Inception of the early years of F1 Tunnel Outboard design & racing.

[Lake X Kid]

Here is the early days that led up to the inception of Formula One Boat Racing. Mercury Marine Racing at Lake X was instrumental in testing, developing, and participating in the progressive growth of F1 Tunnel Outboard Racing.

Boat 888 was the first wooden Molinari to compete in the USA.

Roy Ridgell driving boat 888 was the 1st Single Outboard (5th overall) in the Gold Coast Marathon race -- Miami to West Palm Beach and back to Miami the following day on Sunday.

The 1967 competition included V8 Hydros, Wing boats, and Vee & Flat bottoms. Roy and Bill Sirois were Mercury factory race drivers at Lake X's R&D proving grounds near Orlando Florida.
Thereafter, Tunnel Design and Powerplant Propulsion progressed into today's modern F1 Tunnel Outboard Boat Racing.

The Duo of Mercury Engines & Italian Molinari Tunnel Hulls.

[FUJIMO]

...roy ridgell?...roy ridgell?...hmmmm...never heard of him......

[FUJIMO]

[FUJIMO]

...your dad conversing with dr. ted morgan @ havasu 1971...

[FUJIMO]

[FUJIMO]

...roy...far right...

[FUJIMO]

[Lake X Kid]

3 time world champion, unretires

https://youtu.be/VuivrKwAO5c

I met Shaun at the Tavares Regatta in 2019. And Bill Seebold, F1 legend was there too.

[FUJIMO]

[FUJIMO]

[FUJIMO]

[Lake X Kid]

The beginning of Corporate Sponsorship in F1 Tunnel Boat Racing.

Cees Vander Velden in Europe had the colors of Marlboro sponsorship.

Then Bob Spalding & fellow Brit Tom Percival in 1973 also flew over the water with smoking John Player Special sponsorship. These corporate backings preceded the USA guys like Bill Seebold as Mr. Bud Light, and Barry Woods with the Concrete Coring Company logo.