Futaba Marine Team

	Name: Jerry Dunlap Location: Lakewood, Washington Years racing: 44 National Championships: 12 Favorite classes: Tunnel Hulls and Sport Hydroplanes Recent Accomplishments: NAMBA national champion in 3.5cc modified tunnel hull NAMBA national champion in 3.5cc outboard monoplane Winner of the 7.5cc Tunnel hull sport class at the national tunnel hull championships 2008 NAMBA District 8 Champion in three classes and Overall High Point Champion A short blurb about myself: I began building model boats from solid pieces of wood when I was 7 or 8 years old. In the mid-50s, I began building electric powered, free running outboard runabouts and .049 powered free running hydroplanes. I designed and built my first radio control model boat in 1965. Many of my designs have been featured as construction articles in model magazines. My tunnel boat designs have been released in wood, plastic, and fiberglass by major model boating distributors for over 20 years. The Top Speed2 and Miss Vegas RTR hydroplane are two of my most recent designs to be released.

	Name: Jerry Crowther Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Years racing: 22 National Championships: 30+, and holder of over 15 World records! In Nitro, Gas and Electric. Favorite classes: Anything thing that floats. Recent Accomplishments: Winner of the "Jon Bridge" Twin Award Two time winner of the "Excellence Of Performance" award Winner of the "President Cup" First Person in IMPBA History to win 4 US1's at a single event District 3 High Points champion 2008 20 Mono, X mono and Offshore. A short blurb about myself: I started Racing when I was 13 with a local club. I decided to start designing my own boats and just keep trying new things till I got the result I wanted. I Started Seaducer Boats in 1988 and the company grew to what it is today. I enjoy going to Record Trial events as well and love to go fast. I am the "First and Only" person to get a Monohull over 90 MPH.

	Name: Michael "Grimracer" Zaborowski Location: Urbana, Illinois Years racing: 18 National Championships: 12 World Championships: 1 Favorite classes: Tunnel Hulls and Sport/Scale Hydroplanes Recent Accomplishments: IMPBA district 4 champion in multiple classes IMPBA District 6 Fred Johnson cup winner IMPBA Presidents cup winner US-1 Champion in 3.5cc Hydroplane IMPBA National champion 3.5cc Sport Hydroplane Two time winner at the National tunnel hull championships in 3.5cc modified tunnel hull NAMBA 2007 LSH (Limited Sport Hydroplane) National Champion IMPBA World Champion in D Sport Tunnel 2008 Recipient of the 2008 William E. LeFeber Award A short blurb about myself: I began messing around with RC boats at the age of 17. I started racing RC boats in 1991. In 1997 I started designing my own boats and from my efforts came a business called Power Surge Racing Products. I sold Power Surge Racing Products in 2005 and now work full time as the boat designer for AquaCraft Models. The best part about RC boat racing is the great people and the incredible boat speeds.

	Name: Chris Wittrig Location: Orlando, FL (soon to be Richmond, VA) Years Racing: 9 National Championships: 1 Favorite Classes: Any tunnel class. Tunnel boats require you to be both aggressive and patient while using a great deal of finesse to be fast. Recent Accomplishments: 2006 NAMBA A class Modified Tunnel Hull Champion Current and prior record holder in Straightaway and Two Lap Time Trials including the fastest model tunnel boat speed record in the world. A short blurb about myself: I started racing model boats as a fun weekend hobby to enjoy with friends and came to appreciate not just the racing, but the great people involved in racing and giving back to that hobby. I am currently the NAMBA National Outboard Chairman and also the NAMBA.com web master. Although I have had my share of success winning races, winning district and national championships, and setting records, nothing is more rewarding that meeting new model boaters and helping them find the same enjoyment and success that I have had over the last 9 years.

	Name: Ron Zaker Jr Location: Lombard IL Years Racing: 20+ years National Championships: 15+ Favorite Class: B Hydro Recent Accomplishments: B Hydro: 4 time US-1 champion 13 time "Hydromasters" champion 2 time "Mini Gold Cup" high points winner at Detroit 2 time District 4 high points champion 3 time "Spring Nats" winner Set "fast time" at the 2006 Internats (oval) D Hydro: 3 time US-1 champion 2 time "Hydromasters" champion 3 time "Spring Nats" winner at Atlanta Set "fast time" at the 2006 Internats (oval) F Hydro: 2008 National heat racing champion 1/8th Scale: District 4 high points champion Hydrofest champion at GM tech center in Detroit Indiana Governers Cup at Indianapolis Silver Cup winner in Illinois A short blurb about myself: I started R/C boat racing with a 3.5 outboard tunnel in 1988. I moved to the Hydro classes with the help of many seasoned racers. I really enjoy helping "Hydro guys" with setup if needed. I really believe it helps our sport grow and makes it much more fun. I was fortunate enough to be the first person with a 20 Hydro to break into the "teens" on the 2 lap oval at an official record trial. I live in Lombard Il and relax by flying R/C Helis.

	Name: Brian "Snowman" Buaas Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Years racing: 22 (4 FE boats) National Championships: 4 Favorite classes: Anything Electric Recent Accomplishments: 7 podium finishes including 4 class wins at the 2007 NAMBA FE Nationals. 6 NAMBA FE 5 lap heat records (5/8 mile) 2006-2007. 6 NAMBA FE SAW records 2004-2007. 3 IMPBA FE SAW records 2006. First FE Sport Hydro over 80mph. A short blurb about myself: I've been playing with models since I was 7 years old. I started flying RC airplanes in 1979 and have been involved in some form of RC ever since. I tinkered with nitro boats in the 80's mostly just sport running; at the same time racing 1/10 scale off-road at a few of the SoCal tracks. Electric airplanes caught my eye in the mid 90's. I found myself designing and selling models under the Raptor Aerosports label. Club racing electric pylon planes lead to F5D pylon racing and a spot on the 1998 US F5D team competing at the FIA world champs (5th place individual, 2nd place team). I spent the next few years building/flying competition hand launch gliders (HLG). The highlight being a 7th place finish at the 2002 IHLGF where more than a quarter of the field flew my newly designed Raptor DLG. In 2004 I built my first FE boat, a 17" catamaran powered by a retired F5D pylon motor. It was great fun and surprised everyone at the 2004 LA FE SAW's, 43 mph in N2 offshore. The addiction set in and the rest is history. I try to have a no secrets attitude. There's nothing better than helping racers grow as competitors. The most memorable races are the close ones, it almost doesn't matter who wins. It's fun to win, but a hotly contested loss is more memorable than a runaway win.

	Name: Russ Williamson Location: Champaign, IL Years racing: 5 yrs. Marine, 20 years in the industry... National Championships: 3 World Championships: 1 Favorite classes: .21 Sport Hydroplane, .21 Tunnel Hull Recent Accomplishments: 2008 World Champion .21 Sport Tunnel 2007 IMPBA National Champion .21 Sport Tunnel Hull 2007 IMPBA National Champion .21 Sport Hydroplane 2007 IMPBA National Champion .21 Mod Tunnel Hull A short blurb about myself: I built my first boat in 1988, Dumas 1/8 Scale Unlimited Hydroplane powered by .67 OPS engine. I still remember the first time I launch it. Even the first run with engine rich, it was way cool on the water! Flying airplanes, racing 1/10 super-speedway on-road, etc., I knew boat racing would be way too much fun and it is exactly that! 17 years later (after racing 1/10 on/off-road, 1/12 scale, 1/8 on-road) the opportunity opened up to start racing on water. It is the best!

	Name: Michael Ball Location: Clawson, MI Years racing: On and off 15+ years National Championships: World Championships: Favorite classes: Fast Electric and Nitro Sport Hydro and Outrigger Classes Recent Accomplishments: 2010 1st place P-Limited (Spec) OPC Tunnel Club Class with MMEU Fast Electrics Club 2010 3rd place P-Limited (Spec) Offshore Club Class with MMEU Fast Electrics Club 2010 1st place P-Limited (Spec) Offshore at the Northern Lights Open (Canada) 2010 2nd place P-Limited (Spec) OPC Tunnel at the Northern Lights Open (Canada) 2010 3rd place P-Limited (Spec) Sport Hydro at the Northern Lights Open (Canada) 2009 Current NAMBA P-OPC heat racing record holder 2009 2nd place P-Spec OPC Tunnel Hull at the NAMBA FE Nationals 2009 3rd place P-Spec Sport Hydro at the NAMBA FE Nationals 2009 4th place N-2 Hydro at the NAMBA FE Nationals 2009 2nd place P-Spec Hydro Club Class with MMEU Fast Electrics Club (NAMBA) 2009 2nd place N-2 Hydro Club Class with MMEU Fast Electrics Club (NAMBA) 2009 2nd place P-Spec Sport Hydro at the IMPBA Internats 2009 2nd place P-Spec OPC Tunnel at the IMPBA Internats 2008 3rd place SV-27 Club Class with MMEU Fast Electrics Club (NAMBA) 2007 1st place B Hydro at the Indy Hydro Masters (IMPBA) 2005 3rd place B Hydro in Evansville, Indiana (IMPBA) A short blurb about myself: I have been involved with RC in some capacity for most of my life. Almost all of my knowledge and passion for RC can be attributed to my Father. He has been racing RC boats for over 35 years and is a past 1/8 Scale National Director for the IMPBA. I guess you could say that I get it honestly. As a child, my very first RC was a Tamiya Grasshopper controlled with a Futaba 2-Stick radio. I spent many of my years as a youngster racing RC cars and boats on occasion. After a hiatus from RC to concentrate on High School, College, and my career, I found myself located in Clawson, Michigan and near a local FE (Fast Electric) boat club. At the end of 2007 and into 2008 I became actively involved with MMEU (Mid Michigan Electrics Unlimited) FE Boat Club. Since that time it’s been nothing but good times and great people! I really enjoy the out of town events the most; seeing old friends, making new friends, and learning new tips/tricks from other boaters. It’s the camaraderie and people that keep me coming back!

	Name: Don Ferrette Location: Mechanicsville, Virginia Years racing: 17+ National Championships: 5 Favorite classes: Twin Nitro Hydro 1/8 Scale Unlimited Recent Accomplishments: 18 current IMPBA World Records in Nitro and FE 5 time National Champion 22 time District Champion 2 time Fall Nats Champion IndyMasters F Hydro Champion 3 time Champion Lesnewski Memorial 1/8 Scale Gold Cup Race A short blurb about myself: I was fortunate enough to get my start in model boat racing learning from and racing with some of the best and continue to run with these same people to this day. While I am very proud of my racing accomplishments and am confident my success will continue I also enjoy assisting other model boaters with their own projects, no matter if it's a full on racing boat or just a weekend pond cruiser. Helping others achieve success is the key to growing this great hobby and every phone call, e-mail or handshake at the pond thanking me for a tip, trick or help makes it all worthwhile.