Owners, drivers, boat builders, engine gurus, designers, naval architects and boat racing fans have been journeying to the Buffalo Launch Club since 1903. Home of the oldest powerboat racing club in the country, it has been host to some of the finest race boat regattas ever held.
 

Golden Thunder

Just like old times, the 2003 event featured 160 entries. A diverse field included antique & classic runabouts, cruisers, old launches, skiffs, canoes, kayaks, sailboats, outboard powered race boats and motorboats. A glorious selection of fabled race boats graced the grounds. A crowd in excess of 7000 jammed the docks and new break wall as heat after heat sped around the racecourse.
 

Arab IV
Replica of the 1922 boat owned & raced by the Sidway brothers of BLC. 
Geoff Magnuson & Blueberry Hill team built this one.

Opening ceremonies saw select boats from different eras speed by as the flag raising ceremony & cannon firing occurred. U-60 Century 21, Arab IV, Tempo VI, Heldane II and Obsession made the parade lap a tribute to the hundreds of boats that had raced at BLC in the last 8 decades.
 

A re enactment of the famous 1924 Fisher Allison Trophy Race brought back memories of Gar Wood driving his Baby Gar IV while dressed in top hat, white gloves and tuxedo. Featured boats participating included Bob Bannister & Baby Gar V, F-31, who, in the spirit of the occasion dressed up in Tux and tails!
 

Competition was provided by the "Speed Boys" group of Tom Frauenheim and Miss St. Lawrence,
 

 Tom Mittler & his 24' Liberty powered Vogler Boy,
 
 

and Don Price in his sleek Elusive.
(Bill DeGlopper photo)