By 2004 in Los Angeles things
started to change. It was one of the
largest nationals to date with over 750
boats entered by 180 boaters. The nitro
hydros had over 140 entries, with over
100 mono entries as well. There were
close to 100 outboard tunnel entries, and
the nitro sport hydros also had over 100
entries including about 35 scale boats.
The gas classes now had over 100
entries as well, with G1 mono the
biggest class. It was still mostly a nitro
nationals, but some serious racers were
starting to run gas. The gas classes were
won by racers who mostly or exclusively
ran gas boats like Richard Hallett (GX-1
Outrigger), Bob Van Sickle (Cracker and
G-1 Cat) Russ Stark (G-1 Outrigger),
Gary Blockburger (GX-1 Mono), and
Chris Hertzog (GX-1 Cat). However,
two mostly nitro racers, Jerry Crowther
(G-1 Mono) and Eric Bourlet (GX-1
Sport Hydro) added gas to their other
nitro class wins. Jeff Michaud and his
Insane boat won G-1 Sport Hydro,
enforcing his reputation as a gas hull
designer and driver. There now was a
Gas Marathon as well as the nitro one.
PROPWASH
14
October 2011
The Changing Character of Model Boating
By Lohring Miller
NAMBA Safety Chairman
I’ve been running model boats for over 20 years. There have been significant
changes in the hobby during that time. The character (and characters) of the NAMBA
Nationals since my first one in 1998 illustrates some of this change. Over 100 boaters
entered in 1998. Nitro hydros had over 60 entries, and there were over 50 nitro monos.
There were over 90 outboard tunnel boats entered. At least 70 nitro sport hydros came,
including about 20 scale boats. Three nitro marathon teams competed. There were less
than 50 gas boats of all kinds entered. G-1 Cat and G-1 Mono were the big gas classes
with about 10 boats in each class.
Doug DeWitte flipped his Sport 60 three times and went on to win a $20 bet, the
heats and the class. He also successfully ran around the island, but lost the Scale final
to Ralph Henry in one of the best scale finals I’ve seen. For all that, I awarded Doug
the D Cup, and Ralph got to kiss Tracy (now Heiser) a lot of times.
District 8 racers mixed various cans of
secret liquids to get the winning edge.
Lohring presenting Doug DeWitte the “D” Cup Trophy
Ralph Henry could always keep the lady’s smiling
Eric Bourlet and Mike Hughes (Mike’s
still smiling)