2021 NAMBA Nats Race Program

Favorite memory? Lohring Miller 1998 I especially remember awarding Doug Dewitt the D Cup at the 1998 Nationals Banquet. The D Cup was created as an award for over the top events. Doug deliberately looped his X sport hydro in two different heats on the last lap and still won the event. He also drove around the island in our pond and came out the other side. Mike Hughes 1998 When Doug Dewitte did a back flip going down the back shute and kept on running. Eric McNair bet him $20 that he could not do it again next heat. Then Doug preceed to do the same. Then the bet went to double or nothing. Needless to say, Doug got $40 out of Eric that day. Eric decided to quit while he was behind for the 4th heat. Allie Terry - Fort Lauderdale, FL 2006 On our paddle boat night it was pirate themed and EVERYONE was in the spirit - we wore pirate hats, had gold plastic necklaces, and someone probably had an eyepatch somewhere but they also had a limbo stick!!!! Everyone got buzzed (not me I was like 12) but all the adults were doing the limbo! All the Aussies came over that year and that’s where I learned the phrase “Aussie Aussie Aussie! Ooy Ooy Ooy!” It’s also the nationals where I found out what humidity was for the first time. I didn’t like it. Richard Romero - Tempe 2019 PJ Foster winning the Sportsman Mono District 19 Championship in Tempe AZ How did you get started in boating? Gary “Doc” Turner approx. 1978 Clee Morman: we were flying quarter midgets. He showed up at my house with a Hot Shot Tunnel with a K&B. We ran the boat and the rest was history. Mike Hughes approx. 1985 Myself, I always like building models in the garage when I was young. Took many trips to the hobby store on my bike to buy paint and kits. When I was 13, I saw the tamiya super champ for the first time. I saved up all my money in order to buy the kit by myself with my paper route money. Then I had to do the same for the radio, battery and charger. The local hobby store was promoting racing so I asked my Dad to take me to one so I could race. Been hooked on RC ever since. R.A. “Rags” Griener approx. 1994 Was already heavily involved in RC car racing and attended an RC show near Boston. Saw my first converted water cooled gas engine and had to have one. What are you looking forward to most at this year’s Nationals? Alan Terry - Seeing our extended family and friends Joe Lawrence - Meeting new people with the same love that I have for this hobby Ralph Henry - Shooting the word with old friends. Lenny Blake - Getting back to racing even though it may not be a normal Nationals and Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of NAMBA. Dave Rychalsky - Spending time with old friends, having a few laughs and telling stories. Al Waters - Showing Dave Rychalsky that there is really such a thing as maple bar donuts. Our Backgrounds and Memories... As we prepared to celebrate 50 years of NAMBA we're reminded that it's not just about racing, it’s also about the people involved in it - whether you've held an office or just like to race/play with your boats. Everyone’s experience in model boating is different, along with our backgrounds, what brought each of us to this hobby, and why you continue to participate in and travel to boating events around the country. I thought it might be fun to include some history/memories from some of this year’s entrants in the Nationals program and maybe even throughout the week of the Nationals. Below are details that some of your fellow contestants took the time to share with me. Hopefully this year’s event will create more memory for each of you. 2021 NAMBA Nationals Page 20