Chicago River: I can't believe this picture is still around....

[Skoontz]

I remember that too....they always would launch inboards with a crane, but the Chicago river was the first time I saw outboats launch from the crane as well.

[MN1]

The 1975 race was by Navy Pier. I think on the north side of Navy Pier. The year before it was by Marina City Towers. My mom took this photo in 1974.
Mark N

[Skoontz]

The 1975 race was by Navy Pier. I think on the north side of Navy Pier. The year before it was by Marina City Towers. My mom took this photo in 1974.
Mark N

If I am not mistaken, City of chicago moved it to NavyPeir because of the high rent district at Marina Towers...But at Navy Peir, they called it the Air and Water show, which still was going when I left in 2001.

I always thought combining an air water show in San diego would be brilliant, as north Island Naval Station and/or MCAS Miramar is a mile off the water where the boat races run....It would be a great way to slow the lag time between heats, set ups and so on....

[MN1]

Here's a couple more.
Mark N


http://stores.ebay.com/TribunePhotos...LH_TitleDesc=1

[brichter]

In the first picture #1025 was Marshall Penka, who was a salesman for Vampire, # 1144 which is barely visible with the Johnson motor, is John Stochl driving the same Sid that was #328 in the picture from the previous post. #519 is Jeff Anderson in a Checkmate hull. Looks like a McCall on the outside of the turn, I can't see the number but it could be Dick Ingebretsen.

[Bill Van Steenwyk]

where I attended a race in the late 60's. It was put on by I am sure Outboard Club of Chicago, as it was an "Alky" race, although there may have been a few classes of OPC, I am not sure about that as we are talking 40+ years ago, and as the saying goes, I can't remember where I put my car keys this morning, much less that long ago, but sometimes the problem is the opposite. Funny how that works, or doesn't. ANYWAY:


The thing I remember most about the site was the pit access to the water, or lack of same. There was a VERY steep bank going down to the water, and I mean STEEP and like 15-20 feet from top of bank to water, took 6 to 8 crew members to get a boat down to the water so you could start. I don't remember racing there as I may have had engine problems as that was my 1st or 2nd year back after about a 10 year layoff and it took awhile to get my stuff together (some might say I never did) but I do remember the site and the hard way to the water.

Anybody remember or know where this site was??

[MN1]

where I attended a race in the late 60's. It was put on by I am sure Outboard Club of Chicago, as it was an "Alky" race, although there may have been a few classes of OPC, I am not sure about that as we are talking 40+ years ago, and as the saying goes, I can't remember where I put my car keys this morning, much less that long ago, but sometimes the problem is the opposite. Funny how that works, or doesn't. ANYWAY:


The thing I remember most about the site was the pit access to the water, or lack of same. There was a VERY steep bank going down to the water, and I mean STEEP and like 15-20 feet from top of bank to water, took 6 to 8 crew members to get a boat down to the water so you could start. I don't remember racing there as I may have had engine problems as that was my 1st or 2nd year back after about a 10 year layoff and it took awhile to get my stuff together (some might say I never did) but I do remember the site and the hard way to the water.

Anybody remember or know where this site was??

I remember being in Chicago with my parents as a kid and hearing the Alky boats from where ever we were in Chicago. We begged and begged to go watch the boat races. Finally our parents gave in and we followed the sound to the races. I don't remember much but being in the pits and seeing and smelling those cool motors.
Mark N

[ProHydroRacer]

where I attended a race in the late 60's. It was put on by I am sure Outboard Club of Chicago, as it was an "Alky" race, although there may have been a few classes of OPC, I am not sure about that as we are talking 40+ years ago, and as the saying goes, I can't remember where I put my car keys this morning, much less that long ago, but sometimes the problem is the opposite. Funny how that works, or doesn't. ANYWAY:


The thing I remember most about the site was the pit access to the water, or lack of same. There was a VERY steep bank going down to the water, and I mean STEEP and like 15-20 feet from top of bank to water, took 6 to 8 crew members to get a boat down to the water so you could start. I don't remember racing there as I may have had engine problems as that was my 1st or 2nd year back after about a 10 year layoff and it took awhile to get my stuff together (some might say I never did) but I do remember the site and the hard way to the water.

Anybody remember or know where this site was??

Hey Bill,
No OPC at the OCC race. This was the worst place I ever raced, rollers where two to three feet high. It was so rough that the Konig died out as I came to the start on the back field. The pack jumped the start and I was able to restart the Konig. I ended up winning the "B" (350) race, and won 200 or 300 dollars. The winning paid for the Konig I got from Ray Hardy's freind John (?).
My old V-15 (V-13 Kurps)

[Bill Gohr]

In the first picture #1025 was Marshall Penka, who was a salesman for Vampire, # 1144 which is barely visible with the Johnson motor, is John Stochl driving the same Sid that was #328 in the picture from the previous post. #519 is Jeff Anderson in a Checkmate hull. Looks like a McCall on the outside of the turn, I can't see the number but it could be Dick Ingebretsen.

Billy you need to stop by

[Dan M]

Bill Van,

That Chicago race was held in the lock basin where the Chicago river meets Lake Michigan. It was the second race I ever attended. It was held there for a couple of years. The water was very strange due to the quick rise and fall when the locks were operated. Made for some tough currents and swirls. It was the only time I ever saw Homer Kincaid go out of a boat. He was running his C and caught a roller in the first corner. Lot's of memories from that era.

Dan