AMERICAN POWER BOAT ASSOCIATION (APBA) - The APBA is the sanctioning body for about every type of boat racing. Without the APBA the exhibition portions of the boat show wouldn't be possible and we are working hard with the APBA for future boat racing events here on the Mississippi River. The website is www.apba-racing.com and express your interest to them in bringing racing back to the banks of the mighty Mississippi River.

ANTIQUE CLASSIC BOATING SOCIETY (ACBS) - The ACBS was formed for the preservation and enjoyment of Historic, Antique, and Classic Boats. The society has a support network second to none with information on all types of boats and a discussion forum that will answer most questions relating to a boat that may not be found in other locations. There are various chapters of the ACBS that hold events every year to promote the growth of antique and classic boating. For more information visit their website at www.acbs.org

The following are local chapters of the ACBS that will have boats at the event. We have taken boats to their shows in the past and they all have a great time. We look forward to anyone in other chapters across the states to also join us at the river.

1. Blackhawk Chapter ACBS, Mt. Prospect, IL / www.blackhawkacbs.com
2. Mississippi Valley ACBS, St Louis, MO.
3. Glacier Lake Chapter ACBS, Port Washington, WI.
4. Clear Lake Chapter ACBS, Clear Lake, IA / www.clearlakeacbs.org
5. Jerry Dyhrkopp Great Lakes Chapter, Okoboji, IA
6. Bob Speltz Land O Lakes, Minneapolis,MN / www.acbs.bsol.com

ANTIQUE OUTBOARD MOTOR CLUB INC. -You want to know about your old outboard! This group will help you to find any resource you need to fix or identify your old outboard. Check it out at www.aomci.org

BLARNEY ISLAND DRAG BOATS - Every Thursday evening in the summer a group of racers gather at Blarney Island to race their boats and have a great time. This summer make a trip to see them race and support Blarney Island. For more information go to www.blarneyisland.com

CENTURY BOAT CLUB - One of the two larger manufacturers of wooden runabouts and utilities in the 20' - 60's along with Chris Craft. Known for their larger engines and single plank bottom boats, they were known as the thoroughbred of wooden boats. For all of the information you ever wanted to know on Century Boats go to www.centuryboatclub.com

CHRIS CRAFT BOAT CLUB - The largest manufacturer of wooden boats Chris Craft was founded by Chris Smith and has a large following. Their club has a magazine called the Brass Bell and Bill Basler is the editor of the magazine and lives about 45 miles away in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Email:bbasler@chris-craft.org
Web: www.chris-craft.org

CLASSIC FIBERGLASS BOATS - Dave Moehrke from Wisconsin is in love with the classic glass boats and has a website known as Big Fine Boats based on the early styling's of the boats. Dave is into street rods and head lighted big tail finned wonders. Don't be surprised to see him at the event with a street rod towing his boat. If you want to find out more about the early classic fiberglass checkout Dave's new website at www.bigfinboats.com More items and galleries will be added as Dave brings the website up to speed by the first part of March.

CLASSIC BOATING MAGAZINE - If you have a wooden boat from the last century or a fiberglassic then you should have a subscription to this magazine. They have regional coverage of many of the events with excellent technical articles and classifieds.

CORRECT CRAFT FAN - I met Steve W. at the Quincy,IL. Boat Show last September and he is helping to bring some of the first true fiberglassic inboards to the show. They have an annual show for the Correct Craft owners in Wisconsin and we look forward to seeing their boats at the show. Check them out at their website: www.correctcraftfan.com

DRAG BOAT REVIEW - Check out the latest drag boat racing news at this website or subscribe to their publication. They cover all sanctions of drag boat racing. Visit www.dragboatreview.com

FIBERGLASSICS - The name says it all, in the late 50's and early 60's the fiberglass boats were starting to become popular and the wooden boats started to become classics. The early fiberglass boats had stylings like the automobiles of the time with fins and various automotive styling. If you think you have a fiberglassic get the rubbing compound out and buff it down for the show. Checkout their website at www.fiberglassics.com

GRAND PRIX HYDROPLANES - Also known a GP hydros the GP class is the fastest automotive engine boats that go around corners in the world. Typical engine size is around 500 cubic inch with a supercharger to make them one of the wildest rides on the water. See their website at www.gphydro.com

HAGERTY INSURANCE - Hagerty Insurance has long been a part of sponsoring classic boat shows with entrant's packages and the same holds true for our show. Please check them out for your boat insurance needs. www.hagerty.com

HEARTLAND BOATING MAGAZINE - Devoted to both power and sailboating enthusiasts throughout the heartland of North America. Primary geographic readership areas include Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin. HeartLand Boating reflects the lifestyle of the boater, the challenge, joy and excitement of life afloat. The content is informative and warm, with some personal observations and humor mixed in. We record some trips, especially to areas we don't see too often. We like profiles of unusual and noteworthy people along the waterways and places to visit, things to see and do, tips and hints. www.heartlandboating.com

INTERNATIONAL HOT BOAT ASSOCIATION (IHBA) - The IHBA is one of the main drag boat racing sanctioning bodies. The former American Drag Boat Association had been merged into a common sanctioning body that is now the IHBA. If you like the world of drag boats check out www.ihba.com

MUSCATINE, IOWA - The City, To learn more about what there is in Muscatine visit the following websites, www.muscatine.com and www.meetmuscatine.com . If yu have any questions feel free to contact our Greater Muscatine Visitors and Convention at 563-263-8895. The people there have been working with us on the event, and are more than willing to help you on any questions you may have regarding Muscatine.

NATIONAL JET BOAT ASSOCIATION (NJBA) - The NJBA is the sanctioning body for jet drag boats and holds most of their events in Bakersfield, CA. Where some drag boats run props, a jet boat pulls in water and pushes it back out through a pump powered by the motor. This water is forced out at a such a high velocity it pushes the boat through the water. Jerry Hicks is one of their national champions with his nitrous assisted boat. For more information visit www.njbaracing.net

PHIL KUNZ PHOTOGRAPHY - You want to see some amazing pictures from a former racer of hydros. Phil also has a section of his website that explains the different types of racing boats for your information. Check out Phil's website at http://www.philkunzphotography.com/

QUINCY BOAT CLUB AND QUINCY BOAT SHOW - Quincy, Illinois is probably one of the best known towns in the United States for bringing outboard hydroplane racing to prominence in the 50's. In the late 50's there was a gentleman named O.F. Christner from Quincy, IL that decided it was time to take his little Quincy Welding Shop and make a name for himself. That he did. By the end of the 50's he had taken and produced modified Merc outboard blocks into the hottest outboard power plant in the nation. The outboard became known as the" Quincy Merc Looper " and in his Quincy Welding Shop produced some of the nation's top outboard racing motors. The City of Quincy and its residents are very proud of what O.F Christner did for the boating world. Mid September every year the Quincy Boat Club have a Boat Show that they have many of the old boats from the O.F.Christner era. Art Nedcheck, a former racer from Quincy, has put together a traveling display with many of the Merc engines and hydros that were from the Quincy area. He is a walking historian of the Merc Looper and we hope he can come to our event. This September make plans to attend their show. They are a great group of boaters who have a great time! Check out www.boatracingfacts.com and http://www.djparty.com/QuincyClassicBoatShow.html for information on their boat show.

RACINE EXTREME - Racine Extreme is the Midwest leader in local motor sport coverage of events including the Blarney Island Drag Boat Races. Troy Oleson has been great in helping to support the show and talk to different boaters from Blarney Island and Badger Outboard Racing Association. If you have any questions contact.
RACINE EXTREME ** P.O. Box 387 ** Waterford, WI 53185
Phone: (414) 810-8013 Fax: (262) 706-3032
Email: Toleson1@racine-extreme.com
Web: www.racine-extreme.com

THE RUDDER - This is the Antique and Classic Boating Society's publication for all of it's members. Also loaded with information for the members and programs the society has started for it's members. Check out www.acbs.org for more information.

SCREAM AND FLY - If you own an outboard then check out this website. It is the Outboard website extraordinaire. www.screamandfly.com

VINTAGE BOATING LIFE Vintage Boating Life is another regional wooden boat publication available for subscription. Visit their website at www.vintageboatinglife.com. and subscribe today.

VINTAGE HYDROPLANES - Last but definitely not least is the vintage hydroplanes group. This website is a plethora of information on the preserving of Vintage Hydroplanes and also past coverage of original racing events from the 40's through the 80's. Today they hold sanctioned exhibition events as an extension of the American Power Boat Association (APBA) Their members have some very beautiful restorations of past racing champions and we look forward to having them become a part of the "That Was Then, This Is Now" boating event. Check them out at their website www.vintagehydroplanes.com

YELLOW JACKET BOATS - The Yellow Jacket Boats were a very popular boat that has a unique construction. Just look at this website and you will se Marty Franz's love of Yellow Jackets and also a link to the Yellow Jacket Reunion. Marty will be bringing one of his rare Yellow Jackets to our show. Check out Marty's Yellow Jackets at www.martyonline.com