Hey Ron Hill

[KG4]

I was looking at a January 1976 issue of propeller and i found a good article.It said,Evinrude 100 mph club awards,The top speed this year was set by Ron Hill of Garden Grove,Cal whose average speed of 108.020 mph was recorded at Parker Dam,Ariz.Ron drove an Evinrude Super Strangler in the opc-s class to attain this speed.He also has broken seven world records and has won eight APBA national championships.Very cool stuff Ron,You are the man.

[David_L6]

Ron posted something one time that was impressive as heck to me. I can't remember exact details, though. I think it was that he won the Nationals in Stock, PRO, and OPC all in the same year. Whatever it was, it sure proved that Ron's a heck of a driver.

How 'bout it Ron, let's hear it from you.

[Ron Hill]

I will reply to your post...but it will take awhile....1976 seems like yesterday, except that my three year old (in 1976) is now 28....Running the kilo for the Evinrude 100 MPH Club was BIG in those days.... Now days, 100 MPH is "Candy Ass".... but with a Super Strangler (100 cubic inch) and a 17" pitch prop, it wasn't easy...

The year I ran all APBA OUTBOARD NATIONALS was 1967... I Only won one title in 1967, (I won three in 1966). "D" Racing Runabout that year... Bill Seebold, Jr. was second... But I did run second is "D" Stock runabout and 4th in "D" Stock hydro, plus run second is Sport "I" that year...(OPC)..

At DePue, in 1967, I ran second in A Runabout, F Hydro and D hydro. I got third in B hydro, B runabout and A Hydro....I ran every class and should have won more than D Runabout.... Damn C wouldn't start..in hydro or runabout...caught the sum bitch on fire trying to light it off... too much nitro...burned the hair off both arms... we ran less nitro and did better...in the other classes...

[Ron Hill]

Yatching Magazine used to have an All American Racing Team, that they printed yearly in there Magazine...I was selected more than once...but here is what they had for me in 1967:

Only driver to compete in ALL OUTBOARD NATIONALS...Alky, Stock OPC and Stock Marathon

UIM:

John Ward Trophy winner
C Racing Runabout Kilo Record
5 Mile competition record D racing runabout

APBA

5 mile F Racing Runabout record
National Chapion D Racing Runabout
2nd D Stock Runabout--defending Champion-- 2 firsts, 6 seconds and 1 fourth in the last 9 years.
5th in DU MArathon-Defending Champion is CU and DU
3rd in Sport I OPC- Canton, Ohio

Currently:

CU and DU Kilo Record holder
ARR Kilo Record Holder
Winner Jim Moran Chicago to Milwaukee to Chicago marathon...Overall OPC "T" CLASS
Over All Winner, sixth straight year, 21 st Annual Colorador River Marathon

No mention that I also won the Havasu World Championship is "T" Class, becasue that was in November and the Magazine came out in December... I raced more in 1968 than 1967, I put 80,000 miles on a new Chevy...and worked full time as a school teacher. My 5th grade class, not all, but many would come to school early on Monday to see how I'd done at the races over thw weekend... They'd be lined up on the curb....In those days I'd go to Miami or Galveston Friday night and return to work Monday...I loved the work, I loved the kids and I loved boat racing..

[Ron Hill]

I think I posted this picture somewhere else...but this is the John Ward Trophy Race in Valleyfield, Canada, 1967...Fred Hauenstein Jr, was second...one of the few pictures I have of 1967...500 CC Konig, Schultz boat... I rigged this boat myself in Dick O'Dea's parking lot in Patterson, NJ...

[Ron Hill]

Hey KG-4,

This is my dad and Dean Chenoweth's dad, picture is signed A.E. Chenoweth, at the Oakland Airport Channel after the 1952 Stock Nationals, where Dean won three firsts...

[Ron Hill]

Here is my KG 4 on my Morehouse, 2-C is Bob Parrish in a DeSilva. The race was at Hart Park, Bakerfield, California, 1955. (Pre Lake Ming Days)...

[Ron Hill]

My aunt made this ceramic race boat for my dad. It has been in the family since 1947, the two K-3 Champion spark plugs were in my Kg-4 when I broke the AU straight away record of 48.352 at Oric, California in the fall of 1957.

[omc-v4]

Great stuff! Do you have any X-115 or GT-115 pic you could post.I am putting together a CT-15 Carlson with souped up 100 hp johnson with that first Stinger gear case.

[Raceman]

"Do you have any X-115 or GT-115 pic you could post."

I can do you some actual photographs if you'll give me a little time. I've got one on a stand, but it's buried in storage behind a couple of old Corvettes.

[Raceman]

Ron, I'm curious if you ever ran across a man from Georgia named McAnn. I used to go to his house everyday after school and watch him fool with his boats. I know all his racing was done in other places because there wasn't any around here. Only thing I can remember is he talked about the Merc's he'd sold and was running Koenigs by the time I started hanging around. He was welding cones and stingers on megaphones and shipping them everywhere also. Apparently this was in the very beginning of the expansion chamber and he was building them for a bunch of folks who'd been running straight megaphones.

Only other thing I can remember about him is that he ran DeSilva's in both hydros and runabouts, and seems like there was another brand that he was selling some of also (Dubinski???)

[Ron Hill]

I don't recall a McAnn. I do recall Dubinski Boats. I talked to Ralph DeSilva the other day. I have been doing some Antique Outboard props....Duh!!!! But was also talking about having him build my new concept class hull and a C Runabout for a Yamato 302. I'll ask Ralph about McAnn, Ralph's mind is sharp as a tack...

[Oclassracer]

Dubinski boats were built by Dub Parker of Gadsen(?),Al. He was killed in a garage explosion 20+ years ago. About McAnn, I will ask my dad as he too raced Konig engines in the south east.

[Ron Hill]

I never heard that about Dub Parker. I was looking at old pictures and saw a Big Bee Swift with a Konig, and I said that is Dub Parker, next to Homer Kincaid blowing over....then, I said to myself, I don't know that is Dub Parker...but I seem to remember him from the '56 Nationals at Bakersfield...(Alky APBA)...

[Ron Hill]

This is an old APBA promotional picture and it seems it is Dub Parker in the Big Bee... Grandpa Seebold tells a great story about this picture, the truth of it I don't know, but Grandpa never lied to me... It seems that Homer had been off his game and guys like Hill and Hauenstein from California had doing most of the winning, not to mention Seebold. Home knew I fooled with props so Homer had Grandpa build him a prop for Lakeland....Well, Grandpa claimed Homer never went so fast and that is why he blew over. Having never raced at Lakland, even though it has been a dream for most of my life, I don't know if this picture is from Lakeland...

[David_L6]

Originally posted by Oclassracer
Dubinski boats were built by Dub Parker of Gadsen(?),Al. He was killed in a garage explosion 20+ years ago.


I'd heard, from a former boat racer from Huey Town, AL, that Parker was killed in a plane crash in Florida.

Anyone know for sure which one it was?

[Oclassracer]

Is it possible that you are confusing Bud Parker with Dub Parker? I remember Dub from the late 60's NOA races. I believe he built a few boats for himself and that was the nickname he gave them.

David, thats interesting about the plane crash. Maybe someone will provide a bit of info that will confirm.

Ron, never been to Lakeland?, well that means youve never blown over at Lakeland.You're lucky. I raced there alot, but only blew over once, after that you kinda learn to respect that lake. For those of you who dont know, racing Lakeland is like running a kilo(5/8mile) for 1 2/3 miles, three times around. The course only had 8 maybe ten bouys and the arch you took probably added another 10th of a mile per lap. Yelms 1 2/3 course was much easier to drive. A record set at Lakeland was truly fast. They were always in real competition, not like at Yelm where the other legal boats stay out of the way. Which reminds me, that photo of Kinkaid would likely be Lakeland because of the iron post that the bouy was mounted on, they were permenant so you never tried to "leave 'em spinnin"

[Oclassracer]

I am guilty of a little bit of misinformation. I hope this sets a few things strait.

Dub Parker was killed in a plane crash in Florida. He was a pilot at the time. The garage explosion happened when he was heating some varnish to put on one of the "Dubinski" boats. He sold a few, they were fast, but really hard to drive. Like a Hedlund if you know what that was like. Dub was survived by his wife, Billie who still lives in Gadsen. Billie showed up at the AOF nationals when they were in Ohatchie(?), Al a few years back.

Joe McAnn was from Macon, Ga. Dub drove for him for a time.

[Mark75H]

O, could you give us some biography on Bud Parker? Wasn't he from WI or someplace cold like that? Didn't he make an improved Looper based on the Quincy?


Not to confuse either of these Parkers with Jim Parker from CA, who first raced with Bob Kies in some early marathons. I think Jim inherited the Hubbell OPC stuff when Pep quit.

[Raceman]

O Class, now you've peaked my interest. Where are you from and since you corrected the post, is there somebody else you're talking to that knows/knew Joe McAnn????

[David_L6]

Bud Parker was from Michigan. He retired, sold his shop, and moved to Florida.

I don't know exactly what all Bud built, but I have bought a few things from him through the years. The last item was a short tower for my C that I'm still using. He also built exhaust systems. I've seen a few of them, but not many. Mostly Bayer systems around here, with a few from Quincy and O'Brien thrown in.

I have never met Bud, but he was always super nice and as helpful as he possibly could have been anytime I talked to him on the phone. Maybe someone that raced before I started can give us a little more history of his products/services???

[Ron Hill]

Hey Mark 75 H---

Here is picture of Harry Bartolomei and myself at DePue, 1967. We ran a 75-H via Quincy with a Konig 15:16 gearcase. I was fast, but Bill Jack Rucker with a Lon Steven Six was faster.

I ran a Schultz hull from Austria. Jerry Waldman had his Loop 44 Quincy on a Marchetti, I got inside Jerry coming out of the second turn and out accelerated Jerry so badly he thought his belt on his magneto broke. He had never had anyone out punch his 44.

Jerry looked over his shoulder to see if his engine quit... We laughed about it later, but the next year he had a SIX on his hydro!!!

[Ron Hill]

Another one for you Sam... Actual newsclipping of Burt Ross breaking the record for Outboard Speed...Not sure of the year..

[Ron Hill]

Hey KG-4,


Here is a picture of my KG-4 at Cambridge, Maryland, 1956. A man sent me an email with my picture in Boat Sport magazine, 1957...same picture. This was actually my number two motor. My number one had been inspected at the Divisionals and we had no time to break her back in. Finished third to Dean Chenowith and Billy Schumaker... Don Pontius from Hummel Wharf, PA was fourth..

[Ron Hill]

APBA Record Certificate AU..

[Powercat]

Originally posted by Ron Hill
Another one for you Sam... Actual newsclipping of Burt Ross breaking the record for Outboard Speed...Not sure of the year..
Ron: I think that clip was actually of Hugh Entrop's earlier record.
This clipping is from LA Mirror May 1960 and talks about Burt Ross
breaking Enthrops record... Of course the reason I had it was because of the other record listed in the article...
Also you guys were talking about helmets... I allways hated this one my dad wore in those years.. Leather ear flaps and all....
Was out of date even for 1960....
Danny Leger

[Mark75H]

Danny you are correct the one Ron posted was from June 1958. On yours the Mirror has the correct picture and wrong speed in the caption---that is the 115+ boat, not the 107+ boat.

Entrop had set another record of 114+ mph in 1960 not long before Ross did the 115+ runs and Entrop came back with a 122+ record later in 1960, I think.

The reason these other records were not mentioned is because the article is an excellent example of Merc propaganda: the other records were NOA (non-APBA non-UIM) records and it benefited Kiekhaefer's ego to not mention them. Even Mercury Marine has tripped over the propaganda at times, mis reading the original ads and press releases that mention Entrop's first record as the first racer to exceed 100 mph with a production based outboard. Massimo di Priolo had broke 100 mph with a hand made opposed 4 four-stroke motor back in 1954.


Entrop's first record was set with a 60 ci Merc as was Ross's. All the later records were set with much larger engines.

Entrop in 1960 with 89ci, ditto for Walin in 66, Merten in 73 with 99ci. I think once in the 1980's a regular tunnel hull running on gas held the ultimate record, I think all the others were set with alcohol and nitro methane running on streamlined three pointers (starting with di Priolo in 1954).


It was a long march from 11 mph in 1924 to 176mph in 1989.

[Powercat]

Sam:
The 176mph current record is from a 3pt hydro and a
OMC v-8 correct ?? Do you know if it was on gas or
fuel ? 1989 to 2003... Time for someone to take this
one on again ??
Danny

[Mark75H]

Correct on the engine and boat.

Like I said: Alcohol and nitro methane. . .plus the 176 mph record breaker used nitrous oxide to come up to speed for the traps. Traditionally you only have the length you are setting your record on for coming up to speed and decelleration after the run. This now means you have to have monsterous power to acellerate in your entrance chute.

The team that set the 176 record claims there is a lot more speed left in that rig . . .maybe enough to raise the record over 200 mph. If this is true they would likely come back and retake any sub 210 mph record. . .very intimidating.

[Raceman]

Sam, I've heard rumors that the boat is hanging upside down in Race Rock Cafe in Orlando. I'm not sure it's record ready/available. With poor parts availability for the Formula 1 V8 (it's my understanding that virtually nothing interchanges with the other V8's) it might be beyond reach for another record attempt. I've thought for a long time that a Merc with today's technology and nitros/methanol, etc could certainly reach the existing record. One problem is that sponsors may be reluctant to risk killing a driver, given the past history of water speed record attempts and test sessions.

[Ron Hill]

Thanks Danny and Sam for correcting my "Burt Ross" picture. Did you guys see the speeds in the Drags? 30 to 35 Bracket???

When most outboards probably didn't go 30 MPH, 100 seemed unheard of!!!

Jeff Lewis from Grants Pass, Oregon once went right at 150 with a two liter Merc, home built boat, no capsule.....He is a crazy sum bitch...flew to the Parker Kilos one year and couldn't figure out where we were running the kilos and ran out of gas between Parker and Blythe. Landed in the raod. Hitch hiked to Blythe got gas and directions and flew to Parker...

He still talks of going after the record has a boat he feels could go 200...needs money and a good 2.5....

[Ron Hill]

I mentioned that Jerry Waldman, in 1967, ran a Loop 44 in "F" Hydro...and had gotten "Smoked" by Bill Rucker and myself. In 1968, Jerry had his own 75-H.

[Ron Hill]

By 1968, I was only trying to race C, D runabout and hydro (Alky), D Stock Hydro and C and D Stock runabout....and run the twin and single outboard classes...Seebold was yet to race OPC...

[Ron Hill]

Outboard History buffs know that it was a crash with Jerry Peterson and Jerry Waldman, that tooks Jerry's life...Jerry's wife's maiden name was Hill, from Wisconsin...I'm a Hill via PA, WI, NE and CA...

[Ron Hill]

LAST POST 1968 DePue:

This was the first year APBA ran F Runabout at DePue, before 1968 F Runabout was a West Coast Class and we always had the Nationals out here....in 1968, even though I was the Competition Record Holder for FRR, I didn't have a boat or a ride for the Nationals. Bill Fales from NY would have "Kicked my butt" anyway, funny thing was his fuel tank wasn't large engou to run four laps and five miles, so he had his "Deck Rider" add a gallon of alky out of a Purex bottle WHILE THEY WERE RACING......I NEVER RODE with anyone, I always drove!!! If you look closely, you see the rider is riding backward. He just finished dumping the fuel and is trying to hang on for the corner...Of course, they are running an honest 90 MPH with 11 others behind them...14' runabout, 22" bottom...

Bill Fales later had an extremely HOT LOOP SIX...

[Oclassracer]

As a kid going to Depue, I often remember seeing broken bits of boat with the N-77 on it, I guess the photo explains that:)
Also, in the text of the results was Jack Marshall of Sydney Australia. Jack has "summered" in Knoxville, Tn for many years and just recently left to go "summer" in Australia. His health is failing and he and his wife, Dianna, may not be back. Jack was one of the innovators of the PRO division. He made 2,4,6 and 8 cylinder motors for a variety of classes he ran. One piece I remember was the lower unit that he made for a strait away attempt. It was about 20'' from pinion to sheer pin hole and the "gear case" would be out of the water if the engine was set up kicked in a little. I believe that and a Konig 500cc got him in the Gulf 100 mph club in around 1970+/-.
One more thing, Ralph Donald still races. He placed 2nd at the 125cc world championships in Milan, Italy in september

[Ron Hill]

Some names and faces stick with me forever. Jack Marshall's name rings a bell but don't remember meeting him. Being that I ran almost every class except C Service Runabout and Hydro, I had little to time to meet everyone. Guys like Dub Paker had raced against my brother, so that was like a family name. Ralph Donald had quite a few DeSilva runabouts and I worked part time at DeSilva, never for pay, trades labor for boats...built boats for like Johnny Woods, Bill Seebold and Jerry Simonson. So when I had time, I'd look these guys up.

Johnny Woods, at the time, was youngest Senior Partner of E.F Hutton. Johnny raced basically every class. Marchetti Hydros or Sid Crafts and always DeSilva runabouts. Woods was famous for going "Splat"... He later had a Ron Jones twin that he ran at Havasu and Parker. After crashing a time or two, he bought a 225 inboard hydro.

He had a film crew follow him around for several years. They made some amazing inboard hydro movies. I saw a video that the made, it was very exciting and dangerous looking. The speeds those guys went in a 225 Jones.

Johnny came out here to escort Jackie Autry to Angel game. (A Fund Raiers for Jackie charity). I couldn't go, so he met my wife and me the day before for dinner. Then, he took my brother to the fund raiser. See he's no longer with E.F Hutton, but he goes around and helps people give away money.

He also owns Stout Marketing, one thing they make is all the license plated for NASCAR.

Johnny still lives in St. Louis... He has some great pictures that I'd love to post....especially his crashes...

Many "Racers" that I did meet, I still run into now and then...Johnny R. Woods, a true gentleman of boat racing.

Add:

Timmy Seebold was in diapers at DePue in 1968....When I see Timmy, I always feel OLD...

[H2Onut]

EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT

Again you guys tickle me to death...Can't get enough. PLEASE don't EVER stop posting this stuff.


Regards

Mike da Nut

[Jeff_G]

RM the Garbrecht boat is in Orlando at Race Rock, just as you enter om the left.
The powerhead was a production block that ran methanol and nitros oxide. The motor is still in existance today. Damn near broke a foot on it 2 years ago.

[Ron Hill]

Adding to 1968 DePue Personalities (Stories):

I won my qualifying heat is CRR. Bill Seebold won the second heat, at quite a bit faster time, but he'd jumped the gun. Before he came in after the heat, I went to Grandpa Seebold and told him I wanted that prop on Billy's boat. He said, "Ok $150." I ran to my trailer, got my wallet and prop wrench and ran back to Seebold's pits. I handed Grandpa the money and just as they lifted Billy's boat out of the water I grabbed the prop in my left hand and took off the nut with my right.... Billy starts screaming at me...I tell, "Youujumped th F(*&ing gun and I bought the pop from Grandpa and I'm taking it." (It wasn't that I didn't trust the Seebolds to give me the prop, I just wanted it and I wanted NOW!!!)...

Billy runs up to Grandpa to protest but Grandpa says, "Oh hell it is only a prop." Billy replies, "Yea, but it WAS my best one."

Over a few beers at trophies, I try to convince Billy to go and talk to Gary Garbrecht at Mercury about driving for them...I told him I'd already talked to Gary.....Billy goes to Mercury but it isn't for another year..... A man never knows where life leads you.....but I thought Mercury needed a driver like Seebold...

[Ron Hill]

I'm actually posting this picture becasue my old neighbor, who is in the picture can't seem to get it via email.

I'm on the right, John Van Noord (middle), Alger Faber on the left...

My first AU, a Wade Terrill hull, powered bya KG-4, serial number 448916.

ADD: I'm wearing a Winnebagoland Marathon T Shirt. Must be 1954.

[BK]

Ron - You still look the same ! :)



Here is the pic of the Karelson Hydro that set and holds the 176 mph Outboard speed record, driven by Bob Wartinger. On the ceiling in Orlando Race Rock Cafe.

(the boat is now white, but was red when the record was set)

http://www.racerock.com/tour/t2-2.jpg

[Ron Hill]

I was looking for my post about Ted March, but can't seem to find it...This is Ted March getting the fuel dock ready for a pit stop at Parker..

[Ron Hill]

This is just a picture of the start, Hill Marine's pits...The Gray Eliminator is Bob Wartinger, the Blue Eliminator, with Johnson V-8 is John Castelli...

[BK]

Ron --- The pic of Ted March and the fuel dock is not Parker - that sure looks like the pits at Havasu.

But in the Parker pic below it, that might be me in the white jacket!

I was very close to your 1986 Parker pit at the start --- thats where I took this shot:

[Ron Hill]

You are right, that is Havasu. Where are you???

So, we must have been running this Lavey with the V-8.

[Fish]

Great stuff Ron and everyone else. Please keep posting.

Fish

[BK]

Hi Ron --- Is that you standing on the V-8 boat trailer?

I'm thinking that might be me to your right, in the white/lavender jacket (I wore one like this back then).
At the Enduro, I was nearly always a scorekeeper. But often I would ask someone to score the first few laps for me, so I could get pictures of the start and pit action.

[Ron Hill]

Yes, the Old Man on the trailer is me...and as good looking as you are, it seems I should remember if you were standing there...but I don't... I does seem logical that that would have been you though... Hey, check out www.hydroracer.net under Ron Hill's History, and read my brother 1973 Platform for APBA. As I recall, you didn't think competer were on the scene then...

Just talked to Ted March on the phone.... he's going do some Drag Racing again this year...

Me? I think I'll just post more pictures and watch people work on our house... I'm going to post on "How many Projects??"

Miss seeing you!!! (And the kids and Brad!!!!)...

Barb isn't trying to read her fortune!!! She's reading her notes, on her hand, from scoring..

[Ron Hill]

BK:

Is this you standing next to Bob Wartinger, that is Ken Scoville, the New Champ Boat Series, Co-inspector... This was the start of the first Mini Enduro... 1988???

[Ron Hill]

Yeh, that was you in the red jacket...see!!!

[Ron Hill]

Jim Harris to the left...He was dating a school teacher friend of mine. She was also dating MY BANKER.... She married the banker. She also sold Eliminator their land for their new factory...

Chad, the little one, now 26, me and Jim Jost. Jim Jost, past APBA President. Past Public Relations VP/Director for EVINRUDE...HAVASU 1988..

Harris also ran the FIRST HST ever built with our Yamaha in MOD VP... He also drop my Lavey and Sleek Crafts...

[Ron Hill]

The guy on the right is Ron Eddy, the guy who designed and tooled most of Eliminator's tunnels... Me cleaning the boat, Wartinger getting ready to drive. Wart was later relived by Randy Pierson.. That was the first time I met randy and he jumped into my/Elimnator's MOD VP.

[Ron Hill]

Pat Murphy telling me, "It ain't my fault. It just stopped."

Well, were sure made a mess of the Mercury Rented motor...

[BK]

Ron ~
Nope, none of those are me.

If that was the start of the 1988 Mini Enduro, then I would have been sitting in one of the boats lined up. (that was the weekend Brad and I went out on a date for the first time!)

In that Mini Enduro Pic, did you notice the white-haired guy walking toward Scoville and Wart? That's Dave Kober.

But here is a pic of me, Wartinger and Edgar Rose -- last month at the APBA Annual Meeting banquet. (Either we are talking about chocolate or helmet-restraints)

[Ron Hill]

Great picture... I've known Edgar Rose since 1954. I really wanted to go to the APBA Meeting, but several things came up...Barb's hundred grandmother died about then, and we decided not to go to Wisconsin for the funeral, so going to Detroit three weeks later didn't seem a good idea...

Here is a picture of Barb at the first Mini Enduro... She was the only one NOT to have an electric starter...something I didn't even think about when I bought that Tohashoe... Almost cost me a DIVORCE....Everyone took off but her.... she looked at me, I just shook my head...

[John Schubert]

For Ron Hill;

two thoughts: I know your father was one heck of an engine builder, but in the picture posted earlier with the ceramic trophy you showed 2 K-3 spark plugs that were in your KG4 when you set a record. How did he manage to get the 18mm plugs in the 14mm holes? Next thought, you mentioned the DSH finals in 1967 at Essex, MD. I was right behund you in 5th after having the fastest qualifying time. Remember how many re-atrats we had at dusk & even darker? I remeber the one restart I had a flying start while everyone else approached the start slow. I was out in front coming around the turn to take the white flag, and up went the red flag for the third time. They restarted us with a person per boat to enable getting a legal start. Denny & Dewy finished 1st & 2nd I believe. I think Stan Armstrong was 3rd.

[Ron Hill]

Mr. Schuber.... this is Ron ill... as they called us in Paris... The French don't pronounce "T" of "H".... Let me say a K-3, as my Home Depot Tape Measure shows is in fact a 14MM.

My dad considered himself an lower unit maker and an engine assembler. He loved Stock Outboards because assemlying parts, finding parts was his life. We never machined a Stock Outboard part other than end mains, carb opening for "D" (Fishing to "H") and reed block opening... I one time counted 25 blocks at my dads. Most were fresh water from Nebraska. He loved taking vacations and finding parts.

Today, I would say to make engines run, you must be an engine BUILDER. My dad never had one of his engines disqualified in inspection. And, he'd look kindly on YOU telling him he was good... Remember, your dad and my dad, we were like pitted next to each other the whole week at Beaver...

[Ron Hill]

That picture wasn't too good...

Essex, Maryland, 1967. On the way to the Expo '67 Regatta in Valleyfield, I stopped at a race in Essex, MD to test for the Stock Nationals... This was June. It was a PRO Race, Dickie O'Dea was there, but don't recall if you drove the DOH. I only had Harry Bartolomei's PRO Stuff and My Stock Stuff. Harry had told me not to race his stuff until Valleyfield.

You probably remember, but Carl Meyers had had a terrible accident with my boats on the way to Beaver in 1965. My dad and I fixed my National Championship DU well enough to run, but I blew it over the first heat and won the second. I sold the boat and bought Stan Armstrong's 11' Sid.

After doing some bottom work or that Sid, moving the fin and adding an extension wheel, moving the engine back 2" and and adding a windshield. I felt my DSH "ROCKED"...


Anyway, after running the Marathon Nationals in Bay City the first of June, then after going to Valleyfield (and winning the John Ward Trophy Race), then to LaPiear, Michigan, then DePue (And racing every class, winning DRR and getting 5 seconds...), then to The Chicago to Milawukee to Chicago Marathon (Which I won), then the OPC Nationals, then to Essex, I was wearing out.

I had won DU in 1966, so I was qualified for the finals. In order to get my SID CRAFT to Essex my dad would have to have put it on a car top carrier and bring it from DePue. My dad really didn't like HYDROS and he HATED CAR TOP CARRIERS.

In 1966, I'd run second to Clark Maloof in DSH, but as I recalled becasue of the retractable fin problems he wasn't going to run DSH at Essex...

I'd run third behind Herring and Waldman in both "A" and "B" Hydro with my Sid....A boat I always loved to drive...

[Ron Hill]

I'd sold my 1966 winning DU and hadn't gotten around to building another, so the only DU I had was my Marathon Boat which my dad had thrown on top of my Sport I...OPC).

I really thought I had a shot at DSH in Essex. But my dad said, If I put that Sid Craft on top his car, he was going home. (to California).

So we get to Maryland and I decide to borrow a boat. I borrow an 11' Sid from a guy in New York... I want to say his name was "BUZZ"...

Hell, it is a DOG... I can't break 70 with it. I sand on the bottom. I cut the air traps off. I pull an easy heat.

I go down the front straightaway and Dewey Berghauer is right next to me. I'd spent half the summer with the Berghauers up at OMC, but Dewey does know it is me in this New York boat. He decides to "Pinch me" into the first turn. I just set that Sid Craft on it's side and damn near blew Dewey out of the boat. I win the first heat, with a DU KAmic, and qualify for the finals, but I'm the 12th fastest in the field.

At inspection, Dewey, goes, "OH, your from New York?" We had a good laugh about his and my driving styles...


In DU, Pontius is On his game, my Marathon boat doesnt turn well but I get second... My dad says, "give that Damn hydro up. Let's get this inspected and get the hell out of here." As you recall it rained 14" one day and pits were full of mud.

Billy Allen had crashed into that ONE STEEL BOUY on the front straightaway in that big rain storm...Being from California, I sat in the rain and loved it.... Allen totaled his DU and I laughed at him... I say one bouy, and you just about hit it perfect.... Some kind of a channel marker...lucky it didn't kill him...

Aynway, D Hydro comes up... Randy Selfes from California is running a 55 E block. And it had just been determined to be illegal, like Don Christy's "B" Block in Boston... So, Randy knew he'd be Dq"d in inspection. So he kept jumping the gun and leading everyone else (We had 8 restarts). They stopped the race. saying too many gun jumpers to call. I was in last most of the time anyway.

In the pits my dad said, "Let's get that damn motor inspected and lets get out of here. It's getting dark."

I said, "No dad, I'm going win this thing"


After about the fourth restart my Old Man was going nuts...Of course, I was last everytime. I took My DU Kamic off and put on My good DSH CARY that I couldn't pull on this boat.... I start about second, behind Selfes, figuing hell, I might as well be toward the front.. Coming into the pit turn I'm back to fifth and I slam in to Dennis Berghauer....Knock a hold in both boats..

They call it off again.. Denny Berghauer cmes down gives me some DUCT TAPE and says, "Can't you F*&^ing turn?" I said not like you... Now, my OLD MAN is really HOT. I'v screwed up this borrowed boat. I've screwed up Berghauer's boat and I've burned all our gas. My dad would only let me run Valvoline oil... (It built carbon and he liked it that way)...


Here's where the story goes into to possible fantasy... I start almost last, because let's face it, it is really dark and I'm the slowest damn boat out there... For some reason, I pass two guys on the way to the first turn, I pass two or three down the back straightway. I motor up to like fifth at first I think I must have missed the red flag.

I finish, I think third in the second heat for fourth. In total darkness, in inspection, I look at my prop and when I hit Berghauer, I'd folded one blade way back. To the day I sold that prop to Lloyd Mize, that was the fastest D Hydro wheel I ever had, AND I never straightened that blade...

The results were Dewey, then Dennis Berghauer, Stan Armstrong, Me...you fifth???

[Ron Hill]

AS I recall, I was pretty proud of the 4th in DSH. There were some "HOT" guys in that race, and believe it or not, I don't think I would have done better with my own boat.

My dad, later built a 20 H for the kid I'd borrowed to boat for...for me wrecking the sponson chine and rear chine..

I think Dewey did win DSH, he could have won CSH but he let Dennis by right at the line... He said, Denny owned it all and did all the work, he should win...... The brothers DEE, Dewey and Dennis were 1,2 and 3 in CSH... They really had it together...

That's how I remember Essex, MD 1967. In June I'd broken a rewind spring and Old Man, Dominic DeFebo, had fixed it for me. at this house.....and I had the best steak sandwich I ever had ...In Wilmington DE....

[Mark75H]

The DeFebo family is still racing here in the east.


The fish farm/seafood restuarant guys fed you steak? not fish????

[John Schubert]

Yup, I was 5th running my "B" Alky boat with Dick O'Dea's 2 port 55H block, later bought & raced by Ken Rasado. The transom was too high, so Bob & Sid called Don & Earl Christy, Don had quit racing the previous year, who brought a plane & they lowered the transom. Don said that he would have liked to have let me use his good "DSH" Cary, but said he wasn't sure about how some people would feel. I never would have told anyone, but thought that my "DSH" Cary reworked by R. Allen was probably as good.

[John Schubert]

Don't you remeber during one of the heats Castegneto tried to squeeze between me and the bouy hitting & punching a hole in my left rear chine? He and his friend, Don Pigeon registered a complaint & Bob Henry, the driver's rep came over during one of our many stops between restarts and asked what happened. They then conferred with the turn judge who confirmed that I had the "right of way". Larry then wrote a very nasty & belittling letter to Dick about me. I went up to Region 1 many times thereafter while now running pro, but never saw him again. I wanted to set the score correct. One of the things he said in the letter was that I prohibited the "best" DSH from winning. Can you imagine that. I know of at least 5 of us were faster!!!

[John Schubert]

Ron,

Found information about the plug deal. I finally recalled that the K-2 & K-3 were around then, then I found a cross reference to a J62R, a 14mm plug. I e-mailed Moulder and here is what he has to say which is kind of interesting.

"Time to rekindle the flames of your `1954 memory---the plugs that came in the 20H were J3's, except that, for Elmer Carl, Champion called them K-3 (&-2's) (and they were 14mm)
The K-3's of that vingtage were submerged gaps, and of the J58R range, I suspect. We all immediatly threw them away and installed HO8-A's, a fine wire platinum tip chain saw plug. I have a few K-3's we found, as well as some J-2's and 3's.
The ones we use in our early Hot Rods are K 3G's, and are 18mm, use them instead of R-7's, which convert to K57/58/59R's or -T's"

[Ron Hill]

John:

So, all this "PLUG" stuff, means I did in fact have those K-3's since August 1957.

My mom had that little ceramic boat, my aunt had made. My mom kept few things, she was no collector, loved boat racing as much as anyone in the family. I think she made more than 500 life jackets. She did however, keep my first APBA Card, 448916 was my serial number of my KG-4. And a few others of my things, including a ring I'd given to my first "Steady" girl friend...

So, I knew where the plugs came from... My dad was a Champion Hot Rod Dealer in SoCal, but I never knew what plugs ran in those "Tin Can Monsters" as we called them...

Did you have like a gold metal flake helmet? I remember you Loop B Quincy. Didn't you also drive O'Dea's Loop D???

I kind of rememnber the Castaneto deal at Essex...Seems Bob Henry asked me what I thought....I don't remember ever blaming anyone for a wreck....I think I said something like Casteneto went to the wrong bouy???

You had a Smith Cary? There weren't many of those...

A little picture of my mom and dad. Dad lived to be 90 and mom made it to 87...See as a Kid I had "OLD" parents. My sister is 13 years older than I and my brother is 10.

We'd won MOD VP that day with the Sleek Craft...Dick Sherrer was second with the Merc. The Old Man always loved Evinrudes and beating Mercs made him proud...

When Mod VP died, part of my dad died. He knew how I loved the class. At one race we ran a Johnson, Evinrude, Two Mercs and a Yamaha...

We raced Havasu that year on Friday and Saturday, so we could race with the inboard at Parker on Sunday.. Thanksgiving...

[Ron Hill]

Sam:

That was the damnest steak sandwich... I needed to get to Valleyfield, as Harry was going to be there Monday or Tuesday and I had no real clue where Valleyfield was...but I did need my rewind fixed and "Fibby" (The Old Man) had said he could do it no problem...

I actually think he asked us to stay for dinner...but I just said a sandwich would be cool. He suggested some little place town town from him. Like maybe a mile. And to this day I remember the tomatoes and steak tasting so good...truth is, I may not have eaten all day. We'd found Essex at about 3:00 AM....

I'm glad Schubert figured out the spark plugs, my credibility may have been shot to hell, except, I knew you'd bail me out sooner or later...


ADD:

On John Schubert's web page...he lists Jimbo driving in Berlin...look closely...it is me...Jimbo did drive there, with me.

[John Schubert]

Ron,

I never drove Dick's "D" Looper. I first drove for him in I believe 1968 driving his "C" konig. I was fastest qualifier for both the "COH" & John Ward race. However, going in to the 1st turn, Billy was on the inside, next to him was Homer then me starting a slight overlap then the boat did a typical Sid wiggle & I flipped seeing wakes going over my head when I was under water. Billy & Homer spun out & died. Dan Kirts went on to win in his Looper. We were running the tin can muffler at that time as Dick hadn't transitioned to expansion chambers yet, and the muffler must has retained some water as the engine ran losy afetr the flip, plus I was a little shaky. I still had to race my "BOH" Looper. I was sitting over by the pavilion, dock, or area that extended out to the water next to inspection, trying to collect myself when Johnny Woods came over & gave me a "pep" talk. He knew I had to run the "B", and told me to give it all I had. I won the "B" race that day. To this day I credit his talk and Harold Barnes kissing my rope cranking plate just before the final heat.

[John Schubert]

Not sure of all the correct years but also ran Dick's Crescent at a lot of races. In 1969 I set both the "COH" & "DOH" 5 mile competition records at Lakeland driving for Dick, then won the "COH" nationals at Depue and the "COH" rig with me driving was awarded the Yachting Magazine All American Race Team for "alky". I also was 2nd in "AOH" with a 1st & 3rd with less elapsed time then Waldman with a 1st & 2nd with a Konig, and 4th in "DOH". Dick & I departed ways that winter, then I got a "C" Looper and ran "AOH"(konig), "BOH" (looper) & "COH" ( Looper).Won the Townsend medal in 1970 for the most points all Alky classes during the 1970 season.

[Ron Hill]

Just got an email from Dick O'Dea.... and Then, I remembered after I left the June race in Essex, 1967, I went to Dick O'Dea's shop and picked up Harry Bartolomei's new Schultz hydro, then I went to Valleyfield...


The first heat in Valleyfield was AH and I was running my Sid Craft "D" hydro with my "A" Quincy Looper. I had never run A Hydro, as out west we all ran A Runabout. I went roaring down to the first turn, and someone wet me down and the cold Canadian water fogged my goggles. I just went wide to stay out of the way and was "Fogging" down the back straight away, thinking my damn goggles would clear, but they didn't.


Finally, I pulled my goggles down, I just glanced ahead and no one was there. So, I looked over my shoulder and the field was back there. Then I looked ahead again and realized there was about an 18" swell. I went to back off and my damn throttle was stuck wide open. I get to the turn and I just reach back and choke it a little, and skid her through the corner... I win the heat that way. ($100 bucks)..

Next, I go out and win the first heat of the John Ward Trophy race and I come in and start fixing the throttle on the A Hydro....Harry says, "Leave the damn thing alone...and rest for the second heat of C Hydro"... I say, "Harry, they are paying a $100 buck a heat first." Harry, reaches in his pocket and hands me a $100 bill. It was the first time that I realized I DID NOT RACE FOR THE MONEY, I RACED TO WIN. I put the money in my pocket, but my feeling were really hurt, I wanted to win that AH race. I finsihed second in the second heat of C HYRDO, to Fred Hauenstein, but he'd been third the first heat, so, finishing second, I knew I was the John Ward Thropy winner...500 cc World Champion, ift felt pretty cool!!! (WON $1,400 Canadian Dollars)...

The Quincy A held the A Runabout Kilo record on a Hill Boat....

[Ron Hill]

As I was going through some pictures, I thought maybe, I hadn't been real truthful about saying I brought my MARATHON Boat to ESSEX in 1967.

My father and I built this boat as a Marathon boat, but we also built it with the Kilo Record in mind This boat had a threaded steering wheel, made by Dale Drake of Meyer-Drake Offenhauser fame.

I had made one pass at the kilos at 75, which was 5 over my record. But I blew it over on the return.

I then took it to Bay City for the Marathon Nationals an crashed it on the first lap and blew the bottom off. My dad repaired it and brought it to Essex. I actually, felt with the speed I had, I could win...trouble was Pontius was fast too, and could make the corners....See, I didn't really race for my healt, I raced to win...

It was once said the Freddy Hauenstein and Ronnie Hill are poors losers....My dad thought a bit, then he said, WELL, THEY AIN'T HAD MUCH PRACTICE." Think about that..

[Ron Hill]

I sold the boat to Al Stoker's mechanic, he renamed it "FLIPPER", only changed some of the lettering...

This is Bay City...Fred Miller loaned me his DeSilva for the second day...

I might add, I went on my head hard, both times I flipped this boat...you get off one of these things at about 75......aas my dad used to say, "He just we ass over tea kettle AGAIN."

[Ron Hill]

Didn't I say John Schubert had an ORANGE METAL FLAKE HELMET?

Maybe, it wasn't but I thought he did...

[Ron Hill]

Looking at this picture, tell me what's wrong with Lake Havasu City? Give up? Where are all the houses????

This is NOVEMBER 1966, spectator point...

16' Glastron, twin Johnsons...

[Ron Hill]

This is a shot of my wife running the kilos in an inflatable. It had a 75 HP Suzuki. He V hull record has not been broken. She only went 48.352..... but it was a wild ride...it walked back and forth, we never told her how dangerous it looked...

[Ron Hill]

Unidentified person in the inflatable with the "FAMOUS" 1976 Ron Hill Props shirt...

[Ron Hill]

Another picture of the Hallett Four point. The whole bottom was plated with aluminum. I was running 4th in this photo....1969.

[Ron Hill]

Article about John Schubert.

[Ron Hill]

At the last Mini Enduro we ran, we ran three C-Nod's (APBA CP) with six chicks...here are four...They were all disappointed that the officials ended the race about four hours early, while they were on the trailer getting gas...Seems many of the MEN IN TUNNELS to turned over and the patrol boats could not keep up...

The girls had a great time...but didn't go back...

[BK]

Is one of those girls Pam Kenyon?

[Ron Hill]

Second from the left...22 years old? Working on her PhD in Artifical Intelligence at Stanford....Maybe, she we 24....You think I'm hard to follow, her brain was going 8,000 RPM's all the time... She didn't seem afraid a nothing, either...

When I start my One Design Classes, maybe, I'll bring back "TEAM SNAPPER"....Would you drive something???

First One Design is going to us 25 HP 2006 legal motors... Boat will be a "KIT", either you can build the kit or buy it assembled...One Designed "SPEC" Props with a CLAIMER CLAUSE...Boat will be 90% foam....

ADD:

Gayle Strophie, on the left, her husband drove Ebbtide in Offshore, Florine Ellerman on the far right....Never drove a boat until we put her in the Snapper at Elsinore...


You said "Jet Skiing caused Mini Boats to go away....you might have been right, but that wasn't the whole cause... In our own family, my paren't health was failing and we also had the new baby coming...

This is ME and Jess in Carolyn Nelson's C-NOD...

Jessica is having a baby in June.....Barb and Me will be the PROUD GRANDPARENTS....OUR BABY BROC will be 14 in May...

[Ron Hill]

Chad and Me at Elsinore, with my Whaler...we were testing the Snappers and chasing the when they ran out of gas, with my Whaler....

[Ron Hill]

This was the deck of "BARB'S" boat, she always liked to thank everyone who helped us.

[Ron Hill]

Chad Hill's first words, were, "BA BOAT, DADDY, BA BOAT." As he looked out the window of our motorhome at 5 A.M. as I was trying to sleep on the way to Parker...

[Ron Hill]

Bill Muncey and John Schubert 1973, third Overall Parker... Guess, I was wrong when I hadn't seen Johnny since Paris 1970...but I was right about the spark plugs...

[Ron Hill]

Hey are these Antique Props for KG-7 Club Foot?

[Ron Hill]

This was Denie and Dewey's winning rig...In '74 they required you to kill your engine at pit stops...once them T2X's swolled there reeds, they didn't like to refire...so, they didn't shut them off...who needs reeds??

[Scream And Fly]

Ron, you are amazing - I just love the pictures and information you post. Sam, you too - both of you are incredible - thank you! EVERYONE in this forum really has made it a fantastic place.

Greg

[Raceman]

I'll second that.

[T2x]

I'll third that........

T2x

[Jason Huber]

"The farther backward you can look, The farther forward you are likely to see. " - Winston Churchill Thanks Ron! :cool:

[Ron Hill]

Old newspaper article: That is the first Scotti built...All the rest had concaved tunnels at the front. What I was told by Fred Hauenstein, was that the concaved moved the lift back as the bow came up. This Scotti was fast as hell, but once the bow got so high, nothing stopped it, as I found out at Havasu....when I blew it over and busted it up pretty bad. It was repaired, Johnny Sanders took one ride and said he didn't want back in...It never was used by OMC after that one ride...of Sanders.

[Ron Hill]

I may have posted that before...here is a "HEAD SHOT" of me from the same paper, dated October 1, 1972.

[Ron Hill]

The article...

[Ron Hill]

more..

[Jason Huber]

1972; I was 9!:eek: Still playing w/Hotwheels and didnt' even own my first Schwinn Stingray yet... Ron Hill is on Wide World Of Sports - off racin' boats in Europe!! :cool: Now theres some historical perspective!!... :D "SUPER STRANGLER" - He He He... cool name!!;)

[Ron Hill]

The Evinrude V-4's we raced were named after Charlie Strang, at the time, Chief Engineer of OMC, later to be president. The V-4's were called Super Stranglers....

[Mark75H]

Good thing they weren't named after Jack Leek

[Ron Hill]

They would have been called Leeky Jacks... Jack and I got along about like A.J. Foyt got along with George Bignotti.... AJ loved George.....well, maybe I won't tell that story...AJ did win at least 2 Indy 500's with George as his chief mechanic...

[BK]

"Leeky Jacks" would have been better than "Super Leekers". :D



I never knew that "Strangler" was named for Charlie.

[Ron Hill]

Stick with me BK, and I'll teach you a lot...Glad to see you posting again. I hope you and your had a good Easter...

The Johnso was the "Stinger", never was too sure who the "Stinger" was but always thought that there may have been a connection to Edgar Rose.....

Edgar took Charlie's place as Chief Engineer when Charlie was promoted to President. But Charlie and Edgar had been together for ever. When Charlie was at MIT, Edgar was a Graduate Student under Charlie...

Edgar was known as Charlie's "Hatch Man" in OMC. If someonw was let go in OMC, usually, Edgar had been the person who had complied the reasons.. Edgar first met my dad when He (Edgar) had just gone to work for Mercury. Edgar was impressed with my dad's inspections. Edgar later, became an APBA inspector feared by ALL, even us legal racers...

Jimmy Jost named the Stangler.........(He was Evinrude's Public Relations Manager)...but never really heard where Johnson Stinger came from...but as I saidm I always thought it was Edgar...

I got an email from Edgar today. I had asked if he remembered "INSPECTING" the Hedlund's Girlfriend at the Boston Nationals in 1963... He said, "How could he forget her......and yes, she was checked throughly and was LEGAL." That's the Edgar Rose I know and love...

[BK]

I got to chat some with Edgar Rose a few months ago when we were at the Hall of Champs luncheon. Did you know Edgar is a chocolate conoisseur? And I mean the GOOD chocolate, not the South Bend chocolate. Big time.

So I bet he really enjoyed Brussels when UIM was headquartered there! Belgian chocolates are the ultimate.

Wart sat between us and shared lots of stories with us too. At the table behind us sat the Wheeler's, Dawes and Hemps, I think. I didn't really know a whole lot of people - not very many OPC'ers were there.

As with you, Wart and I have been friends since back in the SCOA days of the 70's, so we shared a table togehter. Because of an unforseen fluke, I had to miss seeing him get his 87 Hall of Champions induction in Los Angeles, even though he had invited me to be his guest. So this kind of made up for it, even though he had a lot on his mind (safety stuff) and couldn't socialize much. I didn't even get to chat with him much about the "D-CEL", the new helmet restraint system that looks very promising.

I've got too much to do as well, so I can't stay and post. But here's that photo of Edgar and Wart and me from a couple months ago.

Hmm...He doesn't remember inspecting me, but then he was only the Race Director when I got 2nd at the '88 Nationals. That's probably why. :D

[Ron Hill]

Edgar knows a lot about all kinds of food and wine...and watches..NEVER, NEVER ask Edgar what time is it? Because he will tell you how the colcok works, what kind of clocks there are, who invented them, and why we needs clocks that are electric and why they work better...


Add: in 1963, Bakini nathing suits were new to the west coaast but in Boston, everyone assumed Hedlund's girl friend was just walking around without clothes.... That is why we had Edgar "Inspect" her...She was really nice and really not their girl friend, just kind of a friend of the Willemette, Illinois boys...


By 1989....or whatever year you mentions:

A. He didn't have me there to suggest inspecting you
B. Bakinis were at least seen in Illinois by then... and
C. You didn't race in a Bakini, did you???

Also, Edgar has mellowed a lot with age!!!!!


He still has his great sense of humor and quick wit...

One thing that is fun with Edgar...is to get into an arguement with him and about half way through, changes sides....By the time he figures you've changed sides, he'll go to the OTHER SIDE... He sees the big picture..usually...

He interviewed me about four times in four years to work for OMC...He finally realized I loved California, I loved teaching, I loved my prop business, my family was here and Hell, OMC needed me more than I needed OMC...

[Ron Hill]

A proud day for Team Evinrude... 1973.

[Ron Hill]

I was looking for something else, and found these old jackets...

One is the Evinrude 100 MPH club, the red one is Champion Sparkplug's jacted that they gave to all APBA National Champions in 1964. The blue jacket was an Evinrude team jacket...

[Ron Hill]

Back of the jacket..

[Ron Hill]

APBA National Champion Jacket...1964

[Ron Hill]

patches...The blue patch I got for winning the 1967 Havasu World Championship in twin engine.. the Gulf Oil patch was from their Hall of Fame...

[Ron Hill]

Evinrude's javket....Team Evinrude...

[Ron Hill]

patch from the Miami 225..

[Mark75H]

Ron, could you do the Team Evinrude Jacket again.......I'd really like to see the Super Strangler patch up close and clear and the top patch!

Cool Stuff!

[Ron Hill]

Sure, SAM..... You know I like to post, and you'll need these pictures for your book...Do you think the Historical Society of APBA would want those jackets???

[ggarland]

Sam:

Book? What book? :confused:

George

[ggarland]

Ron:

Hell, me too. Or fourth. I totally agree! Jesus, That close to the spinning prop of a running Twister, you, sir, are a certified live one.


George :eek:

[Raceman]

GG, Sam's been talking about writing a book since I first met him on the internet 4 or 5 years ago. He's got all the pictures anybody could want, and tons of personal historical knowledge, but can't seem to find the time to put it all together. Maybe if we'd do a petition he'd get started on it.

[Ron Hill]

close up of the Strangler patch..

[Ron Hill]

Please realize, I have not lost my mind...a friend has these boats, and really doesn't want to sell them, unless, as he says, I know the person will do something with them. I take that to mean he'd love to see them restored.....if you have any real interest, contact me by email at ronhill@speakeasy.net

[Ron Hill]

front of Bobby Massey's wing...show somw red metal flake..

[Ron Hill]

next

[Ron Hill]

hull only, Glastron Carlson....I think..

[Ron Hill]

Sterling tunnel, with Evinrude 150??? and trailer...and trailer....

[Ron Hill]

This was Dick Sherrers, CT 15 Carlson with a full tunnel...fresh 150 and trailer...

[Ron Hill]

1500XS cowlings????

[Ron Hill]

Glaspar boat, motor and trailer...

[Ron Hill]

This is a wood hull with an early Volvo drive...I mean early.....somehow, I don't have a picture of the drive...

[Ron Hill]

Another shot of her.....

[Ron Hill]

Last picture...Sidewinder??? That's it, 11 beauties (Actually 11 pictures)....trust me there are more but I went to collect money, not pictures.... I will say, he has OMC stuff, Merc stuff and stuff stuff... Shuffelboard table that would fit into a nice bar...15-18 feet long... Shuffelboard??? (You know the metal things that slide and you put cornmeal down...), He'd got Mustangs, (cars)...antiques.....I charge $100 a day for tours...(Beer, lunch and transportation from ORGANE COUNTY CALIFORNIA included)....

[Ron Hill]

Ooopps, two more of the WING...

Hey, we are writing a book, we won't make any money and it isn't very well organized...but hey what do you expect from a bunch of people with A.D.D.....???Well, at least I have A.D.D., I can consintrate on a lot of things, for five or ten minutes at a time...

[Ron Hill]

I ain't got time to tell stories, but let me tell you, if you ever heard a Switzer roaring out of the pits a Parker, with twin stackers, then hooking up and start moving, then taking a leap, then another leap......and disappearing from sight, only to appear in about 9 minutes, roaring up the back stretch at Parker, at about 90-95...........get chills thinking about them, then, they'd slide them, full on the gas,from one bank to the other.....getting air and screaming like a banchee Indain....Of course, we'd be ahead with our Evinrudes.....and DeSilva wings.....Miss Diablo with Kenny Kitson aboard those old Switzers were awesome....

I do know where my DeSilva wing went...to the Orange County dump...I took it...

Oh, am I living in the past today!!!!!

[Ron Hill]

Is this a Powercat? Help???

[Ron Hill]

Diepeatro Kay??? Hudson river winner 1967? Help?? Or was I just stealing ideas from this set up???

[Powercat]

Nope, By the wood deck I would guess maybe a
JavCat ( Javelin Boat Co.) But I can't really tell...
They used to do those natural wood finish decks with
the mahogany that looked like that...
Danny Leger

Originally posted by Ron Hill
Is this a Powercat? Help???

[Back To Havasu]

Danny, you are right as usual. That looks to be a JavCat with twin Mark 78a engines, circa. 1959. Cool rig. James Arness, the star of the old TV show Gunsmoke used to have one that he would launch at Pacific Lagoon in Long Beach, Ca., to watch the monthly races. Had a gun-belt painted on each side with the word "Gunsmoke" over it. Never saw him race it. Just watch the races and hang out. :cool:

[T2x]

Ron:

I may be wrong, but that wing looks like it is beyond repair.........or at least in terms of sensible investment. I have a 20 footer that is in much better shape and it is still "iffy" as to the work required.

Thanks for posting, and by the way...is that a Glaspar G-3?

T2x

[T2x]

Ron:

"The Blazer"...John Dipietra, from Covington, Kentucky...... The hull was probably the only Cobia (cut down) that ever raced competitively...... It was very stout and he was a good driver in his vee career. Later I think he raced a twin tunnel for one season and then bowed out. As you know, the conversion from vees to tunnels created a lot of "sphincter pressure" on some guys and ended a number of careers.........

T2x

[Powercat]

Back to Havasu:
I had forgotten about James Arness... Funny how all the cowboy stars in those years got interested in boat racing and
high performance boating...
Roy Rogers
James Arness
Pernell Roberts ( Adam Cartwright-Bonanza)
Dick West ( Buffalo Bill Jr. - Local LA TV series )
Joe Sawyer ( Sgt. Biff O'Hara - Rin Tin Tin )
Brought a little Hollywood to the boat industry in SoCal
back in the 50's-60's...
Danny Leger

Originally posted by Back To Havasu
Danny, you are right as usual. That looks to be a JavCat with twin Mark 78a engines, circa. 1959. Cool rig. James Arness, the star of the old TV show Gunsmoke used to have one that he would launch at Pacific Lagoon in Long Beach, Ca., to watch the monthly races. Had a gun-belt painted on each side with the word "Gunsmoke" over it. Never saw him race it. Just watch the races and hang out. :cool:

[Ron Hill]

That is a Glaspar G3.

20:20 hindsight, the tunnel boat may not have been that good for outboard racing. I liked the MOD VP style, because most people could drive them.

Some of us who had grown up "Flying" boats, tunnels were easy....others had a hard time figuring it out...Almost like trying to compare snow skiing and water skiing....almost killed myself snow skiing, until I took some lessons from my kids, who were quick to learn new things...

A single engine V hull class with a capsule would be a nice class...but then, guys have 40 footers that go a hundred.... COntrolling the direction of boat racing is like trying to control the economy...

[Russ Hill]

Hey, Powercat, (Re: movie celebs in boat racing)

You did not include Robert Stack (Untouchables), My buddy Dan Blocker (Hoss Cartright, Bonanza) --"Lady in Cement"--Offshore
and I think it was John Derek who was a buddy or Roy Rogers and race a two engine round botton like Roy's..

I can't think, now, of the others but there were several.

Russ Hill

[mr.clean]

wow! big balls gentelmen big balls:cool: thank you for the pics and thank you very much for the history lesson:)

[Ron Hill]

Hey, Russ, weren't you in that movie with Pat Boone, called Bernadine? (He made the record Oh, Oh, Bernadine)....

Wasn't Pat's boat called Bernadine Mudd?? In 1955 you made $100 a day during filming....

She didn't race, but Bill Cooper brought Faye Dunaway to Havasu for the 1968 Havasu Classic...Bonnie and Clyde had just come out and I remember my crew going crazy when Bill borrowed my '68 wagon to take Faye into town to go to the market to stock their motorhome....

What about Phyllis Winger, the only girl in John Wayne's "Island in the Sky"... She didn't race but made a great trophy queen...

In last month's APBA Propeller magazine, Lloyd Marschall wrote about Bob Stack racing Miss Mai Tai, Lloyd's 225 hydro...

Loretta Turnbull, didn't she race "M" or something??

[Russ Hill]

Ron, dammit, your memory is worse than mine.

First, the movie was Bernadine, Terri Moore and Pat Boone. Pat Boone sang "Love Letters in the Sand" And the boat "Bernadine " belonged to Charlie Engle. (His father was a movie mogul). And we made $87.50 a day for each Friday and Saturday, but double time ($175) for Sunday, when we were shooting the movie. That was 1957. To put the $350 in perspective, I bought a near new Big B Swift with it, which I later sold to Jimbo McConnell.

Phylis Winger just kinda hung out at the races. Her ONLY movie was John Wayne's "Island in the Sky"

Faye Dunaway---Yeah

Loretta Turnball raced C and D (Johnsons) in the early thirties. Her only real claim to fame was being Judge Turnball's daughter. He was a pretty big time Judge. Her boat was named "Sunkist Miss" (As in the Sunkist Miss said don't be late, that's why I can hardly wait. Open up that Golden Gate, California, here I come.)

Boots and Lew Morphy both raced and were in a dozen or more movies. She was the one who raced an "M" hydro and was underweight but weighed out with some lead falsies. That was before silicon--and was a lot heavier.

A couple big time directors were involved, but I can only remember one's name and that doesn't matter.

We had some pretty big time stars as weekly queens of our "Speed Boat Rodeo" the 39 week televised boatracing in 1955. One was Susan Alexander, former Miss America and a big timer on Arther Godfrey TV show.

That's enough.

Russ HIll

[Ron Hill]

Went to "Racers" Shop today...top some pictures off his wall... let's see what I got...21 foot Super Boat with a "Racer" motor..'''BIG AIR!!!

[Ron Hill]

I want MOD VP!!!! I can't tell you the year... But the 55 boat is running good at Parker....

[Ron Hill]

More Mod VP....

[Ron Hill]

more....

[Ron Hill]

more...

[Ron Hill]

Racer, you need to tell us about these pictures....

[Ron Hill]

Stoker was a pioneer...first to run a capsule in MOD VP....Jim Bremmer along side RACER in the Johnson with the roll cage...

[Ron Hill]

I am not the best at taking pictures...There are many cool ones at John's Custom Marine in Stanton...

This picture of an Evinrude on the wall.... When John first opened John's, he found some big highway sign posters that said Evinrude...My dad was a painter/paper hanger by profession... John had my dad hang these signs on the wall, in 1969 or 1970....
(Around that time..there are two signs!!!)

[Jason Huber]

Randy P. just did a resto on a GMT (Del Taco boat) that Greg Foster ran in the early/mid 80's. Looks alot like #55 boat in your pics - strong Stoker influence... A mold that got away - or??? :confused:

[Ron Hill]

Actually, the GMT and Stoker were not that close, in my opinion... The GMT had the Spectra deck and Phil Perchevial botom with pretty straight lines, unless Foster made incerts...Stoker bottoms were all about the same...all good, but some were better than others.......but, yes, they looked about the same...both MOD VP boats...

[Jason Huber]

Thanx for the intel - your the MAN! :cool:

[LakeRacer99]

Since you are mentioning the GMT and Stokers, Her are a few shots I took.

This is from St. Louis in 86, maybe 87, Alan won the Mod VP race or championship or both.

[LakeRacer99]

Here is a shot of Greg foster's GMT that you mentioned.
St. Louis, 1986

[LakeRacer99]

Here is a shot of Alan and Fred Bowden in SSTs, I robbed this of the net somewhere.

Hey Huber, I was only 12 when those shots at STL were taken.

[Jason Huber]

You just made Jim Holman's day - the new owner of the ex-Foster #5 GMT!! :D I just got off the phone w/ him & told him you had posted the pic. from back in the day! Randy Pierson did a beautiful job on the resto & getting it back on the water this year. Thanx for posting it - raceboat survivors are COOL! :cool:

[LakeRacer99]

Very Cool...

You need to get jim to post some pictures of that boat. I knew someone here on S&F had the owned the boat recently. One of these days I will sit down with my scanner and go to town on my shoebox of STL IOGP pictures. I know I have more of the Del Taco and some of Craig Wendt's Red GMT. More of Stoker too, these guys were my favs.

[Jason Huber]

Treasure those pics man! I met my hero's Dick Landy, Ronnie Sox, Dyno Don Nicholson, Grumpy Jenkins - others @ a Pro Stock Match-Race shootout at Minnesota Dragways in 72'! I was 9 - mom threw out the pics long ago... ;)

[sms]

Bumping this thread back to the top just because it's one of my favorites. I wish these guys would get started on their history book!

[Ron Hill]

Outboards had guys (133) who were also rich...Dick.....Daniel (I think) owned a BUICK store... I quit when the outboard factories would not sell him the latest stuff....

He ran two production powerheads with Speedmasters....

I liked Factory Support because I drove for them. Guys who spent their own money, went out of the sport and speeds went up and new equipment became nonexsistant!!!!! (For purchase)...and if they sold you something, it was QUITE the same!!!!!!

[espen]

Wow ! had not seen this tread before, cople of hours of great reading last night ! Thanks for sharing it all.

Look what he did for us a some of years ago:
http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=12916&highlight=props+from+ron+hill

My son and I are dreaming of taking the step up to UIM proV offshore
next year,after this season in Spirit of Norway cup,would love to have you with us Ron.

[Ron Hill]

Ron Hill is quoted as saying: Yatching Magazine used to have an All American Racing Team, that they printed yearly in there Magazine...I was selected more than once...but here is what they had for me in 1967:

Only driver to compete in ALL OUTBOARD NATIONALS...Alky, Stock OPC and Stock Marathon

UIM:

John Ward Trophy winner
C Racing Runabout Kilo Record
5 Mile competition record D racing runabout

APBA

5 mile F Racing Runabout record
National Chapion D Racing Runabout
2nd D Stock Runabout--defending Champion-- 2 firsts, 6 seconds and 1 fourth in the last 9 years.
5th in DU Marathon-Defending Champion is CU and DU
3rd in Sport I OPC- Canton, Ohio

Currently:

CU and DU Kilo Record holder
ARR Kilo Record Holder
Winner Jim Moran Chicago to Milwaukee to Chicago marathon...Overall OPC "T" CLASS
Over All Winner, sixth straight year, 21 st Annual Colorador River Marathon

Not to mention that I also won the Havasu World Championship is "T" Class, because that was in November and the Magazine came out in December... I raced more in 1968 than 1967, I put 80,000 miles on a new Chevy...and worked full time as a school teacher. My 5th grade class, not all, but many would come to school early on Monday to see how I'd done at the races over thw weekend... They'd be lined up on the curb....In those days I'd go to Miami or Galveston Friday night and return to work Monday...I loved the work, I loved the kids and I loved boat racing..[/QUOTE]