CHRYSLER JEEP DETROIT APBA GOLD CUP July 6-9, 2000 Sunday September 17 2000 *** THE ANNUAL SODT FINISH / START PARTY --- SEPTEMBER 28 The annual FINISH / START party will be Thursday September 28, at the VFW BRUCE POST in St. Clair Shores. It's North of 11 Mile at 28404 Jefferson. 6 to 10pm. Join us for socializing, a dinner buffet, award presentations, door prizes, and of course the standard party fare (beer!). This is not a mandatory meeting. Free to members, guests $12. To RSVP or for further info Call 313-331-7770 *** A VERY SAD DAY FOR THE HYDRO COMMUNITY - SEP 17 George Stratton, driver of the U-5 Appian Jeronimo & Lowry's Big Beef Jerky hydroplane was fatally injured today during practice runs on Mission Bay in San Diego. Racing power boats was Stratton's life long passion. Stratton's racing background includes five world speed records, four national championships, three national high point championships and induction into the American Power Boat Association's Hall of Champions. During his two decades of power boat racing, Stratton was a top contender in the flatbottom classes before making the switch to hydroplanes. Mark Weber in the U-10 York Heating and Air Conditioning made his way out onto the course to take a one lap tribute for his USA Racing Partners teammate, then returned to the pits and the team withdrew from the race. Our thoughts and prayers go out to George's family and the USA Racing Partners team. We will miss you George. *** THE SAN DIEGO BAYFAIR WORLD SERIES OF POWERBOAT RACING After no first place finishes in the preliminary heats, Dave Villwock and the Miss Budweiser had a great start in the final to go wire-to-wire for the win. 1st - Miss Budweiser (U-1), driver Dave Villwock 2nd - Miss E-Lam Plus (U-16), driver Mark Evans 3rd - Oh Boy! Oberto Beef Jerkey (U-6), driver Nate Brown 4th - Znetix (U-100), driver Greg Hopp DNF - Freddie's Club (U-2), driver Mark Tate DNF - Bardahl's Special (U-3), driver Mitch Evans DSQ - Sun Harbor Mortgage (U-9), Mike Hanson [fuel violation] Dave dedicated his victory lap to George Stratton, touring it in the reverse direction (clockwise) as a memorial note. *** THE "POWERBOAT LIST" ON THE INTERNET HAS IMPROVED LATELY New contributors to the email-based "Powerboat List" include Steve Montgomery (the Hydros espn2 announcer), Gary Garbrecht (co-owner of Hydro-Prop), and J. Michael Noonan (chief referee). They've stepped up to explain fine points that many of us have wondered about, and to discuss ideas for the future of the sport. As a result, the amount and quality of info & discussion has risen greatly. For details about subscribing to the list: http://www.hydros.org/resources/pblist.html - Brian Reed (Volunteer WebMaster)

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