Boat racing in South Africa

[KerrySmith]

I stumbled upon this site a few days ago and have spent hours enthralled by the stories and pictures of races, boats, motors and people of year gone by. I prompted me to do some sharing of some of the photos etc. that I have of boat racing in the 60's, 70's and '80's in South Africa.

I raced in South Africa from 84 - 96 in South Africa before moving to the US for a while. I raced in the (720cc) petrol hydro class (equivalent to the US Mod-D Hydro class). Unfortunately, most of the pictures from when I raced have gone missing but my father, Ralph Smith, raced from the mid 50's till he retired from racing in 72. He raced in a number of classes and was part of the South African (Springbok) team to tour Europe in 70 and 72. He raced a Carniti in the 6-Hour Paris race that year. He raced with the likes of Reinhault Schultz, Dino Candiotis, Graham Campbell, and many more throughout the years. He also had the priviledge to spend a few days with Dieter at the Konig factory. Unfortunately, he died of heart failure, at 51, while helping my brother, Brent, and I test at the 84 Inter-provintial races at Rynfield Dam.

I have many photos (some in poor condition so please excuse the quality) and magazine articles from his racing days. I would like to share them with you here.

If there are any people out there with stories or information about the South African racing scene from those years, please share them with us.

[KerrySmith]

I haven't figured out how to place the comments inbetween the images so here are some explanations:

Picture #1 My fathers boat in the forground (#16 - Spooky). I can't remember the builder of the boat but I know it had a canvas deck. The motor was a 44ci Merc with Quincy pipes. This was taken at Wemmer Pan, Johannesburg around '63 or '64. I know it was before March '64 as he hit a log, at the saame venue, in March '64 and the front of the boat folded up and fractured his neck. The boy sitting in the boat was my elder brother, Brent. Not sure of the boat in the background (Desiree)

Picture #2 This was the first and only sponsored boat that my father raced in South Africa. This was taken at Wemmer Pan, Johannesburg in '72 and was my father's last race. The boat had a Konig and was raced in the 500cc Alky class. The inboard hydro in the background (left) belonged to my godfather, Graham Campbell.

Picture #3 Apologies for the really poor state of this one. This is my fathers 44cu merc with Quincy pipes. This boat held the record in the class for more than 20 years.

Picture #4 My father's first Hydro. I think this was taken at Loch Vaal.

Picture #5 A slightly better view of the same boat as in Picture #3

Picture #6 was taken around '64 or '65 at the Riviera Club, Van Ber Bijl Park.

[Lars Strom]

Hi Kerry,

I raced in the BP 200 South Africa 1975..
Two pictures of my Clerici/Evinrude OE # 44 boat

There is more about the race here..

http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forum...?t=6727&page=5

[KerrySmith]

One of the tow trucks and boats that the South African team toured Europe with. I think this is the one that my father (Ralph) and his best mate (Graham Campbell) raced.

[KerrySmith]

Some miscellaneous pictures from the races that the South African team participated in in Europe in '70 and '72. If anyone can add any info, please do. I know some shots are from Paris and some are from Berlin.

[Lars Strom]

I think most of those picture above are from Paris 6 Hours.

Well..This is a friend of mine from Sweden..His name is Lars Block and he raced the 2 liter inboard class in Paris 6 Hours..

[KerrySmith]

More pics from the same batch:

[KerrySmith]

Hi Kerry,

I raced in the BP 200 South Africa 1975..
Two pictures of my Clerici/Evinrude OE # 44 boat

There is more about the race here..

http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forum...?t=6727&page=5

Hi Lars,
I remember the BP200. It was raced at Loch Vaal. Although my father had stopped racing by then and I was too young to race, I went to many of the bigger races. They were hectic but exciting.

Regards
Kerry

[KerrySmith]

Some more pics

[KerrySmith]

Here are some pics of the South african team in Europe along with some of their equipment.
Picture #1 One of the South African boats being lowered into the water

Picture #4 Left to Right - Ralph Smith, ??? , Graham Campbell

Picture #6 Some repair work after hitting something in the water in Paris.