Facts about Evinrude/Johnson racing outboards made my OMC

[WaterZebra]

Extremely sad news from Italy.
Renato Molinari has left us.❤️

Attachment 535996

How many OMC factory drivers are left? Hering, Hauenstein, McConnel? (Not including the V8 circuit)

[Rotary John]

Are Johnny Sanders, James Beard, Mike Downard still with us? I don't think Fredie drove as a factory driver, only as an independent

[lars strom]

@Rotary John

Well..I talked to Cathy last night and Johnny Sanders is doing great 87 or 88 years old. Jimbo turned 80 some time ago.
Mike Downard is active on my FaceBook page.
I see Hering posting on Facebook sometimes.
James Beard left us many years ago.

PS..Cathy also told me Jimbo drove over 30 different Molinari boats over the years..

[John Schubert]

Well, I’m still here at 86, Ron Hill is still with us & so is Geoff Briggs.

[powerabout]

How about all those clever guys that designed the engined we all used?

[lars strom]

Renato, Cees and Cesare..all gone and left a large empty space..!!
Heroes for me and many many more..RIP.

[lars strom]

#18 Renato Molinari Martini F1-V8 World championship winning poster from 1984.

[Lake X Kid]

I would like to honor Renato in his contribution to the Sport of F1 Race Boats & Racing. With this small reminder, including racing for the opposition.

Renato Molinari (78 years old) was laid to rest in his home country of Italy yesterday. Renato and his dad, Angelo, were pioneers in the design and building of formula-one wooden-tunnel outboard race boats (see boat photos).

Renato in Boat 46 wins the Paris 6 Hour race.
Boat 888 the Mercury factory driver Roy Ridgell drove the first Molinari tunnel boat in the USA, at the Florida Gold Coast race in the mid-1960s.
Boat 12 the classic early 1970s Molinari hull with the racing stripes.
Renato tests the white boat (before its painted race colors) on Lago di Como in Italy (circa 1972/73 – most likely the first) Molinari Picklefork hull.
Renato driving Boat 165 with the front wing.

[lars strom]

...

[lars strom]

Carlo Maria Colombo & Renato in Leon, Spain 1982.
I guess Renato did have a problem with his leg..??

[lars strom]

Ivan Martinez father next to two great legends of Motonautica.
Renato Molinari & Angelo Vassena.
Spain GP in Leon 1982

[lars strom]

Renato..I think it's 1977.

[lars strom]

Renato Molinari - Roger Jenkins - Tom Percival.
1982

R.I.P.

[lars strom]

#2 Arthur Mostert in Leon, Spain 1982.
You can see team owner Cees Van Der Velden also.

[lars strom]

Cobra Poster Girl “Billy” at the 1985 IMTEC Show


While the Cobra Stern Drive is long gone, memories of Billy’s Cobra posters seem to live on. Shown here on a break from signing posters for hundreds on show attendees, Billy directs attention to Johnson’s two smaller, but no less special, outboard race motors. Billy drew long lines in the Cobra booth at national boat shows signing her posters. Many of her fans still have one of her signed posters today. (There were a variety of posters and catalog centerfolds produced. Her actual name was Kathy Johnson.)


15A Race Motor - The hot little 15A was a special version of the standard 13.2 cu. in. 15 hp powerhead with a higher RPM limit of 7000. It was intended for competition in the APBA’s Stock A class. This racer featured a performance gearcase and a modified midsection with megaphone tuning. It was touted as a great way to get started in racing economically, particularly for younger race fans.


45SS Race Motor - This 2-cylinder loop-charged racer was a no-frills speedster with a 15-inch shaft for competition in the APBA’s 45SS class. Manual start, manual trim & tilt, fixed spark advance, above water exhaust, plus a performance midsection and gearcase were part of this special package. (Basically, the same 44.99 cu.in. powerhead as the standard 40 and 50 models, but with a higher RPM limit of 6000. However, many racers said it ran well at 7000.)


Both Motors were available through Second Effort Performance Products - the OMC “factory authorized racing center” located in Lake Hamilton, Florida providing an array of performance products including high-performance racing props.