An Amazing Story

[Master Oil Racing Team]

The only pics I have of Jimmie Nichols may be this race. The orange hydro Y-8 is also Jimmie. He is in the center of the photo by the podium. There is also one of him previously posted in the lower right hand corner where I mentioned Dan M in the background. Sorry to hear of his passing. Jimmie always wore that hat as far as I can remember.

Ron, speaking of a book Ron, Debbie has told me for a long time that I should write my racing experiences down for the kids as I quit long before they were born. So whenever she bugs me about spending too much time here, I tell her I was doing what she wanted me to do. But if I ever do one, I'll be sure to put you down. In fact, I could use you along with Sam as a fact checker and proofreader

The first pic below comes off a contact sheet. Don't know who that is checking the timing. The next is Jimmie Nichols.

I think my favorite pics are those in the pits. That's where you will find not only the drivers, but also pit crews, family members, officials and others that never get in the magazines, newspapers, or racing programs. They are just as important to racing as drivers, and boat and engine builders. I thought it was great for Doug to do a double take and find his brother. And I didn't know the McClellans, but Ron Saxvik did and called them. I think that's great. And I haven't even scratched the surface of all the pics I have. So you need to stay tuned to find out who may show up.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

I think you got Dan and Jerry in the wrong boats Jeff, but as usual your eagle eye picks up on interesting details. Here's another shot showing the throttle/pipe work.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

...........but first---more pics.

Tim Butts wasn't a racing partner like our partnership with Jack Chance and Clayton Elmer, but we worked together almost as a partnership. We bought a number of new designs that Tim came up with and tested them during the winter. V8 was first raced at the Eastern Divsionals at Springfield and this was the second race. We didn't have any video cameras to check out boat attitudes so I would go out on the water and get some pics of Tim racing past.

[Jeff Lytle]

So whenever she bugs me about spending too much time here, I tell her I was doing what she wanted me to do.

And it's better than porn!!

[Donald]

Wayne, I believe that is Dortch in the hat, but I don,t know why he is in the officials shirt. I am talking to him, or maybe listening. I think it is Butch Levendusky on the left. I can tell by the way he's holding the cigarette. Then David Westbrook and brother Richard and you are right, I don't know the girl.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Mostly right Ralph. Johnny was at every major pro event in those days, but he didn't run the OD class and he wanted to participate. So my Dad put him to work in an officiating capacity. I don't remember UIM rules exactly, but seems like there had to be some type of official handling the pits. The photo is tough to tell, but that's Jerry Drake talking to David and Richard. The girl is my sister Jan. She went to races when she was younger, but had not been in a while. At this time she was in college studying cinema-photography. She filmed the whole event including the unlimiteds on a professional 16mm camera with sound. We planned on using this for our UIM promotional pieces. Someday I'll get some of it transferred to DVD. To the far right in the sombrero is Bill Van Steenwyk. He got pretty hot and drank a lot of gatorade there

[Ron Saxvik]

Just checked with David McClellan again on who was in the contact sheet
picture. Knew that was Dennis supervising but not sure who the one was
doing all the work. David told me that it was Jim Warren from Marietta,OH.
Once he told me who it was, I remembered him. Not sure where he is located
now.....heard he got a divorce and moved away.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

When I first started this thread, I had just thought about the little bit of history I had with this Konig motor serial no. D41994 and how it came back into my possession. As the thread has evolved there have been many contributions to the story. Not only from some that were there, but many that weren't but had things to share. There is much that I have forgotten. A lot I didn't know. And so happy to recall things that others have brought into this thread. If I had known how the thread would have progressed, I would have done it a little bit different from the start to include more of the people involved, but I am very happy to hear about some of those that were part of this history that I really didn't know. I have looked a little closer at the contact sheets and need more help in the pits. Thanks so much Ron, and I hope you can get David McClellan to give us more info.

[Ron Saxvik]

When I first started this thread, I had just thought about the little bit of history I had with this Konig motor serial no. D41994 and how it came back into my possession. As the thread has evolved there have been many contributions to the story. Not only from some that were there, but many that weren't but had things to share. There is much that I have forgotten. A lot I didn't know. And so happy to recall things that others have brought into this thread. If I had known how the thread would have progressed, I would have done it a little bit different from the start to include more of the people involved, but I am very happy to hear about some of those that were part of this history that I really didn't know. I have looked a little closer at the contact sheets and need more help in the pits. Thanks so much Ron, and I hope you can get David McClellan to give us more info.

Have learned so much from this site and more than happy to be able to
contribute any way possible. This has brought to light the human side
of the people that I have read about when I was barely old enough to
read. I used to spend hours reading and going over the pictures in my
father's collection of "Boat Sport" magazines when I wasn't busy cleaning
parts, sweeping up the floor of my dad's shop or just hanging out with
the guys that used to stop by to B.S. and swap stories with him. Until
I got on this site, those people of boat racing history were mostly just
pictures in a magazine or words on a page but now, through the stories
of them that knew them, they have come to life. I have made a lot of
friends and made many acquaitances through this family of boat racers
but it is quite an expansive group of people and Ron and Ted have made
it possible to bring them all together and I am greatly appreciative of
that.

Wayne, I have forwarded you note on to Dave and hopefully he will join
this site and fill us in on more of the Pittsburgh connection.

Thanks for all the fantastic photos and hopefully I can get this scanner
figured out and can add some more "racing history".

[John Schubert T*A*R*T]

Just checked with David McClellan again on who was in the contact sheet
picture. Knew that was Dennis supervising but not sure who the one was
doing all the work. David told me that it was Jim Warren from Marietta,OH.
Once he told me who it was, I remembered him. Not sure where he is located
now.....heard he got a divorce and moved away.

Sure doesn't look like the Jim Warren I know. Anyway, he is in Florida, maybe the Sarasota area. Initially he started another business there, had a 500 with capsule built by Trolian, but not sure what he's up to today. I'm sure Ralph might know.