2025 Parker Enduro

[CUDA]

The 70's really got the development going

But the 80's were the Golden age for outboard racing

To me MVP was as good as it gets, like the original NASCAR

Buddy Baker, Cale Yarborough, driving real cars, not specially built race chit

What could be better than racing your weekend toy, that's how I justified it, back in 1982 when I got serious.

Real boats that anyone can buy and use for fun/race...

That's what is so COOL about Big Al

He builds EVERYTHING and Is always willing to try something else,

Because you never know till... You try

Al's like the Godfather of MVP

No one else, designed their own boat, built his own motors, thanks/Dad, started their own boat company ( smartly have Eliminator build them) He's like the Energizer Bunny

Go Al , anyone helping with the driving this year?

Would think an air cushion seat like for wheel chairs would help the pounding.

[racer]

Cuda thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Driving solo again. Problem is that everything in the capsule is set up for me so would need to be someone similar in size to be able to reach everything and see out over the dash. Capsule has a bead seat that was poured and formed with me sitting in the capsule with gear on. It's a tight fit but some what comfortable, it is tough to hold the boat as close to 110 as possible and not go 111 and get penalized. Basically no place to relax.

[CUDA]

I think that rule SUCKS,

I don't know how you do it, seriously, always worried about THAT!

That's what pisses me off about offshore racing,

the single outboard class has to not break 60 MPH,

So the top boat is 22 Velocity with a 300r ,

a 12 inch pad boat that should do 85 is only allowed to do 60

TOO many rules,

What is the top speed of your 22 ?

You sit so low, it almost looks autonomous

[CUDA]

Back in the early 80's Eliminator owner, I believe Bob ...

Brought some boats to the Clearwater Causeway for test rides,

I never liked the Pickle Fork Idea myself

and you had the feeling that you sat on top of the boat

I rather sit in low, not on top

Here is an early test boat, I know you like safety capsules

Had a strong Bat boat resemblance

[Lake X Kid]

Cuda thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Driving solo again. ... it is tough to hold the boat as close to 110 as possible and not go 111 and get penalized. Basically no place to relax.

Hopefully you will find the best Prop that will not exceed 108 mph on your rig. Then run that baby Wide Open and have fun.

[racer]

Cuda, Yes sitting as low as possible, enough that can't see the deck but can see the top of a coffee cup if sat on the nose. Can't tell you top speed as never had a prop on it strictly for speed. More concerned with handling as the hull was designed around a 200 pound lighter engine. This one was built knowing we were going to try to run the engine we are and has had a lot of work done to the bottom (almost decided to not run after first 2 test sessions and prior bottom work), each year the bottom has been different in an effort to improve drivability. Kind of like your boat and all the changes you made to improve ET. I have been able to make it a little better with the changes and a lot of time working on the balance but it is still touchy especially around the corners. The two others that have driven it, one being Greg Foster both said it requires extreme concentration as its on edge. It was the last race boat Greg was in. When the boat was built the hope was that Greg would get better and drive a leg. Miss not having him in the pits with us, the last 2 years some of his ashes have been taped to the capsule.

Lake X we have probably tried 20 different props of multiple sizes, styles, number of blades, with and without hubs. 108 won't beat the Nordic as they have figured out how to run faster than a few years ago without breaking out due to sudden spikes in boost. They run it a bit more glued so it's on boost all the time. Prop we ran last year was right on 110 with the engine hammering the limiter, the issue comes in when coming off a roller and reducing drag under the boat as it will pick up speed if you are not quick on the throttle, kind of why I said no time to relax. First year when checked at pit stops and end of the race 109 to 109.5, 2nd year all 3 times 110 and last year all 3 at 110.1. We don't dare push the limit any closer. We are having fun.

[Lake X Kid]

Outboard power Wins 1970 to 1984, and even more subsequent Wins thereafter.
V8 power versus Outboard power, a historical wake on display at Parker.

[Lake X Kid]

[Lake X Kid]

There Looking for Calm Waters to Air it Out at Parker.

[Baker343]

Picked up a PP power head that was recently rebuilt. Gotta try and hang with last year's Div6 winner. A 250 etec that I believe is allowed to reflash and makes considerable power.

[Baker343]

Racer, what powerhead did you guys run when you shared duties with Greg in Div6.

[Lake X Kid]

A Racer (and winner at Parker with Merc, & St. Louis with OMC) was spotted and interviewed in North Florida.

I can identify with this location, having grownup swimming at my uncle & aunt's riverfront house in Palatka.
This, also, was the last place that I went fishing with my late Dad (a racer too).

Al, I will assume you (like Bill Seebold) will enjoy your later years living in Florida. A lot of waterways to motor in.

[Lake X Kid]

[Baker343]

I apologize for not sharing more info leading up to the race. Phone and computer crashed. Ended up running EE steel sleeved 260 with a sports master.
Backup was a carbed 260 with 1 steel sleeve and a coned CLE

[Baker343]

3 Rampages lined up. I believe 31 boats competed. Fridays are signing up, getting fuel finishing a few loose ends and testing. We were chasing a high water pressure issue. Got that sorted and tested a few 28 choppers and was able to run mid 80's