Facts about Evinrude/Johnson racing outboards made my OMC

**lars strom** · 07-15-2021, 06:20 PM

Carlsberg Beer/OMC racing.

Bob Spalding was a true gentleman and very successful in powerboat racing..Won Bristol, Paris and F1-V8 Champ 1985..and much more..

Jane Spalding..(Bob's daughter)

**lars strom** · 07-15-2021, 07:29 PM

Carlsberg Beer/OMC racing.

#11 Bob Spalding Carlsberg/Velden Racing/Johnson power.

**powerabout** · 07-15-2021, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by lars strom

Some fact about Bob Spalding & Carlsberg Beer.

This is from 1980 when Bob run the speed record with his sponsor Carlsberg/OMC
1981 Bob teamed up with JPS (John Player Special) and drove F1-V8 for OMC to the end of his career.

What engine was that 127mph record?

**lars strom** · 07-16-2021, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by powerabout

What engine was that 127mph record?

Well..I am going to be diplomatic..and answer I don't know for sure..I can guess..but not this time..

**Rotary John** · 07-16-2021, 02:04 PM

I remember Jimbo testing the rotary in FL on a 17' Black & White Scotti at 121/125 MPH in 1973.

**techteam** · 07-17-2021, 06:05 AM

Originally Posted by Rotary John

I remember Jimbo testing the rotary in FL on a 17' Black & White Scotti at 121/125 MPH in 1973.

Don't forget John that's the average of a 2 way 1 kilo run. Its a difficult achievement. Now on the other hand a rotary with the tall gearing a long run up hmmnnnn......

**Rotary John** · 07-17-2021, 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by techteam

Don't forget John that's the average of a 2 way 1 kilo run. Its a difficult achievement. Now on the other hand a rotary with the tall gearing a long run up hmmnnnn......

If I remember Jimbo ran a 2 way kilo run @ 108/110. The 120+ I was referring to was the initial testing on the rotary in Fl. At Parker both rotaries were leading a 7l hydyo that had been clocked @140 the week before. I remember Jimbo saying he never ran that fast again with the rotary. You got to remember also, these speed were being run on 2/3 yr. old Scotties made for the 160HP V-4 in 1973.

**lars strom** · 07-17-2021, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

Old post but please post some of the racing pictures from the magazine.

**WaterZebra** · 07-17-2021, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Rotary John

If I remember Jimbo ran a 2 way kilo run @ 108/110. The 120+ I was referring to was the initial testing on the rotary in Fl. At Parker both rotaries were leading a 7l hydyo that had been clocked @140 the week before. I remember Jimbo saying he never ran that fast again with the rotary. You got to remember also, these speed were being run on 2/3 yr. old Scotties made for the 160HP V-4 in 1973.

I'm not so sure I believe anybody went 120+ in a full deck tunnel. Picklefork? Yes.........If Jimbo made any kind of pass at 120+ the balance had to be perfect and the rotary at negative trim. My opinion.
Anybody know of any kilo records set by a full deck tunnel @ 120+?

**Rotary John** · 07-17-2021, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

I'm not so sure I believe anybody went 120+ in a full deck tunnel. Picklefork? Yes.........If Jimbo made any kind of pass at 120+ the balance had to be perfect and the rotary at negative trim. My opinion.
Anybody know of any kilo records set by a full deck tunnel @ 120+?

You're starting to remind me of Jackie Wilson.

**lars strom** · 07-17-2021, 05:01 PM

@Rotary John ..

------------------------------------------------------------

Pretty incredible 48 years ago..!!

First Company to produce FOUR MILLION OUTBOARDS – History was made in 1973 when Johnson Motors produced their four-millionth outboard – coinciding with the introduction of the 1974 model 135 hp V-4 Sea-Horse which replaced the 125 hp. That year also saw the 115 V4 replace the 100 V4. Commemorating the occasion are Clay Conover (left), and Tom Kalbfus, who was Director Johnson Marketing. Conover who was general manager of the Johnson Division retired later that year.

While it took 31 years for Johnson to reach the one-million motor mark as noted in a previous post (1922 – 1953) and leading the industry at that point, it only took 21 years (1952 – 1973) to quadruple that sales number – an indication of just how fast, and large, the outboard market had grown during those years. As it did in 1953 when it hit one-million in sales, Johnson could again claim: World’s Largest Manufacturers of Outboard motors.

**lars strom** · 07-17-2021, 07:42 PM

South Africa racing 1975 - "PB 200"
One of the best experience in my boat racing history.
Got invited to race the BP 200 at the river Vaal and spent a week with my racing hero Jimbo McConnell and the technician "Mouse"
Yes..I won the OE class race..but even better was to get to know Jimbo & Mouse.
We have been to Needles, CA to met up with Jimbo and his lovely wife Cathy a few times. We are all getting older..Jimbo's life is a bit tough after his bad F1-V8 racing accident..Cathy knows boat racing history like no body else and is the nicest person you can ever meet.
Mouse left us a few years ago. R.I.P.

**lars strom** · 07-17-2021, 07:47 PM

....

**lars strom** · 07-17-2021, 09:29 PM

On the way to South Africa 1975..!!

**lars strom** · 07-18-2021, 11:34 AM

From the BP 200 1975.
The #44 OE class Clerici/Evinrude.
This was a big deal for me..only 21 years old invited to race on the other side of the world.
To short notice to bring any friend/help.
That's me sitting on the front of the Clerici.
You can also see the Johnson V6 Stinger GP in the background.