Jerry Kirts--Jim Stone

700 cc HYDRO APBA PRO
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
The 1980 PRO National Championship for class 700 cc hydro is dedicated to the memory of the late Jim Stone from Orange Park, Florida. Jim died of injuries received in the OD World Championships last April. He was the defending National Champion in this class and also holds the World Competition Record of 98.96 miles per hour. In 1978 Jim won the 500 cc hydro National Championship, national high point champion in 250 cc, 350 cc and 850 cc hydros and was inducted into American Power Boat Association Hall of Champions. Jim is greatly missed by the racers, pit crews, their families, and his fans.

National Champions for the past five years.
1975 Fred Hauenstein Oshkosh, Wis. Boat no. C-6
1976 Jerry Kirts Bristol, Ind. Boat no. H-l
1977 Jerry Kirts Bristol, Ind. Boat no. H-l
1978 Wayne Baldwin Sandia, Tex. Boat no. T -73
1979 Jim Stone Orange Park, Fl. Boat no. F-888

Speed Records
World Straightaway 1 kilometer 110.254 Wayne Baldwin -Sandia, Tex.
World Competition 5 miles/3 laps 98.96 Jim Stone -Orange Park, Fla.
National Competition 5 miles/3 laps 90.817 Bob Rhoades -Renton, Wash.
National Competition 5 miles/4 laps 83.643 Barry Lewis -Renton, Wash.

Most motors in this class are Konig built in West Berlin. Some drivers prefer the American built Merc-Quincy typically identifiable by the open tuned exhaust stacks. If water conditions are good the lightweight wooden hydros will reach speeds of up to 110 mph. The engines will develop between 130 and 150 horsepower at 9,500 to 11 ,000 RPM's. They use no gasoline. The fuel is methanol with castor oil or a synthetic oil mixed with it to provide lubrication.
A maximum of twelve drivers can compete and the champion is the driver with the highest point total of two heats.

This is a pic of Jerry Kirts (H-1) and Jim Stone (F-8881)