What a great weekend we had July 26-27 for the annual Cambridge Classic! We had a total of 68 boats registered, plus about 12 J Stock outboards for the kids.
The Nathan Index of Performance Award presented by the Nathan Foundation is given to the boat coming closest to the world record. This year, the winner was Rob Garratano of Oceanport, NJ, driving his Jersey Speed Skiff Indian Summer. Rob was within 95.9 percent of the record.
Since no National Modified Class boats came out this year, the Skeeter Johnson Memorial Award presented by the Hill’s Point Gang was changed slightly. This year the award was given to Bob Zabady, owner of the Showboat Racing Team of Hamlin, PA. For the last several years Bob has brought multiple boats to Cambridge. He has supported the organization with financial contributions each year, and this year he was responsible for encouraging many of the 25 flat-bottom racers that came to Cambridge to make the trip. As a result of all that Bob has done for the sport, and specifically for this race, he was recognized.
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Another non-racing award is given periodically to the person or persons who exemplify sportsmanship and positive contributions to the Cambridge Power Boat Racing Association (CPBRA). The award is given in memory of one of CPBRA’s founders and a long time racer who passed away from cancer several years ago. Larry Wilson was an active racer for more than 25 years. Besides being one of the club founders, he was very active in setting up and helping with whatever needed to be done.
For the last five or six years, the Stewart family of Annapolis and Kent Island has not only raced in the Jersey Speed Skiff Class but has also supported the Cambridge Race with all sorts of extra activities—helping with the spring fund-raiser, helping in the pits, being risk managers, manning the trash truck, and so on. As a result of their unselfish service to CPBRA and boat racing, the Larry Wilson Sportsmanship Award was presented to Jimmie Stewart and his family.
by Allen Nelson