Facts about Evinrude/Johnson racing outboards made my OMC

[Instigator]

I still have the Mechanics Illustrated magazine issue from the ‘70’s where they announced the new rotary w/Jimbo and even allowed their editor to drive it.

Also remember seeing plenty of race coverage of them cuz I had all the pics on my bedroom walls.

Man to have some of them back....

Also remember riding my 20” Schwinn Stingray the 10 mls to our local Johnson dealer to beg for posters, stickers and patches.
One famous poster they gave me was the one w/the rotary leading the V-6 CCC, leading the V-4 Stinger GP.

[Mark75H]

These engines appeared a few years before Mazda unveiled their RX7 rotary.

But Mazda had been putting rotaries in their Cosmo models since 1965.

[lars strom]

Lars Strom is at Lauderdale Marina.

From the gas-dock at Lauderdale Marina.
Picture by me.

[2us70]

The sound of an open exhaust rotary is an acquired taste. In the mid 1970s a pilot in Miami built a twin rotary engine experimental racing plane at an airport where I worked. Every time he flew it the airport was hit with noise complaints from the neighbors. The aircraft had cooling problems with the rear motor and never was raced. Didn't matter which motor he put in the back it overheated and we would have to go out and stand-by while he landed it. Even on one engine it was obnoxious.

[Instigator]

Agreed.

In early IMSA road racing days they had a race in Columbus and the Mazda rotaries we’re dominating the GTU class and they ran mufflers when no on else did.
Even w/the mufflers they were ear piercing loud!
Particularly at certain RPMs.

The sound of an open exhaust rotary is an acquired taste. In the mid 1970s a pilot in Miami built a twin rotary engine experimental racing plane at an airport where I worked. Every time he flew it the airport was hit with noise complaints from the neighbors. The aircraft had cooling problems with the rear motor and never was raced. Didn't matter which motor he put in the back it overheated and we would have to go out and stand-by while he landed it. Even on one engine it was obnoxious.

[lars strom]

From the dock at Shooters in Fort Lauderdale.
Picture by me.

[lars strom]

[lars strom]

[lars strom]

Paris 6 hours 1974.
Me in boat #48 and Angelo Vassena in boat #71

[lars strom]

I races the Paris 6 hours with the two rotaries 1974 and that was a great experience. I never forget the speed and sound.
OMC back then was doing great. Johnson outboards was the best selling outboard in the world and Evinrude was "First in Outboards"
Well..way later OMC run in to problems for bad management..but I did extremely good as a dealer and racer for OMC.

Very happy with our Paris 6 Hour race 1974

http://svera.se/blogg/paris-6-hours/...our-race-1974/

Well I have read the Paris 6 Hours Entry list above over and over again..
I cant find Jackie Wilson..I guess Jackie never raced together with the powerful OMC Rotary racing outboards in Paris 1974...??
That's maybe why he always are so upset about the OMC racing rotaries..
This is me (first picture) a few minutes before the start of the greatest race ever in Europe.
I got a great start..second picture. (boat #48)

[lars strom]

A few more small pictures from Paris 1974.

[lars strom]

Paris 6 Hours 1974.
Jimbo McConnell in the #03 Scotti-Craft/Evinrude Rotary.

[lars strom]

[lars strom]

Merry Christmas.

[lars strom]

Carina's Christmas Eve Zumba outfit.