Gone Racin� to the 2004 Boat Racers Boat Show�

The Boat Racers Boat Show was held over 4 days, from June 10th, through the 13th, at the Los Angeles County Fairplex, in Pomona, CA. More than 25 race boats representing nearly all aspects of motorboat racing were on display, with their owners, drivers and crews, many in uniform. On Saturday, the 12th, The Boat Racers Boat Show Committee held their Historical Heritage Honors program and awarded plaques to 15 boat racing individuals, teams and companies, as well as 19 additional legends of the sport of boat racing who have passed on. SCMA (Southern California Marine Association) was our Chief sponsor, providing us with a venue site and financial support to be able to put on our boat show/reunion, in conjunction with their recreational watercraft boat show. The attendance at the SCMA boat show exceeded 40,000 people, while the Boat Racers Boat Show saw at least 10% of that number, or 4000 people walk through our pit area. Over 350 of our members were in attendance.

Live bands played music at the SCMA boat show, food and other stands were open for refreshment, and within the vast buildings, the boating community could purchase just about anything a powerboat needs. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum offered a special rate for our members, and many people went through that great racing museum and shopped at their interesting gift shop. Many also went over to the free Home Show next door to the Boat Show. Then they left the buildings and went outdoors, under the shady trees lining Redwood Avenue to see the Boat Racers Boat Show and view the race boats, talk to the legends of the sport, take pictures, and buy T-shirts, pins, souvenirs and memorabilia. Ron Henderson, of Lady Dragon fame, brought his portable keyboard and played boogey woogey, blues, jazz and music from the 30's through the 50's.

The Honorary Awards program began at noon, on Saturday, June 12. Pastor Bob Smith, from Racers for Christ, gave the invocation. Adelle Stone called for a moment of silence toremember the boat racers and their families who had passed away since our last event. Ken Black presented awards to Bob Sykes and Barry McCown. Sykes was known as a master mechanic and engine builder, and McCown raced the Banzai to fame in the old NDBA, and other associations. Bill Fauntleroy presented a plaque to Marion Beaver, who raced Uncle Gummy to two National Championships and was a major founder and contributor to boat racing in this region and beyond. Fauntleroy then introduced Paul Pfaff as recipient of the Engine Builder Award, for Paul's lifetime commitment to fine racing engines and his other contributions to boat racing.

Bill Fauntleroy was then honored by Nick and Shirley Barron from Hallett Boats, for his lifetime commitment to race boat safety products and for his never ending help in making boat racing a safer sport. Ron Henderson presented the Lady Dragon Award to Lori Dunsmore for her outstanding achievements in water skiing. Lori had many stories to tell, not only about herself, but many of the others receiving awards. The Walt's Hot Boat Award went to Bergeron Marine, a company that has supported boat racing and the boat shows and reunions throughout the Southwest. The Pattie Frost Award went to Crave the Wave Racing Team composed of Tony and Denny Sigalos and Bruce Penhall. The Hydro Collector's Corner Award went to master boat builder, Ron Jones, from Seattle, for his masterful hydroplane designs. Mike Waters and the Crackerbox Club presented the Crackerbox Award to Danny Mang, who has dominated Crackerbox racing and is still winning championships.

The Gene Dangel Award for Boat Racing Historian was awarded to Harlan Orrin, a master craftsman and boat builder, who still builds wood boats the old fashioned way. The John's Custom Marine Award for Boat building went to Bob Patterson, whose boats were especially admired by racers then, and today. John Sherin was recognized by Bones Concept Cars and Trucks for his lifetime effort to save and restore the history and heritage of boat racing. Chuck Stearns received the Don Edwards' Golden Komotion Award for his lifetime achievements in water skiing. The GS Marine Award was given to Lee Talbot, whose efforts and racing revolutionized Jet Boat Racing. Howard Brown, who received an award last year, got up and spoke, briefly, about his boat building and racing career. 2003 Honoree, Don The Devil Damron, was on hand to talk about his legendary battles with 2003 Honoree Dan Durham, in Jet Boat racing.

The Awards program continued with family and friends taking the microphone to pay tribute to those who had passed away since our last reunion, and for the following who received Honors on our perpetual Honor Board for their achievements in powerboat racing: J.C. Agajanian, Ole Bardahl, Al Bush, Donald Campbell, Jack Cool, Otto Crocker, Kenny and Margie Harman, Bill Harrah, Bill Henderson, Gordon Jennings Sr, Ted Jones, Bernie Little, Bill Muncey (our Grand Marshall and the boat racer on our pin and pit pass for 2004), Bob Nordskog, Butch Petersen, Clay Smith, Lee Taylor, Dean and Joanne Wilson, and Red Wilson. Ron Taylor spoke about his brother, Lee, and how much he would have loved to hear that so many still remember and respect him. John Sherin spoke about the tradition of boat racing and how we should not let it be forgotten. Jo Ann Pfaff brought many people up to the open microphone to speak about their loved one's exploits. The family of Al Bush, a legendary drag boat racer, recalled many stories about his career.

We learned that J.C. Agajanian, famous for auto racing, promoted the best boat racing programs ever seen or remembered at Marine Stadium. Ole Bardahl, Bill Harrah, Ted Jones, Bernie Little, and Bill Muncey set the standards by which Unlimited Hydroplane racing is known today. Donald Campbell and Lee Taylor were extolled for their exploits in Water Speed time trials. Clay Smith and Red Wilson were spoken of in reverential tones for their ability to build and maintain the best power plants. Ruthelyn Plummer, who recently passed away, and was the widow of both Clay and Red, was remembered as a good friend, and supporter of boat racing, and as a businesswoman in her own right. Jack Cool was honored for his boat racing photography. Otto Crocker was honored for the timing equipment that he perfected. Kenny and Margie Harman, and Dean and Joanne Wilson were honored for their lifetime commitment as officials and administrative stewards in their respective leagues, without which, no racing could have been done.

Bill Henderson, and Gordon Jennings Sr were honored for their racing careers. The Jennings and Pfaff families are continuing the family tradition, and younger members are now racing. Bob Nordskog was honored for his many achievements in boat racing, as a driver, publisher, builder, PR man and all around pioneer in the sport. Butch Petersen was honored for his water skiing and the impact that he had on the sport. Many others came and were a part of the Boat Racers Boat Show, including: Pete and Doris Pierce, Phil Bergeron, Jane Black, Steve Loporchios and his daughter, Jim "Bones" Noteboom, Evelyn Roth (our website host at www.oilstick.com), Don Rudy, Will Scott, Betty Sherin, Adelle Stone, our Chairperson for the event, Mable Henderson, Sherry Stone, without whose help I couldn't have succeeded, Randall Tripp, Mary West, and Dan Arenas, son of the legendary Gene Arenas, and nephew of Dan Arenas.

Some of the Boats included: Ed Solis' Crackerbox, K-69 Freedom (Gordon Jennings Jr, Katie Jennings), P-21 Gramps Cracker (Dan Doidge, Jennifer Doidge, Lois Doidge, Tom Doidge, Kenny Knudson), P-24 Cracker Jack (Greg Falconer), P-66 Patterson Wood Cracker Box Mr. Magoo (Dwight Moody), P-69 The Enemy (Tom Sampson), P-87 Hot Cinders (Bob Overcash), PS-346 The Rocket (Jeff Wooton), Full House Mouse 48 c.i. Hydroplane (Bob Foley, Elladine Foley, Melissa Foley, Rob Foley, Chuck Dale, Teri Bertic), So Long All wood '67 Hallett (Don Edwards), Mean Streak drag boat (Dr. Tom Scherer), Bailie's Irish Dream (Bill Bailie, Sharon Barton), Too Much (Spike Morelli), The Last Viking #13 (Ed O'Hara, Maria-Elena O'Hara, Helen O'Hara, Pat O'Hara, J.P. O'Hara, and Jun Kurizaki).

There was also a Ron Jones built wood picklefork in need of a great deal of repair but still glorious to look at (Norm Benham), F-59 Miss California (Ken Bewick, Shari Bewick), The Disturber #365 '62 Mandella Dragboat (Bob Burns), Lil Skemer 60's Dragboat (Bob Garner, Rusty Huckeby), The Woodbox Crackerbox (Ron Sherin), Home built Race boat (Neil MacNeil, Bob Clark), Exit K Boat (Larry Clack), '40 Boyce Hydroplane (At Attig, Steve Wells), the Jet Boat Mean Streak (Mike Fry). Steve Loporchios brought T-shirts with designs from the '60's to sell. Bill Fauntleroy brought his Big Rig Lifeline Marine Products Display Truck, and his crew: Kent Fauntleroy, Curt Fauntleroy, Chris Fauntleroy, Bob Hrifko, Valla Mae Gomez, Larry Gomez, Richard Hammond, Lisa Ludwig-Hammond, and Courtney Ludwig. The writer apologizes if he has overlooked anyone at this year's Boat Show.

A special thank you to our sponsors: The Southern California Marine Association (SCMA), The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, Bill Fauntleroy's Lifeline Marine Race Products, Walt Gevers at Walt's Hot Boats, Pattie Frost from Kansas City, Missouri, Ron and Mable Henderson and the Lady Dragon, Bob Senior's Hydro Collector's Corner in Seattle, Washington, Nick and Shirley Barron at Hallett Boats, Mike Waters and the Crackerbox Club, Ken and Cheryl Black at Keith Black Racing Engines, Gene Dangel, John Stoker at John's Custom Marine, Jim and Helga Noteboom at Bones Concept Cars and Trucks, Don Edwards and the Golden Komotion Race Team, Greg Shoemaker at GS Marine, The Auto Club of Southern California, and to each and every person who purchased our pins and memorabilia, which keeps our Historical Heritage program going.

Gone Racin' is at [email protected] or on the web at www.oilstick.com

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