76' World Championships, Nashville

[M.CHAPMAN]

I finally got around to scanning some of Dad's slides of pic's taken at the 1976 World Championship Race in Nashville. Good pic's of Team Mercury. Iknow who some of the boats and drivers are if any of you can add any commentary please do so.

Enjoy,
Michael Chapman

First 3 are Bill Seebold, Reggie Fountain, and Earl Bentz

[M.CHAPMAN]

Team Mercury trailer
Factory boats in the pits
Factory boats in the water

[M.CHAPMAN]

More pics

[M.CHAPMAN]

And a few more, got a few of the OMC's

[M.CHAPMAN]

some more

[M.CHAPMAN]

more pics

[M.CHAPMAN]

from the beach

[specboatops]

Thank You For Sharing

Chris

[Raceman]

That's when the sport was really thrillin'. I always thought that the low canopied Molinaris, especially Earl Bentz's boat in the first group were the best lookin' outboard tunnels ever.

[M.CHAPMAN]

I agree Norris, I have the same pic's of Earl, Bill, and Reggie blown up and in frames on my shop wall. I always thought that Earl's boat was one of the best I had ever seen.I was only 2 when Dad went to the race but I have heard the details many many times. Dad went with a friend of his who was a Merc dealer (and Hydrasports) and Earl took them into one of the trailers, needless to say whatever they needed they had. They were an impressive trio to witness so I have been told. I never saw Earl or Reggie race tunnel boats in person but saw Bill race many times here at Rock's pond when Dad was racing there.
-Michael

[peterse90]

I finally got around to scanning some of Dad's slides of pic's taken at the 1976 World Championship Race in Nashville. Good pic's of Team Mercury. Iknow who some of the boats and drivers are if any of you can add any commentary please do so.

Enjoy,
Michael Chapman

First 3 are Bill Seebold, Reggie Fountain, and Earl Bentz

Love looking at pics like this from the best days of boat racing!!!

Image 017 - #911 don't know driver but boat looks like a Scotti
Image 024 - Bob Thompson's Just Add Water racing team; SJ boat on bottom was often driven by Ben Robertson
Image 018 - (slide is backwards) #201 Just Add Water Mod U was usually driven by Ken Stevenson
Image 027 - 191 Jimbo McConnell but I don't recognize the hull
Image 026 - (slide is backwards) what looks like 58 is actually 82 which would likely be Lee Sutter / Seebold hull
Image 033 - Don't know #280 in foreground, but 515 in background is Jim Caldwell; Mod 50 Seebold on bottom, looks like a Broughton on top
Image 034 - (slide is backwards) - 173 on far right if corrected is SJ class; Doug Pearl

[MN4V]

Jimbo's boat looks like a Seebold.
Mark N

[congareebanks@yahoo.com]

Give them HELL headknocker.....Be careful & Good Luck!!!! :o) TBOAN

[JWTjr.]

those were really the best days...can truly say "wish I could go back to those times" and mean it. The best times for outboard racing...1970-1990.

JT