For you Mod-VP fans

**BLisBack!** · 01-17-2023, 05:59 PM

Found this on an old VHS tape. Its the 1987 Mod-VP Final in St. Louis. This is the race with Al Stoker when he stalls at the dock and then nearly wins the race coming in 2nd with little or no praise from the sycophant Merc commentators.

https://youtu.be/GR_7VhHCIdU

-BL

**oldschoolltv** · 01-17-2023, 06:41 PM

Awesome race and Richie Junker was in that one, Leading Edge Propellor.

**97mirage** · 01-17-2023, 07:10 PM

Fantastic video. That is boat racing! Can’t believe this kind of action and excitement has died off.

**PaulR** · 01-17-2023, 07:35 PM

So cool! I might have been at that race, I remember that yellow HST, first time I ever saw one. First time I ever seen a Mirage too, those guys trimmed the crap out of those things on the straightaways! I have a MOD VP race on VHS also from ESPN. My first Hi-Perf motor was a 1986 MOD VP that I ordered new and ran on my V-King YT until the 2.5 came out in 1993.

**BLisBack!** · 01-17-2023, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by oldschoolltv

Awesome race and Richie Junker was in that one, Leading Edge Propellor.

He did a prop for me on that full tunnel I had. Absolute perfection.

It seems for the most part that when the OMC/Merc tension went away, so did the great racing. Sure there are exceptions, as those Wisconsin boys will be quick to chime in, but it’s gone IMO. Now it seems smooth and quiet is in, and whether you can go sideways to and from the dock

Here is the ‘85 F1 Race in Minneapolis I posted on the the big history thread. It’s very good as well! You can really see the speed they were getting with the V8s
https://youtube.com/watch?v=UMfap9-ROkw&feature=share

-BL

**stoker2001** · 01-17-2023, 11:24 PM

awesome stuff!the first minute was my home town of Sacramento for the last 61 years

**JBS** · 01-18-2023, 11:11 AM

That was real boat racing.Thanks for posting.

**LakeRacer99** · 01-18-2023, 11:06 PM

Welcome back BLeonard. I was there in 87...no greater venue for spectators. My heart still races when I hear a Merc turning up the R's...reminds me of the Champ boats running the time trials as they came in front of the announcer stand and right towards the crowd...then the trim drops and the sponson grabs at the last pin.
Missing from this vid is Walt Yarborough's voice though...

**WaterZebra** · 01-19-2023, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by 97mirage

Fantastic video. That is boat racing! Can’t believe this kind of action and excitement has died off.

A few Mod VP owners with deep pockets spoiled it for everybody else. They should have been directed to spend their piles of money on the Champ class at the time and not drive out the rest of the Mod VP owners just trying to race and have fun. First big mistake was centered drivers seats. Should have kept it as production recreational "ski boats" and if you had an issue with balance, it was corrected with ballast, batteries, fuel, etc. Safety capsules was another nail in the Mod VP coffin. They should have used bolt on removable roll cages like the Texas TriHull class uses today.

**BLisBack!** · 01-19-2023, 05:06 PM

Speaking of Champ boats, here is the 1987 IOGP World Championship Grand Prix in St. Louis as well;

https://youtu.be/5wGdnaaasok

All Merc but really good racing

-BL

**JBS** · 01-19-2023, 06:29 PM

Guys, remember a few years back when they tried to introduce a similar class with production boats running stock green 150s? Didn't last long.I guess not enough interest? Speeds topped out around 80mph.Not that exciting.

**Baker343** · 01-20-2023, 12:03 AM

We tried to keep the Modvp class alive out west.
Older racers negotiated with the APBA to allow 2L to run the Parker Enduro after the APBA banded sprint boat racing sometime in the late 80's. Not completely sure. I believe COR (roundy round racing) started out west around 2010, I started in 2013 and we ran 2L and ran around 80mph not like the old days but still fun to race.

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**Baker343** · 01-20-2023, 12:25 AM

Not the old days but still racing.
https://youtu.be/Z1swTfzN-uE

**Scream And Fly** · 01-20-2023, 03:59 AM

Excellent history there. Thank you for posting! Would be cool if Al could comment on that. @racer

**Instigator** · 01-20-2023, 07:15 AM

Most experts say a main reason of the classes demise was its increase in speed.

Look at speeds in the early days (80’s) compared to near the end (one teens!).

That put capsules in the boats which ended the “family ski boat” mantra.

In the final days, the Mod VP boats were too close to the Champ Boats.
In speed and appearance.

Baker343, Al told me he and another X Mod VP racer ran the current Parker race in an open cockpit Mod VP once but never again.
Too fast/dangerous.

I still have my collection of all the old races including these two.

IMO, the early Mod Vp days was the best OB racing, ever.

Yeah the F-1 tunnels were top of the food chain but not as exciting as a flock of Mods heading to the first pin!