OAKLAND WOLVERINE             

                           MODEL BOAT CLUB

HISTORY OF OWMBC

We would like to take this opportunity on the 40th anniversary of the Oakland Wolverine Model Boat Club, to share some memories and a short history of the club. 

 In 1986 the Wolverine Model Race Boat Assoc. (WMRBA) and the Oakland Model Boat Club (OMBC) merged into a single organization known as the Oakland Wolverine Model Boat Club (OWMBC).

The WMRBA was formed in 1966 with five charter members. The OMBC was formed in1977 with nine charter members. Two of the WMRBA members remain active, Jerry Betke and Bob Kirt. Chris Capald is the last OMBC member to remain active. 

We have a proud heritage. OWMBC members have contributed much to the development of model boating through the years. Mike Betke, John Bridge, Jack Bucknell , Bill Cummings, Tom Hyner and Lou Mettatal have been in the IMPBA record book. John Bridge is a member of the IMPBA Hall of Fame. Tim Ries developed the outrigger hulls and was the originator of Crapshooter Boats. John Beardslee made performance props available to all boaters. Ron Logghe developed and made performance nitro fuels available for boats. Tom Daniels designed and built a line of high performance mono hulls. Mike Nowicki is close to breaking 100 mph with a B-Hydro. Joe Wiebelhaus as IMPBA District 2 1/8th Scale Director strongly supported that class. Numerous OWMBC members have been the IMPBA District 2 champions in the 1/8th Scale class. Through the years our members have represented us well at the IMPBA Internats and the Hydro Masters.  

OWMBC members have stepped up to support IMPBA. John Bridge served as District 2 Director and President of IMPBA. Jerry Badgero and Jerry Betke have served as District 2 Directors. We have hosted two IMPBA Internats and so many district races that it would be hard to document them. Our Mini Gold Cup Race has been an annual event since 1968. For years, we have hosted two IMPBA record trials annually, thanks to guys like Tom Daniels, Bill Cummings and Terry Keely.

To all of our members past and present who have contributed so much to this sport and to our club, “Thank You”.

Just remember, "No one remembers who came in second"!!!                       

Jerry      Betke  

Pics of John Bridge II

John Bridge Hull Trophies	John Bridge	John Bridge	John BridgeII with Jerry Betke	John Bridge Engine
John Bridge Engine	John Bridge Engine	John Briege Engine	John Bridge Hull	John Bridge Hull
John Bridge Hull	John Bridge Hull

                                                             

www.prop-shop.com  for the Prop Shop ~ one of OWMBC's favorite spots

 

 

Oakland Wolverine Model Boat Club