2005 is off to a flying start in D13. With two Grand Prix races in the books we’re halfway through the season and the Highpoint series has just started with the much-hyped Spring Nationals taking place in Atlanta on April 23 & 24.

The Grand Prix series got off to a strong start with over 80 boats entered in the SOWEGA GP in February and over 70 boats entered in the Charleston Model Boaters Grand Prix in March. The competition at these races has been fierce this year with a noticeable increase in the Tunnel classes. These are good races for new boaters and beginning racers to get started in. Romano Scott proved this by winning Open LSG Hydro and finishing second in LSG 23-30 Mono in the CMB GP, his first race! Lady boaters Jan Bearden and Kathy Huff have been showing some of the guys the fast way around the lake. Jan sits in first place in Sport B Tunnel and second place in B Tunnel on the season. Kathy is holding down Third place in LSG 23-30 Mono for season. Junior boater Matthew Proeper finished second in 23-30 LSG Cat in the CMB GP moving himself into First place on the season.

The Highpoint Series started in high gear with the much-anticipated Spring Nationals in Atlanta, GA on April 23 & 24. The race was “sold out” two months before the deadline and drew almost 300 boats, 18 in the Twin Hydro Shoot-out alone. This was a great race. Those of you that missed it, we have the GA Championships on this same lake later in the year. The “Spring Nats Curse” returned in full force this year with the weather leading up to the race just perfect until Friday afternoon when a major thunderstorm with serious winds came through. After a couple hours Open Water resumed and ran until dark with no problems. Saturday and Sunday the wind returned and wreaked havoc with the tunnel boys. James Clegg showed that the wind could be tamed by winning Open Tunnel with his 20 boat! The Hydro guys handled the wind a little better with Mitch Graber showing the way. The Mono boys said “What Wind??” and showed that rubbin’s racing in the mono classes not giving each other an inch in very tough conditions. Jerry Crowther was able pull away from a tough mono field over the weekend and put his Seaducer Boats at the top of the standings. Mitch Graber from Sarasota, FL won the muchanticipated “Twin Shoot-out” with his 14 year old Roadrunner powered by CMB 90’s and pushed by a couple Andy Brown Octura 1667’s. This guy was prepared to race. Great Job Mitch! Full results from all the classes can be found on our district website.

I want to remind everyone that this is an election year for District 13. Anyone interested in running for Director needs to have his or her petition and nomination acceptance in by July 31. I encourage anyone planning on running to get his or her name in the hat as soon as possible.

We still have a long season ahead of us in D13 with six more district races scheduled. Check our district website www.impba13.com for the race schedule, results and reports.