|
|
Museum has a role to play in Diamond Cup Revival The Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum is proud to announce it will be running three boats in a revival of the Diamond Cup, August 22, 2010 at Lake Coeur d'Alene in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. A couple of websites provide more information. Coeur d'Alene Press, July 8, 2010 Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum bring Thunder to Tri-Cities The 45th running of the unlimiteds in the Tri-Cities is later this week, and the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum is packing some thunder for the weekend. The museum's restored 1980 Miss Budweiser and the 1982 Atlas Van Lines will run at the race. David Williams will drive the Griffon Bud, while Chip Hanauer will drive the Atlas. The museum's restored boats will run on Friday and Saturday. In addition, Dixon Smith is bringing his Miss Bardahl, and the Vashon Unlimited team will bring the 1955 Miss Thriftway to join in on the fun.
Pizza and beer at the Mark Evans book signing
Mark will be reading an excerpt from his book, and signing copies in an event at the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum on Friday, July 30 from 7-9 p.m. The event is free to museum members and $5 each for non-members.
August 5 — and the Museum Gala — is just around the corner The new title is 35th Anniversary of the Pay’n Pak winning the Gold Cup – “Pak Attack”.
Tastin 'n Racin is up next at Lake Sammamish Up next for the museum is a couple of days of displays and exhibition runs during the annual Tastin 'n Racin festival, Saturday and Sunday at Lake Sammamish in Issaquah, Wash. The Vashon Island guys will be running their Miss Thriftway, while the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum will run its Oberto. The Miss Wahoo will be on static display through the weekend as well.
HydroFever, including Tully exhibit, was a hit Despite some lousy weather, there was a good turnout of members at the annual HydroFever at the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum on May 29. There seemed to be a lot of new faces coming in to check out the museum. They told us they heard about HydroFever in some of the local papers, so some press coverage did get the word out. Even had an R/C racer from Colorado come by to check it out. He was a Gulfstream pilot in town on business and knew of the museum through his R/C modeling. The usual hydro fanatics were there too, and it looked like the store was selling some merchandise. Bob Senior and Lon Erickson put on the auction and Will Stedman handled the auctioneer work. The auction items that Bob put together went pretty well. There were the Casper Boat races outside like normal, even though it rained, they did have a pop-up to help. A barbeque lunch was popular, and the new Ron Tully exhibit got a lot of attention.
Museum launches Tully exhibit this weekend The Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum is proud to announce it is opening a new exhibit, May 29. This exhibit features the artwork of Ron Tully. Tully has spent 20 years drawing more than 500 unlimited hydroplanes. The Museum has arranged the boats in a timeline across the back wall of the Museum.
The exhibit will run from May 29-October 31. Tully was born and raised in Seattle. He graduated from Central Washington University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in advertising. He moved to Los Angeles in 1971 and worked in the aerospace industries for nine years as a graphic artist. In 1980, he moved up the coast to Santa Maria (north of Santa Barbara) where he has continued to work for ITT Defense as their senior illustrator for the past 30 years. The first race Tully attended was the 1953 Gold Cup. He still has the skipper pin and program. His most memorable race was Hawaii Ka'i winning the 1958 Gold Cup. An annual trek for him was to go to the time trials from West Seattle to trade pins and get programs autographed. Tully started this latest hydro project in 1990 drawing about 10 boats. Since then, he has added more than 500 to the collection. It's been an ongoing process of adding new boats and updating old ones.
"Hydro Fever" is up next — Saturday at the Museum Hydro Fever, the annual Collectors Show at the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum is set to go. Hydro Fever is Saturday, May 29, as the museum celebrates its seventh anniversary in the current building. The event will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with FREE admission. Eight vintage hydros will be on display, a live memorabilia auction will take place at noon and hot lunch will be available. There will be 15 dealer tables available for the selling of hydro items for sale. A $35 table donation is requested from vendors. Contact Bob Senior to reserve a vendor table.
HydroMod Video Game Tourney postponed The HydroMod Celebrity Pro-Am scheduled for the museum on Saturday had to be postponed. A new date will be announced in the future.
"Uncle Al" Thoreson to undergo cancer surgery WEBMASTER'S NOTE: Below is the text from an email recently received by David Williams at the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum: Hello:
Open mic, hydro video game tourney on tap for big weekend It's going to be a big weekend at the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum, and you won't want to miss it. On Friday, May 21, the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum is hosting Open Mic Night. Come on down to the museum to share your talents, see the incredibly restored unlimiteds, and help raise a little (or a lot) of money for the cause. The Wires, a Seattle band from the 1970s, is the headline act. Open Mic Night goes from 7-11:30 p.m. at the museum.
This exciting hydroplane video game brings to life the fun of racing an unlimited that only a few have actually experienced in real life, and it gives you the opportunity to literally race against one of the current unlimited drivers. Last year, at the inaugural event, racers Greg Hopp, Jeff Bernard, J. Michael Kelly, Dave Villwock, Nate Brown and others participated with the fans who came down to race on the computer. This year's tournament is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the museum. Bring the kids, it's a family-friendly event. Lunch will be available for a fee, and admission to the event is $10. For more photos from last year's event, click here.
Heerensperger recognized in hometown of Kelso Hydroplane hall of famer Dave Heerensperger, who owned the Eagle Electric and Pay 'n Pak hydroplanes of the sport's history has been recognized in his hometown for contributions. Heerensperger and his wife Jill were recently honored at Tam O'Shanter Park in Kelso, Wash., for a generous contribution they made to construct a state-of-the-art girls softball field for the community. The field was named Heerensperger Field, and during the dedication ceremony on Mother's Day Weekend (May 8), Heerensperger remembered his mother, who passed away when she was just 45. He was only 19. Read more, by clicking here, in a story that appeared in the Mothers Day edition of the Longview Daily News.
Catch "Hydro Fever" You are invited to attend Hydro Fever, Saturday, May 29, as the museum celebrates its seventh anniversary in the current building. Hydro Fever will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with FREE admission. Eight vintage hydros will be on display, a live memorabilia auction will take place at noon and hot lunch will be available. There will be 15 dealer tables available for the selling of hydro items for sale. A $35 table donation is requested from vendors. Contact Bob Senior to reserve a vendor table.
Become a "Museum Booster"
Duke is getting an amazing response
In a long career as one of Seattle's most successful restaurateurs, Duke Moscrip has earned a reputation as a very creative entrepreneur and promoter. Those who know him were not surprised to hear that he was stepping forward to bridge the funding gap that threatened to keep Unlimited Hydroplanes from being part of the 2010 Seafair festival.
The original story regarding Duke's donation is also available at www.abrahydroplanes.com. Hydro Museum hosts Kent Chamber of Commerce After Hours On Thursday, April 22, the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum hosted an After Hours reception for the Kent Chamber of Commerce. It was very succesful. Here are some photos.
Duke's Chowder House supports Seafair unlimited hydroplane race The Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum would like to thank Duke's Chowder House for providing a bridge to the financial gap that makes it possible to have the H1 Unlimiteds at Seafair this year. For more than 60 years, the unlimited hydroplanes have been a feature show in Seattle's annual summer festival, and even brought professional sports to Seattle in the early 1950s. For the sake of continuing the history of the sport and making it possible to continue the tradition, we're proud to say THANK YOU to Duke Moscrip and his team at Duke's Chowder House.
The first annual "Thunderboat Classic" is now in the history books. A hearty congratulations goes out to the winners:
Twin Rivers Golf Course was the perfect host and a grand time was had by all. We wish to thank the sponsors who made it happen: Compton Lumber, Doug Southern, Graham Trucking, John L. O'Brien, K&L Inc., Larry Oberto, Maverick Racing, Vashon Thriftway - Island Market, Phil Lampman, Sound Propeller, and Whispering Turbines. Gifts were provided by Cathy Bacon of Downtown Harley Davidson and Scott Cook of Eastside Harley Davidson. Thanks also go to Larry Fuller, Robb Wheeler, Jim & Karen Johnston, Mary Cmpton and Lesley Fisher for their invaluable assistance and to Richard Rutledge and the staff at Twin Rivers Golf Course. And finally, to David Williams goes a thank you for providing this opportunity. Photos from Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum test session A number of really great photos have been provided by Jim Clark, who attended the H&RM test session April 15 at Stan Sayres Pits on Lake Washington. The Miss Thriftway, Miss Bardahl and Oh Boy! Oberto hydroplanes were all in attendance on Thursday. Those photos can be seen by clicking here. Thank you Jim!
Memorial service set for David Bryant
A memorial service for David Bryant will be held at the Central Christian church in Mesa, Arizona on Friday, April 16. More information is available at www.abrahydroplanes.com.
Boat racing loses another: David Bryant killed in Australia
Our deepest condolences and fond thoughts go out to the family and friends of David Bryant. David, former driver of the U-10 unlmited owned by the Gregory family, was one of two drivers killed in a flatbottom accident this weekend in New South Wales, Australia. More information is available at www.abrahydroplanes.com.
Jack Regas Sr., the man who drove the Hawaii Ka'i III to a Gold Cup victory in 1958, is recovering from a from a stroke he suffered on March 18. He spent three days in intensive care, but is home now and doing very well, but his daughter Sharon suggest that a nice supportive card or letter from some of his fans would really lift his spirits. If you have a moment, please drop him a note at: Jack Regas Sr
Blue Blaster rehabilitation continues, video update provided Don Mock has produced a beautiful video of the 1977 Atlas Van Lines "Blue Blaster" restoration project and posted it to YouTube. If you're interested in seeing the video, please click here.
Miss Supertest owner to be featured on "Newsmakers" radio show This coming, Sunday March 21, 2010, Mr. James Thompson, owner of 'Miss Supertest', will be giving a taped 10-minute interview to the "Newsmakers with Mary Thomas" program on CJBQ 800 AM Radio, Belleville, Ontario, following the noon news. The interview can also be heard on the station's website at www.cjbq.com.
All boat racers are invited to the second annual Northwest Safety Seminar. The event will be held at the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum Saturday, March 13.
HYDROPLANE & RACEBOAT MUSEUM
Sometimes, all you need to do is ask. Our own Jim McKeon, took the initiative and contacted OPTIMA batteries asking for a donation to help the Museum upgrade the batteries for the boats. Thanks to Shelia Sapetti of OPTIMA batteries for supplying the Museum twelve Blue top D312M. If you have any battery needs, please consider the OPTIMA brand for your next purchase to help support one of the Museums new sponsors. Visit OPTIMA's Website
While they were working on building the Miss Wahoo, Larry Fuller and Jim McKeon starting talking about some of their hobbies. For some strange reason, the subject turned to GOLF! Now Larry golfs about once a year, Jim, we're not sure (he might be the sleeper!). Well, enter Richard Rutledge...Richard is the craftsman that hand painted the name and numbers on both the Miss Thriftway and Miss Wahoo. Richard and his brother happen to be the owners of Twin Rivers Golf Course in Fall City. As things usually do, the conversations continued, and the idea of a golf tournament started to emerge. So here we are, announcing the FIRST ANNUAL H.A.R.M. GOLF TOURNAMENT! Saturday, April 17, 2010 - Twin Rivers Golf Course - Fall City, WA. Starting at 10:00am First 72 players guaranteed a place in the tournament. Please pre-register no later than April 5th as we need to let the facility know how many golfers to expect! Four person scramble, entrance fees are $60 per player. Mail your green fees to: 5917 South 196th Street, Kent, Washington 98032 Make checks payable to H.A.R.M. Tournament Flyer Hole Sponsor Form Museum Movie Night a success!
The first Museum Movie Night of the New Year went very well. About 20 people including U-17 driver Nate Brown and owner John O'Brien showed up to see H1 Unlimiteds' new hour long video of the Oryx Cup World Championship, won by J. Michael Kelly and the U-7 Graham Trucking. People oohed and ahhhed over the spectacular flips and great racing. The museum hopes to work an arrangement with H1 Unlimited so that we can have to DVD available for sale in our gift shop.. Roger Newton Memorial RC Boat Show a big hit at Museum
Saturday, February 13 was a good day at the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum, thanks to modelers from numerous RC model boat clubs across the Pacific Northwest. Roughly 50 boats big and small from the world of radio controlled racing were on display at the museum the day before Valentine's Day. The museum even picked up a handful of new members as a result of the event. Thank you to all who came!
Representatives of Electric Radio Controlled Unlimiteds (ERCU), Classic Thunder, RC Unlimiteds (RCU), Unlimiteds Northwest (UNW), Electric Scale Unlimiteds (ESU) and Rose City Model Yacht Club were present, with boats, to remember Roger Newton — The Czar of model hydroplane racing.
Photos are available at the links below:
Museum Stars in APBA Annual Meeting
The American Power Boat Association (APBA) was recently in Seattle for its annual meeting, and the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum played a starring role.
Each year, at the annual meeting the host club puts on an event called "A Night to Remember, " It is usually a social event that is meant to show off something unique about the region. I know that last year in Detroit it was a tour of the Roush Racing. This year it was a visit to the Hydroplane Museum and was sponsored by TIRA (Tacoma Inboard Racing Association).
Ron Jones, Don Kelson and Ed Karelsen (photographed) were the honorees, at the museum reception, as designer/builders who helped shape the sport.
Museum Executive Director David Williams reported that there were more than 300 boats racers from every region of the nation in attendance. They all seemed to have a great time and many were totally amazed at the fantastic collection of boats and racing memorabilia that we have here.
"I must have had a least a dozen people come up to me and say, 'Gosh I wish we had something like this where I live' ", Williams said.
in Seattles Hydroplane History
From January 21st through May 29, 2010, the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum, located in Kent, Washington, will be offering a special exhibit in tribute to one of Seattles greatest unlimited hydroplanes- the 1957 Miss Wahoo. The Miss Wahoo exhibit will feature the recently completed Miss Wahoo replica, surrounded by many original artifacts from her racing days including driver and crew uniforms, news stories, photos and a special Wahoo movie. This special exhibit will be the first public display of the Wahoo replica since her debut at the 2009 Seafair race in Seattle where she honored the contributions made to the sport by the Boeing family over the past 50 years. Visitors to the museum will have the opportunity to walk right up and examine this spectacular 100 point replica at close range. David Williams, Executive Director for the museum expects hydro racing fans- and Seattleites in general- will find real fascination in the exhibit materials. The 1957 Miss Wahoo represents a very clear snapshot of this sport, this city, and our country, at that moment in time. Seattle was just coming of age as a major metropolitan city and hydroplane racing was a big part of putting us on the map. The Wahoo was one of the fleet of highly successful hulls designed by Seattles own Ted Jones at the peak of his career. She was privately sponsored by the Boeing family during a time when such raceboats and, in fact, the entire sport itself was underwritten by private interests. And, of course, theres the great Mira Slovak story which adds so much color to her history. Wahoo driver Mira Slovak escaped to the west from Czechoslovakia in 1953, commandeering an airliner to flee the repression and tyranny of communism in favor of freedom and opportunity in America. Subsequently, Bill Boeing employed Mira as a pilot- and to his great surprise- as a hydroplane driver. The rest is history. His is one of the great cold war era stories, which is also highlighted in the Wahoo exhibit. The exhibit also features a documentary film about the Miss Wahoo produced by museum video archivist and producer, Don Mock. The Wahoo movie, which plays continuously as a part of the exhibit, includes race coverage of the Wahoo, rare personal movies and commentary, and touching video of the replica Wahoo being launched on Lake Washington in 2009 with Mira Slovak and William Boeing jr. in attendance. The Wahoo exhibit will be open to the public, along with the other museum displays, during regular hours. Miss Wahoo merchandise is available in the museum store. Hours and Admission Tue & Thurs: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Wed - Sat: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Closed Sunday & Monday General Admission: $10 Seniors (60+) & Students under 16: $5 Members & Children under 6: Free Directions to the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum From southbound I-5 from Seattle, take exit 152 (Orillia Road). Turn left onto 188th St, then turn right onto Orillia Road. After 1/2 mile, turn left onto S. 200th St. After 1/2 mile, road turns into S. 196th Street. The museum is on the right side (south) of the street. From northbound I-5 from Tacoma, take exit 152 (Orillia Road). Turn right onto 188th St, then turn right onto Orillia Road. After 1/2 mile, turn left onto S. 200th St. After 1/2 mile, road turns into S. 196th Street. The museum is on the right side (south) of the street.
My buddy, Pete Bertolotti I should confess right up front that I don't think Pete Bertolotti ever actually knew me by name. By the time I met him, at a spry ninety years old, he was well past the age of forgiveness for not remembering museum newcomers individually. And that was just fine by me because from my third visit on, he welcomed me with an enthusiastic "Hi, friend!" He must have meant it, he repeated it to me at least a hundred times over the brief few years that we knew each other as friends. My standard reply to Pete was "Ahhh, now I know I am in the right place!" and I meant it too. Our time together was mostly spent in the few minutes we shared sitting on the trailer of the Slo Mo V while eating a work crew dinner on a Tuesday or Thursday night at the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum. "Oh, she was really something." he'd say, looking up at the magnificent Five. Pete was drawn to both her long legs and her wild ride legacy. Her potential intoxicated him. It was an enduring love affair with a very fast and promising newcomer from well over half a century ago. I would often drive to the Museum thinking up a question for Pete, testing his memory with a purposeful bit of absurdity. "Now, they tried a big old skidfin on the Five, once didn't they, Pete?" His memory was razor sharp, even at ninety plus years of age. Leaning on his weight on his cane, his answers were always most gracious and thoughtful. "Well, no, not exactly..." and then he would offer his priceless and accurate recollections. Pete was an integral part of the original historic Slo Mo crew that changed hydroplane racing forever. Well into his eighties, Pete was on the work crew when the Slo Mo V was lovingly restored back in 1995. Don Mock fondly remembers Pete in his shop coat, feeding plywood to the hungry bandsaw, and loving every minute of it. It was especially heartening to see Pete at the Museum during the long year that we spent restoring the 1982 Atlas Van Lines. Those of us on the volunteer work crew understood all too well that we were learning on the job, with the jaundiced eyes of the other crews and hydro historians focused upon us. Every time Pete stopped by Jim Harvey's boat shop, which was often, he admired our work after checking over our progress carefully. After his compliment, I would ask him "Is it Slo Mo good?" or "Is it Anchor Jensen good?" and Pete would squinch up one eye, tilt his head and waggle his hand before busting out with a wicked chuckle. Pete was the first person to congratulate us after her first run. He was like a kid again that day- a ninety two year old kid. Pete was just naturally a kind and supportive guy who knew all about the insecurities of learning on the job. Others who knew Pete better than I can speak to his professional and personal life accomplishments, which were many. I only knew Pete as a fellow crewman on an unlimited hydroplane. I believe that is how Pete liked to see himself. He just had a natural affinity for the concept of being on a hydroplane crew. As we restored the Atlas, I could tell that Pete would have liked nothing better than to climb up on that deck and help wrestle the Merlin into her bilges. It wasn't long before the Atlas camp adopted him as crew. Heck, I think every crew in the museum has adopted Pete at some point. With his ever present wool watch cap and his dapper cane, Pete certainly made a good impression on the ladies. When I took my wife Mary to a museum event a few years ago, she met Pete and whispered in my ear "He's so cute!" And, indeed, he was undeniably cute. When I jabbed him about it later, he tossed his hands in the air and laughed "A lot of good that does me now!" The longevity and mental acuity that so blessed Pete was, unfortunately, denied to his son Don Bertolotti. Don passed away this past October- far too young- from Alzheimers disease. Pete, his work done here, stayed with us only a month longer himself. In many ways, Don contributed even more to the Museum than did his historic and lovable father. Don worked tirelessly on many of the restoration crews, served as a museum docent, and volunteered for any assignment that might move the museum forward. To talk to either about the other was an opportunity to learn something important about how good and right a father / son relationship can be. When I came to the museum I was drawn in, as everyone is, by the incredible boats. But if you stand around gazing at the boats long enough, somebody special, someone amazing is likely say "Hi, friend!" and mean it. And that is when you discover that this museum- and any good museum- is really about the people. I will certainly miss my buddy Pete, but I also know that he will always be there, sitting on that Slo Mo trailer fender, waiting for a familiar face to chat with while savoring a plate of Bob and Lu's excellent gulash. Marc Connelly Crew, 1982 Atlas Van Lines The Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum
The 2009 Annual membership meeting of the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum is now a memory for those who attended (a very pleasant one too!) A crowd of around 100 folks gathered to watch highlights of the Doha race and hear the firsthand accounts of the historic event from Dr. Ken Muscatel along with Steve and Debbie Montgomery. The reception in Doha, and the quality of the event was beyond all expectations. Steve and Debbie shared some of their photos of the trip while explaining some of the cultural discoveries they made. They all were quite surprised how Westernized many of the Qatar citizens were, especially the women. AT LAKE CHELAN
14 minute Video at GoLakeChelan.com 
Buy a tack at the Museum Store
Gold Cup Champion Terry Troxell Dies from Massive Heart Attack
Read More Hydroplane Racing in Detroit 1946-2008
How close did George Stratton really get to the seawall in Detroit in 2000? How high did the E-lam go when JW blew over in front of the DYC in 2005? What did the Gale Jet boat look like and was there really a Miss Pepsi III? For the answer to these and many more questions, pick up a copy of David Williams newest book Hydroplane Racing in Detroit 1946 - 2008. At 128 pages with over 220 rare and exciting photos, this book is a bargain for only $21.99. Hydroplane Racing in Detroit 1946 - 2008, is David's fourth book for Arcadia Publishing and details the post war racing in the Motor City. Williams combed the photo collection of Doug Dossin, Bill Osborne, Sandy Ross and the Hydroplane Museum to find dozens of rare, old photos that had never been published before, to illustrated his carefully researched history of racing in the Motor City. The mission of the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum in Kent, Washington, is to honor, celebrate, and preserve the legacy of Unlimited Hydroplane Racing. The museum has generously offered its extensive collection of hydroplane photographs to Hydroplane Racing in Detroit. The book is available now on the Hydroplane Museum website as well as Amazon.com and local book stores in the Detroit area. Also, David's recent books, "Hydroplane Racing in Seattle", "Turbine Racing in Seattle" and "Turbine Racing in the Tri-Cities" are also available through the Museum. HydroINSIDER Updates
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark Evans is one of the most extraordinary individuals in the whole hydroplane community. We know him well as a driver, boat builder, public speaker and broadcaster, but now, added to his list of talents is author. Mark (with a little help from museum director David Williams) has written his autobiography, "Dancing With Disaster, the Mark Evans Story". It is a wonderful, fun read that gives you an inside view on the daring and exciting life of Mark Evans.
The next day, Saturday, May 22, it's your chance to race virtual unlimiteds head-to-head against real unlimited hydroplane pilots. It's the second annual Hydro Mod Video Game Tournament at the museum.
For a special donation of $30 you can become a "Museum Booster". The first 100 contributors will receive a special gift, an exclusive limited edition "picture tack" (19th in a series) of the turbine-powered Pay 'n Pak. Please mail your $30 check by May 26, 2010. Mark your check memo "Museum Booster". The tacks should be available for mailing in June.
Memorial Services have been arranged for George Henley. 
David
D. Williams, Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum Director, has been driving
unlimited hydroplanes since 1993. This is his seventh book on the subject
of hydroplane racing, and it was published in June, 2009.