Early 1970's Beaufort Water Festival

[BobbyZ28]

I ran an unlimited Kitsoncraft tunnel boat at the Beaufort Water Festival in the early 70's. Ran a Mercury Staker engine with super speedmaster lower end. Blew it over on the straightaway, it sunk and basically ended my racing career. Would really like to see if anyone has any pictures from this race. The boat was red, number was 25Z. I did recover the boat from the bottom of Beaufort bay about 3 days later. Scuba diving hobby paid off even though I almost drown during the recovery operation. I know it's a long shot but if anyone has any photos from this race, I'd really like to know.

[Mark Poole ModVP]

Wow, are you in luck!! I was a camera carrying kid back then when my dad used to take me to the local races. I have a pic of your boat. I'll get the scanner warmed up.

Did you blow over like half down the front stretch? I think I remember that. Be back shorly with some pics.

[Mark Poole ModVP]

Here you go. Is the Allison in front of it yours too?

[Mark75H]

Maybe Norris or Greg will move this thread to the history section where more people will see it.

[TR450]

Wow what luck. Someone on here has the pics this guy wanted.Very cool!!!

[BobbyZ28]

THAT IS IT!!! I can't believe it!! Almost brings tears to my eyes. I was a racing teenager back then and had every dime tied up in my car and boat. What luck that we would connect on this website and that you remember the boat!! I am so grateful for your time and pic. If you have any others, please let me know. Thanks again so much !!!

[FlowMaxx]

Good stuff That is what makes this site Great. Thanks Mark

[BobbyZ28]

Another post..The boat sank that day. I had to come home with an empty boat trailer. I went back down to Beaufort then next day. Drug the bay with some body hooks from the police dept and found a piece of the side. Next day, my father, his friend and a group of buddies came back to Beaufort with two boats, ropes, etc. My buddy, ex police chief from North Augusta, dove in the bay while dragging ropes. I found the boat by feel only since there was zero visibility. We eventually raised the boat and recovered it. Had it repaired but it never really ran go enough to compete. Eventually got rid of it and stopped boat racing. Since then I've gotten married, now have a 23 year old son. We have a shop in Aiken, work on my son's drag cars, we both like driving the Richard Petty cars at different tracks. Going to Zmax Dragway soon to drive a dragster in the Doug Foley school. My son is building a 2003 Corvette to drive Road Atlanta. So even though I am not in the boat racing mode,,,,racing fever never gets cured!!

[Mark Poole ModVP]

I thought that I had another pic from another angle but maybe I don't. You might want to buy a lottery ticket this week with luck like this!

I believe that was the 1972 race. I kinda thought your boat was a Zonker Craft with the cockpit so far forward. Did you know Mark Croslyn? I think he also raced a Kitson with a Stacker back then.

11 years later I raced at the Beaufort water festival with a 13' V bottom and a 75 Stinger. Too bad that boat races are no longer part of the festival. It drew big crowds by land and water.