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Thread: Bowden Development.... Fred Bowden

  1. #11
    Team Member MN1's Avatar
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    These are some of best crash photos I've taken. Here are two, but there are a series of 7 or 8 photos of the crash. Fred has the entire set.
    Mark Nelson
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  2. #12
    Administrator Ron Hill's Avatar
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    Default First Lady of Outboard Racing....

    Today, 10/26/06, I took Diane Bowden some ROSES and left her a card that said, "First Lady of Outboard Racing". Fred and Diane have helped many young racers, and as I've written before, my son was one.

    This last weekend, Fred and Diane were to move into their new....6,500 foot house or 6,500 garage...Big house and big garage...But Fred told Diane they were going to Parker for the Blue Water Casino 300......Knowing myself, I know races are quite exciting when your kid (s) are racing, but Todd Bowden wasn't racing....

    Diane, came to Parker and cooked an amazing dinner for about 14 or more...super homemade desserts....

    During the race when I thought I might explode, Diane just said, "It will be Ok, Ron.... You love it all."

    Truth is I DO LOVE IT ALL, but as Cory (Hill) said whe the race was over, a sign of true love, she said, "I'm so happy for Chad." I guess I really wanted Chad to win this race....

    Anyway, all week I've been trying to figure out how to THANK DIANE BOWDEN....So, today, I FIGURED ROSES would maybe be a good way....I made palns, made phone calls, but I still missed her....I guess, I wanted to see that SPARKLE in her eyes....I've known Diane for 29 years, she's always been SO NICE TO ME....

    Predictions:

    Todd Bowden will race the Blue Water Casino 300 in 2008. AND, I predict, that Todd Bowden will race Formula One, on the WORLD Curcuit in 2008.....

    and the most bizarre prediction: BOWDEN DEVELOPMENT INC. will buy the gravel pit next to Irwindale Raceway and build Bowden Marine Stadium, with water front condo around the "STADIUM"....
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    Last edited by Ron Hill; 02-19-2018 at 07:34 PM.

  3. #13
    Administrator Ron Hill's Avatar
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    Default Fred's Office...

    Fred goes to car shows, and Run to the Sun was this last weekend in Havasu. He has a '39 Mercury that (Murray) built, and he always wins in these shows. But this year (2006) he didn't sign up for the show because he was going hunting...Until Chad Hill called and said...."Fred, I need help"....

    Brad Miller's secretary once told me, when Brad owned Del Taco (93 Mexican Restaurants), that she kept track and that out of every 100 calls, 90 were to borrow money...I'll bet, that that is the way it is with Fred....but he took Chad's call... and I can't help but thank Fred for the SUPPORT...

    Here are a few quick pictures from Fred's office. When Fred dedicates a street, in the Enduro Estates, to Hill Racing...maybe I'll put some more pictures up...

    The race with all he SPECTATORS WAS IN CUBA. Carlos Kuri sponsored a curcuit in Mexico that also included two races in Cuba....Todd told me from Sunday after the race until Sunday the next week was the most boring week of his life...

    Truth is, as I see it, Fred may race Champboats/Formula Ones, but he still loves, as I do, MOD VP!!!

    One Last Add:

    I know that Fred enjoyed the weekend, but had his late brother, LARRY, been there, he'd have enjoyed it more...
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  4. #14
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    Default Fred

    Ron, glad to see the post on Fred, Diane and family. I think I met Fred in 1978 during the Mod VP days and we have been friends ever since. I would have to agree that Fred and his family are just great people. I worked with Fred and Bruce when Todd started SST60 and can honestly say that no matter what happened Fred always had something postive to say. Fred is one of those unsung heroes of APBA boat racing. If I am lucky, I see Fred once a year at a boat race. I envy you being close enough to visit whenever you wish.
    Jim
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  5. #15
    Tomtall
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    Thumbs up California Gold Race Team

    Fred has sponsored many a boat racer. Here is a small example of Freds team from an article in the January 1991 "National Circle Boat" magazine.
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  6. #16
    Administrator Ron Hill's Avatar
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    Default Nerstrom....

    Anyway, I was talking to Fred, I was thinking what "NERSTROM" had said about Fred Bowden.....Fred is considered "NEW RICH" as I think he (Fred) is amazed, himself, at how much money he has made.

    BDI, Bowden Development Inc. is sponsoring THE APBA NIGHT TO REMEMBER DINNER, next January, 2007, at the APBA NATIONAL CONVENTION.

    There is no doubt, that Fred Bowden his been a GREAT DRIVING FORCE in BOAT RACING... I have said it before and I'll say it again. Fred has helped many a young driver, including my son and he'll do it again...AND he is a BIG SPONSOR in Champboat .....

    NOTE TO FRED: Russell Ouboards may have a racing motor named CALIFORNIA GOLD....IF you name some of your streets, at Parker, after FAMOUS BOAT RACERS.......Like Ted May...Jimbo...Seebold Blvd....

    Stay tuned..as Fred is LEARNING HOW TO E-MAIL...
    Last edited by Ron Hill; 03-23-2018 at 03:55 PM.

  7. #17
    Composite Specialties
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    Default Boat Mfg

    Can anyone tell me who built this boat?
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  8. #18
    Team Member Miss BK's Avatar
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    Oh my gosh! My mind has gone absolutely blank..and the builder even came to our wedding with his wife and 2 kids!!! Grrr... I know I'll come up with his name in a minute...my memory is just junk anymore.





    He lived in Havasu at the time...
    The canopy had a "scissor" type opening -- very unique. Gillman drove the very first one at Parker one year. Who knows..it might be this same one?
    These pictures were taken in 1993 in Guam.

  9. #19
    Administrator Ron Hill's Avatar
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    Default I'm On The Same Page, BK...

    Can't remember the boat builders name...He was from Australia...and I'm thinking "KEN" was his name. Who is the artist that made many great pictures of Race Boats? He was a good friend of this builder. Gilman ran this boat, there may have only been one.... It was built in Havasu.....I'd call Fred and ask, but Fred needed a phone number and I can't find it.....(I'm ducking him)...

    Capsule cowling with like the new Lee's...and inboard type capsules...

  10. #20
    Team Member Miss BK's Avatar
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    Yes, that boat was known as "BULLET", but it's not the same Bullet boat company that builds bass boats.

    I think there may have only been one or two of these Tunnel Boats ever built...Still can't think of the builders name, but Brad is pretty sure his last name began with an "A" and I think his first name started with a "B". Still trying to recall...


    PS Ron - I see Kenny is making a personal appearance next weekend at a show in Florida - check his "events" page...
    BK~

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