2021 NAMBA Nats Race Program

Legg Lake that Gary won his first and only National Championship. The great thing about the class Gary won was it was Classic Gas Crackerbox and Gary dearly loved Crackerbox boats. It took some extraordinary coaching from his son, Joel, a world class RC care racer, to convince Gary he could win the class. Definitely a “Better late than never” outcome. Doug Twaits. Sr . (by Dave Rychalsky) For the majority of the model boating world, they know Doug Twaits, Sr. as a fierce competitor back in the day of the nitro hydro classes and recently in the Fast Electric forum. Every race we held in district 1 was based upon the countless hours Doug spent laying the ground work for the right way to hold NAMBA races. There’s another side to Doug that proves he was also successful at the most difficult job in the world. Doug was a parent, the father of 2 children, Doug Jr. and Donna. As a dad, Doug was there helping his kids as they grew in school, taking Donna to dance classes, driving both of them to school sporting events, and running snow mobiles with his son Dougy. I’m sure everyone would agree that being an attentive husband and father eclipses his accomplishments as a model boater. Amazingly, Doug would still come to boat races in our district, despite his failing health and limited mobility. I defy anyone to identify another person who kept NAMBA so close to his heart. When we think of going through life doing the things that you love and helping countless others share in the fun, Doug was definitely a pioneer. Whenever a buoy is missing on a race course, you can gaze at the water and know that it just doesn’t feel “right”. Now that Doug has passed – it, too, doesn’t feel “right”. He will be missed… Al Wood (by Dave Bestpitch) Al Wood of Model Miniatures made props for us called the SP series. Al made working models for the movie industry. “In Harms Way” and “Tora Tora Tora” were 2 of his most famous movies. Al would always come to the races with his Captain’s suit, and along side him was his wife Holly - we thought her name was unique - Holly Wood. Pat and Charlie Pottol (by Jerry Dunlap) My favorite racing couple was Pat and Charlie Pottol. I first met Pat and Charlie at the 1969 IMPBA in San Diego. They had a room a few doors down from us on the second floor. One evening while wandering down the walkway I saw Charlie sitting on the floor of his room filing on a rudder blade with a course hand file. Muttering somewhat profanely Charlie was Myrtle “Mom” Coad (by Jerry Dunlap) Myrtle "Mom" Coad was NAMBA's first Executive Secretary. Nobody called her Myrtle and with her white hair, "Mom" just seemed to be the right name. Her ability to provide site insurance for model boaters in California in the mid-1960s was the basis for the eventual formation of NAMBA. But, that's historical. My favorite remembrance of "Mom" was at the 1980 NAMBA Nationals conducted at Lake Waughop, Ft. Steilacoom Park, In Lakewood. This race site Is approximately 70 miles south of the 2014 NAMBA Nationals site. One of the special events following a day of racing was a challenge slow pitch softball game between District 8 and District 9(before there was a District 19). "Mom"' more than tossed out the first ceremonial pitch, she actually pitched the first inning for District 9 and batted. Well, maybe attempted to bat would be more accurate. I don't know how old "Mom" was in 1980, but I think it was the "early 80s." Gary Johnson (by Jerry Dunlap) Gary Johnson was NAMBA's first president and one of the fiVe NAMBA members inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981. The 1969 IMPBA San Diego lnternats was also the place where I first met Gary. He was a member of the notorious “Hawaiian Horde”. I can still remember Francia King slicing pineapple at the awards’ banquet with the precision of a skilled surgeon. Gary was very creative in his paint schemes and detailing. For Gary, it was being with people first, enjoying a malt beverage second, and racing boats. Gary had attended many NAMBA Nationals. He was the awards’ banquet master of ceremonies at the first NAMBA Nationals held in 1972 at Legg Lake. The amount of time required to conduct that event still holds the longevity record. On the plus side, the prime rib was excellent. It wasn’t until the 2004 NAMBA Nationals held at Reflections on the NAMBA Hall Of Fame - Intro by Tracy Osborne Mom at the 1989 Nationals in Camarillo, which Gary Johnson had dedicated to in honor of her 18 years as Executive Secretary of NAMBA (she retired in 1988). While reviewing the various Nationals programs from over the past 50 years I came across an article that Jerry Dunlap had done several years back that really touched me. It included summaries of some of our HOF members who unfortunately are no longer with us. What I really loved about it was that it provided some personal memories and details of the members that you don't always get from reading their HOF bios. With Jerry’s permission I have included some of his original summaries and added a few more with the help of some of my fellow HOF members. 2021 NAMBA Nationals Page 70