Roy Ridgell Asked OMC Drivers Vs Mercury Drivers
Roy Ridgell How does that OMC rooster compare to Merc’s impressive line-up of contemporaries Bill Sirois, Billy Seebold, Renato Molinari , Bob Herring, Reggie Fountain, and Cees Velden? To name just a few. I'll add: Don Pruett, Buck Thornton, Lee Sutter, Jim Mertens, Brett May, Dick Sherrer and Dave Packer....come to mind.
Evinrude had:
Jimbo
Mike Wallace
Barry Woods
Ted May
Caesar Scotti
Ron Hill
Johnson had:
Johnny Sanders
Tommy Posey
Art Kennedy
Fred Hauenstein
John Schubert
Mac McCune
Bill Shoemaker
Musn't forget the "Slick Swede"..............
.....Lasse Strom!!
And in addition to being a pretty fair driver (see the Championship list he achieved while competing, on this site) not many have contributed to the History of Boat Racing on BRF as he has.
Egos separate Renato and Gary G. ?
I had been at Mercury for about a year and was still a little wet behind the ears so didn't really know what was going on but thought it was neat that I was driving Renato, his girlfriend, and dad from Oshkosh to Fond du Lac for meetings with our President during the contract negotiations. But after GG filled me in. He didn't want to be anywhere near Renato because of the power struggle going on so I was elected to drive him around. I just wish I had spoken Italian. I think everyone knows what happened after that.[/QUOTE]
Two big egos apparently had to go separate ways. I do not know what eventually happen. Enlighten us with the Gary Garbrecth and Renato Molinari conflict.
Both men made a mark in the racing circuit of outboard racing, and sometimes the pond is to little for two big fish.
It Is Little That I Really Know About Gary Garbrecht and Renato Molinari
The first year that I raced in the Paris Six Hour, with Ted May, I knew nothing of Europe. In the early days of the six hour the rumor was whoever led the first lap never won. In 1967, Renato lowed of the first lap, I was told, so he didn't lead. He still didn't win.
Italians, are like pilots....You can tell them, but you can't tell them much. In 1968, my first Paris Six Hour experience, Renato led all six hours. Our Evinrude team ended up second and third, about 20 laps behind.
Molinari boats were really "VIOLINS", as they were beautiful pieces of wood. (Not to mention their designs).
Renato came to Havasu in 1968-1969 ...
By Paris 1970, Renato was convinced that Gary Garbrecht had motors that had "EXTRA" power for "HIS" drivers.
Backing up some, after the Molinari hull (s) won Paris in 1966-67, Carl (Mr. K) signed Molinari to an exclusive contract to Mercury.
My memory might be fading here, but it seems Bill Sirois won Havau in 1970 and 1971.
Anyway, Paris, 1970.....Renato asked Gary (On Friday) if Bill Sirois's motor is like his. Gary assured Renato the motors were the same.
On Saturday, Renato asked Gary, again, if his motor had the same power a Sirois's. Gary assured him they were the same...
Sunday morning, same questions, same answers.......Only this time Renato tells Gary, they "BRIBED" the security guard and changed motors with Sirois's powerhead.
Renato led the first lap but anders and Posey won with a Johnson...........This was 1970...Seeds were being planted!