Year: 1960

Boat Number: U-25

Owner: Rick Lentz (Bellevue, Wash.)

Driver: Rick Lentz

Model Builder: Henry Marvin

Construction: Wood and glue

Year Built: 2004

Motor: Himax 3630-1500 brushless

Radio: Spektrum

Electronic Speed Control: Castle Creations Hydra 120

Propeller: Graupner K45 carbon fiber, unless custom is allowed

Paint Colors: Lilac & purple.

Graphics: PGI Models of Auburn, Wash.

Notes about the Model: This hull was built in 2004 as the 1963 Miss Exide by Henry Marvin, his first venture into 1/10-scale boat building. The Exide ran for five years before Rick made Henry an offer he couldn't refuse to purchase the hull. With the withdrawal by Patrick Gleason of the previously registered Roger Newton-built Miss Spokane, Rick latched on to the registration and converted the Exide to the Miss Spokane, his favorite boat of all time. Converting the Exide was possible because the Spokane is the hull duplicate of the 1956 Miss Wahoo, the boat that became the Exide.

Notes about the real boat: In 1960, Rex Manchester was named driver of the community-sponsored Miss Spokane unlimited hydroplane. Miss Spokane was a Ted Jones-designed hull, a duplicate of Jones' highly successful Miss Wahoo and Shanty I. Although a smooth-riding craft, Miss Spokane had one glaring handicap: a lack of funds. The "community-sponsored" lable was a misnomer. In Manchester's words, "the crew supports the boat and the wives support the crew."

Rex qualified as an unlimited driver at Chelan, Wash., in 1960. Mechanical difficulties plagued the team at the first few races. But at the 1960 Seattle Seafair Regatta, Manchester clearly demonstrated that he had "The Right Stuff." He came heartbreakingly close to scoring a victory. Rex had a clear lead over Bill Muncey and Miss Thriftway in the final heat and was the apparent race winner. Unfortunately for Manchester, an accident to another boat caused a stoppage with Miss Spokane just seconds away from the checkered flag. The heat had to be re-run with Muncey winning it decisively and Manchester finishing a distant second. Rex drove the Miss Spokane for two years. Other notable finishes included a third place at the 1960 Reno Regatta and a second place at the 1961 Coeur d'Alene (Idaho) Diamond Cup. The U-25 made its final appearance as Miss Spokane at the 1961 Reno Gold Cup where Manchester flipped her upside down while leading in Heat 2B. (Excerpted from "Rex Manchester Remembered - Fred Farley).

Notes about 2009: The Miss Exide ran in just three races in 2009, due in part to a conflicting work schedule by Henry, but also falling out of favor with more attention paid to finishing his new Miss Budweiser T-4 that debuted at the Bill Brow Memorial race. As of the end of 2009, the Exide is in 16th place overall in career points in ERCU.