The Vintage Race Boats are coming !!!
Welcome to the "official" Vintage Page for the:
Madison Regatta - 2003
July 4 - 6, 2003
Most recent - listed first.
Press release by Fred Farley - 5/22/2003
THE THUNDER IS BACK!
By Fred Farley - APBA/HYDRO-PROP Unlimited Historian
Power boat racing's classic past will come vividly to life this summer when the Vintage race boats of a bygone era return for the 2003 Budweiser Madison Regatta, supported by Belterra Casino Resort, to participate in the second-annual Bob Snelling Memorial Vintage Race Boat Event on July 4-5-6.
The Vintage boats will participate in the Friday night parade, will be on display all weekend, and will run demonstration laps on the historic Madison race course.
In addition to seeing and hearing the thunderous sounds of these unique and beautiful boats as they run on the race course, spectators are invited to take a guided pit tour to view them close-up in the Vintage pit area.
As many as 30 champions of yesteryear are expected to participate. These include some of the sport's most celebrated winners.
In the words of Joe Johnson, Vintage Chairman for the Budweiser Madison Regatta, "Our 2002 event was a fantastic success. We received compliments from all over the country. 2003 will be even better. I guarantee it!"
Moreover, the Madison Regatta was honored as the "2002 Vintage Event of the Year" at the American Power Boat Association's national convention in Detroit, Michigan.
Former MISS BUDWEISER driver Tom D'Eath plans to bring the Z-Z-ZIP, a former world record-setting 266 Cubic Inch Class hydroplane, to Madison. The late Sid Street did 146 miles per hour with this boat in 1958.
OBSESSION owner/driver Bill John made a memorable impression with the fans--and took many of them for rides--at last
year's regatta. He will return this year. OBSESSION is a modified Gar Wood step hydroplane, powered by a 510 cubic inch Chevrolet engine.
Bill Fisk, who doubles as a crew member for the OH BOY! OBERTO/MISS MADISON Unlimited hydroplane, will once again be at the wheel of THE IRISHMAN. Designed and built by Henry Lauterbach, this boat won many Grand Prix Class trophies back in the 1970s.
Madisonian Dave Johnson will have his restored 225 Class racer, the MISS CLOSE SHAVE II, back out on the water. This home-built craft won the Marine Derby Regatta at Louisville in 1962 with original owner Loren Charley at the wheel.
Alan Radue's 280 Class AGITATOR was never a big winner in
Limited inboard racing. But its longevity was amazing. The boat survived four decades of competition--the '50s, the '60s, the '70s, and the '80s.
Tom Bertolini, a descendant of old-time boat racer Jack Beebe, will again showcase his beautiful bright-blue 225 Class hydro, the COUNTRY BOY.
Former Unlimited driver Billy Sterett, Jr., will return to Madison after an absence of more than three decades. He's bringing a replica of his late father's 1966 National Champion 7-Litre hydroplane, the MISS CRAZY THING.
One of the highlights of the 2002 Budweiser Madison Regatta was the appearance of Bill Cousins in RIVER RAT and George "Buddy" Byers in CHRYSLER QUEEN--two of the all-time great
7-Litre boats from the 1960s, running head-to-head with each other--both with their original drivers!
These and other storied old-timers are scheduled to bring boat racing history to life on the legendary Ohio River this Fourth of July weekend.
The thunder is back! Don't miss it!
Press Release by Joe Johnson - 4/15/2003
2003 Madison Vintage Chairman
I have either emailed or snail mailed all Invitation and Registration Forms for the 2003 Madison Regatta "Bob Snelling Memorial" Vintage Event. Please fill out your form and return it to the address that I have indicated. If you need extra wristbands, your request and payment should be enclosed with your registration fee.
If you have ANY questions concerning the Credential Form, CONTACT ME NOW !!!
I look forward to seeing everyone in Madison.
Sincerely,
Joe Johnson
2003 Madison Vintage Chairman
(Home) after 5:30 812-866-8940
(Work) 8-5 Tues-Fri 812-265-3132
E-Mail: drummerjoe_55@yahoo.com
Press Release by Joe Johnson - 4/8/2003
2003 Madison Vintage Chairman
Good afternoon Madison Invitees !!!!
I am pleased to announce that I now have theCredential Forms for those of you who will be making the trip to Madison in July.
Within the next few days I will be e-mailing and or snail mailing the forms to the owners. Please make sure that you read the forms carefully and return them to the address indicated, along with your $ 100.00 registration fee.
Once I have received the returned Credential Forms I will start on packaging your wristbands. I will be sending the Credential Packages out sometime in June. I will again make sure that all owners receive their
packages within plenty of time.
As like last year, if you want me to hold your packages until you arrive in Madison I would be more than happy to do that.
If you need extra wristbands please send the correct amount with your returned Credential Form. Please make a notation on your form indicating how many extra wristbands you are requesting. Advanced sale prices
are listed on the information form that will be included in your Credential Form packet.
If you do not have reservations made yet, I encourage you to do so A.S.A.P. as these reservation will become extremely hard to come by. I encourage you to visit www.visitmadison.org / www.madisoncamerunning.com /
www.oldmadison.com / www.madisonregatta.com for lodging information.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
Once again, it is my privilege to welcome you all to Madison for the 2003 Bob Snelling Memorial Vintage Event. I look forward to seeing you all real soon.
Sincerely,
Joe Johnson
2003 Madison Vintage Chairman
Press release - 2/13/2003
Budweiser Continues Title Sponsorship of
Madison Regatta
Belterra Casino Resort Becomes Supporting Sponsor
Madison, IN -- Madison Regatta Officials announced today that Budweiser has agreed to be the Title Sponsor and Belterra Casino Resort has stepped up to become the Supporting Sponsor of the 2003 Madison Regatta, set for July 4 - 6. The official event title will be "Budweiser Madison Regatta supported by Belterra Casino Resort." The updated Madison Regatta logo will be unveiled at a later date.
Ann Geyman, 2003 Madison Regatta President, was enthusiastic in stating, "This is great news to see the 53rd Anniversary of the Madison Regatta continue with community support, both locally and nationally. Partnering with Budweiser's national appeal and marketing and Belterra Casino Resort's local support of community activities is a perfect match for us."
"Unlimited Hydroplanes have a rich and storied history with the Madison Regatta and the Ohio River," said Bart Garbrecht, President of Hydro-Prop. "Having both Budweiser and the Belterra Casino back on board as the Title Sponsor and Supporting Sponsor, respectively, will ensure another tremendous year of racing. Once again the Madison fans will be treated to the most spectacular boat racing in the world."
The 2003 Budweiser Madison Regatta supported by Belterra Casino Resort will mark the second year in a row that Budweiser retains the Title Sponsor status. It also marks the return of Belterra Casino Resort to the forefront of the Regatta as a Sponsor. During the 2000 and 2001 Madison Regatta, Belterra Casino Resort was the Title Sponsor of the event.
The racing program for the 2003 Budweiser Madison Regatta supported by Belterra Casino Resort will be "busy and exciting" stated President Geyman. She commented, "The Madison Regatta committee has elected to keep the race weekend to an exciting 3-day program to include the Unlimited Hydroplanes, a Vintage Hydroplane Show, Limited Class racing, air shows, music, and much more. Madison will be the third stop of the six-race schedule of Hydro-Prop's Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Series Presented by Boat Shopper® Magazine.
The vintage race program will be officially called the 'Bob Snelling Vintage Memorial Event' for the second year in a row. Sponsoring the vintage event are former Madisonians Rebecca Snelling Wise and family. For more on the vintage show, you can go to the Internet website http://www.nhacbm.org/Madison-2003.htm with future updates coming on the Regatta's website.
This year's Budweiser Madison Regatta supported by Belterra Casino Resort will be shown on the Speed Channel, which reaches almost 55 million households, with airtime on Saturday and Sundays ranging from 12pm - 7pm about a couple of weeks after each Hydro-Prop event.
Advance Admission to the 2003 Budweiser Madison Regatta supported by Belterra Casino Resort is $15 through June 28 with children 10 and under free. Admission Gate price will be $20. For more information on the Regatta, call 812-265-5000 or go online to www.madisonregatta.com. For more information on Hydro-Prop, go online to www.hydroprop.com.
Madison Press Release - 12/31/2002
From Joe Johnson - our Madison 2003 Vintage Chairman
The following is a list of Vintage boats that have been invited to attend the 2003 Madison Vintage Event. I want to personally thank each and every owner who contacted me with interest in attending the 2003 Event. Even though we were able to increase our boat count for the 2003 event, we could not accommodate all of the owners that showed interest.
The Selection Committee was put to task in deciding which boats to invite. It is with regret that all boats could not be selected. I will be contacting each selected owner at a later date with a Credential Form, much the same as last year. At that time, I will ask that you fill in the form, send it back to me accompanied with your $100.00 registration fee.
Again this year, three hundred ($300.00) tow money will be paid. You will also receive a participation plaque, and three (3) possibly four (4) admission/hot pit passes. I will advise you more in coming announcements.
It will be in your best interests (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED) to go ahead and make Hotel/Motel reservations EARLY, as these will become very hard to find the closer we get to Regatta Weekend. I suggest that you visit www.visitmadison.org for lodging information.
Again this year, the Madison Regatta will be a three day event. The dates are July 4th, 5th & 6th. Make sure that you bring lawn chairs !!! Weather for the July 4th weekend event is usually HOT, so make plans accordingly.
I will be making more announcements as we get closer to race weekend. Announcements will be made on the Madison Vintage Web-site which is: www.nhacbm.org/Madison-2003. These messages will also be made on Phil Spruit's Web-site: www.vintagehydroplanes.com
I look forward to working and speaking with each of you at the 2003 Event. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Joe Johnson
2003 Madison Vintage Chairman
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
My numbers are:
(Home) after 5:30 812-866-8940
(Work) 8-5 Tues-Fri 812-265-3132
E-Mail:
drummerjoe_55@yahoo.com
Madison Press Release - 10/24/2002
From Joe Johnson - our Madison 2003 Vintage Chairman
Madison again will include the Vintage Hydros in the
Madison Regatta for 2003. Regatta personnel, and the fans, were very pleased
with the results that were produced by the Vintage Family in 2002.
My vintage budget for this year has been increased to allow us to host 30
vintage hydros. I have spoken to some of you, and others I have e-mailed. To
those of you that I have spoken to, or e-mailed, you WILL NOT need to respond to
this announcement.
For any other interested teams that would like to be considered for this years
Madison Vintage Event, I will need to hear from you, either by e-mail, or phone.
I am requesting that you get in touch with me ASAP, as I am trying to get our 30
boat field completed by the end of November.
I have started early this year to ensure that you, the owners, can have ample
time in making your
reservations once the selection process has been completed, and, that the
Regatta will have ample time to do advanced media publicity for the hydros that
will be in attendance.
I look forward to another successful year here at Madison. With the addition of
another 10 hydros, it shows that the Regatta has faith in our program. I
sincerely want to make Madison an annual stop on the Vintage Tour. For me to do
this, I will rely on you, the owners, to work with me in this process.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
My numbers are:
(Home) after 5:30 812-866-8940
(Work) 8-5 Tues-Fri 812-265-3132
E-Mail:
drummerjoe_55@yahoo.com
Madison Press Release - 10/4/2002
From Joe Johnson - our Madison 2003
Vintage Chairman
First and Foremost,
WELCOME TO THE 2003 MADISON REGATTA VINTAGE
EVENT !!!!!!
For our first posted message for the 2003 Madison
Regatta Vintage Event, I would like to announce that I am taking "Letters of
Intent" for the upcoming 2003 Vintage Event. As like last year, this will be an
"Invitation Only Event". A total numbers of Invitees has not been determined as
of yet. We will be adding updated information on this site as it becomes
available. So please, visit often to keep up with the news as it becomes
available.
Our first Vintage Event here at Madison was a HUGE SUCCESS !!! I have assured
the Madison Regatta Officials that we can, and we will, put on a exciting show
for the fans. Again this year, the final selections of boats will be made by the
selection committee. I look forward to receiving early "Intent Letters" from
everyone interested in being a part of a great hydroplane tradition here at
Madison.
Our Vintage Family is second to none !!!! We offer the fans a chance to relive
the past with our display of Vintage Hydroplanes, and our performances on the
race course. We have, and we will continue, to give the fans what they pay to
see, EXCITEMENT !!!!
I look forward to seeing you all again here in Madison.
This is an "invitation-only" Vintage event, and the final selection will be made by the organizing
committee. We would like to gather mostly Vintage hydros and a couple of Vintage media ride boats. If you would like to participate, please send a letter of intent or e-mail to:
Joe Johnson
115
Maple St.
Hanover, IN 47243
drummerjoe_55@yahoo.com
Work
phone - 812-265-3132
Home phone - 812-866-8940
Please send your thoughts, comments, suggestions about this Web page to:
Bill John
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