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Barry Woods / Scotti-Craft
A couple of weeks ago, a few of us were talking about Barry Woods on S & F. I think I first met him at Havasu in 1970, he was driving a Marathon tunnel powered by a pair of Mercury stackers. He got into some kind of accident and had to beach his boat. I don't remember what he drove in 1971, but in 1972 was running a Schulze powered by a single OMC.
I was wondering what had occurred that caused him to "switch" ….. who contacted who , when and why? One person responded that it may have started because Barry had bought all of the first year Scotti-Craft production and OMC had to go through him to get a boat! I had never heard that story before and was just wondering if anyone on this site could shed some light on this subject.
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Barry Woods AKA "King" Woods Got into Concrete Coring on the Ground Floor
My wife worked for TWA and was gone a couple of days a week. Barry would call me when she was gone. I explained my family's relations ship with the Strang's, Edgar Rose, Doc Jones and Jack Leek. My dad had DQ'd Jack at the 1952 Nationals in Oakland for a cut down gearcase. Ann Strang met me in 1954, when I was 10. She watched me close enough to tell my mom I had had 7 Blue Berry Popsicle. Ann Strang had watched me from when I started racing. I had won the 1967 Chicago to Milwaukee to Chicago Marathon for OMC. First major win for OMC in the modern ear.
I had won Havasu in the "T" Class in 1967 and Jimbo had won "S". My dad and I had recommended Jimbo to Jack Leek. Jack was out in California, making me test a DeSilva, and i told him I wanted to run my Glastron. We made a deal that weekend. Jimbo would drive the single engine Schultz tunnel and Freddy Hauenstein would drive the DeSilva.
Barry, must have been talking notes of our calls, as he would ask various parts again, I'm sure to figure if I was telling the truth.
Barry was always driven to win. First thing he did was "STEAL" the number 35. Barry found out that OPC was dropping the letter off the boats. I had T-35, S-35, SI-35, JJ-35. Losing 35 was no "BIG DEAL" to me as I was able to get 9. I had always been 19-C in kneel down boats.
I got Freddy a job at OMC and Barry started working and co-driving with Fred.
When we went to Europe, 1971, Barry raced a Scotti and I raced a Schultz. Barry might have been leading when he broke down...I remember passing him, he appeared to be wiping tears from his eyes. Billy Seebold and I were having a hell of a race, and Billy barrel rolled down at the Statue of Liberty turn. Then, I broke a crankshaft, I think I might have had a tear in my eyes, too! This was my 3rd Paris, without a win!
My wife had arranged to go to Spain and Portugal....Seems I had lined Barry up to go to Lake Como to meet Scotti. By the time that week was done, Barry and Billy had worn us all out competing with each other. Willabee's wife went home, and then we went to Berlin. Barry went to Como, by the weekend, in Berlin, Barry told me he'd bought every Scotti Craft, Scotti was going to make for 1972.
Where I think I came in on the Scotti deal, Sunday, after the Six Hours of Paris, Scotti went to Jack Leek and requested that I drive with him in Berlin. Scotti didn't speak English, but he like me. I introduced Scotti to Barry that night. Barry knew before, but not well.
Barry raced hard, was a great competitor. He and his wife made lots of money in the concrete coring business. He was great for boat racing.
Barry's Marathon with OMC power and the number 335, but trailer says 35....
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Barry Woods / Scotti-Craft
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ron Hill
.....I got Freddy a job at OMC and Barry started working and co-driving with Fred.
When we went to Europe, 1971, Barry raced a Scotti and I raced a Schultz. Barry might have been leading when he broke down...I remember passing him, he appeared to be wiping tears from his eyes. Billy Seebold and I were having a hell of a race, and Billy barrel rolled down at the Statue of Liberty turn. Then, I broke a crankshaft, I think I might have had a tear in my eyes, too! This was my 3rd Paris, without a win!
My wife had arranged to go to Spain and Portugal....Seems I had lined Barry up to go to Lake Como to meet Scotti. By the time that week was done, Barry and Billy had worn us all out competing with each other. Willabee's wife went home, and then we went to Berlin. Barry went to Como, by the weekend, in Berlin, Barry told me he'd bought every Scotti Craft, Scotti was going to make for 1972.
Where I think I came in on the Scotti deal, Sunday, after the Six Hours of Paris, Scotti went to Jack Leek and requested that I drive with him in Berlin. Scotti didn't speak English, but he like me. I introduced Scotti to Barry that night. Barry knew before, but not well.
Barry raced hard, was a great competitor. He and his wife made lots of money in the concrete coring business. He was great for boat racing.
Hi Ron, thanks for the response. As normally happens, answers to questions generally create more questions ……
..... You are saying there really wasn't any recruiting going on. You and Barry were talking and you and Fred were talking and out of those conversations came an agreement for Barry to co-drive with Fred. Was their first race together Parker in 72?
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I remember Scotti running his own boat at Paris in 71, I haven't found anything that says he was running them earlier. I remember that you, Nordskog and Sanders ran Molinari's and Jimbo ran a Goatboat at Paris in 1970. Do you recall when he started building boats?
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That wonderful Spain/Portugal trip the four of us took was 1972. Both teams had cancelled attending the Berlin race. Merc also cancelled Berlin in 1971, I don't recall if you guys attended. You said the deal Barry made with Scotti was for the 1972 production. I don't remember Barry driving in Paris in 1971, but if he did, maybe that's when he made his trip to Como?
Ron Hill Was Called "Racing Ronnie" By Many
I did a lot of boat racing from 1956 til 1986. I always liked to talk. I raced Stocks first, then Stock and Alky, in 1966 OMC was starting a Team. Charlie and Jack were well aware of the Hill Family. My dad was the oldest Mercury Dealer on the west coast. He never had a retail store.
Charlie and Ann had watched me race at Nationals from 1959 til 1965. Charlie was Referee at the 1964 Nationals where I won D Runabout with a 55-H that Charlie designed and built while at Mercury. I also broke the C and D Runabout Kilo Records that week. Charlie knew we built our own engine, boats and props. And I drove them to wins, many in fact. 56 straight D Runabout wins.
By 1966, I was 22 with 10 year of racing experience. My dad had assisted Orlando Toraganti and Pep Hubbell in building motors (A and B) that beat Waldman's and Jack Leek's motors. Ann and Charlie sponsored Charlie.
Fred Sr. and Fred Jr. came to the 1967 Parker 9 Hour and slept in my motel room, as rooms were few and far between then. In 1968, I asked Fred to Co-Driver with me a Parker.
In talking to Barry on the phone, it was clear he wanted to win races and could put his money where his mouth was. I explained that ANN STRANG ran the show and that she was the one to keep on his side.
People would ask me why I drove for Evinrude, I always answered, "Ann Strang likes me."
Scotti's first boat was raced at the Miami 225, 1969. I blew it over at Havasu, 1971. OMC repaired it, but then scrapped it, as it had real design problems.
I got Freddy his job at Mercury at trophy presentation, after we won the 1978 Enduro. Gary asked me how long had I known Freddy? I said, " all my life." I said, "I got OMC to hire him." Gary asked if Fred would want to work for Mercury. I told Gary I'd go find out. If Fred shakes his head yes, you have a deal... I walked over to Fred and asked if he'd like to work at Mercury, if so shake your head, "YES".
Freddy always tells people I got him his job at Mercury, but I always remind him he's the one that kept it for 31-32 years.
Irony here, Fred and I have always been friends, but his brother Jimmy and I were "BUDDIES". We drank together, we chased women together, we raced together, we were friends for 53 years. Jim died, June 1st, 1997.
I don't know if I answered your questions or caused more!!!
I was to Co-Drive with Scotti in 1971 at Berlin. Ice in the boat in the morning. He broke a crank in the first hour, I headed for home. I think it was the same Scotti in your picture. Are you sure our Portugal/Spain trip wasn't 1971? Because if we weren't going to Berlin, I hauled out for home Monday morning...
Barry Woods / Scotti-Craft
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ron Hill
….. Fred Sr. and Fred Jr. came to the 1967 Parker 9 Hour and slept in my motel room, as rooms were few and far between then. In 1968, I asked Fred to Co-Driver with me a Parker.
In talking to Barry on the phone, it was clear he wanted to win races and could put his money where his mouth was. I explained that ANN STRANG ran the show and that she was the one to keep on his side.
Scotti's first boat was raced at the Miami 225, 1969. I blew it over at Havasu, 1971. OMC repaired it, but then scrapped it, as it had real design problems.
Freddy always tells people I got him his job at Mercury, but I always remind him he's the one that kept it for 31-32 years.
I don't know if I answered your questions or caused more!!!
I was to Co-Drive with Scotti in 1971 at Berlin. Ice in the boat in the morning. He broke a crank in the first hour, I headed for home. I think it was the same Scotti in your picture. Are you sure our Portugal/Spain trip wasn't 1971? Because if we weren't going to Berlin, I hauled out for home Monday morning...
Well 'Racing Ronnie',
I'm not sure if you did either :confused: It appears that Barry decided to run OMC power after conversations with you and Fred. You must have convinced him there was opportunity for a Team ride if he showed some good results? Sounds like his first Team ride may have been Paris in 1971, co-driving a Scotti. Apparently impressed with the boat and having the financial wherewithal, he decided to try to tie up all of Scotti's 1972 production. He told you that he was successful in that endeavor.
As to when did Scotti start building his own boats, it appears to be 1970. He won the 1969 Miami 225 driving a Molinari. Jackie Wilson says he remembers Scotti testing on Lake Como leading up to the 1970 Paris race. I remember the Abbate's testing near the restaurant we normally had lunch, but don't recall a Scotti whizzing by. I remember you, Nordskog & Sanders ran Molinari's, Jimbo ran a new (superfast) Goatboat, Beard ran a pickle fork Cougar and McCune may have run a Schulze. I don't remember what Scotti ran or how his day went.
Lastly, I am positive the "trip" we took was after Paris 1972. That was the only year my wife Peggy attended and she remembers it well. We spent about three weeks in Italy, a week in France and were scheduled for a week in Berlin until Mercury cancelled it's participation. Lynne Seebold got a hold of us at the Hilton and said you, Woods and the Seebold's were going to drive to the Rock of Gibraltar and invited us to join. I think we flew to Madrid, rented two cars and drove to Seville. At that point we were done looking at the countryside and ready to go back to the States. You decided to drive on to the Rock, we grabbed a train to Lisbon and flew home. I know it was 72 because Renato entered a pickle fork in the race for the first time. There was a lot of prerace press coverage on the boat because of who he was and Mercury didn't want any motor problems with that entry. Turned out he did have a motor problem in the first hour, but we were able to fix it in the pits. He won and I got to be Mercury's 'Hero for a Day'. :D
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Pickle fork Molinari 1972 Paris .....
Quote:
. ….. I know it was 72 because Renato entered a pickle fork in the race for the first time. There was a lot of prerace press coverage on the boat because of who he was and Mercury didn't want any motor problems with that entry. Turned out he did have a motor problem in the first hour, but we were able to fix it in the pits. He won and I got to be Mercury's 'Hero for a Day'. :D
Peggy says you're correct, we flew into Lisbon. She remembers the boys driving like they were Mario Andretti & Emerson Fittipaldi !
I'm not good at pictures, but if I did it right, this is the 1972 pickle fork Molinari …..
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Pickle fork Molinari 1972 Paris .....
Quote:
….. , but if I did it right, this is the 1972 pickle fork Molinari …..
….. and in color, courtesy of Lars Strom …..
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1972 Paris Six Hour: Revisited
Willabee, what did you do to Renato's motor, to cause him to win?
Back tracking, a ton, but Charlie Strang hired Rick Keller to time all the OMC boats. (Same Rick Keller that started AMRA). Rick's job was for all the races and was "TOP SECRET". For Paris, 1972, OMC put their top two drivers teaming together based on Rick Keller's numbers. I have no proof of this, but Rick tried to get me to race for him, we went to Carlsbad to test his single in Jones. I told to "burn it". He said, "If I buy a Scotti will you drive for me?" I told him why me? He explained I was the most consistent driver OMC, and consistent out performed their horse power expectations. I said if that is true, OMC has more money than you (Rick), I'm sticking with them.
Rick hired Billy Shoemaker to drive for him. He took my advice on his new Scotti to take the hook out for Billy's weigh.
Anyway, Jimbo started the '72 race and when he pitted, I think he was in the top three, but don't really remember, because when I got in the boat, Kenny and Mouse were trying to replace our new BROKEN flex flywheel.
When I finally got going, I had no clue where we were, except we were behind. At the end of an hour and half I stopped for fuel and Jimbo was in Levi's and wearing his cowboy hat.
I got fuel and took off. After awhile you can kind of feel where you are and who was breaking down. When I stopped again, I was 5th, at 4 1/2 hours and this time Jimbo had his Helmet and Jacket on!
I just gave him the finger and never got out of the boat. I thought I might still win, but we did podium, with a third!
That's my 1972 story!
Picture is from 1964, Charlie Strang was Referee at these Nationals. Ann liked my driving and told me so!
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Beginning of Scotti-Craft .....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Willabee
Well 'Racing Ronnie', ….. As to when did Scotti start building his own boats, it appears to be 1970. He won the 1969 Miami 225 driving a Molinari. Jackie Wilson says he remembers Scotti testing on Lake Como leading up to the 1970 Paris race. I remember the Abbate's testing near the restaurant we normally had lunch, but don't recall a Scotti whizzing by. I remember you, Nordskog & Sanders ran Molinari's, Jimbo ran a new (superfast) Goatboat, Beard ran a pickle fork Cougar and McCune may have run a Schulze. I don't remember what Scotti ran or how his day went.
Just a quick revision regarding the start of Scotti-Craft. After I posted the above, I received some info and pictures from a couple of old boat racers which confirms Scotti was also running a Molinari at Paris in 1970. He struck a barge and damaged the nose and was a DNF. Anyway, since he was driving a Molinari as late as October 1970, I'm pretty certain that 1971 was the beginning of his ON style race boats.
Courtesy of Lars Strom ….. the Scotti/Carlino Molinari at Paris in 1970 …..
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Paris 1972, Jimbo and Ron Hill
My turn to ask a question ….. What did Jimbo have to say after you gave him the one finger salute?
Well, Jimbo and I had won Berlin together in 1970. His watch broke when he was driving and he stopped 15 minutes early. It was my realization I would run out of gas, so I stopped with 15 minutes to go. Jimbo gave me credit for the win.
We finished 3rd, 1972 in Paris, maybe first OMC.
I talked to Jimbo this week on the phone and his wife twice. We have been friends since 1960.
Jimbo's been mad at me twice. He can't remember the first time. But the second time was when I spent all his Indian Head nickels.
Me, on the other hand, have only been made a Jimbo once. And that was over the Black and White Scotti that I was supposed to race in Miami and Parker. But some how, I got the "NEW" Scotti for Parker and Mike Wallace and I were second to Ted and Jimbo in the Black and White Scotti.
If he was mad, 47 years later, he is probably over it!
Jimbo knew and know I have a stubborn streak in me. He knew I was in the boat and I wasn't getting out!
Interesting, 47 Years Later, 1972 Paris Six Hours
Being the "College" educated one, as soon as we hit town, I'd grab Jimbo, maybe Ted May and off I'd take them the the Louve Museum to see the Mona Lisa. The signs always called it the Louver as the French don't pronounce "R" or "T's". So, Ted May always wanted to go with us to the LOUVER.
I vowed that when I was as old as I am now, I'd return to Paris, rent an apartment and stay a year, just to sit at a sidewalk cafe and watch the beautiful women go by....times changed. They women seems to never stop coming by and very beautiful!
Willabee, great story about the timing and fuel load. Enjoyed every word! If for no other reason, I knew it was true.
Lars has apost on Facebook that says, "Jimbo set the fastest lap at the 1972 Six Hour on lap 87" As I explained to Lars, Jimbo wasn't in the boat on lap 87.
Seems, when I took over at an hour and about 45 minutes we were behind by 13 laps. Thinking back on this, seems I'd pass Renator, and of course, I always pulled in front of him and wet the **** out of him. I loved to see his mustache droop!
With an hour and half to go, they said I was in the top ten...I thought, "Hell, I'll just win this thing." I didn't need Jimbo to "BREAK IT".
Do you recall who got second?
I loved that race and the city. The French were dummies but the city was great!
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Barry Had OMC Power First!
Two things I noticed about this picture. Barry had a single Evinrude before he had a twin Merc. And his number was 335, so maybe he was trying to steal my #35 from me when they changed the system.
#380 is Ed Lane running an 18' Single Engine glass Molinari, with twins.
Number 35 was never near and dear to me. 19-C was and is always going to be in my heart. #9 was a good OPC number for the Hill Family!
