Hot Singles ! - Pictures

[willabee]

Woke up today and didn't feel any different than I did last Monday ..... bummer. I remember that for years I'd wake up on "this" Monday feeling pretty much exhausted. When I looked in the mirror, my face would be burnt and my arms would have that familiar 'farmers tan'. It hurt a little to raise them to shampoo all the sand out of my hair. It took a week, including a particularly long Sunday, to get to this state, I was physically uncomfortable but mentally delighted, it was great! Sure do miss those days.

For those that couldn't figure out what I was trying to say, last Sunday was the first Sunday in March, historically race day for the Parker 9 Hour. One of the greatest races ever, over a hundred boats screaming up the Colorado river for six and a half miles, making a one buoy turn and screaming six and a half miles back ..... for 9 hours! Inboards, outboards, tunnels, V's, you name it, they were all there.

Several years ago, we were talking about stackers on S&F and I wrote this about Parker .....

In 1967, there weren't many guys running stackers (I'm talking OPC, not drags), maybe half dozen or so. Stacker kits became available in large numbers for the 1250, 1968. So when the numbers jumped from a couple of boats in a race with stackers to a couple of dozen, I guess that's when people started taking a look at the noise levels. I think it was around 1970 that race sites started to put a limit on db's. Slow but sure, sites wanted to quiet the stackers.....the day of the one thousand pound bumblebee was numbered .

I remember driving back to Wisconsin after Parker 9 Hour races in that time period, usually a four day trip. During at least the first three days, I'd be driving along and all of a sudden the sound of a twin stacker would pop into my head. I could actually listen to it and say to myself, "Kitson".....then another would pop up, a little different from the last and I would say "Massey". After listening to them for nine hours, you could close your eyes and hear the subtle differences in pitch because of how each guy drove his Wing. You could also tell that it was a twin tunnel, not a Wing coming down the backstretch without looking up.

I tell you, that sight, on a bright but crisp early Sunday morning.....fifteen or so beautiful stacked Wings making that popp/POP/poppp/pop sound as they idled from their trailer to their starting positions....fighting for ear time with the equally beautiful inboard machinery that was just roaring through their open headers warming up on the trailer....it was just exciting! It almost took your breath away as you said to no one in particular "Man, this is going to be something!" You just didn't know where to look because so much neat stuff was being put into motion at the same time.....the air was filling with the best smelling smoke that ever existed. I'll tell you that if there were any beautiful women streaking through the pits at that time, nobody saw them.....all that great stuff milling about on the water had everyones complete attention .....and all of it would be streaking soon enough .

I really enjoyed the sights and sounds of Parker and was just doing a little reminiscing.

[Amberjack1234]

Absolutely wonderful memories

For those that couldn't figure out what I was trying to say, last Sunday was the first Sunday in March, historically race day for the Parker 9 Hour. One of the greatest races ever, over a hundred boats screaming up the Colorado river for six and a half miles, making a one buoy turn and screaming six and a half miles back ..... for 9 hours! Inboards, outboards, tunnels, V's, you name it, they were all there.

Several years ago, we were talking about stackers on S&F and I wrote this about Parker .....

In 1967, there weren't many guys running stackers (I'm talking OPC, not drags), maybe half dozen or so. Stacker kits became available in large numbers for the 1250, 1968. So when the numbers jumped from a couple of boats in a race with stackers to a couple of dozen, I guess that's when people started taking a look at the noise levels. I think it was around 1970 that race sites started to put a limit on db's. Slow but sure, sites wanted to quiet the stackers.....the day of the one thousand pound bumblebee was numbered .

I remember driving back to Wisconsin after Parker 9 Hour races in that time period, usually a four day trip. During at least the first three days, I'd be driving along and all of a sudden the sound of a twin stacker would pop into my head. I could actually listen to it and say to myself, "Kitson".....then another would pop up, a little different from the last and I would say "Massey". After listening to them for nine hours, you could close your eyes and hear the subtle differences in pitch because of how each guy drove his Wing. You could also tell that it was a twin tunnel, not a Wing coming down the backstretch without looking up.

I tell you, that sight, on a bright but crisp early Sunday morning.....fifteen or so beautiful stacked Wings making that popp/POP/poppp/pop sound as they idled from their trailer to their starting positions....fighting for ear time with the equally beautiful inboard machinery that was just roaring through their open headers warming up on the trailer....it was just exciting! It almost took your breath away as you said to no one in particular "Man, this is going to be something!" You just didn't know where to look because so much neat stuff was being put into motion at the same time.....the air was filling with the best smelling smoke that ever existed. I'll tell you that if there were any beautiful women streaking through the pits at that time, nobody saw them.....all that great stuff milling about on the water had everyones complete attention .....and all of it would be streaking soon enough .
Period.
I really enjoyed the sights and sounds of Parker and was just doing a little reminiscing.

Didn’t get to Parker until early 70s helping peacock on his KT rig when Cardozo The Brazilian was sponsoring the team But you’re right what a wonderful race. The inboard boats were dominant in the early years and then Outboard’s took over.

[WaterZebra]

For those that couldn't figure out what I was trying to say, last Sunday was the first Sunday in March, historically race day for the Parker 9 Hour. One of the greatest races ever, over a hundred boats screaming up the Colorado river for six and a half miles, making a one buoy turn and screaming six and a half miles back ..... for 9 hours! Inboards, outboards, tunnels, V's, you name it, they were all there.

Several years ago, we were talking about stackers on S&F and I wrote this about Parker .....

In 1967, there weren't many guys running stackers (I'm talking OPC, not drags), maybe half dozen or so. Stacker kits became available in large numbers for the 1250, 1968. So when the numbers jumped from a couple of boats in a race with stackers to a couple of dozen, I guess that's when people started taking a look at the noise levels. I think it was around 1970 that race sites started to put a limit on db's. Slow but sure, sites wanted to quiet the stackers.....the day of the one thousand pound bumblebee was numbered .

I remember driving back to Wisconsin after Parker 9 Hour races in that time period, usually a four day trip. During at least the first three days, I'd be driving along and all of a sudden the sound of a twin stacker would pop into my head. I could actually listen to it and say to myself, "Kitson".....then another would pop up, a little different from the last and I would say "Massey". After listening to them for nine hours, you could close your eyes and hear the subtle differences in pitch because of how each guy drove his Wing. You could also tell that it was a twin tunnel, not a Wing coming down the backstretch without looking up.

I tell you, that sight, on a bright but crisp early Sunday morning.....fifteen or so beautiful stacked Wings making that popp/POP/poppp/pop sound as they idled from their trailer to their starting positions....fighting for ear time with the equally beautiful inboard machinery that was just roaring through their open headers warming up on the trailer....it was just exciting! It almost took your breath away as you said to no one in particular "Man, this is going to be something!" You just didn't know where to look because so much neat stuff was being put into motion at the same time.....the air was filling with the best smelling smoke that ever existed. I'll tell you that if there were any beautiful women streaking through the pits at that time, nobody saw them.....all that great stuff milling about on the water had everyones complete attention .....and all of it would be streaking soon enough .

I really enjoyed the sights and sounds of Parker and was just doing a little reminiscing.

The number of those whom got to hear stackers run gets smaller every year. Even more rare are those who got to hear an OMC rotary run. For all that action, its a damn shame that nobody bothered to record it for posterity. And stock outboards with stacks don't count either!

[Redbirdman]

..... 9 hours of pure enjoyment coming right up ....

That's Mert behind the wheel. The T125 was 1969 with Boots Spellman co-driving, he wore goggles.

1968---ECK was there ---

SOMEONE parked this outside his room-----



HE wanted to see as many BPs as possible!!

Wayne was Mert's co-driver

[Redbirdman]

For those that couldn't figure out what I was trying to say, last Sunday was the first Sunday in March, historically race day for the Parker 9 Hour. One of the greatest races ever, over a hundred boats screaming up the Colorado river for six and a half miles, making a one buoy turn and screaming six and a half miles back ..... for 9 hours! Inboards, outboards, tunnels, V's, you name it, they were all theeI really enjoyed the sights and sounds of Parker and was just doing a little reminiscing.

WOW!!

FIFTY FIVE years ago!!! The best experience ever--I had a 'sponsor'; A new boat; A new Ford PU; A mentor--Bill Sirois; Carl Kiekhaefer;

And today I have wonderful long term memory-- and pictures--Lots of pictures!!

[willabee]

1968---ECK was there ---

SOMEONE parked this outside his room-----



HE wanted to see as many BPs as possible!!

Wayne was Mert's co-driver

That's correct, in 68 Mert's wing was #173, running 1250's without stacks and
Wayne Vickers was the co-driver.

[FUJIMO]

...great pics. wet & wild hang'n "in the pocket" as we used to say...

[WaterZebra]

1968---ECK was there ---

SOMEONE parked this outside his room-----



HE wanted to see as many BPs as possible!!

Wayne was Mert's co-driver

That is one butt ugly trailer! And it is disgusting to see the engines laying in the dirt / pavement like that.

[willabee]

..... Several years ago, we were talking about stackers on S&F and I wrote this about Parker .....
I remember driving back to Wisconsin after Parker 9 Hour races in that time period, usually a four day trip. During at least the first three days, I'd be driving along and all of a sudden the sound of a twin stacker would pop into my head. I could actually listen to it and say to myself, "Kitson".....then another would pop up, a little different from the last and I would say "Massey". After listening to them for nine hours, you could close your eyes and hear the subtle differences in pitch because of how each guy drove his Wing. .....

I just remembered that there was one other very unique sound coming from the straightaway at Parker back in the day. Unlike most stacked Wings that had a sharp, zinging sound like that of a 1000 lb. bumblebee, this sound was more like that of a 1000 lb. frog having a very difficult time getting out of the water. It was loud, but kind of gurgled and raspy. To this day, when I walk by a pond and hear frogs croaking, I close my eyes and say ..... Lanham!

​

[Lake X Kid]

USA had champion Bill Seebold, and the European counter-part doing the majority of the wins in Europe was maestro Renato Molinari.

And I witnessed some of the European races in the early 1970s, and Renato was the front runner and the guy you had to beat to win.




18 World Titles & 200 Victories is amazing.

[Lake X Kid]

Champion John Hill.

The first time I saw John Hill compete was at Bristol in 1973.
Increased speeds dictated Safety Cells in boat racing. RIP - John.

[Amberjack1234]

I remember the name, Wayne Vickers wonder whatever happened to him

[FUJIMO]

I remember the name, Wayne Vickers wonder whatever happened to him

...did u know him?...

[Amberjack1234]

Maybe maybe not

...did u know him?...

Yes I did In passing. Not well but briefly

[Redbirdman]

...did u know him?...

----after 55 years---Wayne is still my friend---and is on FB----