Island Dispatch, 1998-05-01

              Island DISPATCH ST * years J~~ "As thevoiceof Crand Island"^ftg (716) 773-7676 Monday NlteMadneee LARGE CHEESE PIZZA 4.95 In Today's Issue: ■ "Let's Get Growing" Vol. 54* No. & *■  32 pages plus The Bridge May 1, 1998 Thunder on the Water by Kelly Gast Boat Racing is back! As a little girl, my father would 1 sit me on his lap and ramble on and on about the days in his raceboat, "Able Mable." I was probably one of the few little girls who's bedtime stories consisted of roaring outboards and speedy hydroplanes coming to life on the water. In fact, although I am a little too big for Daddy's lap, the stories of motorboat racing have not died in our house. They never will. Boat racing is a part of our family's history, as well as the history of Grand Island. Well, Islanders, we have something to shout about this summer. The boat races are back and better than ever! The American Power Boat Association was started in the early 1900's due to the number of power boats cruising waters with the craving to race. In other words, men were high on the natural rush of speed with a crazy desire to challenge fellow boaters. (Side bar: Has anyone ever gone for a speed boat ride with a man at the wheel? If so, you know how this sport .- originated.) However, there was not * a fair judging system to determine who's boat really was the best or who the better driver was. In 1903, the APBA created a constitution, elected officials and adopted rules and regulations. Today, the APBA conducts all classes of power boats: Unlimited hydroplanes, R/C Model; Personal Watercraft, Jet Boats; Inflatables; Drag (Outboard and Inboard); Stock, Modified, PRO (Runabout and Hydro); Inboard; Inboard Endurance; Outboard Performance Craft; and Special Events. There are over 300* regattas annually in the U.S. and Canada, including "Thunder on the Niagara". I took the opportunity to ask a few people how they feel about the return of the Hydroplane racing scene. Former boat racer John Gast Jr. said, "This was the event that we looked forward to when we were kids. It was the 'Big Thing.' It was always hotter *n hell in July. The event was originally held at the Buffalo Launch Club featuring the Unlimited Hydroplanes. Not only is the event fun, but it generates business and tourism. Motorsports is one of the biggest if not the largest spectator sport" When asked what his favorite class is, Gast replied, "Well, the wildest is definitely the drag boats. They average over 200 miles per hour in seconds. These drivers are insane. Awhile back, the question was not if you were going to die, but when. Before drivers sat in cockpits, a 2nd Lieutenant in the Civil War lived longer than a drag boat racer." I asked him if he was looking forward to the races this summer. "Absolutely." LEADER OF THE PACK - Frank Richardson's "Big Boy" shoots up a tremendous rooster tail as he handles the boat around the course, (photos by Bruce Gentz) A FAN TO BE REMEMBERED - Marty Prast, former race boa owner, was aregular attendee to u»e boat races. How he arrived toad»e*nt story He is pictured with his mother behind him to the left, during Sews bytocal news stations after his Oct. 1981 parachute jumpitatt the river. Marty, a paraplegic confined to awheelchaa% was tic fourth paraplegic to sky dive in this country. He made Uns JumP h» contribution during the "International Year of the Disabled. His presence will be sadly missed.  THE BEST VIEW - Marty Prast certainly knew how to enjoy the races. He also knew how to make the fans go wild. He apparently had the best seat at the race course when he parachuted into the Niagara River. Marty was the proud owner of Hydroplane "Blind Crippled and Crazy." BOMBING BY THE BUOY - A 5.0 Liter at the front of the pack rounds turn number four to claim a win at a past race on the Niagara. continued on page 3 Island DISPATCH SSS^j l Celebrating 54 Years on Grand TsE%Q*_J