Looper Pictures

[racnbns]

Peter C. put it right on. You get a deck rider from where ever you can. The rookie rider in the pic has two strikes against him. He is 50+ and polish. Joke! He bought the F run. after Iquit in 90. He and his buddy put my 6 loop together for me and for that he got a boat ride, his boat + my engine. He later bought the looper and ran with his lady friend as deck rider. I rode deck on John Toprahanian F with Jay Root driving. Took two rides to figure out that Iwant the throttle and steering wheel in my hand when I go into the first turn. That boat you actually crawled out on the deck in the turns, SCARY.
Jeff, Thanks for adding the pic.

BOAT RACING:
A disease for which there is no cure.

Bruce Summers
V-71

[oldalkydriver]

I never got to ride with Jay, but I rode with a few Torprahanians other drivers. You think it was SCAREY with Jay driving, I rode a couple of test times with George Mays! I've never seen any driver including; Greg Spencer, Glen Campbell, Bob Jackson, Al Brooks and even Ralph Donald drive into a corner like George. As Ron Hill is so fawnd of saying the trottle is a brake. George never learned how to use it. He just pointed the boat where he thought should go, and went!

However here is a picture of Jay Root at Bakersfield. I don't know who is riding. Could be Fast Freddy?

[Master Oil Racing Team]

I'm like you Bruce. I want the throtte & the steering wheel. I had the good fortune of riding deck once--with none other than Charlie Bailey. I don't remember whether Craig Lawrence or Troy Dunn was supposed to ride,but something happened and I got drafted. You know going in that Charlie would start on the inside, and any hole that opened up was his.

[Peter Crowley]

Bottom picture is Bruce driving the famous DeSilva "Miss Laurie"? I remember Steve Litzell running it when it was an old boat. the history of that boat would be interesting......

[Ron Hill]

It ain't a Quincy Looper...but

Are you sure that is Jay Root at the wheel??? I don't think that is Fast Riddy riding, as it looks like a Hill Jacket and some "Strange" helmet...Also, doesn't look like Freddy's arms....But, I have no idea who it is....

[oldalkydriver]

Positive that is Jay Root driving. Craig Spencer and him were the only two that sat like "Tommy Ingalls", straight up! Craig never drove the De Silva.

Bottom picture is George Mays driving the De Silva with his normal deck rider. Mind you I say normal as in steady, not as in a psychiatric state of mind. You had to be a little crazy to trust someone else with your well being to go out on a deck with no control over what happens.

I believe the C-190 was either Ken Schmidt or James Schonenfelt (C-57) driving with deck rider from C-207.

I can't remember weather John had two De Silva's, or just the one and re-worked it. He told me once that he had problems with one used De Silva (he was thrifty, hence the name tighterhanian). Can't remember. I'll have to try and get a hold of Jay. I'm leaning towards the two boat therory as the grains are really different on the later one. I was only able to drive it twice, once in Alexandria, LA 1976. The same year that John had five different drivers at one race. Once at Bakersfield.

[bill boyes]

C190 sure like like my old DeSilva D runabout

[Ron Hill]

Rich kid from Newport...Had a DeSilva Bull Nose and Quincy Cross Flow "D", as I recall...Nice guy, hung with several from Newport, Chric Buckley,....for one...

As I recall, Kenny was shot and killed by the Security Guard at his trailer park in Mexico. Kenny waved at the guard, who knew him and drove by, the guard pulled his pistol and shot him dead....

That is George May (You keep adding an S...it is May, but seems, at one time he went by Mays???? Did he shorten it to May when Ted May started racing??).

I seem to recall two DeSilva Runabouts, ask Tim Weber to ask Ralph DeSilva....as they see each other often.

Whos is that thin guy standing next to Billy Boyes's DU???

[racnbns]

Here is a pic of John T,s boat that I rode in. It has Johns Yamarude engine. I dont know when he built the first one but this pic was in 70 or 71. Jay Root drove and we fin. up 4or 5th.

Bruce Summers
V-71

[Gene East]

While listing F Runabout drivers of the past, let's not forget Bill Fales. I used to ride deck for Jim Schoch and rode with Wayne Walgrave. Would have loved to have ridden with Bruce, but he never asked me.
One night at dinner in DePue I was setting around the table with about 6 or 8 deck riders.
One of these guys had too many Bud Lites and was bragging about what he was going to do tomorrow.
Someone else said " Yeah we know, You're going to hold your ears when Bill Fales blows past you just like the rest of us".
Sure enough that's what happened.
Have you ever ridden up Bill's rooster tail? I have, it was a scary situation!