Year: 1958

Owner: Ron Daum (Woodinville, Wash.)

Driver: Ron Daum

Model Builder: Howard Price

Construction: Carbon Fiber

Year Built: 2006

Motor: Himax 3630-1500 brushless

Radio: Futaba/Hitec DX Synth

Electronic Speed Control: Castle Creations Baracuda 80

Propeller: Graupner K45

Paint: Mahogany, yellow and black

Graphics: Screen cut vinyl by Pacific Graphics of Auburn, Wash.

Notes about the model: A new hull for 2007, Ron Daum having been graciously granted the rights to the registration by Howard Price. Howard had built a beautiful wood hull version of the boat and ran it in the 2004 and 2005 seasons. This new boat is the 1/10th scale electric version of Ron Daum’s 1/8 scale boat he competed in RCU with the 1970’s winning the 1976 Seafair Trophy and finishing second behind Monte Steere’s Slo-Mo-Shun V in the RCU 1976 Gold Cup. Under construction in the Price Shops in late 2006, the new “Charlie” went to the Such Crust/Pepsi Shop for outfitting in January 2007 and then to Craig Bradshaw for paint.  She made her debut at the NAMBA Fast Electric Nationals held in Monroe, Wash. in June 2007 where she won the Hydro Class Concourse Best of Show. This new boat weighs in at 5 pounds which is nearly a full pound lighter than her big stable mate the Such Crust III. Competing in seven ERCU events in 2007, she reached the final in three and her best finishes were third place at the Diamond Cup and Brewers Cup. In 2008, the Charlie participated in 11 events and reached the final heat in five of them with her best finishes were fourth at the Bill Brow Memorial and Emerald Cup.

Notes about the real boat: Wildroot Charlie started life as Joe Schoenith's Gale IV in 1954. She measured 30 feet and used a single Allison engine. Designed and built by Les Staudacher, Gale IV (together with the first Gale V) was half of one of the most successful two-boat racing teams in the history of the sport. With Bill Cantrell driving, Gale IV won the 1954 Indiana Governor's Cup, the 1954 President's Cup, and the 1955 Detroit Memorial Regatta.

Sold to the Buffalo Syndicate in 1957, GALE IV was renamed Wildroot Charlie and raced under that name during 1957-58 out of the Buffalo Launch Club of Grand Island, N.Y. With Bob Schroeder driving, she finished second in National High Points in 1957 and forth in 1958. It's interesting to note that Wildroot Charlie's former owners (Joe and Lee Schoenith) had a very disappointing 1957 season with Gale V and Gale VI and the boat that they sold finished ahead of them in every race!

The Buffalo Syndicate replaced Wildroot Charlie with Miss Buffalo in 1959. Bob Miller of Everett, Wash., bought Wildroot Charlie and campaigned her as Miss Everett (1960), Cutie Radio (1961), Miss B&I (1962) and U-Owe-Too (1963). (From Fred Farley's hydro history).

Notes about 2009: In 2009, Wildroot Charlie had to share course time with the Such Crust III and Ron's new 1957 Thriftway Too. Participating in six events, she made the final on three occasions. Charlie's best finish in 2009 was second at the Bill Brow Memorial. Sponson damage sustained at the Bernie Little Memorial ended her season. A repaired Wildroot Charlie will return to competition in 2010.