1972 PRO Nationals

**Master Oil Racing Team** · 02-23-2013

Eight months earlier Marsha Weatherbee had given me back the engagement ring I gave her. She broke it off the week after I got home from taking my last college finals before graduation. It was an elegant, yet simple design and it took two months waiting on it. The jeweler was more than happy to give me a full refund because I believe he got more for it than we paid because they guy could get it now instead of waiting. I used the money very wisely. As per recommendation of Paul Simison, I bought two Nikon bodies, and three lenses, a camera bag, and assortment of filters and other gadgets, a light meter and other things I needed to start taking better photos. Now here at DePue, if I couldn't race, at least I could take pictures. I was very bummed out about not being in the finals because we were really running good. But at least I was free to roam the pits for pictures since I didn't need to stay with our boats. I had to be careful walking down the sloped pits though because I had to remain erect. I couldn't look down without holding my head. I couldn't move it side to side either, but standing straight up, taking pictures was no problem.

I got some of the last pictures I would ever get to take of some of the racers. A few quit before the next season was through because of rising oil prices and gasoline shortages in the beginning of 1973, and some went on to other things. Johnny Woods and Nick Cerino went on to race inboards. I still saw Billy Seebold at OPC races in Texas and Louisiana, but quite a few I didn't see until the DePue Reunion in 2007 and others I have not seen since. The bad news is that all of the best slides I had have disappeared. I had a slide show of the 1972 DePue Nationals that I showed at the Houston Boat Show 1972 through 1974 as well as at the Baytown Boat Club and some other places. In the mid seventies someone asked to borrow them to show a group and I never got them back. I cannot remember who I loaned them too, but I gave up on getting them back a long time ago.

**Master Oil Racing Team** · 02-23-2013

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1972 nationals.

These were all taken at the 1972 APBA Pro Nationals. This was the last time Billy Seebold drove for Marshall Grant. I got all these photos signed 35 years later at the first DePue Reunion. A very appropriate place.

ADD: I don't know why the pictures duplicated. All I know is the first time I tried it, they didn't seem to take, and I don't know how to edit them out with this format so.....just look at them twice.

**Master Oil Racing Team** · 02-24-2013

Regardless of what region the drivers came from, there was one thing we all had in common in 1972. We all missed Jerry Waldman. I'm sure this was the first one he missed. There was sadness all through the pits that Jerry would not race with us at DePue any more. Or anywhere. Only a year earlier he had won an unprecedented five national championships. A whole bunch of them in the pits had attended Jerry's funeral only a couple of months earlier. Jerry truly was a legend in his own time, and now he was gone.

**racingfan1** · 03-23-2013

Here are the results for the 1972 PRO nationals. The second page was a little faded so I remade both sheets , hopefully I copied everything correctly. Too bad there is not a font that reproduces an old typewriter . I'd like to thank Bruce Summers for sending me the information.

**racingfan1** · 03-23-2013

I was wondering Wayne if anybody has that autographed Texas flag or has it gone by the wayside ?

**Master Oil Racing Team** · 03-23-2013

Unfortunately, there are a lot of racers that are very happy and filled with joy at the time, but do not live past a time where they want to keep cherished memories. BRF is full of members that regret not saving things from the past, and that's why they come here to see and remember some of the things they remember. Billy Jack Rucker is the one that took the flag home. Whether Bill Rucker, Jr. has it or remembers anything about it, I don't know. I hope he is a pack rat, but as far as I know he has not been on any BRF forums. I will give Alan Ishii a call to see if he knows how to contact him,......or better yet Ron could probably get some answers even though he wasn't there.

Allen J. Lang · 03-24-2013

Wayne, don't we all regret keeping at least something from our old racing days. Out side of a couple of pictures, I have a lot of regrets. Wish I knew where my old equipment ended up.

**1100r** · 03-24-2013

I just tried calling Bill this morning no answer but will try again.When I bought Bills's 1100 Konig years ago he showed me his dads merc 6 cyl. Very nice looking motor. Would be nice to see him on here too.

Todd