L.I.O.R.A. (Long Island Outboard Racing Assoc)

[Doug from LI]

I'm new to this site, and tickled to death that I stumbled upon it today. Read about and saw some pictures of some old friends.

I was a founding member of L.I.O.R.A. which was the brain child of Marty O'Neill. I was lucky to have known him and his folks. All were tops in my book. Also raced with other great folks like Paul Balabus, Dicky Fantozzi, Ricky Adamzak, Tommy Smith and others. Those were the good old days.

Any others here know of the old group? Anyone here race at the only santioned L.I.O.R.A. event in Stamford, CT? Let me know. Post your pics if you have any.

BTW, That race was held on July 4th, 1972. I placed 3rd in FG class running a 15' Allison with an O'Neill built 80 HP Merc. One of a very few to finish the "Hell Ride".

[Dave S]

Hi there Doug. I am from Merrick bay, used to hang out at the Nick's dryland and play with race boats. My buddy bought Rick Adamzacks old racing tunnel and blew it over on his third day out. That was Ricks first boat with steps. Rick fixed the boat for my buddy. Now I live down south and am still playing with boats. I am on the eastern shore playing in the bay. :cool: One of my buddys down here bought on of Ricks newer boats a 140 sst boat that we hope to get back together someday soon.

[Doug from LI]

Hey Dave. I'll have to try and find Ricky now that my interests have been peeked by this site.

Ricky built one heck of a boat. Of course his first one cost him a bit more work than anticipated. A small rookie mistake. If he, or someone else that knows him decides to elaborate, I'll let them. It's a fun story.

I'm down south also. Virginia Beach has been my home for many years now. My current boat tops out at about 30 Knots! Silvertons never were known for their speed! Where abouts on the eastern shore are you? Md or VA?

[Dave S]

I am just 15 miles south of the Md. line. I am still playin with boats, don't seem to have nuf time for all the projects. I will post pixs of ricks first tunnel. :)

[Dave S]

Of old Rick boat :)

[Doug from LI]

This was my first craft. It was a 68' Checkmate out of O'Neills. Originally setup as a side-side driver, but coverted to a center wheel. Bottom was straightened by none other than Marty O'Neill. This picture was taken while testing as a FE boat (origianl 50HP). Shortly after it was fitted with an 80HP Merc and carried the numbers "454".

[ghost28]

hey doug from LI...i know all of those names too..i actually work for the kalibats at K&K outboard and i am friends with tommy fantozzi...i hear stories about those guys on a regular basis..do you know rich luhrs.he is a regular on this site..his name here is T2x...i am sure he will chime in...

[OceanmarineB]

Doug, My dad was glad to hear from you. I would love to see some more pictures of these old tunnels and checkmates. Its a shame the L.I.O.R.A isnt around anymore... with all the boats out here i'm suprised there isnt any type of racing like the old days around here...

[Doug from LI]

Brandon, got your email response. I loaded your dad's #'s into my cell today and will be giving him a call tomorrow. Finding this site has been great, and I've been reliving some fantastic memories. The only problem now is, I just might get that bug to get a little go-fast again. Oh, how bad would that be? I'm going to have to go up in my attic and see if I have any other pictures, scan them and post them.

[Doug from LI]

Brandon, recognize anyone in this picture? The boat was the original G-1711 (your dads boat). It was a 14' Invader lovingly nicknamed "The Smiling Duck". Behinf your dad is our late friend Marty O'Neill. In the driver seat is Tommy Butler, your dad's childhood friend. I'm the second on the right. I feel bad that I can't name everyone else. It's been a long time, and I left L.I. shortly after this picture was taken (Thanks, Uncle Sam!) We were on our way home from a race in Maryland. I know some of us brought home trophies, but I can't remember which ones did. All I know is that we celebrated heavily after the race, and this is what we looked like the morning after!The other racer in the picture is the guy in the back on the left. That's Rick Adamzak (sp?)

Ah, the good old days!

[Doug from LI]

Hey ghost. Good to hear from you. I haven't seen Tommy in 100 years. I think the last time was one morning around 7 am at The Rock Pile. He may not remember me, but tell him I said hi anyway. Hope to hear more from you...

[OceanmarineB]

Great picture doug, My dad said the others in the photo are Jimmy Mahoney, Richard Webster, Paul Poluchi, and Jay Costello. Who's in front of you in that photo?

[OceanmarineB]

Doug, your gonna get a kick out of this. Pictureof my dad still driving tunnel boats, and then one of me..

[jembost]

Hi Doug,

I grew up in Massapequa. That picture of your 13' Checkmate looks familiar. My brother bought a used one, blue, center steering, hull only around 1971. I remember something about the guy he bought it from was somehow related to a Volvo dealer in Amityville, because I think we picked up the boat there after they rigged it for us using our 55 hp Johnson. We later replaced it with a '72 65hp and it ran great. I may have an old pic around. Just curious if it was your boat.

By the way I was a spectator at that 1972 race in Stamford, I was 14 at the time.

regards, Jim.

[Tom Foley]

I grew up in Freeport and worked at Saltair Marine for a while . Ran the bays in Invaders, Checkmates, Allisons , Sidewinders , Hydros and Gharvies . Do you guys remember Skip Petzold from Merrick ? He had an awesome race motor collection . I think he is around here in west Fl. where I live .Sure do miss the bay house in Merrick that i used to stay at . I was a member of Eastern Outboard Racing Club . Got my first hydro from Dickie Scopinich .

[Dave S]

Tom, Skip is down there somewhere. What year did you run Merrick bay? I was playing in the bay with Skippys old 14 DeSilva back in 1973. I had bought it from John Owen, He ran it with a V4 with a gearcase he had bought from Bobby next to skips who ran the carlson with the X115.

[Tom Foley]

Dave that was my time period ,I was a junior in high Schooli n 73 and stayed at Larry Mullers bay house right down from Glen Grippo's quite a bit , running the bay at night partying !I worshipped that De Silva through the window of Skips shop . All they guys were running them in EORC . My stock outboard equipment didn't get real good till after I moved to Fl.and got my Flyer DSH and a real good 55H from John Stone , then naturally had to get a 44XS . Oddly enough all the DSH stuff all came from Rochester , NY . Take care , Tom .

[jembost]

Tom,


You may have know one of my brother's, Alan Mogavero. I think he used to hang out at Larry Muller's bay house. Before moving to Massapequa in 1971 we lived in Freeport. Alan and my other brother John went to Freeport High, and Holy Redeemer
before that.

Alan had a blue 13' Checkmate with a 65 Evinrude, then a black and white 15' Allison with a 135 merc around those years.

If my memory is correct my brother John was friends with Wes Carmen who I think had a marina on woodcleft.

[Tom Foley]

Wow , I was good friends with Alan and loved that little Checkmate he had . How is he doing these days? I knew John as well but saw more of Alan . Tell him I said hello .I remember Doug Carman better , I bought my first Quickie stuff from him , Wesley was busy racing 6 or 7 litre inboard hydros . Tom .

[Tom Foley]

Lets see some more pics of Long Islands finest !! Anyone out there from EORC how about some Scopinich photos or Mike Schwaner' s Jersey Skiff .

[jembost]

Both Alan and John are doing well and live in Massapequa. John works for Nassau County corrections, and Alan works for Newsday. I'll pass along your message.

[OceanMarine]

Found this old thread. Figured I’d share a few more old pictures of my dad back in the day.