Crew Chief |
Steve Payne of Vashon Island, WA. (aka "Chief" or "Sparky") Steve is the former owner of Vashon Auto Parts (retired as of July 1, 2005), a NAPA affiliate, and has been a volunteer member of the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum for many years. His accomplishments include, helping refurbish the Hawaii Kai III, crew member of the Museums 1967 Miss Budweiser and crew chief of the 1955 Miss Thriftway replica. |
 Engine/Hull |
Larry Fuller of Vashon Island, WA. (aka "Lars") Larry is sole propritor of K&L Repair on Vashon. Larry worked closely with Roger Newton during the restoration of the hull that was built in 1962 as the Notre Dame, but in 1967 ran as Miss Budweiser. When Roger was asked to be crew chief of Ken Muscatels U-25 Turbine, he turned the reins over to Larry who headed up the crew to finish the hull then spent the next five years (1999-2004) as driver and crew chief. The Miss Thriftways Allison engines were built at Larrys shop and the hull was moved into the shop from Robs for the final 1-1/2 years of the build. |
 Science Officer |
Rob Wheeler of Vashon Island, WA. (aka "Scooter") Rob is the crew chief and driver of the Museums Hawaii Kai III. In addition, he was an important construction member of the innovative Turbine U-2 Trendwest in early 2003. The Miss Thriftway hull spent the first three years of the build in Robs shop. |
 Woodworking/Hull |
Steve Compton of Sammamish, WA. (aka "Woody") Steve is one of the family owners of Compton Lumber in Seattle. Steve raced the radio controlled hydros in the early 80's, crewed on a 280 limited hydro (now 5 liter) and has worked as a part-time volunteer with various unlimited teams over the years. |
 Crew |
Alan McDonough of Bellevue, WA. (aka "Aldo") Alan owns Superior Automotive, an auto/marine repair shop in Bellevue. He is the owner of U-7 Miss Sammamish (originally Miss Skyway), crew member of Unlimited Excitments 1980 Miss Budweiser as well as Hawaii Kai III. Alan has been helping out since the beginning and has plans to build the U-77 Wahoo which was a sister ship to the 1955 Miss Thriftway. |
 Support Coordinator |
Stuart Jones of Vashon Island, WA. Stuarts interest in hydro and auto racing has spanned many years. He was an active crew member for the 1967 Miss Budweiser and 1959 Miss Century21. Stuart has been a hydro fan his whole life and has been instrumental in procuring many major components for Miss Thriftway. |
 Engine Specialist |
Peter Orton of Seattle, WA. Peter has been responsible for the rebuilding, care and maintenance for the vintage engines in the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museums fleet for many years. Vashon Unlimiteds has contracted with Peter to consult on the rebuilding of our Allison 1710 V-12. |
 Computer/CNC Technician |
Lou Fezio of Vashon Island, WA. Lou "No Fairing" Fezio made the bold statement at the beginning of the project that his goal would be to make Miss Thriftway as accurate as possible. With his design skill and programming ablility with CNC software, Lou has saved the project DAYS by tweaking and fussing with the dimensions so they were PERFECT! We did not have to remake any frame part! |
 Crew |
Steve Sorensen of Seattle, WA. (aka "Whip Strut") Mild mannered Boeing worker by day, hard charging hydroplane enthusists by night. Steve started bringing his son Dane down to the museum to work on the boats since Dane was 13. Steve has been regularly working on the Thriftways Allison and took a series of photos the night the block was assembled. |
 Crew |
Dane Sorensen of Seattle, WA. (aka "Stane") Dane has been working on these vintage boats since he was 13. He was named crew chief of the Miss Madison (painted as the Oh Boy! Oberto since 2003) and when he turned 18 years old in 2003, was given the opportunity to take her out solo. Dane has also been a regular at the Friday night engine parties. |
 All around nice guy! |
Larry Vanderhoef of Vashon Island, WA. Larry has been working on the Friday night engine sessions since the beginning. Larry has been generously using his equipment to transport various items for the Miss Thriftway (engines, etc...) and has worked with the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum by being a tow vehicle for the past three years. |
 Merchandise Coordinator |
Eric Compton of Sammamish, WA. (aka "Sliver") Eric is Steves youngest son, and has helped on the project by enthusiastically selling Miss Thriftway merchandise. In 2004 at Lake Chelan, Eric sold over 25 tee shirts, presented the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum a donation of $100.00 from the proceeds, and has helped Steve in coordinating and shipping the merchandise for the team. |