By FRANK BANDUCCI
Members of the Delta Boat Racing Association were on hand in Isleton Calif., in early October to get ready for the Delta Thunder IV boat race slated for the weekend of Oct. 6th and 7th. Brian Schmeltz and Bob Burrell had arrived earlier that day to get a skilled head-start for the weekend set-up. They had already spotted the equipment trailer and patio boat in strategic locations in readiness for the races to commence.
Schmeltz, the Ramp Manager, and Burrell, the Risk Manager, would be in charge of the launching/retrieving ramp and docks, situated at Ron Swepston’s beautiful home on the banks of the Sacramento River. (Swepstson makes his entire personal residence and grounds available to the boat races for the whole weekend).
Leading off the schedule on Saturday were the 60 mph tunnel boats in the Sport C Class.
These 11’ pocket rockets are powered by 40 horsepower outboard motors and run close to 65 mph on a one-mile circular course. Steve Walde of Discovery Bay, 2011 Sport C Marathon Champion, battled to a first place overall finish, in a field made up of some of the fastest running Sport C drivers in the country. Bobby Joe Finkbohner, of Sacramento and a contender for Region High Points, finished second followed by “Big “Mike Biglow of Modesto. Bigalow notched a third place finish ahead of Lance DeStefans, a former Region High Point Champion, who was followed by former kilo record holder Frank Banducci of Pinole. Young Michael Biglow (Big Mike’s grandson) of Modesto, rounded out the field in an impressive fashion against a bunch of hot shots. He was driving the 512 boat for the first time. Good job, Michael.
The second class out on Saturday was the Super Stock 45 group that can reach up to 80 mph, headed by current National SST 45 Champion R.J. West of Modesto. Following West was his Chuck Skelton Racing teammate Dean Comer of Monrovia, Calif., who was followed by Frank L. Banducci of Pinole, Calif.,
Classic Outboard Runabouts topped the program with three boats. The boats are 18-foot runabouts powered with 2-Litre Mercury Outboards, and run at speeds up to 80 mph.
Brothers Dave and Tim Carranza who share driving duties in a beautiful Sleekcraft runabout, walked away with first place honors over Walt Hollis of Anaheim Hills, Calif., who was driving a GM Tunnel. Kevin Taylor of Henderson, Nv., who usually runs at the front of the pack suffered from gremlins and ending up finishing in third place.
As the sun dropped in the West, the parties began. One party took over Peter’s Steakhouse where the gang enjoyed Peter’s famous prime rib. The other party took place in the cold pits under the landmark Isleton water tower, where another gang repaired boats into the night. It was a shame that the COR Guru, Rod Zapf and his bride, Mary, couldn’t make this one. They would have enjoyed every minute of it and added immensely to the show and camaraderie. Your guys really did you proud, Rod.
Sunday morning broke clear and warm with great water. The Sport C’s took to the water for their North American Championships. Steve Waldie in his # 560 Composite Craft showed them around the course, winning out over Lance DeStefan in the # 94 boat and Bobby Joe Finkbohnner in his # 43 boat.
Next up were the SST 45 boats with the National Champion R.J. West racking up the first place honors once again. His Team mate Dean Comer scrambled to a second place with Kevin Curtis of Huntington Beach garnering the third place honors despite a crash with Comer that kept him and his crew up half the night repairing the hole in his boat. Thank goodness for the skills, talent and devotion of his dad, Pops Curtis, the former builder of Somar Boats, possess the skill and knowhow necessary to make the repairs that made it possible for Kevin to run on Sunday. Robert DeLauter of Concord, Calif., driving the 51 boat, finished with a strong fourth place ahead of his grandfather Frank L. Banducci. They were a highlight of the action with back and forth seesaw action throughout the 15-laps. “I told that kid to follow me and do what I do. He just doesn’t listen to me,” Banducci said.
Capping the action on Sunday were the Classic Outboard Runabouts. After burning the midnight oil searching out those gremlins, Kevin Taylor of Henderson, Nv., found the bugs and ran hard and fast at the front once again. Walt Hollis got his turns down to a science and pulled a big second overall in his 711 boat. The Carranza brothers entry, driven by brother Tim, came home with a third place. Those COR guys travel from Southern California to do battle in the Delta. Thanks guys; you are a credit to the boat racing game.
