Reunion

[David Mason]

Great event. I met some of the folks I have heard so much about, and read about. I met a lot of people. The room was a little warm but I don't think anyone was complaining to much.

I think I was just about speechless from all the big names there. Oh yeah, met Joe Rome... he is very tall. Met Wayne Baldwin, looks slightly different than his profile picture.

Met a TON of folks, and I have a tshirt I got autographs on. It was a well worth it.

A highlight for me of the whole event was talking to Dick Austin and him telling us he was going to try and get the cabover with the Quincy 6 on the water Saturday. I thought it was an honor enough to simply see one these boats in person. Been a dream of mine to see one, never thought I would. Then to actually see it run......... and watch it go around the course was simply breath taking for me. Dick said it was 1985 since he had been in a boat, and you know what, he came out onto the course and I don't think he cracked the throttle once......

This was one GREAT event, and one I am proud to say I had the privledge of seeing. My mom and dad got to see old friends and make new friends, and I got to see it all. I really lost sight of the fact that it was Nationals, because I was having fun !!

One sight that was hard to fathom, Bruce Summers in his PJ's at the reunion..... heheheheh:D sorry Bruce, had too.

So for those that I met and got an autograph from, thank you so much for making this guy feel welcomed.

I think Ron Hill was cold so he turned the heat on in the room... after all he is from CA and 90 might feel chilly to him !! ;)

[Master Oil Racing Team]

It was excellent David, and I was very glad to meet you. You are right about Joe. A lot of people who he had never met before recognized him from a distance because he stood up about like those corn stalks above the rest (except for Ron and Russ);) Other than being bald, heavier and white beard, I most probably looked different because it was a Nikon Digital camera around my neck rather than my Nikon 35mm film camera.:D

I got in about 16 minutes ago. 22 hours of driving time plus 2 hours of rest. I left Joe at 8:00 this morning and he called me for a wake up call so I wouldn't fall asleep before I got home. As it was I was only five minutes from home. He called to let me know that Marshall had just woken him up to find out what went on and who showed up. Marshall told Joe to go back to sleep and he will call back later. Now I am going to saw a few logs myself.

[Bill Van Steenwyk]

Golly Wayne, you must have slowed down in your old age, Eileen and I didn't leave until about 5:30PM and we got home a LONG time before you.

I just want you and all who put on this event that the hard work and effort to make it happen was much appreciated and well worth it, at least for the attendees. Many, many thanks to Ron and Russ Hill, John Schubert, Wayne Baldwin, Joe Rhome, Gene East, and I am sure I either have forgotten some or never knew all who made it happen, but it was great. I think the reason for the warm building was all the BS being exhausted during the "I would have won the Nationals again in 69 except for" stories that were being told all nite. Eileen and I had a great time and really enjoyed seeing you and the rest from times gone by. I guess it really is true, "old friends are the best". My only problem now is finding the time after being gone 5 days to watch the DVD.

Hopefully it wont be so long before it happens again.

Bill and Eileen

P.S. Thanks to Charlie Strang also for an interesting talk.

[Gene East]

I had a great time and I believe everyone else did as well. I was especially pleased to find that I was not the only one who was grey and fat!
35-40 years may change a boat racers appearance, but it won't change his/her heart.
Sure would like to see someone post the official results of the Nationals on this site.
An update on the driver hurt in 500cc runabout would be appreciated as well.
A card shower from all his racing buddies might speed his recovery. Could someone post his address?
Wasn't it great to see and hear Dick Austin run the 6-Looper after the races on Saturday?
He sent me a picture this morning of the engine after tearing it down following the run. The #2 piston was seriously fried, but Dick was still smiling just like he was after the run.
He says he can't wait to make a full throttle run in the future.
Thank you Dick for sharing this wonderful piece of boat racing history with us.
Wayne summed it up very well Saturday evening when he said, " When there were 6 or 8 of them (6 loopers) in a heat, we took them for granted".
Those of you who were not there missed a rare treat.
Most of the crowd stayed around to watch Dick run and even though he only went about 80-MPH (bear in mind this was the first pass Dick or the boat had made in over 20 years),they went home happy!
Paul Christner, Get well soon, we missed you!

[David Weaver]

Gene,

Pete Voss received a broken hip in the 3 boat accident in 500cc runabout. The injury was not has serious as feared and the report is that surgery went very well. Pete will be travelling home this week and knowing Pete, I expect he will be back in the boat soon enough. The boat probably could have returned back to racing for the next heat.

David Weaver

[Amateur Photog]

It was a pleasure meeting many of you that I have only heard of from my husband and friends and especially on the pages of BRF. I feel as though I know you thru the stories I read here. I can only hope that when my son is older he will be able to share some of his memories as well.

I am grateful to have such a wonderful extended racing family. For some of us non-racers, hanging out with people we only see a few times a year is worth the 1000 mile trips - it doesn't matter if we fit racing in between visiting or not.

Thanks for all your hard work!

Jean Tennell

[Master Oil Racing Team]

It was good to meet you and Buddy. Great pictures Jean. I enjoyed talking to you very much.

Michael Gwaltney...I was glad to meet you and wanted to talk when we got interrupted, then you went off somewhere. You have a remarkable insight on a historical time in racing. Maybe next time I can corner you.

I had a poster I was getting signatures on, but sometimes I wasn't able to steer people over to sign it. Fortunately there were some I didn't know that saw it and signed it like Don Henrich, Dick Austin, Dale Kaus and others. That poster will be framed and hang in my boat racing room.

There were so many people there I didn't get to see all of them. I knew John Yale and Curtis Dumesnil were there, but we never crossed paths. But I was fortunate enough to meet guys I heard about but never met before such as Craig Dewald and Ron Hedlund.

I wish I would have known Steve Litzell before I quit racing. I first met him at Lakeland in 1993 and it seems like I raced with him for 17 years. He had me laughing so hard I'm glad I didn't have any stitches.:D

The races we saw were great. Joe and I had to leave before the finals Sunday, but we really enjoyed the heats we saw. We wish Pete a speedy recovery.

It was great to see everyone. Got most of the digital pics downloaded & will start posting some next time.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Joe and I stopped off to see Marshall Grant on the way. He had planned on being there and had sent in his entry fee, but something came up in the meantime. He is working on two documentaries in Nashville and the first has to be put together by August 13. So while going back and forth he had to deal with a roof problem that got in the way.

A little tornado came through about 10 years ago and rattled the roof of his house and other structures. It was damaged far more seriously than the contractor realized. It started leaking not too long ago and it was discovered that it needed to be replaced all the way down to where it was tied in. The contractor was not honoring the 40 year guarantee and Marshall had no choice but to get it done or have interior damage. He had a whole semiload of roofing materials and a yardful of scrap that was removed. If not for that, he would have come to DePue.

[Dave_E71]

.... I most probably looked different because it was a Nikon Digital camera around my neck rather than my Nikon 35mm film camera.:D
.......
You had your film cameras too

[SandyPlummer]

For me, one of the sweetest moments of the weekend was hearing Betty Pugh sing the National Anthem on Saturday. It was beautiful and brought back a flood of memories of all the times she has done it over the years.

Sandy

[Doug Hall Y51]

Wayne, it was great to talk to you. Here is how it went with us and probably several other people over the weekend. We pulled into the pits on Wednesday morning at 8:30 A.M. I was in the truck with Mark and my dad was in his Suburban. I looked over near the wood fence on the hill and saw two men looking out over the lake. One rather tall gentleman and the other one a bit shorter. The shorter one was using his hands to explain something about the race course. From seeing pictures on this site I thought the taller man was Jim Rome, so of course the other had to be Wayne Baldwin. I told Mark who I thought it was and we both wandered over to them. I asked if he was Wayne Baldwin, he didnt look like the picture on his posts, and he said yes. I introduced myself and Mark to both he and Jim. They hadnt seen me since I was probably 10 yrs old. We started talking and when I saw my dad I waved him over. Now remember it was probably before 9:00 when all this took place. My dad came over and it didnt take long for the stories to begin. I visited several different race courses during this time. Wow, next thing I knew it was after 10:00 and I hadnt even begun working on getting things done. I know dad had a great time seeing all the people he had raced with and was able to talk about many races. I was able to meet many people that I knew only by name, John Woods, Jerry Peterson, Craig Lawrence and many others. Thanks to all who spent so much time putting this together. It was a great time.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Joe is an early riser. He had a Cracker Barrel map and there was one 10 miles east. We decided to go west and not backtrack. We found a good breakfast place. Then we headed toward the pits and followed the road lined by cornfields to the right spot. Joe and I were both checking out the sights and trying to remember everything. When we started downhill it all looked very familiar.

Joe parked across from the VFW and we went to the fence to look at the race course. It was much better looking than the last time I saw it in 1974. Then, the water was way down. A committee was formed to sound the bottom and stake out the outside perimeter, beyond which boats were not supposed to go.

We were looking at all the water and I guess I was pointing to Joe where I blew over on the back straight when I saw you and Mark walking up the hill. It was great to see both of you. You guys were the first racers we talked to since arriving and you're right Doug. We talked for about an hour. I was glad when you saw Rex and waved him over.

It was great to see the 700 hydros run once again. Man......are you guys fast. Congrats. That is my favorite class. And of course as a Texan I have to root for Sean, but if he wasn't able to get the necessary HP, I was glad to see you pull it outl.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Sandy, I didn't know that Betty sang the national anthem. Betty signed my reunion poster. I had asked the drivers to put their boat numbers next to their name, and at first I was confused, but now I know. Under Betty's autograph she put in parenteses (star spangled banner). Now the poster is even more special.:cool:

[Master Oil Racing Team]

This is the poster. Right after I started getting signatures Hoz Compton showed up and wanted to do one also. While I was hanging around, I made sure that everyone signed both posters, but I think sometime when I wasn't there they signed either mine or Hoz's, but not both. In any case I am very pleased to get what I did.

Here is the poster and the list of names.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Here are the names.

[BustnlooseIII]

Wayne, that poster is outstanding! I had wanted to do the same thing, but the week was so busy I didn't have chance. Glad someone was able to. It is now priceless. I actually had gone out last Tuesday and bought Marshall's book specifically for that purpose and was disappointed when he was not there. Thanks also for sharing you and Joe's visit to see him on the way home.

[rbengines]

Wayne it reads like a who's who list. Many are my past heros.

[Ron Hill]

Broc has helped me with my NEW CAMERA, I will be posting more pictures...

Let me say this, I was some humbled to be working with, meeting old, and new friends, I've just been in a FOG. Sometimes when I post here, I wonder how many people really LOVE BOAT RACING....At DePue, I saw a lot of people tha t LOVE BOAT RACING MORE THAN I DO...

Joe Rome, thank you for being the MAIN MAN. John Schubert, damn, he worried everyday about MY money...I tried to tell him we'd either make some money or lose some money, but don't worry...He worried anyway...and worked his *** completely off...

Master Oil (Wayne Baldwin) was there at a second's notice, if needed, otherwise he was "LURKING AROUND" taking pictures that I'm sure will show up somewhere...

Russ Hill, my brother, thanks for coming and helping in about a thousand ways...It was like the OLD DAYS of HILL RACING TEAM....

Fred Hauenstein, THANK YOU for bring Jerry Waldman's boat and motor down from Mercury Marine. There was only ONE PERSON who could have gotten this boat out of Mercury Marine and that was Fred Hauenstein....

DISPLAYS: We had "DUALING SIXES"...Revving up lopper and cross flow...

Dick Austin's four F Cabovers...John Herberg's Neal's of Bill Tenney, Bruce Summer's mobile museum...and Art Neadeck's Quincy Museum, with pictures of Art Kennedy Sr. First BLACK AMERICA to ever win a NATIONAL BOAT RACING TITLE... Pete Nydahl's DeSilva F Runabout that was Rich Fuchlin's and Wayne Walgrave's F Runabout was on desplay...

Tim Chance's Hydroplane Quarterly....I'm so impressed with his LIFE LONE PASSION of promoting Boat Racing....

We called this the First Inaugral Reunion, but Jack Maypole had one in 1958, at Lake DePue...

Thank you APBA Fred Miller for bring Barbara and Charlie Strang....And thank all you OMC TEAM Members who were ther, Don and Judy Hendrich, Michael J. Gwaltney, Jay Root, John Hervat, Fred Hauenstein...Bruce Summers... were all OMC Employees at one time...

Never realize how shy Alan Ishi is....but he really is shy. He was one of the great of his time....

More later and my brain cools...been getting ready for Long Beach...

Thanks again TO ALL WHO CAME, I hope you had half as much fun as I did...because, I had a BALL!!!!

ADD:

When I said I was humbled, I want everyone to know that there are a few things I'm good at....but working with Joe, John, Wayne and Russ, I can see my limitations clearly....We need me for IDEAS....

[Tim Chance]

Here are the names.

Only four you couldn't figure out??? Without your list, I'd have a tough time with my own scrawl. And from another post above. Thank you, Ron Hill. It is my passion, I slid away but I am back again. 2008 Inverness, FL. I can't wait.

[jrome]

Three old racing buddies with lots of years between them. Bill Hosler, Wayne Baldwin and Kay Harrison

[jrome]

Ron Hill striking a pose in front of the Ring of Fire boat.

[jrome]

Good to see Hoz and his wife, Susan, at the reunion. I know that they had fun and thanks for your participation in the silent auction.

[jrome]

Denny Henderson, Wayne Baldwin and JIm Trimble get together for a shot for posterity.

[jrome]

Pete autographing a picture for Wayne's collection.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

It was great talking to Pete. I had an extra of the photo Pete autographed for his Mom's collection. But JOE....you should have cropped that pic. Now Bill Hosler won't allow me and Pete in the Pits in Florida with those legs.:rolleyes:

[Ron Hill]

Broc didn't get to work on motors with his grandfather like his brother Chad. I saw Broc looking a Jerry Waldman's D Looper and I knew he was trying to figure it out. Bruce Summers had a Quincy Looper block and Bruce and I explained to Broc how it worked...Broc is really ALL Southern California, but the races at DePue seemed to hold him like a spell.

He really liked Bruce Summers and Bruce's story about his boat number. Bruce explained that he worked for OMC and wanted to race a boat. Charlie Strang told Bruce to go to DePue and watch the races. Bruce was soon racing with Ray Nydahl. Bruce's number was V-71 and he'd said he'd race until he was 71. At 71 Bruce retired from racing.

He restored a 460 and a DeSilva runabout and made a trialer that is a MUSEUM of outboard racing, but this year, he got the "BUG" to race again. His number is now V-81 as he plans to race until he's 81....."GO FOR IT BRUCE".....We're all cheering you on!!!

I don't really know Ralph Lambrecht, but have read many of his articles and knew he worked in managment at OMC. I think Ralph once rode backward in Star Flight I with Jerry Walin driving about 120, as Ralph adjusted the carb's needle valves....

I know ralph is a Antique Outboard Racer and Antique Outboard collector. Not sure why I started watching him during the C Service Runabout race....I could tell the way he watched that he LOVED hearing those motors run. I swear I saw a TWINKLE in his eys, and I was 30 feet from him.....Then agin, maybe it me, just think Manny Carnakis, Henry Wagner, Old Fred Hauenstein were out there "TWITTLING" with their needle valves....Racing C's and Service C's both sound different to those of us who KNOW....To most, they are just noise...

[Master Oil Racing Team]

haven't gotten to Broc yet...or Fred Hauenstein. I really enjoyed meeting Broc. More.

[Gene East]

Here we are,1 week to the day after the reunion. I've been pumped up all week, but this morning I'm feeling a deep sadness. I've been awake since long before dawn trying to come to grips with reality.

Yesterday, I met Norma and her best friend Brenda for lunch. Norma and I related to Brenda what a great time we had at DePue.

Brenda commented that it was too bad that I don't have the same enthusiasm for my present job as I did for my "work"?? during my racing days.

How right she is!! Most of you can understand and relate to that situation.

I just don't want to go to work today!

Last night I spent 2 hours with Mark Hummelsheim showing him pictures of the reunion and remembering the good old days when Mark, Jim Schoch, Jack McGrury and I had a small impact on our sport while we were employees of the great O.F. Christner.

God I do miss that wonderful old man!

Jim and I were at the reunion, Mark had planned on being there but had to cancel his plans. Jack was called to Lake Paridise a short time ago and I think that is why I'm so blue this morning.

The reunion was great and there are talks of doing it again in 2 years.

The sad reality is many of the friends we enjoyed visiting with this past weekend will be called to Lake Paridise before the next reunion.

I'm so glad I was able to attend. I will cherish my Tee shirt with all the autographs. There are some I didn't get and I didn't mean to slight anyone.

Karl Williams comes to mind, I saw him a couple of times, but just never got close enough to say hi. Sorry Karl, please don't think I didn't remember you.

I got Bruce Summers autograph and failed to get Shirley's and she was sitting right next to him. I'm not a chauvinistic male sexist pig, but maybe last Friday I was a giddy school boy wrapped up in the moment.

For those of you who weren't there, you missed something very, very special. Plan on being at the next reunion.

[NERSTROM]

I could'nt remember the last time I was at DePue until Fred Hauenstein told me it was 1974. Thats 33 years ago, yet I felt right at home.
First I want to thank all of you who did so much to make this happen. Racers, non-racers, husbands, wifes, kids, everyone who cared enough to put in your time so the rest of us could enjoy ours. I had a wonderful time, met a lot of old friends and made some new ones. I was especially taken by Joe Rome when he told the story about the difference between boat racers and car racers - he hit the nail on the head. I have never seen one boat racer refuse to help another.

Thank you all, I hope we meet again soon.

[Ron Hill]

RON!.........................I started a thank you on your thread for everybody that made this last week so special but wanted to thank you personally.

I had this BEST time seeing all my old friends and was honored that I
was allowed to cook for the Friday evening get together. If I could have
found some corn meal it would have been much better, but it tasted good
none the less. If you ever get down to FL, please know you have a place
to stay and also know how much your efforts were appreciated by all that
attended. I e-mailed John Schubert, and I want you to know that when the
next reunion is planned, I will do what I can to help.
Thanks again...................Charley Bradley

Thank You, Charlie.

[epugh66]

A few notes from the non-computer racers......

It did make my mom happy to sing the anthem. She's always enjoyed singing.

Gary enjoyed talking to many friends, meeting many new.

My Dad, Art, said he rehearsed lies for weeks, but ran out on tuesday!

[David Weaver]

A few notes from the non-computer racers......

It did make my mom happy to sing the anthem. She's always enjoyed singing.

Gary enjoyed talking to many friends, meeting many new.

My Dad, Art, said he rehearsed lies for weeks, but ran out on tuesday!


Denny and I caught Art early on Monday. Art shared the following bit of wisdom, which some can attest to: "You don't really know a woman until you have met her in court.". :eek: :eek:

[ferv888ipba]

David,
I learned as a member of a certain church that you do not have to be a polygymist to have one wife too many!!!!

Ray:D :D :eek:

[Gene East]

Wives and court rooms. That's a scarey thought!

My first wife thought racing was round the clock partying until I sent her looking for hamburgers at 2:00 AM while we were rebuilding engines in the motel room.

About 10 years after we got divorced, she married Jim Schoch.

Does that make Jim and me "HUSBANDS-IN-LAW????

[F-12]

No, that makes Jim a donor.......... Every woman I married needed a house......Go Figure.

[racnbns]

I married one FIFTY+ years ago and all she wants to do is go to boat races and score. That sounds dangerous!

I had so much fun at the reunion I almost forgot to race on sunday. Sorry I let us seniors down by not making the podium but we"ll giv'er HELL next year.

Thanks to all,
Bruce

[David Weaver]

I married one FIFTY+ years ago and all she wants to do is go to boat races and score. That sounds dangerous!

I had so much fun at the reunion I almost forgot to race on sunday. Sorry I let us seniors down by not making the podium but we"ll giv'er HELL next year.

Thanks to all,
Bruce

Bruce,

I thought that you were supposed to stay in the right hand lane and drive cautiously?? From what I saw of your rooster tail, you were plenty racey on Sunday!!

[Ron Hill]

Well, Tuesday will be testing at Lake Irvine, ALL DAY. Wednesday, after 4:00, will be 45 testing for "US insiders'...Maybe, J testing, too. Then Friday we move in to Long Beach. And, Saturday and Sunday will be at the Long Beach Sprint Nationals...Cracker Boxes, Sea Doos, K Boats, J Hydro, Super Stock, Pro Stock and Western Formula Lights Series for 45...No Nostalgias.....

Anyway, I listen to that Doctor Dean Edell, and his says a key to a man's health is his appetite. Or something like that...What I understood him to say, IF a man is hungry and he eats a lot...he is probably in good health. Well, after the DePue Reunion, I've been eating everything I see. Every day this week, I ate as much at each meal as I usually eat all day...

Well, Monday, my flight wsn't until 3:25 and Broc's was at 10:00, so I was in the airport FOREVER and a man needs to eat something... But the rest of the week I've been "HURTING" them restaurants...

Called Lloyd Mize, yesterday, to see if he'd sell me his D Mod Motor...He won't...Broc wants a top run D Mod Runabout and maybe hydro...Anyone know where a MAN could get a D Mod..............Let me know without letting Chad know!

Art Pugh and lies??? I didn't know Art would LIE!!! Great to see Gary and Art....Two true GENTLEMEN and talents in our sport...

I met Bob Olsen...Did he used to have a red DeSilva B runabout with a Konig and Zak stacks???

Seems I never really talked to Ralph Donald...Went looking for him and couldn't find him. Then, when I did see him, we were both busy...

[Tim Chance]

Wives and court rooms. That's a scarey thought!

My first wife thought racing was round the clock partying until I sent her looking for hamburgers at 2:00 AM while we were rebuilding engines in the motel room.

About 10 years after we got divorced, she married Jim Schoch.

Does that make Jim and me "HUSBANDS-IN-LAW????

That is what Bob Smith and I would call each other.

[Kristi Ellison]

I guess I need handwriting lessons.....one of those 4 was me...Kristi Ellison Z-22 top middle( one of us Hellsten's has to keep the "22" going for Pete).....now all you need is the other 3. I had a great time visiting with all of you. You did a fantastic job and I sure hope this is not the last one. Thanks so much for you generous donation the USTS. I was very humbled to realize how many of you still follow us and check out the website.

Kristi Ellison

[F-12]

Thought this might a good place to say 'Thank you' to Kristi for being an instrumental part of this wonderful week-long reunion. I know there are many many people that apprteciate what you do to not only make sure the races come off with out a hitch, but to keep the Helsten Tradition alive and well. It's been a long time since I have had the time to talk to you and when we finally met up, you had your hands full. One day (as busy as you are at the races I'm not betting on it) it would be nice to have the time to just catch up. Pro racing is better just because you are here. Thanks again..............

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Thanks Kristi. I was trying to figure Z22. It has been too long since I was around and I couldn't pull up that number. I always had you pegged in NY or Florida, but not North Carolina. I figured out another--Jerry Peterson. So now only two to go.:D

[Ron Hill]

I watched Kristi in ACTION at the L.A. APBA Convention, 2007, and I was speechless...and those of you who know me, that is saying something...Kristi is QUITE a voice for Boat Racing.

Having said that:

1. I want to see power trim legalized.
2. I want all capsuled hydro to have a rear fin, like the unlimiteds have, (Made of carbon fiber) but not for speed, but as a SIGN BOARD.
3. I want 1,100 CC Runabout Renamed F Runabout and be MERCURY/Loopers only!!! (In Line 4-6 ONLY)...
4. Classes be called 125 is "A"...So boat number would be A-6

Anyway, there are a lot of things I want...

1. First picture is is the Konig 8 cyclinder gearcase...Loved to take that thing apart...Dieter made this gearcase.
2. Champion Hot is reported to be John Alden's 1961 B National Champiuon motor. I'm not sure who said it was Johnny's motor, but there are a few things, with this motor, I ain't "BUYING"...I don't thing Johnny ever ran a Merc foot on his Champ...and this is a LONG Merc mid section...Powerhead seems 100% John Alden...Very cool if 100% correct or not...

I remember Teddy Jonhson coming through the "FLYING Half Mile" at Long Beach, August, 1959 and hitting Lt. Col. B. W. "Bud" Cowderey's wake and going "*** OVER TEA KETTLE" in a John Alden Champion Hot Rod "B".. Yellow deck Bay Craft, I think, tore hell out of that boat...He was running about 72 MPH....But that was World Record speed for a B Alky, 1959.

3. Small pipes A or B looper...Fred hauenstein and I still argue pipe size on one of his Loopers..

4. When I broke the kilo record in A Racing Runabout, November 1966, Carl Meyer's Quincy A motor had a tank just like this one...The spray shield caught my eye, as I don't know who used spray shields like this, but my dad had made one like this for me...

5. Broc Hill and my brother Russ...Russ asked Ralph DeSilva where were you May 3rd, 1947? ralph said, "I don't know." My brother said, "You were at Havasu Landing for a boat race..." Ralph's daughter Ann, who was at theReunion, added, "And yes, my mother was pregnant with me..." Then Ralph said, "Yes, and we gave your dad some water for his 37 Plymouth, up the hill from Needles..."

Broc is 18, Russ is 73...They both LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF THE REUNION!!!!!

6. John Schubert, worring about me losing money...Greeat T Shirt...114-S..Dean Chenoweth? John Culver??? 225 Hydro is Skeeter Johnson, I'm betting.

7. Cookie...Heard some GREAT STORIES, but I ain't going top try to retell 40 years of stories...but I've been told they are all TRUE....Including, theat Cookie's husband got home from work a 1:30 and .......40 years of history.... Thanks for the fun Cookie...

History is EASY...It has already happened...

[russhill]

The "Johnny Alden Hot Rod" was not proported to be Johny's, but a replica of. And Johnny did run Mercury Quicksilver lower unit.

The boat Teddy Johnson was running was a Swift "Atomic A"

Please have Broc re-install the ugly filter back into this site. It will protect the world from pictures of me.

Russ

[Master Oil Racing Team]

.........no telling what will come out when you start running stuff through filters.;) :D

[Kristi Ellison]

Flattery will get you very far.......thanks for all the compliments. I have a tremendous group of very loyal volunteers who love this sport and whom are dedicated to keep it moving forward while maintaing the integrity and sportsmanship. They make me look good so I will keep them around as long as I can. When I was asked to serve on the Commission I found it hard to keep my mouth shut(wonder who I got that from). I did not realize I had so many opinions.
I think the reunion made this years Nationals extra special. You guys did a great job beating the bushes and getting everyone to the race.
Wayne....I am moving back to Tejas in June...I have not decided if I should keep the "Z" and ask for military exeption or go for T-22...hmmmm? I will have to think on that one for a while.

Kristi

[Ron Hill]

I will call Gary Johnson at OJ props...But other than the FILTER IDEA, RUSS, and the fact that this was not reported to be John Alden's actual motor...

Teddy Johnson was running the Welded Champion Mid Section with Champion gearcase... The only Atomic A Swift EVER to reason CALIFORNIA was Ron Loomis's and he went to the Nationals (Stock Outboard) right from Long Beach, 1958...

1959, I ran D Runabout...It was 1958 when we had TIME TRIALS...I ran your Big Bee Swift in A Stock Hydro qualified fastest, swallowed a piston pin in the finals and did not trophy. Won AU...My last AU race. Daddy said Florida was too far for one class with a MOOSE of a driver...that we'd go to Seattle in '59.

If John Alden raced a Mercury gearcase, I never saw him do it.

Kristi in TEXAS??? Wayne, we've got to get some TRI HULLS... Kristi could keep her "Z"....we'd just call her ZORRO...Double 00Z

Three kinds of people:

1. Those that make things happen.
2. Those that watch things happen
3. Those that say, "What happened."

Kristi is NUMBER ONE FOR SURE!!!!

[russhill]

I'm sure Johnny Alden used a mercury clamp bracket, but I yield on the tower housing and foot.

As for the Swift Atomic A boat, please mail me a $100 check and I won't cash it until you talk to Gary Johnson. He and his brother had matching, light wood colored Swift Atomic A hydros. They carried them on edge on the trailer. If for some inexplicable reason Gary lies or fails to remember accurately what the boat was, and have documentary evidence, I'll send you $100--and your check back

Russ

[Ron Hill]

http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23&page=2&highlight=John+Alden

Check out this picture I drew of John Alden's boat...Looks like a Merc mid section and foot...But short mid section, and short skeg. It Ain't an Atomic A...He did run Swift A-B early on, but thin he went to Bay Crafts...

Teddy's grandson played for New England a few years back..Ted Johnson... Gary's son is Eric, who raced in California a long time, then moved the business to Tennesee...

[russhill]

I yielded on Johnny's engine and we weren't talking about his boat. I was talking the Johnson kids' boats---they were Swift Atomic As. Send me the $100

Russ

[Ron Hill]

Teddy and Gary Johnson ran with John Alden. Where would they have come up with Atomic A boats when Atomic A were for Stock A???

Broc was driving around, lost, looking for Lake dePue when he took pictures of churches and houses...Seems I remember Jerry Waldman's boat only having the name "Spooker XIX" or Spooker something...This letter on Jerry's boat seems not to be Jerry's STYLE...But I've been wrong before...

[Ron Hill]

Not sure what I took here!!!

That's John Riner Woods, President of the National Pepper Association with Broc.

That is Art Kennedy, Sr. in the new clipping...It is hard to believe that Art Jr. is gone, too!!! I'm proud to say that both Art's were my friends...Gentlemen, they were!!!

[Dew1us]

6. John Schubert, worring about me losing money...Greeat T Shirt...114-S..Dean Chenoweth? John Culver??? 225 Hydro is Skeeter Johnson, I'm betting.


The boat is John Culver, My father and I have Speedliner painted up just like it..

[russhill]

I had yielded that Johnny Alden may have welded Hot Rod lower unit and tower housing onto the Mercury--HOWEVER your 6th grade drawing shows a Mercury Quicksilver and tower housing complete with the cover on the side to get to the foot bolt. I still won't take your money on that one.

I don't remember what kind of canvass decked boats Johnny raced, but even your drawing looks like wood and colored yellow--like I said "light color wood"

Joe Swift built the A-B hydro and the C-D-F-X hydro at first. Then his second generation consisted of the Atomic A, the Big Bee, and the Big Dee. The Johnson brothers had Atomic As. I wondered at the time why the would run A (stock) boats when they had B super stock engines. Somebody has to read this that will get you straightened out.

And no I won't up the bet. Just send me the $100 check. I don't want $500 worth of reunion Tee Shirts.

[F-12]

Russ.............it was a great pleasure to meet you in DePue........You are TOO funny.

[Ron Hill]

Russ: I AIN'T crying....If I can sell the last 60-70 shirts...I might bet you $500. I just really can't get the Reunion out of my head...I keep getting e-mails from people...I had a great time...San Diego, August 18, 2007 Antique Outboard and Fiberglasstic Wet Meet. De Anza Cove at Mission Bay...

I think we all ought to get TRI HULLS...They are not too pricey, seem to be pretty safe, you sit down, electric start, modified motors...SLOW....Everything a reunion attendee would need...Tri Hulls can be raced on river, lakes, and seas...

Yep! Tri Hulls is the ANSWER to OLD MEN's needs...(A sit down C Service)...

ADD: You could run a Tri Hull in Mission Bay any day of the week.

Pictures 1-2.

....In Ralph DeSilva's Service C Runabout With John Herberg's motor...Looked like he'd won Service C, until they decided Tim had jumped the gun in heat three.

3. Allen Sutfin Sr. Ex Service C and 36 Runabout Racer. teri "ZIEMMRUNIT" Johnson. Camera in hand always working hard for Boat Racing.

4. Steve Warnock, Dan Evans, and Del Snyder...Region 7's FINEST!!!! Great seeing you three delelicts... Gees all my friends are either stumble bums or derelicts...How does that happen??

5. Lauren Johnson's B and H (Sam Hemp Hydro)...in the inspection area after K Pro...Lauren drove a level headed race...First heat, I think that K Pro's speed just caught her a little off guard and she jumped...Heat two and three, I think, she won...

6. Elredge Racing...

7. Ian from TV and Eldredge Racing???

8. 2006 K Pro Champion, Amy Eldredge.

[jrome]

#1 and #2 is a display for Bill Tenney

#3 - Dan Kirts and Wayne Baldwin

#4 - Johnny Dortch

#5 - Mashall Grant's 8 Cylinder

#6 - Bruce Summers, Charlie Bradley, Alan Ishi, Wayne Baldwin

[racnbns]

Charley looks good as ever, his hair has faded a BIT, and Alan looks like he stepped out of the 70's. And then there's Wayne and I. Oh well 2 out of 4 ain't bad.

All kidding aside it was a fun weekend and a privilege to visit with all of you.

Bruce

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Trying to think of a common thread Bruce. You and I run north and south,while Charley and Alan run east and west. :confused: Must be something in the water.;) :D

[jrome]

The Only Thing I Can Think Of Is The D And F Motors you Guys Ran.

[Tim Chance]

Talking about an Atomic A. How 'bout when Larry Swor ran an A Konig on one.

[racnbns]

Wayne--

I think your right! When anybody had a problem or got divorced my old buddy "SUGAR RAY" [Nydahl] said--"It must be the water".

Sounds good to me,
Bruce

[Master Oil Racing Team]

But Joe has a good theory to me also Bruce. But I think he has it backwards. Nothing like a good D or F to keep the adrelanin going and the heart pumping. It doesn't even take racing to do that. Just crank it up, ease it on a plane and when you throttle up and get that wind in your face...it makes you ready to face anything.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Before we get too far ahead, I need to make a comment about Dan Kirts. When we saw each other for the first time in years, we gave each other a big hug. Now, I'm not talking just a "Hey Dude...good to see ya hug", but a Kirts style hug. I've dived into corners at close to a hundred sponson to sponson with the Kirts', I've washed them down and vice-versa, I've had my sponson on Mel's deck once and Dan's twice, I've ducked and dodged them a few times, and even helped Jerry get unstuck from inside his cockpit. But that was the first time I ever hugged a Kirts.

It was very good to see Dan. I wished we had found time to talk more. We were both trying to get everything in at once. Dan was as fierce a competitor as I ever ran against. In certain ways, he was probably the most hard charging. And as everyone knows the Kirts' were as competitive against each other as they were members of their own family. Maybe even more so. But as hard as we fought to beat each other, we were always friends. We pitted next to the Kirts's many many times and enjoyed their company greatly.

[Tim Chance]

I know what you mean Wayne, Danny and I hugged each other like long lost brothers and Jimmy is just like a son to me.

[geodavid]

Wayne,
I could not agree more with your description of "Hard Charging" Dan Kirts. I too wish that I had spoken more to people like him. We too often had the pleasure of pitting next to the Kirts family. Jim did a great job in that runabout. For me, it was like I had seen most of you last year, not twenty plus years ago. Really an example of what friendship truly means.
Wayne, I see that storm is breathing right down your neck. Hope all is safe with your family?
Gene, what great news of Josh being in Germany.
Ray, thank you so much for your hospitality.
Ronnie and Russ, it was great to see my Dad's favorite racers after so many years.
I was so proud of my former young "ward" Sean.
Kay, sorry that I did not recognize you at first. Bruce, you look the same too.
Dr. Miller, thanks for showing me the pictures of your garden.
Tim, I really value the shirt...thanks
It was great to meet the new generation of hard chargers, like Buddy Tennel, Paulie Bosnich, Tony Walk and so many others.
Joe, you remind me so much of your Dad. A great guy and terrific father. You have a great wife too. Teri even remembered my Dad.
To the people that were kids when I saw you last, like Chris Hellsten, David Weaver, Jeff Kugler, I did not shrink, you grew just a little.
Great to see people like Denny, Rich Krier, Ralph Donald and Bill Hosler winning. I raced against Rich in DePue 35 years ago.
I'm telling everyone that I ate alligator, thanks to my old friend Charley F-12.
Really had a great time talking to the Texas guys about stories that cannot be posted here. Was Al Wilson really there?
There were so many of you that I was happy to see, I still have not stopped smiling.
Just talking to racing legends like they were regular people was an incredible experience for me. I can remember being afraid to talk to guys like John Schubert and Bill Hoctor then there I am having breakfast with them.
I did not even know that Dale Kaus was there? I think the only guy to win a nationals in a DeSilva hydro. Ralph, you and Bill really did a lot to help me...thanks.
It was great seeing John Yale and Dick O'Dea. John and I became great friends after crashing. He told me his son also ran him over. Too bad I never got to work with you Dick. You are a true genius.
Brad and Mike, you have the same excitement that you always had with racing.
Betty was great singing.
Sandy, you look even better than the last time I saw you, boat tagger. Great to see Doris too. Sure missed Ray. Gave me my first bratwurst.
It was nice to see those no longer with us on the DVD. Really meant a lot to see Papa Smith, Bill DeSilva, O.F. Christner, Harry Pasturzak, Jerry Waldman, George Andrews and of course Baldy. Joe, you and Karen did a great job. You epitomize what Texas is all about.
It is often said, yet in this case ever so true, a great time was had by all!

[Master Oil Racing Team]

You crammed an awful lot in, and well said. Looks like we lucked out down here for the time being although we may get flooded out if the water starts dumping west of us. At this time Joe is taking the brunt. He is on the dirty side and when I talked to him a little over an hour ago, they were being pounded by rain.

I sweated out the rain forecast the past 3 days being a mason. Yeah, a real rock laying, rock hammering mason. I ripped up all the uneven stones on our front walk to replace them with flat flagstone after Debbie got her big toe reanchored. I was up against a deadline to finish the flagstone yesterday because we are going to have a bunch of people over the next couple of days. Our daughter Alexis is getting married Saturday, and I had to stay up til 11:00 last night practicing dancing.:mad:

I still have a bunch of photos to post, plus some I got to get sent off for Ron next week. So more to come.

[Tim Chance]

I had the good luck to spend some time with Dale Kaus at the races. Dale and I go back a long time together, both of us being from Minnesota. He still lives there I escaped.

About the DeSilva Hydro. I know Dickie Pond won the NOA Championship in B Hydro in Saint Paul in 1961 driving an Anzani for Bill Tenney on a DeSilva. Dale also won a year or two earlier in McAllster, OK also driving for Tenney. I might be wrong but I think Dale won with a Swift Big Bee. Anyhow, here is a photo of Dale with an Anzani on a Big Bee.

[F-12]

I read your post and thought you expressed what each and every person that was there was feeling. Like I told your earlier, having most all the ICONS of our sport from the time we were involved in one place at one time was a milestone. There is one person you forgot to include though..............yourself. You were a great driver (not saying you wouldn't be a great one now........) and a greater friend. I look back and wonder how many of the stories we lived could be repeated without any worry of law enforcement showing up at both of our doors. I don't think I would trade the years we had for anything.
There are so many that attended I didn't get to speak to but the ones I did took me back to a time when things were more simple, the competition was many in number compared to today, and I don't think any one of the racers at the reunion would question helping a fellow racer to get that extra 1 or 2 mph.
Dan Kirts and the rest of the Kirts Clan were always the top of the heap at any race. There was no fear in any of them. They came to win and did most of the time.
Wayne, you and Baldy were another family that had the eye of the tiger. I was in awe watching you run the big stuff, hoping that one day I could have some of that dedication and ability. I never got to see Dan or Tom socially (except at Moore Haven in FL) but did with you guys and was amazed again that you were normal people, just fast as hell when you were on the course.
Tim Butts, who it would take pages and pages to thank, and brought Ryan to keep him out of trouble, is still fast even today.
John Schubert, Ron & Russ Hill, and Joe Rome also made me feel like we never lost touch.
Bruce and Shirley Summers haven't changed since the 60's except they bring more stuff to races than they used too.
Too many people and not enough room here. Thanks again to everyone for making this a monumental gathering. I know the next one will be something to behold................

[Gene East]

I couldn't agree more on what a great racing family the Kirts are!
Seeing Danny was great and although I only knew Jimmy as a little boy playing in the pits I was pleased to see him as well.

It was a great reunion, I enjoyed it to the fullest with lots of hugs,kisses and tears.

I'm looking forward to an even more wonderful reunion in just a few days.

Alan, thanks for your comment about Josh. I just got off the phone with him an hour ago. His plane landed in Bangor, Maine about 10AM this morning and he's back on American soil again. He will be home Wednesday!

He says it was an honor to wear that uniform but he'll sure be glad to take it off.

I think I understand what he's saying.

Thank all of you for your prayers while he was gone. Please continue to pray for all his brothers and sisters in uniform around the world.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!

P.S. Look for him on www.mainetroopgreeters.com later tonight, he'll be the goodlooking Seargent with all the muscles!!!

[F-12]

I'm glad Josh got back safely and will be home soon. He has served our country and is lucky enough to be home in one piece. He can hold his head up high knowing he has defended our freedom and if he is anything like Dad has left the message not to screw with the USA!
I was saving this post for two very special people at the reunion. It just coincidently became one with the homecoming of Josh.
Gene and Norma East, you are two very special friends that my trip to DePue wouldn't have been the same without. I can say without a doubt that I love you both and treasure the time, each and every one, that I can spend with you. Thanks again for making the reunion something I will never forget.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

....has to be the greatest Gene. It is the icing on the cake. God bless him and his brothers and sisters who fight to preserve our way of life.

Here are a few more from the reunion. John Schubert, Ron Hill and Fred Hauenstein rigging up Jerry Waldman's D, plus a few other shots.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

....I'll try again. It was too big.

[John Schubert T*A*R*T]

For those that have inquired about who attended, here is the final attendee list.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Can't believe a year has passed since the reunion. I need to dig out more unposted pics. But first.....here is another testimonial to the great benefits of BRF on the boat racing community.

I received the following letter in 1979 by an unnamed party. He might not mind me revealing his name, but I choose not to. At the reunion, the night of the party, this particular gentleman came up to me and introduced himself. I instantly recognized the name, though it was the first time that we crossed paths. Now keep in mind, this gentleman had a copy of my reply to his letter, but he didn't keep a copy of the one he wrote to me. After joining BRF and seeing all the chatter about the reunion, he made plans to come. At some point digging through his old stuff he came across my reply, but in the ensuing years he had forgotten what this was all about. Since I save everything, I still had a copy of his letter.

After introducing himself he had a big grin and asked me "What in the world did I say to you in my letter?". I told him the basics and told him I would try to find it and mail him a copy. We had a good laugh and I told him how glad I was we finally got to meet after all these years.:cool::D Thanks to all who make BRF the best place to read up on boat racing news.

[Jeff Lytle]

Bv/dp!

[Master Oil Racing Team]

I might've known our own BRF forensic expert "Eagle Eye" would have spotted something. Jeff....things are so tiny when you scan on platen that you can't see anything.:confused: I pulled the original and figured all was cool.: I erased the names, but I didn't catch the initials. So....who's to know? Been out of it too long. Haven't known the players for a long time. It was cool that the guy who called me out a long time ago and I met up. But I wonder Jeff....is it just you? or does everyone know what Bv/dp! means?

[Chris Hellsten]

Wayne,

You were dead on about the C Service class. It eventually was split....The OMC guys got mad and boycotted by creating the Antique division.....That killed the MERC side of the class......the APBA Board of Directors jamned the Antique division back into the PRO division......they then wiped out all the records.......the Antique guys then get inducted into the Hall of Champions around 20 times by re-setting records with 1970's speeds.....and finally get the name of Antique C Service changed back to C Service......now you know the rest of the story. What a wonderful 20 years of fighting, bickering, and politics in that class!

You have left but some things never change!

Chris

[Bill Van Steenwyk]

But you left out part of the story:

The part about the membership of the PRO category electing the same representatives to the PRO Commission, so that what you are talking about could happen to start with, and then continue to happen every since the Antique group has been back in the PRO category. As POGO (showing my age now) used to say, "I have met the enemy, and it is US".

You and I both feel the same way about this subject, but the membership allowed it by doing what was stated above. I still think it is a shame that for whatever reason, and now with the benefit of this site and others so that the membership can make these situations public, only about 20-25% bothers to vote on the things that really count.

And just so no one thinks I have an ax to grind against the Antiques, I have absolutely no objection to their being part of the PRO Category now or in the future. What I object to, and always have, is the self serving, duplicious leadership of the PRO Commission the last few years, so as to give one portion of the category an unfair advantage over the other for HOC awards and such. I think what is so amazing is that so few other folks see this, or if they do, don't care. In my opinion the not caring is much worse, as the commission is supposed to br elected to serve ALL the PRO membership

You have a good start for change now with some new, younger members. Keep it up.

[Mark75H]

Here you go Russ ...

[Mark75H]

More ...

[Master Oil Racing Team]

You could've pasted those pictures in any album to pass around Russ, and nobody would have given it a second thought. But your comments.......I laughed all the way through.:D One of the highlights of the Reunion was the time You, Joe, John and I spent prior to the big event just signing up the people that came through. To kill time in between, there were lots of stories I got to listen to. I hope you have some more photos and comments. We are waiting.:cool:

[Karen Cadle]

LOL, keep em coming!

k

[Ron Hill]

John Schubert basically kept track of all moneys. Joe Rome's DVD made good money for the reunion...

Bottom Line I had a great time....I'm pretty sure, John Schubert gave the U.S. Title Series $1,000 in cash and we paid for $1,000 worth of beer...

Let over shirts, plaques and posters I bought...back...

So, we figured the 2007 DePue Reunion made $2,000...and we gave it all away....Well, I did have a few beers...

I'm looking forward to the next one....but forgot when we said it would be...

[F-12]

Didn't I hear someone suggest a 50 year anniversary reunion for DePue? And..........wasn't a practice one talked about for Alex the year before the 50th at DePue? Does anyone, through all the beer, good food, and all the stories, remember any of this?........................

[Tim Chance]

Didn't I hear someone suggest a 50 year anniversary reunion for DePue? And..........wasn't a practice one talked about for Alex the year before the 50th at DePue? Does anyone, through all the beer, good food, and all the stories, remember any of this?........................

2011. Hey Charley - Wayne and I are working up some ideas for a Yearbook. And on another subject it is 27 days until I leave Saint Louis with my new Boat and 500cc's of sh!t in my pants horsepower for the World's. We will be bringing Ann's special BBQ Goat Ribs that goes perfect with road kill Alligator.

[Gene East]

Are you buying those goat ribs at Soulard market or are you raising those critters in the back yard??

[Ron Hill]

What year would be 50?

Alex WAS talked about for the year before...also having a U.S. Title Series Race at Alex at the same time....

Would like to get these dates agendized. (Scheduled and posted)...

[F-12]

50th @ DePue would be 2011..............2010 in Alex. If we are going to do this, I guess it's time to shirts made up, Ron. They should be all sold by the reunion.

[Ron Hill]

I don't know if John Schubert will weigh in on this but...I feel, we really didn't do well on the shirts...

An Fitzgerald made GREAT SHIRTS.....But I think the "REUNION GENERATION" really needs better shirts that T-Shirts...

I THINK...(Therefore I am) collars and pockets may sell better....

I ALSO would like to have a REAL COMMITTEE established...I was "THE BRAINS"......but clearly...Joe Rome, and John Schubert did a lot to make DePue come off...Schubert warned against free beer....next time, we sell it ALL....

A year book.....Something we could carry home....

Plaques were really great, I thought, but maybe we make a plaque for everyone that wants one...maybe of themselves or someone else...Take pre orders and deliver them at the reunion...

Dick O'Dea and Jim McKean both bought their plaques...and I thought that was way cool...but I'd like to have had one...but was not going to out bid them or try...Same with Jonh Riner Wooods, from St. Louis, Missouri, buying Ted May...Who si going to out bid John Riner Woods...???

Maybe we start off with a fund, John Schubert proved to be a MONEY MANAGER...So, maybe we send John some donations to get the ball rolling....

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Ron...you laid it out pretty well. John not only did a very good job of preparation, but had some good insight. The first DePue Reunion in my mind was an astoundingly spectacular success that was spawned after your presence at the Lone Star Boat Racing Association Reunion at Baytown.

You were so hepped up after that, and posted so much about how surprised you were about the turnout of not only the alky and a few mod guys, but the OPC crowd and a few inboarders, that a lot of people were bummed out that they missed it. That led to the first DePue Reunion. If you remember...at that time everyone was primed to have one right then, but we had to back off and make sure we did it right. John Schubert then took the reigns.

John was very anxious about everything coming together....and rightly so. It all came about in the last month or so when everything was on the deadline. The success of that first reunion is now history. But this time we have a proven result and some people that can produce. Tim Chance and I had talked before about a "Year Book" but there was no way to have time to put it together. Tim E mailed me about this a couple of weeks ago and we talked on the phone for awhile. Tim has some great ideas for a publication. I am hoping that it works out and I will make it to Lake Alfred. If so....Tim and I will do some planning for the "yearbook".

[John Schubert T*A*R*T]

I don't know if John Schubert will weigh in on this but...I feel, we really didn't do well on the shirts...

An Fitzgerald made GREAT SHIRTS.....But I think the "REUNION GENERATION" really needs better shirts that T-Shirts...

I THINK...(Therefore I am) collars and pockets may sell better....

I ALSO would like to have a REAL COMMITTEE established...I was "THE BRAINS"......but clearly...Joe Rome, and John Schubert did a lot to make DePue come off...Schubert warned against free beer....next time, we sell it ALL....

A year book.....Something we could carry home....

Plaques were really great, I thought, but maybe we make a plaque for everyone that wants one...maybe of themselves or someone else...Take pre orders and deliver them at the reunion...

Dick O'Dea and Jim McKean both bought their plaques...and I thought that was way cool...but I'd like to have had one...but was not going to out bid them or try...Same with Jonh Riner Wooods, from St. Louis, Missouri, buying Ted May...Who si going to out bid John Riner Woods...???

Maybe we start off with a fund, John Schubert proved to be a MONEY MANAGER...So, maybe we send John some donations to get the ball rolling....

Yes, I can weigh in as Ron says, and right up front I strongly agree that we need collared shirts & not white. Other then that there needs to be a lot of planning & more volunteers to make the next one better then the first. Insofar as beer is concerned, I was not opposed to 2 free cans of beer as we had it covered in the cost. Keg(s) of beer sponsored by a boat builder, engine manufacturer, engine builder, race boat hardware manufacturer, race team, would be my preference for the next reunion. A slightly upscale meal catered would be another suggestion. If we do it again in Depue at the Legion Hall, if it is still there and open, we will need to see that the air is working. However, as I suggested last time, we should have it in "open air" under a tent outside the Hall, or if we consider a separate venue, suggestions invited.
Also, I do not want to carry the entire burden of all what I did previously. I will need help. Jim Gohery from Long Island made it clear that if we are to do it again, he wanted to volunteer. I know others will step up as well. I will serve on the committee, even be willing to chair, but need others to do the registration, name tags, packets, and whatever else that I did. We will need a volunteer with computer skills to do the registration lists, labels, name tags & so forth.

Communication will be key to reaching all who would have an interest in attending. While visiting friends & relatives in Florida last February, I was at Christies, yes where a lot of us will be visiting next month, and was talking to Wally Adams. Remember Wally? Former owner of the Adams Orange juice Co. with many facilities in and around Lake Wales & Winter Haven? Owner of Lake Maddie where everyone tested prior to the Lakeland race? And a real demon on the race course in A, B, & C alky hydro's with Blankenstein prepared Konigs & Sid-Craft hydros. Wally told me that he had Sid build the first short sponson boat for him.He was shocked that we had the reunion & wasn't aware of it & would attend if we had another. I totally forgot about him.

So we need to be sure we reach everyone. Lee Sutter, Ron Anderson, Roy Conklin, Melvin Cooper, Ralph Donald's former racing partner from Georgia (can't recall his name), David Westbrook, Haenry Shakeshaft, Jr., Jeff Lytle, the Simons from Canada, Dave Mayer, and the list just goes on.

In addition to the silent auction, door prizes with volunteered prizes. And yes Ron, the plaques were outstanding, but a bit of overe zealousness on your part. Perhaps announcement made early for those interested in having them, then have them made with some profit which would go back towards the cost of the reunion.

I'm going to stop talking now, have a MK30H to restore for a Champ boat racer.

[Ron Hill]

Yes, I can weigh in as Ron says, and right up front I strongly agree that we need collared shirts & not white. Other then that there needs to be a lot of planning & more volunteers to make the next one better then the first. Insofar as beer is concerned, I was not opposed to 2 free cans of beer as we had it covered in the cost. Keg(s) of beer sponsored by a boat builder, engine manufacturer, engine builder, race boat hardware manufacturer, race team, would be my preference for the next reunion. A slightly upscale meal catered would be another suggestion. If we do it again in Depue at the Legion Hall, if it is still there and open, we will need to see that the air is working. However, as I suggested last time, we should have it in "open air" under a tent outside the Hall, or if we consider a separate venue, suggestions invited.
Also, I do not want to carry the entire burden of all what I did previously. I will need help. Jim Gohery from Long Island made it clear that if we are to do it again, he wanted to volunteer. I know others will step up as well. I will serve on the committee, even be willing to chair, but need others to do the registration, name tags, packets, and whatever else that I did. We will need a volunteer with computer skills to do the registration lists, labels, name tags & so forth.

Communication will be key to reaching all who would have an interest in attending. While visiting friends & relatives in Florida last February, I was at Christies, yes where a lot of us will be visiting next month, and was talking to Wally Adams. Remember Wally? Former owner of the Adams Orange juice Co. with many facilities in and around Lake Wales & Winter Haven? Owner of Lake Maddie where everyone tested prior to the Lakeland race? And a real demon on the race course in A, B, & C alky hydro's with Blankenstein prepared Konigs & Sid-Craft hydros. Wally told me that he had Sid build the first short sponson boat for him.He was shocked that we had the reunion & wasn't aware of it & would attend if we had another. I totally forgot about him.

So we need to be sure we reach everyone. Lee Sutter, Ron Anderson, Roy Conklin, Melvin Cooper, Ralph Donald's former racing partner from Georgia (can't recall his name), David Westbrook, Haenry Shakeshaft, Jr., Jeff Lytle, the Simons from Canada, Dave Mayer, and the list just goes on.

In addition to the silent auction, door prizes with volunteered prizes. And yes Ron, the plaques were outstanding, but a bit of overe zealousness on your part. Perhaps announcement made early for those interested in having them, then have them made with some profit which would go back towards the cost of the reunion.

I'm going to stop talking now, have a MK30H to restore for a Champ boat racer.


Several other things come to mind.....

Most of us are actually getting pretty old.......With the THOUGHT in mind I feel we should invite BOAT RACERS for all eras to attend... There were quite a few OMC Team members at DePue...I know the Ron Baker, Sr. famliy was there, but missed the Reunion by a day as they thought it was Saturday...Open the EVENT to Stock-MOD....any boat racer...

To bring the "YOUNG ONES", to give them a feeling we CARE about TODAY'S racers.....I was thinking that each Reunion attendee could SPONSOR a current racer....Anywhere from a $25 sponsorship to say $100...Maybe have some small stickers made....

To be honest, I wanted to be into the "current race", but Tim Webber and aabout two others is all I knew...If I sponsored a boat....Then, I'd have a person to root for, and a place to sit in the pits...

What word did you use to describe my DEPUE ZINC PLAQUES????? Think BIG is my motto...

John...Make a list of duties....And we'll start taking volunteers....Alex and DePue could be mirror copies...(Some won't be able to make both...but ...).

ADD: What year does anyone consider Classic...1990??? I'm serious...ANYTHING NOT RACING IN 2009???