IMPBA Atlanta spring nationals

Radio Control Boat Modeler, Oct 2002 by Boyd, Matt

High-Octane racing action -Southern Style

SPRINGTIME.

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the smell of fresh gasoline and nitro is in the air! If you're a model boater, what could be better? This year's IMPBA Spring Nationals in Atlanta, GA, was the perfect setting to enjoy a day at the lake while taking in some incredibly exciting, high-speed racing action. This event on April 19, 20 and 21 featured nearly 70 modelers driving 214 registered boats in 20 classes. As hosts, the Atlanta Model Boaters (AMB) put on a first-class show for participants and spectators alike.

The race was held at the AMB's home site: a beautiful pond tucked away in the woods on the outskirts of the city. A special nod goes to the event's cosponsor, Naturally Fresh Foods, for supplying the site as well as prizes for race heat winners. The company maintains the pond as part of its manufacturing complex and allows the club to use it year-round and free of charge. The club erected a control tower, and there's a concrete pit/staging area and a dock for two rescue boats. It is separated from the surrounding area by woods and is far enough from any buildings for noise not to be an issue. You'd be hard-pressed to find a nicer club pond anywhere, and it is great to hear about companies such as Naturally Fresh Foods that help support our hobby.

ACTION!

Friday was an open-water session for tuning and practice. For the racers, it was a chance to dial in their boats and see what their competitors were packing. I thought I'd get a jump on the weekend's festivities and try to "handicap" the field; but right away, I could tell that most of the classes were wide open and just about anybody could walk away with a podium spot. When the boats took to the water on Saturday morning, that impression was confirmed. To find out who took top honors, check the chart.

HIGH-WATER MARKS

An interesting mix of boat styles and manufacturers was represented, along with an equally diverse group of racers. One highlight of the weekend was the E Scale Hydro class. These boats wowed the crowd with beautiful scale details and first-class paint schemes-when they went slowly enough to be admired, which was rare. In addition, several of the hydros competed in the Static Scale. Brian Briggs grabbed the big trophy in Static for his beautiful Miss Budweiser, but this boat is no trailer queen; on the water, it placed second to Phil Thomas's RC Marine Designs Winston Eagle (opening photo).

Some of the closest racing occurred in the outboard tunnelhull classes. The heats were full, and the tunnels (especially the little ones) always put on a good show. The F Hydro class showcased the fastest boats; these big-displacement outriggers streaked by at amazing speeds. The twinengine riggers dominated the podium, and Keith Timmons' Roadrunner took top honors.

Serious race fans will notice some familiar names among the winners: Seaducer, Aeromar name, K&B and CMB are near the top of the roster, at most events, but it is always exciting to see a lesser known, manufacturer give the regulars a run for their money. One such manufacturer is Reptile Racing, which markets the Microburst line of monohulls. Microburst hulls were featured prominently in all six mono classes and racked up three class wins.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

I had a great time covering the IMPBA Spring Nats; the turnout was excellent, the racing was exciting, and the setting couldn't have been nicer. The weather was perfect all weekend. A special thanks to Pete Graham and the rest of the Atlanta Model Boaters; they put on an entertaining and well-organized event and still had time to make me feel very welcome. If you're looking for an excuse to take a spring vacation down South and you like action-packed gas- and nitro-boat racing, the IMPBA Spring Nats in Atlanta is the place to be. For more info, check out the Atlanta Model Boaters' website at www.atlantamodelboaters.com.

IT'S A GAS!

The local AMB guys are big fans of gas boats, so there was plenty of high-- octane action when the gas heats came around. My favorites are the Crackerboxes; I just love the way they dance around and bounce over wakes and rollers. They aren't the fastest boats on the water, but the close racing and their on-the-edge handling captured the crowd's attention every time they took to the course. Veteran AMB 'boxer Norman Morton took the top spot in this hotly contested class with his Zenoah-powered Dunlap Crackerbox.

The LSG Catamaran class racing was also highly entertaining and competitive. Norman Morton took this class, too, but the second and third showings were very popular with the crowd. Gesse Rand-a newcomer to boating and to AMB-took second with his watermelon-colored RC Boatworks Stryker wide catamaran. The bright green cat sports prominent domed cowl that inspired Gesse to name it "Cranium Racing." This was his first podium finish in any club race, and his fellow members celebrated the event by dumping a boot full of water on him as he accepted his trophy. The Cranium Racing cat didn't escape completely unscathed either: it was hip-checked out of the final heat while dicing with AMB president Pete Graham's cowhide-adorned cat, and it skidded to a halt dome-side down. Pete good-naturedly signed the battle scar on Gesse's boat after the race. In third place, just 25 points behind, was Christopher Shepherd with his Aeromarine Sprint Cat-particularly impressive given that Christopher is just 12 years old! But then, being the son of IMPBA District 13 director John Shepherd, Christopher's building and driving skills come as no surprise.