2004 End of the season update

Well, the season is over and what a season it's been. Quite a few new faces and new boats this year, but, there was nothing new about our High Points champion. Congratulations, again, to Dave Greenlaw on another high points championship.

It was amazing to watch some of the new comers from recent years and it was easy to see just how much they've learned. In this class if you don't continue to learn, you'll never make it, or, even worse, you'll get hurt. And trust me, there's a lot to learn.

Throughout the year we saw Lap Dancer do some aerial acrobatics in Valleyfield and then, not to be out done, Bob Davidson in WOW tried to better the performance. If that wasn't enough, Jimmie Stewart tried his hand at taking flight. Guys, these boats won't fly! They go up great but they fall really, really hard. Ouch! Thankfully, the show was awesome and no one was seriously hurt, other than a bruised ego along the way.

While the show was going on behind, up front it was all business. This season brought to us a different battle up front at almost every race. You never knew who was going to be up front and we rarely had a typical parade to the finish.

Thanks to all the racers and their teams for yet another great season. By the end of the schedule I know many teams are going home with some big band aids plastered on the hulls. Get busy! Next season is really not that far away.

To get you fired up for next season, try out that new prop, or just come out and have some fun. Nope, no drivers meeting, no referee's, no calls, no 1 minute pin, no 5 minute run and put it back on the trailer. Run it as long as it lasts. Come on out to River Rage II.

It'll be held on October 31st at Blackberry Bay park in Oceanport, NJ. For more information on this event, contact Joe Julian at NUCLEARWINTER076@aol.com .

And onto the last event of the season. Don't miss the first annual Jersey Speed Skiff "Wing Out" Party. Come and join us on November 6th, 2004 at the Lighthouse Restaurant in Lewes, DE. The restaurant phone number is 302-645-6271. Cost is $30.00 per person - Children are $15.00. Menu choices are Prime Rib, Chicken Chesapeake or Seafood Imperial.

Please make cheques payable to JSS Association and mail to Martha Atkins, 113 Vinsmith Avenue, Aston, PA, 19014-2707. Don't forget to indicate name of people attending and your menu choice. Space is limited and we need your reservation before October 27th, 2004.

For more information contact Martha Atkins at marthaa@chester-jensen.com.

Hotel accommodations are the Zwaanendael Hotel - 800-824-9754. Rates average $135 and includes breakfast. The Beacon Motel - 800-735-4888. Rates $70.00.

Don't miss this end of season party to swap stories and figure out what your competition is doing next year!

That's it for now. Check back throughout the winter for the new 2005 Jersey Speed Skiff schedule.

Bruce Plaskett, JS 67 "What a Rush!"

2004 Mid-summer update

We recently had some of the Northern races completed in Valleyfield Quebec, Canada and Ogdensburg NY. As always, the action was non-stop at both races with some wild rides, bumping and grinding and some hard fought battles.

Valleyfield saw 9 boats including JS 99, 94, 57, 25, 45, 66, 136, 77 and 721. Unfortunately, we saw some extremely high boat casualties this weekend too. JS 45 lost a few motors in addition to being piggybacked by JS 25 in one of the turns causing quite a bit of damage to the back end of the Menace. Thankfully, Dennis was able to "Duct Tape" it back together enough to finish out the weekend. I'm sure it was more than Duct Tape but you get the picture. Motor Gods 1, driver 0.

Tom Petterson's JS 77 saw some real air time (we shouldn't be using that term in a skiff!) in a preliminary heat, which resulted in the driver, Mike Melina being knocked unconscious for a short time. After what was probably another boot to the noggin, Mike woke up laughing about his ride. Unfortunately, not realizing that when the rescue crew was on the boat it took on water into the motor and in the next heat, with one big puff, JS 77 came to a grinding halt and that was the end for another weekend. Motor Gods 2, driver 0.

We saw the return of the 18 footer, JS 136 Nuclear Winter driven by, wait, who's that? Sked himself. While we all anticipated a real charge from the Nuke, Sked has his hands full and ran into some motor troubles of his own. Not one but two motors went south on him and we never really got to see what Nuke was really capable of. Are you keeping score? Motor Gods 4, driver 0. Sounds like an expensive weekend so far doesn't it. That's life in racing!

The final results at Valleyfield were JS 99, Veri Cheri Too in first, JS 45, The Menace in second and JS 25, Code Red in third. The only real surprise in the final was who was driving what boat. JS 99 had Tom Pakradooni at the wheel while Tom Thompson was driving Code Red.

And on to Ogdensburg the very next weekend. With all the boat casualties in Valleyfield, the field was reduced quite a bit and we were only able to get 4 boats out to this event, which was also the North American Championships. The 4 that showed were JS 99, 25, 66 and, wait, who is that? 991? It's Veri Cheri!

JS 25 had more troubles keeping it in a straight line, or even on the course through out the weekend. It looks like he's getting quite a work out just driving the boat! Thank goodness it's only a few laps eh Bill?

Dave Greenlaw in JS 991 was eating up the water. >From what I hear this is the fastest boat of its kind yet. While there have been no records yet, could this be the year? We used to try and steal lane 1 from Dave. It seemed to have his name on it. But now that he's used to the new boat and its speed, he could be anywhere in any lane and the next thing you know, your sucking his wake and if you listen close as he goes by you can probably hear him chuckling and saying "see ya S#@ Bi*%$!!!" classic Dave.

So the final run down was JS 99 with the win and the North American Championship, 25, 66 and 991.

Next stop should be Cambridge MD for the World Championships. Don't miss this event. A fantastic racecourse, usually one of the best skiff turn outs for the year. So come on out and cheer your favorite boat on to the win.

That's it for now. See you on the water.

Bruce Plaskett, JS 67 "What a Rush!"

May - Early June racing update

The season for the Jersey Speed Skiffs is off and running and what a season it is shaping up to be. New boats, new faces, new energy and a drive for the win!

Last year Dennis Macy in JS 45, The Menace was forced to miss quite a few races and watch from the beach. If you know Dennis, this is not where he wanted to be. This year looks like a whole different story. With new motors in tow, keep an eye out for The Menace to be a real force to contend with this year.

I'm sure many of you remember the spectacular event at New Martinsville, WV when JS 25 hit an object in the water and went down in the blink of an eye. Well, Bill is back with another boat and a score to settle. The first race in Lake Hopatcong, NJ looked a little shaky as he tried to show us the numbers on the other side of the boat by seeing just how far he could roll it over in a turn with flipping it. Decatur was much better as Bill seems to be dialing it in so keep your eyes on this boat as I'm sure he'll be making a charge as well.

What's this? JS 99 looks a little different this year. The Veri Cheri Too is off and running and out of the box it's giving everyone a run for their money. I don't know if you noticed, but he's doing it from the outside lanes. We've all battled Dave for that all important inside lane but first it was Tom and now Dave showing us all how it's done from the outside. Go get 'em Dave!

A new boat this year, JS 65 owned and driven by Warren Brown showed at Lake Hopatcong this year. Yes, he is related to Mitch Brown in JS 66 so keep an eye on this rival.

Lake Hopatcong certainly was a thrilling show this year thanks to the 12 skiffs that hit the water. With Bill showing us the long way around the turn, Bob Davidson was showing us a little "Skiff Ballet" in the straight away. Photo's of this spectacular show are on www.jerseyspeedskiffs.com. Bob stuffed it near the end of the straightaway and shot the bow straight up, but it wasn't over yet. After tripping on the trim plate (and breaking the trim mechanism) the bow came slamming down again, stuffed and then made an unscheduled left turn to the infield. The bouncing never seemed to stop but when it was all done, occupants and the boat were fine. Thanks for the show Bob!

There were many calls at this race so the best we can figure is that the winner was Dave Greenlaw in JS 99, second was Paul Sohn in JS 57 and third was James Stewart in JS 721.

Decatur had 5 boats show. Saturday saw the qualifier go but then Sunday was blown out. You can't fight Mother Nature, not even in a skiff. But, Monday was another story. Wait, I see white caps, "Skiffs to the crane!"

When the mist settled it was Dennis Macy in taking first in JS 45, Bill Pierce was second in JS 25 and third was Paul Sohn in JS 57.

The schedule for the year has had many changes, as you'll see on the schedule page. Brockville, Ontario (Canada), New Martinsville, West Virginia and Evansville, Indiana have all been cancelled for various reasons this year. We certainly hope to see these sites back on the "Dance Card" (that's for you Bob!) next year. So our next stop on the circuit is Valleyfield, Quebec (Canada). This is one of the largest race sites on the schedule this year. If you've never been there, this is a race to see. Tens of thousands of people show to this race and it's one week long party in Quebec. Let me tell you, they certainly know how to put on an event! From this race forward, the summer gets really busy with a race almost every weekend.

Have a great summer and check back soon for more racing updates.

Bruce Plaskett

2004 Race Season Primer

It is hard to remember as you get older one day from the other, but I can remember vividly my first test ride in "Rolling Thunder", in the spring of '90 on the Delaware River south of the Philadelphia airport. I also remember hitting the throttle for the first time in "Lightning", in the spring of '97 on the Northeast River.

That was a lot of races ago, just look at the eighteen wet boats for '03. After Greenlaw, you would have to place me on the old man list if you were doing it based on races. On years the other "Dave" wins (Robert Davidson). Sid doesn't count since he is not the driver, at least in this contest.

May 1st & 2nd is testing in Kent Narrows, thanks to our own Ralph Cattaneo. What's up with "The Crate?? racing in '04? Testing at the Narrows is always fun. Come on out and work the winter bugs out of your boats.

May 22nd & 23rd we are off to Bill Pierce's Lake Hopatcong, would you believe after all these years I can spell it. Two days of racing in Region 3 with officials from other regions, all because the skiffs cause so many problems.

May 29th, 30th and 31st, Memorial Day week-end, is the Eastern Divisional's in Decatur, IL. They are paying three hundred dollars in tow money for legal starters, the second day of racing, all the extras. For those of you that have been there before, you know what the extras are, festival, beer, parties, "gate guard", and don't forget the piano players conventional at race headquarters.

After a little time off, it's time to head north to Brockville, Ontario, Canada, June 19th & 20th. Two days of racing with a pit party Saturday night. Burt Henderson puts on a good event.

June 26th & 27th is New Martinsville, WV on the Ohio River. If you have not experienced the speed bumps on the back straight away you have not lived. Don't let Pierce talk you out of going; I'm sure he is planning on picking up 400 points by scaring everyone away. The truth is when a boat's time to go comes you can't stop it. His boat's time was up, that's what really happened in '03. The proof is no other skiff was hurt.

The same weekend we were promised a second year in Evansville, IN by Tom Sawyer. As I am sure many of you are aware Budweiser is out of unlimited racing in '05, that makes Evansville a question in '04. A meeting was to be on the 18th of March and to date, I have not heard anything. I will let you all know as soon as I do.

Valleyfield follows on July 3rd and 4th. We have been promised the same deal as last year. Three sets of promo races with five boats each, $400. per boat, per race. This is in addition to the normal prize money that we pay out per the Speed Skiff Association guidelines. If you have not been to Valleyfield you need to come. So many people.

July 10th & 11th is Ogdensburg, the NY side of St. Lawrence Seaway from Brockville. Joe Solvi puts on a mean race with a lot of fun. Good prize money, good time and ideal skiff water. This will be our first time there, so historically we split all the prize money. Normal break is 50% for Dave, balance to the class. You can leave your boat in Ogdensburg after Valleyfield if you want, contact Joe for more information.

After a little time off we are off to Thompson land, the home of more broken skiff motors than crabs. Again Pierce will tell you to richen your jets just to slow you all down, this time I would listen to him. I know, one year it took me three motors to win one race, not to mention the 600 mile truck ride. Mark your calendars for July 23rd, 24th and 25th, for the World Championship and a second day of racing. Normally you'll see lots of skiffs both, on the race course and off, cruising the Choptank.

July 31st & Aug. 1st is Waterford, MI with two days of racing, just north of Detroit. This is Macy's home town race.

ONE pin turnsville Aug. 7th & 8th in Kent Narrows, MD. I think this is the most fun course we have. Running down the front straight away speed skiffs just go everywhere. Why do they call them straight aways, to go straight in a speed skiff is not normal. And the angel wings, you will see plenty of them there. After the first turn you are lulled to sleep until you come out of turn two and hit the holes everywhere. Come on down its fun.

August 20th, 21st and 22nd is the Summer Nationals in Hampton, VA. Do I need to say more? Sammyville, home of JS-94. Come on out and beat the yellow boat.

Labor Day, Sept 4th & 5th has a new event in Port Deposit being organized by our Inboard Chairperson, Robin Shane. It is on the east side or as we northerners call it the NORTH side of the Susquehanna River just off Rt. 95. We'll have two days of racing.

Sept 11th & 12th is Mays Landing, NJ, the second Region 3 event. Some call it the mud bowl, some the pond, some the boat monster, some are still looking for the sites, but if you have raced there you want to try it again, not sure why? A good two day event.

Sept. 25th & 26th is Portsmouth, VA, a two day event with a covered dish dinner on Saturday night. Tide, wind, weather all make this a must make event.

The last race is in Wildwood, NJ for '04. Two day event, not sure if it is a series event or not. But, an award winning event. Tide issues require the race to take place early in the day. For that reason, it is important that you get registered Friday night if at all possible. It is a good course to test your skills, another must make event on our schedule.

We have a lot to work with in '04, see you at the Narrows.

Tom Pakradooni - Jersey Speed Skiff Class Rep.