While it seems that the season just started the other day, we say goodbye to the 2019 season and welcome the 2020 season with open arms. Rumors of multiple teams testing for the 2020 season have been proven true by picture evidence. At Throttled, we are looking forward to the new season but would like to recap the close high point battles and recognize drivers who had an outstanding year as there are many drivers who deserve recognition. Going forward I will break down each class. Please note this is my take on the 2019 season and if there are any problems please feel free to reach out to me.
ASR- Where to begin, this class has taken off again. While we were at the National Meeting in Orlando, talking about the upcoming season, I called that the A Stock Runabout class would be one of the largest and most competitive and it did not let me down. There were fifty four active drivers in the class during the 2019 season, with eighteen drivers racing ten or more times. ASR is one of the coolest classes out there, every weekend is a gamble no matter if the usual suspects are in attendance. During the Lock Haven Labor Day Regatta, over the three days there were three different winners, not because consistency is a problem but everyone runs fairly even. At the Nationals held in Wakefield, Michigan, there were twenty five drivers entered from seven different States. While tough luck struck Jay Fox, who likes to surprise everyone at the Nationals and come out fast. Nate Mitchell went for the back to back wins and took home the win in the largest class of the week. The top five of the high points could have finished in any order and no one would really be surprised. In the five spot, we have Harbor Springs, Michigan native Peter Lauer, always a top contender in any class he competes. In the four spot, we have Pete Nichols. After a few boat changes, Pete found one he liked and hasn't slowed down. Billy Simmons of Newton, New Jersey worked his way to the top three, winning eleven of his first fourteen races. That just shows how competitive this class truly is. Another native of Newton, New Jersey secured the number two spot. Johnny Wlodarski only began racing ASR this season at the Wakefield nationals, but proved to be fast even if the boat he is driving was built in 1993, the same year Wlodarski was born. Thirteen of his first fourteen races were top three finishes. Along with a National Championship, Nate Mitchell secured the National High Point as well. A strong season for the Columbus, Ohio native who placed top three in the thirteen races he competed in.
15SSR- Everyone's favorite class, maybe because it reminds them of a simpler time, maybe it has to do with most of the boats still using 1960's technology to get around the course but all in all it is the only true runabout class left in Stock Outboard. While this class is only raced in a few places in the country. When the few that are out there take the water, everyone stops what they are doing and makes sure to pay attention. Twenty one active drivers in the 15SSR class in 2019 with the races mostly taking place at the Championship events. There were thirteen registered drivers at the Wakefield Nationals, one driver had to be knocked off but when it came down to the finals Peter Lauer showed he meant business and added to his collection of 1US patches. For those keeping track, Lauer won BSR( which was renamed 15SSR) at the 2017 Grasslake Nationals, won 15SSR at the Moses Lake Nationals in 2018 earning himself the nickname "One Heat Pete" and again found himself in the winners circle in 2019. In the five spot for the National High Points, we have Brian Trolian. No stranger to the class, we have heard rumors of Brian making a full time comeback in 2020 and I suspect he will be hard charging in 15SSR. Sam Fairbairn of Brutus, Michigan earned the four spot, placing top three in six of the ten races she competed in. Johnny Wlodarski finds himself in his second top three of the 2019 season, only campaigning his 24J six races, he found himself in the top three five of those six times, finding himself with a fourth place finish at the Nationals. Number two spot belongs to Colin Smith, one of the only drivers who currently uses a side fin in the class but has proven to be fast. Of his eleven races, eight were top three finishes. Might have to start calling Peter Lauer, Re-Pete as he locked up the 15SSR High Point title for the second year in a row. A very impressive season with all eleven of his finishes being inside the top three, earning himself seven first place finishes, three seconds and a third.
BSR- No participation in 2019
25SSR- When you look at classes, sometimes numbers can be deceiving. Based on the APBA high points, there were sixty active drivers in the 25SSR class, but only nine of those drivers had eight or more races, and forty five of those drivers had five or less races. One good thing that these numbers do show is that there are 25SSR's all over the country but we need to do our best to get these drivers to races and keep supporting the class. I know for a fact that there are smoking fast rigs on each side of the country. In the Northwest, the team of Bahl/Gleason always bring their A-game and the rig of Lee Sutter is always a contender. It was proven multiple times that when this class is run in the Midwest, it is anyone for the taking. Names like Sidor, Pearson and Affholter will be in the winners circle. The east coast is home to the Dave and Mike Young, who have been tweaking their rigs to perfection and I think they nailed it. The southeast is home to Tom Nuccio, who as everyone knows is the guy to beat in 25SSR, with the guest driver of Dave Bennet bringing home the 2019 National title. In the chase for National High Points, Kyle Hannon found himself in the five spot, with top three finishes in all six races he competed in. The competition in Stock Outboard is close no matter what class you look at. Even while pulling double duty, Dustin Pearson earned himself the number four spot in 25SSR and as a rookie in the P2 Tunnel class placed third overall in high points. Placing top three in seven of the nine races he competed in, we look forward to having Dustin back racing Stock Outboard full time in the 2020 season. Driving the Lee Sutter rig, Kyle Lewis found the podium again in 2019, placing third with 4,125 in ten races, and earning a top three position in all ten races. Kyle Bahl launched his 2019 season off to a great start, and almost had the championship locked up but while the West Coast season slows down, the East Coast ramps up. Bahl would find himself in second by the smallest margin of the year, twenty one points. Only to be beaten by Mike Akerstrom, of Westford, Massachusetts. Competing in thirteen races, eight first place finishes, four seconds and a third. This will be Mike's first National HighPoint Championship.
CSR- Another one of those classes where anywhere in the country, you will find strong competition. Similar to 25SSR, CSR had sixty three active racers in the 2019 season, with eleven drivers racing ten or more times and thirty six drivers racing five or less times. CSR has always been the highlight of the weekend for many, and this year proved to be the same. At Wakefield it was Dean Sutherland who stole the show, just like in 2017 at the Grasslake Nationals. In the hunt for the National High Point Championship, Logan Sweeney worked his way to the five spot, he finished second at the Nationals but also had great success in the 500MR class in the Modified Category, where he won the Nationals and also locked up the high points. Tommy Smith found himself in the fourth spot for 2019, with ten top three finishes in his first fourteen races. Iron Mike Akerstrom worked his way to the podium again, this time placing third. A successful campaign in the Northeast, Mike placed top three in twelve of his first fourteen races. The Edmonds Washington Native had a strong season in all of the classes he raced, Kyle Bahl again found himself in second place this time by 102 points. Ryan Burdick had a very consistent season, locking up the 2US with twelve top three finishes, earning eight first places, two seconds and a third along with a six place finish at the Nationals.
ASH- Another growing class, I anticipate that we will see a jump in ASH/ASR in the 2020 season. With 68 active drivers in 2020, with twenty one drivers racing ten or more times and thirty four drivers racing five or less times. Looking at these numbers will help when looking at different things that can potentially bring drivers to different races, if we want to know how to get more people to races these are the people we need to ask first. As mentioned before, Jay Fox, does not race often but that does not mean he has slowed down. He brought his "A" game to Wakefield, literally. He took home the 2019 National Championship and hopefully we will see him at Springfield for the 2020 National but we might not see him until the Nationals are back in Michigan. In the hunt for the High Point Championship, Abby Pond found herself in the fifth position, after a strong season and a mighty powerful motah, Abby placed in the top three in ten of her first fourteen races. Rachel Warnock worked her way into fourth for 2019. Competing mostly in Region One where the A Class has really taken off, she has shown she is the one to beat. Joining Abby and Rachel in the top five in the third spot is Kierra Marquard of Puyallup, Washington. In her first fourteen races, she placed in the top three spots ten different times. The number spot goes to Josh Toccalino, who had a very successful season, breaking an ASH record at Dayton and placing in the top three an impressive eleven times in his first fourteen races. Stacking his accomplishments in the 2019 season, Nate Mitchell brings home another championship. Bringing home nine first place finishes two second place finished and two third place finishes, one being in the finals of the Nationals.
15SSH- Similar to 15SSR but with a little more participation. The 15 classes are run on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Per the APBA website, there were twenty eight active drivers in the class in 2019, with only three racing ten or more times and twenty two racing five or less times. With elimination heats at Wakefield, the class shows to be growing. Running strong in the eliminations, Cole Olson won the first heat of the finals with Wlodarski close behind but when the boats hit the line the second heat, only four boats would be legal. Wlodarski would go on to win the 15SSH National title for the second year in a row but this year with two seconds. Only racing five times this year, Cole Olson finds himself in the five spot for High Points, he will be one to watch out for in 2020. Michael Shepard of Antioch, Illinois worked his way to the fourth position, Michael has been leading the charge to grow the 15SSH class in the Midwest. In the third spot, we have Abby Pond racing eleven times with 2,437 points. Joel Kiddy of Georgetown, Kentucky worked his way to second. Nine of his eleven races with on the podium. Along with the National Championship, Johnny Wlodarski earned himself the National High Point Championship in 15SSH. Earning 6,200 points in fourteen races, he recorded twelve first place finishes and two seconds in his first fourteen.
300SSH- One of my favorite classes to watch and race. Such a level playing field, that it takes skill and determination to set yourself aside from the others in the class. There were seventy seven active drivers in the 2019 season compared to sixty three in 2018. Talk about a significant growth in a single year. I would like to give a huge shout out to Jason Diamond for being one of the reasons for this class taking off on the West Coast. Over thirty of the drivers in the class call Washington and California home. Using social media platforms like Facebook, Jason formed groups to keep all of the drivers connected, posting daily pictures and updates as well as keeping track of equipment that would go up for sale. He also created the 300ss Hydro Northwest Challenge Tour, which was a six race series. Trey Marquard took home the series win with 1775 points. Sixteen drivers made there way to Wakefield this summer. During the elimination heats, Brian Trolian, Tim Sidor, Mikey Pavlick Sean Byrne all looked like they might be able to take home the win. When it came to the finals, Mikey Pavlick was dialed in and brought home one of three wins for the week, not making it easy for Pavlick, Karl Armstrong was on his hip waiting for him to make a mistake. In the five spot for High Points, we have Jim Tryon, who made it to the podium eight times of his fourteen races. Fourth place went to George Bressler of New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. George found his place in the 300 class and is a force to be reckoned with on the race course. Third place went to Robert Lisius, who showed consistency is key by finding himself on the podium twelve times in his first fourteen races. Chris Stager of Wakefield, Massachusetts worked his way to a second place finish. Region One has become a hotbed for strong competition in the 300 class, and Chris has proved he is the one to beat in Region One. First place goes to Sean Byrne, of Yakima, Washington. Finding himself on the podium eleven times during his first fourteen races and finishing sixth at the Wakefield Nationals.
BSH- A class where anyone can call home. Since the addition of the Yamato 80 this class has grown significantly. While there were sixty three entries in the 2019 season, fifteen of those drivers competed ten or more times. thirty five of those drivers having only raced five or less times, again this proves that the rigs are out there, but most of the year they sit idle. Hopefully we will see more participation in the 2020 season. The only class in Stock Outboard that has three legal motors, all from different manufactures. When the thirteen drivers made their way to Wakfield, it was anyone's title for the taking. In the elimination heat, only one boat needed to be knocked out, but it was a good look into the final. Johnny Wlodarski of Newton, New Jersey showed that his Sidewinder powered rig would be a top contender swapping heats with Donny Allen who was running a Yamato 80. Joel Kiddy would be there to defend his 2018 title but would suffer from motor gremlins in the first heat of the final. Deck to Deck for two laps, Kyle Bahl and Johnny Wlodarski would do there best to hold off Donny Allen, but he proved to be the fastest one there. Taking home two heat wins with Wlodarski pulling two seconds and Bahl taking two thirds. Donny Allen was also the recipient of the Steve Warnock Memorial Award. A highly competitive class always makes the High Point Chase interesting. Taking home fifth place this season was Ken Terry, who is a strong competitor no matter what class he is participating in. Nick Nowak of Marblehead, Massachusetts worked his was to fourth place. Piloting his Yamato 80 to the podium eight different times during his first fourteen races. Taking the third position was Robert Trolian, finding himself on the podium eleven times during his first fourteen races. Robert placed fourth with his Mercury powered rig at Wakefield. Second place goes to Kyle Bahl, racing his way to ten first place finishes and two third place finishes in the twelve races he competed in. Adding on to his other accomplishments in the 2019 season, Johnny Wlodarski brings the High Point title in BSH back to New Jersey for the second year in a row. In his first fourteen races, Johnny won nine races and had five second place finishes. He also broke the 4 lap 3 mile record at Dayton, Ohio. Overall in BSH, Wlodarski raced 24 times and scored 9500 points which will earn him the Waldman Award for the 2019 which is awarded to the driver with the most points in a single class.
20SSH- The largest class in 2019, with 101 active drivers, with thirty of these drivers racing ten or more times and fifty six drivers racing five or less times. 20SSH has also benefited from the Yamato 80 be allowed in the BSH class, as it is a selling point for drivers to who want more bang for their buck. Thirteen drivers made their way to Wakefield and one would need to be removed for the final as Kyle Lewis was there to defend his title. Sean Byrne, Mikey Pavlick and Dana Holt all showed that they meant business in the elims but when the spray settled in the final, it was Mikey Pavlick who took home his second title of the week. Again in a close high point battle, the top five are as follows. Colin Smith worked his way to fifth place, after a strong showing all season, going head to head with Pavlick on many occasions Colin will be one to watch in 2020. Fourth place went to the 2018 National and High Point Champion Kyle Lewis. Third place went to the veteran of the class, Matt Dagosinto, who is a top contender in all of the Yamato classes, finding himself on the podium twelve times in his first fourteen outings. Sean Byrne found himself on the podium again, this time in second place, finding himself on the podium twelve times. Proving he is the guy to beat, Mikey Pavlick backs up his National win by securing the High Point win as well. All of those winter test sessions with Joe Pater have paid off. Pavlick found himself on the podium thirteen times recording eleven first place finishes and a second and a third.
CSH- Not far off of 20SSH, CSH had ninety two active drivers in 2019. Pretty much known as the class you can run anywhere in the country, which has been proven to be true with participation in every region. Twenty three drivers made the long trip to Wakefield, and found themselves among some of the fastest guys in the country. Cutting the field down to eleven was no easy task, Kyle Lewis the 2018 champion was there to fill the final spot. The finals, emotions ran high and nerves got the best of a few drivers as there was a lot of gun jumping going on. Again when the spray settled, it was Mikey Pavlick who took home the win. An impressive feat, taking home three National Championships in one week, dominating the Yamato hydroplane classes, rumors are buzzing around that he is hoping in a runabout next year to make a complete sweep. Kyle Lewis worked his way to a top five position in the High Point chase. In the fourth place position, we have Grandpa American or Captain Grandpa, whichever he prefers nowadays. Matt Dagostino had another strong season, finding himself on the podium ten times during his first fourteen races. Like stated in the 20SSH review, we need to keep an eye on Colin Smith, he earned the third position, racing against the best of the best. He won ten races in his first fourteen. A year of seconds, Kyle Bahl had nothing short of an impressive season. Finding himself on the podium twelve times and a second place finish at the Wakefield Nationals, I have a feeling that Kyle will be doing a lot of testing for the 2020 season. Speaking of testing, I think someone needs to restrict this guys time on the lake. Locking up another championship, Mikey Pavlick had himself another great year, winning three different National Championships, two High Point Championships and two Divisional titles.
DSH- This class has taken a hiatus on the East Coast but is still popular in the Midwest and on the West Coast. With twenty six active drivers across the country, would not be surprised if we see a full field at the 2020 Springfield Nationals. A big thanks to the West Coast teams who made the trek to Wakefield to support the DSH class. Braxton Miller showed the field he meant business, taking Championship title back to Grove, Oklahoma. Working his way onto his second top five for the 2019 season, Ryan Burdick placed 5th overall. In fourth place, Derrick Tronson of Des Moines, Washington with fourteen races and 2,823 points. Brent Walburn of Neenah, Wisconsin worked his way to the third place position with eight races and 3,025 points. Edged out by 278 points, Mitchell Sampson earned second place with fourteen races and 4,542 points. The man behind the balls, Ron Magnuson found himself on top of the podium for 2019, with 4,820 points in fourteen races.
Marathon- I've have decided to lump all of the marathon classes into wrap up. The participation is mostly generated in all of the classes from The Marathon Nationals held in Indian River, Michigan. Hopefully more local races will add short course marathons to their sanctions and we can boost the numbers. The largest marathon class of the season was CSR with thirty two active drivers, 25SSR had nineteen active drivers, DSR which is only a marathon class nowadays had fifteen active participants and ASR had twelve active drivers and 15SSR had five active drivers. The marathon season has six races in the following locations. Fireside 500 in Presque Isle, MI which happens to be the newest race in Michigan and from what I have heard is one that needs to be on everyone schedule for the 2020 season. The Wet and Wild Regatta which is held twice a year and run on a modified short course in Grasslake, Michigan. The ever so famous Trenton Marathon, which is held with the OPC race hosted by the Powerboat National Series. The race celebrated its 69th running this past summer. Drivers hit the Trenton Channel on a modified tunnel boat course for twenty minutes at a time. This race has been said to make or break drivers. The largest race of the season is the Top O Marathon Nationals. Drawing upward of one hundred boats across the various classes. Drivers from all over the world come to tackle 87-miles over two days. The last marathon race of the season is held in Big Rapid, Michigan which is on a modified short course. CSR top five are as follows, fifth place went to Chase Fairbairn with nine races and 1,909 points. Fourth place went to the champion of the 2019 Marathon Nationals, Tim Ross who debuted a brand new Austin Runabout this season. Third place went to Dustin Pearson of Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Dustin competed in nine races and scored 2,730 points. Second place went to Jesse Swain who piloted a new boat built by Mark Kurz and first place went to rookie Nathan Carmon who had a great first season. Winning six of his eleven races and finishing second at the Marathon Nationals. Carmon will also be the recipient of the Craig Dewald Award for most points in a marathon class. None of the other classes are eligible for National High Point recognition due to minimum high point requirements were not met. Josh Pearson was the high point leader in DSR with nine races and 3,100 points. Winning the Marathon Nationals and seven other races. Dustin Fierek was on fire in 25SSR placing first in all seven of the races he competed in including the 2019 Marathon Nationals. ASR was only run a handful of times but Stephen McCourtie took home the win at the Nationals earning himself 1,200 points, and 15SSR was also raced a handful of times but never had enough boats to score for a legal race.
It has been a great year, and we hope 2020 is even better. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the National Meeting in Seattle. Hope everyone has a great offseason!
-Alfred Hogg
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