Facts about Evinrude/Johnson racing outboards made my OMC

**Lake X Kid** · 09-10-2021, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by lars strom

Cathy McConnell

This is Chattanooga, Tenn. in 1983.
Jimbo is preparing to take Willard Scott on a ride in the 2-seat Press Boat. A Special Lifeline Jacket and Helmet were ordered for him. It was the largest Life jacket they had ever made. Willard Scott was a Very Big Man.
He just passed away. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP.

Jimbo gives weatherman Willard Scott a boat ride.

**Lake X Kid** · 09-10-2021, 01:00 PM

Bob Hering and Johnny Sanders duel for the Win.

**lars strom** · 09-10-2021, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by Lake X Kid

Jimbo gives weatherman Willard Scott a boat ride.

Thank you very much @Lake X Kid ,
I placed the video on Cathy McConnell's post on the FaceBook page.

**Lake X Kid** · 09-10-2021, 09:08 PM

What was the standard race-boat-length which the V8’s powered?
Did anyone run a shorter-length version sprint-boat than the standard length?

Were the V8’s clamped onto a longer boat, than what the V6’s pushed?

**lars strom** · 09-11-2021, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Lake X Kid

What was the standard race-boat-length which the V8’s powered?
Did anyone run a shorter-length version sprint-boat than the standard length?

Were the V8’s clamped onto a longer boat, than what the V6’s pushed?

Complicated question to answer correct..this is how I remember it. (the picture above is from Liege, Belgium 1984)

The first year 1981 it was more or less V6 boats with a raised up rear boat cowling to match the engine.
Renato & David Burgess was quicker to figure out how to built V8 boats and Jenkins #9 Burgess boat 1982 was the same length as my 1983 #8 Burgess.
Slowly the F1-V8 boats got longer and 1985 with the new redesigned V8 engine most boat builders was going with a bit longer boats.
(1985 and up boats was also a bit heavier with safety cells)
I know that Ben Robertson still have the molds for Velden boats. Cees took it one step further and made F1-V8 boats with the possibility to change sponson..longer or shorter depending on the race course/more or less lift.
The picture below is from the 1988/89 season. A 3 liter V8 was used at that time.

**lars strom** · 09-12-2021, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by lars strom

Refueling and driver change in Parker Enduro 1980.
Yes..Ken Stevenson & Bob Spalding won in a #201 Velden Racing with a 3 liter Johnson V6 RS

...BTW..its OMC's Jerry Pretzman carrying the driver above..and no one else.

**Rotary John** · 09-13-2021, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by lars strom

...BTW..its OMC's Jerry Pretzman carrying the driver above..and no one else.

Looks like Ziggy at the back of the boat. Bob Nagoty holding the fuel hose and Mouse on top of the boat.

**lars strom** · 09-13-2021, 09:45 AM

I was watching the UIM F1 race from Italy yesterday. Erik Stark of Sweden driving for Scott Gillman Racing crashed on his own.
Today I learned why..
(only 8 boats was running to the end of the race)

Erik Stark,
Big crash during the race as the middle section broke in full speed and the engine fell off

Fortunately I am a Swedish Viking so I’m ok

**Instigator** · 09-13-2021, 01:24 PM

Wow!

That would be a puckerer!

**lars strom** · 09-13-2021, 07:10 PM

From my FB page..

I am trying to get some more info about the "Havasu OMC race history"..
(the reunion is coming up in about a month)
Need to ask the "Queen of boat racing history Cathy McConnell"..
I think Jimbo McConnell drove his #191 Molinari/Evinrude V6 CCC 3 liter looper to victory 1979..or was it 1980??.
Not sure about his co-pilot but pretty sure Cathy can help out. (Looks like it was Johnny Sanders.
Thanks in advance.

**WaterZebra** · 09-14-2021, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by lars strom

I was watching the UIM F1 race from Italy yesterday. Erik Stark of Sweden driving for Scott Gillman Racing crashed on his own.
Today I learned why..
(only 8 boats was running to the end of the race)

Erik Stark,
Big crash during the race as the middle section broke in full speed and the engine fell off

Fortunately I am a Swedish Viking so I’m ok

Thrust block trunnion failure. Merc 2 stroke stuff is getting old. Only spare parts will be what's laying around out there. It will be 4 stroke from now on or park the boat in the garage?

**lars strom** · 09-14-2021, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by lars strom

From my FB page..

I am trying to get some more info about the "Havasu OMC race history"..
(the reunion is coming up in about a month)
Need to ask the "Queen of boat racing history Cathy McConnell"..
I think Jimbo McConnell drove his #191 Molinari/Evinrude V6 CCC 3 liter looper to victory 1979..or was it 1980??.
Not sure about his co-pilot but pretty sure Cathy can help out. (Looks like it was Johnny Sanders.
Thanks in advance.

Cathy McConnell

1979.
He also won the race in 1980 and 1981. 3 years in a row. He had Johnnie as co-driver in 1979 and no co-driver in 80 and 81.

**lars strom** · 09-14-2021, 04:17 PM

OMC Havasu Classic history. This is the 1990 Division 3 (Mod 110) Winner.
Driver - Dean Wilson
Owner - Dave Rankin
Crew Chief - Pat Whitcomb
Motor - Alan Stoker

**lars strom** · 09-14-2021, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by lars strom

Cathy McConnell

1979.
He also won the race in 1980 and 1981. 3 years in a row. He had Johnnie as co-driver in 1979 and no co-driver in 80 and 81.

Thanks Butch Wood.