It's the people that make racing
We often highlight the engines, boats and props. We discuss the long term racers who make consistent wins. We sometimes forget another essential part of racing.... I propose a toast and salute to the drivers that race for 1 to 5 years and then fade into some other past time activity. Also the drivers who often race but hardly ever win or place. They are also an essential part of our sport. Even though sometimes personalities and racing politics can be vexing, we love our sport because we are a community. Many of the experiences we remember are not on the course but the the characters we meet and the times we spend together.
In my early racing years not many of us had motor-homes and we often camped together in the pits under the stars or in a tent. Saturday night campfires were a hoot. Heck, in those years I even remember getting amorous with my girlfriend on top of one of the a picnic tables at 2 am at a Bakersfield race weekend. The characters and events ..like when Billy Jack and Harry had a fist fight in the pits because they tangled their D alkies in a turn at Oakland and both had flipped. At one EBBC banquet we had a live band that a year later became famous as Big Brother and the Holding Company and topped the pop charts with Janice Joplin. There was Gary who barfed on his deck from fright at the start of most every heat when he was trying to plane off. There was a guy who I shall call "Dicks" who ran a B KG-7 disguised as an A KG-4. He of course was faster than the other As but he never allowed himself to take 1st because he did not want to be inspected. He just liked to be part of the pack. Everyone knew it and never said anything to the inspector who also knew it. There was Art who had a C service and was about 80 years old but loved to compete. And there was my friend Mike who came to every race one season and consistently could never get his 30-H started for any heat even though it ran well in testing.
Your characters and stories are not the same as mine but they are part of the fun and the fabric of racing. I learned early on that it was more important to enjoy the experience, mind to drive safely and to savor a truly special experience: people coming together to put on a "regatta" and making a good excuse to both have fun and enjoy each others uniqueness. Here's to all of us - the big shots and the little guys, one season competitors and seasoned champions. The wonderful pit crews and spectators. And here's to all of us who make a good reason to have experiences together and call it boat racing.
It's The People That Make Boat racng
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mark75H
Worth repeating:
Very Well Said
In June we are having a reunion of The Southern Maryland Boat Club. The club was active from 1957 until the late 70's. Have had contact from people all over the country planning to attend. We are all looking forward to telling those fun stories, remembering those no longer with us.
I made life long friends from racing.
Salute to all of us 'also rans'
While I was young(er) before racing, I used to watch all the people. Every region has their 'colorful characters', just like region 11 & 12. Ahhh so many nights before the great Salton Sea flooded. My sisters and I would run around and empty everyones coke bottles and turn them into Dutch. He would give our father $25 to $30 every Salton Sea race. Then the big flood! Heart Park at Bakersfield used to be the same way. Especially since Manual and his cronnies would have a FREE BBQ on Saturday night. In those days, we only raced ONE day. I can't remember with any certainty whom it was that drove their station wagon into the POOL at El Rancho Bakersfield? It was either Bill Combs or Les Botkins from Visailia, California. But they said it needed washing! I know it happened cause I spent the night with Merle Redden there (Dave Reddens son). Then there was the guy from Northern California (I think it was Art ??) He was 80 years old when I was a kid. He had a small crane on his trailer to unload his 'C' Service Runabout. I don't recall him ever winning, but he was at every race by himself. Bill Combs who ran 'F' runabout as a single, along with Ralph Holmes. I know Ron says that he and Bill Boyles were the first to run 'piggyback' in 'F' Runabout. However if you look at my post on 'how to post', you'll see a picture of the 'F''s at Long Beach. Take a good look at C-103, Bill Combs and his narrow *** cockpit for one! Now look at the deck handles! WOW, who would use those? Some crazy guy named Grant Gulick. Every once-in-a-while he would ride deck for Bill. Usually after a good beer party the night before. Grant use to cuss him all the time. I don't recall Bill ever winning a race either. George Peak who's famous 'anchor nail' 'F' Hydro went flying past the pits at Long Beach, way down to the bridge past the first single can turn. When we next saw what was left of his boat, it looked like a surf borad. Nothing left but the steering column and the bottom. The rest was on the bottom along with the motor! Arnie Adams of 'B' Hydro fame. At Parker, Arizona, he never meant a brand of beer that wasn't found under his tandou cover the next morning. Arnie would always arrive late from the hotel on Sundays and never take the cover off his boat until the 'five minute gun'. That is until the Jackson kids curred him. Parker was quite the place back then. One hotel, one bar and most importantly one caution light. Oh yaw! Lots of Indians.
I really miss the one day races and the nights before. The relative safe speeds and loud motors. They too have gone the way of 'disco pants'. Once a year the outboards were allowed on Lake Lodi. July 4th. Man, we could hardly wait. In those days we were allowed to camp out the night before. Such fun. I'm getting a little off track here. Guess my mind is starting to wonder. We had our share of GREAT people who made up our racing region. I could go on for days with thoughts of Glen Campbell, Warren Painter, Lou Morphy, Walt Gillo, Ellis Esterbrook. Dale Drake, Bill Crumley and etc, etc. All great families and good sports. Just fun to be with. Guess we all get old as time marches on. My hats off to all the families who made these memories possible. It sure would be nice to meet again. Salute!