Mitch Herrick & Doc Taggart

Amid fair skies and calm waters, 37 boats and at least as many drivers converged upon the small community of New Martinsville, WV on July 10-11 for the first APBA Region 4 Vintage Class event of the 2021 season. Eager for some speed and spray after a long lay-ff, boats and drivers came from as far away as Sarasota, Fl, Alton , NH and Seattle, WA to test their skills on the beautiful Ohio River during the Fourth Annual New Martinsville Vintage Regatta.

Under the direction of race director Penny Morris and APBA officials, Jackie Meyer, Billy and Mike Noonan and Vintage Chairman Jeff Buckley, spectators were treated to heats from at least 8 inboard classes, a variety of outboards and two cell boats which made their first appearance in the vintage class.

Of particular interest during this year’s event was the appearance of the beautifully restored Lauterbach H-1 Miss DeSoto after an absence of more than 60 years. It was on September 27, 1958 that George (Buddy) Byers drove her to a world speed record of 151.271 mph and it was truly fitting that the driver’s seat for her exhibition run was occupied by Larry Lauterbach.

We were thrilled to have 1976 national champion Susan (Sooy) Elkins for exhibition runs in her T-777 Double Eagle. A delightful surprise was the appearance of Young Haley Rae traveling from Seattle, WA to attend with her great uncle Mark Weber and their A-55 Mom’s Worry, built in 1965 by Mark’s grandfather Harold Weber. Haley was the fifth generation to drive Mom’s Worry and a fifth generation to race in New Martinsville.

Though our event was shortened by Sunday afternoon storms, Mother Nature’s thunder paled in comparison to the thunder generated by the H/GP class heat featuring Mark Cravens in H-202 Heavy Duty, Dean Berry in H-88 Miss Mahogany, Scott Kirschner in H-266 Miss Supersonic and Patrick Obed in GP-17 Midnight Miss. Local favorites Mitch Herrick driving F-726 Flying Tiger, Drew Herrick Driving s-22 Lil Lightnin’ and David Bridgeman driving a-711 Gemini (the pickle-fork) did not disappoint in their heats. The boys from Southern Maryland Boat Club are always fun to watch and Rayner Blair’s super-fast texaco 835 has always been a crowd favorite.

With the noticeable absence of usually present professional photographer Keith Koether whom we hope to see again soon, photogenic duties were assumed by many, including Chuck Clegg, Zach Yost and local amateurs Dave jackson and Kathy Bridgeman covering both sides of the river for some incredible close ups, plenty of rooster-tails and some different perspectives of our historic race course on the mile 127 stretch.

New Martinsville Vintage Regatta Committee takes price in our community’s 80+ year history of hydroplane racing and hosting APBA events and we extend our grateful appreciation to all vintage class drivers and crew who came from various states and regions to support our Region 4 events and thanks to all local businesses, volunteers and fans who helped make our event a great success.