Roar 'n Soar 2009
By Ted Parkhurst
The Classic Raceboat Association has hit another home run. This years Roar and Soar was the best yet.
Susan and I got there in plenty of time to talk to everyone and get our credentials from Claire. She is so organized it is amazing she had things all in order and got everyone in and out quickly with a big smile.
Donnie McLean from the Classic Race Boat shop in New Hampshire did a thorough safety inspection he knew what to look for. Donnie is originally from Ft Myers and knows all the flat bottom hang outs up river from the Franklin locks in Alva. In addition, Leo Croisetiere, Dick Daly, and Dick Whyte assisted with the inspections. The boats came in on a regular basis the rest of the afternoon. I was glad that Danny Fleming got the SK 68 together his dad Gene did the engine work on the New Ford FE big block. Gene did a wonderful job. This motor is the best looking FE I have seen for some time. The boat ran great, Danny was still breaking it in but by my ear it is a sweet motor.
Friday night in the camper area, Paul Mezyk cooked up some great BBQ Cuban style in a China Box that gives the pork a different taste. He had Timmy helping keeping the coals just right so it is cooked slowly and not to hot. The cooking time was about four hours. Everyone brought a dish to share it was a great evening. Paul is a black belt in BBQ. Thanks Paul, Nicole and Mom Esther and everyone who brought the rest of the food and desserts.
The next morning after the drivers meeting we received a copy of the heat schedule, (which was in our registration packet at sign in also). This was a good idea it was easy to follow and it was always available. The opening ceremony was an event. Catch Me If You Can and the Blue Water Special twin seat Hydro's did a Parade lap after the National Anthem.
The out boards were first up. Bob Walwork in Le Petite Marcelle Raveau, RC Hawie in Monsoon D-44 and Richard Golder in USMC F-70 ran a shorter course that gave everyone a better view. The water was a bit rough but they made it through without incident.
The Hydros were up next with seven boats. Greg Isaac in Blitzkrieg, Leo Croisetiere in Hot to Trot E-50, Mike Yobe in Pure Canadian, John Starkey in L’Eaureves F-37, Bill Fiekert in Just Enough E-501, Bob Dunlop in Red Rocket and Jean Batronie in Southern Pride put on a great show. I do not think that there have been that many Hydros together at one time in Florida for years. The roster tails are a sight to see.
The first of the three skiff heats were up next (can you believe three skiff heats). Nicole Mezyk in Orange Crate JS 00, Phil Jordan in Mellow Yellow JS 60, Kathy Shuler in Egg Beater JS 65, Cliff Ennis in Sun Dog and Len Finethy in OfwegoII JS 603 showed everyone how it is done. The two women drivers were not intimidated by the guys. It is always a great show to see them run. Cliff Ennis in Sun Dog was the rookie in the group but I must say he got the hang of it real quick. Sun Dog had the ponies to run with anyone and the women didn't intimidate him either.
The first heat of the GP Hydros was next up with Roger La Pierre in Miss Dinomytes GP 1001, William Pearson in Edelweiss GP 444 and Bill Gmeiner Jr. in the Lauterbach special. These are the fastest ones around; they run strong and look strong also. The roster tails were high in the air, the boats were close it does not get any better than this.
The second heat of the Skiffs put on another great show. Roger Harris in Break’n Water JS 2 showed them how it is done. Paul Nowack in Heart Beat JS 22 had motor problems. I have never seen this boat have a problem Paul runs it hard but always stays together. I guess there is a first time for everything. Ken Gallop in Disorderly Conduct JS 9 was not disorderly it ran fast and smooth in the rough water. Mark Van Winkle in Holy Crap JS 48 and Doug Whichello in Red Neck Yacht JS 62 looked good they stayed with the pack and put on a good show.
The second Heat of GP Hydros were up next with Ed Shield in Catch Me If You Can, Skip Gilliam in See ya Later J-35, Chris Hall in Blue Water Special H-97 and Dick Whyte in Scorpio GP 115. They had the roster tails up. Some boats were working out some bugs. These are a lot of boat to handle they all looked like they had a good time. This was Ed's and Dick's first running with their new toys.
The flat bottoms were up next there were seven boats in the water at once. Susan and I, Tom Death and Debbie in Mr. Red Pants and Danny Fleming in SK 68 were going to stay together we almost did until Duff Daily went by us. Tom could not stand it he had to let it go, as if he had a chance (once a racer always a racer). Danny and I ran our pace and let the rest of the guys do their thing. Tom Sheldon ran fast and smooth in the rough water in their cracker "Remember When". I am sure this boat can really haul in calmer conditions it is lightweight and can fly with a built up small block. The two K-Boats Duff Daily in Oh Mona and Brian Ohlis in Cosmo just played with everyone these boats are super fast. On a mile and half course they are incredibly fast and can hold there own with any boat. I would love to take a ride in one. Maybe one of the guys will take me out at Crescent City!!! Miss Mandela SK 333 was in the pits working out bugs. John Harvey worked and got it going later in the weekend. John has just bought the boat and put the motor in a week before the event. He kept working on it and made one start on Sunday. Hope to see John back at Crescent City, this is a neat boat rigged the way it was back in the day.
The Raveau’s were next up with Keith Barco, Al Gammon, Steve Koenke, David Liebetreau, James Van Wormer, Don Turner and Frank Vidal put on another exciting show. These boats are all a credit to the owners and the builder. This is an old design that was way ahead of its time and can hold there own with any contemporary out board conventional hull.
The third heat of the skiffs was up next Jeb Boskey has the Georgia Peach JS 20 running like a top. This is the second time out for this boat, each time out it is looking better and better. I have never seen Jeb go this fast. Skip had some over heating with the Last Blast JS 5 this is the first time out with a new motor. Paul Cornelius in Stardaze JS 08 is another new boat that is running fast and looking good. Dick Daily in Just a Fishing Boat JS 77 and Al Engle in Project X were going fast as ever. Dick has spent the summer running his boat in the APBA Vintage events. He sure looked comfortable in the calmer waters of Lake Agnes.
The open class had an assortment of Classic boats that consisted of John Freeman in High Hopes a E service runabout from the past, Phil Lipschietz in Cheryl Lee a gorgeous Cigarette, Lee Hildreth in his Donzi 18, and three wood boats John Taggart in Miss Haley Page, Robert Banister in Misscheif a Garwood and Don Koenke in Rapture were fast and finished to perfection. They are a credit to their owners. The Donzi and Cheryl Lee a Cigarette were very fast and handed the rough water with ease.
The same program was run in the afternoon and on Sunday morning and afternoon. The wind picked up on Sunday, it made for some exciting rides, and it was rough enough to keep everyone on their toes. Susan and I are getting the hang of running fast in rough water with our flat bottom or we are just conditioned to it but anyway it was fun.
On Sunday we were able to see Fred Alter in Vernors’ U-64 an unlimited Hydro with an Allison air craft motor make some hot laps. This is a labor of love to keep this boat running I have not seen one of these boats run in years. Thanks Fred for bringing back some great memories of the piston motored Unlimited Hydros.
Saturday night the BBQ was catered at the hall in Fantasy of Flight. It was another style of BBQ that was also top notch The large hall and excellent service were appreciated by all. I liked the large tables it made it easy to talk and go over the events of the day and tell lies. I say it all the time but I mean it. Things don’t just happen people make it happen. Susan and I want to thank all the people who volunteered their time to make this an event that will not be forgotten.
Thanks to Marty and Claire for all the mailing and prep work to put it together and then race director and registration on race day it would not happen with out them, Paul Mezyk (co-organizer for Crescent City) for the heat schedule and BBQ and I am sure a lot more, Mike Yobe and Tom Lang the Pit Boss and assistant were in perpetual motion making it all work, Tom Wark for driving the rescue boat all day both days, Broom Jaw in his boat keeping traffic off the course both days, Riley and Al the tractor drivers getting us in and out with out incident, Craig Hartwig the help getting the boats on the trailers. Dick Daly, Bill Scartine, Jerry Valley, Karl Herbst, our new flagger (and co-organizer for Crescent City) Greg Sheldon, Don Taylor and a few I didn't have direct contact with. Last but not least, the ladies who handled that ever cumbersome task of the gate cops....... Karen, Patsy, Teresa, Donna, Elaine, Jan, and a few others, YOU DO A GREAT JOB!
PICTURES TO FOLLOW