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mcdude · 02-01-2005, 10:13 AM

On Sunday, August 1st, the third series of races were held, again in Weirs Bay around the same type of triangular course the previous two races were held. Many new boats from Alton and Wolfeboro joined in the competition. The races were open to all and the attention paid to the whole event combined with a strong marketing effort helped push the Irwin cup starting field to 11 strong. Flyers were distributed to all the local towns and anyone who owned a boat was heartily encouraged to show their support for the lakes region. Reading through the literature of the time, boat owners were encouraged to support the local area, and were clearly told they had it in their power to make the event a time to remember. The race winner was Nilly driven by Eben Parsons from Alton Bay. Rainbow IV came in second with Wildcat in third. Alice came in fourth driven by Carl Cram, also from Alton Bay. Thousands of spectators lined the shore with hundreds boats and crafts lining the sides of the bay. After three races of tight competition, the standings were very close. None of the boats won more than once and each of the three leading contestants had enough points to win the cup if they could win the last race. The point standings were: Rainbow IV 350 points RIP III 300 points Wildcat 225 points Babs I 220 points Nilly 200 points Jean L 100 points Babs II 66 points Alice 25 points Echo Jr. 20 points The last race of the series was run on Sunday, 12 September. As before, the race was held in Weirs Bay. A full starting lineup of race boats was on display ready for the race. Although postponed for a week, there was no fall-off in attendance. The Boston & Maine RR came through again by assisting thousands of fans who dotted the shore. Hundreds of others attended in their own boats in the spectator fleet. 23 minutes and 27 seconds after the start, Sam Dunsford, driving his Rainbow IV, won in a convincing fashion. He picked up 200 more points giving him a total of 550 points for the racing season and won the beautiful Irwin cup. RIP III took second place with Wildcat in third. With the racing season over, all participants agreed the season was very successful and plans were made to expand the racing in future years. Local media and businesses were complimentary in the way the boat racing generated interest in the whole area and helped to attract vacationers into the lakes region. All agreed the races provided the largest attraction around the lake and were easily the fastest in the New England area. The racers agreed amongst themselves they should plan for a more extensive series of speed boat races. This necessitated forming a boat association that could formally sponsor the racing events. Membership would be open to anyone in the lakes region and application blanks were handed out to all who expressed an interest. This formal association would provide structure and organization to the regions racing events. It was hoped it would not only make it easier to plan the racing regattas, but could also represent Lake Winnipesaukee in other competitions outside the region. Looking towards the future, this was a critical factor. For, in the minds of all the racers, it was known the Gold Cup racing committee dictated competitors could not enter as an individual, but must be sponsored by an association. In June 1927, the Winnipesaukee Power Boat Association (WPBA) was born, complete with a meeting place, the Oakbirch Inn in Alton Bay and its own burgee. Key members of the Winnipesaukee boat racing community were selected to lead the club. Jim Irwin was elected as Secretary and Nathaniel Goodhue, from Wolfeboro, was elected as Treasurer. Heading the club and entire Winnipesaukee racing effort, and granted the title of ‘Commodore’, was a wealthy industrialist from Concord, Samuel Dunsford. I am sure that the above discourse is more information than you ever wanted to know,This early speed boat racing trophy is being offeredwith a low reserve. Please take a look at the other unusual items we currently have for auction on ebay. good luck"

(2-7-05) FINAL PRICE AT AUCTION - $1,009.99 !!!!

More Links and Photos
(If you follow the links I guess you can see where the narrative was taken from...)
http://www.lwhs.us/wei-winnipesaukeepier.htm

02-01-2005, 10:13 AM	#2
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	Winnipesaukee Power Boat Association (Continued) On Sunday, August 1st, the third series of races were held, again in Weirs Bay around the same type of triangular course the previous two races were held. Many new boats from Alton and Wolfeboro joined in the competition. The races were open to all and the attention paid to the whole event combined with a strong marketing effort helped push the Irwin cup starting field to 11 strong. Flyers were distributed to all the local towns and anyone who owned a boat was heartily encouraged to show their support for the lakes region. Reading through the literature of the time, boat owners were encouraged to support the local area, and were clearly told they had it in their power to make the event a time to remember. The race winner was Nilly driven by Eben Parsons from Alton Bay. Rainbow IV came in second with Wildcat in third. Alice came in fourth driven by Carl Cram, also from Alton Bay. Thousands of spectators lined the shore with hundreds boats and crafts lining the sides of the bay. After three races of tight competition, the standings were very close. None of the boats won more than once and each of the three leading contestants had enough points to win the cup if they could win the last race. The point standings were: Rainbow IV 350 points RIP III 300 points Wildcat 225 points Babs I 220 points Nilly 200 points Jean L 100 points Babs II 66 points Alice 25 points Echo Jr. 20 points The last race of the series was run on Sunday, 12 September. As before, the race was held in Weirs Bay. A full starting lineup of race boats was on display ready for the race. Although postponed for a week, there was no fall-off in attendance. The Boston & Maine RR came through again by assisting thousands of fans who dotted the shore. Hundreds of others attended in their own boats in the spectator fleet. 23 minutes and 27 seconds after the start, Sam Dunsford, driving his Rainbow IV, won in a convincing fashion. He picked up 200 more points giving him a total of 550 points for the racing season and won the beautiful Irwin cup. RIP III took second place with Wildcat in third. With the racing season over, all participants agreed the season was very successful and plans were made to expand the racing in future years. Local media and businesses were complimentary in the way the boat racing generated interest in the whole area and helped to attract vacationers into the lakes region. All agreed the races provided the largest attraction around the lake and were easily the fastest in the New England area. The racers agreed amongst themselves they should plan for a more extensive series of speed boat races. This necessitated forming a boat association that could formally sponsor the racing events. Membership would be open to anyone in the lakes region and application blanks were handed out to all who expressed an interest. This formal association would provide structure and organization to the regions racing events. It was hoped it would not only make it easier to plan the racing regattas, but could also represent Lake Winnipesaukee in other competitions outside the region. Looking towards the future, this was a critical factor. For, in the minds of all the racers, it was known the Gold Cup racing committee dictated competitors could not enter as an individual, but must be sponsored by an association. In June 1927, the Winnipesaukee Power Boat Association (WPBA) was born, complete with a meeting place, the Oakbirch Inn in Alton Bay and its own burgee. Key members of the Winnipesaukee boat racing community were selected to lead the club. Jim Irwin was elected as Secretary and Nathaniel Goodhue, from Wolfeboro, was elected as Treasurer. Heading the club and entire Winnipesaukee racing effort, and granted the title of ‘Commodore’, was a wealthy industrialist from Concord, Samuel Dunsford. I am sure that the above discourse is more information than you ever wanted to know,This early speed boat racing trophy is being offeredwith a low reserve. Please take a look at the other unusual items we currently have for auction on ebay. good luck" (2-7-05) FINAL PRICE AT AUCTION - $1,009.99 !!!! More Links and Photos (If you follow the links I guess you can see where the narrative was taken from...) http://www.lwhs.us/wei-winnipesaukeepier.htm Attached Images Last edited by mcdude; 03-06-2005 at 01:57 PM.