carl lewis
05-18-2007, 08:46 PM
So a few weeks ago I was talking with Wayne and he said I should post here...
Well last year I went to an 1/10th scale electric hydro race here in the Northwest, they do about 42 MPH and are scale unlimited's from the 50's-through the modern hulls. Needless to say I was way impressed and figured I had to have one.
Since I started racing outboards in the late '60's and have driven in most stock, mod and a few pro classes I figured it was time to try a new equation (plus my Dr. really has stressed that my neck wont like another crash) so I acquired a boat,the 1954 GALE V.
It is by no means the fastest in the fleet, in fact it is most likely one of the slowest one's out there, however since the boat is still faster than I am it is just fine for now.
The first race I did quite well keeping it around the buoys (hard task) and finished two 3rds and a 4th by attrition and making the consolations heat.
The next race Pat Gleason was there helping me along,it was cool as our kids were at Lake Lawrence racing outboards and us old fart's were about 60 miles away racing RC's
well DNS the first two heats had some water in the circuits problems , got that figured out and ran 3rd in the next heat.
A few things I have learned for a rookie, the CG makes a big difference as to where you put the batteries as how the boat handles, and try to drive a straight line. ( it is easier to drive a "real " boat than one of these )
So for the semi-semi final Gleason hooked me up with a REAL good battery,
well all I can say is racing outboards does help as I did real well on my starts hitting the clock right on the mark and leading through the first turn until I got blown off by the faster boats, any way back to the race I hit the start in the semi, the boat was going faster than it ever has ran and most likely faster than it was designed to go I led through the first turn in lane one and blew the damn thing right over exiting the turn, I just could not believe it, but it was a cool blowover.
All was well until someone plowed in to it and somewhat crushed the sponson and broke the cockpit in half. The good news was the driver was floating upright in his seat and ok, I was ready for a beer.
Typical boat racer, so after all the mayhem and my broken boat I walked down the beach and put a deposit down on a newer hull that has been proven to be a front runner. I just hope I can get up to speed and be a good driver with this club.
Wayle has asked for some pics and I will get them on here soon.
hope this doesn't bore you all but it is really fun to race with quite a few other boats around you and trying to drive it with a stick. This reminds me of the years many years ago racing J hydro and not having a clue as to what to do.
Carl 94-R (U-55)
Well last year I went to an 1/10th scale electric hydro race here in the Northwest, they do about 42 MPH and are scale unlimited's from the 50's-through the modern hulls. Needless to say I was way impressed and figured I had to have one.
Since I started racing outboards in the late '60's and have driven in most stock, mod and a few pro classes I figured it was time to try a new equation (plus my Dr. really has stressed that my neck wont like another crash) so I acquired a boat,the 1954 GALE V.
It is by no means the fastest in the fleet, in fact it is most likely one of the slowest one's out there, however since the boat is still faster than I am it is just fine for now.
The first race I did quite well keeping it around the buoys (hard task) and finished two 3rds and a 4th by attrition and making the consolations heat.
The next race Pat Gleason was there helping me along,it was cool as our kids were at Lake Lawrence racing outboards and us old fart's were about 60 miles away racing RC's
well DNS the first two heats had some water in the circuits problems , got that figured out and ran 3rd in the next heat.
A few things I have learned for a rookie, the CG makes a big difference as to where you put the batteries as how the boat handles, and try to drive a straight line. ( it is easier to drive a "real " boat than one of these )
So for the semi-semi final Gleason hooked me up with a REAL good battery,
well all I can say is racing outboards does help as I did real well on my starts hitting the clock right on the mark and leading through the first turn until I got blown off by the faster boats, any way back to the race I hit the start in the semi, the boat was going faster than it ever has ran and most likely faster than it was designed to go I led through the first turn in lane one and blew the damn thing right over exiting the turn, I just could not believe it, but it was a cool blowover.
All was well until someone plowed in to it and somewhat crushed the sponson and broke the cockpit in half. The good news was the driver was floating upright in his seat and ok, I was ready for a beer.
Typical boat racer, so after all the mayhem and my broken boat I walked down the beach and put a deposit down on a newer hull that has been proven to be a front runner. I just hope I can get up to speed and be a good driver with this club.
Wayle has asked for some pics and I will get them on here soon.
hope this doesn't bore you all but it is really fun to race with quite a few other boats around you and trying to drive it with a stick. This reminds me of the years many years ago racing J hydro and not having a clue as to what to do.
Carl 94-R (U-55)