Life at Lake X in the '60s

[seeroy]

I just came across the videos that Roy Ridgell's son speaks of in the previous post. John Litjens speaks of his time there and visits the old/new shop. This video took me back to my time at Lake X in the sixties with very warm memories. There are 2 parts at the following links. - Steve Sirois

http://bassfishingarchives.com/short-strikes/mercurys-lake-x-part-one

http://bassfishingarchives.com/short-strikes/mercurys-lake-x-part-two

[Terry Battisti]

Thanks Guys for sharing this article/videos. It was an amazing day at the lake and I felt blessed to have Bernie and John there to talk about the history of the place.

We'll be posting more racing history on the site in the future including a piece with Earl Bentz and others from the early era of outboard racing.

Thanks again.

Terry Battisti
Bass Fishing Archives

[Mark75H]

Awesome stuff Terry. BIG THANK YOU!

[seeroy]

Awesome stuff Terry. BIG THANK YOU!

AMEN to that!!! Thank you for some wonderful memories - Steve Sirois

[T2x]

Brings back great memories...... Best boat racing test facility in the world.

[JWTjr.]

Brings back great memories...... Best boat racing test facility in the world.

No doubt. Rich, hope to see you this coming weekend.

[Lake X Kid]

Roy Ridgell and the twin engine Miss Seattle.

I found this picture in my parent’s photo album. I do not know the back-story regarding this photo, but my guess is the scenery looks to be South Florida. A sign of the times; seeing the Florida state registration number on race boat #36.

[Lake X Kid]

Steve
Roy did if fact go with the service rep's and then to the bass tourn. He died at one of the tourn. and Bob Lee was in route to help him. ( Masive hart attact). I think it was in Alabama.

Mike Ramsey

Roy Ridgell in 1992 did indeed have a fatal heart attack in northwest Alabama. He was at a Bass tournament, as Mercury Marine support manager.


If memory serves me correctly, I remember seeing you Mike Ramsey at one of the bass tournaments in Leesburg, Florida talking with dad about the past and present. Dad was full of boat racing stories, and I regret my brother and me only remember a small sampling of the Lake X escapades. Gratitude to Steve Sirois for starting this Lake X thread to preserve in writing a unique marine facility’s era and the people who lived it

Mike did not you and John Stenbeck have identical motorcycles when working at Lake X? They were Triumphs or BSA, which I could always hear you guys coming to and from Lake X. And wasn’t it you Mike who revved-up your motorcycle and laid down a patch of burnt rubber on the paved road, in the front of our house after talking to Roy. We were then living on the east side of the property (next to Odell’s family), not on the lake.

Lake X alumnus Roy Ridgell, Mercury career ends at bass tournament.

[bernie]

I don't remember the year, but at a Serice Rep meeting, I think it was in Appleton WI, Roy came down the aisle dragging a Mercury Gnat with a rope noose around it - yes, we were having all kinds of trouble with Gnats!

[Mini Max]

Did you have a "what's the biggest boat tested at Lake X?" question?

Mid 80's I did some plug work for this 55 footer, 60' LOA. Davey Wilson rigged one of them with 4 mercruiser big blocks with stern drives and tested at Lake X. I believe it ran in the 70-75 mph range. I drove up there from Miami to watch but after ringing the bell at the gate for a while, gave up. Never did see it run there or Lake X from the inside.

[olboatman]

GREAT STUFF!!!! Thanks Gary

[FUJIMO]

Did you have a "what's the biggest boat tested at Lake X?" question?

Mid 80's I did some plug work for this 55 footer, 60' LOA. Davey Wilson rigged one of them with 4 mercruiser big blocks with stern drives and tested at Lake X. I believe it ran in the 70-75 mph range. I drove up there from Miami to watch but after ringing the bell at the gate for a while, gave up. Never did see it run there or Lake X from the inside.

Wonder what ever happened to Leonard, aka "The Whale"? Too bad those molds were never fully utilized. I know Don Smith ended up with one of them.

[Lake X Kid]

A memo of Mr. K, passing away on October 1983.

A man who had a big impact on the career of my dad, Roy Ridgell. and our family.

[seeroy]

Sad news. Those of you who raced with and against the Kiekhaefer Navy in the 60s and 70s will remember Chester Leon Strickland. Chet, or "CL" as we knew him, passed away Tuesday night. He was great racer and true friend. He also was a longtime friend of all of us from Sarasota. He graduated from Sarasota high school in the same class (1959) as my brother Bill Sirois and Phil Schenk. If you have had the opportunity to read my posts on this thread, you will have noticed that I mentioned him. Farewell to another old friend who has crossed that final finish line. - Steve Sirois

[GENE LANHAM]

Sad news. Those of you who raced with and against the Kiekhaefer Navy in the 60s and 70s will remember Chester Leon Strickland. Chet, or "CL" as we knew him, passed away Tuesday night. He was great racer and true friend. Steve Sirois

Steve--there are still a few of us left that remember---Rest in Peace--Chet---