carl lewis
03-31-2007, 07:34 PM
This shot was from Philadelphia Pa. in 1978, we had just run at Portsmouth where Jimbo set the record. a few days before, and this race was on July 4th.
We arrived at the pits early in the morning, the race was run on the river separating New Jersey and Pa.
The security arrived while we were prepping the boat, it was a bus full of phillys best wearing riot gear, this should have given me some idea what the day was going to be like.
the weather was crap, they ran a few classes, SJ maybe SE but it was way to windy and rough to really race. There were quite a few spectators so the promoter got with Bill Seebold and decided to put the mod U boats on the water (there was a good cash prize for the big boats to race) so like I said bill somehow got this thing going, I believe the promoter told Bill that if you guys get in the water we will pay you X not a race but a "show" well Bill didnt tell anyone else about the deal except that the race was on.
so he goes out there and stalls and doesnt make the starting line(still getting paid for being on the water though) but Fred, Barry,Packer and I think Buck race. If you look at the picture the flag on the submarine is flying full so that should give you an idea what it was like.
How any of these guys finished I have no idea but they did, later that evening at the banquet I remember Barry being really pissed at the promoter wanting his full share of the prize money (not sure if he ever got it) .
So enough of the pomp and big wigs I decide to take a walk outside and watch the fireworks, got a six pac of Bud (they were selling them on the street corners and I headed to the pits to check on the boat (about 4 blocks)
the boat was fine as the riot squad boys were keeping a real good eye on things.
So I was walking down the promenade and this cop drove up wanting to know what in the hell I was doing out there in the dark? well I had my team Evinrude jacket on, told him I was checking on the boat and was heading back to the hotel, he says "get in" now I don't know if I'm busted for being somewhere I shouldn't be or drinking in public or what so I say "well I'm drinking a beer" he says "got any more?" well I didn't so here we are driving in his car, he's telling me he is doing shore patrol because he blew away some guy this week and his boss is pissed. so off we go to the hotel, keep in mind there are about 20,000 people who are trying to leave downtown since the fireworks show is over the other cops are trying to direct traffic out of downtown and this guy is trying to get into downtown, he has his blue lights on going, on the sidewalk, around cars and pissing off the other cops they are yelling, he is yelling right back and all I want to do is get back to the hotel.
So we finally pull up I hop out, finish the rest of my can crush it and set on the floor of his car and say thanks for the ride. There were a few racers and crew having a cold one outside in the little courtyard bar and I did get some looks when I drove up, got out, smiled and went inside.Quite the night in Philly!!. The next stop was Valleyfield now there's a place!!!!!!
Carl
We arrived at the pits early in the morning, the race was run on the river separating New Jersey and Pa.
The security arrived while we were prepping the boat, it was a bus full of phillys best wearing riot gear, this should have given me some idea what the day was going to be like.
the weather was crap, they ran a few classes, SJ maybe SE but it was way to windy and rough to really race. There were quite a few spectators so the promoter got with Bill Seebold and decided to put the mod U boats on the water (there was a good cash prize for the big boats to race) so like I said bill somehow got this thing going, I believe the promoter told Bill that if you guys get in the water we will pay you X not a race but a "show" well Bill didnt tell anyone else about the deal except that the race was on.
so he goes out there and stalls and doesnt make the starting line(still getting paid for being on the water though) but Fred, Barry,Packer and I think Buck race. If you look at the picture the flag on the submarine is flying full so that should give you an idea what it was like.
How any of these guys finished I have no idea but they did, later that evening at the banquet I remember Barry being really pissed at the promoter wanting his full share of the prize money (not sure if he ever got it) .
So enough of the pomp and big wigs I decide to take a walk outside and watch the fireworks, got a six pac of Bud (they were selling them on the street corners and I headed to the pits to check on the boat (about 4 blocks)
the boat was fine as the riot squad boys were keeping a real good eye on things.
So I was walking down the promenade and this cop drove up wanting to know what in the hell I was doing out there in the dark? well I had my team Evinrude jacket on, told him I was checking on the boat and was heading back to the hotel, he says "get in" now I don't know if I'm busted for being somewhere I shouldn't be or drinking in public or what so I say "well I'm drinking a beer" he says "got any more?" well I didn't so here we are driving in his car, he's telling me he is doing shore patrol because he blew away some guy this week and his boss is pissed. so off we go to the hotel, keep in mind there are about 20,000 people who are trying to leave downtown since the fireworks show is over the other cops are trying to direct traffic out of downtown and this guy is trying to get into downtown, he has his blue lights on going, on the sidewalk, around cars and pissing off the other cops they are yelling, he is yelling right back and all I want to do is get back to the hotel.
So we finally pull up I hop out, finish the rest of my can crush it and set on the floor of his car and say thanks for the ride. There were a few racers and crew having a cold one outside in the little courtyard bar and I did get some looks when I drove up, got out, smiled and went inside.Quite the night in Philly!!. The next stop was Valleyfield now there's a place!!!!!!
Carl