Sayres Memorial Regatta opens the Classic Thunder 2003 Season

Classic Thunder opened its 2003 racing season on April 27th with the Sayres Memorial at Coulon Park.  The weather was great, the water was great and the racing was even better.  

The day began with our drivers’ meeting, where we were treated to a story about a father, his sons, and the Slo-Mo IV.  The Slo-Mo IV has been a part of Monte Steere’s life almost longer than anything else.  His father built a model of the IV and won a model boat race with it back in 1952.  We saw photos of Monte and his brother Tex with their dad, testing the boat at Seward Park and various others taken during that time in his life.  Monte’s dad passed away just a couple of weeks after winning with his model.  Monte presented the trophy that his dad won back in ’52 as the temporary Classic Thunder Sayres Memorial Trophy for this race.  Shortly after the death of their father, Monte and his brother were invited to take a ride in the Slo-Mo IV.  The old photos of 9-year-old Monte with Stan Sayres and the Slo-Mo IV brought the story to life.  We now understand how Monte has kept his excitement for the boats and for the history.  It’s part of who he is.  It is part of the legacy passed on to him by his father.  It’s the legacy he is passing on to his sons.   Though older and certainly wiser, Monte still has the same enthusiasm and excitement that he must have had as a kid taking his unforgettable ride in the most prestigious hydroplane in our history.  It’s contagious.  We appreciate what he brings to our hobby and for sharing his story with us.  

Nine boats entered competition in Division 1.

Monte took on the role of crew chief for his son Nigel, who started off the day with the first heat win of the 2003 season.  Nigel and the Slo-Mo V took the win in heat 1A, followed by Pete Schille’s Harrah’s, Dave Sacry’s Breathless, Mike Krone’s Bardahl and Dale Van Wyke’s Miss Seattle.

Heat 1B saw Mitch Dillard and the brand new Gale IV cross the line in 1st followed by Bob VandenAkker’s Notre Dame and Gary Simpson’s Chrysler Crew.  Danny Sacry in the Miss U.S. suffered a roll over while battling for the lead and did not finish.

Heat 2A was won by the Slo-Mo V followed by Miss U.S., Notre Dame and Miss Seattle.  The Harrah’s was unable to finish.

Heat 2B was won by Gale IV followed by Breathless, Chrysler Crew and Miss Bardahl

Heat 3A saw the Slo-Mo V go over in the first turn.  Gale IV went on to win the heat followed by Miss Seattle, Harrah’s and Chrysler Crew.

Heat 3B was won by Miss U.S. followed by Notre Dame, Bardahl and Breathless.

Pete Schille’s Harrah’s won the consolation heat over Chrysler Crew and Bardahl.  Miss Seattle did not finish.

The final heat started out as a knock down drag race between the Gale IV and Slo-Mo V until Mitch rolled the Gale boat over in the north turn.  Nigel Steere drove the Slo-Mo V on to victory in the Sayres Memorial Regatta in Division 1.  His grandfather would have been proud.  Danny Sacry finished a strong second in the Miss U.S. and Dave Sacry came in third with the Breathless.  Pete Schille finished fourth from the trailer position.  Notre dame joined the Gale IV in the DNF column.  

Five Division 2 boats were on hand at the dock, but only four were able to compete.  Craig Mullen was unable to get the Pride of Pay’n Pak up and running and had to withdraw.  However, we saw great racing from the very beginning. Because there were less than six boats, the race win was determined by cumulative points instead of a winner take all final heat.

Heat 1 saw a deck to deck dual between Pete Schille’s Tide, Mitch Dillard’s Griffon Budweiser and Bob VandenAkker’s Weisfields.  First the Bud and Tide went at it for three laps. The Bud overtook the Tide on the inside and never looked back.  It wasn’t over yet.  The Weisfields was waiting in the wings and snuck up on the Tide.  The Weisfields eventually got around the Tide to take second.  Tide finished third.   Dale Van Wyke’s Executone did not finish.

Heat 2 was won by the Tide over the Weisfields.  The Executone was unable to finish.  The Griffon Bud suffered motor damage in heat 1 and Mitch was unable to repair it in time for the start.

Heat 3 saw the Griffon Bud back in action with a slight lead prior to swapping ends coming out of turn number one.  The Tide jumped out into the lead followed by the Weisfields and Executone.  The Weisfields gave chase for four laps, but was just nosed out in a photo finish in the end.  What a race.  The Bud was able to get started again and finished in third.  The Executone was unable to finish.

Mitch Dillard’s Griffon Bud shook its motor problems to win the final heat followed by Pete Schille’s Tide and Bob VandenAkker’s Weisfields.  Dale Van Wyke’s Executone was unable to start the heat due to irreparable damage done to its motor.  Based on total points for the day, Pete Schille took home first place in the Sayres Memorial Regatta in Division 2.  Bob VandenAkker’s Weisfields was second and Mitch Dillard’s Griffon Bud finished third.