Thunderboat Throwback Thursday Norm Berg and Dave …79squireshop.weebly.com/uploads/1/0/5/3/10535586/norbergcustom... · Jones at the time was Bob Mackey, another skilled woodworker.

ThunderboatThrowbackThursdayNormBergandDaveKnowlen--TheNorbergCustomBoats.

BillOsbornePhoto–SD79-02--Usedwithpermission

Afewmonthsback,Ireceivedaprivatemessagefromoneoftheregularcontributors/commentersontheDiamondCupHydromanicsFacebooksiteaskingmetolookintowritingapieceaboutTacoma’sNormBergandhisbrief,buthighlysuccessful,involvementinbuildingunlimitedhulls.IhavetoadmitthatthenameNormBergmeantlittletomewhenthestoryideawasfirstsuggested,butitdidn’ttakelongtorealizehowimportantaplacethemanholdsinthehistoryofthepistoneraboats.IalsolearnedthatthecreditforthesuccessofBerg’sboatsmustalsobeextendedtohiscollaborator,andthattodoproperjusticetothestoryofBerg’sboats,onehadtoalsoincludethestoryofhisclosecohortinthoseendeavors,Mr.DaveKnowlen.Mydiggingforfactsonthepartnershiprevealedthatthetwoappeartohavecomefromratherdiversebackgrounds,butthattheypossessedhighlydevelopedskillsetsthatparticularlycomplimentedoneanotherwhenitcametodesigningandbuildingraceboats.MysourcesshowthatBerggrewupaspartofacommercialfishingfamilyinthePugetSoundareaandthatashegrewintoadulthoodhebecameaskilledwoodworkerandboatbuildingcraftsman.Knowlenwaseducatedasamechanicalengineer,eventuallybecomingpartofthedevelopmentteamattheBoeingCompany,guidingthedesigningandbuildingofcommercialaircraftwhileusingadvanceddesignprinciplesandspace-agematerials.Berglearnedtherudimentsofhisboat-buildingprowessprimarilywhileintheemployofTacoma’sPetersonBoatBuildingasawoodworkerforafirmknownforitsbuildingofmanyofPugetSound’slargefishingboats,tugboats,andavarietyofothershipsundergovernmentcontract.WhileworkingatthePetersonboatshop,BergwascontactedbyRonJonesSr.,whoatthetimehadhisbuildteamworkingoutofashopinMountainView,California.TiredoftheworkhewasdoinginTacoma,especiallywiththenoisethatcamefromtheboilermakers’hammers,BergjumpedatthechancetoworkforthesonofthelegendaryTedJonesbuildingraceboats.UponarrivingatJones’shopintheBayArea,Bergbecamepartoftheteamcreatingwhatwouldbecomethecabforward1966MissBardahl.AmongthoseworkingwithJonesatthetimewasBobMackey,anotherskilledwoodworker.BergandMackeywoulddevelopastrongworkingrelationshipthatwouldlaterbringMackeyintoBerg’semploy.Berg’stimewithJones’endedwhenNorm,likemanyofhisgeneration,receivedhisdraftnotice.HeleftJones’employafterlessthanayeartoservehisactivedutytime

withtheNavyin1964,leavingbehindtheincompleteMissBardahlforotherstofinish.Hiscommitmentwiththemilitarylastedtwoyears,servinghonorablyonadestroyeroffofthecoastofVietnam.AfterBerg’smilitarycommitmentwascomplete,hereturnedtotheemployofPetersonBoatBuildingforapproximatelytwoyearstime.TheopportunityagainaroseforhimtoreturntoworkforRonJonesSr.in1969.BythistimetheJones’operationhadmovedtoCostaMesa,whichissoutheastofLosAngeles.“IhadjustboughtthisElCaminoin1969.TheElCaminowasbrandnew,anditwasthesummertime.ItwasbigenoughtoputmyHondamotorcycleonthebackofitandtowmyskiboat,andItowedthembothdownthere.”JoneshadacontractwithMercuryMarineatthetimeofBerg’sreturnandheassistedwiththebuildingofseveraloutboard-poweredtunnelboatsthatJoneshadsignedontobuildforthatseason’sLakeHavasurace.“IguessBob(Mackey)andIbothrodeoff-rodebikes,”saidBerg,“andwespentsometimeoutriding,butIhadthisskiboatthathadabigoutboardonit,butIneverusedit.Anotherguydidthepaintingdownthere,hehadsomeextraspaceanditstayedinhisgarage.Heletmestoreitthere.”TiringofCaliforniaandsufferingabitfromnotbeingabletousehisskiboat,BergchosetoreturntothePugetSoundareaafterlessthanayear.“IlovedboatingandIlikedbeingupinthePacificNorthwest,soItoldRonIwasleavingandcamebackuphere(toTacoma).”Backhomeagain,BergreassumedhispositionatthePetersonboatyards,buthismarriagein1972movedhimtoputdownrootsandestablishhisownbusiness.BergbasedhisnewboatbuildingoperationintheTacomasuburbofSpanawaywherehehadbuiltacustomdesignedbuildingafterreturningfromhisfirsttriptoCalifornia.HecalledthenewoperationNorbergCustomBoats(NCB).Hehadgatheredenoughtoolstobranchoffonhisownbythattime,usingthemtocompletesomesmallrepairjobsforothersinhissparetime.Itjustmadeperfectsensetotheyoungboatbuildertotrytomakeagoofitonhisown,sohedidwithastatedvisionandpurposeofbuildingqualityraceboats.

NorbergCustomBoatsLogo–BobBolamCollection

“Ihadalwayshadtheplantobuildmyownshop.Thatwasmygoal.ThefirstshopIbuiltouttherewasanicelittlebuildingof2200squarefeet.Itwasbigenoughto(later)buildthetwounlimitedsandeverythingelseinit.”“AfterIfinishedworkingduringthedayatPetersonboat,IwentoutthereafterIatedinnerandworkedhammeringnailsuntilitgotdarkandontheweekends.”“Thebuildingwasn’tevencompletewhenIdidmytwoyearsintheNavy,butitwasupandwaspaintedandfloorsaroundandeverythingelse,andwhenIcamebackIfinishedit.”“Igotreallyhotonstartingmyownbusiness,andeventuallyweboughtcommercialpropertydownonHighway167whichwestillhave–it’sanindustrialparknow–andbuilta7,200footbuildingwith20footceilings.Wehadgoodplacestopainttheboatsanditwasjustbeautiful.”Aboutthetimethatthenewbusinessopenedinearly1973,avisitoccurredfromDaveKnowlenandalocalboatracernamedBobReadonrecommendationfromJoeTrembly,awell-knownwoodenboat-buildinginstructorattheBatesIndustrialSchoolinTacomawhereBerghadattended.ThestorygoesthatKnowlenhadbeencontractedtodesignanexperimentalflatbottomraceboatforacoupleoflocalboatracers,BobReadandDonDue.Trumbly’srecommendationtoKnowlenofBergasareliableboatbuilderledtotheprojectbeingbroughttoBerg’sboatshop.WhilediscussingthecreationofaworkingmodelofaraceboatfromoneofBerg’splugs,KnowlensawBerg’sSJClasstunnelboatsittingintheshop.Hedidn’tsayanythingatthetimeofthevisit,butaccordingtoBerg’smemoryofthatday,Knowlencalledhimlaterthateveningandsuggestedthatthetwobuildsomehydroplanestogether.KnowlenthusbecameasubcontractorofBerg’sNCBoperation,andasanoutgrowth,thetwomenbecameverygoodfriends.KnowlenwaspaidforhisservicesasdesignerofNorberghulls,butwasacollaboratorratherthanbusinesspartnerintheneworganization.Afterseveraladditionalmeetings,thetwoagreedtoformtheircollaborativeworkrelationship.Undertheinformalagreement,BergretainedfullownershipofNCBandKnowlenagreedtodesignhishighperformanceracingboatsforhim,allofthembeinglimitedandunlimitedhydroplanes.Theybothbroughtdifferentskillstothetable,butperhapsbecausetheydid,therelationshipwasabletoworkquitewell.“Wewereafriendlypartnership,notalegalone,”saidBergoftheirteamworktogether.”

Forhispart,Bergbuiltcarefullyconstructedracingmachineswithgreatattentiontodetailandfineworkmanship.KnowlenforhispartprovidedhighlyfunctionaldesignsfromwhichtobuildtheboatsandthenprovidedtheNorbergboatbuyerswithtechnicalsupportifitwereneeded.“(Dave)wasalsoreallygoodatdoingPRworkwhichIwasn’tthatgoodat.”DaveKnowlenrecentlydescribedthepartnershipthisway:“LookingbackIstillbelievethatNorm'scraftsmanshipwasunparalleledandweenjoyedalotofimmediatesuccesswithourboats.”“WedidsomeunusualthingsinallofourbasicNCBhydroplanedesigns--everythingtoimprovethegroundeffectsinNorm'sboatsthatcriticallyaffectboatstabilityandperformance.”“Wemadeagoodpartnership,asonealonecouldnotachievewhatwebothdidasateam.”Itappearedtobetheperfectsymbioticboat-buildingrelationship…andforallintentsandpurposesitwas.THEEARLYYEARS–THELIMITEDSANDTHE“WHITELIGHTNING”ThefirstNorberg-createdthree-pointhydroplanewasthe"Spiritof'76"whichtherecordshowswascompletedin1974.Itwasa280-classboatandhadafairamountofsuccess.

E176–Spiritof’76280-ClassNorberghydro–PhilKunzPhoto–Usedwithpermission

SeveralmorelimitedhydrosfollowedfromtheNCBbuildteamconsistingmostofthetimeoftheperipateticBergandhisco-workerfromtheJonesdays(andnowemployee),BobMackey.OtherscraftsmenwereaddedfromtimetotimetotheteamasneededincludingalocalwoodworkernamedJohnWatkins.Oneofthosehullswasatwintothe“Spiritof’76,”whichwasbuiltforaCaliforniaboatracernamedLeoOrtalan.ThatboatracedastheE-130“TopWop”E-130TopWopOwner:LeoOrtolan.–-PhotoCredit:UsedwithPermission–PhilKunzPhotography

PerhapsthemostnotableoftheearlyKnowlen-BergcollaborationswastheprojectthatfollowedtheSpiritof’76.ItwasthedesigningandbuildingofahullforayoungSeattleboatracernamedSteveReynolds.Thatprojectwouldbecomethehighlysuccessful225-classN-10“WhiteLightning.”Reynoldshadenjoyedmoderatesuccesswith“SundanceKid.”DaveKnowlenhadbuiltthathullandraceditasaconventional280-classlimitedinthemid-to-late1960s.DavesoldittotwogentlemenwhointurnsoldtheboattoSteveafteralteringittoraceasa225-classhull.Perhapstooheavytocompetewellinthelowerclassification,the“Kid”failedfailedtowinanytrophiesforReynolds,andlefthimwantingmore.Focusedoneventuallymovinguptotheunlimitedclass,theyoungdriverdecidedtoupgradehisrideafteraparticularlyfrustratingdayofracing.Hearduouslysavedhismoneyoverthecourseofayeartohaveanew,morecompetitiveboatconstructed.

Whenhehadassembledtheneededfunds,heatfirstcontactedRonJonestodesign

andbuildthecraft,butananticipatedwaitofseventoeightmonthstobegin

constructionoftheJones-craftedhullledtheyoungracertolookelsewhere.

Asluckwouldhaveit,ReynoldsranintoDaveKnowlen,whohadheardthat

Reynoldshadbeenlookingtohaveaboatbuilt.KnowlenshowedStevehislatest

designprintsandthentookhimtotheNCBshoptomeetwithBerg.

ImpressedwithBerg’scraftsmanship,itissaidthatReynoldsreportedlydeclared

aloudthatBerg’swoodworkingwaseverybitasgoodasthatdoneonRonJones’

hulls,towhichBergreportedlyrespondedbytellingReynoldsofhisyearsspent

workingintheJones’shopsinCalifornia.

Subsequently,ReynoldsandtheNCBpartnerssettledonaprice,andNormbegan

constructionfromKnowlen’splans.Theresultwasabrightblueandwhitecabover

poweredbyaBuickengine–emblazonedwithabigN-10andthename“White

Lightning”.Notably,oneofthemajorinnovationsthatKnowlenappliedtothe

designofthatboatwasahorizontalstabilizerwing--thefirstevertobeusedona

225-classhull.

U-10–WhiteLightningOwner:SteveReynolds–-PhotoCredit:UsedwithPermission–PhilKunzPhotography

“IkepttheboatinmyParentsGarage/WorkshoponMercerIsland,”Reynoldsrecalledofhisnewacquisition.“MyfirstsponsorwasactuallyanoldfriendofmineandmyfatherswhoownedtheShellGasStationonMercerIsland.”Theboatbecameafront-runneralmostimmediately,winningsixracesinarowwhilewinningeverypreliminaryheatthattheboatentered.Itwasaboutthispointthattheteamwastobecomeevenbetter.ThecatalystforthatimprovementwouldbetheadditionofJimHarveytothe“WhiteLightning”teamascrewchief.HarveyandReynoldshadamutualfriendwhosawthepotentialinthetwojoiningforcestoraceSteve’snewboat.Ameetingwassoonarranged,andSteveandJimhititoffalmostimmediately.AftertakingHarveytoseetheboat,Reynoldsinvitedhimtoheadhiscrew.WhileReynold’sfatherwasabighelp,thegrindofReynoldshavingtoracetheboat,putitbackonthetrailer,refuelitforthenextheat,putitthewater,raceitagain,putitbackonthetrailer,tieitdown,loadthetruckwithequipment,towtheboattotheshop,gothroughthehullandcheckforneededrepairs,putawayallsupportequipment(i.e.tools,gascans,slings,ropes.etc.),andthentodrivehomeforworkthedayafteraracewaswearingyoungReynoldsout.Heneededhelptocarrytheloadsohecouldfocusonwinning.Reynold’smadeitclearthatnightthathefeltthatHarveywasthemantoprovidethathelp.Hecouldbethatsomeonethatwasneededtomanageandtakecareoftheboat—thatsomeonewhowouldbecomeReynolds’crewchief.HarveyacceptedthepositionandquicklymadeitclearthatReynoldshadmadethecorrectchoice.“JimwasdefinitelytheRIGHTMANforthejob!He'dstopbymyfolks’garageafterworkeveryday.HeandmyDadbabiedtheWhiteLightning,treatingherwithkidgloves”,Reynoldssaid.“IntheprocessJimbecamelikeasecondsontomyDad.Theygotalongsowell,andhewastheresooften.”Harvey,Reynolds,andReynolds’fatherthenjoinedforceswithanotherofSteve’sfriends--enginebuilderBillGrader--tosettwoworldcompetitionrecordsandtoremainundefeatedincompetitionfortwoandone-halfyears,dominatingthe225classinRegion10ifnottheentireWestCoast.Throughitall,thecenterpieceofthesuccesswasthe18’caboverlimitedhydrowiththeinnovativelargerearwingcraftedbyNCB,andthiswasnotlostonReynolds.Herecentlycommentedonthe“WhiteLightning”andhisperspectiveontheworkofBerginaFacebookpostingaboutanotherofBergandKnowlen’sotherhulls:

“Norm'sboatswerepiecesoffinelybuiltworksofart.”Reynoldssaid.“Hewastrulyoneofthefinestcraftsmaninboatbuilding.HiscraftsmanshipwassecondtoNONE!”ReynoldsthenembellishedthatobservationwithasmileyemoticontofurtheremphasizehispleasurewithBerg’swork.Perhapsbychance,Reynoldsdrewanew,moreinfluentialsponsortotheN-10campwithhissuccess.“DaveHeerensperger,ownerofthePayn’Pakunlimited,waslivingonMercerIslandatthetime,andhesawapictureoftheWhiteLightningonthewallinthegasstation,”saidReynoldsoftheoriginsofthenewsponsorarrangement.“HeerenspergerthentoldthestationownerthatifIwasinterestedinhimsponsoringmethatIwastocontacthimathisofficeinKentforameeting,andwe'ddiscusssponsorship.”“IcalledDave,setupameeting,andthenmethimathisoffice.IwalkedouttwohourslaterwithaPayn’Paksponsorship.Ibelievethatwasthefirstlimitedhydroplane,inRegion10anyway,tohaveacontendingunlimitedhydroplanesharingsponsorshipwithalimitedhydroplane.”ReynoldssaidherantheN-10hullfourorfiveracesasthePayn’PakprevioustoafliponGreenLakethatnearlydestroyedtheboatandinjuredReynolds.NormBergrebuiltandrepaintedtheboatwhileReynoldswasrecuperatingfromtheGreenLakeaccident.Aftertherepairswerecompleted,HeerenspergercontactedReynolds,andtoldhimthathewantedtheboattoruninanexhibitionracefeaturinglocallimitedboatsduringSeattle'sunlimitedSeafairrace.

AviewofpartofthedamagedonetotheN-10Payn’PakfromitsblowoveronGreenLake.–PhotoCredit:BobBolamCollection

“IwasoncrutchesforSeafairandcouldn'tdrive,”Reynoldssaidofthesituation.“ItoldDaveIthoughtthewaterconditionsonLakeWashingtonwerefartooroughformylittle18'boat.Davewantedittorunanyway,andhetoldmethatifIcouldn'tdriveitmyselfthenIwastofindanotherdriver…buthewanteditthere!”“IgotanotherdriverforSeafair,andmyboatranintheexhibitionrace.ButasIfearedandpredicted,itcrackedopenasponsoninthatroughwaterandhadtobetowedbacktothepits.Ascanbeimagined,IwasNOThappyaboutit,andthatendedmysponsorshiparrangementwithPayn’Pakrightonthespot!”AsReynoldstransitionedintotheunlimitedranksshortlyafterthePayn’Pakaccident(hesaidthathewasstillquitestiffwhenheassumedthatrole),hedivestedhimselfofthe“WhiteLightning”,sellingtheenginetoBradMosureandthehulltoRobyOttwell.Itthenbecamethe“HoneyHush”accordingtoReynolds,andOttwellrantheboatforaseasonbeforedestroyingitinablow-overaccidentonGreenLake.[Note:Partsofthe“WhiteLightning”reportedlystillremain,however.ThenosecowlingoftheN-10,withReynold’snameonit,iscurrentlypartoftheHydroplaneandRaceboatMuseumcollectioninKentandisincurrentlyinstorageforpossibledisplayatalaterdate.]AnotherNorberghullwastheN-1Dr.PepperconstructedforChipHanauer’sclassmateatBellevue’sNewportHighSchool,LorenSears.Itwasthe225-ClassNationalHighPointChampionfor1982,winning13of25eventsitentered,whilepilingup8,265nationalpoints.Thattotalwasnearlytwicethepointscompiledbythenearestcompetitor.

LorenSearsposedforaSeattleTimesphototoaccompanyanarticleabouthissuccessfulNorberghull.–-PhotoCredit:C.Porter

LorenSearsandtheN-1Dr.PeppergivechasetotheN-22Bolam’sExpress.–PhotoCredit:BobBolamCollection

[Note:OurHydromaniacsfriendJeffRichardswasalsoaNewportHighgrad,andhehasdriven,crewed,andhelpedbuildboatsduringhislifetimeaswell.TheretrulymusthavebeensomethinginthewaterontheeastsideofLakeWashingtonthatseemedtodrawyoungmenintothesportofhydroracing.]TherecordshowsthatBergandKnowlenalsocollaboratedonDaveMcCabe’s145-classhydro,S-201“HotAugustNight”fromOlympia,Washington,anotherhighlycompetitivehull.Withthe,BergandKnowlensuccessoftheNorberglimitedclasshulls,particularlytheoneownedbyReynolds,seemedtoturnsomeimportantheadsintheunlimitedranksintheirdirection.Infact,aquicknoteintheSeattleTimesamidthecoverageofthe1975SeafairTrophyracerevealedthatMissBudweiserownerBernieLittlewasgivingseriousconsiderationtohavingNormBergbuildhisnextMissBudweiserhull.Thearticlecitedtherecentsuccessofsome“swiftinboards,”perhapsreferencingtheWhiteLightningandtheBandit.Ayearlater,Bergwouldmakehisfirstactualforayintotheunlimitedranks,butitwouldnotinvolveLittleanditwouldalsobeoutsidehispartnershipwithKnowlen.

NormwasapproachedbyPayn’PakCrewChiefJimLucerowithaproposition.TheyoungLucerohadcomeupwithanewcaboverdesignhewantedtotry,andheaskedBergtoconstructthehullforDaveHeerensperger’sraceteam.Bergwas,ofcourse,appearstohavebeenalogicalchoicetobuildtheboat.Heerensperger’ssponsorshipoftheWhiteLighteninghullin’76BergmadehimmorethanfamiliarwiththequalityofNorm’sworkmanship,Ifthatwerenotenough,theNCBshophaddonerepairworkontheexistingPayn’Pakhull,sointhatrespecttheNorbergteamwasawell-knowncommodity.ThiswasconfirmedinaquotebyNormBergaboutthearrangement:“IhaddonerepairworkonthePayNPakandMissBudweiserunlimiteds,soalotofpeopleintheunlimitedranksknewofmywork."DuringabriefinterviewwithLucerothatIhadrecentlyinChelan,hetoldmethatBergwasselectedpurposelybecauseheandthePayn’Pakteamwerelookingforaboatbuilderthathadnotasyetbuiltanunlimitedhull.Perhapsbecauseoftheproposeduseofcuttingedgebuildingmaterials,therewasaneedforsomeonewillingtotrynewapproaches.Beyondthat,BergwasaneasychoicebecauseLucerowasalsofamiliarwithBerg’sreputationforfinecraftsmanshipandhisattentiontodetail.Jim’sdecisiontohireNormwasborneoutbythequalityofworkmanshipNormandhisNCBteambroughttotheproject.LuceroalsoconfirmedthattheboatwasconstructedatNorm’sshopinSpanaway.Hecommentedonthecrampedquartersofthatfacilityandchallengesitpresentedtothebuildteam.Hesaidthatboathadtobetakenoutoftheshopinordertoturnthehulloverduringconstructionbecausethesizeoftheshopwasn’tadequatetoeasilyaccommodaterotatingtheroughly13’wideboat.LucerorevealedthatBerg’sattentiontodetailoftenmildlyaggravatedhimbecauseifthedelaysitwouldsometimescause.ButintheendBerg’sinsistenceof“gettingitjustright”wasworthwhateverslightsetbacktotheschedulethattheextratimefashioningapartoftheboatmighthavecaused.BergtoldmethattobuildtheAtlasVanLinesthathebroughtinagraduateofaTacomaboatbuildingschoolandanotherwoodcraftsmanthatheknewfromhavingsoldtheyoungmana5-litrehydro.Thethreedidmosttheworkonthathull.Asnotedearlier,KnowlenwasnotinvolvedinthePayn’PakprojectwithBerg,buthesharedwithmerecentlythathehadrealizedatthetimeofitspotentiallypositiveimpactontheirpartnership.“LucerodesignedthisboatandIhadnorolewiththisprojectbutIrealizeditdidhelpNorm'svisibilityasaqualityboatbuilder,”Knowlensaid.

MuchofthehullwasconstructedofanewmaterialthathadbeendevelopedfortheaerospaceindustrycalledHexcel.Resemblingahoneycombmadeofaluminum,thenewmaterialwasstrongandrigidwhileatthesametimebeinglightweightandsomewhatpliant,providingaqualityreplacementforthemuchheavierplywoodusedintheconstructionofmostraceboatsatthattime.

Withtheexceptionofthesponsons,theconstructionofthePayn’Pakwasnearlyalldonewiththeone-inchthickhoneycomb.Thesponsonshadtobeconstructedofwoodbattens,plywood,andaluminumtogivethemtheneededstrength,buttherestwaswrappedinHexcel.JimLucerotoldmethattheconstructionoftheboatwasslowedabitbythefactthattheuseoftheHexcelforthispurposewasgroundbreaking.Therefore,theextrusionsandotherconnectorshadtobecreatedfromscratchtoconnectthesectionsofHexceltogether.WhileBergwasinthelatestagesofbuildingthePayn’Pakhull,DaveHeerenspergerdecidedtowalkawayfromboatracingandunexpectedlypulledtheplugonhisteamownership.Theentireraceteam,includingthenewhull,wasthensoldtoBillMuncey.TheboatwassubsequentlychristenedasAtlasVanLinesandmadeitsinitialtestingrunsinAprilof1977.ItmadeitsracingdebutattheChampionSparkPlugRegattainMiamiinlateMayofthatyearwithawininitsveryfirstunlimitedcompetition.TheAtlashullwouldgoontoscore

victoriesinfiveofthenexteightracesthatseasonfollowingtheinitialwin.Italsorackedupasecondplaceinthe’77NationalHighPointRacebehindBernieLittle’sMissBudweiser–notbadforafirstyearhull.

1979photoofthe’77AtlasVanLines–FromLeslieField’sHydroHistorywebsite–-PhotoCredit:Unidentified,butIamguessingthatitisBillOsborne

The“BlueBlaster”,asitwouldbecomeknown,followedupwitha1978sophomore

seasonthatsawMunceyandtheAtlasVanLinesteamwinningsixofsevenraces

andtheNationalHighPointrace,arguablymakingitoneofthemostsuccessfulrace

boatseverconstructed.Withitssuccess,Berg’sreputationcontinuedtoblossom.

WhenthePayn’Pak/Atlasprojectcametoaclose,Berglaidoffthetwo

woodworkershehadhired,andbeganworkingonrepairstoanItalian-built

Molinaritunnelboatandsomeothersmallerprojects.

Itwasaboutthistime,thatBergreconnectedwithBobMackey,hisfriendfromthe

JonesBoatWorksyears.HehiredhimtoworkfulltimeforNCB,andaccordingto

Berg,thatrelationshiplastedforquitesometime.

BergalsoattractedsomeworkduringthistimefromtheBudweiserteam.

“JimHarveyheardaboutme,andhewasontheBudweisercrew,”Bergsaidofthe

arrangementthatbroughthimtoBernie’sBoeingFieldshoptowork.“Hecalledme

andhadmecomeupandworkontheBudweiser.”

“Iwasdrivingupthereandworkingonthatboat(the’76hull)andBernieLittlealso

hadtheNaturalLight,andtheywerebringingthemdowntoSpanawaytothatshop

outthere.BobMackeywasworkingformebythen.Werepairedthem,wemodified

them,andwepaintedthem.”

DespitehiringNorbergtoworkontheexistingboats,Littleappearedtostillbein

somewhatofaquandaryoverwhethertofinallycommissionaNorberghull.

AnarticleintheOctober5,1977SeattleTimesrevealedtheanticipatedsaleofthe

Little’s1977NationalChampionMissBudweisertoNormanPuttofAustralia.Inthe

article,Littleagainrevealedhisintentiontobuildanewboat,indicatingthathehad

contactedfourNorthwestbuildersaboutbuildingit.Headingalistthatalsoincluded

thelikesofEdKarelson,RonJonesSr.,andDonKelson,wasthenameNormBergof

Tacoma.

FromwhatIcangatherthesaleoftheboattotheAustralianstalled,asdidthe

buildingofanewMissBudweiser.Periodically,themediarevisitedthependingsale,

andBergcontinuedtoberumoredasthepossiblebuilder.

Forexample,inatidbitfromthemediacoverageoftheJuly1978GoldCupraceat

Owensboro,Kentucky,thestorywasrevivedthattheBudwasbeingsoldtothe

Australian.Bergwasquotedassayingatthetimethatdespitetherumors“nothing

hadbeenfinalized”aboutbuildingLittle’sboat.Hesaidthathehad“thematerials

andeverything”onhandtobuildthenewboat,butthathislatestconversationwith

Littlehadcomemonthsearlier,priortothe1978seasonandduringspringtesting

ofLittle’solderhull.

Therewasalsoconjecturethatsurfacedinthemediathatanon-competeclausewasposingasanobstacletotheBudweiserbuild,andithadthusstoppedBergfrombeinginvolved.ButwhileBerghadreportedlybuiltthesuccessfulAtlasVanLineshullwithanagreementthathewouldn’tusethesameconstructiontechniquesonanotherboatfortwoyears,threeyearshadinfactpassedsincethatagreementhadbeenreached.Besides,BergwasquotedassayingthattheproposednewBudweiserhullwas“tobenothingliketheAtlas,”supposedlynegatingoneoftherumorednon-competeclausesanyway.InanothermediapiecethatfollowedOwensbororace,itwasdisclosedthatLittleandtheBudweisercamphaddecidedtogivethefinalgo-aheadforconstructionofanewcaboverforthe1979season,affirmingagainthatNormBergwouldbethebuilder.“IreallythoughtIwasgoingtobuildanewBudweiser,”Bergsaid.“IcanrememberflyingdowntoSanDiegotomeetwithBernie.Italkedtohimagain.ThiscameatatimewhenIdidn’thaveanythingelsegoing,buthejustcouldn’tmakeuphismind…andsomebodyelsedid.”TherecordshowsthatLittleneverfollowedthroughonhavingtheNorbergboatdesignedandbuilt.Hedidcontinue,however,topubliclydiscussapossiblemovetodoso,buttherewasapparentlymoretothatstory,onethatleadsusdirectlytothestoryofthebuildingoftheSquireShopandCircusCircushulls.AsIwaswritingthispiece,IcameacrossarecollectionofthesituationfromsometimeHydromaniac’scontributor,respectedhydrowriter,andformerunlimitedcrewmanBradHaskin.HaskinrecentlywroteacontributiontotheSquireShoprestorationpage,sayingthatBernieLittlehadactuallycometoDaveKnowlenin1978,andhadaskedhimtocomeupwithaGriffon-poweredBuddesign.“ButthereweresomeissuesinthatDavewantedtheboatbuiltexactlyashehaddesignedit,andBernie’screwwantedtomakechangestothedesign,”Haskinssaid.“ThisultimatelyledtoBerniegoingtoRonJonesintheoff-seasonof’78-79andcomingupwiththe“Juggernaut”GriffonBuddesign.”“Afterthathappened,Knowlenstillhada‘ready-made’boatdesignthatwasshoppedaround,andBobSteil(SquireShopowner)andBillBennett(CircusCircusowner)bothboughtoffonit,butwiththeRolls-RoyceMerlin’sinstead.”NormhadthistakeonwhathappenedwhenIspokewithhimrecently:“BobSteilsandChipHanauercamedownandorderedaboat.Berniehadbeenhee-hawingaboutit(purchasingahull).Hehadabrandnewboataboutthattime.DavidcreatedasetofplansforaboatwithaGriffonengineinit,butBerniecouldn’tmake

uphismind.ThenheheardthatIhadsoldaboattoBobSteils,andhecalledmeupfromFloridaandsaidhewouldn’tbe‘secondinline.’”“Shortlyafterthat,theNevadacasinoownersofCircusCircusorderedahullfromme."IalsoranacrossaquotefromDaveKnowlenwithhisrecollectionsofhowtheNorbergU-2SquireShopboathaditsbeginnings.AccordingtoKnowlen,thepurchasewasinitiatedonanAugusteveningduringtheweekfollowingthe’78SeattleSeafairrace.“BobSteilandChipHanauervisitedmeatmyhomeinTacoma,”saidKnowlen.“IrecallthatChiphadbeenimpressedwiththeperformanceofaNorberglimitedhydroplane,SteveReynold’s“WhiteLightning”225,andbothwerelookingforanewboatthatcouldcompetewiththeAtlas.”“Ilaidoutthedesigndrawingsonmylivingroomfloorandaftersomediscussiontheyagreedtopurchasetheboat.TheyconcludedthedealafewdayslaterwithNormBerg.”“IronicallyitwasjusttwoweekslaterwesoldBillBennetthisNorbergCircusCircus(U-31).Normhadhischallengeswithbuildingbothboatsforthe1979season.”BergdescribedthesequenceofeventsthatledtotheagreementtobuildtheCircusCircus:“Aweekortwolater(aftertheSquireShoppurchase)Igotacallfromaguy–IguesshecalledDavefirst–HecalledfromhisLearjet–hewasgoingfromLasVegastoLaHabra,Californiaandhewasinterestedingettingintohydrosandunlimiteds,andthatwasCircusCircus.ItwasBillBennettandBillPennington.”“TheyboughtausedboatfromBernieLittle,andwefixedthingsanddidalittleworkonit.Wepainteditupwiththethreecolorsofpink,andthenwemetwillBillBennett.HeflewintoBoeingFieldandwesignedacontracttobuildanewboatforhim.”TheinitialbuildteamincludedBergandBobMackey.NormbroughtinJohnWatkinstoaddanotherwoodworkerandtheteambeganthechallengingtaskofbuildingtwounlimitedssimultaneously.BergalsorememberedemployingsomeotherboatbuildersfromtheOlympiaareatofillinwhenneeded.Althoughverysimilarintheirdesign,thetwounlimitedscontainedsomenotabledifferencesinconstructionaccordingtoBerg.

“TheSquireShopwasaregularplywoodandlumberhullwithanaluminumskinonit.TheCircusCircus(team)wantedtohavealotofadditionalhoneycombaluminumonit.”SincetheCircusteamwasopentousingafewnewanddifferentideasontheirhull,theychosetoincorporatetheHexcelplatingwhichmadetheboatlighterinweightthantheSquireversion.“Thebottomofthewholeboatwasallone-inchhoneycombandprobablytheaftnon-tripswerehoneycombalso,”saidBergofitsconstruction.WhenwordgotaroundabouttheuseoflargeamountsofHexcelintheCircusCircusbuild,Bergwastoldthathemightbesuedifheusedtheextrusiondesignthathadbeenusedtoattachtheone-inchHexceltothePayn’Pak/Atlashull,thiscomingeventhoughhehadnevergottenaroundtosigningacontractforthatbuildwiththatteam.TheproblemwassolvedwhentheCircusCircusgroupfoundacompanythatwasabletomakeitsowndiesandcreateanewextrusion.Berg’steamwasthenabletobuildtheboatwithitshoneycombpartsandthethreatenedlawsuitnevermaterialized.[Note:JimLucerotoldmeduringourbriefdiscussioninChelanthathedidn’tconsidersuingBergatthetime.]Bergsaidhehadnopreferenceastowhichconstructionmaterialswereusedbecausetheresultsweresosimilar.HeacknowledgedthatthehoneycombmadetheCircusCircusaslightlylighterboat,butotherthanthattheywereidentical.“They(both)somewhatresemblemy“WhiteLighting”limitedboat,"Bergwasquotedassayingofthetwocraft.Bothoftheunlimitedsboatshadthelowprofilecaboverlookofthe“Lightning”alongwithsimilarrearwings.Despitethechallengesofhavingtwoboatsunderconstructionatthesametime,withthehelpofhisshopcrew,BergwasabletofinishbothboatswithinweeksofoneanotherinAprilof1979.ItisperhapsnocoincidencethattheteamthatCircusCircusownerBillBennettbroughttogethertocreateandracethenewCircusCircusunlimitedhadalsofashionedtheWhiteLightening/Payn’Paklimitedintoanunqualifiedsuccess.“WhilestillrecoveringfrommyGreenLakeaccident,IwascontactedbytheCircusCircusCasino'sowner,andwasofferedthejobofdrivinghisnewunlimitedhydroplanebeingdesigned(byDaveKnowlen)andbuiltbyNorbergCustomBoats,alongwiththeentireWhiteLightningcrew.

JoiningReynoldsinthedealwasJimHarvey.Andofcourse,HarveyhadbeenReynold’screwchiefwiththe“WhiteLightning”.TheNorbergCircusCircushullmadeitsdebutonApril21,1979withanunannouncedtestontheColumbiaRiverinPasco.Thesuccessfulrunwasdescribedinthemediaasa“shakedowncruise”,withtheteamfocusedonmakingsureeverythingwas“shipshape”forthechristeningofthenewhullinSeattle’sStanSayrespits.“Forarunrightoutofthebox,wewerepleased,”driverSteveReynoldssaidofhetest.Hewasparticularlypleasedwiththeboat’scorneringability,reportedlypushingtheboattospeedsnear130mphduringtheinitialtrialrun.

IfoundnomentionoftheactualchristeningrunoftheCircusboatinSeattle,butitiswelldocumentedthattheU-31madeitsracingdebutattheChampionSparkPlugRegattainMiamionJune10,doingsowithaflourish.Theboatqualifiedsolidlyat110.092mph,nearlysixmilesperhourslowerthanBillMunceyandtheAtlasVanLines,butstillnearthetopoftheladder.TheboatthenfinishedastrongsecondtoMunceyandtheBlueBlasterwithafirstandsecondplaceinthepreliminariesandasecondplaceinthefinal.BothsecondplacefinishescamewhenmatchedwithMuncey.

DriverSteveReynoldsandtheU-31CircusCircuscrewin1979.–-PhotoCredit:HydroplaneandRaceboatMuseum–AgainpossiblyBillOsborne.

SimilarresultscameinthesecondraceenteredbyReynoldsandtheCircusteam,theThunderontheOhioatEvansvilleonJune24.Thistimeoutthough,theU-31setaqualifyingrecordof122.449,pushingMunceyandtheAtlasoffthetopoftheladderby2.048mph.WhentheracinginEvansvillewascomplete,theU-31hadfinishedsecondagaintoMunceyandtheAtlas,thishappeningdespiteaDidNotFinishinthefirstheatthatcomplicatedthingsmorethanabit.Fortunately,therestofthefieldsufferedmoreperformanceproblemsthantheCircus,openingthedoorfortheteamtomakethefinalandtoscoreastrongfinish.Threedayslater,theSquireShophullhitthewaterfortheveryfirsttime.ASeattleTimesarticlethatraninthepaperthedayafterthetestonJune27,1979,toldofthefirstrunofthenewhull.TheshortpiecementionedthattheSquirewouldbemakingitsdebutonJuly8attheGoldCupinMadison,Indiana.ThearticlealsoexpandedabitonthereasonsforthestructuraldifferencesbetweenthenewSquireandtheCircusCircushulls.TheSquirewaswoodandtheCircusCircuswaslargelyaluminum.ItwasexplainedthatSquireShopCrewChiefBob

Esplandpreferredwoodratherthanametal-bottomedboats,sotheU-2hadoptedforwoodplanking.“I’vehadbadluckwithhoneycomb,”Esplandsaid,referringtothealuminumHexcelmaterial.Hefurtherjustifiedhisdecisiontousewood,sayingthathesawitasbeingeasiertorepair.

ChipHanauer,driverofTheSquireShop,restedinsidethehydrocamp’sequipmenttruckbeforethesuccessfultestingofthenewhydroplane.–PhotoCredit:SeattleTimesStaffPhotobyBruceMcKimfromJune28,1979.

AstheSquirewassmoothingthekinksoutbackhomeinSeattle,theCircusCircus

washeadedtoDetroitfortheSpiritofDetroitTrophywhereReynoldsputtheboat

intotheshowwithaseeminglyincredible134.495qualifyingattempt.

[Note:ItwaslaterdeterminedthatthequalifyingspeedsfortheDetroitracewere

offbymorethanthreemilesperhour.Itseemsthattheracecoursehadbeenpoorly

surveyed,therebyinflatingthequalifyingspeeds.Eventhen,alapinexcessof130

mphwasstillquiteimpressive.]

Intherace,theCircusscoredathirdplacefinishinthefirstpreliminaryheat,and

wasleadingMunceyandtheAtlasthroughturnonewhenabladeflewofftheCircus’

propeller.ReynoldshadoutmaneuveredMunceyandhadgrabbedtheinsidelane,

takingtheleadatthestart.Comingoutoftheturn,however,theyoungdriverheard

aloud“boom”andtheboatimmediatelyslowedtoastop.

Reynoldsgotoutofthecockpitandpeeredintotheenginecompartmenttoseewhat

hadhappenedtothepowertrain.

“Ilookedthroughtheventsofthecowlingandsaid‘GoodGod!’”Reynoldsrecalled.

“Therewasnoshaftandhalfthegearboxwasmissing.Therewasahole,3½to4

feetlong,inthebottom.Itwaslikeyou’dtakenacanopenerandrippedoutthe

bottomoftheboat.”

“That’swhenIjumpedinthewater,”Reynoldssaid,thinkingtheboatwassinking.

Miraculously,thehullstayedafloatallthewaytothepitsanddidn’tsink.

Adamagesurveybythecrewshowedthatpiecesoftheprophadalsoflownintothe

enginearea,causingthesuperchargertoexplode.Theresultingshrapneltore

numerousholesintheenginecowlingleavingtheboatwiththeappearancethatit

hadbeenheavilystrafedwithmachinegunfire.

ASeattleTimesarticle,insummarizingtheDetroitrace,notedthatCircusCircus

ownerWilliamBennetthadquicklydispatchedhisLearjettoSeattletotransport

NormBergtotheMotorCitytooverseetheboat’srepair.Withthebuilderonsite,it

washopedthattheteam(alongwithsomevolunteersfromtheAtlasVanLines

crew)couldmaketherepairsintimetomaketheGoldCupraceinMadisonless

thanaweeklater.

Withonlythirdplacepointsfromoneheatearnedfortheday,theCircusplaceda

disappointingsixthandlastintheDetroitrace.

WhiletherepaircrewwasattemptingtoworktheirmagicontheCircus,theSquire

ShopteamsuccessfullymadeitswaytoMadison,Indianaforitsinauguralrace,and

onFridayofraceweek,youngChipHanaueraveraged107.272tomaketheGold

Cupfield.

TheCircusalsomadeittoMadison,arrivingthenextday.ShowingnosignsofbeingtheworseforwearfromtheDetroitaccident,theU-31negotiatedthetwo-lapqualifyingrunontheOhioRivercoursewithastrong116.959.ThattimewasbetteredonlybythesettingofacourserecordbythebrandnewRonJonesdesigned,Rolls-GriffonpoweredMissBudweiserdrivenbyDeanChenowithat118.110,andthatrecordwaslaterbetteredbyMunceyintheAtlasat121.212mph.Bytheluckofthedraw,theSquiremadeitsracingdebutinthesamesectionastheCircus.ThetwoKnowlen-BerghullswereplacedintoHeat1-AalongwiththenewMissBudweiserandanagingDr.Toyotahull.ItlookedlikedisasterforsurefortheNCBcontingentwhenboththeSquireandtheCircusjoinedtheBudweiserinjumpingtheguntostarttheheat.Ashortwhilelater,however,theBudwentdeadafteritsenginecoverflewoff.ThisleftthetwoNorberghullstochasedownDr.Toyotatogainthelead.TheyfinallycaughtBobMaschmedtintheU-8onthebacksideofLap4andbothpassedhimtogetbacktheone-laptheyhadbeenpenalizedforthejump.TheCircusthenheldonfortheheatwin,holdinganearseven-mphleadatthefinish.BothNCBhullsscoredwinsinthesecondsectionofheatswithHanauerwinningahotlycontestedbattlewithJackSchaeferJr.intheTri-CityTileandMasonryinHeat2-A.Reynoldsgothis400pointsbyedgingMunceyandtheAtlasVanLinesinHeat2-B.HanauerandSchaeferbattledallsixlapsoftheirsectionwiththeSquirefinallypullingouttoa100-yardleadatthefinishwhiletheboatsaveraged102.099and101.694respectively.ReynoldsfinessedhiswayintoLane1withtheU-31andthenjumpedintotheleadatthestartovertheBudweiserinLane2andMissMadisoninLane3.Munceytrailedthefieldonthefaroutside,butfinallycaughteveryonewiththeexceptionoftheCircusCircus.TheCircusCircuswasnottobeheaded,however,androdeaone-laprecordof117.188onLap1toforgeasix-lapaverageof113.636,alsoacourserecord.ThemarginbetweentheCircusandAtlaswasnearly400yardsatthefinish.ThetwoNorbergsweredrawntogetheragainintoHeat3-B,buttheSquirewasano-showwhenracinggotunderway.ThatleftReynoldsandtheCircustodobattlewithSchaeferandtheTri-CityTilefornearlysixfulllapsbeforetheU-31drewawaytoaslightleadcomingoffthefinalturn.Only.187mphseparatedthetwoatthefinishline.FollowingthefinishoftheHeat,ChiefRefereeBillNewtonassesseda$200fineontheSquireShopteamfor“conductunbecomingaprofessionalraceteam”forhavingsatoutHeat3-Binapurposefulefforttosavetheirbestracingengine.Thefirstand

secondplacepointsfromthefirstandsecondsectionsandattritionsufferedbyseveralotherboatshadsafelyputtheU-2intothefinalbefore3-Bgotunderway,sotheteamhadoptedtostayonthebeachandsavetheirequipment.

TherewasmorethanabitofironyinthatNormBergbuiltthreeofthefiveboatsintheGoldCupfinalandthatDaveKnowlenhadahandinthedesigntwoofthem.ThatandthefactthatthetwoNorberghullshadtakenfouroftheavailablesixfirstplacesthatwereupforgrabsinthepreliminariesreinforcedthegrowingprominenceofNCBinthesportofhydroplaneracing.Thestagewassetforanepicbattleofdesignfactors,butpredictablyapatchofbadwaterputaquickendtowhatstartedouttobeatightlycontestedbattlebetweentheCircusandtheAtlas.Therookie,Reynolds,againledtheveteran,Muncey,throughthefirstturnontheinside.Havingemergedinthelead,ReynoldsappearedtohavecontrolofthingswhentheCircussuddenlyhitapatchofroughwateronthebackstraight.TheCircusbrieflytookflightandthenlandedhardbackonthewater.Withthesuddendropinspeed,theU-31’sbigMerlinoverloadedwithfuelandmomentarilybelchedfirefromtheexhauststacksbeforethingsclearedandReynoldswasabletoregainspeed.Inthosefewbriefseconds,Munceyhadsecurelygainedcontrolandledfortheremainderofthecontest.

U-2SquireShop–PhotoCredit:BobBolamCollection

“Ihitahole,”Reynoldssaidafterwardsreferringtothewaterconditions.“Ihadskippedovertwo(rollers),butcamedowninthethird.Iwentfrom115milesanhourto15.”TheCircusCircuswouldslowlyregainsomeofthegroundthatitlostandwouldfinishsecondtotheAtlaswhileaveraging102.195.TheAtlaswouldaverage108.000forthethirtymilesandHanauerwouldfinishsolidlyinthirdwiththeSquireat94.193initsmaidenrace.Historically,theoutcomeofthe’79GoldCupwasimmenselyimportanttofaninterestinthesportofhydroplaneracing.WhereonceMunceyseemedtowalkawaywitheveryrace,suddenlytherewerethree(andpotentiallyfourwhenyouaddinthedebutoftheLittle’snewGriffonBud)boatsinpositiontochallengeforawin.AlthoughMunceyhadpickeduphisfourthstraightwinoftheseasonbytakingthefinalwhilecompilinghis54thoverallcareervictoryandtenthwininthepastelevenraces,itwaslostonnoone,Iamsure,thatthefieldhadbecomedecidedlymorecompetitiveandthattheAtlasteamwouldnowhavetoworkhardforeachandeverywin–therewouldbenomorewalkoversforMunceyandtheBlaster.Thesporthadquicklybecomemuchlesspredictable.MechanicalissueswouldrelegateReynoldsandtheCircusCircustothemiddleofthepackorlowerinthenextfourraces,withtheboatscoringafifth,aseventh,afourth,andaseventhinsuccessiveweeks.Thedroughtwasn’twithoutitshighlights,however.Reynoldsestablishedanewworldqualifyingrecordfora2½milecoursewithanaverageof133.136mphontheColumbiaCupcourseintheTri-Cities,butanotherthrownproplefttheboatonthebeachafterafirstheatwinthere.TheCircusteampickedupitsfirstwinintheseasonender--theJack-in-the-BoxRegattainSanDiego.TheSanDiegowincamewhenbothAtlasVanLinesandMissBudweiserfalteredinthefinal,butitwasarguablythebestshowingoftheyearfortheU-31asitaveraged119.225foritsthreeheatsofcompetition.[Note:Inasidenotetothe’79season,SteveReynoldssharedthefollowing:“DuringthefirstseasonwithCircusCircus,asacompletelark,JimHarveyhadNormBergrepaintedtheWhiteLighteninghullastheCircusCircus.WeranitinoneraceonLakeSamammish.”

IhaveincludedthisphotoofthehullwiththatrarepaintschemefrommyfriendBobBolam’scollection,showingtheboatinthepink-and-whiteliveryoftheCircusforyourenjoyment.Interestingly,IhadmorethanonesourcetellmethatCircusownerBennettwasnotpleasedwiththerepaintingoftheN-10,andthatforthatreasonitdidn’trunagainintheCircuscolors.]

HanauerandtheSquireShopcompetedinfourmoreracesduringthe’79season,placingeighthatitshometownSeafairTrophyraceandtakingsecondplacesattheColumbiaCupintheTri-CitiesandtheJack-in-the-BoxRegattainSanDiego.Theteam’sbreakthroughfirstwincameatUtah’sGoldenSpikeRegatta,whenMissBudweiser,AtlasVanLines,andtheCircusCircusallfalteredatonetimeoranotherduringtheday.ThisopenedthedoorforafirstandasecondintheprelimsfortheU-2andasolidfirstplaceinthefinalwhilerecordinga114.416mphaverageforthethreeheats.Alookbackatthe’79seasonshowsthatBerghadcraftedboatsthathadfinishedtheseasoninfirst,second,andsixthinthatyear’sNationalHighPointrace,andbecauseoftheyoungdriver’sstrongshowingallseasonintheU-31,SteveReynoldswasdesignatedastheUnlimitedRookieoftheYear.WithtwowinsandseveralsecondplacefinishesbetweenthetwoNorberghulls,itdefinitelywasabetterthanaveragefirstseasonforthecollaboration.

RarephotooftheN-10inCircusCircuscolors–PhotoCredit:BobBolamCollection

WasItASecondSeasonSwoonortheSophomoreJinx?Wherethe1979seasonmightgenerallybeconsidered“highlysuccessful,”the1980seasonfortheNorbergunlimitedscouldbestbedescribedasa”somewhatdisappointing”.TheSquireShopfailedtomakethefinalsinthefirstsevenracesitentered,failedtostarttheGoldCupinMadison,andthenfailedtofinishanyoftheheatsitenteredattheColumbiaCupintheTri-Cities.Itwasn’tuntiltheseventhraceoftheseasonbeforetheSquireteamregisteredevenasmuchasaheatwin,andnotuntiltheninthracewasHanauerabletofinallyfinishacompleteraceprogram,withthatraceironicallybeingtheboat’sonlywinoftheseason--theUtahGovernor’sCupnearOgden.TheteamdidfinishtheseasonstrongwithasecondplaceintheCircusCircusThunderboatRegattainSanDiego,buttheinconsistencylefttheteaminfifthplacewhentheNationalHighPointsweretotaled.TheCircusCircuswasabitmoreconsistent,butcouldnotovercometheeffectsofoff-seasonmodificationstothehullortheincrediblestarttotheseasonthatwasenjoyedbytheBernieLittle’snewGriffon-powered“Juggernaut”MissBudweiser.WheretheCircus’inauguralseasonhadbeenhadbeenCinderella-like,theboat’ssophomoreyearseemedtobeunsettledandchaoticbycomparison.Asnotedearlier,changeshadbeenmadetothehullresultinginbalanceandstabilityissues.Thehandlingproblemsinturnappeartohavecontributedtoastringofblownenginesandthrownprops,andastheseasonprogresseditresultedinasuccessionof“DidNotStarts”and“DidNotFinishes”thatfaroutnumberedthefirstsandsecondsenjoyedtheyearbefore.Little’snewlymintedU-12meanwhilescoredwinsinfiveofitsfirstsixracesbeforeplacingsecondtotheBlueBlasterattheColumbiaCup.TheCircusscoredsecondplacesinfiveofthetenracesitentered,aswellasthirdinanother,buttheteamwasunabletobreakthroughtothewinnerscircle,evenwhenthe“Juggernaut”flippedinSeattle,endingitsseason.Thepostseasonreportcardfor1980sawthethreeBerg-builtboatsstillrankedinthetopfive,placingsecond,third,andfifthoverall,withbothNorbergboatsacquittingthemselvesreasonablywellconsideringtherecordsettingperformancesthathadbeenputupbythe“Juggernaut”andthe“Blaster.The“Canard”MayAlsoHaveHadAnEffectOnTheCircusCircusOnemajorplayerontheCircusCircussquadwasapparentlynotsatisfiedwithhisteam’s’79levelofsuccess,however.Anditappearsthathisdiscontenthadapalpableimpactontheperformanceoftheteamin1980.

Onthehealsofhisteam’sfirstwinatSanDiego,BillBennettannouncedthatthe

CircusCircuscampwasplanningabrandnewboatforthe1980season.Abrief

tidbitthatsurfacedinthenewsmediaafterthe’79SanDiegoraceaboutthe

announcementstatedthatthenewboatwastobeaDaveKnowlendesignand

wouldbebuiltbyNormBerg,butthatinformationturnedouttobeonlypartially

true.

Bennettdidcommissiontheconstructionofanewboat,butitwasn’tDaveKnowlen

whomhechosetodesignit.TheCircusownerhadsomehowbeenexposedtoa

radicalnewfour-pointdesignthataSeattle-arearadiocontrolledcustomboat

buildernamedEdFisherhadcreated.Althoughithadonlybeenusedinascale

hydrowithanysuccess,theCircusownerhadchosentoexperimentwiththatdesign

ratherthangowithaconventional(andproventobesuccessful)Knowlendesign.

OnesourceIuncoveredsuggestedthatBennetthadsomehowbecomeafanofradio

controlledboatracing.Icouldnotconfirmthatassertionviamorethanonesource,

butitappearsthatthecasinoownerhadconnectedwithFisherinthatway.

Fisher’sfour-pointconceptwastrulyradicalandfeaturedthreeforwardriding

surfaces–pointonewasthebowportionofthefuselage,pointstwoandthreewere

onthesponsonspositionedattheendsofarearaerodynamicwing,andpointfour

wasonebladeoftheboat’spropellerwhentheboatwasatspeed.Fourpointsthus

contactedthewaterwhentheboatwasonplaneratherthanthethreeof

conventionalhydrosofthetime,makingitbasicallyaflyingwing;hencesomewags

andfansatthetimereferredtoitasthe“canard”design.

FromwhatIcouldfind,Fisher’sdesignhadbeenaconsistentwinnerontheR/C

circuit,butthatdidn’tnecessarilymeanthatthesuccesswouldtranslatetoaboat

thesizeofanunlimitedhydroplane.

Asnewsoftheproposeddesignbrokeonthehydrocommunity,therewas

immediatepushback.Intheeyesofthemajorityofthecognoscente’ofthesportof

hydroracing,theFisherdesignwasdoomedbeforeitwasevenbuilt.Itwassaid,

thatlikethe“MissUniversityDistrict”beforeit,theengineering/designphysicsof

themodelboatversionofthehulldidnottranslatetoaworkableconceptforaboat

28-feetlongandweighingthousandsofpounds.

AsitwasexplainedtomebyJohnWatkins,formerunlimiteddriver,crewmember,

andsometimememberoftheNCBbuildteam,R/Chydroshaveatremendous

weighttohorsepowerratioandreallydon'trelyonmuchaerodynamiclift.When

scaledupusinganunlimited’shorsepowerandnoaerodynamiclift,suchaboat

wouldbecomewhatisbestcharacterizedasasluggish“barge”ratherthana

competitive“raceboat”.

AlthoughIfoundnothinginmyresearchastowhotookonthebuildingofFisher’s

canarddesign,DaveKnowlensharedwithmethatNormBergwasinfactthe

builder.Healsorevealedthatalthoughthedesignofthefour-pointCircusboatwasemphaticallynothis,hediddosomeofthestructuralengineeringonthecraftwhileworkingasadesignconsultantforBillBennettduringitsconstruction.Skepticismofthedesignbythehydrocommunitypersistedevenasthecanard-Circusprojectprogressed,andwarningsfoundtheirwayintoprintfromavarietyofsourcesthatFisher’sconceptwouldsimplynotwork.Despitetheatmosphereofnegativity,theCircusCircuscamppersistedindevelopingthenewdesign,andatthesametimehedgedtheirbetsabitbystartingthe1980seasonwiththe'79boatrepresentingtheteamuntilthenew"rocketship"hullcouldbecompleted.

AsworkprogressedonthecanardCircusCircus,wordwasthatlessandlessfocuswasplacedonthethree-pointteamasownershipconcentratedonfinishingthefour-pointproject.ThefutureoftheCircusCircusteam,saidtheteam’suppermanagement,laystrictlyinthefuturisticlookingexperimentalhull.Therewerealsoreportscirculatingthattensionanddiscontentwererisingamongstthecrewoftheconventionalhull’steam,andwhenthefour-pointmadealessthanstellardebutattheSanDiegoracebyfailingtoevenqualifyandtheconventionalhullfailedtofinish,mostofthecrewincludingReynoldsandCrewChiefHarveywereeitherfiredorquittheteam.

TheRolls-poweredfour-pointCircusCircus.–BruceMenzphoto–HydroplaneandRaceboatMuseumcollection.

Attheendof1980season,BennettalsoridhimselfoftheconventionalU-31,andasthecanardhullbeganitslogthroughthe1981racecircuit,itwasrevealedthatthenewowner,AlLetcherofLancaster,California,hadnamedDaveKnowlenteammanagerofhisnewteam.Therumoredpurchasepriceofthehullhadbeen$75,000sansengines.OnemediasourcealsorevealedthatKnowlenhadmadethemoveafterhavingbeen“fired”fromhispositionastheCircusCircusteam’sdesignengineerbyownerBennett.Accordingtothereport,KnowlenhaddisagreedwithBennettoverthedesigner’ssuggestedchangesintheunconventionalfour-point.Atthetimeofthefiring,however,themediawastoldbytheCircusownerthatKnowlenhadbeenputonan“indefiniteleaveofabsence”to“restandgetawayfromthepressureofthesport.”Afollow-uparticleproposedthatthelikelycauseofthe“leaveofabsence/firing”reallydatedbacktoaJune25,1980confrontationbetweenKnowlenanddesignerEdFisheratthatfour-pointer’sfirsttestingonLakeWashington.TheSeattleTimesreportrevealedthatKnowlenhadbeenheardtoyellanobscenityatFisher,leavingnodoubtthathehadhadenoughoftheotherman.TheTimesarticlealsoindicatedthatKnowlenhadthensupposedly“squaredoff”asiftothrowapunchbeforehewasescortedaway.Knowlenwaslaterquotedassayingthatheblewhiscoolatthewrongtime,andthattheconfrontationgrewoutofapersonalityconflictwiththeotherboatdesignerandthatitwasn’tadisputeoverdesignfactorsatall.AfterthesaleoftheboattoLetcher,thehullwastransportedfromtheCircusCircusteambaseinLasVegastoLetcher’sbaseofoperationinTacoma.Letcherwasamintownerandjetpilotbytradeandwasbasedinthatcommunity.Knowlenwasquotedatthetimeoftheboat’spurchasethatLetcherwasconsideringbuildinganewboatoutofgraphitecompositeandpoweringitwithahelicopterturbineengine–perhapsforeshadowingatrendthatwouldsoontotallychangetheunlimitedhydrolandscape.TheformerCircusattempteditsdebutforthe1981seasonatThunderOntheOhioinEvansville,IndianaastheU-77SpiritoftheAirForce.DrivenbyownerLetcher,itwastheonlyboatthatfailedtomakeitontothewaterforaqualificationrunfortheIndianarace.Theboatwasthenano-showforboththeColumbiaCupinJulyandtheSeaGalleyGoldCupinSeattle.TheSquireShopteamalsodebutedits’81seasonatEvansville.Severalreportssaidthattheboathadundergoneextensivemodificationsintheoff-seasonandthattheteamhadfirstpasseduptheMiamiracetogetthingsready,andthenhadalsoskippedtheSilverCupinDetroitandtheGovernor’sCupatMadisonwhenthehull

experiencedtoomuchliftduringtestingonLakeWashington.Theliftingactionwasslowingtheboatabout20milesperhourinthechutes,soCrewChiefJerryZuvichhadkepttheboatintheshoptotuneouttheflightiness.ItappearedthechangesandthetimethathadbeentakentofinetunethemhadpaidimmediatebenefitsasHanauerandtheSquirepostedaqualifyingspeedof127.208ontheEvansvillecourse,placingitthirdontheladderbehindtherecordsettingrunofDaveHeerensperger’snewturbinePayn’Pak(131.627)andanearrecordturnofthecoursebyDeanChenowithandMissBudweiser(131.148).TheSquirethensweptbothitspreliminaryheats,dispatchingthePayn’PakinHeat1-AbyoverfivemilesperhourandthenedgingbyMissMadisoninHeat2-A.Thesecondsectionwinwasn’twithoutcost,however.OnLap4,thehorizontalwingbegantodeconstructandthestabilizeranditssupportsendedupfloatingdowntheOhioRiverastheboatekedoutthewin.Thepatrolboatsretrievedthewinganduprights,butbecausethemountingbracketshadbrokenoffitcouldnotbereattachedbetweenheats.Withoutthewing,theSquirestillmanagedtoplaceastrongsecondtoMunceyandtheAtlasinthefinalafterMissBudexpiredonthefinallaptomoveeveryoneup.AsHanauerreturnedtothepits,however,aloudexplosionoccurred,blowinga10-foot-squareholeintheSquire’sdeckwhiletossingwoodsplintershighintotheair.TheU-2thenburstintoflames,causingHanauertoquicklyjumpshipwhilerescueteamsandtheSquirecrewfoughtthefire.Hanauerwasuninjured,buttheboatsufferedextensivedamage.TheteamwasabletomaketheneededrepairsintimefortheColumbiaCuptwoweekslater,withHanauerqualifyingastrongfourthontheladderthistimewithaspeedof126.582mph.AheadofthemwereJohnWaltersandthePayn’Pakat133.136,BillMunceyandtheAtlasVanLineswitharunof134.731,andtherecordsettingeffortofDeanChenowithandMissBudweiserwithatimeof137.195.Receivingsometimelyracingluck,theSquireavoidedhead-to-headmatch-upswiththethreeotherhotboatsandmanagedtomakeittothefinalwithanunblemishedrecord,tiedwithMissBudweiserwith800ontwoheatwinswhileaveraging114.943mph.Inthefinal,BillMunceydominatedthefirstfourandone-halflapswhiletyingtheColumbiaCup2.5milerecordof133.730mphintheprocess.Onthebackstretchofthefinallap,theBlastersufferedafuel-systemproblemandshutdown,seeminglyleavingMissBudweiserinpositiontotakethewin.ButHanauerhadworkedhimselfintopositiontotakethewinawayfromtheBeerWagon…anddid.

AstheBudcameoutofthefinalturn,Hanauerhadmovedfromaquarterlapback

onLap3toapositiononChenowith’soutsidehip.AstheBuddriftedoutabitatthe

exitpin,HanauersuddenlyshotinsidewiththeSquireandtookawayLane1.TheU-

2thenblewpasttheBudinthefinalhundredyardsandtookthewinbylessthan

one-halfsecond.Theclosenessofthefinishisreflectedinthespeedsposted–

120.968fortheSquireand120.579fortheBud.

TheSquireShopqualifiedinthefourthpositionontheladderfortheSeaGalley

APBAGoldCupinSeattleaweeklaterwitharunof126.090.ChenowethandMiss

Budweiseragainledthewaywithanotherrecordrun,thistimeatablistering

139.212,followedbyWaltersandthePayn’Pak(134.632),andMunceyandAtlas

VanLines(132.177).

TheSquire’sspeedputitinthe“GoldCupFlight”ofSeattle’smodifiedSeafair/Gold

Cupfanplanandassuredtheteamofhavingabetterthanaveragechanceofmaking

thefinalaslongastheequipmentheldtogether.JoiningtheSquireandthebigthree

inthatgroupwereJackSchaeferJr.andThousandTrails(125.702)andScottPierce

andOhBoy!Oberto(119.602).

ThefirstGoldCupFlightheatsawallsixboatssprintingatfulltilttowardsthetight

firstturn,presentingthepotentialforhighdangerandpotentialcollision.Caughtin

theconflagrationwasMuncey,whowastryingtostaywideofPierceandtheOberto.

HewasforcedtocrosstheroostertailsoftheBudweiser,Pak,andSquireinthat

ordertoavoidasponson-bender.Whilepassingthroughthewallofwater,he

washeddowntheAtlas’electricalsystem,andtheboatwentdeadinthewateratthe

apex.BythetimeMunceyhadtheBlasterbackupandrunning,itwasfaroutof

contention.

AtaboutthesametimeasMunceytookhisthunderboatbath,WaltersandthePak

foundthemselvesbetweentheBudweiserontheinsideandtheSquireonthe

outsidewithspaceforhisboatnarrowingrapidly.CrowdedbytheSquireandwith

nowhereelsetogo,WalterstookthePakintotheBud’srearwing,takingonwater

ashedidso.ThePaksufferedstructuraldamagefromthebumpingandwentdead

afteronelap.

Whenthingsfinallysettleddown,SchaeferandtheThousandTrailsledforonelap

beforeChenowithandtheBudcaughtthem.TheBudwasn’tchallengedforthe

durationoftheheat,averaging115.850forthefivelaps.Behindhim,Hanauerand

Schaeferbattleditoutforsecond,withtheSquirefinallysurgingaheadonthefinal

turnfor300pointsandsecondplace.

TheBudweiser’smarginofvictoryovertheSquirewasonly1.663milesperhour,

whilethemarginexistingbetweentheSquireandthethirdplacefinisherwaseven

smaller--.293mph.