I Remember When Mercury Marine Supported Boat Racing

[Ron Hill]

A couple of things that you might not have completely right.

I don't remember Doc's C Service. But his Racing C, was the same as my dad's Evinrude. It was a 6042 Model, Hex Head motor. We called it a "Six Stud".

In those days Racing motors like the 6042 Evinrude and the PR 65 Johnson were built for alcohol burning race motors. They both had detachable heads, and roller and I think needle bears on the crankshaft.

Service C's were either Johnson P50's with detachable heads, or the EVINRUDE SPEEDITWIN cast in heads. My dad had a P50 that was fast but when he blew it up he quit racing C Service. C service motors had brass bearing on the crank.

C Racing and C Service were both 30 cubic inches.

Nitro was legal in either class but we never ran nitro as it was corrosive as hell and my dad had seen the result ruining carbs brass jets and the like.

I won the 1967 John Ward Trophy Race (500 CC World Championships) driving Harry Bartolomei Konig, with Nitro added. Only time I ever ran nitro.

The Evinrude 6042 cylinders had a large content nickel mixed with cast iron and when Doc "Blew Over" the cylinders were much stronger than the aluminum crankcase.

My brother spilled his DeSilva Runabout in C Racing Runabout, and blew 8 ears off Hubbell cylinders.

Racing and Service were two different classes but fuel isn't what made them different.

Thanks for posting, I feel close to Doc when you do....Doc started Evinrude/Johnson's racing Division with Charlie Strang.

Add: WE USED A ACID FILLED BATTERY, "HOT SHOTS" WERE TOO EXPENSIVE.

[Prolog2]

Thanks for the information about those motors. My dad raced C-Service. Probably too slow for Doc. I have a recollection of a machine shop in Phoenix that made parts for those engines. And I remember the name Hubble came up a lot. But we made a lot of trips to LA and raced in San Diego. So, I might be confused there. Remember traveling with Doc to LA in his red Chrysler 300F. We were pulling two hydroplanes stacked on on a trailor. That was some car. And it went really fast. Think the meeting was about the impending world record attempt. Met up with my dad (JP) in San Diego later. Great information about great times. BTW: Doc and JP had a friend named Rocky Stone, from Oregon. Think he raced runabouts.

[Ron Hill]

Rocky won C Racing Runabout, three years in a row, at the William Randolph Hearst Regatta, In Long Beach, California.

The name Rocky Stone, from Willamina, Oregon, brought a Silence in our family for years. His name was like a "GOD" to us as my dad raced C Racing Runabout but never beat him.

Rocky had a couple of DAMN good C Service motors and Marshall grant wanted to buy them but Rocky would not sell them. Marshall played the Bass Fiddle for Johnny Cash.

John called Rocky, and said, "Rocky, Marshall Grant is the best Bass Fiddle player in the world, and I would do anything for him. He'd like to own your C Service Motors, would you sell the to me?" Rocky sold the motors to Johnny.

In 1977, at the Bakersfield Nationals, I won straight heats in D Runabout, after the race Rocky came to our pits and told my brother and I, "That was greatest piece of driving a runabout he'd ever seen." His comment brought tears to my brother's and my eye's. I think Rocky knew how much the Hill Family respected him.

That compliment from Rocky was the greatest compliment I ever received as a driver.

PICTURED: 60-42 Six Stud, "Hex Head" Evinrude Racing C. My dad had this motor, Fred Hauenstenin's dad had one, Bud Wiget may have had two and Doc Jones had one. Only 50 were made.

[DeanFHobart]

Rocky won C Racing Runabout, three years in a row, at the William Randolph Hearst Regatta, In Long Beach, California.

The name Rocky Stone, from Willamina, Oregon, brought a Silence in our family for years. His name was like a "GOD" to us as my dad raced C Racing Runabout but never beat him.

Rocky had a couple of DAMN good C Service motors and Marshall grant wanted to buy them but Rocky would not sell them. Marshall played the Bass Fiddle for Johnny Cash.

John call Rocky, and said, "Rocky, Marshall Grant is the best Bass Fiddle player in the world, and I would do anything for him. He'd like to own your C Service Motors, would you sell the to me?" Rocky sold the motors to Johnny.

In 1977, at the Bakersfield Nationals, I won straight heats in D Runabout, after the race Rocky came to our pits and told my brother and I, "That was greatest piece of driving a runabout he'd ever seen." His comment brought tears to my brother's and my eye's. I think Rocky knew how much the Hill Family respected him.

That compliment from Rocky was the greatest compliment I ever received as a driver.

PICTURED: 60-42 Six Stud, "Hex Head" Evinrude Racing C. My dad had this motor, Fred Hauenstenin's dad had one and Doc Jones had one. Only 50 were made.

Rocky Stone was from Region 10 and so was I. I had watched him race many times. Hal Tolford, john Laird, Red Taylor and others had great races with Rocky Stone. Those were the good ole’ days.