Molinari Racing Boat History and Information

[Lars Strom]

Thought you might like to make a comment on this photo Lars. Again 1978 OE World Championships at Dayton, Ohio.

I was not racing the OE class that year Wayne, but I can see Renato is using an aftermarket mid section (second picture). If I remember right with a Merc gear case. I know Renato used a similar mid-section the year after (1979) in the World OE event in Evian, France. I was racing the # 56 Velden OE class boat owned by Cees in the race. My Velden boat was extremely fast but the rough water at Lake Geneva made it difficult to use the high top speed.
Instead it was a race to try to survive and I ended up sixth overall.
Close to thirty boats in the same class..
Renato won but this was the end of aftermarket mid sections/Merc gear cases for Renato. OMC told him to use the engine the way OMC built them..