February 2017

SUPERFAN ISSUE: It’s fun to live your collection. Many of our readers have huge collections of hydroplane pins, glasses, driver uniforms, art, pieces of boats, and any number of other mementos of this sport. Among them are Sue and John Boone, longtime hydro fans and Seattle race volunteers. During all the years of attending races and events, they have collected memorabilia that they display in their family room. Chris Tracy talked with them about hydroplanes and their collection at their home. ue Boone is the same age as Seafair and has attended every Ssingle Seattle Seafair race, albeit the first few in a bassinet. She grew up in West Seattle and remembers that they could hear the hydroplane piston engines when unlimited boats went out on Lake Washington. And, when she heard the engine noise, she’d run to the TV and turn on Channel 5, as that station would break into its v IN THIS ISSUE: scheduled programming to show Colonel Russ Schleeh. a boat out on the lake trying to At age 8, Sue would take the 2 My $0.02 Worth qualify. bus, all by herself, from West Seattle by Andy Muntz Starting in the 1950s, she to downtown Seattle and transfer attended the Seattle races with buses and go to south Seattle to 3 Awards Banquet her dad each year and she remem- watch the time trials. That’s about bers seeing the Slo-mo-shun V flip. the time she started collecting 5 Revised final stats Attending the races with her dad buttons. She’d get into the cold pits 6 Mourning Ron Jones became not only a tradition, but a with a Seafair pin and then get special time for Sue and her dad. buttons that teams gave away for 16 HydroFile She recalls that she got her first free or tossed to fans in the cold by Lon Erickson hydro button at age 4, a Shanty pits. button given to her by driver Continued on page 8 Andy My $0.02 Worth Muntz Editorial Comment

For those new to this sport, the “U” pretty much limited to Lycoming that is painted on every boat right T-55, L-7 gas turbines with tight ments with Steve Morris Engines in front of the boat number stands restrictions on fuel flow and the of Muskegon, Michigan, to use an for ”Unlimited.” Back in the olden amount of power that can be engine that was developed for use days, it meant that there were no applied to them. in an exotic car to be built in Dubai restrictions on the size of the When the movement toward and to be known as the Devel engines used in the boats. turbine engines became serious Sixteen. With no restrictions, the back in the mid-1980s, part of the This is no ordinary car. Rumors unlimited-class boats attracted a reasoning for the change was that about it have been flying about the number of innovators who were the World War II fighter plane car industry ever since the project willing to try some outlandish engines being used at the time were was revealed at the Dubai Motor things. I recall Austin Snell, for getting too old. And, they had a Show in 2013. They talked about a example, who in 1962 tried to good point. Those engines were car powered by a V-16 engine that power his Coral Reef with a V-12 designed in the early-30s, more would accelerate from 0 to 60 at an Daimler-Benz engine from a than 50 years before. incredible 1.8 seconds and top out German Bf-109 Messerschmitt Well, guess what? The at 350 mph. fighter plane. Problem was, the Lycoming T-55 was designed in I’m not saying the 16-cylinder Germans mounted their engines on the mid-50s, almost 60 years ago. engine built for the Devel Sixteen the planes in an inverted position, That’s why some people are will revolutionize our sport. Put- which meant it was actually beginning to think about what will ting an engine in a race boat always upside down sitting in a hydroplane come next. creates many unique technical with the manifold on top, thus Perhaps an answer is tucked challenges. But, it is fun to see creating a challenge for the oil away in the back pages of this issue, teams willing to try new things. scavenge pumps. for there is an intriguing tidbit that That, and the rotary engine Today’s boats aren’t really may be a harbinger of an contemplated by the U-8 team, unlimited, even though they still interesting year ahead. might make 2017 an interesting have that “U” painted on them. For Jay Leckrone and Denise Garl year for watching the boats, and the many years, the engines have been have apparently made arrange- engines.

EDITOR: Andy Muntz EDITOR EMERITUS: Michael Prophet ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Craig Fjarlie, Chris Tracy, Dick Sanders HYDROFILE EDITOR/WEBMASTER: Lon Erickson HISTORIAN: Bob Greenhow EDITORIAL BOARD: Clint Newman II, Bob Senior

Unlimited NewsJournal, established in 1973, is published by Unlimiteds Unanimous, an enthusiast club interested in promoting and documenting the sport of unlimited hydroplane racing. Copyright © 2017, Unlimited NewsJournal. Reproduction or transmission in whole or part is not permitted without written approval of the Unlimited NewsJournal.

EDITOR: Unlimited NewsJournal, 14313 Beverly Edmonds Road, Edmonds, WA 98026. Email: [email protected] Letters may be edited for clarity and space.

2 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / February 2017 Shane, HomeStreet take top honors at gala. Jimmy Shane and the Miss Home- winning the race in Seattle, the first long-time director of public and Street Bank team took top honors rookie to win the race since Jim media relations for the Tri-Cities of the night during the annual H1 Ranger did it in 1966. Water Follies, passed away in Unlimited Champions Gala, held Two of H1 Unlimited’s great December while Farley, the at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel in friends were honored posthumous- long-time H1 historian, passed Seattle. ly during the ceremonies. Niles away in April. Shane took home his fourth Mayfield received the Vic Nelawake The 2017 H1 season will begin straight Bill Muncey National High Award as the sport’s top volunteer with testing in the Tri-Cities on Point Championship driver trophy while Fred Farley received a Friday, June 2 and in Guntersville, while the community-owned boat Chairman’s Award. Mayfield, the Alabama, on Saturday, June 17. that he drove took the National Team High Point Championship for the third consecutive year. The The award winners team has taken the national crown Sponsor of the Year...... HomeStreet Bank in seven of the last nine years. Outstanding Contribution Award...... Ted Grange HomeStreet Bank was also Montgomery Excellence in Media Award...... named Sponsor of the Year while ...... Mark Brudenell, Detroit Free Press the U-1 team also received hon- Vic Nelaware Award...... Niles Mayfield ors as Crew of the Year while Dan Chairman’s Award...... Bruce Madej Hoover was named Crew Chief of Chairman’s Award...... Fred Farley the Year. Chairman’s Award...... Ken Muscatel J. Michael Kelly and the U-5 Unsung Hero Award...... H1 Rescue Team Graham Trucking team were Rookie of the Year...... Andrew Tate Official of the Year...... Justin Weymouth awarded second-place honors in Race Site of the Year...... Tri-Cities Water Follies both driver and team categories. Crew Chief of the Year...... Dan Hoover Andrew Tate, the driver of the Owner of the Year...... Scott and Shannon Raney U-9 race team owned by Mike and Crew of the Year...... U-1 Miss HomeStreet Bank Lori Jones, was honored as the 2016 Third Place Driver/Team...... Andrew Tate/U-9 Racing Rookie of the Year. Tate drove his Second Place Driver/Team...... J. Michael Kelly/U-5 Graham Trucking boat to his first career victory by First Place Driver/Team...... Jimmy Shane/U-1 Miss HomeStreet Bank APBA commissioner overturns the results of Tri-Cities race. More than four months after the The decision upheld an appeal checkered flag was waved on the that was filed by the HomeStreet Columbia River in late July, Nation- team over a ruling that occurred al Commissioner Charles Strang of during the final heat of last the American Power Boat summer’s event. Shane’s boat col- Association made a decision that lided with the U-16 Oh Boy! Oberto gave the race victory to Jimmy during a tight duel between the two

Chris Denslow Shane and the U-1 Miss HomeStreet boats. Jimmy Shane (Left) and Mark Mason, CEO Bank, rather than to the apparent A penalty for encroachment of HomeStreet Bank, hold the prestigious Martini & Rossi Trophy, which is presented victor, J. Michael Kelly and the U-5 was first called on Jean Theoret to the natonal champion each year. Graham Trucking. in the U-16 and Shane went on to

February 2017 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / 3 cross the finish line first as the apparent race winner. But, 90 minutes after the race, officials determined that Shane actually had been at fault and penalized the boat one lap, which dropped it to seventh place and gave the victory to Kelly and the Graham Trucking. The HomeStreet team filed an appeal to the decision the included g-force data taken by the “black Chris Denslow box” aboard the boat that measures Jimmy Shane and the Miss HomeStreet Bank were declared the winners of last summer’s several factors related to the boat’s HAPO Columbia Cup at Tri-Cities after a lengthy appeal to the APBA. performance, including the g-forces that occur when a boat turns and at what angle it is turning. According Madison and Detroit race organizers to Charlie Grooms, president of the discuss possible changes in race formats. Miss Madison race team that oper- ates the Miss HomeStreet Bank, that Race organizers in both Detroit and Cole admitted that his organi- data showed that Shane maintained Madison, Indiana, are discussing zation’s financial woes have forced his turning arc through the turn ways to hold their events differently them to look at doing something and that it was Theoret’s boat that and less expensively, according to different. Six of the last seven deviated from its path. reports in the local newspapers of Madison races have been hampered That appeal was at first denied both cities. Dan Cole, the president by rain and high water or by high by H1 Unlimited officials, but the of the Madison Regatta, is toying temperatures. matter was then taken to the APBA with a way to deliver more race In Detroit, race organizers national commissioner, who acts action while Mark Weber, presi- recently learned that the UAW-GM as the final arbitor on such matters. dent of Detroit Riverfront Events, Center for Human Resources has Strang, at age 95, is considered the is considering holding two races ended its two-year sponsorship of supreme court of motorsports and during one weekend of action. the event. Weber says at least three is used by every major national The Madison committee has companies are interested in step- motorsports federation, including proposed a two-day event that ping forward to sponsor the race. NASCAR, to render similar final would feature a round robin series Meanwhile, the group planning judgements. of two-lap duels between the top the race is looking at splitting the Strang took the case, reviewed four boats. The action would be weekend into two separate races the data, watched video of the final combined with races by Grand instead of one race over two days. heat, interviewed race officials, Prix West boats and would last no Sponsoring the primary event and concluded in early December longer than five hours each day, during the weekend would cost that Shane did not encroach on the says Cole. about $150,000, according to a U-16. As a result, the penalty was “What we’re trying to do is put report in Crain’s Detroit Business, removed and Shane was awarded on a better race for the fans because while the second event would be the race victory. I would rather see four boats racing about $100,000. While the ruling meant more hard than eight going around in Weber told the publication that points were earned by the U-1 team parade laps, saving equipment,” the reorganizing the race weekend and fewer points were earned by he told a reporter for the Madison stems from a revolution in the others, the result did not alter the Courier. “We’re trying to reach a motorsports industry and the final national points standings. The younger crowd and they want to public’s tastes. “Going to an event revised final standings are shown in see races, not parades.” that takes two days is kind of the chart on the facing page. archaic,” he said.

4 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / February 2017 February 2017 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / 5 Sport mourns the loss of Ron Jones, a leading designer and boat builder.

by Andy Muntz boat would win its first race that season and went on to win the 1958 One could say that designing and national championship. Jones later building hydroplanes was literally helped the Bardahl team rebuild in his genes. Ron Jones, who passed another of his father’s boats, a craft away on January 19, was the son that won three straight national of famed designer Ted Jones, the titles and Gold Cups from 1963 to man credited with developing the 1965. prop-riding hydroplanes that His work for Bardahl was so completely transformed the sport successful that the team turned to in the early 1950s. him when it came time to create The younger Jones started his their next raceboat. And, for that designing career at about that same task, Jones did something very time when still in high school. His innovative. first hydroplane was a small At this point in the history of 48-cubic-inch class competitor that the sport, all the unlimited hydro- Museum and Raceboat Hydroplane he sold for a few hundred bucks. planes were built with the cockpit His father had tried the idea of That led to other limited boats and, behind the engine. But, Jones had a cabover when he built Thriftway, by 1956, to a 7-liter craft named figured out that putting the driver Too in 1957, then Jones proved that Whizski. in the bow made much better sense. the idea had merit with the success His first entry into the world of The boat would not only be more of a limited boat named Tiger Too the unlimiteds came in 1958 when aerodynamic, shifting the weight that he had built in 1961. he built the Miss Bardahl, which of the engine farther aft would also The cabover Miss Bardahl was was designed by his father. The help with its handling. built in 1965, but didn’t enter competition until 1966. Hopes were high for the boat, until tragedy struck only two races into the season. While racing on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the boat lost its propeller, leaped into the air, plunged nose-first into the river, and split in half, killing driver Ron Musson in the process. Needless to say, drivers and owners weren’t keen on the idea of cabover hulls after that accident. But, Jones was committed to the idea and built another when his next opportunity to build an unlimited came along in 1970. The project was for Dave

Eileen Crimmin Heerensperger, a man who had The first unlimited project for Ron Jones was the building of the Miss Bardahl, which was previously campaigned boats designed by his father. The boat is shown here during its launch in 1958.

6 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / February 2017 Even before it appeared for the first time, the press releases about it said the boat would be “new and revolu- tionary.” The 1973 Pay ‘n Pak was built with aerodynamic cowlings and a new stronger material called Hexcel, a sort of aluminum sand- wich. Attracting most of the interest, though, was a horizontal wing set atop two vertical fins. The Winged Wonder would become one Bob Carver The first unlimited designed by Ron Jones was the ill-fated Miss Bardahl, which featured of the most successful hydroplanes a cabover design and made its debut in 1966. The boat is shown here during a test run in the sport’s history. on Lake Washington. When racing in Washington, D.C., early in the 1966 season, the boat The boat also spawned a revo- suddenly nosed into the water and broke in half, killing driver Ron Musson. lution in hydroplane design. Pretty named Miss Eagle Electric and had created a boat that became a success soon, every boat owner wanted most recently tried an innovative for many seasons. one. Because of the success of the boat named Pride of Pay ‘n Pak that Heerenseperger didn’t give up Winged Wonder, Ron Jones quickly looked a little like a South Seas war on Jones, though. The next project became the busiest boat designer canoe, according to one reporter. was innovative in its own right. Continued on page 15 Heerensperger was not afraid of innovation and, if anything, Jones was innovative, so the two formed a perfect match. The boat that he produced fea- tured several cutting-edge innova- tions for the time. It not only was a cabover, but also was powered by a pair of Chrysler Hemi automotive engines and featured a pickle-fork bow instead of the rounded bow Museum and Raceboat Hydroplane that was typical at that time. The concept never got much of a chance, however, as the engines simply weren’t up to the task. They seemed to go lame regularly, were expensive to maintain, and caused the crew to spend so much effort just keeping them running that there was little time to address the handling issues that are always present in a new boat, especially one that is cutting-edge. Led by crew chief Jim Lucero, Museum and Raceboat Hydroplane [Top] Ron Jones was always innovative. He designed another cabover in 1970, but this the team eventually went back to time powered the boat with twin Chrysler Hemi engines. The engines turned out to be the old tried and true. They in- the weak link in the project and boat wasn’t really successful until it was later fitted with a Rolls-Royce Merlin and the cockpit was moved behind the engine. [Above] One of the most stalled a Rolls-Royce Merlin, put successful boats in history was the 1973 Pay ‘n Pak, which featured several innovations, the cockpit behind the engine, and such as a horizontal wing and construction using honeycombed aluminum.

February 2017 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / 7 It’s fun to live your collection. Continued from page 1 from Evansville, Indiana, to Honolulu, collecting all At age 16, Sue was a Skipper Pin girl, selling the time. Individually or together, they have attended Seafair Skipper Pins on the street in downtown all Tri-Cities races, except one. Seattle, making 25 cents on each pin sold. She recalls Sue and John display the vast majority of their making at least $600 that summer. Later, Sue became collection on the walls and ceiling of their family a Seattle race pit tour guide, one of the first female room. Sue and John exercise in the family room. Sue tour guides. She still volunteers at Seafair, selling says, “I hate every second of exercise, but all the hydro Seafair merchandise. memorabilia makes me happy. We are surrounded by John Boone remembers in junior high taking the our summers. It’s fun to live your collection.” bus with his brother from the Ballard part of Seattle Some of their favorite pieces include an original to time trials and races at Seattle’s Seafair. At the races art piece by Mike Fitzsimmons, two hydro T-shirt he met Bob Senior, who introduced him to button quilts by Suzanne Niedzwiecki, and ALL buttons and collecting. He helped Senior with the pit tour booth memorabilia about Chip Hanauer, Sue’s absolutely in about 1973 and recalls stuffing goodie bags for pit favorite driver. She especially likes the inflatable hydro tours in the 1970s. Eventually John became chair of that Hanauer wrote on saying, “Sue, marry me! I love race logistics and later the fuel chairperson. you! Chip Hanauer.” When Sue and John got married, they merged Sue likes to repeat a quote attributed to Chip their button and memorabilia collections and their Hanauer, “Seafair is like Christmas.” The Boone’s collection has continued to grow it over the decades. enjoy Christmas in their family room every single day. They have attended races at 10 different race venues

8 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / February 2017 Hydro Chic meets Atomic Mid-Century Modern: A tour of the Tracy’s vacation cabin.

By Chris Tracy, with photos from Jayne Tracy front-yard address marker. We designed and ordered the address marker at the Allied ver 30 years ago, Jayne and I bought a small, Arts Fair in Richland, Wash., that is held each year simple, waterfront vacation cottage on a during the Tri-City hydroplane race weekend. Oprivate island in Puget Sound, accessed by a So, come on into our cottage. one-lane bridge. We loved the vibe on the island and the mid-century architecture of the little house. Our goal was to have a comfortable, casual and quiet place to escape to on the weekends and during parts of the summer. We’ve always had dogs, so the interior had to be dog friendly, hence no expensive furniture. But, the house had to have the conveniences of home, meaning a full kitchen and bath. Then there was my hydroplane memorabilia collection. I’ve always enjoyed collecting art, race posters, frameable photos, models, glassware, and more. Some of the collection has always been on display in the den at our “real” home, but my Once inside and above the front door, is one of several collection grew far larger than what could be art pieces I have collected by artist Alan Ameel. This displayed in the den. one of Miss Supertest. Ameel’s pieces can be ordered on So, my wife Jayne and I hatched a plan to use the his website, www.hydroartprints.com. hydroplane memorabilia collection to decorate our The dining getaway home. room is set To be honest, we somewhat got the idea years for the hydro ago after having dinner with Art and the late Dorothy enthusiast. Oberto at their home on Lake Washington in Seattle. Jayne found the Dorothy loved traveling and she bought clothing, hats, unique, expand- collectibles, and even furniture at each destination. able, mid- Rather than storing what she collected on trips, she century dining table, made in Spain from the 1950s. displayed everything throughout the main floor of The table centerpiece is the Miss Century 21 hydro their home and even in the basement. (See the full model, expertly crafted by Brian Anderson. story, “An Evening With Dorothy and Art Oberto,” in Anderson’s models are made from pine and hand the December 2011 UNJ issue.) painted. He can We furnished our vacation home with a mix of make a model of durable, vintage, atomic modern furniture and any hydroplane decorated the house with my hydroplane memorabilia you’d like and collection. So, here’s a can be contact- brief tour of some of the ed at brian5@ memorabilia that we yahoo.com. have displayed. The wine One gets the feel glasses were that our house has a available to boating theme from the Captain’s Club

February 2017 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / 9 members who attend- Bang Theory, as the boat and bobble head are in ed the Hawaii race the original, unopened, boxes! first five years, when The single art piece on the right wall is of the U-3 it was sponsored by Vacationville and is called, “Return of the Thunder,” Outrigger Hotels. I got by artist Jim Clary the placemats from Art and is signed by Ed and Dorothy Oberto. Cooper, Mitch Ev- They are from 2005 ans, and Jim Clary. and have the Oberto The hydroplane boat superimposed in art of Jim Clary Venice, Italy! can be viewed on The Seafair wine is from a fundraiser a few years his website, www. back. We stocked up on several bottles. Also on the jclary.com/ dining room wall is a vintage poster of the Pay ’n Pak famousthunder.html. turbine hydroplane. One of our posters Next to the dining area is a vintage teacher desk. would not photograph We play Roostertail on it, a board game sold likely in well, so we moved it to the 1950s. All the pieces are intact. We keep score with a spot where we could the “Stolen from Art Oberto” pens. take a decent photo. The 1993 Hawaii race poster is interesting and unique, as it features photos of two drivers, Mark Evans and Ken Muscatel, and a photo of an owner, Bernie Little. The other corner of the living room has an Owen Blauman Budweiser photo, uniquely colorized, and vintage Bardahl poster that includes several boats Bardahl campaigned. On the other atomic end table is table centerpiece in the form of the 1962 Skipper Pin, made for the The living room has plenty of hydro items, too. On Hydroplane and Raceboat one wall are three race posters. The 2005 Tri-Cities Museum fundraising gala race poster was signed by just about every driver who and to help commemorate the 50th anniversary of attended. The Century 21, Seattle World’s Fair, and the Miss Century middle poster 21 hydroplane. celebrates the On the living room coffee table is an assortment 50th anni- of hydroplane books to read, plus a candy dish given versary of to Captain’s Club Seattle’s Sea- members at a fair and the Hawaii race in other poster about 1991. celebrates the 65th anniversary of Seafair. The mantle of The atomic-modern end table has an Oberto boat, the fireplace has a signed Art Oberto bobble head, and an Ameel sketch two vintage bour- of Hurricane IV. I guess I’ve watched too much Big bon containers

10 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / February 2017 (alas, empty), one ments from hydroplane memorabilia, such as the mug that celebrates from the 1991 “Top Gun” Hawaii race. And, while the Miss Madison island, the beach, and the cabin are so special to us, so and the other the are the wonderful hydroplane memories showcased at 1972 Seafair race our vacation home. in Seattle. There is another Clary The Tracy’s den art piece titled “His Most Mem- at the “Real House.” orable Race,” hanging above the mantle. The photo is of Jayne and I receiving the potted palm award at the While our vacation cottage is home to much of our annual Tri-City Royal Order of the Turbine (ROTT) hydroplane memorabilia collection, several of my meeting, held during race weekend. The palm favorite art pieces are on the walls of the den at our recognizes hydro fans. primary home. Here are five of them. The photos don’t In the hallway to the bath and bedroom, we have due the art justice, as the picture frame glass makes a special photo. Jayne and I are pictured in Art and taking photos difficult and contribute to glare and Dorothy Ober- shadow issues. to’s backyard at The custom-framed poster is of the 1992 LeRoy their home on Neiman painting that depicts the 1988 first-place Lake Washington. finish of theOberto in San Diego. It shows two boats We are with the going over ROTT potted behind the palm—recipients Oberto. The are required to original piece is take it somewhere owned by Art special. In 1954, Oberto, who the Gale IV famously beached itself in the rose garden commissioned in what would later become the Oberto’s backyard. Neiman to paint In the bedroom it to help cele- we have a hand- brate the 75th made, custom quilt, anniversary of made by Chris the Oberto Sausage Company. Courtright that Formation Flying is a black and white drawing celebrates the 50th by Diane Gray. This unnumbered piece was commis- anniversary of sioned by American Specialty Century 21 and in- Insurance as part of a fundraiser for unlimited cludes all the boats driver Ken that raced that year, Dryden, to help with the Gold Cup pay medical- program depicted in related costs the center. Also on after he was in a display is a leather racing accident. and wool Oberto As Miss Budweiser Racing jacket. and Miss T-Plus We enjoy the race, the drawing represents the spirit and challenge deck at the cabin of unlimited racing. as much as possible. UFO—Unlimited Flying Object. Although there is Often we’ll be a fairly widely circulated poster, this is the drinking refresh- limited-edition Owen Blauman and Jim Cummins

February 2017 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / 11 enhanced photo, one of 200 On collecting... signed by driver Steve David. A By Ron Suttell certificate of authenticity was I consider myself a typical Baby Boomer born in 1949 provided for with nostalgic ties to that era. Being a Seattle native each, as well. The during the 1950s goal of the piece was to show there’s no limit to the and 1960s, I power and excitement of Miss T-Plus. grew up cheer- Thunder ing for the local Turn is a large sports teams: poster from UW Huskies artist Michael football, Seattle Spakowsky that Rainiers baseball, was produced for Seattle Totems the Unlimited hockey, and of Racing Commis- course the local-based hydroplanes—a passion that sion and Hudson remains firmly entrenched into my lifestyle today. Galleries. Having always been an avid collector from child- Many race sites commission a poster for their hood days, whether it be cereal box toys, stamps, race. This poster was for the 1991 race in Hawaii, held coins, buttons, books, baseball cards, photos, sports at Naval Station, team souvenirs, post cards, or Seafair programs, my Pearl Harbor. brother Jim and I enjoyed amassing large collections The poster of this features the “priceless U-89 Miss Ginger stuff” in our Honey, which home base- was the former ment, garage, “bubble Bud.” It bedroom failed to qualify closets, or in Honolulu, but any other I attended this handy niche. race and We’d spend celebrated my countless 40th birthday hours organizing, packaging, labeling, and carefully there, so it is storing these collectibles to ensure their long-term special to me. preservation for presumably the archeologists of the future to discover. Chris and Jayne Tracy are retired teacher-librarians. Chris Although on a much lesser scale due to space, is president of Unlimiteds Unanimous, publishers of the time and resource limitations, I still consider myself a Unlimited NewsJournal. Jayne can be best described as a collector today. I have learned to appropriately down- casual hydro fan, but she was responsible for launching the size a great deal, while still enjoying my hobbies. In first UNJ website and served as their first webmaster. Jayne addition to an extensive treasure trove of hydroplane is currently president of Seattle Beagle Rescue. racing collectibles dating back to the early 1950s, I have also managed to hold on to a modest collection of Alaska Airlines (my employer for more than 40 years) historical items and still keep various favorite sports memorabilia.

12 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / February 2017 Contributions from other collectors.

UNJ correspondent Mac Clouse tells us the story of these two Stan Sayres buttons [above]. The one on the right is like what every other owner has. Clouse got the one on the left in the mid-1990s when he and Niles Mayfield bought a large collection from an Indiana collector. He told them that Bob Williams, the original museum creator, verified it as legitimate. Clouse says it’s a very old bad fake or a one-of-a- kind that is real. Larry Webb has 15 frames like the one above, filled Either way, it is with his hydro patch collection, which includes boats, unique. Clouse regattas, and sponsors. Below is Duane Herin standing also sent us a in the breezeway of his house in Northwestern Illinois photo of another and surrounded by some of his many hydroplane and prized part of his regatta memorabilia. Born and raised in Madison, collection, the old straw cowboy hat that Bill Muncey Indiana, Herin has been collecting for over 45 years often wore. It was given to Clouse by Fran Muncey. and enjoys trading with other collectors. Check his page on Facebook called HydroHerin, where you’ll see more of his personal collection along with extras that he has available for sale or trade.

One of the most avid collectors of hydroplane items is Bob Senior. His wife, Karin, also is a big hydroplane fan and has this collection of hydroplane models on her piano.

February 2017 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / 13 Remembering Niles Mayfield. by Mac Clouse manager. His professional career was devoted to educating, training, I first met Niles Mayfield in 1989. developing relationships, and creat- As usual, I was at the Seattle race ing great deals. guiding pit tours and collecting Niles loved his family and was hydroplane memorabilia. My proud of their accomplishments. 12-year-old son, Eric, was with me. Stephanie, Laura, and Scott have He would help me with my tours now all completed their college and keep me alerted as to what was years and they are successful in happening with the button sellers their careers. Stephanie and Laura and traders who were in the field also made him a grandpa. Through west of the pits. some match-making by Mark Evans, Penny entered his life at an When I came back from one Each year for over 20 years, Niles hosted a of my tours, Eric ran up to me and important time for him and gave huckleberry margarita party, often on the said, “ I just met a guy named Niles. him the love, support, and com- Thursday night before the Tri-Cities race. When Niles married Penny, she joined in He’s a cool guy, and he said he panionship that he needed. She was hosting the fun. Friends, officials, media, would give you some great deals. I’ll the love of his life. The night before drivers, and race team members often Niles died, he and Penny went out attended (drivers and team members introduce you.” partaking in the virgin version of the drink.) Eric was correct, and Niles to dinner to celebrate their 12th The last of these events was in 2015, before and I became friends through our wedding anniversary. Niles and Penny moved to Spokane. Niles always claimed that he personally picked passions for collecting. In 1992, Niles had a large extend- the wild huckleberries, but the NewsJournal Niles did one of his best sales jobs ed family, as well. As one of the has it on good authority that wife Penny often helped pick the berries, too. and convinced me to go to the San hydroplane world’s biggest col- Diego race with him. That experi- lectors, traders, and salespeople, working with all the media people ence started a 25-year run where he had a network of “customers” and attending to all their needs, Niles and I were usually together across the nation, especially in Niles was also the “go to guy” for for at least four races per year. We Washington, Oregon, California, anyone who needed help with any were at the races as fans, as collec- Indiana, and Michigan. He was aspect of the race. He could manage tors, as reporters for the Unlimited always concerned with making sure people and tasks, and as always, he NewsJournal, as the operators of that his customers were getting all could make great deals. the Tri-Cities media trailer, and as the new collectables that came out Niles’ best work with the members of the H1 media team do- each year. While many could not Tri-Cities race was done in 2015. ing the Live Chat blog and posting be at the races, he would be there He worked hard to convince the information and interviews on the for them. Like me, many of these board that it would be good for H1 website. customers evolved into close rela- Tri-Cities to have the Gold Cup. As During these years, our friend- tionships, which resulted in a large part of the promotion for the Gold ship grew to include much more geographically extended family. Cup, Niles and Chris Denslow cre- than just hydroplanes; we became Niles grew up in the Tri-Cities ated an exhibit at a local museum. very good friends in life. and attended every race. He vol- The exhibit was about the Tri-Cit- Niles was definitely a people unteered to help and eventually ies race and its history and about person. After graduating from became the media director for the the Gold Cup and its history. It had Eastern Washington University, race and a member of the Water lots of pictures and hydroplane-re- he taught and coached at a middle Follies Board of Directors. As I lated items on display. The Gold school in Richland. Then he worked worked with Niles in the very pop- Cup race was a large success, and for 30 years at the Hanford Site. He ular air-conditioned media trailer, I Niles’ efforts were big reasons. retired in 2012 as a senior training saw Niles at his best. In addition to In 2016, Niles did some of his

14 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / February 2017 best work with H1. At the Gold Cup in Detroit, Bruce Madej, Sport mourns the death of the H1 media director, made a last-minute deal to be able to live designer/builder Ron Jones. stream Sunday’s events. Bruce Continued from page 7 Little wanted to defeat Muncey would do the play by play, but he and builder in the sport. During the with power and had just the tools to needed someone to be his ana- winter after the boat’s debut, Jones do it: gigantic Rolls-Royce Griffon lyst/wingman. He asked Niles. He received orders for four new hydro- engines that were capable of told Niles he would not do much, planes to be made of lightweight generating an enormous 4,000 because he didn’t want Niles to get Hexcel and featuring a horizontal horsepower. The challenge for nervous. Of course, Madej did not wing just like the Pay ‘n Pak. Jones was to build a hull capable of need to worry about that! Niles With the former hemi-powered handling that much power. was everything that he was looking Pride of Pay ‘n Pak now racing as a The result was a boat intro- for, and did a great job. Madej even Merlin-powered Miss Budweiser, duced in 1979 that turned many told Niles afterwards that he should and with Jones-designed boats such heads with more innovations, such come out of retirement and begin a as the Weisfield’s, the Miss U.S., an- as an engine and cockpit compart- new career in broadcasting. other Budweiser, and the Olympia ment that was offset to the left to The last race where Niles and Beer, every boat winning a race ease in rounding turns. The boat I worked together for H1 was last during the 1974, 1975, and 1976 was destroyed during an attempt year’s San Diego race. Madej could seasons had come from the drawing to set a world speed record late in not be there, so Niles and I could board of Ron Jones. 1979, but was replaced by another do whatever we thought would be That success turned around in similar boat that would dominate interesting for the fans. We did the 1977 when Bill Muncey introduced the sport for the next several years. Live Chat blog, we posted infor- his Blue Blaster and dominated the In all, Ron Jones built or mation on the H1 website, and sport for the next few years. But, designed a total of about 500 we posted many interviews. We when Budweiser owner Bernie Little raceboats during his career. And, interviewed drivers (including three decided he needed something new it’s estimated that those boats set together), owners, officials, fans to compete with Muncey, he turned about 2,200 world speeds record, a on the beach, the developers of a to Ron Jones. The result was mark that puts him among the most new V-12 engine designed for boat another innovation. successful designers in history. racing, and the CEO of HomeStreet Bank. At the end of the race, Commis- sioner Steve David announced his retirement. With the big change in H1 leadership that would follow, Niles and I talked about the fact that this could have been the last race that we would do for H1. If so, we agreed that the last installment of the Niles and Mac show had been a good one. We never thought that it would be the last show be- cause of what happened on Decem- ber 12, 2016.

Thank you, Niles for all that Museum and Raceboat Hydroplane you did for your family, for the Another innovative boat from the drawing board of Ron Jones was the 1979 Miss sport, and for your many friends. Budweiser, shown here after driver Dean Chenoweth completed a test run on Lake Washington. The boat feaured a huge Rolls-Royce Griffon engine and a cockpit We will all miss you. and engine compartment that was offset to the boat’s left side.

February 2017 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / 15 HydroFile Lon Erickson Race Team News

U-1 Miss HomeStreet Bank Team updates to the U-1 hull (#0706) continue in the U-8 Racing Madison Racing shop. Here is the hull during the Owner/driver Eric Christensen updates the UNJ with holiday break. All the inside hatches are painted, news that progress is well under way with the newly bullnoses done, and ready to continue sanding in formed team. The hull (#9914), former Miss Freei, is in preparation for finish paint. In mid-January, Home- the shop and upgrades will be completed soon to meet Street Bank announced that it will continue in its role current H1 tech standards. The U-8 project is based as sponsor for the U-1 unlimited hydroplane. This around the concept of a twin-turbo rotary engine, will be the third year that HomeStreet Bank has been about the same size of the current turbine engines involved with sponsorship in the H1 Unlimited Series, being used in H1. It will be a direct drive setup, having entered the sport in 2015. running 92-octane fuel, and will bring the noise back to the unlimiteds. The primary focus right now for Eric and crew chief Michael Jarvis is getting the en- gine program setup in the hull, configured, and systems developed for a concept that has not been done before. Their target for testing is July 2017. Eric has spoken with several associate sponsors, has interested parties, and welcomes title or additional associate sponsorship for U-8 Racing. Miss Madison Racing Team U-5 Graham Trucking After the U-5 Graham Trucking hull (#0001) was brought out west in the fall for major off-season work, the Milton, WA. shop owned by Rob Graham was broken into on Christmas Eve. Fortunately, only tools Lon Erickson and copper wiring were stolen and no damage to the boat. Milton police eventually found the stolen items in a car that had been impounded and they are pret- ty sure of the suspect, but as of late January, he was still at large. After winning the 2016 APBA Gold Cup, the team traditionally receives Gold Cup rings. Here is the artwork mockup for

those rings. U-8 Racing Team

16 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / February 2017 U-14 Centurion Unlimited Racing Centurion Racing has announced the final steps with Steve Morris Engines to setup the U-14 with a new piston power plant. They are in the process of submitting to the H1 Competition Committee a request to use in their hull the Devel V16 engine, aluminum billet, 970 c.i., with twin-intercooled turbos (right). As with all new concepts, the plans are for a development and testing period before entering competition. The testing time frame is fluid at this Centurian Racing Centurian point, we will update as the project comes together U-99.9 Leland Racing/CarStar presents Miss Rock and when this project will hit the water. Owners Jay After the team took inventory of the two hulls on hand Leckrone and Denise Garl sat out the 2016 H1 season (#9701 & #9899), and after considering overall per- to regroup and have been working on bringing this formance and potential, they are moving ahead with new piston engine into the sport. upgrades to the current raceboat (#9899). U-18 Bucket List Internal structural analysis showed that minor repairs Kelly Stocklin has been looking ahead to running in are needed, but nothing major. The key area that will 2017. They have been addressing some of the issues be getting attention will be the transom of the Miss they have run across with his program since its Rock hull. It will undergo a structural rebuild to main- inception. Here is a design change to the air intake tain the integrity and ride performance. cowling, allowing more air in and to keep water out. Crewmembers Jimme James, Tom Cusworth, and Kelly also reports they have plans to solve their Brandon Crouse are spending “Turbine Tuesdays” gearbox issues and those are being worked on. with U-11 owner Scott Raney to learn the ins and outs of T-55 turbines and to enable the U-99.9 team to step up their engine program. Kevin Eacret is planning to resume 2017 sponsorship discussions with current sponsors for the upcoming season. Lon Erickson

Bucket List Racing List Bucket NEXT MEETING OF UNLIMITEDS UNANIMOUS

Sunday, February 12, 2017 Meeting starts at 2 p.m. Bellevue Public Library, Room 6 1111 - 110th Ave. NE Bellevue, Washington 98004

YOU ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND!

February 2017 / UNLIMITED NEWSJOURNAL / 17