Facts about Evinrude/Johnson racing outboards made my OMC

[lars strom]

Jim Nerstrom
That Blue boat was special. A lot of good racing between Jimbo and Jeff Brown in Mod50. Evinrude was always Fast. Fun times.

[lars strom]

[lars strom]

1976 was the first year for the OZ class in Bristol and Hans Pelster won in his OZ class #22 Cougar/Evinrude CCC V6 2.448 liter cross-flow.

[lars strom]

Well..I am pretty sure you both refer to my new t-shirt..
Its an exact copy of the one Huzells/Evinrude did in Sweden 47 years ago. Many thousands was sold and ABBA also used it.
I have sent the new shirt to six different US states, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the UK.
One more thing..I never criticize any other threads here at S&F..I just do my own thing.
Just dont click in here if you dont like it.

[lars strom]

Carina purchased this t-shirt for me last year..

[lars strom]

Back to Jimbo McConnell and all his success.

[DanUmbarger]

Lars...I enjoy seeing all the Jimbo pics...I think he was the best driver/racer in his era...bar none!!!!

[lars strom]

@oldschoolltv


Cathy McConnell
Yes, that is Jimbo driving. A good eye, Lars. He only used the full face Simpson helmet for just a few races during one year. He did not like full face helmets. He took that Boat through the Kilos one way at 115 mph and Set the record at 112.72 in Oct. 1980 in Waco, Texas. He set five World Records in one week with that Boat. First weekend he set Mod 50, OE, and Mod 90 Straightaway in Waco. The following weekend he set Mod 50 and Mod 90, 5 mile Competition in Lakeland, Florida. We still have what is left of the piston when it finally blew.
He had stepped up to Mod U and was 2nd the first heat and was out in front the 2nd heat when the piston decided he had had enough.

OMC's Jim Nerstrom made a comment about this yesterday.

Jim Nerstrom
Would you believe - Jimbo wanted to know if we could fix his piston! Kidding. His new motor was better than the old one. If you were to look at Jimbo's Mod50 you would find lightening holes drilled in everything that was not wood, he was estatic when he found a stash of aluminim 1/4x20 bolts. Good times.

[lars strom]

Greg Jacobsen

Found the Sister to this boat a few years ago. It was in too poor of a condition to save. Mark Nelson took it apart piece by piece and is building me a new one. I plan to paint it just like Jimbo's Mod. 50 boat.

[lars strom]

Greg Jacobsen

And the matching Evinrude Mod-50 is ready to go.

[Ronster43]

@Instigator Thanks.

Jimbo McConnells #191 Mod 50/UIM F3/OE class Molinari/Evinrude CC. (Not sure if Jimbo is driving in the picture..don't recognize his helmet)
I raced in the UIM SD/E/SE/OE-F3/Offshore Z/ON and the OZ class and by far the UIM F3/OE-APBA Mod 50 class is the most fun.
A very fast class, not to expensive, pretty safe racing and plenty of boats/drivers.
This class was always the largest class in the Paris 6 Hour race.
OMC made the perfect race engine and support at the races.
Well..still back in the day when tunnel boat racing was extremely popular.

Attachment 471284

Jack had Jeff Titus run this boat at least once when Jimbo was committed elsewhere. He said it easily ran over 100mph in sprint set-up.

[lars strom]

@Ronster43

Yes, the pressed in sleeve OE/Mod 50 engine was extremely fast.
This red AKAI/Burgess is using the same type of powerhead, one pinion gearcase and methanol.

[lars strom]

Cathy McConnell

Thank you, Lars. When you and your sweet Carina spent some time with us it made good memories when we toured around our area and Carina met the Oatman Burros. I can enjoy seeing the old boat racing photos and remembering the old memories now but it took a long time after Jimbo’s accident before I could. July 6th was the 35th anniversary of his crash......a lifetime ago. Life has gone on......his pain never stops....and I am surprised he is still with us.....but the memories, and the old friendships, are more special now. Your page is so Great to share the history.......not much longer and many more that were a part of it will be gone.

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Cathy is so updated regarding racing memories and tell great info about racing pictures when Jimbo is involved.
This is me and my racing hero during our stay with the McConnell family in Needles, CA 1998
I have many more pictures from the visit.
Thanks

[lars strom]

Cathy McConnell

Lars, Do you remember these??

[lars strom]

@oldschoolltv


Cathy McConnell
Yes, that is Jimbo driving. A good eye, Lars. He only used the full face Simpson helmet for just a few races during one year. He did not like full face helmets. He took that Boat through the Kilos one way at 115 mph and Set the record at 112.72 in Oct. 1980 in Waco, Texas. He set five World Records in one week with that Boat. First weekend he set Mod 50, OE, and Mod 90 Straightaway in Waco. The following weekend he set Mod 50 and Mod 90, 5 mile Competition in Lakeland, Florida. We still have what is left of the piston when it finally blew.
He had stepped up to Mod U and was 2nd the first heat and was out in front the 2nd heat when the piston decided he had had enough.

Cathy McConnell

This poor piston......the definition of “Go til she blows