2014 NAMBA Nationals – District 8 – Marysville, Washington
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Welcome everyone to the 43
rd
NAMBA Nationals hosted by District 8
. I would like to thank District
Director Kelly Gruol and his race committee who stepped up on short notice to host the 2014 NAMBA
Nationals. An event of this size is a major undertaking due to planning necessary obtaining a race site,
hotel accommodations for the race entrants, an awards venue, and securing class and product
sponsorships. By the end of race week, you will understand and appreciate the efforts they have put
forth to make this the premiere event in NAMBA. They don’t ask for anything in return. They do this for
the love of the hobby. So please take a moment and say thank you to Kelly and his race committee some
time during the week for what they have provided for us. A simple thank you goes a long way.
The Pacific Northwest has been home to NAMBA R/C boat racing for many years. The second NAMBA
Nationals way back in 1973 was hosted here in District 8. I say way back because there is one entrant
here today that not only was racing at that NAMBA Nationals, he was the over all director of the event.
That was over 40 years a go. To this day, he is actively racing and helping out on this years NAMBA
Nationals race committee. That is what this hobby can do to you. If you don’t know the man, you should
get to know him. He is more affectionately known in the boating circles as Uncle Dunny.
District 8 has been known to introduce new classes at NAMBA Nationals and this year will be no
different. In the past it was the ready to run Miss Vegas Boats. This year it will be the ½ A Hydro for nitro
and Gas Scale Unlimited. You will get an opportunity to see the smallest and largest single cylinder
displacement motors in NAMBA.
This is my week to take a break from playing NAMBA Executive Secretary and concentrate on having
some fun and seeing a lot of friends from years past. Kelly Gruol told me that I was supposed to enter
some boats so I did. Win, lose or draw, its always nice to go home with a piece of NAMBA Nationals
hardware, however I know that I will have a good time no matter what my outcome may be on the race
course. That is what NAMBA Nationals do for me so I say thank you to District 8. I hope that everyone
else can have as good of a time that I know that I will.
Al Waters
NAMBA Executive Secretary