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THE 2007 LONG BEACH SPRINT NATIONALS
"RACE AGAINST HUNGER"
Presented by ARP AND SUNCOAST FRAMING
August 11 & 12, 2007
The Southern California Speedboat Club's 2007 Long Beach Sprint Nationals "Race Against Hunger" presented by ARP & Suncoast Framing benefitting the Foothill Unity Center was another tremendous success in the annals of APBA power boat racing. Five National Championships, One U.I.M. World Championship and a Western Divisional Championships were decided over the 2 day event which brought the best of the best flatbottom and V-Bottom racers to the birthplace of powerboat racing on the West Coast- famed Long Beach Marine Stadium.
The weather was picture perfect on a beautiful summer weekend in August when the 90+ teams arrived to do battle at the historic single pin turn course. With only a few incidents the 20,000 + spectators, over the 2 day event, were treated to some of the best boat racing has to offer.
Congratulations to Joe & Roxanne Fritsch of Vancouver, WA and their now 4 time APBA National Crackerbox Champion team of Steve Tustison and Jeff Hansen in the P 74 "Clean Logic Boat. 2nd Place honors went to the P-24 "Cracker Jack" team of owner Greg & Chance Falconer and the driver Brett Beard and Rider Nick Granger. 3rd was the Suncoast Framing P-9 owned by Ed Solis and driven by Scott Schatz with brother Mike Schatz riding.
The Grand Nationals paid tribute to legendary boat builder, promoter and racer Rudy Ramos with the new Rudy Ramos perpetual cup for the APBA National Champion in the Grand National class. Joey Cucci driving for Ted Kolby in Ted's #24 "Body Snatcher" took home the gold with Jim Louis #19, driving for Kenny Wilcoxen, Lake Havasu City AZ in 2nd and bright red GN # 7 "Rusher Air' driven by Bill Wheeler and owner Bob Graef in the 3rd.
Round # 5 of the Super Stock Racing Association series would see a field of 12 competitors take on defending Champion and current Series and APBA High Point leader- Dave Bryant, who when he is not driving the U-10 Miss Ahern Rental Unlimited Hydroplane is driving for the dynamic ownership duo of Dave Rankin and Gordon Jennings in the Super Stock, Pro Stock and K Racing Runabout Classes. But it was not be, as Bryant proved unstoppable winning both the National Championship and Overall weekend combined points championship in the SS 80 "Wild Child". 2nd place went to Antioch, CA own Skip Tuttle driving for Mike Darner, Mesa, AZ #8 with the returning veteran Steve Rawleigh #109, Buckeye, AZ finishing in the 3rd spot.
The Pro-Stocks conducted both their U.I.M. World Championship with the North American U.I.M. Rep. Garry McArthur, Ontario, Canada looking on. 13 Teams took on the challenge with the undeniable Dave Bryant at the helm of the "PS 80" of Dave Rankin/Gordon Jennings prepared boat to both the U.I.M. World Title and APBA Summer National title in the Pro Stock Class.
The K Racing Runabouts thrilled the crowd with the heart pounding in your face methanol breathing monsters roaring down the straights at well over 120 mph. In the end, Ty Newton driving for Craig Kinnamon, Big Sky, MT in the K - 5 "Traffic Cone" walked away with an APBA National Championship with the K-66 of Chris Kenner driving for Pat Breazeale, Glendale, AZ in 2nd and Tony Scarlata drving the encapsulated K-51 for Craig Kinnamon rounding out the field.
The Western Formula Lights had 12 teams competing for the APBA Western Divisional Title and Round # 3. In the end it was Jason Williams driving the #10 Gran Prix to a wire to wire victory over the 25 lap main event. 2nd place went to Dave Biagi #81, Morgan Hill, CA who is enjoying a great season back after a 3 year hiatus. 3rd went to the much improved Steven Dawe in the #22 Trafficade sponsored entry from Indio, CA.
The Junior "J" Hydro's were showcased at the Sprint Nationals and 4 competitors took the field to show the crowd where it all begins. Mel Beard #5U driving for Mike and Jill Beard won the overall with Jared Wallach #18C finishing 2nd overall and newcomer in her first race Amanda Rich #52C taking the 3rd slot.
The event raised the eyebrows and awareness of sport and hunger relief in Southern California with great race action on the course and great opportunity to contribute to a great cause.
Final Results 2007 Long Beach Sprint Nationals "Race Against Hunger" presented by ARP and Suncoast Framing:
Pos. Driver/Owner Name Hometown Boat # Boat Name
Super Stock APBA National Championship
1st- Dave Bryant/Dave Rankin Hacienda Heights, CA SS 80 "Wild Child"
2nd- Skip Tuttle/Mike Darner Mesa, AZ SS 8
3rd- Steve Rawleigh Buckeye, AZ SS 3
Pro Stock U.I.M. World Championship
1st- Dave Bryant/Dave Rankin Hacienda Heights, CA PS 80 "Wild Child"
2nd- Ty Newton/Faulkner Racing Provo, UT PS 70 "Canary Pride"
3rd- Jeff Wooton Pasadena, CA PS 346 "The Rocket"
Pro Stock APBA National Championship
1st- Dave Bryant/Dave Rankin Hacienda Heights, CA PS 80 "Wild Child"
2nd-Chris Kenner/Mike Lee Bullhead City, AZ PS 89 "Flat Crazy"
3rd- Mike Darner Mesa, AZ PS 8
K Racing Runabouts APBA National Championship
1st- Ty Newton/Craig Kinnamon Big Sky, MT K-5 "Traffic Cone"
2nd- Chris Kenner/Pat Breazeale Glendale, AZ K-66
3rd- Tony Scarlata/Craig Kinnamon Big Sky, MT K-51 "Blo-Me Gear"
Cracker Box APBA National Championship
1st- Steve Tustison/Jeff Hansen-Joe/Roxanne Fritsch, Vacouver, WA P74 "Clean Logic"
2nd-Brett Beard/Nick Granger - Greg Falconer, La Palma, CA P-24 "Cracker Jack"
3rd- Scott Schatz/Mike Schatz- Ed Solis, Riverside, CA P-9 "Miss Suncoast Framing"
Grand National APBA National Championship
1st- Joey Cucci/Ted Kolby Playa Del Rey, CA GN24 "Body Snatcher"
2nd- Jim Louis/Kenny Wilcoxen, Lake Havasu City, AZ GN 19
3rd- Bill Wheeler/Bob Graef, Carson, CA GN7 "Rusher Air"
SST-45 APBA Western Divisional Championship
1st- Jason Williams/Gary Williams Alta Loma, CA #10 "WCBS"
2nd- David Biagi Morgan Hill, CA #81 "Biagi Racing"
3rd- Steven Dawe/Roger Johnson Phoenix, AZ #22 "Trafficade Racing"
PWC Overall:
1st- Pat Roque Huntington Beach, CA #77
2nd-Nick Vanis Los Alamitos, CA #13
3rd- Mike Follmer Fountain Valley, CA # 1 Factory Yamaha, R & D
PWC Vet Master
1st- Mark Gerner Aliso Viejo, CA #58
PWC Novice Overall
1st- Robert Carreon La Mirada, CA #338
2nd-Bernard Boehem Vista, CA #504
3rd- Hayley Heidler Riverside, CA #460
"J" Hydro
1st- Mel Beard/Mike & Jill Beard, Herriman, UT #5 U
2nd-Jared Wallach/Ross & Janie Wallach Redondo Beach, CA #18 C
3rd- Amanda Rich/Jim & Rich Fort Mohave, AZ #53 C
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I enjoyed the whole event and brought my good buddy after asking him for 4 years now and all he could say was "bitching" when we come next year we'll bring a bigger cooler for our food and drinks. You have always put on a great program and wish you the best in the future in keeping us all being able to see the best in show v-drives!! yea baby
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Ross, we had such a fabulous time. You and all the racers and teams put together such an awesome weekend for everyone. Thanks for a great time!
;)
Linda
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It was an almost perfect weekend for racing, the driver, Jeff Willoby is doing much better, out of ICU, breathing on his own, nothing busted or broken just healing his lungs (full of sea water). Should be good to go back home in a few more days. We'll keep ya posted.
Here's video I found on YouTube for those that missed it or those that wish to relive it.
Plus it was on the 10:00 p.m. Fox 11 news on Sunday night!
Take care and we'll see ya in San Diego then Bakersfield!
Ross Wallach, SCSC/RPM RACING ENT.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_4Q3r9xMsY
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Thanks for putting on such a great event Ross.
Heres another video I made of the weekend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOCcRH75la4
See you at Parker!
Brad
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Who owns the Lavey Nutmegger... that name is a blast from the past in either SK or SS? Seems like the late '70's.
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Who owns the Lavey Nutmegger... that name is a blast from the past in either SK or SS? Seems like the late '70's.
Matt Wooten
