Steve David Commentary

[Serious Offshore]

We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to Steve David for sharing a very compelling and thought provoking commentary on the recent vintage hydro tragedies.

http://www.seriousoffshore.com/commentary-steve-david-on-racing-tragedies/

We always encourage thoughtful discussion, especially when it has the potential to lead to positive benefits for our sport. Tragedies such as this and those just a short time back at Key West always have the potential for emotionally charged debate. Please keep in mind that the topic is the tragic passing of respected competitors and that all of us want the same thing- steps that result in the prevention of future tragedies such as these.

Thanks in advance for keeping it positive.

 

[Ratickle]

Thanks a bunch Steve. It has to be very hard to write about friends who have just been lost. I hope everyone starts thinking about what has happened and helps anyway possible to do what can be done to make things a little safer.

 

[Ratickle]

The "Buckeye Kid" Chuck "Rookie" Woodruff operating, from the day before the accident.

 

[Ratickle]

Dea Wiseley in Shock Wave, during the exhibition the day before the accident.

 

[Ratickle]

Gentlemen, RIP.

Our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of both.

 

[jetcruzr]

Thanks Steve, for sharing your perspective. Your input is always appreciated.

 

[Ratickle]

From the paper.


The Classic Raceboat Regatta on Lake Dora has been an annual attraction for six years in Tavares.

"We've never had anything like this on Lake Dora, and the Classic Raceboat Association tells me that they've never had anything like this happen at their other venues," said Joyce Ross, Tavares' spokeswoman. "They travel from place to place during the season and they've never had anything like this happen anywhere."

"We are very, very sad that something like this has happened," she said.

However, Tavares will continue its water festival events for the rest of the season, she said, including the Sunnyland Antique Boat Festival next weekend, where more than 250 antique and classic boats will be displayed at Wooton Park.

"As far as the city is concerned, we will continue on, but as far as the Classic Raceboat Association, that's their call," Ross said of whether they will return to Tavares in the future.

I hope they continue on when everything is said and done. Just review all the procedures as Steve said to make sure things are made as safe as possible.

 

[Pete B]

Mark Van Winkle, Photo taken Oct 2010 Gator nationals.

 

[Bobcat]

Thank you for taking the time to write during a difficult time. Those are some beautiful boats.

 

[Ratickle]

Mark Van Winkle, Photo taken Oct 2010 Gator nationals.

Thanks for all the good photos Pete.

Wow those guys sure roll them on their side......

 

[old377guy]

Thanks for a very thoughtful piece

 

[Ratickle]

Some of what I've gathered;

As Steve said, this was not an APBA event but a club formed by Tom D' Eath. Tom started the Vintage division in APBA, but then left and started another group with their own rules. In the APBA Vintage division, competition with two or more boats is strictly prohibited and enforced. This is most likely, because I would probably be one, because they know from history that if you put 2 people next to each other, a race will probably break out.

Another issue to deal with in this case, old equipment, and virtually no safety sytems like canopies, restraints, HANS devices etc.

Part of the history of Vintage is that they don't have those systems because they represent what was, as opposed to what is.

What I am really curious of, why would adding a roll bar and seat restrainers make the older skiff boats any less Vintage? It's one thing to have a canopy added to the hull, but a roll cage and restraints?

Does anyone know?

 

[T2x]

Very well said Steve..... as usual , you got it right. I currently campaign my Switzer Wing in the Vintage division and have been troubled at times by the simple fact that equipment which was very fast and dangerous in the pre capsule era is featured in these events with minimal restrictions. Most of the drivers are very talented, but so were the guys mentioned in Steve's piece. I, too, have lost many close friends in the old "open cockpit" days.... I doubt that Rookie and Dea were racing flat out...(usually that is not the case in Vintage)...but I also think that we should look at maintaining distances and wide lanes in our events...to prevent collisions and/or driving over someone who is ejected in front of us...

As far as roll cages on Speed skiffs are concerned. They are mandatory, I believe on current racers, but were prohibited on the Vintage hulls....I don't know why, or if this is even still the case .

Vintage was intended to be a happy gathering of people who raced, collectors, and fans who appreciate the older equipment...and injuries (much less fatalities) should not be a part of such a venue. This is a time for level headed common senes, lest, as Steve pointed out, someone else "protects us" From having any fun at all.


This is also why I am so skeptical of the Water speed record attempt chronicled elsewhere on this site. The last thing we need is a spectacular failure in an effort that has killed all but one over the past 60 years or so. The bad publicity will definitely hurt the rest of us.

T2x

 

[fund razor]

This is also why I am so skeptical of the Water speed record attempt chronicled elsewhere on this site. The last thing we need is a spectacular failure in an effort that has killed all but one over the past 60 years or so. The bad publicity will definitely hurt the rest of us.

T2x

That is a great point. We didn't really touch on that much in the other discussion.

 

[Ratickle]

As far as roll cages on Speed skiffs are concerned. They are mandatory, I believe on current racers, but were prohibited on the Vintage hulls....I don't know why, or if this is even still the case .

T2x

It is sad when stuff like this happens. Maybe we can find out why the roll cages have not been added. It seems that would not hurt the "Vintage" looks of the skiffs at all.

 

[OneBadInjun]

...Exclaimed the current owner of an old brittle original fiberglass, built for racing, "vintage" boat, that is re-powered now with 2 to 3 times the boats original intended horsepower, that also had a very poor reputation in its turning/control capacity...

Very well said Steve..... as usual , you got it right. I currently campaign my Switzer Wing in the Vintage division and have been troubled at times by the simple fact that equipment which was very fast and dangerous in the pre capsule era is featured in these events with minimal restrictions. Most of the drivers are very talented, but so were the guys mentioned in Steve's piece. I, too, have lost many close friends in the old "open cockpit" days.... I doubt that Rookie and Dea were racing flat out...(usually that is not the case in Vintage)...but I also think that we should look at maintaining distances and wide lanes in our events...to prevent collisions and/or driving over someone who is ejected in front of us...

As far as roll cages on Speed skiffs are concerned. They are mandatory, I believe on current racers, but were prohibited on the Vintage hulls....I don't know why, or if this is even still the case .

Vintage was intended to be a happy gathering of people who raced, collectors, and fans who appreciate the older equipment...and injuries (much less fatalities) should not be a part of such a venue. This is a time for level headed common senes, lest, as Steve pointed out, someone else "protects us" From having any fun at all.


This is also why I am so skeptical of the Water speed record attempt chronicled elsewhere on this site. The last thing we need is a spectacular failure in an effort that has killed all but one over the past 60 years or so. The bad publicity will definitely hurt the rest of us.

T2x

You "must" be a democrat.

 

[Ratickle]

I think you mised Rich's point. He was stating that the cometition side of the vintage boats should not have happened, if that is truly what was the cause of the tragedies. One of the boats had people ejected, and the driver was hit by another boat. The other was a collision between two boats on the course. In the types of vintage exhibitions Rich participates in, it sounds as if two boats would not be in a close enough proximity for that to happen. And, if they were, maybe the rules need to be revisited again for "Vintage" boats without the latest safety equipment.

As for the second part of your statement, I hope you're just having fun.