Lucididee

For those that didn't know, This past Saturday was the NYC Poker Run. On Friday nite was the ceremony for the Inductions to the NPBA Hall of Fame. It was great to see so many Great Racers. And great to see Billy Martin, Louie the Rigger & Don from Reinforcer. Hey, it was a given that JC was gonna be there. Even the Overactive boyz were in attendance and participated in the run on Saturday. On Satuday Louie came with imax to snap some shots of the great hardware going up the Hudson by the GW. OPA was represented this weekend! And I have to give my thanks to Joe Sgro, Billy Frenz, Paul Fiore & JC for having me on the Pace Boat. For a 51' OL, it sure hauls some serios butt. I know we did well over 100mph at some points, I just forgot to put the camera down and look forward to be sure how fast we were going.


The following have achieved the required votes and were inducted on June 13th, 2008, at the NEW YORK CITY POWERBOAT POKER RUN.

NPBA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:
1. Pete Aitkin: BLACK DUCK RACING; 30 Shadow Cat w/twin Merc O/B’s then triples…became a legend!
2. Jim McIntyre: MAD MAC RACING, 32 Scorpion, triple Merc O/B’s…this was just the beginning, he is still in the “game” today in a big way.
3. Ron Barrette: OVERDOSE, SUPERDOSE, MAXED OUT RACING, 30 Superboat w/O/B’s, 40 Skater Cat. …names say it all!!!
4. Rich Luhrs: SHADOW RACING, Image 21 O/B and the 1st 30 Shadow Cat…Designer, Builder, Commentator Extraordinaire…he knows everything
about the “game”.
5. Joe Sgro: FEVER RACING, 28 Manta w/Small Blocks …ran over 80 mph back in the 80’s, realized you go faster by chine-walking since you only use half the “coefficient of drag”…currently a star on the OUTERLIMITS/LUCAS Race Team… Tester of the new Racing neck/helmet support brace.
6. Guy LaMotta: DRY MARTINI, 27 Magnum w/Holman & Moody’s, 40 Cigarette, 53 Magnum…a great competitor, innovator, and connoisseur to our sport!
7. Sal Sciandra: AWESOME RACING, 32 Scorpion, 36 Eliminator Cat, 40 Skater Cat…1986 NPBA CHAMPION and still one of the fastest guys on the water!
8. Chris Lavin and Mark Lavin (Deceased): JESSE JAMES RACING, 28 Cigarette in 1984, 30 Chris Cat, 35 Conquest Cat…Courageous is a term that fits the Lavin Bros and their memorable style!!! “Hats-off” to their dedication & contributions to the sport…forever!
9. Larry Smith: OUTRAGEOUS RACING, 30 Sutphen in 1979, 33 Sutphen, initially powered by Jim Ross Engines in the 30 and later powered by Bill Flynn’s tachometer’s needles past 9,000 rpms(no rev-limiters) to make 92+ mph…!
10. Steve Berk: GREAT ADVENTURE, WINGS RACING, 30 Sutphen, 28 Cigarette,…numerous fast boats since then…he loves the rough water where real
men race!
11. Pete Mazzo: DYNAMITE RACING, NO DISCIPLINE; presently runs a 46 Outerlimits and is a “legend” on the Poker Run circuit.
12. John Bochis: CRAZY GREEK; the name says it all, racing on Barnegat Bay since 1974, rose to “fame” on the NPBA Circuit and still goes faaaast!
13. Michael Georgio (Deceased): S and S Propellers’ Patriarch and an asset to all teams that wanted to go faster. Michael ran with the EXTRACTOR RACE TEAM on the NPBA Circuit.
14, Tom Akoury, HIGH ROLLER, BLACK DUCK RACING; Throttleman extrordinaire, started on the NPBA Circuit and conquered APBA also.
15. Joey Detore, (Deceased), M-77 SUPERBOAT, started in 1976 at Billy’s Gateway Powerboat Regatta and achieved “fame” while racing with Reggie and beating those “Movie Stars” on Lake Ponchetrain.
16. Joey Impresscia, EAST COAST MARINE PERFORMANCE; started racing with Joey Detore in 1976 at the Gateway Powerboat Regatta and has made a
“World Class” profession of it.
17. Charlie McCarthy, BANANA BOAT; Showed up in Greenwich to race with his 24 Banana Boat, “Fast Lady” (Cigarette)and never looked back
18. Peter Myer, LADY L, INSTIGATOR; From a 28 Signature to his 38 Fountain, Peter has become a World Champion
19. Rolf Papke, STILETTO, PROROC RACING; Another success story in the industry of Hi-Performance Boating headquartered in Brick, NJ.
20. John Coen, SUPERBOAT , Builder of the Superboats of Long Island and my first nemesis in Class “A” Club Racing. He has sustained the test of time and become a legend in the industry.
21. Tony Caligure, OCEAN OUTBOARD; Tony’s 24 Checkmate made his mark on the NPBA Circuit and founded Ocean Outboard, Inc of Freeport, NY.
22. Roger Munn, JOLLY ROGER; Famous for winnimg races in his 27 Magnum where ever he entered. He dominated the fleet!
23. George Linder, designed our Shadows, Conquests, plus the Chris Cats including all of the Jesse James Cats.
24. Tim Ciasulli: MAXON RACE TEAM…still leading the way in his NorTech.
25. Lindsey Pirie: Indigo Race Team…he built the boat!
26. Steve Schoderer; Indigo Race Team wouldn’t have won all of those GATEWAY POWERBOAT REGATT’S back in the 70’s without Steve’s talent!
27. Reggie Fountain: …needs no introduction…he is a LEGEND!
28. Joe Barrese: ..at 81 years old, still does his own “wrenchin’” AND GOES 92 mph!
29. Ray Patnaude; a racer and organizer from New Jersey…the “behind the scenes” guy that make the New Jersey scene tick.
30. Billy Frenz: a Racer, a “Wrench”, and the “Showman” that makes this all happen!

Racers in contention for next year’s induction:
Stu Hayim(Recovery), John D’Elia(Special Edition), Sky Gillespie, Deceased,(Executioner Tunnel), Rick Felsen(Hawk Racing Team), Billy Martin(Bounty Hunter), Tom Caruso(Total Marind), Kurt Burger(Smokey and the Bandit), Fred Talarico(Big Shot), Jim Laznovsky(Extractor), Mark Tangas(Profit Taker), John Demeno(Armed and Dangerous; B-52 Bomber(not the red boat), Tim Sharkey(Apollo), Fillipone Bros(Double Vision)., Werner Kuenzle(Borderline), J.D. D’Elia(Breakaway), Matt Leuci, Aldo Aleszczuck, Gino Montrone(Instant Air), Joe Calabro, Bob Idoni, Mike Alesse(Phantom), Jeff Gerardi(Acapulco Gold, Panama Red, Freeze Frame), Rudy DiPietro(Scarab), Frank Buckley(HMS Dea Won), Richie Zul(Zul Racing), Rich Danscicin (Town and Country) are all still in the running.


PS - If the list above is incorrect, I give my apologies in advance, this is the most current list that was given to me by Billy Frenz as of June 1st.

For pics from the poker run please visit my site. And sorry no pics from the ceremony. But I know Sharkey was there taking them. I'm sure they'll be posted soon.

Hauling Trash

Some great racers there But that #11 should not be on a list like that . Its all about the money.

Lucididee

Now, now, don't be negative. Remember, NPBA is Poker Runs. And many of the old racers are now very much activitly involved in the Poker Runs. I just thought that it is really cool to see the NPBA acknowledging the racers and in turn people that have been doing this poker runs to deserve recognition as well. I could be wrong, but I do believe that Pete did race small boats at one time a long long time ago. To me anytime an organization acknowledges and shows recognition it's a good thing! Hell, and correct me if I'm wrong on this one as well, didn't Haggin get hooked after doing the NYC Poker Run?

SHARKEY-IMAGES

We shall not forget the fact that NPBA was an Offshore Racing Association Sanctioning body before becoming a Poker Run organization.

I raced with them in the late 80's as did all of the inducties at one time.

It was an incredible sight to see so many of the earlier offshore racers attend. I finally met Roger Munn and had a photo op of Chris Lavin coming into the marina with his old 28 Cigarette "Jesse James" His son was with him listening to all of the stories and I heard he made a comment. "Dad, Were you really that good ?"

I sure hope many people that attended realized just how important that night was for Offshore. I hope this tradition carries on for quite some time.

It certainly was a night of history...

Reindl Powerboats

Congrtats to all...

AugiePensa

Congrats to everyone on both lists. This is something to be really proud of. Great job!