THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 31, 1994 TAG: 9407290239
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
WONDER HOW MANY fishermen have ever entered their boat in a speed race?
And what in the world would be the chances of competing in such an event at the Virginia Offshore Championship with a fishing boat?
Ridiculous, you say.
Well, Portsmouth's John Atherton not only entered the annual race at Richmond but he finished third in the Class B Division. Needless to say, it was the only fishing boat entered.
``We've never had a fishing boat race before,'' said director Nat Turbeville. ``It was something to behold.''
``I've never had more fun,'' said the 41-year-old Atherton. ``This was my first boat race. But I've raced motorcycles and cars.''
Certain racing equipment was required. ``I dug up my old motorcycle helmet and wore it,'' he said.
All exposed metal on the boat had to be padded.
``I used up 10 packages of insulation, like the kind you put around pipes,'' Atherton said.
His one regret was that he hadn't padded his fiberglass seat.
``Believe me, when you travel about 79 miles per hour and you bounce around in 2- and 3-foot seas, it can get interesting,'' he said. ``Trying to steer, work the throttle and hold on, you get thrown every which way. After the race, I couldn't sit down for two days my rump was so sore.''
Atherton, president of Tidewater Yacht Sales, was joined by his Maryland sales manager, Mark Schulstead.
``It was serious business for most of those racing,'' Atherton said. ``One of the boats that won had nine mechanics aboard. I heard there was $800,000 invested in another boat.''
There were six classes, based on a boat's size and horsepower. The overall champion was a boat belonging to Dennis Britt and James Lilly of Graysonville, Md.
Atherton was competing in a class for boats up to 30 feet with 500 horsepower. His Hot Rod, a Performer built in Richmond, is 24 feet with 500 horsepower.
The winning boat in his division belonged to Wayne Walker and Mike Malinoski. Harold Bibey's boat was runner-up.
``I guess the winner beat us by about a mile. We were about 50 yards behind the second boat,'' Atherton said.
``They tell me the winner was a pro champion just two years ago.
``Heck, I believe if we could have gotten a little more speed, we could have won the race.''
The race was 69 miles over about a 7.3 mile course. Hot Rod averaged about 72 mph.
``Our practice was a one-mile warmup lap,'' said Atherton.
Atherton had never seen the race before and was startled by the large number of spectators it drew. ``I guess there must have been 10,000 people,'' he said.
And would he do it again?
``Oh, yes,'' he said. ``But if I do, I won't be sitting on a fiberglass seat.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo courtesy of Crystal Photography
John Atherton of Portsmouth finished third in the Class B Division
of the Virginia Offshore Championship race.
by CNB