Facts about Evinrude/Johnson racing outboards made my OMC

**WaterZebra** · 09-18-2023, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by lars strom

Jack Aylsworth

Group expert
Top contributor

The Complete OMC Rotary Development & Racing Story

The Complete Rotary Tale is an intriguing story full of spinlessness, event rigging and outright cheating by Mercury played against the dogged determination by OMC engineering, the OMC Race Department and the OMC Factory Drivers – all of whom were resolute in seeing the OMC rotary driven to it’s full racing potential.
The complete and detailed story is too long for here and best told by OMC rotary engineer John Sheldon (aka: Rotary John - lower middle photo on the right.)

Read John’s fascinating story at the Scream & Fly link below

https://www.screamandfly.com/showthread.php?186454-OMC-s-4-Rotor-Wankel-Racing-Engine-The-Real-Story

I'm looking at the Johnson rotary on the stand with a LH prop and then the photo of the boats on trailers with RH props. Which direction?

**lars strom** · 09-18-2023, 09:49 AM

@WaterZebra ..

Haahaa..you are really paying attention to details. That's a good thing.
Only @Rotary John could have the answer to your question.

**lars strom** · 09-18-2023, 11:53 AM

#35 Barry Woods in the Stockholm F1-V8 GP 1985.

This is interesting picture because Barry is leaning forward..meaning his Molinari/Nordica/Evinrude V8 did not have a safety cockpit..
One of the reasons I did not like to be strapped in..terrible feeling..you could not balance the boat by leaning forward anymore.
Renato was not in to developing safety cells/cockpits.

**Lake X Kid** · 09-18-2023, 11:54 AM

That color scheme on the Rotary Johnson engine is one U... looking outboard. (Beauty is subjective and in the eye of the beholder).

Okay, to be nice to the OMC art department, the Evinrude Rotary has a nice-looking color layout.

**lars strom** · 09-18-2023, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by lars strom

Fred Kiekhaefer

Fascinating to read.
Thank you.

Fred Kiekhaefer

In the early 1970s, I tested several wankel powered cars for my father - including an NSU RO80 and a Toyo Kogyo Cosmo Sport - when he was considering marine applications. Every one was smooth until they broke.
Cracked blocks from excessive heat - every time.

@Lake X Kid ..Ugly or not..

Pretty interesting member/person making comments about the OMC racing rotary at my FaceBook page.

**lars strom** · 09-18-2023, 04:05 PM

#44 Dario Eugenio Grassini UIM Formula 3/OE. Molinari/Evinrude CC

Stockholm GP 1984.

**lars strom** · 09-18-2023, 04:36 PM

1979 Evinrude advertising.

**lars strom** · 09-18-2023, 05:12 PM

CCC and the Rotary.

**lars strom** · 09-18-2023, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by lars strom

Evinrude E-TEC G2 V6 3.4 liter.

Chloe Khan showed off her tan lines and her curves in a tiny black bikini as she relaxed on a yacht..

Attachment 426523

Nope..I still don't know who she is..!!..

**Rotary John** · 09-19-2023, 04:34 AM

Originally Posted by lars strom

@WaterZebra..

Haahaa..you are really paying attention to details. That's a good thing.
Only @Rotary John could have the answer to your question.

The picture with Ralph Evinrude shows the actual props used. I believe this picture is from Miami into. Switching prop direction and size was a trick used confuse Merc.

**Rotary John** · 09-19-2023, 04:37 AM

Originally Posted by lars strom

CCC and the Rotary.

The view merc. T-3 drivers saw most of the time.

**Rotary John** · 09-19-2023, 04:40 AM

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

I'm looking at the Johnson rotary on the stand with a LH prop and then the photo of the boats on trailers with RH props. Which direction?

Mike Griffith is the other Engineer in the photo. He was instrumental in the design and development of the rotary race engine.

**WaterZebra** · 09-19-2023, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by Rotary John

The picture with Ralph Evinrude shows the actual props used. I believe this picture is from Miami into. Switching prop direction and size was a trick used confuse Merc.

RJ - It's safe to assume that the "bucket" was a single piece aluminum casting (gearcase, swival pin, steering bars and engine and top cowl attachment, etc). At rest, where did the waterline end up with the boat sitting in the water? Did submerged back pressure bother the wankel? Was the exhaust "top stacked" to deal with the waterline?

It's a national tragedy that more still photos and videos were not taken at the time!! I also believe that the break thru technology involved was poorly managed by OMC. Regardless of race committee pit rules, the boats and engines should have been locked away in garages with security personnel just like Area 51.