FSEARA History
Written by Bill Fraden, updated 1/25/2007
additional references:  Eddie Herrmann, Rocky Hagan.

Some time ago (5 years) I did the history of our series. Since I was the last of the old timers to run continuous in one or more races since 1982 . I guess it was up to me to compose this history of the series.

Some of my thoughts go back to the first state meeting in 1981 for the 1982 season,. that I went to. It was brutal and as I left the meeting I was wondering what I got myself into. I've got many memories of the friends and racers from the past. Some of my memories are back in 1983 in the first Jacksonville state race at the Orange Park Kennel club. Eddie Herrmann and I were competing in the 1/12th "C" main. Eddie was a A main driver and had a bad day qualifying. Me on the other had been having bad luck for the past several months, but the "C" main was okay. Eddie had some problems at the start of the race and I was in 1st. At the 7 minute mark I saw Eddie he was staring to gain ground. Down the front straightway I went and then I happened. Someone crashed and the turn marshall went to get the car. Only the turn marshall had a cast on his broken leg (no rule at this time about this). I didn't see him until it was to late. My car was finished! The turn marshall was sorry but that didn't help me. I didn't speak to anyone for about a hour. Mike Alexander was the turn marshal and he tried to apologize. To this day I've got the body from that crash, hanging on the wall in my garage.By the way Eddie won.

I've seen all the good and bad changes in our hobby. The from the old wiper arm with a resistor to the present speedcontoller. The old mabuchi 540 motors to the present motors. The water dipping , the cranking the armatures is not new, they have been doing this for years.

The rise and fall of the 1/12th and 1/10th pan cars class ( our roots).The beginning of the off-road cars (the first associated off road car).Some great yearly races - The Red Lobster Classic (Melbourne),Winter Nationals (Orlando), Spring Championships (Atlanta, Ga. ). The introduction of the AMB lap counting system (Red Lobster). When it first came out you had two push buttons on a cord. You punched the button every time the car went past the line. Before this you stopped at the end of the time and the boards were marked. It would be the time and the board count. This was done by either marking on paper on a hand mechanical counter. With the improved AMB system (brought in by Bolink) now we only have to turn marshall after we race.

The first state race was held at Arnie's Hobby Shop on 56th street in Temple Terrace Fla (Tampa).

How about the reason for Sugar water - not coke syurp. How we used to put it on the tracks, with mops and brooms, then the 5 gallon sprayers. When there wasn't a blower and we had to sweep the tracks clean. The stuff we put on the tires - All-Pro.

Some of the other things that happened at the state races. Jacksonville for many years when they hosted races in April - bad choice( April showers). For several years we were known as the rain out race. It would either rain on Saturday or Sunday (mostly Sundays). Some other rain outs were in Miami- it rained so hard the parking lot was under a foot of water and the track was floating away.

There was Winter Haven and the Hardee's (started raining and we had 100 racers inside the Hardee's).In Orlando it rained and stopped so we started racing and then it got dark(no lights). Then it started raining again in my main(when I was leading).

Some of the names from the past : Rocket Ron Benash, Diamond Jim Fuller, Chris Doseck, Bobby Horan, Andy Dobson, Kim Davis, Art Carbonnel ( Delta and Vicfor), Mike Burdette, ARCAR from Atlanta, Denny Smith, Steve Whitney, Steve Krutsinger, Larry McLendon, Mike Fromer, Jay Blackwood, Redline Motors -Jerry Wynn and Paul, Team Pit Stop- Steve Miniea, (the late)Bruce Wilson(Autographics), Eric Grudger, Hugh Ebner, Jeff Davis, Ward Brower, Dwane Johansen, Rocky Hagan(Team Leisure)Dan Roeder, Frankie Puppello (Mr. Concours),The Alabama Gang ,(the late) Bill French Ed Miller, Lance Reynolds (1st Nationals held in Florida- Orlando),Dan Oleski, Allen Lane, Joe Conte, Lance Elbertson, Scott Schike,Pete Peterson, Kevin Hubbard, Mike McBride Sr & Jr, Mike Klenworth, Fred Hanstine, Robert Ham, Tim O'Sullivan Sr. & Jr., Ed Edinburg, Gary and Randy Wells, Greg Barker ,John Bobe and Benny Tucen just a few names from the past. These people helped put Florida on the map and made the series strong.

Anyway back to the Series, it began in 1980 and is on the 21st year (2001).The series it self has had many changes since the beginning and has been innovative in what we've raced each year. Some of the founding fathers of our series are: Eddie Herrmann, Dan Roeder, John Purcells, Dave Willits, Glen Lewis, Dennis Bouchard, Rocky Hagan and Fankie Puppello.

If I've made a mistake , I'm just going on the info I've gotten. In the beginning there was only 1/12th scale( with wiper arms on resistor for speedcontrollers). We worked around the1/8th scale gas car series since many of them raced in there series. We were sort of the off-season racing for the gas cars. The 1/10th scale class didn't come around until 1987.This class was first introduced by Bolink at the Winterchamps with a TOJ body along with a Parma 1/18th scale car. The first two years we raced 5 or 6 one day events on Sundays. We tried a brief experiment in 1982 that almost ended the series. The state was divided into regions and you had to qualify in your region to go to the state race. There were 16 spots in each region. Miami gave 5 of there spots to Team Bolink and Roy Kelly from Atlanta won the race.

Here's the chronological order of what happened in the series from 1980 to 2000 with the series champions:

2006- State Director is Izzy Santiago and Tim Potter as assistant. All Approved Mortgage sponsors the Novice class-EA MotorSports sponsors the Stock TC and X-ray sponsors the 19t TC class. The mid year introduction of the Novak Stock Brush less Motor (13.5). It was allowed to run with the stock class cars with no points awarded to the driver. First six minutes of touring stock racing. Second year of the championship rings the first year for the manufactures cup championship and FSEARA owning their own lap top computer and AMB Scoring system. This is also the last year for the Region Director Bill Fraden. After being the region director and the only one known since 1990, it was time to retire. The second Annual Series Hall of fame BBQ held again at Daytona's Strickland R/C Park. The Second group of inductees are: Rocky Hagan (one of the founding Fathers), Bill Lafoe the Tech God, Steve Whitney  (state Director for many years and because the ROAR Administrator, Jerry Wynn (Redline motors). The Class Champions are as follows- Novice Steve Panton, Stock TC-Tony Padilla, 19t TC- Troy Schafer, Mod TC-Troy Schafer, and 1/12th-Tim Potter.

2005- State Director is Izzy Santiago and Tim Potter as assistant director. All Approved Mortgage sponsors the Novice class for the second year in a row. Also EA Motorsport (Eric Anderson) sponsors the Stock TC class. The 25th year of the series is celebrated with the introduction of the Series Hall of fame. The introduction for each year’s hall of fame members is at the June race with a BBQ. The first year inductee's are- Eddie Herrmann (one of the founding fathers of this series) Bill Fraden Racing since 1981 and region director since 1990, Bob Hall Series director and class champion in many classes, and Troy Schaffer as a director to the series and a pioneer of the spec tires for the series. This was held in Daytona at Strickland R/C track. Also the first year for each class champion to be awarded a ring for his or her yearly championship. Great ideas and a first again for any series (thanks Izzy). The class Champions are as follows: Novice Kyle Calkins, Stock TC- Michael Abraira, 19T TC- Steve McNichols, Mod TC- Paul Wynn and 1/12th- Hector Garcia.   A Co-Sponsor of the 2005 On Road National in Largo Fl., Hosted by Speed line Hobbies.

2004-State director is John Malin with Izzy Santiago is his assissant. All Approved Mortgage sponsors the Novice TC class.  The C27 is the controlled tire for all Touring cars classes. The class Champs are as follows: Novice- John Beck, Stock TC- Tony Padilla, 19t TC- Mike Dobbs, Mod TC- Paul Wynn, 1/12th - Hector Garcia

2003 - A new State Director is elected- John Malin. Several new rules changing two classes. The 1/12th classes goes with 4 cells and 19T spec motor and the 1/10th pan car goes 6 cells and stock. The controlled tire is also the C27 for touring cars again. And we'll see your at the end of the year with the new champions.

2002 - Izzy Santiago final year as Series Director. Touring cars switched to a new controlled tire C27 . Also the 1/10th pan car class goes 4 cell/19 turn with Touring car bodies.  The introduction of the Novice class with Trophies sponsored by Ronnie  Hames.

An R/C legend passes away in September - Bob Hosch  (Lake Whippoorwill). Also on September 19th  one of the original founders of the state series and my friend passed away- Eddie Herrmann.
The Champions are: 1/12th stock - Eddie Shaffer, 1/10th pan car- David Hartman, Novice Stock- Mike Wichman, Touring Stock- Ryan Rhodes, Touring 19T Spec- Dave Bowser,Touring Modified- Paul Wynn and unofficial Legends Champion - Bill Fraden.

2001 -The state director is Izzy Santiago. The touring cars use controlled tires (Proline H13). This is also the final year for Bolink Legends being a permanent class. We changed to practice and 2 qualifiers on Saturday and one qualifier on Sunday with the mains. The Champions are: 1/12th stock- Eddie Shaffer,1/10th stock- Ben Griffin, Touring Stock- Alex Lopez,Touring 19T spec- Rob Michael, Touring Modified- Dave Vera and the Bolink Legends class- Rich Nichols.

2000 - Troy Schafer is the state director. The introduction od Controlled tires for all Touring Car Classes.Also the introduction of the 19 turn limited modified class. This is Troy's last year as Director. The Champions are: 1/12th stock - Michael Bruce, 1/10th stock - Alex Lopez, Touring stock- Scott Haake- Also the National Champion, Touring 19 turn - Troy Schafer, Touring modified - Paul Wynn and Bolink Legends - Eddie Herrmann

1999 - Troy Schafer is the new state director.The class champions are: 1/12th stock - Dave Vera,1/10th stock - Dave Vera, Touring stock -Joe Freitas, Touring modified - J.R. Mitch, Bolink Legends - John Steed.

1998 - Bob Hall is state director but this is his last year. The introduction of the touring car class. The champions are: 1/12th stock- Ed Shaffer, 1/10th stock- Mike Dobbs, 1/10th modified - Bob Hall, Touring Stock - Mike Dobbs, Touring modified - J.R. Mitch, NasTruck - Robert Patula, and Bolink Legends- Butch Herrmann.

1997 - And end of an era - Clyde Armstrong's track in Naples is sold. He hosted 2 On-Road Nationals. The last one was on June,1997. He also hosted several region races and MANY state series races. His track and hospitaly will be missed. The class champions are: 1/10th stock Nick Tomlinson, 1/10th modified - Bob Hall, 1/12th stock - Justin Biss, Formula 1- Joe Conte, Nas Trucks - Juan Sat, and Bolink Legends - Butch Herrmann.

1996 - State director is Bob Hall. The off-road trucks were replaced with NasTrucks. This class was dropped from the 1998 series as well as the Formula 1 class. 1/10th Stock - Sean Cooper,1/10th modified - Dave Vera,1/12th stock - Bob Hall, Formula 1 - Joe Conte, NasTruck- Bob Hall, Bolink Legends - Bill Fraden.

1995 - State director is Bob Hall. The diggers were replaced by the Legends and we also added the new Formula 1 class (stock handout motors).The state champions are: 1/10th stock - Mike Sharpe,1/10th modified - Mike Sephn, Formula 1 - Bob Hall,1/12th stock - Tony Padilla, 1/12th modified - Bob Hall, 1/10th NasTrucks - Adrian Fernandez. and Bolink Legends - Bill Fraden.

1994 - Steve Whitney becomes the ROAR administrator and Bob Hall becomes the new state director. We added the Bolink Digger and off-road trucks with foam tires. The state champions are : 1/10th stock - Mike Sephn, 1/10th Modified Bobby Horan, 1/12th stock - Mike Sephn and 1/12th modified - Bob Hall. off-road trucks - Ken McBride and Bolink Diggers - Bill Fraden

1993 - The state director is Steve Whitney. he state champions are : Paul Wynn - 1/10th modified, Stuart Levine 1/10th stock, 1/12th Modified - David Martin and Kevin Hubbard in 1/12th stock.

1992 - The state director is Steve Whitney. The state champions are 1/12th modified - Bob Hall, 1/10th stock - Janien Gill and 1/10th modified - Andy Dobbs.

1991- The state director is Steve Whitney. The state champions are: 1/12th Modified -Bob Hall, 1/10th stock-Edwin McTureous, 1/10th Modified - Bobby Horan.

1990 - The state director is Steve Whitney. The state Champions are Andy Dobson-1/10th modified, D.J. Apollaro - 1/10th stock, and Bob Hall - 1/12th modified.

1989 - The state director is Steve Whitney. The State Champions in 1/10th stock - Steve Krutsinger,1/12th modified - Frank Duranza, and 1/10th modified - Art Carbonnel.

1988 - The state director is Steve Whitney. The new 1/10th class is a success and is changed into a stock and modified . New ROAR rules for this class is 6 cells and 4 minutes for the race. We increased the series to a six race series with one throw out and eliminated one qualifier on Saturday (2 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday with the mains). Also the trophy race would now count as the first race for the next year. We would also have a banquet on Saturday night and pass out the year end trophies. The class champions are Mike Klendoworth in 1/10th modified, Dan Salvatore in 1/12th modified Frankie T in both 1/12th stock and 1/10th stock.

1987 - The state director was Steve Whitney. Eric Grudger became ROAR president. The new 1/10th class is incorporated into the series. There was just one class for them - Stock handout motors with 7 cells and they raced for 5 minutes. Bolink had the first chassis and soon Composite Craft came out with the Predator 1/10th car. Since there were no rules we came up with 7 cells and a stock motor and 5 minute races. After a very successful year the new ROAR rules came out. They were changed to a stock and modified class with 6 cells and 4 minute races.The state Champions were again Mike Burdette in 1/12th modified and Denny Smith in 1/12th stock. The first 1/10th Champion is Jim Fuller. We dropped one qualifier on Saturday and added practice.

1985 - The state director is Larry Parks. A new class was formed, Class II, for non-sponsored drivers and driving less than 6 months. The class Champions are Mike Klendoworth and Class II is Frank Duranza. 1986 - The state director is Eric Grudger. The state changed the rules to allow out of state drivers the chance to become champions. Also Class II was changed to stock. This was the first year of the computer lap counting. The reason for allowing out of state drivers a chance to become champions is because Denny Smith formerly from Florida moved to Atlanta and had the COMPUTER. We also expanded the racing to 3 qualifiers on Saturday and 2 on Sunday with the mains. The Class Champions were Mike Burdette (modified) and Denny Smith (stock). Both were from Atlanta.

1984 - The state director is David Frazier. Autographics ( the late Bruce Wilson) became the official numbers of the series ( until the Bob Hall era).The series changed to a two day event with 2 qualifiers on Saturday and 1 on Sunday with the mains. The state champion was Mike Klendoworth and his brother Mark is 2nd.

1983 - The State director is Jerry Sweet. The series changed to a 4 race series and a trophy race. If you weren't from Florida you could not become champion but you could race. The state champion was Ed Edinburg. This was later changed in several years when Denny Smith from Atlanta bought an AMB system and came down for every state race. We used his computer and he and Mike Burdette cleaned up for two years. So when you think its to far to travel just think its 6 hours from Atlanta to Jacksonville.

1982- State Director is Ed Edinburg. The state decided to divide itself into 4 regions. Each region would have 16 drivers eligible to participate at one race in Pinellas Park. The Miami group headed up by John Purcell gave 5 of his qualifying spots to team Bolink from Atlanta. Roy Kelley won the race for Bolink and became state champion. This nearly ended the series and John Purcell never showed up at any of the state races since.

1980 -State Director and Region Director is Doug McNeely. The 1st State Champion in 1/12th was Dennis Mitchell 1981 - State Director is Doug McNeely. The State Champion is Hugh Ebner followed by Gary Crumb and Dave Willits.

Special Notes: 
A special segment to our series racing history. I've bee given some information about one of our racers from the past.
This racer, Evan Shenfeld, known by many as "The Rainbow Rider" participated in our series for 11 years. The reason  for mentioning this is simple Rainbow sponsored the best paint for that entire time , never missing one!
To go back a little he first contacted our state director Steve Whitney about doing this back in 1990.

During this same time (the 90's) he also sponsored the On-Road Nationals held in Florida (92-93-95- and 99).  He also sponsored the first two Daytona Speedway's best paint. At each event he went to, you could always see his Rainbow Riders tent with the sunglasses for every racing need (Sunny to cloudy).
He received sponsorship from Gargoyles,Guess and Carrera. After 11 years he retired from racing in the series.
As Rainbow said, he rubbed up against the biggest names in the R/C industry.