2021 NAMBA Nats Race Program

EARLY INFLUENCERS Russ Kominsky was the first District Director of District 9. Some of the notables in the early years of NAMBA were John Broadbeck, Jerry Dunlap, Ed Fisher, Wray Freitas, Charlie Pottle. Gary Johnson owned Hobbies Galore and was a heavy contributor to our hobby. District 9 originally encompassed all of California, Nevada Arizona & Utah, and races were held every other weekend. Races covered a lot of area from Northern to Southern CA, with very few races held in the central valley. Then came the gas crunch and District 9 was split into two districts - 9 and 19. The new District 19 covered southern California, Arizona, Nevada, & Utah. BOAT MANUFACTURERS  Art Hammon and Fred Standa came up with a boat called the Monukai, a Mono that resembled a Gull Wing.  The Pottles owned Marine Specialties - boat hardware.  Jay Selby (Mr Outboard), a school music teacher from Stockton, scratch-built his tunnel hulls.  Ralph Stevenson, from Sacramento scratch-built the first outrigger hydro, while the rest of us were running the Dumas Dragonfly.  Don Pinkert on the east coast, designed the Mixer and then a series of Coyotes, A B C X and built kits for racers to assemble.  Octura also came out with their version of the outrigger called the Wing Ding.  The Hoss was modified by Ken Riley, and it became the Cobra; one of my first fuchsia metal flake boats.  Al Wood of Model Miniatures made props for us called the SP series.  During the 80’s Seaducer Boats, owned by Gary and Jerry Crowther, produced their first tunnel hull. They are still building their series of record setting monos & hydros.  Sometime in the late 70’s I asked a good friend, Bruce Flanders who was the F1 auto racing announcer, to make a start clock cd that we could use. Through the years most of the NAMBA clubs have adopted its use. BOATING PERSONAL HISTORY In high school I started flying u control airplanes. After I graduated and got out of the Air Force in 1968, I saw a RC airplane and became interested in flying. That was a disaster! A friend of mine, Zeb (Butch) Fitch suggested we try boats. We scratch built a couple of monos, scaled off of the SK Daddle. I put in my ORBIT reed radio What a trip. Saw some guys racing and just having fun and asked about their set up. Bought a MICRO AVIONICS 4 channel for my plane but decided to put it in my boat.. Wrong frequency! I was nervous at my first NAMBA NATS. I ran my boat way outside to avoid the other boats. When asked why, I replied "I didn't want to ruin someone else's boat." I don't remember who said this to me, but I remember what he said "You silly young man get out there and race; we all take the same chance." In 1974 Zeb and I decided to spin off a new club from the Sacramento Model Boat Club, the new club was the RC Modeleers. In 1989 I took my wife, Beverly, to her first NATS in Camarillo. Her first time pitting, she waited for me to climb up to the drivers stand and to tell her I was ready. I yelled "drop the boat". She did - right at the water's edge. The rudder stuck in the sand, and the prop spewed mud and water 20 feet behind the boat. She turned to me and said "you told me to drop it. Now what?" Everyone had a good laugh! Dave Hilton ran to the rescue, picked up the boat and launched it. That was her fist and last time pitting at the NATS. After Gary Johnson’s passing, Glen Myrberg, Ernie Bob, and myself presented the most helpful sportsman at the NATS the Gary Johnson Sportsmanship Award. The hosting district voted and nominated the recipient. This award was given to a person that was not part of the hosting district and has volunteered and shown the most sportsman like conduct. Noted past awardees include Tony Ojeda, Alan Terry, and LeAnn Blake. I had the privilege to serve as Contest Director for 3 nitro gas nats and 2 electric nats. And also proud to be in the HOF. When I started racing in 1969, I joined Western Area Modelers (WAM), after meeting Mom & Don Coad at a rally. In 1970- 71 we started talking about forming a new organization under WAM; the new organization was the North American Model Boat Association (NAMBA). I didn't have the funds to become a Charter Life Member, so I paid just the yearly dues (around $10). Gary Johnson was asked by the founding fathers to be the first President. The logo was drawn By Ken Rielly, with Don Coad and Gary Johnson’s NAMBA numbers on their boats. Wow! What a adventure this has been for 50 years. As I Remember - By Dave Bestpitch 2021 NAMBA Nationals Page 59