mter the te ilJIl update has been sent out I put together my crew assignments. I carefully balanl!e everyone's skills so that I have a well bal­anced mix on each rescue boat. I assign my divers to the personal water craft. These are usually my most experienced people. The divers I assign to the skis have to be on their A game and know what is happening on the race course as they could easily get them­selves and someone else hurt if they didn't.

During the week I have seen to all the odds and ends on the boat that need to be attended to. The med kits are restocked, the fire extinguishers have been refilled, and tanks topped off. All of this depends on how active things were at the race before. I go through all of my dive gear to make sure everything functions perfectly. I am very obsessive about my dive gear and equipment maintenance, so much so that the divers and team members were joking about it at the last race. They actually called it a "Kenny Inspection" of their dive gear.

I took Rescue 1 by the local station and had it and the extra fuel containers filled with marine grade fuel that contains no ethanol. The ethanol has caused us a great deal of grief so I avoid it whenever possible when fueling the rescue boats. I run by the store to make sure the coolers are stocked with sodas. I do this knowing that other mem­bers that are doing the same for Rescue 2.

Race day has finally arrived. I have posted the crew assignments in the front

" W Rm-EN BY / /KEN SMITH

ceAPBA RESCUE DIVER

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dash of my truck where everyone can see them. Everyone checks their assignment and starts getting their equipment to­gether based on what they are doing, diver, swimmer, swimmer/medic, or driver. I run around tending to details, small equipment issues, checking on ice, water, and lunches. I watch as the crews do radio checks, check the med kits, and go through the other equipment. I check to make sure there is plenty of sunscreen and everyone has used it. I see someone with the spray on sun­screen and make sure they are keeping it well clear of their dive gear. I found out the hard way that it will actually destroy the soft parts in a dive regulator. We spend six to eight hours on the water and I make sure that the sunscreen is used religiously.

As everyone is finishing up the checks I head to the drivers meeting. At the end of the meeting I go over the hand signals for the drivers to indicate they are OK or if they are in trouble. I do my usual "find your zipper, follow it down and your release will always be there," at the end of the meeting. I had wondered if people were getting bored with it or listening, but had at least two drivers say they flipped and my words came back to them when they needed it most. I had really felt great hearing that. That is why I do this. Mter the drivers meeting I head back down to the cranes and they are getting ready to put boats in and we're up.

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L ake Lawrence World Record Regatta can be one of the most grueling events

to take place in Region 10.

"Lake Lawrence is not a relatively fun race. It's a special race because you don't go there to win the race, you go there to set records," John Peeters said. "If you have the expectation to set a record, even if you win the race and didn't set the record it's not necessarily a success, so it's a different kind of stress level there."

To help ease the stress and put a little bit more fun back into the event, every Saturday night at the Lake Lawrence World Record Regatta, for the past 27 years, participants of all ages ranging from 2 years­old and their first experience in the water all the way up to people in their mid to late 20s, compete for the chance to become a Push Boat National Champion.

After seeing Rusty Rae organize the first event in 1986 with a bunch of children, Bill Blackwell thought what Rae was doing was great and wanted to carryon the event. "These kids were having a great time. Rusty was guiding them on a form of 'racing' each other by seeing whose boat could go the farthest," Blackwell said. "They would push or throw them across the surface of the water with the intent to make the boat go as far as possible."

Push boats are small wooden, handmade hydroplanes fashioned after outboard and Unlimited hydros. Participants would push or throw their boats across the surface of the water with the intent to make the boat go as far as possible. Lawrence Lake became the location for the Push Boat Nationals for many reasons, according to Blackwell. The weather is

always good and second because it's the end of the racing season, but the most important reason is that Lawrence Lake has a nice sandy beach where you can wade out quite far and still only be knee deep. This shallow sandy bottom condition is perfect for hosting the large turnout.

"This is an informal after race competition that I put together," Blackwell said. "There are no rules really, it's just distance and the name of the game is fun. As the years went on I made a whole fleet of boats and gave them away. We would have trophies, prizes and then it just really grew."

Competing in the Push Boat Nationals are people of all ages. Not just boat racers but neighborhood children are all separated into different age groups. Lasting for about 30 minutes, participants line up at the dock, each participant gets three throws and their best one wins.

Now-a-days, Denise and Mike Johnson have assumed the role of "race director" and have continued to grow the Push Boat Nationals. Seattle Outboard Association has used the Push Boat Nationals to reach out to the neighborhood children to help bring more families to the race.

"There are a number of kids from around the lake who will show up," Mike said. "I remember last year there were a couple of kids who did quite well and made the finals. Really the first time a lot of kids do anything boat racing wise out in Region 10 is push boats at Lawrence Lake.

"They may do that from age two or three until they hit age eight and then jump into aJ-Hydro and keep doing push boats. A good example of that is Colin Rucker.

Rucker began participating in Push Boats as a young child and from there has raced in the Junior Classes, Stock Outboard and PRO and now he is the defending champion at the Push Boat Nationals. John Peeters did the same thing, Mike said.

Becoming a Push Boat National Champion is not as simple as just throwing the boat and watching it glide across the water, there is a certain technique that is required in becoming a Push Boat Champion. Peeters, who is the Push Boat record holder, at 92-feet, knows all about what it takes to become a Push Boat National Champion.

"There are absolutely secrets and a technique to throwing, but I can't tell you," Peeters, a three-time Push Boat Champion, said with a laugh. "The key is, for Push Boats you throw front to back and go underhand. The key is the follow through just like golf or anything else. You push the boats and they are so light that you can blow them over right away. So you have to make sure you get a good even push.

"It is just pure quintessential fun. You have to remember that this is fun. Everybody should have a Push Boat race, it is just so much fun."

//13

What is the ultimate in com­petitive racing? With re­strictions only being placed

on engine displacement in most of the PRO classes and a 'fast is not al­ways enough' attitude by the racers this could be just that-the ultimate in competitive racing. At least that is what the 15,000 race fans felt who lined the banks of Lake DePue for the APBA PRO National Championship races on July 31 -August 2 this year.

PRO racing basically means any­thing goes, with highly modified spe­cialty racing engines that have tuned expansion chambers running ni­tromethanelalcohol blend fuels. This combination offers wide open racing as compared to the other restricted outboard classes. These boats are fast enough to capture the public's inter­est and imagination, faster than any boat that the average person might take to the lake on a Sunday.

In the PRO category, there are many names who represent the wide­open competitive spirit of pushing it to the limits. Looking at the winners summary, there are names like Dan Kirts, Mike Krier, Mitch Meyer and Denny Henderson. Even so, there is a bit more to it than that.

After working the bugs out of his home-built engine, everything came together and Denny Henderson took the na­tional championship in 250 Hydro. Photo: Jim Vota

Dan Kirts, while not running the big 700 Hydro and 11 00 Hydro classes this year still made his presence known in the 250, 350, and 500 Hydro classes. Kirts won the 250cc class but received stiff challenges from a couple of young racers, namely second place finisher Sean Harrison and third place contender Sean McKean.

In 500 Hydro, Kirts.again faced a stiff challenge frum a younger racer, Mark Schlarb. In the 500 final, Schlarb got the advantage at the start and outran Kirts from the outside position to win the heat. Kirts, however, still had enough points for the national title while Schlarb took second and Carl Larvenz made a consis­tent showing for third.

After the first round of 250ccH, it looked like Kirts would be the top contender in this class too, but he broke in his second heat and did not make the final.

Denny Henderson, who had been having teething troubles with a home built Yamaha-based engine, finally got everything to come together and never looked back as he beat the Yamato-powered rigs of Pete Crowley who finished second and Sean Harrison who was third.

The big 700 and 1100 Hydro classes might not have had the larger turnout of the smaller classes, but they had some of the fastest boats on hand. In 1l00ccH, it looked like newcomer Doug Hall had the race won. After the race however, he was disqualified for hitting the first turn buoy in heat one. This moved Billy Rucker IIJ up to first and put Hall-the fastest racer in the class-into second overall. PRO rookie John Cornett hung in there for a close third place.

In 700ccH, Doug Hall looked like he might continue his charge, until he was

(continued on page 20)

PRO NATIONALS (continued from page 19)

eliminated from competition by crashing with John Heggensberger on the last lap of heat one. Pete Nydahl went on to win heat one and take the overall title. Even though Tom Hindley topped Nydahl in two out of three heats, he finished second

Sweeping all three heats, veteran driver Mike Krier took home the victory In 250 Runabout. Photo: Jim Vota

overall and Marty Stahl came in third. In the runabouts, it was the old guard that took home the titles. Mike Krier was

the undisputed champ in 250 Runabout as he swept all three heats. Jim Kirts was just far enough behind that Krier knew he was there. One mistake by Krier, and Kirts would have zipped past. Kirts captured second and a steady Rodney Walk was third. Mitch Meyer had motor trouble with a Yamaha hybrid in 250 Runabout but came back in 350 Runabout with a resounding championship. Ed Thirlby ran consistently to take second, and Jim Kirts ran well enough for third.

Rich Krier looked like a sure thing in 500 Runabout until his motor quit while lining up for the start in the final. This opened the door for Ed Thirlby to move up for the win. Krier still had enough points to hang on for second and Pete Voss ran a wide course for third.

Howard Anderson and Bobby Sandvig were the only legal starters in heat one of 1100 Runabout. From there, they accumulated the points needed to win the 1100 championship. Garey Hansen and Kent Netz won heats two and three but did not have enough points in the end and had to settle for second. Jim Kirts and Loren Perry finished third.

While most ofthe PRO category is unrestricted, no-holds-barred racing, there are a few restricted classes at the slower end of the scale. Classes which have been somewhat lackluster in the past, provided some of the closest competition of the weekend. The Antique Hydro and Runabout classes offered closely packed starts and tight, head-to-head racing. C Service Runabout was swept by Dwight Malhiot but not without a stiff challenge from Steve Greaves in second place and John Laird in third. In C Service Hydro, Jack Campbell held off enough of the compe-

tition to take the win. Malhiot, despite not being able to get good starts in the first two heats, took second and Ed Thirlby was third.

John Laird had a better time in C Racing Runabout as he hit the line out in front all three heats and never faltered as he raced home for the title. It was a dog fight from there as the evenly matched competitors fought for second and third with Chester Greynolds capturing second and Ralph Lambrecht taking home third. In Antique C Racing Hydro, Greynolds took home a hard-fought victory in an extremely close match. Malhiot did not finish in the first heat but finished sec­ond overall and Lambrecht once again took third.

In the PRO division there are a couple of classes that were designed for the novice or beginning racer. PRO J Hydro was won by steady Randy Rose who took the title on points as T.R. Krier who finished second and Kim Rucker who was third both jumped the gun in the second heat. In what appeared to be a totally west coast class, Jason Neri swept the Novice 350 championship followed by Robert West in second and Richard Schaupp in third.

The lightweight classes of PRO racing include the single cylinder 125 Hydro and RB Hydro. these are considered lightweight classes because of their lower hull weight, size, and power. In 125 Hydro, Jack Kugler raced to a convincing vic­tory by taking two out of three heats. He was followed by Buddy Tennell in second and Larry Latta in third.

Steadiness rather than blazing speed did the job in RB as Alan Feddersen took

Dwight Malhlot took home the national championship In Antique C Ser­vice Runabout-a class which provided some of the closest competition of the weekend. Photo: Jim Vota

the overall win by finishing second in each heat. Larry Latta, who appeared to be the fastest, took second after posting a DNF in heat two, and John Kinkaid took third. Latta runs a higher content of nitromethane in his fuel than anyone else. The engine runs stronger and faster because of this but also has more stress put on it. If he was not allowed to run the nitro, the outcome in RB Hydro might have been different.

Whatever the case-no one knows for sure, but it certainly is one of the vari­ables that makes PRO racing the ultimate in competitive racing. "

Racing two categories and multiple classes throughout the season can become stressful for any driver. Racing SST-45, Stock Outboard Runabout and Stock Outboard Hydros, Amanda Hagerl ends her racing season with class, professionalism and hopefully a National Championship.

Qtestion: Which class do you prefer?

Amanda Hagerl: I think they (each class) are totally different but I actually prefer B-runabout. B-runabout is my favorite class but I only get to race it once a year so I normally just race 45s.

Q As far as competition, who's your biggest competitor out on the water?

AH: In the 45 class, anyone is your biggest competition because anyone can just win because of the reverse order of starts but I would say consistently Butch Ott is on the podium and Mark Schmerbauch, obviously and RJ West too, I guess cause he's kind of the fastest guy in our class.

Q What is your favorite race memory?

AH: I guess back to the runabout, probably around this time last year, I finally won the Marathon Nationals and it was where my family began racing and my brothers and my dad had already won and I had been trying since I was 10 years-old. Every year I never won it and last year I beat my brother for the championship. Everything went my way for once.

Q What is favorite thing about having your family members race along-side you?

AH: It's something your family can share, and even when you're angry at each other you can always come back to racing. Everyone in my family pitches in. My dad and brothers do the engine work and everyone has their own jobs. Just getting to compete is awesome. My brother is only two years older than me and we've been racing against each other our whole lives, so we're really competitive against each other; but away from racing we're not so it gives us a chance to vent that way. A couple years ago we all tried to race against each other for the first time but we ended up getting put into different elimination heats and then did not make the finals but we all raced B-runabout at the same race so that was kind a cool.

Q How has your season been going so far?

AH: In Bay City I finished sixth out of 16. It was the first race of the season for me, but for some reason I can't run a time trial very well so my weekend started off pretty rough. I started on the dock in the finals which is pretty far back but I guess in the final I was able to weasel up to sixth, so I took sixth for the weekend.

Q What was your favorite power boat experience growing up?

AH: I guess it would probably be when I was 14 or 16 because it was finally my turn to cut a run and try to get into the Hall of Champions. My brother tried and he had some issues and didn't end up making it so eventually he had to move up and I ended up getting the faster equipment in the J -Class. I guess the amount of my work that my brother and my dad did and a ton

of other racing families that have helped me have a great season and I ended up getting into the Hall of Champions. My parents always travel for me so that bonding experience is always pleasant.

Q What is your favorite thing about racing events outside of the actual racing?

AH: Friendships with a lot unique people.

Q Who is your racing hero and why?

AH: Definitely my dad because of the amount of work and dedication he has toward racing. Even in the year that I got into the Hall of Champions, he had even stopped racing at the weekend races so he could focus on my racing and he's in his mid-60s. Even a couple years ago he raced a runabout and went out and won his qualifYing heat which he hadn't raced in I don't know how many years and went out and beat everyone in a competitive class.

Q What is one piece of advice you were given that helped you out throughout your career?

AH: This one's funny. When I first started off racing I was testing. I went out in a hydro and was turning left and right and the boat was going all over the place so they waved me in and told me don't turn right, which is pretty good advice in a hydro. They told me to only turn left which is what you're supposed to do. So, I went out and only turned left and kept doing circles, like real small circles cause I thought I couldn't go straight either, I guess that was good advice.

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: ROCKEVSTONE MEMORIAL KILOS: &JOHN MYERSME~ORIAL 1/4 MILE •

• DEVILIS LAKE LINCOLN CITV~ OREGON •

• : OCTOBER 5-6, 101 ) • • PLEASE PREREGISTER by October 1st at 503-649-4064

• ON-SITE REGISTRATION October 4th from 4-6 p.m. • • DRIVERS MEETING 7 a.m. SHARP October 5th and 6th

• CLASSES All UIM, Inboard, OPC, PRO, Stock and Modified • Outboard, J-Classes, Inboard Endurance and Special Events • • ENTRY FEE: $175 ($150 with preregistration)

• REGION 10 RECORD RUN $60 ($50 with preregistration) • • • • • • • • • • •

$50 Crane Fees will be effect. This event may be cancelled due to circumstances beyond the control ofthe race

committee.

If you have plan to travel far, or if you have any questions, please contact the Race Chairmen: Allen Thorsen at

503-939-5072 or Laureen Thorsen at 503-649-4064 Rockey Stone, 1954. Photo by Carver & Swanson

• PLEASE REFER TO THE RACE CIRCULAR FOR IMPORTANT CHANGES!

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• 'Wt-_- PROPELLER ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////CATEGORY CORNER//

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• , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ••••• //23

Wolfeboro. NH Vintage 9/14-9/15 Forest Lake. MN OPC

Kingston. NH PRO, Stock, Junior

REGION 9:

10/12-1 0/13 Memphis. TN OPC

Grand Island. NY Vintage

Redwood. NY Modifi ed, Stock, Junior REGION 10:

9/1-9/2 Grants Pass. OR Vintage

9/7 -9/8 Spanaway. WA Vintage, Inboa rd, Inboard Endura nce

Mays Landing. NJ Inboa rd 9/14-9/15 Soap Lake. WA PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior

10/12-1 0/13 Wildwood Crest. NJ Inboard 9/21-9/22 Yelm.WA PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior

9/21-9/22 Chelan. WA Inboard, Inboa rd En durance REGION 4:

9/28-9/29 Issaquah. WA Vintage, Inboa rd, Inboard 9/21-9/22 Wilson. NC PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior Endura nce, Stock, OPC, Junior

9/28-9/29 New Martinsville. WV Special Eve nt, PRO, Stock, 10/5-1 0/6 Lincoln City. OR Special Eve nt, Inboa rd, Inboa rd I nboard, Modified, OPC Endurance, PRO, Modifi ed,

Stock, OPC, Junior

REGION 5: 10/ 5-1 0/6 Chelan. WA Vintage

9/13-9/ 15 Maraton. FL Vintage, Inboa rd, Offshore REGION 11:

9/14-9/15 Copperopolis. CA PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior REGION 6:

10/ 5-1 0/6 Isleton. CA Special Eve nt, Vintage, Stock, 9/7 -9/8 Grass Lake. MI Stock, Junior OPC

9/7 -9/8 Hillsdale. MI PRO, Modified, SLT 10/19-1 0/20 Nicolaus. CA Vintage, Inboa rd, PRO, Modified,

9/14-9/15 Columbus. OH Vintage, Inboa rd Stock, OPC, Junior

9/14-9/15 Big Rapids. MI Stock

9/21-9/22 Hilisboro.OH Vintage, Inboa rd REGION 12:

9/28-9/29 Alexandria. KY PRO, Modified, Stock, Junior 9/13-9/15 San Diego. CA COR, Inboa rd, Inboa rd Endurance, Offshore, Stock, OPC, Unlimited, Juni or, RIC

10/26-1 0127 Parker. AZ Spedal Event Inboa rd

Mukwonago. WI Modifi ed, Stock, Junior Endurance

Milton. WI Modified, Stock, Junior REGION 15:

9/21-9/22 Orange. TX OPC, Junior

*Racing Calendar dates are subject to change. Please visit apba.org/races for an up-to-date race calendar

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REGION 10 One of our more prolific groups in Region 10 is our Vintage group. With new boats on the circuit, restorations and old racers returning, we seem to have another new boat at every event. Ron Morrison profiles our Region 10 Vintage Rep, Jim Olson:

"The challenge of the Region 10 Vintage Division has heightened with added boats, accommodating boat sizes (from 48s to 7-Litres) for available course time, and coordinating the Vintage Division with the various regatta sponsoring entities. The guy in the eye of this twister is Jim Olson, the APBA Region 10 Vintage Division Coordinator. Jim has a history that was immersed in boat racing early and often. He was raised in north Seattle 10 minutes from Green Lake, with its annual regatta which he attended. His dad was in the bearing business which gave Jim an inside lead on where boats of various sizes, including Unlimited, were testing. He often tracked these down. He finished high school in 1968 and moving into the '70s began his hands on race boat experience. The first of these was in 1971 in the Bob Gilliam shop with the "Valu-Mart" snub nosed Unlimited and later that year pitching in on a Fred Leland Inboard hydro. In 1972-'73 Jim worked three Inboard hydros for owner/driver Bob Miller. In the mid '70s he was at the Ed Karelson shop helping in the construction of 20-30 race boats, mostly outboards. In the '80s Jim became involved in building, repairing and racing OPC tunnel boats; while also helping in the

//34

Leland Unlimited hydro program. Several untimely racing deaths during this time caused him to step away from boat racing to undertake other pursuits. However, he couldn't stay away. In 2007 someone mentioned that the Inboards were running at Lake Sammamish. This led him to meet Doug Whitley and work on Doug's two Vintage boats, which in turn led to restoring a boat of his own, a Gibbs 5-Litre and restoring Vintage racers, Inboards and outboards for others. This part ofJirn's life continues.

On the administrative side,Jim has had his hand in that too. He served some time on the board of the Unlimited Hydroplane Museum. When Doug Whitley moved up to national position in the APBA Vintage Division he leaned onJim to take over the Vintage Coordinator role in Region 10. Jim accepted and did the job in 2011, but some personal problems got in the way and he dropped out in 2012. Well sort of, because the replacement coordinator's schedule got jammed up, Jim showed up, pitched in got the job done. For 2013,Jim is back in position. Among his coordinator initiatives has been to link Region 10 Vintage with The Seattle Inboard Racing Association giving Vintage an APBA club partner and SIRA added worker bees to help with regatta and club activities. Jim believes Vintage should have more visibility and expects it to give Inboards ever more competition for boat count at regattas. He says, "By 2015, 35 Vintage boats registered at a regatta is a reasonable expectation."

-Ron Morrison

We're saving our centerpiece of racing in

the Northwest for the month of September, when Tacoma Inboard hosts the Inboard Summer Nationals at Spanaway Lake in Tacoma. TIRA Commodore Shawn Warren recaps the news from your nationals host club:

"Wow, what a month of racing. Tacoma Inboard Racing Association members were racing all over the country this past month showing off their stuff. But none better than Mr. Kip Brown, the entire Our Gang Race team and their sponsors, as they brought home the APBA Gold Cup from Detroit. This was Kip's first Unlimited win, and what a win it was. We are all proud of their accomplishments and I am sure that putting his name on that trophy along with his uncle, Nate Brown and late Father-in-Law Terry Troxell has to be the highlight of his racing career to date.

Our Kentucky member Debbie Welte had a wonderful weekend in Waterford, Mich., taking two heat wins in the 2.5-Litre Modified Geezer Boat, what a great job by their team. We are happy that she did not pack it in after severe motor problems hit the team at the race prior. Leslie Warren had the A-36 Miss Beck Electric / Block and Head Machine entry flying in the 2.5-Litre Mod final at the Western Divisionals but some "tight" racing caused Leslie to clip the entrance pin and be Disqualified. But not before she laid down the heat of her life. Corey Peabody did a great job driving the E-1 Block and Head Machine for Jeff Bernard; it was just too bad they could not get four boats to make a start. The same could be said for Chris Bertram driving the Hey Jude for his dad

........ ........ ........ ......... ........ ... ..... ........ ......... ........ ........ ........ ........ ......... ........ ....... .. ....... ........ .. ....... ........ .. .. PROPELLER -.-A • . -JL-

Pat. The boat looked amazing but with only three starters, all they could do was put on a show. A shout out to Wild Bill Strain, it keeps getting better every weekend.

Tacoma Inboard is in full swing headed for Pateros, Wash., and the Terry Troxell Memorial Regatta. This race is a great venue for both racers and spectators alike. So on August 24th and 25th make your plans to be there. Then the Grand Finale for the TIRA race season, the APBA Inboard Summer Nationals at beautiful Spanaway Lake. Don't miss this race on September 7th and 8th. It should provide great weather conditions and even better racing. The whole TIRA team along with Co-Race Directors Ana Cappelletti and Brandon Payne have a great program planned along with a Saturday night racer appreciation Pit Party. Safe racing everyone"

-Shawn Warren

The racing action is still hot and heavy with Cal-Ore River racers in southern Oregon. Larry Darneille gives us this update on their summer:

"The Cal-Ore season continued with the Lower Rogue Challenge at Gold Beach on July 6th and 7th. The wind was a threatening factor as usual but subsided enough to have a beautiful race weekend. The low river level made for a challenging race with reading the wind on the water along with the shallow shoals and river bars along the course. Tyler McGinnis again smoked the qualifier for the pole. Leading the fleet of 13 starters in the start of the race Sunday, McGinnis then continued to dominate the race for the remaining laps to win the race. The wind waves on the lower course started taking a toll as the pounding started shaking apart engines and gear cases. The shoals shallow water and the wind in the bay were a challenge, but seven of the 13 starters finished. Following McGinnis was Derek Woolsey of Grants Pass in second, Jeff Lewis of Grants Pass in third, Matt Richardson of Grants Pass fourth and Franks Lara of Trinidad, Calif., in fifth. Rookies Sean Palmer and Joel Hood, both of Grants Pass, finished sixth and seventh. John McAllister of Junction City, Ore., grabbed another item from his bucket list

with a sky high blow over. He really has the old red boat flying. The next race will be the Wild River Brewing Labor Day Regatta at Grants Pass September 1st and 2nd."

- Larry Darneille

The Seattle Inboard and Seattle Drag and Ski group had a busy early part of the summer with races at Soap Lake and their annual Black Lake event. Jim Codling tells us like it was:

"Our season is racing along way too fast, with some great events behind us and several more just ahead, behind us was the Soap Lake, Wash., event run by Terry Anderson and Seattle Drag and Ski Sprint Boats. A field of 48 boats raced at the new site and the course and water were really good. The I-Litre field was strong again with nine entries for the two day event.

The Flatbottoms were disappointing as only eight showed up but the crowd loved them, especially the colorful Brandon Cushing Super Stock. The rookie ran very well over the long two days. Mike Smith won the event with his SS-24 boat, April.

Several boats ran right at the 1 %-mile record speeds, although we did not submit the course, it mirrors the Black Lake setup. A big thanks to the town of Soap Lake and to Terry and his race team. All the residents loved the J-Stock gang and a thanks to J Dub Myers for coming over to supervise and assist the new drivers. Seattle Outboard asked the club to also use the lake for their fall event and we all are looking forward to that event in place of the fall SOA Moses Lake event.

Off we then went to Black Lake and the Western Divisional race in Olympia, Wash. Race chairmen Jack Sipila and Jerry Dugan ran a great event, and we did see one record. The oldest mark in the Inboard category record book finally fell to Sid Rennells and Charlie Marquard in the SS-96 boat. His speed broke Lance Faulkner's mark set in 1996 at the same site. Mike Smith again won the event with the April.

The National Mod record was also right there with Chris Bertram and also Brett Harnack running close to that mark. They

were joined by Dan Kanfoush and Jim Sechler in a very fast 1-Litre which ran over the old record he holds, but could not hold on to the speed on lap four.

The mighty Grand Prixes did not finish their Divisional event but the Shockwave team wowed the large crowd with a fast lap at the end of the day, with a big chip in the motor, and a determined Dustin Echols driving. The team ran 119.9 mph, just to see how fast it would go. And go it did. Bob Schellhase and the Grant teams both showed up with nice new Trihey engines and ran the boats all four heats. Nice show. It was nice to see Justin and Stephanie Weymouth back at the races. Their 5-Litre ran well and the young twins ran fast also, no chance of mom and dad getting fat with those two speedsters. A big Pirate thanks to all the race committee, and to Kim Bussmeir who ran the scoring and timing this year. She and her team were great. The Dodge clan were all working with Chas acting as the referee, along with Jim Jr. and Russ and Carol on the race course, and Heather on the gate. Thanks so much, and the Aarons. Great job, guys. Finally, as of this writing, the fall Lake Sammamish is a no-go for this year."

-Jim Codling

Seattle Outboard has altered their plans for later in the season, moving their annual September event in Moses Lake up to Soap Lake. SOA raced at Soap Lake more than 30 years ago, and with the great work done by Terry Anderson and Seattle Drag and Ski opening up the venue and town for boat racing again, the SOA Board determined that they could hold a more fiscally responsible event by heading north to Soap Lake instead of running the annual SOA Connelly Park event at Moses Lake. And, thanks to multiple sponsors (whose names I don't have at this time, but will make sure we get them in next month's issue), we will be running a ~ mile record course for SO, MO, PRO andJ-Classes. It's a great example of clubs in our Region working together to share race venues when it makes sense for both to do so. Thanks to Seattle Drag and Ski for their help here.

Of course, SOA's "second season" (you know, all the races after Nationals) begins with

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Silver Lake, Eatonville and New Folks in Boats. We always look forward to seeing new people get their first ride in a race boat, the smiles, and sometimes, we even see the checkbooks come out, somebody buys a boat and they come racing with us. As we like to say, Driving Schools do work.

Rounding out the closed course outboard racing season is our big season finale at Lawrence Lake, near Yelm. SOA is billing the two consecutive races on record courses at Soap Lake and Lawrence Lake, "Speed Freak Week." If you're fortunate enough to win Nationals and are seeking those elusive Hall of Champions points, "Speed Freak Week" is the best way to have a shot at a record, and sample some of the best racing you'll ever see in the Indian Summers of the Pacific Northwest. But wait, there's more, kilos on October 5th and 6th at Lincoln City, Ore., at Devils Lake, in the heart of the beautiful Oregon Coast. How can you possibly go wrong? See you in the fall.

-Patrick Gleason

/ /Patrick Gleason //Shawn VVarren / / Jim Godling / /Larry Darneille / /Ron Morrison

//36

REGION 11 Region 11 is going into the post MLB (baseball)break with a lot happening from here on out.

The East Bay Boat Club is firming up the Patriot Day Regatta slated for the weekend of September 14th and 15th at the Salt Spring Valley Resort near Copperopolis, Calif. Some of you may recall that the Tammy Dawe Memorial Regatta and Western Divisional Championships were held at this location and many drivers from up and down the coast attended.

This one looks to be a rouser with many classes scheduled and drivers eager to get on the water to go fast. The new managers of the Salt Spring Valley Resort and Campground, Mike Musick and Rod Carr, are very pleased to have the boat racers at their campground and are planning to host a Saturday night barbecue for all the drivers and crew who attend this event.

Get those entries submitted early so that Mike and Rod can have a head count in advance of the Saturday night event. Gloria Crim, Commodore of the Delta Boat Racing Association, announced that the Delta Boat Racing Association is spreading its wings throughout the California Delta and is in the process of reprising the once popular race which has

been co-hosted by the Stockton Rod and Gun Club.

The locale has been greatly improved with the addition of a very nice boat ramp, doubling the capacity for launching and retrieving boats. The Louis Park area surrounding the location and where we were once allowed to cold pit and camp has been turned into a sparkling gem with manicured lawns and numerous shade trees The total area is spectator friendly and there are many hotels and motels in the immediate vicinity.

The Northern California Outboard Association will host the second Lake Minden race on the weekend of October 19th and 20th scheduled for the Thousand Trails Campground at Nicolaus, Calif., and all is looking better as the planning reaches fruition. This venue is an attraction for a multitude of classes to run.

The facilities offered by Don Haymore, the campground director, include cabin rentals, full RV hookups and lawn areas with lots of very welcome shade trees.

Get this one on your calendar cause it promises to be a great season closer, especially for you points chasers.

Tony Lombardo, the Concord Flash, driving for John Canfield at Burley, Idaho, brought home the Crackerbox Championship in the Canfield P-5 Crackerbox. Blake Stump was

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Tony's fearless driver. RJ West ran at Trenton, Mich., and managed a heart breaking second place finish in SST -45 after a battle with the last turn buoy; until that point he had been leading for most of the race. You guessed it, the turn buoy won.

Lance DeStefans traveled east to Crosby, Minn., to uphold the standards for the Sport C Gang from here in Region II. Competing against Alan Hunting, the best Sport C driver in the country, Lance did bring home a podium finish. Nice job, Lance.

/ /Frank Banducci

REGION 12 Dawe racing has been across the country twice in the last month and half, going to Bay City, Mich., and Trenton, Mich. We didn't do very well at these events, but it is always fun. This was our first trip to Bay City and Jim Fox and his whole crew do a great job at this event. This was our fourth trip to Trenton and we took the motorhome so that Annica and Grandson Luke would

be comfortable. Trenton has become our favorite race, as there are just a lot of good things going on all weekend. Fred Miller is to be congratulated for this great event that he puts on every year. Four days after getting home from Trenton my wife and I left for Yosemite with our daughter Mandy and two granddaughters for a week. It was great. One thing that stands out at all the races that I have ever attended is the cooperation and help that one always gets from the other contestants.

At Bay City we didn't have a prop for the size of the course and Butch Ott stepped up to loan us one of his. At Trenton since we had the motorhome, Fred Miller said he would loan us his tow vehicle to back the boat in the water. When we were ready to do this on Thursday, Fred had to go to a meeting and told us that Bob Broge,John's dad, would lend us his Explorer for this. Mter we had broken in the motor, Bob came up and said if! would drive him home he would give us the Explorer for the rest of the weekend. I drove him home and we had a vehicle . It was great and I thank Bob. I got home from Yosemite on Friday evening and went to Long Beach on Saturday for the race there.

We were pitted between two Inboard Pro Stockers and Luke was with us. Gordie

Jennings lent Steven a set of ear muffs for Luke to lower the noise level and both crews on each side of us let us know when they were going to fire their motors so we could cover up his ears. This is just another example of the consideration that boat racers take for everyone. We thank all of you.

Long Beach was a great event with quite a lot of entries. The weather was pleasant all weekend and there were good crowds. There were a few incidents but no one was physically injured. It was the Nationals for the Flatbottoms and the Grand Nationals. It was the North American Championship for the SST -45s and RJ West was the winner. Again, RJ was busy in the pits on Saturday night fixing a broken boat for a new 45 driver. Another example of the help boat racers give to each other. There were 14 A-Stock Hydros and the racing was really good. Dave Hale ended up the overall winner for the weekend and won the Tammy Dawe Trophy. All-in-all it was a great event and RPM Enterprises should be congratulated. Next up for Region 12 will be San Diego Bayfair Sept 13-15. This is a big event with categories from Stock Outboard to Unlimited racing.

/ /Ernie Dawe

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