Detroit's Gold Cup Regatta 2003
August 23 -24, 2003
The skiffs are launched one by one Hoorah, Hoorah
The skiffs are launched two by two Hoorah, Hoorah
The skiffs are launched three by three
and the faster boats are kept to lee
And they all go racing round,
and around, and around, and around.
The skiffs are launched four by four Hoorah, Hoorah
The
skiffs are launched five by five Hoorah, Hoorah
The skiffs are launched six by six
the new skiff drivers are learning the tricks
And they all go racing round,
and around, and around, and around.
The skiffs are launched seven by seven Hoorah, Hoorah
The
skiffs are launched eight by eight Hoorah, Hoorah
The skiffs are launched nine by nine
as they race towards the finish line
And they all go racing round,
and around, and around, and around.
The
skiffs are launched ten by ten
and Marty sits it out again
And they all go racing round,
and around, and around, and around.
A Summary of the Weekend as told by Marty Ferry
Where do we begin? It was one of the best times we had all season. The town belonged to speedskiffs if you could believe it. Keeping the tacks no more than 4000 RPM kept the speeds closer to fifty MPH than the regular speeds we run. Eleven Skiffs participated in the event:
First
I would like to thank Tom Schoenith of Roostertails for their
sponsorship of the
Jersey Speedskiff portion of the event. We utilized
their docks and parking area all weekend in addition to the $3,500 they donated
for the special race regatta. Hopefully with advanced planning we will
have 20+ boats at the 100th
Anniversary Show next year. Maybe as the Skiff sponsor... a Saturday night
reception with the Skiff drivers and riders would work out at the Roostertail,
especially if all the Skiffs are on their dock!
Next,
these guys need a big thanks because they helped keep all the mechanical things
working and running over the weekend.
Detroit's Finest were at our disposal literally. Note in the pictures, they posted our web site stickers on their equipment to promote us. Chris is not only our personal police escort (and a future skiffhead host) he is also the speedskiffs.com Police as he fuel tank indicates (see picture at left/above). Chris was more than anyone could ask for with all the assistance and support he provided! Whatever any skiff needed, Chris would make a phone call and the troops were there to help.
One helper was Kevin (will get last name) who helped get Dave Yeager's River Rat back on the water after a threaded pipe broke and the engine lost all cooling ability. Dave hit something in the water, breaking a section off the prop and the violent vibrating caused the pipe to break.
On the other side of the pits by Roostertails, Hot Tub had an ignition
problem which exploded his ignition coil. Kurt Stiding, a local
marine mechanic and race official (for the skiffs) jumped on the problem.
While Kurt was working on Hot Tub, Chris had the freedom to become a personal
Police Escort for Chuck. Together they went to a auto supply store where he
could get his parts. Police escorts sure cut time when you need it.
Kurt and Chuck worked the problems out where Chuck was able to give Chris a
skiff ride that evening and participate in the events on Sunday.
Back
to the main pit, Rich DeGlopper's Stormalong coughed and refused to run correctly.
Having seen the problem a couple times before, my suggestion was to replace the
carburetor power valve. Someone else suggested a $275.00 new carburetor
would cure the problem. After Rich purchased a smaller CFM carburetor and
not having the correct fuel supply hookups and jetting,
(after all, the store
owner doesn't care) the $5.00 power valve was purchased. I believe Kurt
came to the rescue again and also suggested the valve. Kurt began tearing
the carburetor apart and replacing the needed part. Once the carburetor was
reinstalled, Rich was back on the water. One thing I hope Rich learned is
that you can’t test a power valve by blowing through
it.
Another incident included River Rat. After running a lap or
two later in the afternoon on Saturday
- Dave and his brother Chris came back to
the pits/crane area to be hoisted out - quickly. To quote Dave, "Something
just didn't feel right." Well, the picture above is what the problem was...Lost
a piece of the prop.
There are many other people who need thanks for pulling this event together, and if I omit someone, please accept my apologies in advance:
 | Tom D'Eath for pulling this event together in just 6 short weeks |
| Dave Yeager for being our main contact person for this event, leader of the Skiff Meetings and for allowing all fellow skiffheads to use "Skiff Central" as a holding place for coolers, chairs, and parts and other stuff |
| All the Skiff participants who were able to attend and make it a successful event |
| Again all the skiffheads who continually look out for each other and step in to offer assistance whenever one of us is wounded! |
Our pit area was off the main pit road where all the big skiffs with training
wheels (unlimiteds) were located. There was a continuous amount of
activity going on with the cranes, pit crews, and especially whenever a boat
turned over on the water. At one point the entire pit area closed down and
if you left the area you couldn't get back in. Blue By U and Bad
Enuff were sandwiched in between two of the 'big' boats and they received a
warm welcome from their neighbors, maybe a little too warm as they would utilize
their trailers as a make shift stand to watch the action on the water. All
of the boats except one were put in the water via the crane. I'm sure the
first time everyone's boat was lifted - they held their breath until it was
placed gently in the water.
We had a few firsts at this event, including:
|
|
| This was Bill DeGlopper's first time running in ovals with Hot Ticket. He told me that he intentionally kept to the back of the pack during the "races" because he didn't want to cause any scenes (interpret this to mean embarrassments) in front of the wife, daughter-in-law, and crowds. Bill and his brother Rich who brought Stormalong raced each other all weekend long - I wonder who won? |
|
 Another
first is with Matt Yeager (Dave's nephew) who is now dubbed "Little Dog".
Matt lost the 'ie' after his name Mattie, and at 14 is the youngest Skiffer
registered in APBA vintage to ride (sorry Mark Russell). We can’t
call him Pup as most suggested, because Claire won't give up the name yet.
If Claire doesn't start riding like a Fast Skiffer I will have no choice but
to remove her name as Pup, and call her some cat name. Matt earned his
new name by being riding mechanic with Tom Wark in Jersey Girl all
weekend. These young Skiffers (Matt and Mark) might have to stay on the
porch for now, but neither can wait to run with the big dogs. Both are
more than willing to give you a hand at events, so don't be shy to ask them to
carry your fuel or climb in that tight spot. |
|
 We had a visit from Paul Spernal...all
the way from New Jersey. Guess he just couldn't stay away! A big
hearty welcome to Paul - hopefully we'll see him at more events. |
|
 Bill
Mehan and his skiff Mis Align along with his crew Bryan Milazzo joined in the
events as well. Good to see them in Detroit, and I understand they were
also at Madison and plan on going to Buffalo. Maybe they will become
regulars at these events with us. Please make a point to make them feel
welcomed! |
|
 Bill
Baum, my regular rider, was loaned out to Chuck Warner and Hot Tub all weekend
long, due to my current status of being incapacitated (recovering) from knee
surgery. Will the bidding war on Bill's butt start soon and how high
will it go? Hey by the way - he cleans engines real good. It will
be real hard for me to replace him! |
|
 Bruce
Lowe was part of the upper class this weekend as he and his crew spent the
weekend in yacht accommodations across the pond at the Detroit Yacht Club.
It took Bruce a few minutes each morning to realize he was back with the
common folk hanging in skiffs! Bruce was doing a fantastic job leading
the pack around the course considering this was the first time he has been out
on the water at an event with this boat. |
Detroit’s Bravest Chief of the Fire Department, Fred had the
opportunity to ride with Dave Yeager on his River Rat for the initial lap to
kick off the weekend's activities. It always makes me chuckle when I see
the excitement in new rider's eyes! Fred, in full dress uniform, was so
anxious to go for a ride
that he wore a life jacket for about an hour before he
got in the boat! It didn't take much convincing to ask the fireman to do a
little advertising for us...(see picture above/ right along the top
of the front windows).
The big winner of the "JSS races" this weekend was Paul Nowak although at times it appeared that Robert Francis' Blu By U was in the lead. Paul was having such a great time out there I believe he ran a couple of extra laps and totally confused the judges in the stands - as well as the announcers! Could they have been Victory Laps?
But in all honesty, with no disregard to Paul - everyone was a winner this weekend! At the end of the weekend we were all presented with participation awards (see below).
SEE YA ALL IN BUFFALO !!!!
More pictures of the Detroit show Click Here
Fred
and his Bad Enuff looked really good out on the
race course. By the end of the weekend Fred looked as if he didn't want
to go home - he really enjoyed running his skiff wide open and with the rest
of the pack. Hopefully
Fred will be able to join us in more events, but as with everyone other needs
take priority - job, home, wife, kids...This will also give Fred a chance to
tend to that electric water pump.