Facts about Evinrude/Johnson racing outboards made my OMC

[Lake X Kid]

In my humble opinion this is one of the reasons the Molinari race boats were the race-boats to covet. Not only the aerodynamic lines of the early 1970’s race hulls, but also the detail to weight savings.


In the Como race shop, when I would visit the second floor, I admired the workmanship on the wooden boats. The simple fact, where the carpenter would lay an uncut stringer on the boat’s frame, and pencil mark every cross-section (joint) where the stringer and frame member made contact. And then he would take the stringer to the router table, and voila, shave excessive weight off the stringer.


Small details that increase performance with little extra man hours revealed to me, that Molinari race hulls are a force to be reckoned with. And walking and looking at other hull manufactures in the European race pits, I did not see the same weight savings as their competitor, Renato Molinari, instilled in his constructed race hulls.

[lars strom]

24 Hours of Rouen 1985... first year for the UIM SZ class. Johnson 2.6 GT engine

[Instigator]

When I was running and building my own A Stock Hydros, I built one that I “dado’d“ the backs out of the 3/4” x 3/4” spruce stringers for the same reason.
The were a PIA to staple in place w/o blowing them apart but you couldn’t tell them from a regular 3/4” stringer is nice installed.
Unless the boat was on the scales.

We also, for a few yrs, ran what we called vented transoms.
Top edge of front of motor board was full of holes which vented to the inner core/laminate which had channels cut in that vented to holes at bottom/rear of outside of motor board.
I was big into aerodynamics and fully bought into the theory ��

I think I’ve seen the ones above, before??
Maybe pixs from one of his boats.

Very cool post though.

In my humble opinion this is one of the reasons the Molinari race boats were the race-boats to covet. Not only the aerodynamic lines of the early 1970’s race hulls, but also the detail to weight savings.


In the Como race shop, when I would visit the second floor, I admired the workmanship on the wooden boats. The simple fact, where the carpenter would lay an uncut stringer on the boat’s frame, and pencil mark every cross-section (joint) where the stringer and frame member made contact. And then he would take the stringer to the router table, and voila, shave excessive weight off the stringer.


Small details that increase performance with little extra man hours revealed to me, that Molinari race hulls are a force to be reckoned with. And walking and looking at other hull manufactures in the European race pits, I did not see the same weight savings as their competitor, Renato Molinari, instilled in his constructed race hulls.

[lars strom]

Please..back to Evinrude/Johnson stuff...!!

My friend Remy Louvel of France in his white UIM F3/OE class Evinrude powered boat got run over by Germany's Ulrich Rochel's König powered Burgess at the European Championship race in Rabodange, France 1985.

The French/German relationship was not the very best that day..

[lars strom]

WOW..great memories from Arendal, Norway 1980.
The Nordic Championship race for the UIM F3/OE class.
I got the winner’s wreath driving the #1 Sjoberg/AKAI/Evinrude CC.
Roger Einhaug next to me won the SD class.
Always fun racing in Norway..even more fun winning.
The last picture is Ove Torkhildsen..he came in second..I think he was spaying to much water..!!..



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WOW..Finally.. a picture from Arendal, Norway 1980. The Nordic Championship race for the UIM F3/OE class.

[Instigator]

Sorry Lars, won’t happen again.

Please..back to Evinrude/Johnson stuff...!!

My friend Remy Louvel of France in his white UIM F3/OE class Evinrude powered boat got run over by Germany's Ulrich Rochel's König powered Burgess at the European Championship race in Rabodange, France 1985.

The French/German relationship was not the very best that day..

[lars strom]

F1-V8 Team Martini/Molinari at Idroscalo 1983.
This one in black & white.
Renato and his "flagman" Fabio Porta.
Fabio was a very good loyal team worker for Renato under many years.

[WaterZebra]

F1-V8 Team Martini/Molinari at Idroscalo 1983.
This one in black & white.
Renato and his "flagman" Fabio Porta.
Fabio was a very good loyal team worker for Renato under many years.

Did OMC set up an outpost office at Renato's Como facility like Mercury did?

[lars strom]

No..the OMC racing headquarter was in Brygge, Belgium..That was the base for service trucks etc at the races.
Renato got his stuff normally sent directly to Italy from Waukegan..same for Cees Van Der Velden..directly to Boxtel, Holland.
Burgess & Hodges drivers was depending on OMC in Brygge, Belgium.
When Second Effort got involved mid season 1983 things got way more complicated in Europe.

[Lake X Kid]

No..the OMC racing headquarter was in Brygge, Belgium..That was the base for service trucks etc at the races.
Renato got his stuff normally sent directly to Italy from Waukegan..same for Cees Van Der Velden..directly to Boxtel, Holland.
Burgess & Hodges drivers was depending on OMC in Brygge, Belgium.
When Second Effort got involved mid season 1983 things got way more complicated in Europe.

How and why did it become more complicated?

[powerabout]

the prices went up

[lars strom]

How and why did it become more complicated?

Well..I clearly remember the meeting OMC had and the following letter when Second Effort got involved during the racing season 1983.
To explain all this I have to start way before SE got involved in my first year in F1-V8 racing. Not sure if I am ready to tell the full story..but here is some..
Beat Jenni was the President for OMC Europe..OMC's George Lamy was in charge of European racing..sponsorship at races etc. At a meeting with George, Beat and me..(maybe also an Aspen representative) early 1983 at the OMC Headquarter in Brugge, Belgium we made following deal.
Aspen Jackets in France was the main sponsor for the Aspen UIM F3 World Series. (I was the current 1982 UIM F3 Sprint World Champ) Aspen was also a sponsor for Velden Racing. One of Team Veldens boats was sponsored by Aspen..#2 Arthur Mostert..picture below.
OMC was by far Aspen's largest customer..all the OMC PR stuff like jackets, t-shirts, hats etc sold to Evinrude/Johnson dealers was made by Aspen.
OMC promised me to make Aspen my exclusive sponsorship for the 1983 F1-V8 series . A short time later I got a great contract from the President of Aspen in Rouen, France. (He did not speak any English)
Don't remember the exact number but it was enough for a F1-V8 season.Three installment payments..one in the spring before the season, one after the first race and the last payment mid season.
I was extremely happy..signed the contract after my lawyer checked it out..
New Burgess boat on order, purchased a used F1-V8 engine from Baggioli in Italy, OMC rebuilt the power-head and the gear-case. A spare power-head and a very nice big box Volvo racing truck was also purchased by me.
Aspen Jackets sent two designers to Stockholm and hand-painted my new Burgess and race truck in the Aspen Colors..(second and third picture) Everything was ready just in time for the Stockholm Boat Show 1983.
Got lots of media at the show and sold a ton of new Evinrude outboards.
More is coming pretty sooooon...!!






Yes..thats me dressed up in a Aspen Jacket and shirt above on the way to the Stockholm indoor boat show 1983.

[lars strom]

This is in Paris after the 1981 Aspen F3 World series season.
I won the title and Aspen made a big deal about that. The person to the right closest to me is the Aspen President. George Lamy from OMC was also there..but not in the picture.
Nice fun weekend and I trusted Aspen and OMC.

One more note..OMC France President Ove Jansson..(yes he was a Swede) Ove spoke fluent French/Swedish and he was also at this event.
More is coming pretty sooooon...!!

[lars strom]

Everything was looking great in the spring of 1983..I did a lot of testing back home and the #8 Aspen/Burgess/Evinrude F1-V8 boat was extremely fast..The driver needed more seat time.
One very important thing was still missing..the money from Aspen, France.
I called them and was told.."the check is in the mail"
Received a package with Aspen decals a few days later but no check. picture.

Installed a work bench in the Volvo Racing truck and ready for the first race in Como, Italy May 14/15 1983
https://svera.se/blogg/the-complete-...mo-italy-1983/

[lars strom]

When my racing truck left Stockholm for the first F1-V8 race of the season there was still no check from Aspen.
I was told by OMC the Aspen people are going to be in Como for the race..

Lake Como May 14/15 - 1983 was flooded rainy and windy..the race was run under very difficult conditions.
The worst part..NO Aspen people came to the race..
OMC's George Lamy told me in Como ..take it easy Lars..they are going to pay you..!!
It was extremely hard to concentrate on racing when my sponsor was in some way not telling me the truth..

My racing truck left for the next race in Ampolla, Spain...!!!

More is coming pretty sooooon...!!