Boy this brings back memories. The old days paved the way for just about everything you see today. Randy, it sounds like you have a driver.
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Boy this brings back memories. The old days paved the way for just about everything you see today. Randy, it sounds like you have a driver.
What association did Kottman run
dsra, tennesse drag boat association and alabama drag boat
I've always heard tech wasn't as good back in the day. Little to no fuel tech. Cheating was more widespread back then. One of those "I know you were cheating cause I was cheating and still couldn't beat you" kinda deals. What do ya'll think. I know I've heard stories of fuel doping and hidden nitrous systems
Fuel tech today from what I've seen no different. Smell, color and API gravity is way way basic. DSRA/ODBA can't afford $$ a full certified analysis of possible doctored fuel. If fuel tech ever gets serious your going to need proper fuel containers and samples need to be placed on ice. A quart glass Mason jar ain't gunna get it.
I just remember hearing Galen say once they got good fuel tech back in the mid 90's there were certain guys that didn't show up anymore. He never named anybody in particular
Here's a name that you may not have thought about because you didn't know about all the racing he did.....John Lentzkow.
John used to drive from Iowa every week to race at Blarney Island and he rarely lost. Then he also ran with the Minnesota and Illinois APBA clubs, the St. Louis Drag Boat Association AND ODBA...all at the same time. I think we counted one year and he went to 30-40 races and he won the majority of them. I don't know what would qualify somebody as the "best" drag racer, but I would say John was certainly the most prolific and he won...a LOT.
Bob Kottom had some body work done. He is out an doing great. Hope to see you soon. DP gang.
Nabben is from my old dealership Lake Country Marine in Forest Lake, MN and we sponsored him. I was a Mirage dealer and Yamaha ( plus Evinrude and Mercury too) then and also purchased his engine plus paid his way for ALL of his racing.
He also was my employee.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this thread and raced against most of the named racers. I have won against some but lost to most. I must say that Bob Kottman wins " Hands Downs!" Let's not forget he was running a CARB MOTA' against all the EFI Mercs. An HST against the best Allison, Mirage, and STV had to offer then.
I first met him @ the " Back Bay in Biloxi" in 1994(?) He quite the colorful character but he whooped on every heat was in . I took pictures of his set-up. Bob and his buddy were going beat me up until could prove I was from up NORTH and no threat to DSRA or his racing PTS. ...Why..I because talked funny. ( my driver's license didn't hurt either) So over pizza and crawdads we got to know each other.
He didn't just squeak buy ..he kicked -ass! I watched first-hand learning at " the Feet of a Pretty Crafty Man" before I built my first drag rig . A Yamaha Powered Mirage w/ Kottman Carbs and porting to his specs and a great deal of Wayne Worthy's Hydro-Tec Engineering. I won every heat my first time out and was branded a " Cheater". Tore down to the crankshaft. Nothing wrong. ( but left the race w/my motor in a box)
Bob taught me a lot. A crotchety guy sometimes yeah...but a heart of gold when to seeing that I was just trying to learn.
When kicked one of his motors " HARD" so to speak w/my Monty Motor in Dubuque IA in 1997 he wanted badly to see it in the tear-down. He wasn't allowed.
My ex got my lake home, parts, rigs and vehicles ( Yeah it still hurts but that's another story) in my divorce in 2000 and he purchased it ( 97 Mirage River Racer w/ Monty Evinrude) from her just to get close look @ it. That's " Bob Kottman".
Anyone have any video of Bob racing? Would like to see them if any are out there. Thanks:cheers:
Sorry I have of pics of that yellow banana but no videos. Not the same level of technology back in " Day". ( N0 DIGITAL either)
Lest me remind everybody what this guy accomplished....No sponsors NADA...Not a Merc but a Yamaha. Not Allson, Mirage, or STV. And no Fuel Injection. Just himself, his pit man his and motor skills. ( he didn't have a LW COWL, 15" mid or a anything close )
For those that say " No Fuel Testing" ...Everybody was doing the same thing...so....
I would really like to talk to Bob again.
He and I used to spend hours on the phone when it cost real money.
We traveled all over the country racing and had a hell of a time. The best of friends and the worst of competitors.
If someone could send me his number I would appreciate it. Thanks. Or just call me.
Rodney Nance 423-488-4582
Didn't know he was still around.. That's good. Was told from another Yamaha place otherwise lol
I don't know either for sure.
Never hurts to hope.