Doug Whitley is new APBA Vintage & Historic Chairman

American Power Boat Association President Mark J. Weber announced the appointment of the new chairman of the APBA Vintage & Historic Division. Douglas Whitley of Marysville, Washington, who has served as Region 10 Vintage Representative since 2006, takes over the leadership role in this growing APBA category.
Weber said, “We knew it would be very tough to replace (outgoing Chairman) Tom Bertolini. I appointed Doug Whitley because a number of members nominated him, and because I believe he is the right person to lead this Division. He knows racing, loves Vintage boats, and has the energy and skills to lead a national membership.”
Vintage & Historic offers a place for those who love classic race boats to enjoy these beautiful craft both on land and on the water—reliving their glory days. Often Vintage owners run and display their boats at APBA regattas, adding a dimension of living history to today’s competition. Some events are for Vintage only. Last year 24 Vintage regattas delighted fans nationwide and their popularity is increasing.
With 46 Vintage owners in the Pacific Northwest (APBA’s Region 10) this year the region will host its first stand-alone Vintage event which will feature Unlimiteds, Limiteds, and classic runabouts on Oct. 2-3 at Lake Chelan, Washington. Of course Doug Whitley has a hand in this event, as he has helped Vintage grow in membership and activities since he joined.
Whitley first got the racing bug in a runabout on Lake Goodwin at age 8 and was inspired by Unlimited competition in Seattle. After graduating from high school, Doug purchased a Hallett 225ci hydroplane, named CHEERS. He raced the boat as MISS GOODWIN starting in 1958. In 1959 he asked Chuck Hickling to take a turn at the wheel, and the team won the last eight heats of the year. In 1960 Whitley took the boat to Coral Gables, Florida, where Billy Schumacher drove it to the 225 National Championship. (Seattle Inboard Racing Association brought home three of seven National titles that year, and Commodore Bill Muncey congratulated the winners.)
Staying in touch with the racing community over the years, Whitley bought Bill Muncey’s 7 Litre BEST WISHES in 2005. He restored the hull with the help of lifelong friend David Seefeldt and Jim Barstow. He also hopes to find MISS GOODWIN someday and restore his first real race boat, or build a replica.
Whitley thanks outgoing V&H Chairman Tom Bertolini for guiding the Division since 2003. “Tom implemented a number of important changes, such as the region representative system and safety rules. Vintage is now a mature division, thanks to responsible and dedicated members. We’ll continue to grow and have fun as long as everyone works together and follows the rules.”
Going forward, Whitley hopes to continue the growth trend in Vintage & Historic, and will attend as many 2010 APBA Vintage regattas as possible. The emphasis on fun and safety will continue as well. The Division has attracted hundreds of devoted members and thousands of fans since its beginning in 1994. It offers a lifetime sport combining history, craftsmanship and all the excitement of racing with the emphasis on fun. Doug Whitley looks forward to driving this celebration of the past into the future.
A tentative schedule of APBA Vintage regattas is at

www.vintagehydroplanes.com/2010events.html