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[Gene East]

Frank, I agree with P.C. You are keeping the sound alive! Your work is documenting boat racing history. Motors no longer snap back and run backwards like the Loopers when they are being cranked. Thank you for maintaining history and posting these great pictures.

Alan,

Loopers would only run backwards if you didn't pull the rope hard enough.

I once told Tim Chance; you 140# drivers should take better care of your 200# pit crew members.

Tim said, "140#! Who are you calling fat"?

[David Mason]

Anyone remember Mel Whitcher ? He could lift and rope a pro engine at the same time.... He was one you would call Sir. I was a very young kid around that time. I remember the last time I saw him, at a Mod race in I beleive Kingston TN or Soddy Daisy TN. He had a new motorcyle, can't recall if it was a Harley or not, but it was one fast two wheeler. He took me for a ride on it out on the highway. He could give some throttle at 90MPH and pop a wheelie. I thought that thing was the coolest back then. I remember that ride like yesterday. Might help explain why I like to go fast in boats too.

[Gene East]

Last time I saw Mel, (We called him "Little Speck") was at the memorial race for O.F. Christner in Quincy. He and his brother Jimmy were racing RC boats at the time.

His Dad "Big Speck" was a huge man, well over 300#. He could yank a rope too!

I believe the correct spelling of their name is Wilsher or Wilscher. Bill Van, help us out here!

They ran a shop in Kansas City called:

Speck's Speed and Sports Sales and Service.

That's a mouthfull!

Say Something Similar Seven times in Six Seconds.

They had red boats. The CD boat was named "Big Red". The AB boat was named "Little Red".

We sold them one of our AB boats. Of course it was YELLOW.

Rather than re-paint the boat, they simply named it "Ain't So Red"!

[Bill Van Steenwyk]

Gene:

I think the above spelling is the right one, although I could be in error. I have not lived in KC since 1973 so have lost contact with a lot of those folks, although I did see Jimmy at a USTS race in St. Joe, Mo., a few years back. Melvin was not there at the time I saw Jimmy, and I am sure I asked about him but don't remember the answer.

"Speck" had very good equipment but suffered from being quite large as you mentioned. I never saw him in a boat, and don't know whether he ever drove himself or not. Melvin along with several others drove the equipment in the late 60's and early 70's. I seem to remember an incident with Speck at DePue in that time frame when he was holding up the back of a D runabout with a Flathead on it. The motor started and immediately pitched a blade off the prop, just narrowly missing him. I seem to remember the blade ended up in the side of someone elses boat but I'm not sure about that.

Next time I talk to Tom Berry I will ask him if he has any info on the Wilcher's these days. Another person from KC that is a member here is Don Dando. He was very good friends with the Wilcher family also. I contacted him a couple of years ago with a PM about something else and he answered right away, so if you want further info he might be a source too.

[bill boyes]

Don Dando still is in the KC area. A retired TWA'er at KCAC. Has a ton of motors and stuff. He restores Speedliners. Speedliner@sbcglobel.net

[Bill Van Steenwyk]

Asked Tom Berry about Melvin and he replied he has not seen him for about 10years. Last he saw him he was still in the boat and motor repair business.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

I have a vague recollection of a boat trailer that was white with Speck's Speed Shop or what Gene said painted red. They may have come to Beaumont to race at the Neches River Festival around 1967 or 68. I might have a picture. I'll check.