Racing reunion in Depue [Archive] - Boat Racing Facts Forums

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Tim Chance

11-15-2006, 04:55 PM

The dates for the 2007 Pro Nationals in DePue are July 25-29, 2007 (tentative pending approval). I'll be there with a lot of family about 10 people. Lets start a list.

Ron Hill

11-15-2006, 09:52 PM

In my little mailer that I sent out I asked if this is going to be an all outboard Racer reunion. Mike Butler, who use to be with Mercury Racing..e-mailed me to asked if I wanted Mercury Racers there too....

I said, "I ain't running this reunion...but Billy Seebold, Myself, Freddy Hauenstein, John Riner Woods, Lee Sutter, Bobby Herring, Bill Jack Rucker, Jr., Jimbo, John Schubert, Dick O'Dea, Dave Nichols....are just some names that "POP" into my head that raced ALKY (PRO) and also OPC....

Seems to me a reunion, about every five years, at DePue, would work well. And make it a CLASSIC BOAT SHOW and Outboard Racer's Reunion...

In case no one has noticed, I like ALL BOAT RACING... I don't focus on size, $$ or speed, just like'm all.

Like I said, "I ain't in charge, but I'll help."

David Weaver

11-16-2006, 04:32 AM

The pits are very full now. I am not sure that there is room for many display boats.

John Schubert T*A*R*T

11-16-2006, 08:43 AM

The pits are very full now. I am not sure that there is room for many display boats.
David,

Yup, pits are full But I'm not sure anyone has an intention to display equipment, although a motor display would be awesome. Isn't there an are just west of where the campers are kind of a little hill leading to it that could be used if required?

John

Ron Hill

11-16-2006, 10:42 AM

Seems lke DePue had a Main Street... If we worked with the city...there could be a display area, away from th race site...The race site, is for the Nationals...

At the Texas reunion, many people brought pictures, Quincy T shirts and stuff... I didn't get to see all the people or all the pictures as one day wasn't enough time...

I wonder if DePue has a High School gym that could be rented for a few days...is there a barn around there anymore????

Isn't the PLAN for more than one day??

racnbns

11-16-2006, 03:35 PM

John--
I'm sure there is room for a display area. That area you mentioned up past the campers is a posibility. I could talk with Paul Bosnich and see what he thinks. They might even block off a street for a block or two for a display area.

Bruce C. Summers
V-81

Ron Hill

11-17-2006, 12:03 AM

Blocking the street off...Having a litle Johnny Cash music playing, maybe a few Brats on the BAR-B-QUE...some 25 cent beers...and maybe some dancing in the streets...

I mean, John Riner Woods has a BRAND NEW DeSILVA Runabout...and he ain;t going to get anyone to loan him a perfectly good C-Service...So, wher eis he going to display his boat???

I could display some props....and talk!!!!

David Mason

11-17-2006, 10:32 AM

John Schubert T*A*R*T

11-17-2006, 12:23 PM

There. Barring the unforseen.

What would be really cool is to get Marshall Grant there. Any chance of this ? I know, at least I saw it last year, where a couple of his old boats are, and still racing today.

Yes that would be great & Wayne Baldwin & Joe Romw are going to try.

I saw the 8 cylinder Konig weekend before last at an antique collector in Michigan. I'm going to see if he'll let me borrow it to display at the reunion.

Gene East

11-18-2006, 07:35 AM

I understand Dick Austin has a trailer with not one, but 4 fully rigged F-Hydros on it.
Wouldn't we all love to see that!
Art Neadeck has a very impressive trailer full of Quincy Welding history that I'm sure he'd love to bring.
Although none of us want to overshadow the actual race that weekend, this reunion could well be one of the biggest events ever in DePue history!

Tim Chance

11-18-2006, 09:26 AM

Yes that would be great & Wayne Baldwin & Joe Romw are going to try.

I saw the 8 cylinder Konig weekend before last at an antique collector in Michigan. I'm going to see if he'll let me borrow it to display at the reunion.

I thought that when Marshal quit that Danny Kirts took that motor apart and made two C's out of it.

Master Oil Racing Team

11-18-2006, 10:13 AM

The last I saw of it Dan was still racing it as an 8 cylinder F on our old Butts Aerowing "Honcho" that we gave to Marshall.

John Schubert T*A*R*T

11-18-2006, 05:43 PM

Mark40H

11-19-2006, 05:59 PM

Just got off the phone with Dick Pond was talking to him about a old runabout I am restoring. If everything goes as planed he will be coming to DePue with me. We hope to bring the old boat with us to display maybe some other old Quincy stuff. John I told Bruce Summers I would help out if needed look forward to seeing everyone in DePue.

Bill Van Steenwyk

11-19-2006, 07:03 PM

Ron:

A year or so ago Bill Seebold SR. called me wanting to know if I knew anybody who would want to run a speedytwin he had just completely rebuilt, in C-Service at DePue nationals that year. I did not know of anyone but If he still has the motor perhaps that is an engine for JRW boat and also perhaps Bill Sr. might want to attend the reuninon. I know his health is not the best these days, but this might be just what the Dr. ordered. If you don't have a way to contact him, let me know and I will do so.

Bill Van

Bill, I'm jumping on you, a litle here, but I e-mailed WOODS..IF HE DOESN'T GET A HOLD OF GRANDPA SEEBOLD, I WILL---Ron Hill

Hey, thanks for posting...

Ron Hill

11-19-2006, 07:26 PM

David Weaver

11-20-2006, 07:33 AM

I know we don't want to TAKE ANYTHING AWAY from the PRO NATIONALS...but maybe on like Wednesday or Thursday we could have some "TEST TIME" for OLD FARTS!!!! (About a half hour a day would be enough...)!!!

Also, after watching the Water Channel, I'd like to consider being a SPONSOR for a K Pro Hydro....First choice would be a YOUNG LADY driver like I saw 8 of racing K Prop... We could have a www.Boatracingfacts.com (http://www.Boatracingfacts.com) K Pro Hydro....

Great idea to sponsor a K PRO. How about sponsoring the whole class? I do not believe that they race for $$'s, just trophies, medals and pride!! You could do something fun with the kids, perhaps T-shirts for each one.

The reunion sounds great. I am not trying to rain on the parade, but a few things to consider:

1) PRO Nationals have not been awarded yet. I am not aware of any other bids, but......

2) The DePue Mens club puts on this race and the festival. The USTS runs the actual racing. Do not make any plans for additional water time without clearing it with the DePue's Mens Club. I guess anyone entering the race course would have to be an APBA member and registered for the weekend's racing (APBA requirement and Insurance policy).

3) The racing days Friday thru Sunday are already stretched thin with good turnouts and lot's of classes of racing. I believe that the 175cc Worlds are also to be held that weekend, adding another 4 heats of racing.

4) Guests should anticipate paying a daily fee to enter the pits and/or race spectator area. Not a big fee, but the Men's Club is trying to break-even or make a profit at the race.

5) Trailers are parked in the large fiels and boats are taken down to the water via dolly or brute muscle. Trailers are not parked by the water, as in the old days.

6) The Awards dinner is held on Friday night.

7) Thursday night might be a good time for a reunion party. You will need to speak with someone locally with regards to potential venues.

Ron Hill

11-20-2006, 09:48 AM

Dave, all great ideas...

Maybe, WWW.BOATRACINGFACTS.COM (http://www.BOATRACINGFACTS.COM) could sponsor the whole K-Pro Class, with donations from members. I could make a T-shirt with all donor's names on it...

If the awards are Friday, what races Saturday and Sunday? Or When do they award Saturday's and Sunday's prizes...

Would working with DePue's Men's Club, for a combination ticket, for the event, including "Classic Boat Show Area" and "Reunion" be an idea?

That 750 World Championships, is that the Super Hydro Class or something like that???

David Weaver

11-20-2006, 10:08 AM

Sorry, the award dinner is held on Saturday night.

175cc World Championship for engines up to 175cc's. Old UIM class that the "Americans" are trying to revive. This class fills a void in speed that the PRO hydro's are experienicing today. Basically, these boats run close to the same speeds as the old FA Konigs. The class is affordable and the speeds are relatively comfortable.

Tim Chance

11-20-2006, 10:28 AM

[QUOTE=RonHill]Dave, all great ideas...

Maybe, WWW.BOATRACINGFACTS.COM (http://www.BOATRACINGFACTS.COM) could sponsor the whole K-Pro Class, with donations from members. I could make a T-shirt with all donor's names on it...

My daughter ran Pro J at the Nationals in Depue when she was a teenage. She finished overall second, she should have won, my fault. I don't remember all the details but she was driving one of five boats entered by Doc Collins. I think it was a 4-heat format. Throw out your worst finish. We ran out of time fueling all five boats and thought she had enough fuel to make it. In that 4th heat she was leading the race and two firsts and a second would make her Champion. She ran out of fuel in the last corner. So instead of two firsts and a second her tally was one first and two seconds for second overall.

But it was a wonderful experience with her driving Pro J. I think K Pro is just as great today and would be willing to donate to whatever you come up with, Ron. How about this for an idea: a GOLD warmup style jacket to the winner. SILVER jacket to second. BRONZE jacket to third. Then nutural color to the rest of the field. I will pm you with more thoughts on this.

Back to my daughter, who is no longer a teenager but a full grown married woman - mother of two (well, not yet 2, but one and 8/9th.) And if everything works out, my deckrider in 1100ccR at Depue next year.

David Mason

11-20-2006, 10:39 AM

[QUOTE=RonHill]Dave, all great ideas...

Maybe, WWW.BOATRACINGFACTS.COM (http://www.BOATRACINGFACTS.COM) could sponsor the whole K-Pro Class, with donations from members. I could make a T-shirt with all donor's names on it...

Back to my daughter, who is no longer a teenager but a full grown married woman - mother of two (well, not yet 2, but one and 8/9th.) And if everything works out, my deckrider in 1100ccR at Depue next year.

Tim, get her back involved, that would be awesome ! Get the grandkids in it as well ! With your SEH project, you might be able to squeeze in a Yamato 80 rig or two for them in Novice !

And oh yeah, great ideas to support this K Pro class. I know when I was racing J, any recognition was incredible to me, and helped me get the bug.

Ron Hill

11-20-2006, 12:01 PM

Ron,

I visited "Big Bill" (Grandpa) Seebold two weeks ago. He and Pauline are currently staying with their daughter, Annette and son-in-law Mike in Hemel, Illinois. Hamel is about 35 minutes from downtown, St. Louis. Bill appears to be recovering nicely from sugery. I think the culrit was Gual Stones...I would think that Billy could bring them to DePue next summer. Too bad O. F. couldn’t be there as well. I’ve lost track of so many of the Alky group….. Is Homer Kincaid still living? How about Lee Sinclair? Someone should put together a list of all the racers from the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s & 80’s and list the living and their addresses/contact…etc… and those that have died… when…etc. Might be kind of a nice way to pay tribute at DePue… especially to those that have passed on. Just a thought. <O:p</O:p

Steveracer

11-20-2006, 03:11 PM

Ron, if you visit the quincylooperracing.com website you may be able to get in touch with some of these people, or at least find out what has happened to some of them. One person that should get some recognition at this years De Pue Nationals will be Larry Latta. Not too many of the west coast racers knew him but we is well known in the pro category. I just heard (on BRF) this morning that he has lost hes battle with cancer. This may be the first De Pue Nationals that he has ever missed.

Gene East

11-20-2006, 09:15 PM

Both Homer and Lee are racing on Lake Paradise, but they along with Larry certainly will never be forgotten.