feels good again

[joejohn44]

49 years ago this past fall, I was born into a boat racing family. 3 weeks later, dad set the kilo record in CU (CSR). He was a hardcore racer, competitive in inboards and outboards both, and Mom worked hard on the judges stand. Us kids terrorized the shoreline with hydroplanes on strings, pretending we were winning the Nats...It wasn't long before I had a wrench in my hand and sometimes a throttle. Life was good. I was 23 when I watched in horror as my Father lost his life in an airplane crash... I raced a few years more, even breaking some of his records, but the fun had gone out of it for me, and APBA had begun to change. I quit. Fast forward to 2009. Living in Texas, I knew APBA had no races here, but by accident stumbled on NBRA.. I checked them out a bit and then something snapped. I bought a proven rig from Art Kampen for next to nothing (THANK YOU,ART!!!)And I was back in it. I introduced one of my employees to the sport and he is hooked. Poor kid...the first race he ever saw in his life, he was entered. I have met the most amazing people this "ROOKIE" season, and have found what I have been missing...Grass roots boat racing. I was at the national meeting a few weeks ago and marveled at the fact that nearly everyone in the room had at one point or another given me a helping hand. I decided right there I loved this organization. Nobody is complaining, just patting each other on the back. All just good friends... Thank you to NBRA and it's members for making this rookie feel welcome and not laughing!!! Some people went so far to help, I would be remiss for not mentioning their names...Charley Holman (LOVE this guy) Dudley Malone, Jeff Ruth, Vernon Barfield, Art and Keith Kampen, Doc Miller, Rick Miller, (yes, Braxton too), and my fellow Lone Star guys Gardner Miller, Dennis Crews (and his wife Cherie) Dennis Burke And who could possibly forget the Mathews clan. Thank you to one and all... Boat racing feels good again...
Joe John Schulte T-44

[thetrailergod]

Glad to have ya aboard JoeJohn, for it is the people like you and your positive attitude that make the NBRA a great place to be

[mark5pa]

Good to see you will be racing! You gave me a lot of encouragement when I started in the spring.

[David_L6]

I'm glad you're having fun. There are a lot of very good people in boat racing. Hopefully there will be a race at Pineville in 2013 on a weekend I don't have to work so I can go see some of my boat racing friends.

[Dennis Crews]

Joe John,

I know you would never say it yourself but one of the reasons you fit so well into the organization is that you too are one of the nicest, most helpful people a guy could ever meet. All the help that you received from those you mention is a two way street and you have certainly returned more than your share of assistance to those same folks as well as others in the sport. Come to think of it, I guess that's why it all works so well.

[Stu Ford]

Thank you NBRA. While I have never met any of you. You have made a dear friend feel very welcome. You have all found a GREAT guy in Joe John. I hope to make it to an event in 2013. Race hard race safe. Miss you buddy.
Stuart Ford

[Dave M]

Your Laugh

JoeJohn,

Your laugh is infectious. Your dedication to the sport your rookie season is awesome. You know, it is like riding a bike, you never forget really. If I did not know better, I would say your equipment is that of a veteran. You seem to know what to do, adn when to do it without much prompting. So I think you remember how to ride the bike, still. I don't think I ever heard anything but fun coming from your pits. Welcome to the NBRA.

Remember, it is not the NBRA that is making boat racing so much fun, it is the people that make up the organization that makes it what it is. You are one of those people.

[joejohn44]

dang...ya'll are gonna make a grown man cry. kinder words I have never had directed to me. thank you all so very much...and Stuart, you have an open invitation to run one of my boats any time you want. Pick a race, I will make it happen. For those who don't know Stuart, he is my oldest and bestest friend. Our Fathers used to beat each others brains in on the race course when Stuart and I were pollywogs.. then in our teen years we swapped the 1 liter stock kilo record back and forth... When I went hind-end over tea kettle in Dayton at the nats at over 90 mph, He was the one guy who stopped to make sure I was ok. MAN. this stuff is fun....

[Art K]

I was hoping when I sold you the engine & boat that it was going to find a good home. You have done that. Racing hard and getting faster all the time. Best of luck the 2013 season.
Art K