Life at Lake X in the '60s

[seeroy]

Upon blow up, the small wording next to vent says "Formula". I am not familiar with that particular boat nor the race. In those days we ran in a lot of very rough water. At that age, we thought we were bullet proof and invisible. It is not inconceivable that this is a European race. They look like clowns with the white faces. Definitely looks like your Dad driving. Quite possible that it is Ray Dowling riding. Ray was a great guy and a bit plump. Before he came to Lake X he was a prison guard. Once, while chasing escaped prisoners, they managed to turn the tables on him. Prisoners caught Ray, beat the crap out of him and left him tied to a tree in the woods. Best Regards - Steve Sirois

[JimmyGTO]

Wow. Page 83/83 and thirsty for more! Happy New Year to all and thank you all for an unimaginably clear window on not only Lake X but powerboat racing, racers and their families. Reading these posts puts one right in the cockpit, and having it written by the folks that were there and made it happen...couldn't ask for better. So thanks for what's been written and hopefully all that still will be, it's been a gas watching y'all crazy b*stards "Scream and Fly!"

[71V153]

Dig the Lake X pics & stories. Thanks!

It's too bad about the shuttered up facilities round here. But they had alibis. The one in Placida got nailed purty good by Hurricane Charley in '04 & was basically abandoned.

Re Siesta Key: When the pass closes in front of you it's time to relocate ...

All is not lost however. Merc testing remains to this day on Manasota Key. But it ain't nearly as exciting. Yeah they lay a buncha cowls'n gearcases'n such out in the elements & watch em for signs of rot. (WooHoo!)

Did spy this pair hidden at Stump Pass Marina not too long ago. Note the rather ominous instructions on the motors ...

Kinda like that shock mounted seat in the one?

[Lake X Kid]

Roy Ridgell on 1963 brochure cover.

[Lake X Kid]

I am impressed with all the gauges behind Mr. Bakos. How often can a boat racer look at all the individual dial readings, while concentrating on racing and jumping waves?

I took these screenshot images from the Vimeo video:
1968 Bahama 500 Classic Offshore Race featuring Mercury ...

[powerabout]

I am impressed with all the gauges behind Mr. Bakos. How often can a boat racer look at all the individual dial readings, while concentrating on racing and jumping waves?

I took these screenshot images from the Vimeo video:
1968 Bahama 500 Classic Offshore Race featuring Mercury ...

you just orientate them so when they all point up things are normal, then your eye can see a needle not pointing in the right direction

[Lake X Kid]

I do not want to misname some of the other guys in the photo, so I will leave that to others more qualified, to hopefully identify the rest of the gentlemen.

[seeroy]

I do not want to misname some of the other guys in the photo, so I will leave that to others more qualified, to hopefully identify the rest of the gentlemen.

Left to Right - Jim Harkins, Ray Dowling, Odell Lewis, Chet Strickland, ???, Ed Leslie, ???, Roy Ridgell (Your Dad)

[Lake X Kid]

Left to Right - Jim Harkins, Ray Dowling, Odell Lewis, Chet Strickland, ???, Ed Leslie, ???, Roy Ridgell (Your Dad)

Mr. Steve, thanks for the clarification regarding the correct names (and spelling). I remembered the names of Ray and Chet, but I forgot Jim Harkins name. The three gentlemen standing between Chet Strickland and Roy Ridgell, I do not recognize.

[GENE LANHAM]

Left to Right - Jim Harkins, Ray Dowling, Odell Lewis, Chet Strickland, ???, Ed Leslie, ???, Roy Ridgell (Your Dad)

Ed Leslie came to Mercury from Pratt and Whitney: Always rode in the Turbine boat.

[seeroy]

Ed Leslie came to Mercury from Pratt and Whitney: Always rode in the Turbine boat.

Hi Gene - Ed also rode with Bill in "Old Yeller" for 1967 Bahama 500. Or maybe it was 1968. Anyway they broke a motor mount..DNF.

[willabee]

Hi Gene - Ed also rode with Bill in "Old Yeller" for 1967 Bahama 500. Or maybe it was 1968. Anyway they broke a motor mount..DNF.

Man, that thing has big air under it! I'm surprised that a motor mount was the only thing that was broken.

[GENE LANHAM]

Man, that thing has big air under it! I'm surprised that a motor mount was the only thing that was broken.

Way back---in the 60's and 70's---it was called---Offshore Racing--

First place---second place---Key West, 1974


[IMG]http://i57.tinypic.com/289ve6f.jpg[

[willabee]

Way back---in the 60's and 70's---it was called---Offshore Racing--

First place---second place---Key West, 1974

Wow, looks like bigger air under the Baron! Bet that moment and the next few feel really good, then there's a 'Boom' and their knees start saying "what the hell are you doing to us?"

[GENE LANHAM]

Wow, looks like bigger air under the Baron! Bet that moment and the next few feel really good, then there's a 'Boom' and their knees start saying "what the hell are you doing to us?"

Sammy won it in the Bertram
[IMG]http://i61.tinypic.com/jt741z.jpg[/IM