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Welcome everyone to the 41
st
annual NAMBA Nationals. It has been seven years since we last visited
the race site here in Rollinsford, New Hampshire. District 11 Director Rags Grenier and Assistant District
Director Butch Thibodeau were your Contest Directors in 2005 and they are your Contest Directors in
2012. That says a lot for the leadership that District 11 has enjoyed. Please be sure and thank themand their
committeewhohaveworked sohard for us tobe able to race our boats andenjoy the amenities that the east
coast has to ofer.
As with all nationals I have traveled to in the past, I like to do research on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives,
Man vs. Food, 101 Countdowns to Chow Downs, Hamburger Havens, and whatever else I can fnd on the
tube and the Internet. Trust me that there is no shortage of fne dining establishments in the area. The one I
will be looking forward to the most will be the Lobster/Clambake that District 11 will be hosting later this
week here at the Nationals.
I understand since my last visit here that there are still nomaple bars at the local donut shops to be had.
But that is the beauty of being elsewhere where you have the opportunity to try the local faire, socialize
with friends you haven’t seen in many years, and end the day bench racing at the local hangout. I must say
though that Rags over the years has sent memany care packages remindingme of what truemaple is really
all about. Maple confections, maple sugar, maple syrup, maple crème, andmaple seasonings. Rags is a great
guy and has a good partner in Butch. That is enough about the food for the moment.
Please take a look at your race program and be sure to thank all of the class trophy sponsors and those
who donated rafe prizes and placed ads in the race program. Without their support, it would be very
difcult to host a premium event like the NAMBA Nationals. If you see them here at the race, be sure and
say thank you. I recently was fortunate enough towin a class at a special event race and located the sponsor
who just happened to be racing. I personally went up to him and thanked him for his class sponsorship. He
was delighted that I did this. All he wanted in return was a thank you in appreciation. If by chance you want
to thank someone and they are not at the Nationals, a short e-mail thank you, a telephone call, or a letter of
appreciationgoesalongways. Sponsors, distributorsandmanufacturerswill remember thisandwill be there
the next time.
Okay everyone! Get ready for some great racing this week and some good times. Thank you very much
for coming and I hope that everyone goes home with some great memories of the 41st NAMBANationals in
Rollinsford, New Hampshire.
Al Waters
NAMBA President