heat racing as well as claiming the
Shootout Championship.
The morning breakfast and Papa
John’s pizza provided for lunch for the
racers and their families was free of
charge by the Rio Grande Racers.
On Friday night, racers gathered at
the host hotel for a Welcome Party and
Happy Hour. Racers sat around and
enjoyed each other’s company as many
also enjoyed a few adult beverages. The
highlight of the evening had to be Mr. H
taking a shot of tequila out of a paper
bowl. There is video floating around
some where and it is well worth the
watch. Racers then departed and made
their way off to dinner at various places.
Saturday’s racing kicked off with G-1
Mono which was one of our toughest
classes. The weather was nice during the
morning but we were warned by
meteorologists that high winds were on
their way. We rushed through heat
racing and witnessed some tough battles.
Wendell Barrow took first place in heat
racing in G-1 Mono, but had to watch as
Bill Duffner cruised to a Shootout
Championship. Ted McKay was able to
finish first in G-1 Catamaran heat racing,
but couldn’t match Roger Pane in the
final as Roger went on to win the
Shootout. In G-1 Sport Hydro, Scott
Grissman was able to knock the dust off
his equipment just in time to take home a
fist place in heat racing. While calling
the G-1 Sport Hydro shootout final, I
remember watching John Borden out of
my right peripheral view. John was
leading on his last lap and I was focused
on watching the battle for second behind
him. As I mentioned John was coming
across to finish as Shootout Champion, I
witness John jumping up and down as he
drove his boat back around the course.
He was ecstatic. John’s joy of winning
the shootout was infectious and made all
of those around him truly happy to see
him win. This moment was talked about
by various racers throughout the rest of
the weekend. It is a moment I surely
won’t soon forget.
In G-1 Rigger, David Meloni was
only the second racer of the weekend to
complete a clean sweep finishing first in
heat racing and winning the shootout. In
the novice class, Grace Holland showed
the other gal’s the quickest way around
(Continued on page 4)
PROPWASH
October 2014
3
2014 West Texas Shootout
By Jay Stone
Rio Grand Racers
Over the years of racing, I have collected many wonderful memories. Some
memories relate to funny stories or incidents and others relate to hanging out with
racers that are no longer with us. At the 2014 West Texas Shootout for Autism
Society, a new memory was etched for many in attendance. As the West Texas
Shootout has evolved into one of the more prestigious events, we have witnessed
racers who are much more passionate about the event. Whether it is a call they didn’t
feel that went their way or a silly error made in driving, racers have displayed more
and more emotion at each event.
As the race has grown with the racers, the sponsors also came through once again
in flying colors. The Moody family from El Paso, Texas graciously stepped up again
and became our title sponsor. The event was named the “Kenny Moody West Texas
Shootout for Autism Awareness” in honor of the late Kenny Moody. Mr. Moody was
an avid race fan and contributed to many events across the Southwest. His family
honored him in using our title sponsorship as another tribute to a wonderful man.
Many other wonderful companies stepped forward and assisted us with
sponsorship. Blazer Marine, Mile High Modelers, Outlaw Racing, Insane Boats,
Line-X of Dallas, Rum Racing Products, ATI Jet, Dos Lunas Tequila, Han-D-Pac
Spices, Medlock Commercial Contractors, Master Designs Trophies, Seaducer Boats,
Suicidal Racing Engines, Butch the Boatman, Virginia Craftsman, Hitec RCD,
RC Boatworks, Midwest Outlaws, RP Motorsports, Loveless Racing, Shanstar,
Paul’s Grooming Shops, David Meloni, DJ & Amanda Keller, Sparkplugs.com,
MSD Ignition, VP Racing Fuels, T-Mod Racing, Red Line Shirt Club, The Gnat
Shack, Rajin Raceware, Propworks West, Mexicali Rose Beans, Speedmaster Racing,
Savox, G Force Hydro Props, Wing Daddy’s, Quest Contracting, Gordon Devos,
Hertz, Pete’s Lawn and Garden and David Ferrell DDS.
We also had many great class sponsors, such as Dallas RC Thunderboats,
Rum Racing Products, The Holland Family, RP Motorsports, Jerry Wright, The
Virginia Craftsman, Dale Roberts and Family, The Boat Shop, Flyin’ Ryan, Offshore
Electrics, Loveless Racing, JB Racing, Gary and Loretta Gould, CC Racing Engines,
Team Yugo Racing and JW Racing.
One of the most enjoyable things we do at our event is the Kid’s Only Raffle. The
Autism Society of El Paso holds their Annual Walk/Run event in conjunction with our
race. After they complete the walk/run event, participants are asked to join us and
register their children for a Kid’s Only Raffle that is free to enter. The only thing we
ask in return is for a photo release allowing us to photograph their child holding their
winning prize. In 2013 we had approximately ten great items to raffle. In 2014, we
were blessed by super generous donations from Atomik RC, Horizon Hobby, Hobby
Recreation Products and Aquacraft by Hobbico. We had twenty three total RTR radio
control boat models to give away. Kids gathered around during our Saturday lunch
break and anxiously waited for their name to be called. It was a special experience for
many of us as we got to witness children on the Autism Spectrum win radio control
items. These items introduce kids to a new world of radio control and brought smiles
to their faces that made many of our racers act like they had a sudden onset of allergies
(tears). We seriously can’t thank the amazing sponsors enough for sending us great
prizes for these kids! We already know of several kids that have become fixated on the
hobby and can’t wait to join us when we have water again at our lake.
Because of the rapid growth of the event, we went to a two and one half day format
for racing. On Friday, we started off the racing with all the specialty classes. We
witnessed Richard Romero debut a new boat and cruise it to victory in Crackerbox.
We watched as Wendell Barrow continued to show he knows the quickest way around
the course in Gas O/B Tunnel.
Buford Tanniehill showed that his inline twin mono might not be as fast as Gary
Gould’s rigger, but in order to finish first you must first finish. In Classic Thunder-
boat, we watched as Shannon Muth put on a dominating performance finishing first in