APBA Vintage and Historic

09/03/2026

Start planning your trip to the 2027 National Meeting

The countdown to Kansas City has begun! Room blocks for the 2027 APBA National Meeting are now officially open. We encourage all attendees to make their reservations early to secure accommodations within the discounted group rate. The deadline to reserve your room in the APBA block is January 6, 2027.

For more information and the room block link, please click below:

https://www.apba.org/news-2027-apba-national-meeting---room-reservation-block-is-open.html

09/03/2026

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: The nomination deadline for this year's Rudders is just around the corner. Please submit them to Mike Noonan at [email protected] before November 1st.

The RUDDERS Recognition Program honors long-term contributors—such as owners, drivers, mechanics, builders, and officials—who support the American Powerboat Association (APBA) Vintage & Historic (V&H) Committee’s mission to preserve and showcase powerboat racing history.

Key Program Details:

• Annual Recognition: Up to three (3) individuals (living or deceased) are selected each year.

• Nomination Deadline: Nominations must be submitted by November 1 by any active V&H/APBA member or representative, along with written documentation detailing the candidate's achievements.

• Selection Process: A Selection Sub-Committee (V&H Vice-Chairman, Regions Representative, and Officiating Representative) reviews submissions and passes recommendations to full V&H voting members for approval.

• Core Criteria:

- Long-term active participation in APBA V&H events.

- Demonstrated support for V&H founding principles (tangible or intangible).

- Non-discriminatory policy regarding craft type, propulsion, or personal background.

- Flexible evaluation that allows consideration of unique contributions outside standard criteria.

• Induction: Inductees are notified promptly to facilitate attendance and are presented with a citation and token at the National APBA Meeting. Rollover status applies, keeping unselected nominees eligible for future years.

08/21/2026

When you vote this year, please consider the candidates who have a connection to V&H. Having a seat at the table will ensure that our voice carries throughout the organization.

We have 1 person running for BOD and 3 for Council at Large -

- BOD Mike Sadlon
- COL Jeff "Nemo" Buckley
- COL Matt Yarno
- COL Billy Noonon (note Billy is a write in candidate)

PLEASE VOTE!

Ballots for the APBA Board of Directors elections will be distributed on August 20th at 9:00 AM ET via the email address listed in your APBA/Trackside profile. Members will also receive a text message reminder to vote using the cell phone number on file.
To be eligible to vote, you must have been a full racing or non-racing member prior to August 1, 2026. Voting closes on September 1st at 11:59 PM ET.
Members will be voting for three (3) new Board of Directors members. Elected individuals will serve three-year terms from November 1, 2026, through October 31, 2029.
Please review candidate bios prior to casting your vote. Candidate bios are also available directly on the ballot.

https://www.apba.org/news-2027-apba-board-of-directors-and-council-at-large-elections.html

2027 Board of Directors Election Candidates:
Bob Wilson
Callie Shensky
Dave Briesacher
David Rankin
Gary Hughes
Jason Diamond
Katelyn Shaw-Fanaris
Kurt Romberg
Mike Sadlon
Mike Talarzyk

07/08/2026

Sometimes you have to try multiple helmets to get the best and safest fit. How many did you have to try before you got it right?

06/02/2026

RACE WEEKEND▪️ Piney Point, MD

🔸 Southern Maryland Boat Club is proud to present the Piney Point Rumble on the River Regatta. St. Georges Creek in Piney Point, Maryland, sets the stage for an action-packed weekend of racing. Best of luck to all competitors and thank you to the volunteers working behind the scenes to make it happen.

Sanction info ⬇️
https://apba.org/Sanctions/print_sanction.php?EditID=14224

📸 JD Walker Photography

05/27/2026

Your V&H Committee remains focused on Safety as echoed by the words of Nemo, "Safety is Paramount!" This is exemplified by our recent bylaw revisions which were all in the name of safety. To take our safety culture one step further, I would like to introduce to you to the IMSAFE initiative. In aviation, the IMSAFE acronym is a mandatory pre-flight self-assessment checklist pilots use to ensure they are physically and mentally fit to fly. It evaluates personal readiness to prevent pilot-induced errors. We have all had a moment or 2 when we may not have been on our "A" game yet we chose to get behind the wheel anyways. I challenge you all to perform this self-assessment and make the hard call to stay on the shore the next time you are a bit off. It could save your life and or the lives of those around you.

I care deeply about each and every one of you along with this sport. Together we can remain a strong, viable, and most importantly safe organization. All we have to do is lean in a little and set the example.

Special thanks to Steve Compton for his contributions.

05/19/2026

Do you think you know our Bylaws? Well here is a chance to test your knowledge. Don't be shy, give it a shot and let us know how you scored! Click the link below and it will take you to a multiple-choice quiz. Please note that it is AI generated so some of the wording can be slightly off.

https://gemini.google.com/share/fda8e1169445

05/07/2026

So were a little behind with getting this posted but if you are looking for something to do this summer, we have no shortage of events that V&H will be a part of!

05/06/2026

It's never too early to start thinking about your next helmet. Especially considering that at the start of the 2027 (next) season, Nov 1, 2026, your SNELL 2015 helmets will be illegal. That's right, SNELL 2020 will be the new minimum rating. Don't say we didn't warn you :)

04/27/2026

V&H friends and family! The 2026 Inspection Test is now live. Below is the link -

https://apba.org/documents/237706394-04-24-2026-V&H_Inspector_Test_2026.pdf

If that does not work for you, simply go to APBA.org, then to the resources page. From there you will type Vintage Inspector Test and it should take you right to it. Here's my call to action - we can't do this thing we love without volunteers and one of the key roles is that of our inspectors. We have a lot of boats and not a lot of inspectors. Is this the year you will step up and help? And to those long-time inspectors, thank for all that you have done and for what you continue to do. It's a thankless job but it helps ensure that we can come back to the shore after each heat safely.