Roar n Soar 2008

Video of Skiffs Running at Roar 'n Soar 2008

Story by Ted & Susan Parkhurst

The Classic Race Boat Association put on another great event at the Fantasy of Flight in Lakeland, Fl. Susan and I were directed to registration Fran Wark and Claire Ferry had things under control. We got all the stuff we needed quickly and efficiently. We dropped the boat off and parked the truck in the pits. There were more boats than last year and more were coming in. It is just a guess but it looked like double the boats that attended last year.

Tom Wark and Mike Yobe were directing the arriving boats, motor homes (all 58 of them) and tow vehicles. The boats were than handed off to Dick Whyte and his inspection crew. After inspection, Paul Mezyk set the heat schedule prior to the event so all the classes were parked together as they arrived to the pits making it easy to get boats of the same class in the water without looking all over for them. We walked around and looked at the boats. I was in heaven more and more good looking boats that are a credit to their owners. The hydros are looking more and more like new boats. I do not think they looked that good back in the day. They look better, made better, painted better, than they did in the era of front engine hydros. I think it is great!! It bring backs memories of Miami in the 50's and 60' with a boat race two times a month at Pelican Harbor or at the Miami Outboard Club and later at the Marine Stadium.

The Skiffs were all set up together. Other than the Lake Dora show, I think that it was as many skiffs that I have seen at one time and at one place. Skip was showing off his new boat Last Blast. Susan and I watched him make the boat in his garage. It took some time but it was interesting to see it coming together over a period of several months. Skip has done a magnificent job on this boat.

The Drags boats came out in force. They are all very small boats with very, very big motors. These guys enjoy showing and running their boats. There are no two boats alike some are new boats made from old boats some are 70's vintage boats that have been raced for years. They look like flat bottoms or hydros but are super light.

The flat bottoms were lined up. Duff Daily was there with O-Mona, a true GN boat that has set a lot of records and is working on more. Dancing Bear is still dancing. Danny and Gene Fleming were there with their Howard. Mark Alkire and the kids were there with their flat bottom. It is best looking flatty I have seen so far.

The boats on display were a real hit. They were outside the pits so the spectators would be able to see them up close. The wooden boats drew a lot of interest Terry Fiest in his Hemi under glass Cobra was a hit with everyone. Craig Hartwig's Twigs was a crowd pleaser. Every boat type that ran had a display boat outside so the people who couldn't wait till the pits open, had an opportunity to see at least one up close. Great planning.

Yakity Yak and the outboard racers had set up a great display of runabouts and hydros some of the larger outboards were allowed to run a shortened course. Terry Ross and Jon Hoaglin had their skiffs on display. It was a nice display it lets people see the boats up close.

The VIP banquet at the Fantasy of Flight Friday night was an unforgettable event, good food, good conversation and a fantastic band made for a really good time. Later that evening the night aerial show was unbelievable. Tough enough doing acrobatics in the daylight, but at night with fire streaming from the wings! Can't quite find the words to explain this, you just had to be there.

Thanks to the Fantasy of Flight for the fantastic time. These guys are the best!

Saturday Morning we got off to a good start. The drivers meeting gave us all the information we needed to make things safe and fun for all the entrants. Mike went over the course. It was layed out well and easy to run. The main gate opened for spectators at 10 so we weren't allowed to run before than.

The pits got swamped with late arrivers, so Marty directed the RC boats to run their qualifying heats to entertain the spectators while the late arrivers were seeded in their correct order. Seemed like dead time for us, but the spectators were never without entertainment. Smart move by the organizers. Small outboards were first, followed by the Drag Boats. They did not run side by side but did single runs. There were twelve boats or more all over 700 HP. Hank was the announcer and gave us the speed as they went by. I am sure that anyone who was sleeping in on Lake Agnes was not sleeping after they made runs in both directions. Lots of noise to get the spectators attention. The drag boat owners are all very appreciative at the chance to show what their boats can do. They are real racers who compete in the IHBA events across the country. The Florida boys can run with the best of them.

The Skiffs were next. Some of the boys have been adding lots of seat time and it showed. I do not know who was in the lead at the end of the non race race because Susan and I were getting in the water for the flat bottom class.

Susan and I were the first boat in and Duff Daily was next the green flag went and we ran an impressive 3 laps at 35 mph waiting for the Bear and the Way It Was to get in the water. They all got in eventually John and Caroline Rudolf in their blown drag boat Hairy Cary. John is an old SS class APBA racer and Kurt Brayer in Dancing Bear to get in. It all turned out ok we did eight laps some did less but who cares we had a ball. The water was just what our boat likes ripples but not to rough. John and Caroline's boat expelled some metal through the oil pan. John did not like this motor any how. It was all a blur after that, hydros, Skiffs, hydros, Skiffs again, outboards the day ended before I was ready. It was dark to soon.

Ester Gilliam and Nicole Mezyk went shopping and came back with all the fixing to grill steaks for 40 or so people. We all chipped in Paul Mezyk grilled the steaks to perfection. Paul can cook! We all told a lot of lies for awhile then headed to the Days Inn for some shut eye.

Sunday was a bit more manageable we all got to run as much as we wanted. Most of the Flat bottoms broke so we ran with any one who could run. It was an enjoyable day that just flew by. The 7 Reveous were Cadillac's on the water, and I understand the fella who built them was there running also. They said they'll be back as a convention next year. They ran in the outboard class. Skip got a double secret prop for the Last Blast and just ate up the competition. I have known Skip for along time I had no idea he had so many teeth, they went ear to ear. His hard work and effort paid off.

Susan and I appreciate all the people who did all the things that made this an event a memorable experience. Marty was controlling the boats every move on the course along with time allowed for the RC boats between heats. Not many of us knew he was multitasking on the stand both days. Mike Yobe the pit boss, Craig Hartwig on the tractor and in the water getting boats in and out. Dick Daily directing pit traffic, Riley Walddrip and Jerry Valley on his tractor, Tom Wark out in the rescue boat all day both day's. Fran and Clarie doing all the legal stuff that we all need, Terry Ross , Janet Rouse and Karen Yobe checking wrist bands at the entrance to the pits. Paul Mezyk for managing the line up and I am sure a lot more.

Most of all Claire and Marty they are the ones who get it done from start to finish. We are all fortunate that they have the interest and love of the boats to do the things that make it all possible. We all need to do our share in making it happen again. The same people do the work out of a labor of love. I am sure they would like to be out there running too. They would appreciate help when we are not running either in planning or just helping to get boats out of the water. There was 82 boats this year with the same amount of help as last year. Just goes to show what organization and the right people can accomplish.

Looking forward to Tavares in March 09.

Ted