Mercury Racing Team - 1972 Picture

**willabee** · 12-24-2005, 01:56 PM

If I would have run.....I would have won

Sherlock, I had to phrase it that way because SOMEBODY on S & F has already cornered the market on the more popular " I would have won, but........"

Originally Posted by Sherlock

**T2x** · 12-27-2005, 09:58 AM

I always felt that I would have won.....

.............if I came in first.

T2x

**HistoryBuff** · 12-28-2005, 12:05 PM

Hello,

New member introduction. Just found this site yesterday and have been intrigued. This has been a walk down memory lane. I recognize so many names from the past and enjoy the old photos. The stories of Lake X, Bill Sirois, Steve Sirois (we met many years ago), the infamous Lake Havasu accident that nearly killed my mentor, Don Pruett, etc. Bill Sirois sold me one of his older racing karts which I raced at the old Sarasota Kart track. Steve, I have always wanted to follow your aviation career. I also loved your brother Bill.

Our connection is, Billy "Don" Pruett is my father. I have many fond memories of him and his racing exploits.

I just wanted to say thanks.

**Fish** · 12-28-2005, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by HistoryBuff

Hello,

New member introduction. Just found this site yesterday and have been intrigued. This has been a walk down memory lane. I recognize so many names from the past and enjoy the old photos. The stories of Lake X, Bill Sirois, Steve Sirois (we met many years ago), the infamous Lake Havasu accident that nearly killed my mentor, Don Pruett, etc. Bill Sirois sold me one of his older racing karts which I raced at the old Sarasota Kart track. Steve, I have always wanted to follow your aviation career. I also loved your brother Bill.

Our connection is, Billy "Don" Pruett is my father. I have many fond memories of him and his racing exploits.

I just wanted to say thanks.

Hey Historybuff,
welcome to scream and fly. I remeber your dad, but I was pretty young. he raced at the same time as my dad, jack staples. I wish I had been a little older and could really appreciate how cool race weekends were. I too have fond memories and love this section of the site, especially boats and people from that time period. Anyway, enjoy the site.

fish

**2us70** · 12-29-2005, 10:31 AM

How were those drivers chosen for the factory team?

**willabee** · 12-30-2005, 01:56 PM

No one ever sat me down to explain their thinking, so all I can give you is my observations from the back of the room.

When it all started, Garbrecht got the manager of OPC racing title. He reported to Bill Steele, who reported to E.C. Initially, Gary spent a lot of time in meetings in Fond du lac and some overall direction had to come from there. What Gary started doing was to select people that were already having success with Mercury products in different APBA regions. The idea was to win local events across the country which would stop OMC from advertising race wins ( as opposed to Merc using the wins for advertising - I was told that ). Special people were picked for special events, like Bill Cooper for the 1st sterndrive tunnels and Don Pruett for the triple Jones project. These guys not only could drive a boat, they also had the ability to spend the time it required for the project and, very important at that time.......they were not Mercury Employees.

Some alignment with manufacturers such as Glastron, Checkmate and Switzer started to take shape for all of the obvious reasons.

It was a continually evolving process. As both engine builders got more and more into it, it changed from support equipment to complete rigs. We would get new boats all set and tested and deliver them to people who not only agreed to run them at their local events, but also agreed to race a certain "big event" schedule that year. That's when some pirating of drivers between the engine manufacturers took place. As things heated up, the next move was to sign boat builders like Molinari, which resulted in the expansion of the whole process to Europe. Then drivers were hired to be full time test pilots and race drivers. Gary seemed to have full authority to do this and he picked people he felt would do the best job. If they didn't come up to expectations, they were replaced.

Of course there was the typical amount of political bull**** involved, and not always were the best brought on or retained ( this is just my opinion ). You just can't run from the fact that people want to build their own empires.

When Gary got promoted and Merten took his seat, Jim wanted to build his own team. He looked at guys he had raced against and respected their abilities and started tweeking with people like Earl Bentz. That was how I saw the selection process work.

This is a very condensed version of how things happened, I hope that I have answered at least some part of your question.

Originally Posted by 2us70

How were those drivers chosen for the factory team?

**T2x** · 12-30-2005, 05:01 PM

Willabee:

As discussed......... it was a glorious day at the Lake.....

This thing surpassed the existing Modified class record by about 15 mph on its first run with its first set of props........with 4 people on board.

T2x

**jerry** · 12-30-2005, 08:28 PM

Rich ,is That You In The Black Hat ? We Can See George L

**T2x** · 01-03-2006, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by jerry

Rich ,is That You In The Black Hat ? We Can See George L

That's me.

T2x

**yellowboat** · 11-11-2006, 09:55 PM

Bill Allen #730 dick Sherrer #148

**lilracemore1** · 11-20-2006, 07:54 PM

that is sure fast

**fountain1fan** · 10-24-2007, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by T2x

Willabee:

As discussed......... it was a glorious day at the Lake.....

This thing surpassed the existing Modified class record by about 15 mph on its first run with its first set of props........with 4 people on board.

T2x

t2x what was the other boat in that pic . it looks like a offshore racing hull . thanks robbie .

**T2x** · 10-25-2007, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by fountain1fan

t2x what was the other boat in that pic . it looks like a offshore racing hull . thanks robbie .

Both of the boats in the picture are offshore racing hulls........

The boat on the left is a Chris Cat and the boat on the right is a Conquest Cat that we built later.........

T2x

**seeroy** · 10-25-2007, 07:12 PM

T2x - Looks like Lynwood Lupo with his right hand on the right motor. - Steve

**seeroy** · 10-25-2007, 07:33 PM

Bill (History Buff) - Your Dad was the greatest! Many people probably don't know what an aviation buff he was. We always talked airplanes and somewhere on this site I recounted an adventure that we had together at Havasu when he arranged for us to fly gyrocopters with the McColluch folks. My brother and your dad remained close friends right upto your dads death. Much is made on this site of the wild times we all (including your dad) had "back in the day". Let me assure you that, regardless of what is said on this site, everyone that knew your dad recognized his considerable talents, respected him, and knew that beneath the rugged exterior, was one incredibly good person. I know I did. Best Regards - Steve Sirois

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