2021 NAMBA Nats Race Program

won Concours d’Elegance first time out. The other is Ira missed only a handful of NAMBA Nationals until his passing. It wasn’t until 2005 in District 11 in Rollinsford, New Hampshire, Ira won his first and only NAMBA Nationals Championship and it was in the Sport 40-1 class with a perfect 1600 point day. Jack Garcia (by Jerry Dunlap) "Smiling" Jack Garcia was very influential in encouraging my interest in designing, building, and racing model tunnel boats. Jack won the 1980 and 1981 NAMBAA Stock Tunnel National Championships. Jack's "Killer" model tunnel designs captured regional and national championships. Jack would willingly share design and set up ideas to help promote model tunnel boat competition. Although she didn't race, Jack's wife Rosie, was always with him. Rosie was such an appropriate name because she really did have a rosy personality. I cannot remember ever beating Jack in a model tunnel boat race. I last saw Jack at the 2009 World Outboard Championships in Charleston, SC. He was in a wheel chair and Rosie was right by his side. We probably spent a couple of hours reminiscing about Hback in the day" model tunnel boats. Jim Wilson (by Jerry Dunlap) There is so much I could write about Jim Wilson. You know you have a close relationship with someone when you are asked to lead his memorial service. And, it is hard to believe that the person who asked me to conduct that service, his wife Diane, is also no longer with us. Coupling a tremendous knowledge of engines, setups, and propellers, Jim won numerous national championships in monoplane, hydroplane, and sport hydro classes. His ability to listen, ask relevant questions, and calmly process information made Jim an ideal Drivers’ Representative at several NAMBA Nationals. We all knew Jim had been dealing with very serious health issues for several years prior to his passing. It is truly ironic that my wife, Maren, and I were going to have dinner with Jim and Diane on the day he passed away. We were returning from a trip from Southern California driving along Highway 1. We were having lunch at Bubba Gump’s in Cannery Row when I saw the mail from Al Waters relaying the news of Jim’s passing early that morning. I called Diane and said we would certainly understand if she would prefer will cancel the dinner. Diane’s response was, “Please come as planned. Jim had purchased all the food and she had previously set the table.” We came for dinner, told stories, and cried. Diane was completely supportive of Jim’s model boating activities. She was actively involved in doing many administrative activities for District 9. I’ve written many things related to model boating. Writing and submitting Jim’s NAMBA Hall of Fame nomination is one of my proudest writing achievements. saying he could build a better rudder assembly. Charlie was a master tool and die maker and owned a tool and die making company in the East Bay area. He did more than just complain, he started Marine Specialties. Marine Specialties made all types of cast aluminum hardware parts. Pat was a most gracious lady. She raced an English design mono hull called "Pattie's Flattle." Along with future Hall of Fame member, John Brodbeck, I spent a September weekend in 1976 as guest of the Pottols for the first ever model outboard race conducted at Lake Speckles In Gold Gate Park. Upon returning to their Saratoga home after the first day of racin& I began complaining about the officiating provided by the host club-the San Francisco Model Yacht Club. I can still recall Charlie's sage advice, "Jerry, when someone Invites you to dinner It Is not polite to complain about the food."' Jack Oxley (by Al Waters) Jack raced full sized boats for Scott McCulloch Racing in the sixties. He was very successful racing the 1400 Power Cat's with twin60 horsepower Scotts and designing high performance boats and motors. Later he helped develop the outboard drag hydro that took the 1/4 mile drag unlimited outboard record to 127 mph. When Jack retired from big boat racing, he took on radio- controlled model boat racing. That is when I met Jack Oxley. Never in my life had I ever seen anyone who could get the most out of a K&B 67. The last time I saw Jack, was at the District 19 awards banquet in Laughlin, Nevada in 2014. Jack was still competitive Jack. He got his spot at the gambling table just like he always got his favorite spot on the drivers stand. He was tough to beat. But when you did, he let you know it because you had to be on your game. Ira Cotton (by Al Waters) As pointed out in the HOF bio’s, Ira Cotton was inducted in 1997. He passed away in 2007 accumulating over 40 years of model boating experience. Known as the “Super Salami” of RC for his famous Oberto boats, there are two things that people may not remember about Ira. His first scratch built boat was not an Oberto boat. It was the 1974 Miss Technicolor. A multicolored rainbow painted Unlimited Hydroplane that he hand painted as there were no graphics to be found. The boat Pat and Charlie Pottol starting their outboard in 1972. 2021 NAMBA Nationals Page 71