Racing Days Past...

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

I came across this pic and it got me remembering. '03 Orange Beach raced twice.


The following week raced in Key West a couple more times.




Trouble is I can't say which was the most fun. '03, '98, 99, 01 I raced both Worlds too. Those few years we ran a 2 race Worlds. Still 4 races in 2 weeks was very trying. '04 was the last Combined year we ran a 3 race format. So much fun.

I guess 98 stands out most of all. Bahamas, Key West Worlds, Biloxi Worlds, Fajardo, Puerto Rico in 3 months.

Still can't pick just one. Too many good ones.

What was your favorite event ever?

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

I wonder what this year will bring?

[THEJOKER]

Sarasota will always be my favorite memory. Then Toronto and Key West.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

First race in Sarasota in 1990 or '91?





When John first brought his bought by my shop I told him I only worked on Mercs. I told him if it wasn't black it isn't coming in the door. The following Week he returned....I want to to add hydraulic steering, trim tabs and race with me in Sarasota...

[Tyler Crockett]

Orange Beach Worlds 03 This is a great shot of us and Cancun hitting the same wave.

[Tyler Crockett]

Ft. Lauderdale 04 coming around turn 4 hosing somebody

[Tyler Crockett]

Destin 06 stickin the fork in the Velocity it's done...

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Running around together side by side for the entire race was as fun as it gets.

The other boat was throttled by a friend and past team mate making it even more fun.





This most recent run will be near the top of the list for a while I think.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Surprisingly, One of the funnest ones we didn't even win. There have been a few great races we have enjoyed without a win.

I raced the second race in KeyWest in an early Factory Boat. It had a hot 2.4 on a 21 Shadow. We were racing a 22 Activator and a 24 Superboat with 2.5's A Sterndrive Checkmate, an Avanti and maybe a couple more.

The Activator had been having a great season. As we headed out the harbor we were side by side with the Activator. We hit the first swells together. I watched them punch the dash with their fists as they knocked the kill switch and slowed.

So we finish our 1st lap and head out again just as this faster activator comes along side us again. We did the entire leg side by side and round turn one together. We hit a big swell together again. This time we did a moon shot and air stalled slamming down nearing stopped as they stuffed and stopped. We look at each other and off we both go again. Never did see them again. As we were heading out the final lap we came up behind the 24 Superboat. We couldn't catch him by turn one and hoped to "make it" through the east bound leg and chase him down coming in the harbor. Well we didn't make it to turn three. My driver went for a swim. I was busted up pretty good. Still we managed to take 2nd overall.. We were in the lead and didn't even know it.

Up until the bad hop it was a truly fantastic run. We averaged 59 or something. The boat only went 63 or 4. That was the year with single and twin A class. We by average time ran in the top 25% or and the top 50 % of the B boats.

After I took my ambulance ride, got X rayed, picked up a bottle of Percodans I went to the Latham Party on the end of Duval. I don't remember the awards. Must have missed them. My buddy was unhurt. I went home with duct tape wrapped around my T Shirt so my ribs wouldn't move. I learned a serious lesson in respect that day but, still it ranks in the most fun run list.

That was the same year my buddy pulled in a lap early and lost a race he lead from the start. He got his entire rig toilet papered and covered in shoe polish with "Nine Lap Lilly HA HA hA ."

Funny how some memories don't fade.

[Ron P]

In 2003, I ended up going to Deerfield with SBI, Orange Beach with APBA and Key West with ??? - Lee Mills.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Kinda silly ...There is no handle for my right hand.

Thanks Ron. You caught the only "moon shot" I ever took in that boat.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Just Thinking...I drove that boat for 4 different throttle men. Won with three of them.

[DAREDEVIL]

Just Thinking...I drove that boat for 4 different throttle men. Won with three of them.

Jim ,,the steering wheel looks to be on the left side in that boat ????

[THEJOKER]

Surprisingly, One of the funnest ones we didn't even win. There have been a few great races we have enjoyed without a win.

I raced the second race in KeyWest in an early Factory Boat. It had a hot 2.4 on a 21 Shadow. We were racing a 22 Activator and a 24 Superboat with 2.5's A Sterndrive Checkmate, an Avanti and maybe a couple more.

The Activator had been having a great season. As we headed out the harbor we were side by side with the Activator. We hit the first swells together. I watched them punch the dash with their fists as they knocked the kill switch and slowed.

So we finish our 1st lap and head out again just as this faster activator comes along side us again. We did the entire leg side by side and round turn one together. We hit a big swell together again. This time we did a moon shot and air stalled slamming down nearing stopped as they stuffed and stopped. We look at each other and off we both go again. Never did see them again. As we were heading out the final lap we came up behind the 24 Superboat. We couldn't catch him by turn one and hoped to "make it" through the east bound leg and chase him down coming in the harbor. Well we didn't make it to turn three. My driver went for a swim. I was busted up pretty good. Still we managed to take 2nd overall.. We were in the lead and didn't even know it.

Up until the bad hop it was a truly fantastic run. We averaged 59 or something. The boat only went 63 or 4. That was the year with single and twin A class. We by average time ran in the top 25% or and the top 50 % of the B boats.

After I took my ambulance ride, got X rayed, picked up a bottle of Percodans I went to the Latham Party on the end of Duval. I don't remember the awards. Must have missed them. My buddy was unhurt. I went home with duct tape wrapped around my T Shirt so my ribs wouldn't move. I learned a serious lesson in respect that day but, still it ranks in the most fun run list.

That was the same year my buddy pulled in a lap early and lost a race he lead from the start. He got his entire rig toilet papered and covered in shoe polish with "Nine Lap Lilly HA HA hA ."

Funny how some memories don't fade.

That 38 Fountain F2 boat was one fast mother!

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Same boat in '98 Biloxi. It was smooth so I held on to the fairing. When its rough I would put my arm over the side.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

That 38 Fountain F2 boat was one fast mother!

She was truly special. I was lucky to get to drive it as much as I did.

[MarylandMark]

Orange Beach Worlds 03 This is a great shot of us and Cancun hitting the same wave.

Cool pic!

RIP Jack Stoerrle
RIP Pat Reiter

[THEJOKER]

Cool pic!

RIP Jack Stoerrle
RIP Pat Reiter

I was there when Jack was killed. Daytona 03 on Saturday. He was a great guy! I raced a 382 and spent enough time testing in that boat and it always scared me.

[DAREDEVIL]

Same boat in '98 Biloxi. It was smooth so I held on to the fairing. When its rough I would put my arm over the side.

Thanks ,,,i thought so , but on the other pic it really looks like the wheel is on the left. LOL

NICE BOAT !!!!!!!

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Most boats get gutted to race. That one came gutted, raced, and now has a full interior.