Racer loses his life on Lake DePue

[mrlou40]

Just got off the phone with Susan Rautenberg and she said we lost a racer in 500 sprint hydro this morning. he was running and spun out and was hit in his boat. I'm sorry I did not catch the name but I heard he was from Illinois.

Carl 94-R

[Composite Specialties]

Nick

It was Nick Davis from Illinois.

[Kevin Martin]

Hell Of A Man!!!!!!

my family's prayers to nick's family. he will be soarely missed!!! kevin martrin

[James Aderholdt]

Nick will be missed greatly. We will pray for him and his family.
The Aderholdt Family

[Lights]

My prayers go out to Nick and the Davis family.


Mark Leyde

[HRTV]

I would like to send my condolences to the Davis Family.

[HRTV]

Racer loses his life on Lake DePue

Racer loses his life on Lake DePue
7/28/2006

The DePue Boat Races started off on a sad note Friday afternoon. A veteran boat racer died while racing. Nick Davis of Chillicothe had an accident early in the racing. Long-time boat racer announcer Ray Rhodda said a physician was on hand and did everything he could to try and save Davis’ life. Davis was transported to St. Margaret’s Hospital. A group prayer was held at the lake. There was a brief recess before the racing continued Friday.

[Composite Specialties]

Article from the local news paper

Collision kills Chillicothean

Saturday, July 29, 2006

BY LONNIE SCHWINDENHAMMER

OF THE JOURNAL STAR

DEPUE - Tragedy struck early in the American Power Boat Association national championships Friday at Lake DePue.
Nick Davis of Chillicothe was killed after the boat he was driving collided with another in the 500 Sprint Hydro class. The accident took place on the first lap of the first race of the day.

"When I came out of the turn I could see the impact that the boat took," said David Mitchell, who was running in second place at the time. "I knew it was bad."

Davis, 37, was third off the line in the LeMans-style start, and was being closely pursued by Ralph Donald heading into the first turn. Davis' boat spun and was struck broadside by the boat driven by Donald.

Donald, of Naples, Fla., was traveling an estimated 80 mph at the time of the impact. The collision destroyed the open-air cockpit on Davis' boat.

"There was a wall of water and then there he was," said Donald, a veteran driver. "I had nowhere to go."

Members of the Black Diamond Rescue crew were on the scene within seconds. Davis was floated to shore and was en route to St. Margaret's Hospital in Spring Valley within minutes.

Little more than an hour later, race personnel announced Davis had died.

"I've known Nick for years," said longtime public-address announcer Ray Rodda, himself a former racer. "He was a great guy who loved the sport."

Davis was an employee at Waugh foods in Peoria, and was a graduate of Illinois Valley Central High School and Illinois Central College.

He is survived by his wife Laurie, daughter Heather, sons Shelby and Zach, and stepsons Jeremy and Joshua Burton.

His parents are Charles and Marjorie

Davis, also of Chillicothe.

"He started racing boats in 1988," said Charles Davis, who raced in the 1950s. "He just loved it."

Davis ended what had been a streak of bad luck at DePue in 2004, when he won the 500 Sprint Hydro national title.

"This place has been like a jinx for me," Davis told the Journal Star after his win two years ago. "I've won everywhere else in the country, but this is the first time I've won here."

Curt Hellsten and Davis were in adjacent pit stalls.

"It's a big kick in the (groin) for everyone," Hellsten said. "We're all one big family and this affects everyone. I don't even feel like racing now."

Racing resumed after about an hour delay.

Ben Thompson of Orlando, Fla., and James Yoder of White Pigeon, Mich., finished 1-2 in the 500 Sprint Hydro. Both donated their prize money to a collection taken up on Davis' behalf.

George Thornhill of Tacoma, Wash., won in the C Hydro class, and Tim Small of Lighthouse Point, Fla., claimed the national title in the 175cc class.

Brian Payne of Center Point, Iowa won in the 125cc Runabouts, and Amy Eldredge of Malabar, Fla., won the K-Pro event, which is limited to racers from ages 12-16.

Tim Weber of Atlanta won the C Service Runabout class.

Final standings in the 500cc Hydro class were not immediately available because of protest filed by Doug Hall, who was alleged to have driven his boat outside the course boundary during the third heat race.

Final placement in all classes are determined by the composite points awarded during three heat races.

The OSY 400 Hydro races were postponed until today, when racing is expected to begin at 11 a.m.

The event concludes on Sunday.

RACE NOTES: Davis' death was the second in 22 years since the APBA has been holding its national championships in DePue. Gerry Drake was killed when his boat flipped during a practice run in 1994. ... One concessionaire blared loud music from his stand during the invocation and national anthem. DePue Men's Club vice president Eric Bryant scolded the proprietor, who told Bryant he "forgot" protocol.

[quicksilver96]

Nick Davis

Just got off the phone with Susan Rautenberg and she said we lost a racer in 500 sprint hydro this morning. he was running and spun out and was hit in his boat. I'm sorry I did not catch the name but I heard he was from Illinois.

Carl 94-R

I just received the information on Nick this morning. I sat in shock for a minute. My son Don, daughter Lorraine and I just saw him in Constantine last week. We could not make it to Depue this year and did not know of any events that went on until now. Nick was a great racer and my thoughts and prayers are with the Davis family. Bob Rusnak N-96, Don Rusnak N-9

[ilboatracer]

He was a great racer and will be missed by all.

[dlmurray]

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Davis family. We have lost a great "family" member.

[bill van steenwyk]

Thoughts about Nick

Eileen and I got home about 11:30 last nite from the Nationals weekend at Depue. We, like everyone else who was there and saw what happened are very sad for his family and wish them the very best in the difficult days ahead.

I was reminded today while thinking about the accident that took his life, about a book I read several years ago. It was about racing and either the book or one of the chapters had the title 'THE CRUEL SPORT' or something similar. The narrative had to do with how something we love so much, participate in with everthing we have emotionally, financially and every other way can turn on us at any moment and cause such hurt and pain that it makes us wonder why we even bother with something like that. But then you see the things that take place afterwards with everyone pulling together to provide support of every kind and you know why. Even though this is an inherently dangerous sport, we live it and live for it because of the people that provide the kind of support for Nick's family that I saw at DePue this weekend, from the drivers that donated their winnings, to the spectators that filled the boxes with money that had his name on them, to the people who tried to comfort his family with friendly and loving words. That is really what our sport is all about all the other BS aside.

Just a reminder that Nick's family is not the only one hurting now. I can only imagine and don't even want to think what the other driver involved is going through at this time. What ever prayers you have and comfort you can be to Nick's family at this time, keep him in your thoughts also. He needs them just as bad.

[Dancingbear1961]

In memory of Nick

I Did Not Die

Do not stand at my grave and forever weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and forever cry.
I am not there. I did not die.

Melinda Sue Pacho

[diamondprohydro]

Full of life

Vicki and I have gotten to know Nick, Chuck, Marjorie and Josh over the years. Although seeing them just once a year, they made you feel like it was just yesterday. Nick gave the best hug (maybe a bit too good for a big guy) and as we saw on Wed. when we met again, he was so full of life it just oozed.

Chuck and I got even closer as we were involved in an incident a few years before in 350H and all he could do was worry about me. I can't say enough as to the caliber of people they are.

Please remember as our lives go on over the up coming months to drop them all a line from time to time while their grieving takes its course.

Bill Diamond

[RLR]

Nic Davis

My heart has been heavy the last few days as I realize that for this time on earth I will not have a tall friend come by and give me the "business." I will forever enjoy my time I have had with Chuck, Nic, Jeremey, Josh, and of course Laurie and her family as well.

I was thinking about a story I heard at my Dad's funeral and thought it might be appropriate for Nic.

Imagine yourself standing on a bluff overlooking the harbor of life and as you look down you see a great sailing ship docked in the harbor. It is beautiful as you look at the wooden ship with the masts reaching skyward, the ropes all coiled perfectly on the deck, others stretched to the masts and holding the sails wrapped around the crossbars of the main sail.

Oh the wood has a few rough spots, the masts have a few dings and dents, and the wood could use a good coat of varnish and sealer, but she never-the-less remains beautiful. The sails even though they are down, you can imagine the beauty of them at full sail.

You watch as life's cargo is put aboard, the dreams, the aspirations, the success and the failures all loaded in their place. Each one representing something in our life of meaning, of joy, and of sorrow. The sailing ship sinks a little lower in the water as all of the cargo is loaded and takes on the look of a great sailing ship with important cargo to be delivered.

As you watch, those on the dock begin to release the ropes and the ship bobs a couple of times as it is free from the ties that have bound it against the wooden pilings. It then pulls away from the dock and the shipmates scurry to get the sails in their proper alignment. As you watch the sails come up to their full height and width with the wind at her back, she begins to bob up and down as it pulls out into the harbor.

We marvel at the beauty of the ship at full sail and love the way the white of the sails look in the backdrop of the blue of the ocean and sky. The Captain barks out the orders and men go from spot to spot to ensure that the ship has now properly set sail.

We watch with anticipation as it sets out on its journey toward its destination. It is a beautiful sight as we watch the ease of the ship as the Captain in full command begins to put it through its paces as it sets a white tail on the stern as it gathers speed. It begins to fade from our sight as the ship sails toward the horizon. We squint as it gets further and further away from us.

Then it happens, it disappears over the horizon, gone from our sight. We are saddend as it disappears from our sight, and we cry out there it goes, while those on the other side cry out here he comes with great joy and anticiapaiton happy to see this great ship come to the other side of the horizon. A great deal of joy is felt there while we are mystified as to what has happened to that great ship.

Is it gone, does it not exist anymore, does it look different than before, are we to never see it again? NO, it is the same today as it was yesterday and the day before and the day before that. It is still a beautiful ship, it still has the beautiful sails, it still has the Captain in command. It exists today as it did from the beginning.

It is no different than Nic. He exists today, but in a different sphere of influence, and is the same as he was while on this earth. He will be one of those who cry out,"here they come," each time one of us who had a dear friend in Nic, go over the horizon to the otherside.

May we remember Nic's family in our prayers and be touched by the Spirit of the Lord, and remember to hug our loved ones and give thanks for having known the "Gentle Giant."

Ray