How'd we get here? |
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In 1972 I was 8 years old and my family had just moved back to the USA after living 3 years in Australia. The day we arrived in Pasco just happened to be the same days as the Atomic Cup. I remember crossing the Blue Bridge, which in those days was green and seeing to boats running. The next year my dad took us down to the pits and my fascination with the thunderboats was launched. |
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In 1975 we moved to within one block of the river, and directly across from the pits. That would be my vantage point until 1978 when we moved to Lacey. Over the next 7 years it was all but impossible to follow the hydros. You would be lucky if you got something in the box scores. Then in ‘85 I was able to start taking myself to the Tri-cities and Seattle races, neither of which have I missed since. |
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In 1986 I bought a Dumas model kit of my all time favorite boat, the 1973 Pay-n-Pak. The following year I started racing RC boats. Although I enjoyed my RC racing, I really wanted to get involved with the big boats. . |
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One day in the fall of 2000 I was surfin’ the net and came across the website for the Hydroplane and Raceboat museum. They were about to start a restoration of the 1980 Griffon Budweiser and were looking for volunteer help. With some prodding from my wife I went down to the kickoff party to check it out. It was so cool getting to be up close to a true monster of the liquid oval. David Williams gave his pitch, and then set the hook with “200 hours and you get a ride.” |
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Over the next few years we completed the restoration; I got my ride, and even got to steer a bit. Then thanks to David and Gale Whitestein, I got to drive… first with an instructor… then solo. Nothing like it… ever. Over the next 3 or 4 years I would get to drive occasionally, but I desired to do more. |
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In the fall of 2008, Alan McDonough let me drive is vintage limited at an APBA race at Lake Chelan. The following weekend in Chelan, I got to drive the Museum’s Miss Burien. Then to make it a hat trick, the following weekend, I got to drive Brian Perkins’ 1 liter mod. Now that is the way to spend weekends! |
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After driving Brian’s boat, I said ”I gotta have one of these”. So I got one... |
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