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Vintage Race Boats Canada Rooster “Tales”
FALL 2016 Vol: 3 Issue: 1
Well it’s been a few years since the last so here we go… with the latest
attempt at a newsletter, Rooster “Tales”. Why do this? Maybe I’m old school and enjoy
actually taking time to sit and read and we all know there is not a lot of content related to
vintage race boats, so maybe this can be my little contribution. Let’s see if we can get
closer to spring with a few stories, photos, reminders and before you know it we’ll be
back on the water again.
Rideau Ferry 2015 – Photo- Ross McCracken Kathy & Harry @ Valleyfield 2015 Paul Reid Photo
Looking forward to having Kathy & Harry join us back in the pits and on the water soon!
Clayton – 2016 Pits & Tom Morsheimer in the Tool Crib Special
We really missed having Bill Morsheimer in the pits with us this
summer. His legacy and the work he did for many years to track down
and save racing history will live on for generations.
For that Bill, we thank you.
Vintage Race Boats Canada Rooster “Tales”
FALL 2016 Vol: 3 Issue: 1
CBF News
CBF Annual Convention: The date for the annual convention is set for December 3rd, in
Brockville Ontario at the new Aquarium which is a nice venue. A few positions are open
on the board and they are looking for nominations including the REP CLUBS &
VINTAGE which is very relevant to our group. Any volunteers? Many thanks to Scott
Cameron for his efforts on behalf of Vintage over the last two years and of course for all
the work he and the crew do to pull together Rideau Ferry every second year. More
details to follow regarding the CBF meeting as they become available.
Vintage Membership: Please note that membership forms will be available on the
official web-site of the Canadian Boating Federation for both owner/drivers in addition to
crew members for the 2017 season shortly. While membership has stagnated over the
past couple of seasons I believe with the number of projects coming along we should see
another boost in membership in the coming seasons. It’s important to note that the CBF
offers a cross-over membership for APBA members at a significant discount and then
when you add in the exchange rate it is almost free!! LOL Simply check the box beside
this rate as an APBA member. While it is not a necessity to be a CBF member while
being a current ABPA member, the support is certainly welcome.
HYDROPLANE HISTORY– ONLINE
Thank you to Dave Richardson for sharing a number of DVDs with some really great
content including home video footage of the inaugural Antique Race Boat Regatta in
1992. I’ve been digitizing these videos and putting them on YOUTUBE so that they can
be shared with all racing fans out there on the internet. Personal favourites are the 1974
and 1975 Governor General’s Cup from Ottawa offering up TV quality footage with
some of the great hulls and drivers of the past. Merci Dave! You can check out the page
on YOUTUBE from the following link;
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3xzL1gEiU6EetXlWd8x1cA
I had the opportunity to visit Regates de Valleyfield HQ and meet with Michel Poirier,
their GM about this “sharing” project. He graciously offered up the archive from the
basement closet and wow is about all I can say. A ton of slides, I would estimate 3000+
and countless hours of video. This will be a big project over the winter but we will plow
through it and hopefully you will each be able to find some great shots to make your day.
You can check out the album on my Facebook page;
https://www.facebook.com/groups/149123452834/
Vintage Race Boats Canada Rooster “Tales”
FALL 2016 Vol: 3 Issue: 1
Jeff Lytle has also reached out and will send over a bunch of VHS tapes that I will
digitize including outboard action and PICTON GOLD CUPS. Jeff’s father Al, was
known as the “VOICE” of the CBF circuit for many many years. Thanks Jeff for the
opportunity to share this footage. A few images from the Valleyfield Regatta archive;
Vintage Race Boats Canada Rooster “Tales”
FALL 2016 Vol: 3 Issue: 1
WANTED/FOR SALE
I know there are many of you looking for things related to your project(s) so I will start
this one off and let me know what you are looking for and I’m sure there will be many
people willing to help in your search.
I have four separate requests from people who are looking for hulls in order to come play.
Requests from turn-key to project hulls. If you know of a hull that is for sale, please let
me know and I would be happy to point you in the direction of folks who are looking to
come out and join the fun. Here is what I know people are looking for;
- TURN-KEY 145 Class w/limited budget
- 6 or 7 litre project, but not complete rebuild, no motor required
- 7 litre or GP project, but not complete rebuild
- 5-Litre or 6-Litre turn-key hull, no motor required as they have one.
WE ALL HAVE A DIFFERENT DEFINITION OF THE WORD “PROJECT”!
Long Gone H-4 after rolling at the 1975 Governor General’s Cup – Ottawa. Les
Brown had committed to appearing at Valleyfield the next weekend and he kept his
word. (Photo: Regates de Valleyfield Archive)
Vintage Race Boats Canada Rooster “Tales”
FALL 2016 Vol: 3 Issue: 1
FLASH FORWARD…something to think about One Saturday morning at Beauharnois in early September 2011 I was crewing for Abbott
Racing and the CE-10 Flying Eagle. With the checklist done and ready for the first heat I
decided to walk around pits, jammed with 70+ boats for the weekend’s inboard event.
There were a lot of familiar faces including Robert Cabana who was out for a stroll in the
pits as he always supports local inboard events.
Word in the pits was there were two “new” 5-litres, one from out west, a Jones and one
from the east coast, a Staudacher. The Staudacher, named “The Rock”, was purchased by
Alain Verreault and brought up to Quebec to compete. The boat is all-wood construction
with safety capsule as it was originally built and campaigned as Ronald Brault’s VISION.
CREDIT - Photo of Ronald Brault’s VISION posted online by Simon Fortin
Gorgeous! I thought one day that would make a nice addition to the vintage circuit. Then
it crossed my mind that it was built after 1986 so it would not qualify. Based on the fact
that we were 2011 this arbitrary date of 1986 would suggest that any hull built in the last
25 years would not have a chance to be saved and campaigned on the V&H circuit in the
future.
The V&H Division has done a tremendous job of saving history and celebrating the
accomplishments of such builders as Lauterbach, Jones, Farmer, Staudacher, and Sooy to
name but a few. If we flash forward another 20+ years how will Auld, Henderson,
Bergeron and Liddycoat be remembered if there isn’t an opportunity to preserve these
hulls within the rules of the CBF or ABPA? Would this not be the same as Wood,
Hacker, Dodge and Arena who led the way 20+ years before Lauterbach, Staudacher,
Sooy? Yes, with capsules comes expanded training & safety requirements on-site, but it
would be a shame for entire era of hydroplane racing to be literally locked inside a
capsule never to be seen or shared again, yes pun intended.
Vintage Race Boats Canada Rooster “Tales”
FALL 2016 Vol: 3 Issue: 1
ODYSSEE CS-68
One of the original “KIWI” boats built by Peter Knight in Valleyfield, ODYSSEE joined
the vintage circuit this past season and to say it is a family affair is an understatement.
Lots of participation and so happy to have the Brault family on the circuit. CS-68 was a
very successful 145 class hydro in the early 80’s on the CBF circuit and driven by Luc
Brault. Luc won the 1982 145 CLASS CANADIAN HIGH POINTS with this hull. A few
years ago Gabriel Brault sent me a note looking for this hull. He was able to put a bunch
of puzzle pieces together and found it sitting in a barn in Maine after only a few weeks of
searching. They brought it home that spring and have done a masterful job of restoring
her to0 better than new condition. Check out the history of the hull and the restoration
project on Gabriel’s Facebook page;
https://www.facebook.com/Odysseecs68/?fref=ts
Photo Credits: Deny Cardinal Photography - Gabriel Brault’s Facebook page.
Vintage Race Boats Canada Rooster “Tales”
FALL 2016 Vol: 3 Issue: 1
HAPPILY RED Y-10
Sylvain Demers is putting the finishing touches on this Y-class Sonny Jones hull he
picked up a number of years ago in Clayton. In its history it was converted to a cab-over
and run by Jim Appley. Sylvain has transitioned the hull back to its original conventional
design and it is truly a work of art and restored too better than new.
JENALURE CS-8
Sylvain’s next project is the 145 Class hydro JENALURE built by Gaetan Latour of
Valleyfield Quebec. This was built right beside my PIXIE in the winter of 84-85 in the
old Valleyfield bus station. I’m really looking forward to this project that will showcase
one of my favourite colour combos Black & Orange. Lots of work ahead in the Demers’
shop and will keep you posted as this project moves along.
(Photo credit #1: Unknown/Facebook #2: Alain Primeau
Vintage Race Boats Canada Rooster “Tales”
FALL 2016 Vol: 3 Issue: 1
BU$TED CE-36
Randy Milligan of Peterborough, Ontario is in process of completing the restoration of
BU$TED CE-36 a Jones 280 conventional and debuted with Paul Reid at the wheel this
past summer at Valleyfield. BU$TED, or should I say TABOO, will be another great
addition to the vintage circuit.
MISS TIMEX…is next on the project list for Randy Milligan
Vintage Race Boats Canada Rooster “Tales”
FALL 2016 Vol: 3 Issue: 1
Along with the Brault family we welcomed Paul Hewitt of Brockville who joined the
group with his acquisition of PURE CANADIAN. The championship hull put on a show
at Valleyfield especially after the hull figured out the course was not 1 2/3 miles
anymore...turn!!! Paul had the steering & fin figured out by Clayton and put on a great
show. The Beaudoin family of Sorel debuted their JSS GLORY DAYS at Valleyfield and
also made the trek to Clayton.
Valleyfield 2016 – PURE CANADIAN of Paul Hewitt Photo Credit: Deny Cardinal Photography
Valleyfield 2016 JS-30 GLORY DAYS of the Beaudoin Family
Vintage Race Boats Canada Rooster “Tales”
FALL 2016 Vol: 3 Issue: 1
HOT PITS!
Valleyfield 2016 - Dick Delsner – SOMETHING SPECIAL J-322
Valleyfield 2016 – Steve & Mike Webster – MISS NEW JERSEY E-888
Vintage Race Boats Canada Rooster “Tales”
FALL 2016 Vol: 3 Issue: 1
Rideau Ferry 2015 - Steve Wace ready to take CHUCK WAGON out for a Sunday drive
Rideau Ferry 2015- Andre L’Heureux CQ-1 CANADA MAID
That’s it for now. Any questions, thoughts, stories please do not hesitate to reach out
at [email protected]. See you in the pits!