Walter Racing Perpetual Thunderboat Helmet Award

My son Mark and I have donated a Perpetual Thunderboat Helmet Award for the District 3 Thunderboat Class. This award is similar to the Bud Swenson Award given in the Scale Class since 1985. The Thunderboat Award is a very distinctive award like no other award/trophy given by NAMBA nationally. I think that everyone in the Thunderboat Class will be impressed with this award.

Steve Gualtieri driving his "Notre Dame" was the previous winner for 2009

The award is presented to the driver that accumulates the most points as laid out in the following paragraph.

The points accumulated in the first three heats of each Namba District 3 High Points race are added up after each race. It does not matter if the class is run under the four heat format or the (Love Plan). The driver with the most driver points at the end of the year will be the winner of the Thunderboat Helmet Award. The first three heats of all High Points races run in 2010 will count toward the trophy.

The winner will have his name and the name of his boat engraved on a plate that will be mounted on the award.

Perry P. Walter

Thunderboat  Chairman

May 26, 2010

To view points that are updated through the West Palm Race Click Button

THUNDERBOAT LOG

                                                                                                            12/09/09

 Hi Race fans and fellow Thunderboat racers/owners. I am your new Thunderboat Chairman. As such I will do my very best to represent our class with pride, professionalism and consistency.

I want to get started by accomplishing three things in the following order. 

1. Get the Thunderboat Rules out to you ASAP. This will give you time to get your boats ready for the Winternats. I would like the members of our District to set the example for our out of state visitors by having all our boats meeting the rules for the class.  

2. Make up and distribute a list of the suppliers for every part needed to assemble a competitive Thunderboat without having to be searching for boats, engines, hardware, props, parts, etc.  This presently has my full attention. I will get it out ASAP. 

3. I plan to post a Newsletter for our class after every race similar to what was done in the scale class. If you have anything you would like me to put in the Newsletter just email me or call and let me know what it is.

I intend to keep this Newsletter light and enjoyable for racers to read and maybe have a laugh or two instead of getting upset and not reading it anymore.

There may be times however when I will have to make decisions that will not be popular but please rest assured I have the class at heart and will do my very best to promote, support, and represent your Thunderboat Class to the best of my ability. 

Well fellow racers that’s it for this post. Please stay in touch with me and I will do the same. Communications are the way to keep our class running smoothly. I hope you-all agree.  

Perry Walter

Thunderboat Chairman

(Rev. Basic) Dated: November 14, 2009

DISTRICT III SUNSHINE R/C BOAT RACERS

RULE BOOK OF THE NORTH AMERICAN

MODEL BOAT ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL, INC. 

CLASSIC THUNDERBOAT RULES

The Classic Thunderboat class in NAMBA District 3 will use the NAMBA International Rules subject to the following additions and clarifications. 

1. The engine used in the Classic Thunderboat will be a STOCK G260 PUM Zenoah. STOCK means from the “box to the boat”. No internal modifications of any kind. This includes the piston which must be “out of the box” stock. The engine can not be “blueprinted”. No grinding, polishing, cutting, machining, bead blasting or enlarging. The engine can be dissembled for maintenance only. 

2. Either the Walbro WT-644 carburetor or the Walbro WT-257 carburetor may be used on the stock Zenoah G260 PUM  engine. Whichever carburetor is used it must be stock as it comes from the manufacturer. If the Walbro WT-644 carburetor is used the choke must be left in place and not removed. The phillips head screws that attach the carb to the engine may be replaced with allen head screws. The AIR-funnel may be removed from the carb. 

3. Misc.:

a. The front mount supplied with the engine may be removed and replaced front and rear with any mounts available to fit the individual boat. 

b. The stock black water jacket (part no. T2076-12210) may be painted or anodized to any color. 

c. The stock recoil starter assembly may be replaced by the Zenoah EZ Start starter assembly (part no. GR26099). 

d. The use of a starter belt and pulley (Geezer Wheel) attached to the collet side of the crankshaft is legal as long as the Zenoah pull starter is not removed from the flywheel end of the engine. 

e. The coil located on the side of the engine may be moved to another location on the engine. 

f. Any brand of Spark Plug may be used.

g. The M5X0.8 water fittings on the engine may be drilled out to a larger size. The water fitting must not, however be replaced by a larger fitting.  

h. Low drag seals are strictly prohibited. 

i. All parts used for the engine must be from the parts list in the “Zenoah G260 PUM Owner’s Service Manual. Particular attention should be paid to Gasket thicknesses.  

4. At the option of the Classic Thunderboat Director the engines in the first, second and third place boats may be inspected at any NAMBA District 3 Race for legality. If an engine is found to be illegal, as per these rules, the contestant will be disqualified and will serve a two race suspension. If the contestant is found to have an illegal engine a second time the contestant will serve a one year suspension from the date of the infraction. These suspensions apply to the Classic Thunderboat Class only and not other classes that the contestant runs in. This rule is separate from and does not conflict from a contestants right to protest any Classic Thunderboat as per the NAMBA International Rules. 

5. If there are any questions regarding hull or engine rules contact the Thunderboat Director for clarification.                                             

Captain Perry P. Walter

 Thunderboat Director

 NAMBA District 3