PROPWASH
October 2011
17
In Memory of Tom Dale
By Dave Rychalsky
District One Director
For years and years, District One has had the pleasure of having an excellent racer,
a great sportsman, and a quality builder in model boating. All the way back to the
1980’s, a young modeler named Tom Dale was an active member of the Lakeland
Area Model Boaters (LAMBS). Back then, we used to host races every single
weekend, with many being two day races. Tom loved the “A” and “B” Mono and
Hydro classes. I remember seeing Tom at most of the district races, year after year,
watching the other boats, and seeing how other racers were driving, how other boats
were handling the waves, and the speeds of the other boats. Tom studied his designs
and from time to time, he made some slight modifications which allowed his boats to
run just a little better than before. I have never noticed Tom’s driving to be erratic or
out of control. He would usually get a good start, drive his boat competitively around
the course, and bring it right back to shore. I can’t recall a time where he drove overly
aggressive, or made a point to cut in on another racer in order to gain a position on the
lake. Tom was a gentleman before, during, and after a race.
Once the popularity of the Fast Electric classes rose here on the east coast, Tom
added N1 Mono, N2 Hydro, P Hydro, and P Mono to his arsenal of boats. Tom built
all of his boats and enjoyed telling anyone some of his secrets that allowed his boats to
go a bit faster than the other guys in the same heats. Three years ago, I watched Tom
race his N2 Hydro and I was amazed at how fast his boat was running. I walked over
to him and he told me every single tip on the motor, the prop, the height of the shaft,
the material, and even the amount of water cooling going through the speed control. I
know Tom felt that he could tell everyone his racing secrets and still go out and drive
a sound race and win. Tom loved this hobby. He raced competitively all the way
through the 2009 season, where he was Class Champion in N1 Mono and N2 Hydro,
and even won the High Points Award that year! Tom took 2010 off for personal
reasons. We later found out that Tom had cancer and was going through the process,
and he was beating it. Tom came to our 2010 Awards Banquet, even though he didn’t
put a boat in the water the entire year, as he wanted to be a part of congratulating all of
our nitro, gas, and electric class champions in a year where he was only able to be a
infrequent spectator.
Unfortunately this past June, my good friend Tom Dale lost his battle with cancer.
Many of us did not get the word about Tom until a few weeks after his funeral. But in
retrospect, I would say that’s the way Tom was – he was a quiet guy that didn’t need
any fuss, and was happy being a part of a great hobby. I bought that N2 hydro from
Tom in 2009 and it will stay on my shelf for a long time. I speak for many of us here
in District One when I say I will miss you as a competitor, but more as a good friend.
The Propwash
NAMBA International
1815 Halley Street
San Diego, CA 92154
(619) 424-6380
Fax - (619) 424-8845
e-mail cathie.galbraith@namba.com
Editors:
Cathie Galbraith and Al Waters
Newsletter Contributors
Carlo Catalanotto
Richard Grenier
Ken Haines
Alan Hobbs
Mike Hughes
Lohring Miller
David Newland
Dave Rychalsky
Jay Stone
Stacey Thomas
Todd Zeller
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