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I have really enjoyed reading and looking at these pics. I may never understand Big Business but it is a shame that Lake X was not preserved and they could have charged a admission fee just to visit it. Thanks for doing this gentlemen.
22R
Allison XB2002/XR6 Merc
Thread # 817 - #710 Lonnie Todd
Old Farts Forever (OFF) – Once an Old Fart, Forever an Old Fart!
Jim Hauser has selected the acronym “OFF” for the October 23-24, 2009 gathering in Abacoa/Jupiter, Florida. This event will run simultaneously with the Offshore Super Series (OSS) race at the same location. The OSS race is aptly named “Tropic Thunder”. Thus, Old Farts Forever fits neatly into the scheme of things. Yes…there is a subtle joke there. The “OFF” gathering is beginning to pick up steam with the end of the major boat show season. The concept is very simple. Jim will be making arrangements for a gathering of boat racers and their associates from “Back In The Day” to gather under very casual conditions to shoot the breeze, talk about their experiences, and tell a few lies. This gathering is open to all types of boat racers as well as those who just want to meet and greet some of the legends of boat racing. I have it on good authority that many legends, past and present, will likely be in attendance. Jim is currently in contact with several significant organizations and names in the boat racing community that have promised to cooperate in helping to make this a memorable event. Those organizations and names will be made known in the near future. Suffice it to say that you will recognize them. Jim is searching for a location that allows for 100-500 folks to gather in a separate room with “pay as you go” bar and food. He has tasked me with two things.
First is to publicize the gathering on this and other internet forums. Since we do not have, and do not intend to have, a budget, we will count on forums and word of mouth from you to non-interneters, to spread the word.
Secondly, I have been tasked to put together a simple program for the events. I am soliciting information from you for that program. I am also soliciting the same information on those legends that have left this life. I would like to salute them with a silent toast. They are a huge part of our history. Your inputs will allow me to put together a Powerpoint presentation that will run continuously at the events. I will make an attempt to recognize everyone that attends, but that requires your input. Finally I would like to thank those that put together last year’s event in Sunny Isles Beach. That event is what inspired Jim Hauser to create the upcoming “OFF” gathering.
Sooooo…..here is what I need fromYOU! Please provide the following:
Your name.
(Optional) User name on forums.
Very short biography.
“Back in the Day” and present digital (.jpg or .bmp) photos of yourself and your boat(s). PLEASE submit photos as ATTACHMENTS.
Any of the same data on those who have left this life.
Submit information to this e-mail address. [email protected]
Thank You – Steve Sirois (seeroy)
Hiya Steve, Well, well well, who lit the blue touch paper, -------well and truly launched i'd say. Congrats on getting past a positive maybe. Promise to be there, no matter what.Now "LEGENDS" there's a thing and i quote------is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess qualities that give the tale ----VERISIMILITUDE----- and should not include happenings beyond the realms of possibility but may include 'MIRACLES' -unquote. Now we come to Verisimilitude -------that's where truth, fiction and reality must conform to true life. YUP !!!!!!! reckon there will be a fair few of those at the gathering. Great stuff Steve, will spread the gospel JRW
Jackie - It's like I said "and tell a few lies" . On another note, from one Old Fart to another, truly glad to see you back with the eyesight of an eagle. -SteveQuote:
Originally Posted by jackie wilson
Was Only A Minor Hiccup In The Grand Scale And It's Good To Be Back To Normal [whatever That Is] See You Soon Steve.
Thanks Steve,,,,,, Looks like a great post..... @ least I know you and Jackie will be their,,,,,,,,,,, Sounds like a party,,,:cheers:
I'll be there too.....Quote:
Originally Posted by gofish7070
Hiya Jim, Boy oh boy, will this be some kind of gathering or what, ?????/
I'll have a word with Pruett and Freddy Miles, Kubes and Mert, Maybe get GG to show his sorry asse for a while, In this life, ALL things are possible. J.
He said it was a chisel and a scraper this time , no worries--job done,
Son Mark finished his '60;s Riva Rudy. Got his friend Cadillac to take it up to Orlando last week for the Antiques Boat Show.
Steve
Let me know where and when, I will try to get there.
Mike Ramsey
Things are moving at just about the right pace for 6 month in advance of "Old Farts Forever" gathering. Jim Hauser has arranged for Friday (10/23/09) evening event at JJ Muggs in Abacoa/Jupiter. OSS will also be having a boat parade through the streets that evening. Saturday OFF event location TBD soon. I am very slowly beginning to work on program and continue to solicit your input (see post #913 on page 61 of this thread). The following is one very rough draft of possible format for Powerpoint presentation. There are 7 pictures, so I will have to put them on a couple of consecutive posts. Remember, this gathering is open to all types of boat racers. Hope to see you there and Best Regards - Steve Sirois
And the last 3
Steve the last picture looks good of you. You are getting better looking every day.Quote:
Originally Posted by seeroy
mike R:cheers:
Mike - I'm even prettier now than when that picture was taken, but never as pretty as you. :p BTW, we are planning on you attending OFF2009. - Steve
I am a close friend of Chet Strickland and he love to talk about Lake X and life there in the sixties. Unfortunately He is not really into the internet (although he does like to look at old motorcycles on ebay...lol)I am going to forward this forum to his room mate,maybe it will spark some interest. If anyone has a message for him feel free to email me [email protected]
Digital Jeff, who has been posting some great history shots, had been let go at Mercury in the last round of personnel reductions, so I am told. I knew him a long time, a good guy.
So unless they call him back consulting - we will be missing his pictures on the Racing History site.
Had a nice talk with Jim Hauser today about OFF2009. For those that are not aware, the Sunny Isles OSS race was cancelled due to lack of sponsorship money. Jim is very confident that the Tropic Thunder event in Abacoa/Jupiter will not meet the same fate. That is the OSS race that OFF has partnered up with for our party of 23-25 October. The OSS race is to be dedicated to John Begovich who recently passed away. OSS and Geico Racing are 100% behind that race and have also been 100% supportive of our effort to do the OFF party in concert with them. However, let it be known that regardless, the OFF party will take place come Hell or high water. I reiterate that the “Old Farts Forever” parties are for old boat racers of all types and levels of success. The Friday party will be at JJ Muggs in Abacoa starting at 4:00PM and last until you have had more fun than you can take in one night. Saturday and Sunday events are yet to be defined, but rest assured that there will be events. More later. – Steve Sirois
As you know, many of the Forum participants on this and others raced Offshore "Back in the Day". I did and I am proud of it. Occasionally some body will make a comment that todays Offshore Racers don't really race Offshore. The intimation is that they are not as tough as back in the day. I have said for a long time that it is just different, and it takes some very large cahones to run the speeds that they are now running. Certainly, the navigational aspect is missing, but so what. It's a different sport. Yes, we ran in some really big water. But we were not going 150+mph. I invite you to follow a link to see cockpit views of Miss Geico running at phenomenal speed and coming out for some very long leaps. Turn your sound up and listen to the bangs as the hull comes back in the water and notice Scotty Begovich bouncing around. Look at the upper left (rear view) frame and note the open water as the boat leaps and yet maintains a level attitude. - Steve Sirois
Go to http://www.missgeicoracing.com/index_main.htm
Select - ACTION
Select - VIDEOS
Select - Life inside the Cockpit
Goodie--------i was fresh out of handbags----- MMMM you have to try these Steve.
Yes indeed...I particularly like the red one. Looks like the Bozos are sneaking in everywhere.
Two Different Generations of Ultimate Boat Racing Pros!
Gene Lanham and Odell Lewis at last years HORBA Don Aronow Memorial Race.
Marc Granet and Scott Begovich with Michael Aronow.
Wow...Just when you think you know somebody :eek: Wait until Willabee gets his eyes on this. :cheers:Quote:
Originally Posted by jackie wilson
No worries -------Willa is still floating on cloud nine-----I have no idea why !!!!!!!!!
Now is tomorrow night steve !!!!!!!!!!
Jackie - Maybe I'm getting senile, but what is tomorrow night??????:confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by jackie wilson
duhhhhhh---- DID YOU NOT SAY YOU WOULD WRITE MORE ---------MAYBE TONIGHT ????
Ok, you've got me scratching my head. But then having just turned 66, that is not unusual. If you are wondering, the Jupiter OSS Tropic Thunder race has indeed cancelled, but OFF2009 is a definate GO!!!! Like Jim Hauser has said to me all along. Tropic Thunder is a race. OFF2009 is a party. The intent to partner OFF with OSS was good, but not necessary. I don't yet know who will attend OFF2009, but that should start coming into focus over the next month or two. I hesitate to publicly announce names yet, but the "forum threads" are revealing. Additionally, I have received some e-mails and had some phone conversations..... BUT, back to our initial "conversation", sometimes my brain just empties out and I find it best to not talk or write when the grey matter is absent. However, my greatest entertainment is watching you and Willabee beat each other up on the Forums! :D:D:D Best Regards from one Old Fart to Another - SteveQuote:
Originally Posted by jackie wilson
Into each life a little rain must fall, but when i signed up with mercury, i got the whole tempest with willa. And 40 years on it's still coming down.
Forget the absence of grey matter-----it's when you worry about it the trouble starts. Offs rule ok !!!!!!
Damn the Topedos,,,& Full speed ahead,,,,,, I really like that,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
OFF RULES,,,,,,,, Plenty more to come, In many ways without the race it uncomplicates a lot of things............. And opens the doors for many more,,,,,,,,,,,,, Stay Tuned,,,,,,,,,:cheers:
4 months and counting---booked my spot----if i get lynched be there and tell your grandchildren. Promise no violence-------harsh words [ but truthful as we know it].
Explode a few myths and lie only a little. Forgive Willa his little foibles. Started my spreadsheet on fact and fiction-------HAVE YOU ??????
One thing for sure,----it will be a hoot. THINK----OLD FARTS !!!!!! LIKE MB29, BLESS HIS CHUBBY LITTLE CHOPS !!!!!!
I just found this photo in my filing cabinet. I had forgotten that I even had it. This boat will be very familiar to many of you, however not the number or name. 50' aluminum (aluminium for Jackie) Cougar catamaran, 4 inboards on 4 outdrives. My brother Bill, Al Copeland, and Stan Ware dominated offshore for a couple of years with this machine. Initially it was named "Popeyes Pepsi Special" with #19. After winning national championship the number changed to #1. Also Popeyes Chicken restaurants changed from Pepsi products to Coke products, the name was changed to "Popeyes Diet Coke. I was with Bill when he took possesion of the boat from Brownie. Brownie told me, "Steve, this boat is going to make your brother famous". I rode in the boat once in Sarasota when it was in race rig, and saw 118mph on the speedo. I think it eventually ran around 130mph in straightaway rig. Not too bad for the mid 1980's. Bill and Al are both gone now, but Stan Ware is still very actively racing offshore. I don't remember, or never did know, as much about the boat as I would like to have known about it. Hopefully Stan will come aboard and add details. As to the picture, note the flat attitude with bottom and props well out of the water. Bill told me they would pull up next to a 30-40 foot boat and look over at the guys getting the snot beat out of themselves while he was running along as smooth as silk. - Steve Sirois
http://i44.tinypic.com/33w5uf6.jpg
Poster with #1 and Popeyes Diet Coke. Also Bill, Al, and Stan. The Vee Bottom was their Miami to New York Race boat.
Note post #945 on previous page!
http://i41.tinypic.com/149seh0.jpg
Good frontal photo
http://i41.tinypic.com/mudbaw.jpg
Here's the GO MACHINERY
http://i41.tinypic.com/2mwxw7t.jpg
My Daughters (Anabel left and Danielle right) with their "Uncle Bill"
http://i41.tinypic.com/2h501vp.jpg
Nice picture MR. Sirois thank' for sharing your souvenirs... JP Gagnon:thumbsup:
Pruett took me to Bills house [Sarasota, i think] and he showed me a video that Vida had shot from a chopper. The boat would not get up on the step and wollowed around for 20 minutes before finally climbing on top. He then proceeded to chase after the pack which was long gone. That video showed the awesome speed of the craft, compared to any boat running at that time. He won of course !!!!!!!
Je concur jim
That looks like my buddy Mike Seay next to them..
Butch