For additional information contact:  Lin McCarthy, (757) 850-4225

Southern Bay Racing News You Can Use   # 473

SBRNYCU is an independent weekly publication of southern Chesapeake Bay racing happenings. Founded in April, 2000.

Burrrrrrrrrrrr!  Shiver ye timbers!  Winter begins a week from today, on Monday, December 21, 2009. 

The Dana Dillon Memorial New Year's Madness Race is only 18 days away, as is 2010!  This annual race is co-sponsored by OPCYC and HYC.  The race starts off the Hampton Yacht Club docks.  Breakfast at a reasonable price and skippers' meeting in the HYC bar before the start.  This is a pursuit race (staggered start ) where the slower boats have the earlier starting times.  Cruising boats without a valid rating will be given a courtesy rating plus cruising credits.  After a race around the Hampton Bar, racers finish at the Old Point Comfort Marina docks.  A post-race party is then held in the OPCYC clubhouse where scrumptious food and libations await.  Get an early, really early tune-up for the 2010 racing season!  Check out www.opcyc.org  for the Notice of Race.

Media Watch:  The Virginia Sportsman published an article written by southern Bay notable Tom Roberts on the 50th Mobjack Nationals in the current issue, Dec 09/Jan 10.  As a long-time Mobjack racer, Tom captured the event in its fullest delight!

To Fiddlers' Green.   Raymond Ezra Toms  passed from us last  Friday morning.  Ray was 85.  He had been contributing to the racing community since his involvement in the MORC fleet as a measurer in the early 1960's.   Ray Toms'  son Mike said his father began campaigning his Ranger 26, White Cap, in 1971 and  "...sailed for many years at Fishing Bay in the MORC fleet, our home club, as well for many Spring and Fall Series at Hampton Yacht Club.  Some of his proudest moments in sailing were competing against the likes of John Hawksworth, Sledd Shelhourse, Dave Troyer, Buddy DeRyder, Bob Chang, Bumps Eberwine, Tom Bartron, Bill Spencer, Mike Karn, Dr. Serrett and a host of others. "  Mike said that one of the last trophies his father won "...was with my brother, my father and my mother sailing aboard  White Cap, when they won MORC and overall for the Fishing Bay to Urbanna Race in 1987. To appreciate that, you have to know how much of a non-sailor my mother was."   Ray Toms also sailed with Bill Spencer aboard Short Circuit and Resurrection and worked with Bill Spencer and Wood Thornton to help promote and launch the Frontrunner class.   Raymond Ezra Toms touched many in southern Bay racing circles, and left all the better for it.   (NOTE: Memorial Services were held in Saluda yesterday.  The family asks that contributions be made to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in memory of Raymond Toms.)

MURPHY RACING SEMINAR 2010 - Rules Around the Race Course   The seminar will be a tour of the course, looking at key rules concepts that come up along the way.   You do not need to bring your rule book (RRS), since we'll be talking concepts, not rule numbers!  MURPHY 2010 will be an entertaining and informative examination of how the rules apply at key points during the race.  We'll have a good time and understand why  knowing the rules concepts makes you a better racer.   Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 20, 2010, 9am-3:30pm, for the annual MURPHY RACING SEMINAR.     MURPHY 2010 will be hosted by Norfolk Yacht & Country Club.    The MURPHY 2010 registration fee remains the same as 2009 - $40 per person ($35 for immediate family member of attendee).  The fee  will include coffee and pastries at registration, lunch, and break refreshments, and all seminar materials.  MURPHY 2010 is great for skippers AND crew.    To PRE-REGISTER  BY E-MAIL, send your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address to  mcbear@earthlink.net   Be sure to put MURPHY RACING-2010 on the subject line of your email.  You can also PRE-REGISTER BY PHONE by calling (757) 850-4225.  Questions?  Call (757) 850-4225.  Smarter racers race smart and have more fun doing it!

Dear Readers,

Murphy, the Racing Beagle,  and the rest of the Southern Bay Racing News You Can Use staff are beginning the holiday break.  Look for your next issue of SBRNYCU on Monday, January 4, 2010!   The "office" will be open,  so, if you need to,  don't hesitate to call (757) 850-4225 or email mcbear@earthlink.net .   Merry Christmas,  Happy New Year and  Happy Holidays! 

MURPHY'S LAW:  Those Dalmatians think they look sooooo cool on those fire trucks.  Well... Yrs Truly the Racing Beagle  has lined up an even better gig riding on Santa's sleigh.  The pay is good (treats at every stop),  I get to travel everywhere (literally),  and I work  only one night a year!!   Let those spotted dawgs try to top that!    Merry Christmas and Happy Howl-idays!    /S/  Murphy the Racing Beagle, the sailing spirit in us all.

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SOUTHERN BAY RACING NEWS YOU CAN USE,  Lin McCarthy, Editor