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SUNDAY AT THE WORLDS IN LAKE ALFRED

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  • SUNDAY AT THE WORLDS IN LAKE ALFRED

    The tension was mounting all morning as the deciding heats for 0-250H, 500R, and 1100H were yet to come, along with along with all four heats of 175H.
    Manuel Zambelli of Italy, driving the VRP factory entry, had won the first two heats, trying to find that world title that had barely escaped him in the 125H category, barley losing out to Alex Zilioli of Italy as well.
    Manuel only needed to finish 2nd in the 3rd heat to take home a title and he did just that as Claudio Fanzini from Italy as well, won both the 3rd and 4th heats to go along with a 3rd in the second heat which gave the title to Zambelli. Michael W. Schmidt aquatinted himself with the podium for a third overall, but was in a position for a second place finish overall when the coupler broke on the driveshaft. Mike said they had never broken one before, but things like that seem to happen in championships.
    In the 500R class on Saturday, Derek Gessler and Tim Small traded heat wins, with Gessler driving a boat of his own design and build with a brand spanking new Konny motor on it that shows great speed and promise. Tim was driving a 440 Rossi two cylinder motor that gives the advantage of weight to the over all speed of the boat. However in the 2nd heat on Saturday, the bottom peeled back a bit on Derek and he was able to finish fourth overall in the heat, while sloshing water in the cockpit. Tim won that heat after finishing third in the first heat.
    So going to Sunday, Tim with a first and third, Derek with a first and a fourth were one two, in the points, with Kurtis Nydahl in the hunt driving one of the Thirlby Automotive entries lurking in third place. Poppa Mike spent all evening Saturday and part of Sunday morning trying to put together another motor for his son Andrew who blew up on Saturday.
    Small came out in the third heat and finished out front to cap off his run for the 500R title to go with one won a few years ago also at Lake Alfred, Gessler did not finish the heat, but went out and scored the 4th heat win, while steady driving by RC. Hawie, gave him 3 second’s overall for the 3rd place podium finish.
    1100H was a no brainer as our USTS National Champion took home 3 heat wins to take the title over Yvonne Koenig, wonderful to see her again in a Pro category boat after being in Formula 2 racing in Europe, as she said some boring racing. Maian Jung of Slovakia in a borrowed boat, one I might add, he had never been in finished 3rd on the podium. As the Demler team worked on the speed, it appeared he ran out of boat, before he ran out of speed, but a great job by that team for the 3rd.
    Now comes all the intrigue for the day with 4 heats of 175H World Championship to visit upon. The Europeans were going to be on American Turf with a clock start to contend with and Todd Anderson lurking out there with the Race for Kids boat Ralph Donald had brought over from Europe along with the new engine.
    Mass Rossi, and Daniele Frontoni from Italy, and Marcin Zielinski from Poland stepped in to try to take a third title home to Europe. The clock start was new to these drivers and it showed in the first heat as Todd absolutely stole the start and finished way out front of the rest of the field. Rossi took third and Frontoni did not finish that heat, while Zielinski finished second.
    The next heat was something as Rossi shadowed Todd for the start and got out front going to the first turn and never relinquished the lead with Todd taking a second with Kristi Ellison finishing third in that heat. So now each of them have won a heat as we took a break.
    Sunday at Lake Alfred was not the same after the loss of our friend and racer, Nic Thompson, but ever the brave hearts they are, the Eldredge family and friends encircled Denise and soldiered on for the rest of the day. We held a short memorial service for Nic during Sunday’s break and felt Nic’s spirit all day, on this his Grandfather Don’s birthday
    As we came back to racing both Todd and Rossi new that each had a win, and that each was determined to take the title home. Todd and his Dad Barry, brother Jay, had spent long hours working, testing, and getting their game face on. Heat number three came up and Todd jumped to the lead, held it and finished out front with Rossi finishing second again. So now they are at a point where Todd has won two heats, Rossi a heat win and a second needs the 4 heat win to tie Todd on points if Todd finishes second.
    This was interesting as they came up for the start, Kristi Ellison climbed to the moon and over she went, injuring her back a bit, but up and walking thank the good Lord. It was very interesting to watch as Todd goes out on the course as soon as the 3 minute gun is fired while the 3 European’s held back, but became pretty transparent as to why quickly. Todd came by the pit area after a lap and the three Europeans fired up the engines and set sail to fall in behind Todd. Zielinski separate from Frontoni and Rossi and set his own pace in this heat. As Todd set up on the back stretch to come around for the start, Rossi and Frontoni were right there, but Zielinski now comes down the backstretch while the others have turned outside the buoys to start up to the clock, Zielinski with that full head of steam around the buoys, crossed in front of the whole field and disrupted the timing for the rest of the field. Rossi got out front and set sail and never was headed as he won by quite a distance in the 4th heat.
    As Rossi came in the Demler crew met him at the beach with their colors and celebrated what I think they thought was another championship. However Todd and Rossi were tied on points now and so to the clock we go. By a mere second and a half, Todd takes home the first American 175H World Championship. Congratulations to the entire Anderson family and many thanks to Ralph Donald for his efforts in bringing that Championship to the United States.
    We want to say thank you to our hosts the Lions Club Lake Alfred and tell Steve Fawcett and his folks a big thank you for all the help and cooperation over the weekend. The folks there coudl not have been kinder, nor more helpful. They were outstanding in every way and look forward to returning next fall with them. THANK YOU
    We hope you enjoyed the live APBA stream of the weekend, my thanks to Ryan Berlin for a great effort in our behalf We hope you enjoyed them as much as we did bringing them to you.
    I want to thank my broadcast partner Robby Galletta for all the work he did with us this weekend on the microphone, but also for his and his dear wife Debra Eldredge Galletta for their kindness to the USTS and in particular to the World Championships. Robby and his company REVO 2, found at REVO2solutions.com as they were responsible for bringing the 1100H’s to the championship along with donating all of the trophy’s given this weekend. The company also donated over 20,000 dollars to the USTS National Championships at Depue earlier this year.
    Thank you Robby, you have made this year, a year to remember for sure. I will remember Robby for the rest of my life for many things, but one of them is this, “There is no such thing as waste water … only water that is wasted”
    Also want to say thanks to the entire USTS crew, and by our President Todd Brinkman and Sue Sailer. I know we all had heavy hearts with Sue’s nephew, and Sister Denise’s Son Nic’s passing, but we were all doing what he would have want us to be doing.
    The end of the racing season has now come and I am ready for a little R&R over the winter to get ready for an exciting 2015 season already in the planning stages. Have a good winter and remember the good times and give your kids a hug.
    We love you Denise!!!!!




  • #2
    Super job Ray!

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    • bill hoctor
      bill hoctor commented
      Editing a comment
      Great dissertation Ray...Can't believe what i missed doing turn boat / tow boat duties ! Best to you and your family on the forth-coming holidays..Bill

  • #3
    Another job Ray. You are the eyes for those of us who can not attend the races. Many thanks.

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    • #4
      Originally posted by RLR View Post
      Maian Jung of Slovakia in a borrowed boat, one I might add, he had never been in finished 3rd on the podium. As the Demler team worked on the speed, it appeared he ran out of boat, before he ran out of speed, but a great job by that team for the 3rd.
      The boat that Marian used was one of the last boats Lowell Schumacher built. While "wintering" with Gary at Pugh Boat Works, he built the cockpit, took it back to Michigan to build a capsule boat around. He would have been pleased to see it run and would gladly have helped sort the boat out.

      " It's a sad day when you've outgrown everything"
      Art Pugh

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      • #5
        Anyone have movies or pictures from the Worlds? Especially 500ccR?

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        • #6
          R C.. There are 3 good still shots of F-44 on facebook..Best regards, Bill



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          • #7


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