In memory of racers no longer with us:

**Ron Hill** · 06-14-2017

About 10-12 years ago, the APBA had their National Meeting scheduled for Los Angeles. On their printed agenda was a visit to Edelbrock's Shop in Torrance. The year before, I had attended the APBA convention to cheer for Plan B's owner, Ben Marrone and driver Paul Grichar as Paul was getting into the APBA Hall of Champions for the second time, 25 years apart. I had made their propellers for Plan B, so I went to the convention. While in Detroit we went to Jack Roush's Museum for dinner and free tour.

I thought the tour was very specail, especially seeing the airplane that almost took Jack's life.
So, I called around to see how we were to get ticket's to Edelbrock's "Show Room" and no one seemed to know anything about the tour. So, I called Vic, now this is two weeks before the APBA Convention.

I ask to speak to Vic Edelbrock, I got his secretary. Then his secretary asked my name, I said, "Ron Hill." The next sound I hear is Vic asking me how the prop business is?
I say very good. What I'm calling you about is the tour scheduled during the APBA Convention. He said, "There is no tour scheduled, in fact, we are just loading the last car in here to take to a show in Pomona. The show lasts a month or two weeks. Who said we were having a tour?" I said the APBA's printed schedule said tour and dinner.

Vic said, "I wish I'd known, I'd love to have you boat racers here and for dinner.

I said I sure miss the Ski Race days when you a Jerry raced those GREAT JERRY GILBREATH prepared V-Drives.

The racing world lost a good one!

**Ron Hill** · 10-09-2017

I just heard that Max McPeek passed on the 4th of September. I will see if I can find some stuff about Max. The movie "BLUE MAX" came out while Max was racing and I called him "BLUE MAX", not because of the movie but because of his love life.

His family had the greatest cottage on Gun Lake, Michigan. Such a wonderful place.

**Ron Hill** · 11-08-2017

I lived in Bellflower, California and I think Howard did too. He was unbeatable in D Hydro from about 1952 til he retired, about 1956.

Howard dated and then married the United Speedboat Association's Commodore, daughter. The Commodore was named Rich Job.

How borrowed Rich's "A" DeSilva and won the 115 Mile Colorado River Marathon, in 1955. In 1956, he built his own runabout and again won the 115 mile marathon.

Howard build quiet a few boats in his garage in Bellflower. He used mahogany and monel anchor nails in all his boats.

My brother had one of his C-D Hydros in 1957.

My brother is on the inside, driving his Thompson Hydro. Larry Adams is "CUTTING HIM OFF". This picture caused many arguments. The term "Racing Room" came from this picture.

I just heard, yesterday about Howard's passing.

**A/B Speedliner** · 12-20-2017

This past Monday, 12/18/2017 we lost a dear friend, Anker Petersen . Anker and I with my brother Alan grew up together in Oakdale, NY. In 1955 Alan started racing BU and shortly Anker would be part of our crew. He finally got the urge to race in 1966 after returning from Vietnam we built him our first 36 class Speedliner style boat under the Aeroliner Race Boats name. He raced with Eastern Outboard Racing Club for years. He started with an Evinrude until Alan sold him a new Chrysler engine. He was a very quiet person but he was also a lot of fun, I remember once when his father and mother returned to Denmark for vacation he and his brother Paul had a house party, we were in our late teens at the time. Our group of friends purchased a quarter keg of beer. We could not find a place to set up the keg until someone found the grand piano, left the top and there was a perfect location. Needless to say it destroyed the piano.
Anker's racing number was 69N, he was very proud of the number, wonder why? Anker lost his wife only three weeks before he passed so I guess he had enough of us and wanted to be with his wife. He leaves behind his brothers John and Paul, his children and his many friends.

Rest in Peace my friend, see you on the other side

David

**Ron Hill** · 02-18-2018

http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forum...nt-Fred-Bowden

I knew Fred has been "Under the weather" since October. We have emailed for more than ten years. When I had not received one of his emails, a month ago I called him. He said, "He'd had water on the lung and heart, but was doing better."

Last week I called and didn't answer, so I called Bowden Development. Todd Bowden called me back and said, "His dad was making progress."

On Thursday, I'd driving our old Ford 250 truck, no blue tooth, and I get a call from Fred. (I have 4,000 pounds of steel on a F250, so I let it go to voice mail).

When I listened to the voice mail, I had to laugh. Fred said, "He'd seen me going down the freeway." I assumed he was heading for Parker, I figured I'd call him Tuesday and Tuesday's are easier for me to call and we could shoot the breeze.

I guess he made it to Parker. He felt tired, Saturday afternoon. He took a nap and never work up.

Fred was always good to me, he was a good sponsor for my son. When Fred would give Chad sponsor money, he's always make the check out to Chad, AND REMIND ME THE MONEY WAS FOR CHAD.

God Speed, OLD FRIEND!

**Karen Cadle** · 02-19-2018

Just received an email from Kay Pond that Dick had passed. I truly can't remember a time when Dick wasn't part of my life. He raced for my Grandfather in the 50's and early 60's. There is a nice memorial video on the obituary page and several good photos. http://www.dejongsfuneralhome.com/ob.../Charles-Pond/

**GETBOATS** · 02-20-2018

Originally Posted by Ron Hill

http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forum...nt-Fred-Bowden

I knew Fred has been "Under the weather" since October. We have emailed for more than ten years. When I had not received one of his emails, a month ago I called him. He said, "He'd had water on the lung and heart, but was doing better."

Last week I called and didn't answer, so I called Bowden Development. Todd Bowden called me back and said, "His dad was making progress."

On Thursday, I'd driving our old Ford 250 truck, no blue tooth, and I get a call from Fred. (I have 4,000 pounds of steel on a F250, so I let it go to voice mail).

When I listened to the voice mail, I had to laugh. Fred said, "He'd seen me going down the freeway." I assumed he was heading for Parker, I figured I'd call him Tuesday and Tuesday's are easier for me to call and we could shoot the breeze.

I guess he made it to Parker. He felt tired, Saturday afternoon. He took a nap and never work up.

Fred was always good to me, he was a good sponsor for my son. When Fred would give Chad sponsor money, he's always make the check out to Chad, AND REMIND ME THE MONEY WAS FOR CHAD.

God Speed, OLD FRIEND!

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.bowden.pdf

**NERSTROM** · 02-21-2018

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.