Champ Boat @ Bay City

[spn#43]

Any news?????

[MN1]

I found this from a local newspaper I think.
Mark




Safety is key for speedboat spectators
Injury to boy on Friday is reminder that event can be dangerous Saturday, June 23, 2007By ALEX PIAZZATIMES WRITER
Hundreds of people will be lining the Saginaw River this weekend as boats scream past at speeds exceeding 100 mph.

At some spots, the only thing separating the two is a 3-foot guard rail, so safety becomes a major issue - one that came into play Friday even before the Dobson Industrial Inc. River Roar officially began.

A 6-year-old Reese boy was treated for injuries at Bay Regional Medical Center after being hit in the face by an object while watching test runs at the 20th annual boat race in downtown Bay City.


Jackson Louchart was watching the action with his family around noon at the end of Fourth Street, near Water Street.

Witnesses said it appeared that an object broke off from one of the boats racing on the Saginaw River. The object nicked the guard railing and hit Louchart, witnesses said.

Bob French, Louchart's grandfather, said the object chipped one of the boy's front teeth, but he suffered no further injuries.

''It definitely could have been worse,'' French said.

An officer from the Bay City Police Department filed a report on the injury.

Boat testing officially began at 12:30 p.m., nearly a half-hour before Louchart was struck.

Safety is an issue that hits close to home for Greg Kimbrue, co-owner of The Kingfish Restaurant & Tiki Lounge, 1019 N. Water St.

[Miss BK]

A few minutes ago I got this info:


Todd Bowden is on the pole for the final F1 (which starts at noon), next to Tim Seebold, Chris Fairchild, Shaun Torrente and Terry Rinker.

Kevin Ladd on pole for F2

Jose Mendana Jr on pole for F-Lights

Read the entire press release at http://www.apba-racing.com under NEWS

I'll also post the final results as soon as I get them!

[tthibodaux]

Tim Seebold WINS... Also another great job by Chris Fairchild with his second place finish. Third went to Shaun Torrente.

The Champboat website has the full race recap. www.champboat.com

[Bill Gohr]

I was there and you weren't........


Timmy won, Bowden led for a while but it sounded like the motor went away, Todd was flying, Fairchild and Shaun duked it out for a while behind Timmy, Chris got out on Shaun and kept going but Timmy was too far out on him. Wyatt crashed in lap 38 on the restart, Timmy got out on the restart and that was it. It was really rough, lots of oohs and aaahs in front of the judges stand.

Champ2.........Kris Shepard, flag to flag, started second, He got to the first turn first and never looked back.

I do have to say the best show of driving skill was by Mark Major. I wish we had it on video. In the second 10 lapper him and Wyatt got together in turn 2, took the whole front off Mark's boat. He kept going. He stood the boat up like Guido doing a wheelie at the end of the race. Ran half way down the back straight, cut across the infield, turned down the front straight, made the right turn into the ramp area, and dropped it on the trailer, the hole time riding it on a wheelie. He was pissed, but I had to walk over, shake his hand and tell him how cool it looked.

[spn#43]

I was there and you weren't........

Hahaha...thanks buddy....how come I didn't see you on the starting list then?????

Anyway thanks for a great report....I knew you were good for something, if not driving then you sure got a carrier as a pit reporter.:p :p :p :p :D

That boat was build with that in mind. (DAC that is) lol...lol...:D

[Miss BK]

What we heard about Bowden was his trim motor EXPLODED :eek: and that may be why it sounded like a motor popping.

Also, Tim was running his wood boat and Mark Major was in Tim's back up after his boat was tore up. Question is: Was Mark running Tim's composite hull in the final?

I've seen Mark do some pretty fascinating "balancing acts" before....Remember Toledo? When he kept that boat from sinking by leaning his body off the deck, keeping the port sponson up, like a windsurfer?

[Bill Gohr]

Billy told me last fall he had someone to buy the composite boat, the boat that Mark was driving was wood, I was looking at it with Ted G. after the race, I asked Ted if he bought it or leased it. I told him since Mark did so well in it that he should buy it for him for a present.............

[wayne worthy]

Todd did not have engine problems, it was has trim pump (2nd one of the weekend). We replaced one in the sunday am testing and he lost another one in the final??? Something strange going on??? Shaun had intermitten trim problems the whole race as well that's why he got passed.
Mr. Bill loan Mark Major the boat to keep him in the points race. Mr. Bill told me he was sweating it because Mike is going to run that boat in St Louis.

[Ron Hill]

1. You guys didn't happened to take lesson from "Frick and Frack (AKA as Ron Hill and Rod Zapf).... When we were using Mickey Schwarzenbach's hoist, she sparked a little and Zapf just told me to make sure I had a good contact....I had a great contact but the battery blew all to hell....Seems you can't really reverse all the wires and make things run backwards...I assume, you weren't running 48 volts through those trim pumps??? But, what happened??

2. Where'd you get the Stoker you're going to run a The Blue Water Resort and Casino 300 Enduro???

And queston 3. Are you driving with Nathan????

Not sure how old you are, Wayne, but them Mod VP's is faster than I remember them....

Good racing to you at St. Louis....Seems you guys DESERVE a win....

Question 4...Did Fred Bowden's "STACKER" trailer make it to Bay City???? (For awhile I thought I might be the driver of that thing......I got work to do, I'm busy)....

Thanks for posting, please post often...

ADD:

Two weeks ago, I call Jimmy Harris and say, "Harris, I mean Jimmy....I got 8 women without a boat can you help????" He goes, OLE MAN....NO!!! I helped out at the Jet Ski race and got water in my motor and the bill is $5,000 to fix it and I've got to work??? Harris??? Work??? 8 Women??? Maybe, he doesn't trust me anymore???? (As if he ever did)..... http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3867&highlight=Harris

LAST ADD HARRIS:

I have about four Yamaha V-6 Motors, one or two are on loan from Ham Hamburger...I get this bill for about $5,000 for a NEW motor....I tell Yamaha I don't know anything about a "NEW" motor...Something is said about "Harris"..I go..Hmmm... About three days later chad and i are going down the freeway and we see a BRAND NEW YAMAHA V-6 Pontoon Boat...we slow up to look at it...and who is driving down the freeway towards the river??????

I call Yamaha and tell them, "You know, I don't HAVE that motor you are billing me for..." Just one of those "DEALS"....

Fred Bowden if fun to deal with, because you know Fred WINS when he deals....

[wayne worthy]

1) We haven't dug into the problem yet??
2) Fred says that he has a 2nd Stoker??
3) 58 and old enough to know better, but that is younger than Fred and if he can do it so can I!! and I drive fast boats all the time.
4) the stacker made it to Bay City and Nathan and I brought it back to Missouri with us and parked it in the race shop.

Can we run a bass boat in the race? I have a Bullet bass boat with a Yamaha HPDI 250hp. Those models come with a cresent style gearcase.

[Ron Hill]

You know Fred...I know of ONE Stoker....

I FEEL a BASS BOAT being a VEE HULL is a legal Division IV. Division IV is any VEE HULL and Current OUTBOARD SKI RACE rules, except NO MOD VP HULLS...VEE HULL ONLY.... I'm not an OFFICIAL or ON THE RULES COMMITTEE, but, current Outboard Ski Rules allows 300 HP, prop shaft even with the bottom.

I'd plan to run the Bullett.....I ain't asked Fred, but maybe he ordered a NEW STOKER....would NOT surprise me!

[wayne worthy]

He says that he has a used Stoker with a 200 merc. That's why I said I wanted to run my Yamaha bassboat motor.

[Bill Gohr]

V Hulls only, prop shaft even with the bottom? I thought this was that 80 mph class? So I can bring my center steer XR 2002 with a 260 on it?????

[Bill Gohr]

This one?

[wayne worthy]

Bring it Gohr!! We can get a big lead and stop and fish a little:D :D

[Bill Gohr]

I'll have to see if I can find some lightweight rod holders.........

[Ron Hill]

Actually, with the small mouth bass having little fishing pressure and "Catch and Release" by most fishermen anymore, at you 2 ten minute pit stops you could probably catch and release a few...

It would be smarter, to win the race first, then go down to Bowden's PALACE and fish off his patio.....

Bill, any chance you coming to DePue for the Reunion??? This is a BOAT RACER's Reunion..you know.....!!!! Love to have you come to The Blue Water Resort and Casnio 300 Enduro, October 20, 2007....

ADD Fishermen: They all have one thing in common.....and you KNOW what that is, right???? They ALL LIE!!!!

Boat 34 BMB Storage Parker, Arizona.....BRF T-Shirt.

[tthibodaux]

Never mind the tri hull, I'm bringin the race boat..:eek: ;)

[vishus]

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t119/sid_vishus/allydesk.jpg

those "other" Allisons would put a hurt on me...

[wayne worthy]

This what I'm talking about

[Ron Hill]

Being PINK and ALL... this is a CHICK BOAT???...Chicks winning Parker??? What will Robbie Gordon say???

Rumor of the DAY:

Greg Foster will be at St. Louis driving a Seebold hull that was owned by Sherman-Williams (Now oened by Greg "Seaway Marine" Jacobsen.......and Greg Foster ain't going to St. Louis for his health!!!!!

Just a rumor you know!!!!

[MN1]

Rumor of the DAY:

Greg Foster will be at St. Louis driving a Seebold hull that was owned by Sherman-Williams (Now oened by Greg "Seaway Marine" Jacobsen.......and Greg Foster ain't going to St. Louis for his health!!!!!

Just a rumor you know!!!!

Maybe with a OMC?
Mark

[Ron Hill]

Greg Foster AKA the "Madman Across the Water" will be behind the wheel of this Sea Way Marine owned,(Greg Jacobsen) Evinrude powered, Seebold tunnel....at St. Louis...and as Greg Foster said today, "I don't go to boat races to race, I go to win..."

Greg has turned down a ride at the Colorado race...Just an FYI!!!

[tthibodaux]

If you want to see PURE talent and CRAZY driving I would suggest being in St Louis to watch Greg race. As a kid I was very lucky to spend my summers at the races so I have seen most of the best tunnel boat drivers in the world race.

Some guys like Billy were just smooth and fast and some guys just fast. Mr. Foster just a MADMAN on the edge of out of control at all times.

I'd like to see Greg and Guido in equal equipment on the same race coarse.

Hell, you never know, Guido may learn that you can be out of control and respectful to other drivers at the same time.:D

[john miffco]

is there any links for photos from bay city?

[wayne worthy]

John, great run in Bay City. Smoke 'em in the qualifying heat!!

[john miffco]

hey wayne,,,
thanks,,,,,i kept it loose
i didnt get to test any when i hurt new motor
threw on old dirt motor and went straight to heat races
got a 1st and 4th,,,,,,had 2nd on dock locked up for main
till i went to scale to find i was 2 lbs light,,,,,,dammit
guess i shouldnt have used the RR before the race
my own fault for no testing or pre weighing,,,worked on others boats instead of mine,,,,,,,,,,,,
but in main still went from last on dock to 4th and had a blast,,,,,,,,

but hey now i can say i got the guts to race bay city without adding weight,,,,,,,

todd should have had a trophy at aug and bay
i missed my trophys at bay and highlands from the same bad luck
oh well thats racing.......
john

[DKL]

John,
Have you heard anything about the Flemming's ? Rigging new boat? fixing old boat? out for the year?

If you have Johnny's number PM it to me please, Their shop is some where up here by me but I don't know where.

Thanks
Doug

[Ron Hill]

V Hulls only, prop shaft even with the bottom? I thought this was that 80 mph class? So I can bring my center steer XR 2002 with a 260 on it?????

Bill Gohr...

We, in California, like usual, are light years ahead of the rest of the WORLD...Having said that...Let me explain the word NOSTALGIA

NOSTALGIA is a class with an 80 MPH speed limit...I as a futurist, see NOSTALGIA as being larger than McDonalds or the NRA, some day......because you know that damn near any boat will go 80, but you can't "BREAK OUT" and the GPS has been a great "FUN" maker...we, in California run Nostalgia, Jet, Nostalgia Flat Bottom and Nostalgia Endurance. No one person has argued with the GPS speed...One lap penalty for speeding...

Jets is jets.

Flat bottoms is flat bottoms.

Endurance is: Hydros, GN Vee Hull, Cracker Boxes, Outboards, ET's and Allison powered boats...basically, "Run what you brung"...no boat left behind...Fun being the reason to race NOSTALGIA...

Now The Blue Water Resort and Casino 300 Enduro is a HANDICAPPED RACE...There is no speed limit in this race, there are staggered starts with the SLOW boats starting first...VEE HULL outboard have no speed limit, they are division IV...Third overall last year, was a Division IV boat and I think the same for the first year...

California ain't never seen an Allison with a V-6 Outboard...and I think, Division IV is ripe to win overall...problem is, you must run 300 miles....and beat the others...

I bought the Laser because J. Christian Bush told me no boat he ever drove turned better than a Laser 380 Ray and I consider Chris Bush and EXPERT on Vee Hulls.......Pat Bowman showed turning ability to be true with a second place in the Nostalgia Endurance Final at Parker April. 2007...

So: The Blue Water Resort and Casino 300 Enduro at Parker (October 20, 2007) has no speed limit.

Nostalgia has an 80 MPH speed limit...Nostalgia does not run at the Enduro...Same type of boats, just no speed limit.

[tacobellprop]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Vhf-jW8Iqy0


Will someone explain to me why the champboat website can't upload pictures soon after races??? They seem to be able to edit and upload videos files....wtf.....and if it's because of that slide show thing they use, they need to stop using that shxt.
Also, the pictures are small. They got a 10 inch monitor or something???

[MN1]

It looked like a YEEEEHAAA to me!!! Or maybe it was a PUFF!!!
Mark

[Bill Gohr]

I have another boat for your 80mph class, so you can go on another road trip. A friend of mine has a Starcraft Eagle I think they called it. That was another boat made out of the 380 mold. It has a 235 Evinrude that I built for it years ago, may even have an even fire crank in it. It's blue and silver metalflake, full interior, trailer. It is on the south west side of Chicago.

[tthibodaux]

John,
Have you heard anything about the Flemming's ? Rigging new boat? fixing old boat? out for the year?

If you have Johnny's number PM it to me please, Their shop is some where up here by me but I don't know where.

Thanks
DougCurtis Nunez is over to eat with us today and he just told me that Johnny ordered a new Revolution boat and should be ready to race soon.;) :D

[DKL]

New boat?????
Just a rumor,went by the shop and spoke to James myself, their fixing the old boat the best they can,I helped them work on it all day ,amazing what Gorilla glue , duct tape and a little plywood can do. Should be ready for Orange!!!:) maybe it will hold up for a couple races.

DkL

[tthibodaux]

New boat?????
Just a rumor,went by the shop and spoke to James myself, their fixing the old boat the best they can,I helped them work on it all day ,amazing what Gorilla glue , duct tape and a little plywood can do. Should be ready for Orange!!!:) maybe it will hold up for a couple races.

DkLOk...?? Not real sure why Curtis said they wanted to barrow a couple of his props to try???? Thanks for the real story.;)

[DKL]

Yep, like putting a jigsaw puzzle together, all that Okume saw dust and epoxy,but hey it's starting to come together.:D

[wayne worthy]

New boat?????
Just a rumor,went by the shop and spoke to James myself, their fixing the old boat the best they can,I helped them work on it all day ,amazing what Gorilla glue , duct tape and a little plywood can do. Should be ready for Orange!!!:) maybe it will hold up for a couple races.

DkL

Funny thing, I heard from Timmy Seebold that they did buy a Revolution???

[tthibodaux]

Looks like ALOT of work to me.:rolleyes:

[DKL]

That's just a scratch , a junior high woodshop class could fix that,, whats the old Bionic man saying,,,, We can rebuild it ,,Stronger,,,Faster ,,,ect ect.