That last photo was from the first invitational race at Hot Springs. That's Billy Seebold in the life jacket driving for Marshall. 1972. That's my prop I had on the 1100cc hydro. I was out front when everything started shaking. I didn't know what had happened, but I had to kill the engine. That was the only time I ever lost a blade. That was the last invitational race we had at Hot Springs. Dan Kirts was driving for Marshall then.
Marshall my Dad and Tim Butts had put on that invitational race three years in a row. Their concept was similar to some of the stuff going on with USTS. More prize money, professional looking equipment and drivers, a good show for spectators, etc. Marshall retired from racing the following year if I remember correctly and I was out for the season so no more invitational races. When I came back in 1976 my Dad, Tim and myself started putting our efforts toward UIM racing. I wonder what would have happened had Marshall stayed in and we continued the APBA concept. He was a tireless worker. In spite of all he had to contend with being in Johnny Cash's band, he still made time to work on promoting top of the line Pro racing.
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