A fixture in the boat racing community, quite a competitor and loved the sport, found this in my files, 1981 I believe, they made them lite those days. You'll be missed Fred.Attachment 65313
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A fixture in the boat racing community, quite a competitor and loved the sport, found this in my files, 1981 I believe, they made them lite those days. You'll be missed Fred.Attachment 65313
I can't say enough about Fred, he was a great racer, sponsor and boat race supporter. Perhaps more importantly, he was a wonderful person and friend.
All the best to his family, we will keep them all in our thoughts and prayers.
RIP my friend.
Heard the unfortunate news today of the passing of Marshall Eldredge at the age of 87. My most heartfelt condolences to the entire Eldredge family. May he rest in peace. Picture is from the 2009 spring race at DePue.
So sad to hear. Rest in peace Marshall. God bless all the Eldredge family. They are one of the few families that goes all the way back to the beginnings of outboard racing and continued with a solid span of generations of boat racers.
The racing world has lost a great contributor. I have known Marshall and his family since the early 1970's when I started racing APBA in Region 5 when I lived in West Palm Beach Fla. Marshall provided a wealth of information about engines, props, set up etc and helped me a great deal and we had many interesting discussions. I visited his shop in West Palm Beach and later when he moved to Yalaha Fla. I will miss him very much. My condolences to the Eldridge family. RIP Marshall.
Two old pharts that were still racing in 2009. I will miss him!
Rest in peace Marshall, see you at the Finish Line.
Bill & Joyce
Marshal was a constant in PRO racing like Sunrise and Sunset are a constant to each day. I will miss our many conversations, especially over breakfast at the Giant's Den in Depue.
Just read on that other site that Jim Warren had die.
Rest in Peace Jim.
Sad news..TAF Driver Don Ermshar seriously injuredBoat racer injured at Cowtown Drag Boat Nationals
By JOHN HENRY
Special to the Star-Telegram
Related Content
Injuries in drag boat racing are often times much more dramatic than, say, a wrecked knee in football.
They can actually be frightening.
A big day at the races during the Cowtown Drag Boat Nationals at Marine Creek Lake turned scary when Don Ermshar lost control of his boat at the finish line of the Top Alcohol Flat finals.
When Ermshar’s craft skidded out of control across the water and broke into pieces just past the finish line, he became submerged in his boat capsule in about 30 feet of water.
Rescue crews rushed to aid Ermshar, who was submerged in the water for about five minutes. Nervous fans and crew members watched anxiously as emergency personnel brought him to safety. The 66-year-old Riverside, Calif., resident didn’t walk away from the accident. Race officials and a medic at the scene said he likely sustained broken arms and legs.
He went by ambulance to Harris Methodist Fort Worth, but his injuries seem minor compared to the dramatic accident.
But when you’re traveling more than 160 mph on a quarter-mile track things can go haywire.
"He was going 161 miles per hour," said a race official. "He crossed the finish line, and looked to just lose it."
Drag boat racing is essentially the NHRA on water. Safety has obviously been a big issue, and organizations such as the Southern Drag Boat Association, the governing body of this weekend’s races, have taken steps to help ensure the well-being of the racers.
Capsules, with a roll bar built in and a self-contained breathing system, now enclose drivers. The breathing system enables drivers who are submerged to breathe up to 20 minutes, said Tanya Ehrlich, the treasurer of the SBDA.
The capsule is constructed of steel tubing with a fiberglass and Kevlar outer shell, and it’s designed to break apart from the boat hull and engine in the event of an accident, just as Ermshar’s did Sunday.
"That’s been the greatest discovery for this sport," said an SBDA official. "It has saved lives."
Drivers are also required to wear helmets and goggles or some sort of device to protect their eyes. Many also wear suits made of fire retardant.
Ultimately, like anything else, you can’t live in fear. The show must go on, and it did Sunday.
Don Bausher of Las Vegas drove Habit Forming to victory over Ermshar, the points leader in the Top Alcohol Flat division.
In the top division, Top Fuel Hydro, Daryl Ehrlich of Round Rock and his Problem Child bested points leader John White of Leander.
The series heads to Chouteau, Okla., Aug. 1-2 and back to Texas in Lubbock on Sept. 5-6.
I was notified this morning of the passing of Clyde Queen early this morning 4-16-2018. Clyde and his wife Charlotte were long time members of The Outboard Club of Chicago which was the host club for many of the Outboard Nationals on Lake DePue. May he rest in Peace.
Clyde Queen is a long time friend. Outboard Club of Chicago would not have been around in the 60's and 70's if Clyde and Char Queen were not there. PRO racing wouldn't have been as strong if these two fine people were not as giving of their time and money. OCC was the Queens.
Rest in peace my good friend, I'll see you at the Finish Line.
Bill & Joyce
I got to know Clyde and Charlotte when I was appointed to the outboard commission in the sixties, Clyde was also on the commission and Charlotte was the secretary. They would stop over in Marietta sometimes for a visit on their way to Florida for races there. When I first investigated putting on a race at Lake Acworth in 1977, I called them to see if they would help, knowing their experience in Depue, and of course they did. I wanted Charlotte as scorer. I got in touch with the local Jaycees and they agreed to be the sponsor. The first race in 1978 was successful, and then in 1980, when the championships in Lacrosse, Wi. was cancelled, I called the Jaycees again to see if they might arrange with the city for permission to use the lake for a race in October. They got permission and Charlotte served as scorer and Clyde helped when he wasn't racing. They came to three races at Lake Acworth and would not accept any compensation for their help at any of them. We stayed in touch until they moved to Texas and no longer attended races. I last saw Charlotte when they came over to a USTS race in Alexandria. and Clyde, when he came to an Old Pharts party in Naples. RIP.
We have lost another one, Bill Van died yesterday, more later.
A blow to Pro guys to lose both these fine racers at the same time. I spent some time with Clyde at the Old Phart's party in Naples and he told me all about his flying machines. And of course Bill Van....what a friend. I will miss him greatly.
It had been a bad 6 months for the PROs - Ed Thirlby, Marshall Eldredge, Jim Warren, Clyde Queen and now Bill Van Steenwyk.
That's right Bill. I just got off the phone with Eileen. She was a zombie for the first two days, but she's settling in now. Has gotten many, many phone calls. I didn't really know Jim Warren, but I did the others. Ed and Marshall were part of several generations of boat racers and Clyde and Charlotte were as far as I'm concerned....The Outboard Club of Chicago. They made a big impact on our sport. It is sad to lose so many in such a short time.
So sorry to hear this, jst found out as don’t get here as much as I would like. Will miss our talks and story telling and just plain talking at races, condolences to Eileen and so sorry for your loss. Steve
Diane Murray posted this today on the USTS Facebook page. It certainly has been a terrible start to 2018 Clyde Queen , Bill Van , and now this!! My most heartfelt condolences to Connie and the family. Rip
It is with a very heavy heart that I write this. Steve Litzell has passed away. Steve had just turned 66 on March 12th and was planning on cutting back his hours and/or retiring from Honey Baked Hams. Steve grew up in Sarasota, FL and he had one sister and three brothers. Steve married Connie shortly after meeting her at a party on Long Island-I believe they were married in Las Vegas at a drive through wedding chapel. Steve’s only son, Stephen, was recently married in November 2017.
Steve also had his Outboard Marine Service business, which is how most of us came in contact with him. Steve started boat racing when he was twelve in a B Stock Runabout and had connected with Bill Hosler to get him into boat racing as Steve worked for Bill in a marina. Steve later moved from Florida to Georgia to work with Ralph Donald at the car wash. Ralph was instrumental in introducing Steve to Dieter Koenig. Steve spent time with Dieter and learned the skills of his trade, which was a benefit to all that boat raced. Steve was an accomplished boat racer as well as a mechanic winning many racing awards both domestically and internationally.
Steve was a great friend and was also a pain in our “butts” as well, but we still loved him. There are never any words to say to ease the loss of this special man. Let’s all have a glass of Jack Daniels (make it a double) – on the rocks – for Steve. Also, let’s keep Connie and Stephen in our thoughts.
More details will be posted as they become available.
Ed Thirlby, Marshall Eldredge, Jim Warren, Clyde Queen, Bill Van Steenwyk and now Steve Litzell. All good guys, and will be missed by all in the PRO family.
What a sad day. We have lost so many this,year. My condolences to Connie and the Litzel family. I always,enjoyed visiting with Steve. He used to fly out to CA to help us Pro guys work on our motors. Always enjoyed that. Still remember sharing our Tenn tea at times, (JD). And the time he used this gas powered mixer to nake mud slides. Bull Moose RIP!!!
Well, Steve was a piece of work! Let his memory stay with us all for sometime to come. He loved PRO racing, hell he loved all racing really. There will and should be endless stories. I remember the first time I met him at Camden, NC. Who is the hell is that guy ??? Little did I know that some of my best racing trips were going to be in the future with "that guy". Steve and I long hauled it to Omaha with the "Big Trailer" just full of racing boats and engines. This was during my sole foray into runabouts (similar to a racing boat, almost). In hind sight, Steve demonstrated great patience, as I burned piston, after piston by pulling the pipes forward to quickly (like you can in a hydro, you know, a racing boat). The bull**** abounded for what seemed o be 2,000 miles of diving and much racing. We had good results racing and an even better time just living.
I am at a loss for words!
I met Steve the first time at Lakeland, Florida for some UIM World Championship races. It was the morning after he got his rump buzz sawed at the judges stand when a boat ran up from behind. Joe Rome had been telling me for a few years about that "Masked Man" Steve Litzell. I couldn't believe it that next morning when Joe introduced me to Steve, and he was walking around. It was really like I had known him all along, and unfortunately for me I could have. Steve knew who I was having pitted and raced with Ralph along the way in the 70's. After I got to know him I asked him "How come I don't remember you from back then?" He told me he was shy!
After I got to know him, I find it hard to believe he used to be shy. Steve was one of the funniest, most gregarious guys I ever got to know. I'm sad that I didn't get to know him until after I quit racing, but I also told him that it was probably a good thing that I didn't know and hang out with him while I was racing. Ralph knew him for so many years, and also knew many of the guys from Steve's time in Germany. I don't know if Ralph would agree with my assessment, but to me Steve was America's answer to Hans George Krage. Full of life, full of laughter and stories, and full throttle to the end.
Perhaps my favorite memory of Steve. Only seconds before the firing of the three minute gun at this race at Constantine MI , Steve realized there were no numbers on Nick Noethe's freshly painted capsule boat. " Hey , anybody , throw me some tape , hurry" !!!
Wayne, One thing about Steve that was different is that Steve had opinions, and he expressed them freely, I could give you a testimonial. Hans was more diplomatic, but they were both full of good stories. Steve and I created some of them in our boat racing adventures. I'm at a loss, I can't comprehend not seeing or talking to him anymore. I need to know how he died, I hope we will know soon.
Beyond losing a friend, I am most saddened that I did not get to thank Steve for all he did for me. I was able to compete in numerous events, because he burned the midnight oil getting my engines ready. He knew that I always wanted to have a back up engine and would even make sure that I had the "second bullet" if necessary. He also understood that I preferred to finish as many heats as possible, rather than being the absolute fastest. So, he would set up my engines "middle of the road".
I am still saddened, but looking back on so many great times brings a big smile!
David are you still in Austin? Joe and I talked a couple of days ago about getting together with you for lunch or something in memory of Steve. The Bad Eyed Cat or something like that that had a runabout hanging on the wall.
The Gessler and Thirlby Automotive race teams have donned special paint schemes this year to honor Ed Thirlby Sr and Rick Saver who recently passed away. Derrick Gessler has named his runabout the Saver Special in honor of Rick and Andrew Thirlby's runabout will have the paint scheme used by grandpa Ed Sr in his racing days. A fine tribute !!!
John Yale died peacefully on Monday at his home in Meriden, Ct. The wake is Saturday from 2:00 - 5:00 at the Wallingford Funeral Home in Wallingford, Ct.
John started racing in the C and D stock hydro class in the late 50's. After a stint in the Navy, he got serious about boat racing. He won the highly competitive CSH National Championship in 1969 and 1970. He and his partner in crime, Franny Petrillo branched out into AOH. He then started driving DOH for Dick O'Dea, winning Depue in 1973. He also won the 850 hydro Nationals in the late 1970's.
In 1974 he stared building Yale Boats. He built hydro's for all classes of Stock, Mod and Alky. His boats were some of the finest built boats of the day. They won many championships, set many records and won thousands of races. He built boats until the mid 1980's.
After boat racing, John and his son (John Jr.) got into Stock Car Racing. All I can say is that he made the Tech Inspectors work real hard.....
John was a huge influence on my racing and many racers over the years.
Race In Peace John
http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forum...cons/icon1.png Soller, Kenny OMC TechKenny Soller worked on OMC Race Team 1968-74. Probably the fastest working mechanic I have known.
He changed a broken carburetor minutes before the start of the 1970 Paris Race on Alan Yaw's/Johnson entry. Johnnie Sanders and Tommy Posey went on to win the race.
Kenny died in April, 2004 from an inoperable brain tumor. Michael J Gwaltney
Judy has also passed.
http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forum...cons/icon1.png DAH Propellers: Donald A. Henrich
For Obituary and details google: Donald A Henrich Portage, WI
Don died March 15th @88. He had lung cancer and had been under treatment for almost three years.
Although Don would describe himself as a "blacksmith" he was known for designing a new generation of propellers for Outboard Marine. This talented man was a major contributor to the success of Johnson and Evinrude outboards on race circuits around the world.
One year at the Parker Enduro his propeller design didn't work. The day before the race each propeller was heated cherry red with a torch and the blades bent to Don's satisfaction. None of the propellers failed in six hours of competition.
Services will be held Monday March 21, 2016 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, W8267 Hwy 33 East, Portage WI. Visitation will be from 10am to 12, with services to follow.
ADD:
Ron Hill Don was a pretty good old boy. I spent a lot of time in Europe with him and his wife, Judy, back in the late '60's and '70's. Johnny Woods from St. Louis, was Don's stock broker in the old days. When Johnny took Radio Shack public, Don got in on the ground floor of the stock. It wasn't long after that he quit work at OMC. Johnny made <nobr style="white-space: normal; font-size: inherit;">tons of money</nobr> on the deal, he bought a Ferrari with some of the money. I never saw it, but Don told me the license plate said, "TANDY". I had just won the D Runabout Nationals in Beloit, and on Monday stopped at OMC to pick up my twin engine Jones. Don and I got to talking, I said measure my two best props would you. So, he measured one and said, "It was an 11, nice prop he said." (A Grandpa Seebold). Then, I gave him the second prop, he said, "Wow this thing really screwed up, one blade is 13 and the other is an 11, want me to fix if for you?" I said, "Don't touch it unless you want to die, as I won the Nationals with that prop yesterday....." Old Man Hill prop. I saw Don at Havasu Landing 9 years ago, we had a great talk, his hip was bothering him and he took the ferry back to Havasu City. Rest in peace, my friend. Condolences to the rest of the Henrich family.
Donald Albert Henrich, 88, of Portage, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at his home in Saddle Ridge.
Donald was born Jan. 24, 1928, in West Allis. He married Judy Ellen Richmond on Dec. 9, 1961, in Eagle River.
Don was a former owner of Propellers by DAH, and retired as an engineer from Outboard Marine Corp. He received a World War II Victory Medal while serving his country in the U.S. Navy. He was an ardent outdoorsman, an avid hunter and fisherman, as well as a gold prospector. Don was a Mason, as well as a member of the American Legion and Elks Club.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Judy; his children, Wendy (Jim) King of Winfield, Illinois, Dana (Tim) O’Neill of the Township of Erin, Jerry (Linda) Okonek of Spooner; his grandchildren, Kelsey, Dan and Kori King, Brendan, Danielle and Kellen O’Neill, and Dan (Allison), Heather and Kyle Okonek; one great-granddaughter, Whitney Okonek; and very special friends, Heather and Jason Stenberg.
Memorial services will be held at noon Monday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, W8267 Highway 33 East, Portage, with the Rev. Julie Krahn officiating. Military honors will follow. Inurnment will be private. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Monday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Badger Honor Flight Inc., P. O. Box 258066 , Madison, WI 53725 or online at www.badgerhonorflight.org; Hope Lodge, 611 W. Doege, Marshfield, Wisconsin, 54449; or to Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Sad to Report the Death of Dr. Charles D. StrangThe APBA web site posted the passing of Dr. Charles D Strang. For those of you unfamiliar with him, 'Charlie' was not only the engineering genius behind early Mercs and later OMCs, he was a very successful boat racer in his youth. In fact, he holds championship records that will never be broken since the racing series ended with WW II.
A true lost the boat racing community.
http://wjon.com/former-avon-marine-o...p-in-illinois/
Sorry to hear this!
My friend, Randy Pierson. We had been friends since 1984. Randy worked with Barry Woods in the early days of V-8 tunnel boat racing. He worked with Gary Garbrecht at Second Effort. He drove my MOD VP at several Havasu Classics.
He drove a Yamaha Powered Sleek Craft at the Parker Enduro for at least two years, recently.
His dad had owned Avon Marine, in Avon, Minnesota. Randy ran this dealership for many years.
I think he was victim of substance abuse these last few years.
I hope he rests in peace. He was my friend, we had our ups and downs over the years, but we were always friends.
Ed Karelson, Seattle's raceboat builder and one of the very best ever or anywhere, whose beautiful hulls won innumerable championships and records in several categories.
Famed motorsports photographer F Piece Williams was killed in a fatal car accident in Ohio last Thursday. Very sad news. I admired his work very much.
https://www.whio.com/news/local/repo...Nr60SY26Ok44H/
I'm not sure I ever met him, but I enjoyed his great photography always. Only 55, and gone! Rest in Peace friend of Boat Racing.
Unfortunately Ing. Fabio Buzzi died on Sept 17 during a powerboat speed record attempt from Montecarlo to Venice
Inventor and great designer and boat builder winner In many categories in particular off shore and holder of many speed records. Played a very important role for powerboat development and innovation.
R.I.P Ingegnere