Hot Singles ! - Pictures

[2us70]

When I took my McCall tunnel boat to John he took it in trade as partial payment for a v-bottom boat. When I got to his shop there this boat was in the final stages of completion. When I said how much it looked like a Molinari that did not sit well with him. I got the impression that he was obligated to build this boat. I left feeling that he was building a boat not of his own design. I also left with the agreement to build me the best race boat I ever had.

[lars strom]

Mr. Bill driving the #7 Seebold/Merc T4. London F1-OZ GP 1984.
I have the OK by Glen Cushion to use his picture.

[Ronster43]

Attachment 464468

Talking about Big Job, it would be very interesting to hear how the 21' McCall went from conversation to the picture above. Who initially contacted Jeff, what was said, how far along was the boat when he first saw it, was the Molinari there at that time, what did John say about building this copy? Did Leek comment about Jeff driving this rig at the OWC, how did testing progress (don't forget about the gear ratio fiasco)?

Anything Jeff remembers about the project as the boat was being prepared for Havasu would be interesting to hear.

Sure...I'll gather the info and post over in Hot Multies.

[willabee]

Sure...I'll gather the info and post over in Hot Multies.

That would be great (assuming Jeff remembers anything ) .....

[GENE LANHAM]

That would be great (assuming Jeff remembers anything ) .....

We first saw the boat run at PHYC--one of their 2 Hour events--1969

Jeff may choose not to remember--

See you over on Hot Multies---

[Lake X Kid]

As non-paid drivers, did the contract drivers have there are own independent insurance policies? Or did they go through Mercury's insurance coverage or plan provider?

Did Mercury cover the insurance expenses for the outside contract drivers?
I think of guys like Pruett and others whom incurred some sever bodily damage in racing.

A testament to the love of racing, when you race for a corporate company, and all you get is to keep the prize money. Outside of Havasu, was there any 1970's race venue where there was substantial prize money?

~~~~~

"The outside [contract] drivers received free equipment and their travel expenses. Initially they kept anything they won. As a rule they were not paid a salary. I'm sure there were special deals for some of the outside drivers, but I wasn't privy to those arrangements." Willabee.

The flyin' #723 is Roy Zepponi making a kilo run in one of Kenny Baker's Sidewinders prior to Havasu 1970. Needless to say, the only record Roy set that day was for altitude!

[lars strom]

Looks like the Molinari low profile cowling made it's debut August of 75 at the OZ World Championships in St. Louis.

From Powerboat November, 1975 .....
Attachment 463647

Wow..My FB Svera.se page today. I guess I got it right 7 years ago.

[Lake X Kid]

I would like to clarify something. I was looking through some photos my sister sent me months ago.
And I saw these Bristol 1973 photos.

This is Bob Spalding's wife. I had only saw her attend one race, and that was the Bristol race. I remember this/her two-piece outfit, because she was attractive and, Bob and I had a conversation about his then wife. Unfortunately for her, Bob was ready to move on.

And that is Bob Hering with Spalding in the pits. The other woman might have been an employee of the company sponsoring Bob & Tom's race boats. The photo quality is not that good, because my dad had this really small camera. No bigger than the palm of your hand, but easy to travel with.


Post# 4184.

Attachment 462458

Hey folks, the picture above is not labeled exactly right ..... that is not Steven Ridgell on the far left being hugged by Bob Spalding. I believe it's Bob's wife and I think her name was Pat. Maybe Steven is taking the picture?

X Kid mentions the boys are wearing the red Mercury sport coats, I remember them well. They weren't really red, more of a really bad burgundy. I remember Garbrecht was so damn proud that he had gotten the company to buy these for the team, I just didn't have the heart to tell him how frickin' ugly they were...

[willabee]

As non-paid drivers, did the contract drivers have there are own independent insurance policies? Or did they go through Mercury's insurance coverage or plan provider?

Did Mercury cover the insurance expenses for the outside contract drivers?
I think of guys like Pruett and others whom incurred some sever bodily damage in racing.

A testament to the love of racing, when you race for a corporate company, and all you get is to keep the prize money. Outside of Havasu, was there any 1970's race venue where there was substantial prize money? ...

Didn't mean to ignore your question, just haven't been on here much recently.

In order to race in the US, all drivers had to belong to APBA. With that membership came some insurance coverage, but I believe it was considered minimal at the time. Drivers did search for better and affordable coverage. I think Mercury initially provided some individual coverage on a per race basis. As things evolved, I think they ended up with a broad policy that covered anyone that got into one of their boats. You have to assume they were not only trying to protect the drivers, but were probably trying to protect themselves against law suits. I don't know what OMC did in this regard.

I don't think there were any races that provided "substantial" purses. However, remember this is 1970 money. A guy is racing for 10k per year and he doesn't have to budget for a new boat and motor. If he wins a $500, that's 5% of his annual salary ..... 5% to 8% were considered good annual raises.

[willabee]

..... What is an OMC hull? .....

Found a couple of better pictures of OMC hulls in Powerboat, Oct. 1970 .....

Miami 225 - Jimbo McConnell - 3rd place ..... Scafo Wilbur McDonald .....

Miami 225 - Don Clark - 2nd place ..... Scafo Angelo Molinari

[willabee]

..... What is an OMC hull? .....

Miami 225 - Cesare Scotti - DNF - Scafo Wilbur McDonald .....

Miami 225 - Bill Sirois - 10th place - Scafo Angelo Molinari .....

[willabee]

We all know that, on occasion, Powerboat would go to print with the wrong caption attached to a picture, just like the one below .....

The caption with the picture below has been buggin' me since I posted it .....

I just don't remember Scotti runnin' a McDonald hull. I thought he ran a Molinari in this event? I wonder if this is a picture of Bob Witt in the McDonald carrying the #33 that Scotti used at Havasu the previous year?

[FUJIMO]

We spent a lot of money with PowerBoat over a LOT of years. Trust me, they included a bit of misinformation in everything they did. They would call to verify information, and still get it wrong when it went to print. Every frick'n month.

[2us70]

I wish I had saved that issue. It was one of the few times I got a mention in a national publication.

[FUJIMO]

...Don Pruett & Vinsenzo Ballisteri...