Ron Hill Has Not Left The Building 2005-2017

[Ron Hill]

2005, Hey All,
I went to Chowchilla.......OF COURSE, I left my camera on CHAD's computer when we went to the race......But it was SO HOT and we were SO BUSY....I probably would not have taken any pictures anyway...

We ran our new Gran Prix...(Old Berghauer Boat)....OF course, we never tested BEFORE the race....We ran Sat

The kneel downers had some great racing...I felt for two days I might be seeing HISTORY MADE as Gary Lewis drove LIKE THE CHAMPION HE IS...to four firsts on Saturday...and was on his way to four more Sunday....When Tammy Dawe ruined his PERFECT RECORD by winning A HYDRO...

Keep it up all, we have a SPORT TO SAVE...ONE CLASS AT A TIME!!!!

[Miss BK]

Rides? How come I didn't get a ride? I was just a kid then.

[Ron Hill]

Hey Mercguy....forgot to ask if the polishing was ok....Miss seeing you at OUR races...

I just could not let the BEAUTY go by.....Now all I need is a hole in the head and capsule training...

[Ron Hill]

Ok, yesterday, Dave Bryan...the outboard racer, Tinker George "Evil Knivel" Collinge and I headed for Apple Valley...

Fred Bowden told me to sell his three pit bikes, and I was thinking that would be a good job for Tinker George, as soon as his collar bones heals up from demoing his Honda Scooter...that he didn't sell...yet...

So, Dave I I went to John's Custom Marine to pick up Boat #34...A Stoker Mod VP that Fred asked me to pick up......Seems plans changed quickly here, so, we left the boat a John's...

We went to Tinker's....He's restoring his 280.....with one arm....Got Bottom pictures of that...

The flowers are ICE PLANT in bloom...pretty as hell....

Then, we headed for S and S Marine....TO check on the J Hydro progress..

Then, we met Ernie Dawe at Denny's...He needed stack pullers....and I had picked them up for him at the foundry....Gave Ernie money to buy plywood for our 45 KILO BOAT...

Then, we headed for Apple Valley Marine..

[Ron Hill]

Man, I can't take Tinker anywhere anymore, becasue he's caught "BUYING FEVER".....I got "SELLING FEVER" right now.....Well, maybe...I did only buy an SST 120, an OMC 15 A, a Mod VP, a few engines.......maybe a new A Hydro....this week....

Anyway, Apple Valley is fun...always, even when we blew Mickey's battery all to hell...

I took a Record Prop, that was Stoker's, and asked Al if it was his...He said, "YES"...then I gave the prop to Mickey...We might want to run 36 sometimes...

There is a picture of a transom pice that makes a D Runabout into a 36, the blurred picture is a cut out boat in the rafters...a "PROJECT" for the future....

Tinker with shifters for Mark Nelson's Twin Ron Jones Drag Hydro...I think...Hugh Huser cecking out stuff...Mickey has rooms full of "Every ****"...if you need boat parts....I can find it...at Appla Valley Marine...They are closed Saturday, Sunday, Monday, maybe Tuesday and they seldom answer the phone.....but they got business....lots of it...

The blue boat is for my J HYDRO PROJECT...I'm going to use the trailer to carry J Hydros. .....

And my Yellow Tahiti....Nice boat, really..

[Ron Hill]

Well, Fred's Winnebago is still for sale, unless I buy it...Laurie and I bought Dave Bryan's, Outboard Natioanal Champion Dave, 2002 35 foot Monaco...Laurie is a "Driving Fool" but I didn't take any pictures of her at the wheel, as I was holding on too tight...

We'll have this "PUPPY" at Parker April 12-13...2008.

[Ron Hill]

It really was with a heavy heart that I started helping Fred and Todd Bowden sell off their Bowden Development Champboat equipment....

But when the SAMARI went up for sale....I had to have it....not just to haul around behind OUR new motorhome...This Samari is a 1989 and has always gone to Boat Races...as the new King in the King and I said, "I like Boat Races." I remember seeing Fred's late brother Larry drive this thing....I've always like it....Now Laurie and I own it....

Old stickers will go, and NEW WWW.BOATRACINGFACTS.COM (http://www.BOATRACINGFACTS.COM) and WWW.HILLMARINE.COM (http://www.HILLMARINE.COM) will be on it...

Fred and Todd may be out of Boat racing, their Samari will be there with me, Laurie, Chad, Corey, Broc, Lane, Steven, Pat, Diana, Tinker.........The Hill Racing Crew....

[Ron Hill]

See you all at The Bluewater Resort and Casino Spring Classic...April 12-13, 2008...

New stickers on the Samari and we're good to go!

Thanks, Mike Leach for putting the tow bar on for me!!!!

[Ron Hill]

Laurie and I hauled out for Needles a week ago, went to Prescott, then to Phoenix to see the Dodgers and D-Backs play baseball..Then went back to Parker for the races...April 12-13, 2008, a great weekend for racing.....

Now that my brother has figured out this "NEW" Concept for propellers, we figure we'll place higher than fifth, next time....

Anyway, I've been keeping an eye of Rod Zapf's HST Hydrostream, the NEW J HYDRO.......and OMG, those bottoms on Cracker Boxes..............I am so GLAD I don't own a Cracker Box right now....

GN-7 looked good at Parker......I bet Rusher Air to win the first qualifier....almost everyone else in the Hill Racing area took The Body Snatcher..........But, after the first heat, I switched my bet to GN 711.....Cool thing about GN-7 winning..........I was OLD 888, a prop I made 31 years ago......Good run all.....

The "PIPQUEAK" jeep we bought from Fred was close to perfect, we did have to push her back after Saturday's weigh in.........Seems Fred Bowden told me she gets 350 miles on a tank of gas......that maybe be true, if you are pulling it...

This Tummy Gummer prop seems too big....

[Ron Hill]

I don't know what it was really called but I called it a Boat Race without water...HOT, HOT, HOT and FUN...

Laurie's sister Betsey play the banjo in the BIGINNER DIVISION... Boat racing needs more "BANJO TOURNAMENTS"...a place for competition but fun was the MAIN STREAM...

www.boatracingfacts.com (http://www.boatracingfacts.com) was at the tournament...

Check out my Blue Water Resort and Casino 300 boat... Pat brought her down from Fresno....Might just paint her all ORANGE and call her ARCADIAN. I'm sure if Jimmy Hauenstein was here, he'd drive with me...Freddy has to go to a UIM meeting so he can't drive with me.

Looking for sponsors, I'm maybe 5, 6...I'm a few thousand short...

[Ron Hill]

I talked to Al Stoker, that Baker that Pat bought with my money, is number two V Bottom out of Jerry Baker's shop. It is the first one with the notched bottom... And, the two four inch filler caps(Moon Caps as they were called) are in the original location as installed by John's Custom Marine.....Stay tuned, that boat will race agin..."No Boat Left Behind" is the motto for The Blue Water Resort and Casino 300 Enduro...

Let's see left for Needles with "Parnelli Jones" Stern....We kind of "KICKED" on Saturday, but Sunday we "GOT AFTER IT" and went to Chief Tito's Landing...His tribe is going back to their "ROOTS" and renaming themselves the Neuavi's...I think...

Picture 1: Clean 235 Evinrude, sold for $350...
Picture 2: Gas cap close up
Picture 3: Jimbo McConnell "Messing" with the APBA J propellers...(Comments of those props later..maybe MUCH later)..."ParnellI" getting "Warmed Up" to drive the Sea Doo...(Why the name "Parnelli" you ask????).
Picture 4: Jimbo not only looking at the APBA J props, he's looking at my props...I realize I'm not really the "KING" but I sure wish Jimbo would modify a few propellers, even if he just did them for ME...Jimbo knows props....But you ask him to rework one and he says, "Hello is this thing working?" Even when he's standing next to you....We've know each othe 50 years, but I'm still mad at him for driving the Black and White Scotti, with Ted May, and winning Parker......and getting on the cover of Powerboats...Freddy Hauenstein and I were second and we got one line in the magazine....and the month before, the black and whit boat was for ME!!!!!!!!!and Freddy...Until Jimbo tested it...I guess after 35 years, I shoul;d "let it go"....

Picture 5: My daughter's back and youngest granddaughter...
Picture 6: Granddaughter in chair....Jimbo did the painting....Actually, not sure who did the painting on that chair, but Jimbo and I agreed that if MY OLD MAN had have been there, He'd have thrown the chair in the trash! Jimbo and I both miss my OLD MAN...We really don't have anyone to yell at us anymore!!!

[Ron Hill]

Tito tells me the Tribe is going back to their original name, but forgot what it was...Something like Neuvis...

Picture One: This is Tito Smith, Tito's air conditioner was working great...He had the Needles area cooled down to the mid 80's...perfect...

Picture Two: This old boat, (Red) is The Tiger, built by Cliff Bedford...Sad to see a proud boat like the Tiger...sitting in a lonely spot on the desert...

Picture three: Mud Prop on a Mud "HUNTER'S" Boat...

Picture Four: Mud Buddy Motor and prop....Add a Skeg like a racer and put this on a HYDRO...

Picture Five: Some more "Every ****" I got...Do I find deals or what???

Picture Six: ...Daughter and granddaughter enjoying the river....Any QUESTIONS AS TO WHY I LIKE THE RIVER???? Parnelli Jones Stern is out on the river....with the Sea Doo.....

Pictures Seven and eight....Stacker trailer.....

Dago Fast, you need a trailer?, I'll sell you this stacker...It really ain't mine, but will sell it anyway...I could LOAN IT TO YOU...

[Ron Hill]

Had some skin cancer removed today..50 stitches...

[Ron Hill]

My eye was closed this morning....

[Ron Hill]

Thanks for all the support....and not just about my skin cancer....It is great to have lots of friends....

[Master Oil Racing Team]

You gots lots of friends Ron.:cool: And you always have a way to get us thinking....ala..a striking photo. And don't take this wrong, because I love you and can never thank you enough for what you and Ted have done to get boat racers back into the fold. But what I want to know is......you came back with your left eye and face being hammered, (which is logical), but this last photo shows the surgery on your right eye. What I am wondering is did your left hand that always gets the glory holding props actually push the button and you flipped the frame....or did you take your pic in a mirror?:D

Just kidding. Ron...there are so many of us out here that thank you for what you and Ted have done than you can imagine. We all are praying for total and complete elimination and no reoccurrence.

[racnbns]

Hi Ron---

I wonder if he found what he was looking for?

I lost about a quarter of my left ear 6 or 8 years ago. The guy did such a good job nobody can tell. It's just a little smaller than the rt. ear.

I go in tues. for biopsy's[sp.] on about 3 suspicious spots. I don't need this crap during the race season but----

AWWW---THESE GOLDEN YEARS!

Bruce

[Ron Hill]

Seems I'm pretty again...Now only need an eye lift on the other eye...

[Ron Hill]

My grand Niece, Marlee Hill, went to Washington DC with her class the only sovenir she brought back was this one...I've sang Johnny Cash's Ira Hayes song nearly a million times...

I brought you home a sovenir from Whitney Point, New York Nationals...I guess I don't have a picture of the new B and H Hydro I bought....New to US, as it was built for Brent Dillard a few years back, I bought it from Tomm Nuccio. Who I had not seen since 1976 in Hinton, West Virginia...

[Ron Hill]

At Whitney Point, NY, 2008, Billy Allen, "RACERS" son, went to a local second hand store and bought a recliner chair....when the races were over, he left it in the trash....Great idea!!!!

Also, I think B and C Mod with the stinger, enlarged skeg, an all, is a great idea....too.

[BRIAN HENDRICK]

I was there for four days, camped beside the pits, and when I get back to ON, they say "did u talk to Ron" ?
"No, I didn't see him, was he there ? ":confused:
I think it was you I was fighting with over the last of the relish at the hot dog stand :mad:
I suppose if I came on this board more i would know,
and i should have guessed with half of Reg 10/11 there.

Yeah, that boat of Nuccio's is a good ride.
"B-C mods" -until this year, in 55 years, nothing in my shop, other than USA and German motors.
Now, there is a 102mod, nice tough little mota,
starts easy, like my FB Konig, just a little quieter.
Last time we talked was Valleyfield, '67 maybe ???

[Ron Hill]

One thing I REALLY liked about Whitney Point, NY, 2008 was that i saw and heard most drivers working, womewhere, sometime...This is OUR sport we need to do more than race...Great job. all..

Here is John Peeters check fuel...REAL bad picture of Fred Hauenstein....

[Ron Hill]

Went to Apple Valley Marine to get the BMB Storage Parker boat and get my rebuilt CLE gearcases... While I was there with Tinker Collinge and Dave Bryan, I thought I'd pick up two of the five Merc 500's Tinker and I had found at Apple Valley on the last trip...

Instead we found four new Merc 500's...I am planning on building up a D Mod or two....Tinker and I don't have enough projects...

How about these pipes?? Water injected...

John Banicci's capsuled PC at S and S Marine.... Dave Bryan and Tinker watching Micke Schwarzenbach work.

Last picture is of Danny's Schwarzenbach's Evinrude 36.....And again I'll say, "BEST OUTBOARD CLASS IN APBA." Our Commodore, Race Chhairman and patrol Boats were always the 36 drivers.....Much like the Sport C GENTLEMEN in Region 11.......(Patrol Boats anyway)...

[Ron Hill]

Daves says, "Ron, how does it feel to have lost your mind?"

I had never given the question much thought, but maybe I have lost my mind....

I have SO MUCH FUN doing things...Like making new propellers for PRO GT....Will round ears work?

Or buying things from my plumber....What am I going to do with a perfectly good 9.9 Mercury???
Could it be that I have another J Motor in my future???

[Ron Hill]

Laurie Stern (Brandel) was once a National Champion skater. Her sister is in town from Idaho and brought some extra skates along..

We went skating: Bunker, Annette, Corey, Chad, Matt, Jessica, Russ, Carolyn, Broc, Reese, Peyton and me...(Laurie's sister and husband...).

A great time was had...Finished with a bar-b-que at our house....

Laurie and sister can skate.....

[JSR Motorsports]

I thought You and Chad would like this.

[Ron Hill]

AZ Outlaw may have a 45 "RIDE" at Havasu Landing...

I've got Chris Chamberlin working on THE BLACK REVOLUTION....

Dave Bryan and I are shortening two 15 Johnson mid sections to see how they will work on a J/A Hydro with a stock gearcase...

Quick story.......
Well I go to Chad's and pick up the Black Revolution and head for Chris'...

I'm cooling it in the right lane going about 60....I notice a CHP (California Highway Patrol) cruising back a ways....I somewhat panic, realizing I had no license plate, non working taillights and no safety chain.... (Who needs a safety chain right???).

Anyway, the CHP dude passes me, ALMOST, then slows and pulls in behind me...The BIG ONE...I feel like Fred Sanford...I know I'm going to have a heart attack...Of course, the traffic ahead of me slows and I have to use my brakes...So now, the CHP dude knows my brake lights don't work and I don't have any tail lights. So, I put on the blinker, that doesn't work and change lanes...The CHP dude gets off the freeway...while I'm checking my shorts.....

So, Chris and I unload the boat and I haul out of Eat at Joe's....GREAT pastrami sandwiches...Last thing Chris says, "Remember you have a trailer behind you..."

I stop at Eat at Joe's...Get out...No TRAILER.............I call Chris and ask if he unhooked the trailer...He said, "NO."...

I back track...and at Home Depot, there were twenty laborers sitting on a nice boat trailer.....$20 later, I was going down the road with my trailer...Maybe, I'll get the safety chain hooked up....


Chris's Mustang..

Dave Bryan's saddle for his Tohatsu "D"..

My 15 Johnson...

[Ron Hill]

1. Gran Prix that was Bill Ruckers. Then Garland Powells. Loaned to JohnLane. Then Broc Hill's. Current on loan to Tito Smith Jr. For Sale for $5,000 turn key, no trailer. Tito has said he'll buy it, when his taxes come back!!!!!

2. Gran Prix that was The Berghausers. Then a guy's in Vegas, Then Chad ran it for two years. Currently rerigging it and Clive Wilkins is going to run it at Havasu Landing. $5,000 turn key, no trailer. Clive may buy the package.

3. Black Revolution, Chris Chamberlin is repairing all damage, Jeff Conant of Trafficade Fame has been offered the use of the boat. $5,000 turn key, no trailer...

I'd take $2,500 for the Berghauer Gran Prix or the Black Revloution...AND might consider getting it to the Winter Nationals...

[Ron Hill]

Chris Chamberlin is doing a beautiful job getting the Black Revolution ready for paint...Fixed all holes...and cracks...

[Ron Hill]

Damn.....bought 3-8 HP Johnsons, 4-9.9 Merc 4 strokes.....

Think I'll start an 8 HP class and 9.9 four stroke class...

Oh, forgot to mention I bought this 18'6" Whoo for a club patrol boat...

When it rains in SoCal it is purtty!

[Ron Hill]

California isa funny state, Twisters grow in the grass... Beautiful here when there is snow in the mountains...

[Ron Hill]

Well......A new BEAMER and Sara Palin glasses.......What's next, new boy friend????


I never like Honda drivers.....but SHE had a Honda, So....

But I always disliked BEAMER drivers MORE...So.....
I guess and man can deal with it!

[Ron Hill]

I hear Scott, Missy, and Mike Schatz, Bob Williams all want to get capsuled trained. Chris Chamberline has offered his pool for the "DUNK" tank...He needs to get trained and so does Clive....

I just wanted everyone to know I'm still working on a second Rescue boat...I have Chris working on the boat and Chad working on the motor...

[Ron Hill]

Got a new set of pistons coming...Chris and Jimmy are rigging this thing fast....and nice...

[Ron Hill]

I have a 2.5 to put on this boat. Just ordered new pistons Monday. Should be together by the end of next week.

I am looking for a 140 HP Johnson for a 16 foot Baker that I have....

Zoe telling me I'm on the phone too much!

[Ron Hill]

Our new shop:
Hill Marine
2683 Halladay Street
Santa Ana, California 92705
714-855-2986

1-714-608-7147 Ron's cell


Off Dyer between Main and Grand

[Ron Hill]

By the way, the sign on the building IS STRAIT (not GAY)....straight...whatever, we measured it...

Frank bought Broc's Gran Prix and a trim ram...I made him a deal...I'd throw in a trailer and a boat on the deal....Bunker and I are delivering these things to Frank tomorrow....

Ain't that Tahati a beauty??? Them new five blades is pretty too!

See you at 11 tomorrow Frank lunch at the Mexican joint that serves Chinese food...Stopping to see Fred Hauenstein's mom, too!

[Ron Hill]

Bunker went with and we met Frank, Gloria and grandson Gregory at the Mexican restaurant that serves Chinese food...delivered an E-Bay 8 HP Johnson at the same time....525 miles in one day is actually a LONG day.

[bowman]

I do the 575 mile round trip from Fresno to Canyon Lake Every Weekend so stop your crying and find a good radio station. Although Bunker I dont know if i could handle Ron for that long. I did it one way ONE time,:eek: then made him sleep on the way home.:D

[Ron Hill]

After I snapped the tendon in my arm, the doctor told me he'd never fixed on in anyone over 60. I told him I was over 60 but my mental age was about 14. SO, HE SCHEDULED SURGERY. August 13, 2009 was the day. I was in a cast for three weeks, and have to do nothing with my arm for 6 weeks. I do somethings, but it gets very numb, very fast...

Chris Chamberlain has ben a life saver. My condo closes escrow tomorrow. And we have Laurie's on the market, thanks to Chris and his hard work. Termites are gone, new patio and all.

Chris spend more than half the day today fixing my condo's faire place......but it is fixed.

Arm is doing better. First picture was last week, second one is yesterday!

[Ron Hill]

Do you really tell people you got drunk and fell down? Truth is, it was 90 plus degrees and I with the help of a helper moved about 2,000 pounds of books out of my condo and had put them up overhead in storage, at the shop.

When I got home from that little job, I was told the dryer wasn't drying properly, so I opened the dryer door and grabbed the dryer to pull it away from the wall and I heard a RIFLE SHOT and felt pain in my forearm. I grabbed my arm and could feel the tendon crawl up my arm.

After consulting with my doctor, he told me he'd never fixed a tendon on anyone over 60, but he added most people over 60 don't think they are "KING KONG" and they don't "SCREW" themselves up. I told the doctor I was 65 but had a mental age of 14, so, I wanted my arm fixed.

The doctor has been very pleased with my progress. He was please with his job, too. As he drilled a hole in my arm, a la Tommy John (Dodger pitcher)..I seem to have all my movement back.

The one problem I have had is my arm going to sleep when I'm asleep and I wake up about 10 times a night. But, this week, I have slept well and feel I might live.

My condo closed escrow and Laurie's is in escrow.

Have not had much time for BRF AS WE SEEM TO BE MAKING PROPS...Check out some of our castings...

[Ron Hill]

I got these powerheads, 3 102 mid sections, 3 102 gearcases.

Anyone tell me which 202 I've got?

Think I will put them on E-Bay..

[Ron Hill]

It had been 14 years since we last went to the Miami Boat Show. 14 years ago, John Castelli called meat 8 A.M. Florida time, 5 A.M. California time to tell me Jeff Wilson had been killed in an auto accident in Arizona. Jeff was on his way to pick up a 45 boat at Vic Brinkman's in Grass Lake.

Jeff had worked for me for about six years, but had been on his own for probably six years. Jeff was a great young man and like a son to me.

Flying to Miami brought back memories of Jeff. I make Bondo blade copies all the time. When I first hired Jeff, he didn't know how to make Bondo. He mixed it and then kept stering it until it got hard.

Anyway, Chad and I went first, then Corey and Laurie came later. The show is amazing, and very much INTERNATIONAL. Parking was $25 a day, and you had to walk four blocks, it cost $30 a head to get in, first day, after that it was $16.00. A HUNDRED THOUSAND people go to this show.

I felt that maybe only 10% spoke English, that is how INTERNATIONAL it was. We worked our booth and worked our asses off. Miami is a great place. I always seem to feel so good there, I think it is the clear air.

Laurie and I visited the Miami Marine Stadium, it was hard not to cry visiting the place. The last time I raced there was 1971. Fred Hauenstein and I teamed to finish 3rd in the Miami 225. The race course is still WONDERFUL, the stadium is pretty rough. I stood in the stands and remembered racing with Don Pruitt, Bill Seebold, Renato Molinari, Mike Wallace, Jimbo McConnell, Cesar Scotti, Gary Peacock and wondered what had happened to those "WONDER YEARS".

They still have coconuts in Miami, they have great food, there were more OUTBOARD boats stored at the Marine Stadium than there are in California.

I hear the city is doing something for the stadium....Why don't they sponsor a BOAT RACE????

#35 is the Molinari Freddy and I drove in 1971! We finished second in the 9 Hour in the spring of 1971 with this same boat. This picture was taken at Parker.

[Ron Hill]

Chad had done pretty well in J Runabout and J Hydro, we never went to the to the Nationals because he played Junior All American Football.I never like Hydros but drove them at times because there we people to race with.

We were at the Winter Nationals and Chad was just getting into "A" and Frank Zorkan asked me if Chad could drive his new boat in ASH? I said, "No, he can hardly drive and runabout."

I went down and paid the entry fee for A Runabout and came back to the pit area. Chad was tying down his number two motor on the new Zorkan hydro. I told him I told Frank I didn't want you driving a hydro. I finally agreed, but told Chad I only had one A Hydro pro and it was abig one and a two blade. I said stay on the outside and stay out of trouble. Well, as it turned out he won straight heat going away. His only A Stock Hydro race was the Winter Nationals and he won.

He didn't do well in A runabout. Two weeks later we are in Phoenix racing and Chad crashes his A runabout for maybe the third time. I convince Dick Rautenberg to sell me a prop that he doesn't want to sell but finally I talk him into it.

By Bakerfield, Ernie Dawe has given Chad a new boat becasue I think Chad crashed again at Long Beach and this crashing **** was getting old.

So off to Bakerfield we go, I've reworked this Dick Rautenberg prop and Chad is running this new Dawe boat. At Bakerfiled there is like 12 A Runabouts. Chad runs 12th the first heat. I say, "Well, what do you want to change for the second heat?" He says, "Nothing, I'm the fastest boat out there..." He runs last again.

Sunday morning rolls around and I say, "Well what are we going to change?" He says, "Nothing." Those who know me know I have a short fuse sometimes....Anyway, after I come down from the trees I say, OK"...

Anyway, Chad wins both heats going awy, clean win. He never raced A Stock again we sold the boat,s motors and props to the Loves. Loves sold this stuff to Hannon, I heard...

Chad went into 45 after that, then Formula One Prop Tour where he was Rookie of the Year 1997 at 19.

I saw this picture today when I was looking for some Berghauer stories....

Byhttp://www.boatracingfacts.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=15910&stc=1&d=1178075124

[Ron Hill]

I get in trouble for taking "BOAT RACE", but when Foster comes around....When Chad' and Greg get together, they start "THINKING"... Of course, I document things with my camera...

The 15 A is for Kenny Knudson and his two daughters, Nicole and Emily....

Getting ready for the 2011 season.

[Ron Hill]

Jeff,

My sister never taught, my daughter, son Chad and nephew Bunker and my niece George all taught at one time or another...

Got any old pictures to post???

[Ron Hill]

Georgie Gould. Bunker's sister!

[jeffj]

Georgie Gould. Bunker's sister!

This would be around 1971. I guess she is a sister-in-law? She went by "Mrs. Hill" and I feel like I would have remembered if her name was Georgie, but it wouldn't be the first time I "misremembered" something from back then.

I hate it when I realize my memory may not be intact ;~)

She used to get tickets to the taping of TV shows and take us on field trips to shows like The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game and Hollywood Squares. We got to meet Sammy Davis Jr., Larry from The Three Stooges and others. No wonder I loved english class.

I have to to head out for a bit, but will see what pics I can dig up from back then.

Regards,
Jeff

[Ron Hill]

Sometimes I think all I do is work........Then, I stop and think maybe all I do is PLAY.

I work on something until I get bored or side tracked. Then, I work on something else.

Here is a pile of prop ready for casting...First wax, then shell, then metal...

The two blade have a hex shaft and are for Mud Buddy Hyper Drive and Bearvertail Mud Motors...

[jeffj]

Georgie's mother taught in Norwald until she passed away...I would have been my sister-in-law...Bunker and Georgie's mom...You must be OLD, Jeff.

Norwalk? It was the Norwalk / La Mirada Unified School District

I am sorry to hear that she has passed away. She made english class fun for a LOT of students. Easily one of the most popular teachers in the school.

She used to show movies once a week on Tuesdays, so in between classes, a friend and I would run over to the drive-thru dairy across the street and buy some packages of Hostess chocolate donuts (6 little ones in a pack) and some Coca-Cola in bottles and sell them for double what we paid to the other kids to eat while we watched the movie :p

[Ron Hill]

Who is this motorcycle maniac???

He is an regular regular on BRF! It is Capnzee!

[Ron Hill]

I oftern wonder if anyone actually wakes up in the morning and says, "I wonder what Ron Hill is doing today?"

Well, I went to Social Security this morning and found out if I give them $1,510 they will start paying me $$225 instead of $175.

Then, I went to the shop...Tell me what you see...anything interesting???

Polished a Ficket tank. Worked on Nose Cones for 15 HP Evinrudes. Tricked out some stock Yamato props for the GAMBLERS...

[mcprodesign]

I got 200 more RPMs out of that prop you cleaned up for me. Finally got to open it up on the big lake. Thanks Ron

[Ron Hill]

I'm a sucker for bargains. One Wednesday, Ernie Dawe and firmed up our plans to build a new Sport C for me. I told him I wanted it ready for the Mini Boat Enduro in April.

Then I Dave Bryan and I headed for the river. In Henderson, Nevada I found this WAY COOL Sport Boat with a 40 Tohatsu...So, now I have two Sport C motors.


I'm going to put a Fat "C" Evinrude on this Sport Boat, I think that will be a Division VI boat at the Mini Boat Enduro, April 2-3, 2011.


Check out Lake Cahuilla, where the Mini Boat Enduro will be, and check out my Sport Boat and Tohatsu 40.

This Tohatsu looks a little weather worn, but under that cowling, she's a beauty!

[Ron Hill]

Sometimes thing just grow, sometime they grow on you...We had a nice sand blaster, now we have King Kong...powered by "JET"..

[Ron Hill]

Got a Mariner , a Mercury a Merc 500 and 6---44 blocks....Am I a "SUCKER" for a good eal or what???

[Ron Hill]

Bought this 44XS that was Jimmy Dawe's. I heard Rick Hannon built it for Jimmy, but I don't know for sure. I also bought Jimmy's 80 and 102...Yamato...I actually bought this stuff to get the trailer....

Laurie thinks I should have bought the JEEP!

[John Schubert T*A*R*T]

Bought this 44XS that was Jimmy Dawe's. I heard Rick Hannon built it for Jimmy, but I don't know for sure. I also bought Jimmy's 80 and 102...Yamato...I actually bought this stuff to get the trailer....

Laurie thinks I should have bought the JEEP!
How come you didn't say anything about the guy looking at the Jeep? Isn't that Jimbo?

[Lee Motorsports]

Ron, what are you going to do with the 44XS? I'd be interested at the right price. I guess I am collecting these museum queens now....

Steve.

[Ron Hill]

I have $4,000 in my head because that is how much I need to finish my boat mold....Was going to list it tonight on E-Bay just got busy answering e-mails....and such!

The cowling is like new inside...plastic original...Jimmy Dawe's name is stamped on the top of the block!

[david bryan]

I know for a fact. that is the motor that Jimmy Dawe loaned to Lloyd Mize to set those D Runabout records at Modesto.

[Ron Hill]

http://boatracingfacts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5902

And I thought my DU kilo records were fast at 70.456 MPH!

[Boatwrx]

Ron, This 44XS was set up in my shop for Jimmy shortly after he purchased it. Yes, he loaned it to Loydd for the DSR record runs on the hull Loydd got from The Davidsons. The "SOS" stamp (Scoville's Outboard Service) was applied to all engines that went thru the shop. See you in Indio, Ken

[Ron Hill]

Bought a lawn mower this time.....well, I didn't but Steve Evans in Australia did........and the damn thing was too big to be sold in California, so I went with Dave Bryan to Las Vegas to pick it up...

Ever open your mouth, then wished you hadn't???? I do it about everyday...but this sucker....A lawn mower???750 pounds is a lawn mower???

[Ron Hill]

I really don't know how many props fit in a contain, but we are loading this Toro Lawn Mower into a contain that is filled with Hill Marine's Signature VOLVO DUAL Props. Hill Marine's Four by Four Volvo Dual propellers come in sizes F3, F4 and F 5 only.

You can grease your hub when you gear your wheel bearings. This unique patent applied for hub is by Hill Marine.

[Ron Hill]

Fidencio just about has my Sport C cowling down...

[Ron Hill]

I used to have things pretty easy.....then Chad quit boat racing and quit teaching...and now, I only work half days. 7 to 7.

But last week I did buy some stuff...I just wanted to buy the Dawe A Hydro and the Mercury...but ended up buying more than that...like a trailer, an 8 engine motor stand and 10-12 motors....

My wife wasn't as excited about my purchase as I was...

[Master Oil Racing Team]

I love this thread Ron. I get it that you're always on the run, and someone can get to you before you leave.....and hopefully can get you to take care of and send what they want before you split. Does that make sense?:D Doesn't matter. I think it's cool to see what you end up with. On your way to the Lone Star Boat Racing Reunion, you picked up a pickup load of jewels from Dudley Malone. I would say you are doing more than recycling, but preserving lost treasures and presenting new opportunities.for racers to be.

[Ron Hill]

I used to have things pretty easy.....then Chad quit boat racing and quit teaching...and now, I only work half days. 7 to 7.

But last week I did buy some stuff...I just wanted to buy the Dawe A Hydro and the Mercury...but ended up buying more than that...like a trailer, an 8 engine motor stand and 10-12 motors....

My wife wasn't as excited about my purchase as I was...


Laurie like this stuff, really!

[Ron Hill]

Chad Hill, President of Hill Marine, went to his first boat race 34 years ago this week.


Chad was a week old when we went to the 1977 Bakersfield Stock Nationals.

Rob and Bunker made Tri Tip Asada....August was never a good month for birthdays. Chad's friends were always on vacation when his birthday came around...

[Ron Hill]

I told Chad a guy wanted to sell some props and did he want to go with me? Well, the "SOME" Props turned out to be....198 propellers...Hill Marine and Signature Propellers PROBABLY has a propeller for your boat.......Contact Ron Hill at Hill Marine.net or ronhill@hillmarine.com . Front seat, back seat...when you're riding in my car, car...Woody Guthrie....

Just listed a brand new set of Volvo Dual props, C5's on E-Bay for $600.
.


Such a deal!!!!

[Glenno]

Hi ron, Tried the 10 by 19 Jim Johnson prop on my tunnel the other day, unfortunately I lost 16 mile and under reved, Mate tried it on his mono but over reved and lost 21mile, Both 30hp tohastu, Oh well.
I wanted to ask about the 11/1/4 by 20 through hub thin blade cleavers you have on ebay and $$ , I have splined and pinned my 10 spline directly into the 13 sucsessfully in the past. They look the GOODS.
Thanks heaps and keep up the good work,
Glenno

[Ron Hill]

Why don't you send any props you got from me back and we can trade stuff. I know you have made some stuff run well in the past. I feel this 10 X 19 prop is just too much pitch for you and not enough diameter.

Shot me an e-mail or if it isn't "SECRET" post me a picture or two of what IS working and let's see what I've got...


Maybe one of these would work..

[Glenno]

Hi ron,
You just made my day, even my week!

I think you may be onto something with the diamiter of that prop but I am running a merc 10 by 18 chopper pitched up and cupped at the momont thats ok (pic below), seem to be able to spin up to 21 fine.
I have tried my mates 10.5 by 18.75 and 10.5 by 21 through hub winrace cleavers and they where the fastest props yet, he said give them back!

The motor I am trying to get to run on my tunnel is pictured below, Another guy over here runs a 11 by 20 through hub winrace cleaver on his suzuki 3 cilylinder 25 and won the 550cc Australian titles, 108kph average speed on the straight.

The hub size on this 25 I think is same as the 50 yam and 50 tohatsu 3/1/4 outside Dia of hub, so the prop on ebay from the new casting 11/1/4 by 20 through hub looks like it may be the one? what are your thoughts? Where do I send the props?
Is the outside dia of the 50 yam and 50 tohatsu hubs 3/1/4
Thanks heaps Ron, Yep you made my week
Have a good one,Glenno

[Ron Hill]

Being a believer and supporter on outboard racing for boats that don't need a "racing gearcase" I will continue to work with and support Production Outboard Racing.........lose a few, win a few...make up for it in volume...

Bravo III and Volvo Duo Propellers from Signature props is where the real money is....

Contact hillmarine.net for all your prop needs...

[Glenno]

Hi Ron,
Took some better picks of my chopper.
The prop you have pictured at the bottom of your sugestions (through hub cleaver) looks like the other through hub cleavers I briefly borrowed and got the best speed with. Is it possible to get a ten spline into that? How would the flaired hub affect things?

Ron, I to really enjoy stock outboard racing as well, even the thought of racing and everithing about it gets me pumped.
Thanks heaps for your input, will PM you,
Glenno

[Ron Hill]

Well, Bill Curtis about has the lower water nose cone done for the 15 Johnson...Then, He's going to rig my Sport C...

[Ron Hill]

Pop Curtis, is about to call my bluff. He has this brand new Dawe Sport C ready for a race prop and a driver......

[Ron Hill]

Mike Quindazzi drove my Apple Valley Marine Stoker at the Thanksgiving Parker race. My daughter, Jessica, and my son, Chad, have decided the Stoker is retired. They wish to has seats to her, and put a 2.5 on her....

So, we'll have a river boat for Needles!

[Ron Hill]

Bill Curtis has her ready, but I took her to Fidencio's to have him gelcoat it white. I think it will look better, see how good the hydro looks when it is gelcoated!

Red boat, is my boat is my Baker getting some bottom work. Wood boat is Marlee's new Dawe A Hydro, Bunker is going to make a B and H typle windshield for it.

White Soernsen hydro is going to Bill Curtis's to get the "Do-It-Yourself" Outboard installed on it.

Thee Sport C is under the green cover, Fidencio is making a rear cowling for it also.

He is also making a cowling for the "Do-It-Yourself" Outboard.

Like usual, I'm probably wasting a lot of time and money, but I'm having fun!

ADD:

that's Buddy on the motor, seems he's the only one interested.......

[Ron Hill]

How about some scales to weigh boats on? Three V-6 powerheads, and a V-6 old style trim ram! And a roll of glass mat. Scored!

[Ron Hill]

Yesterday, this followed me home (Picture 1 and 2). Think that four stroke will pull that C Hydro 40 with me in it???


Today, this think followed me home. I'm taking it to Apple Valley Marine to get the Bravo 1 Outdrive serviced.

[Ron Hill]

Dave Bryan and I started out to Apple Valley Marine, over loaded as usual. We stopped at Fidencio's to see how my Sport C and Baker were coming. Of course, we had to change a trailer tire on the Baker trailer so Mickey could get HIS CUSTOMER's tire back that I had had for a month and a half....

Picture One: Fidencio working on the Baker bottom

Picture Two: Sport C waiting for a fresh coat of white gel coat

PIcture Three: Heading Apple Valley Marine, truck is loaded

Picture Four: Motors and club scale, heading t Mickey'

[Ron Hill]

Didn't realize hadn't posted since January.....Time flies when you are having a good time AND I'm having a good time:

1. Sport C: Sold my new Ernie Dawe Sport to a New Sport C Racer in NorCal

2. Got the bottom finished on the Baker and the boat is at Apple Valley Marine being re-rigged by Mickey Schwarzenbach and John Soares

3-4. Took my father-in-law on a blimp ride for his 90th birthday.......Well, I didn't actually go up in the air and neither did my wife. My father-in-law logged more than 4,000 hours as a blimp pilot in WW II, the last war we won.

5. This was Marlee's new Dawe A Hydro, BUT WE SOLD IT TO SOME NEW RACES IN COLORADO, BEFORE WE EVER RAN IT.

6.LA Boat Show was quite fun, sold props, met old friends and talked race boats. Grandson, Jake Hill, helped.

7. Bought an STV, but this isn't mine, this is Mike Quindazzi's (New COR STV), mine is JUST LIKE IT.

8. My STV came with a 300XS, but Greg Foster bought it before i had a chance to kill myself...

9. Been nursing this lemon tree back to health. It had some kind of something, but we bought a box to hang in another tree, and "WOW" all the curled leaves are now straight. Modern miracles, you know!

10. Mercury has been out of gimble rings, So, we've been selling them LIKE POPCORN.....Of course, polished stainless steel is better than aluminum anyway!

[Ron Hill]

Dear Ron,

I receive the prop the night before the race, and go to race without
any test.
Anyway we won the first leg and lead the second leg until touch a buoy
and lost a lap...
We are very happy with prop performance, was fast and not too steering
torque in tiller arm.
We don’t use a GPS, but I think that top speed was more than 52 MPH.
I’m in a business trip now, but when I come back I will test properly
and tell you the results.

Thanks & Regards,

(Left name off because)

There are a lot of people around the world that want to race. I feel lucky to provide propellers for people. My propellers aren't all great, but sometimes it nice to know you caused someone to have a good race.

[Ron Hill]

Finally got my molds done for some 14-16 and 18 cleavers with 10 splines. Here are a few pictures. We, at Hill Marine, feel we'll off these 25-30 HP ten spline props for Tohatsu, Mercury and Yamaha in two weeks.

You you have interest in Hill Marine's Signature cleavers for 25-35 HP outboards Contact me, ron Hill at ronhill@hillmarine.com .

The green is wax, first wax, then steel!

[Ron Hill]

Marcel called and is planning to come to the Long Beach race this August, 2012. He didn't even try to get me to move to Newport Richie, Florida.

Marcel's daughter is a Captain for Northwest Airlines, she flies 757's. Marcel taught her to fly!

[Ron Hill]

Vickey Schwarzenbach asked me if I'df taken my meds? I said, "I take my metamucil (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&pwst=1&qscrl=1&nord=1&rlz=1T4ACGW_en___US462&biw=1436&bih=923&sa=X&ei=7sbKT5ePHsHq2AXm35DZCw&ved=0CBcQvwUoAQ&q=metamucil&spell=1) everyday."

Anyway, I got up to Apple Valley Marine, Friday June 1th, 2012. 102 degrees! Boats that need repair everywhere. How do you have a boat shop in the middle of the desert, and have more work than you can do??? I guess it is a testimonial to Mickey's work ethic and that is fix it right for a fair price. That's what Father would have wanted."

Anyway, I get there with our new Hallett Vector......and new Yanmar Diesel. We start unloading stuff, and I remember my gearcase that Tony Scarlata and Ben Marrone "Messed Up" at the Enduro. It can be fixed, only need money....

Anyway, I wanted to see my new trailer andf my new "Quarter Pounder" Addictor....Way cool....(Boat's name): Out of Control...got my Johnson 35 ready for this "PUPPIE"...

Also, my new Optimax pictured with flywheel only, and Mickey says I don't need it, but if anyone has a 140 Johnson/Evinrude short block, I'm probably interested.

So, don't worry, I'm OK!

[Ron Hill]

I'm picking up up Friday......I may work a deal with Greg Foster as he wants it, but I want to drive his SKI RACE boat with his and Kelly's new 300XS......at the Parker Enduro....This Whaler may work like a carrot.

Anyway, talking carrots, our garden is kicking butt......we eve have okra ..We ate our our own corn, radishes, Pepper, squash, tomatoes...and artichokes.... White raspberries ARE THE BERRIES, and the boysenberries are right there. Sorry to report, no girlsenberries this season.

Flowers are in season and so are Sunflowers. Laurie planted 24 Sunflowers and 21 came up.

Lemon tree has 11 green lemons, still looking a little puny, but the hummingbirds like our three feeds. Three fat assed hummers were sitting there eating while I was taking pictures...Only one in the picture but there were three.

I'll post pictures of the Whaler, Friday...maybe!

[Ron Hill]

We used to have some great races at the Flood Control Channel in San Diego. Now it is called the San Diego River, and there is no race-able water and no way to drive to it anyway.

Carl Myers on the outside, in 288-C, a Morehouse boat. Dave Bryan in 94-C a Dave Byran Boat and Ron Hill in 1 U.S. and Hill Runabout...1964.

Second picture is at Lake Weist, Brawley, California X is Dave Bryan, then Ron Hill, Ben Stein, and 44-C is Joe Schulte

Third picture is 9-C Dave Bryan and 44-C Joe Schulte, Lake Weist also.

[Ron Hill]

In the '50's and 60's Needles ran the Colorado River marathon, 115 miles, it was "Big Doings" in those days.

The city, when there was a city of Needles used Indian land and build a Marine Stadium. It had about a 1 1/4 course, and was next to the main river channel. It was actually very cool, but with the river going up and down and sand moving here and there, the marine Stadium filled in.

This October 5-6-7, 2012, Needles is having a Bar-B-Q and beer drinking contests (Something like that anyway) with the goal is to make money to help dredge out the Needles Marine Stadium. I know surfing isn't boat racing, but the Huntington Beach Surf contest brought 20 million dollars to Orange County in 9 days. 16 million went to the city of Huntington Beach.

Lucas Oil owns their own TV channel, Drag Boat and Circle Boat Racing in Needles could help revive a sagging economy!

[Ron Hill]

Last race of the year, and Jake needs to get this 45 and trailer to Seattle. We are taking it half way, that is if the tires hold out!!!

[Ron Hill]

We stopped and picked up these two Stadium Race Boats from Darrell Sorensen.

Also stopped by to see if Freddy and Linda were in Kingsburg. Freddy was at the UIM meeting in Greece, and Linda was at the new house. This house is the Fred, Sr's house...Kingsburg is a cool little town.

[Ron Hill]

Ernie has two new "A" Hydros on order one for Ade Bloomfield and one for Tim Herman. Ernie is picking up the plywood and epoxy....

I don't know if he buys gasoline at this station, but I usually do when I'm in Indio...I get a "KICK OUT" of the sign. The station is a block from Ernie's...

[Ron Hill]

Well, mark another thing off my "BUCKET LIST" Phoenix in the the fall. Next year. We are going to Fontana and the Brickyard 400.

[Ron Hill]

We closed escrow on our building the Friday before Thanksgiving and last week our toilets were all stopped up. After spending a few "****TY" days, we paid $400 to the sewer line cleaned out. Great news, the problem was the city's, not us...Now they are working on putting in a new line!!! Men and machines everywhere! Sometimes, you get lucky!

[Ron Hill]

Well, most people on March 13th don't go "Play" with their boats. But us Californian's, when the weather is 85 plus thing we should be running boats. Irvine Lake is 15 minutes from my house and 20 minutes from my shop.

So, today we decided to test our $3,500 Maximum with the $35,000 Yanmar Diesel in it and my COR 2.0 boat..

Both boats ran perfectly, except that we didn't learn anything, for sure or gain any speed.

The Yanmar diesel has an amazing "TURBO LAG", which we think we are going to fix and my Baker COR boat works get til about 74 MPG, trouble is, everyone else is going about 77 mph plus. The Baker runs like a "SCALDED DOG" to about 74 MPH, then it gets so wild you can't drive it.

Mike Q, John Soares (Driving the 9 boat), Chad Hill and Jim Wilkes of Wilkes Marine.

[Ron Hill]

For my birthday, Laurie bought she and I 20 laps in a NASCAR Car. I stalled for almost a year becasue I wasn't sure I would fit in the car and also, I thought I'd drive like ****.

WELL TODAY WAS THE DAY. (Ticket was only good for a year)...So, I started first in #3 AND I was doing pretty good until I went to hit the break and I hit the throttle.....My foot was too big to get on the break...bottom line, I lapped Laurie once, but then she came back and lapped me twice.

Her "CREW" was giving he "HIGH FIVES"......I got worse as the laps ran down, she got better.

I'd like to thank John Soares for coming out and advising Laurie and me.

It was a total kick in the rear.....There comes a time when you know you are past your prime!!! And today was one of those days!

[Ron Hill]

I probably would have never considered getting a KG-4, like I raced in 1955-56, restored if it wasn't for my wife. I was showing her pictures of me in Cambridge, Maryland, August 12, 1956. I finished 3rd to Dean Chenowith and Billy Schumaker. My wife was born 8/12/56......

John Schubert, has been getting my parts together and has me a pretty "CLEAN" KG-4. I bought a few more parts than I might have needed, and I bought a complete "EXTRA" KG-4. The cool part is John will end up with a KG-4 like he had in that same era.

I got a few parts chromed.....like the tank "T", swivel bracket, and the swivel pin..

The KG-4 in the picture is the one I bought, I'll post mine when I get it from John!

[Ron Hill]

John Schubert T*A*R*T (http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forums/member.php?117-John-Schubert-T*A*R*T) has done a beautiful job building me a 1956 KG-4...

[Ron Hill]

Mirage number 1 is done. Need to rig it....We have two fresh gearcases from Apple Valley Marine and one NEW CLE that is "TOP SECRET". Two boats, four powerheads, four gearcases. We ought to finish a few laps, as we have lots of stuff to tear up! Mirage #1 is boat 30 Mirage #2 is boat Number 9. Mike Quindazzi and Chad are driving number one, number two is going to be driven by Randy Pierson of Avon Marine, Avon, Minnesota, and Chad Hill

[Ron Hill]

My dad always kept my brother's and my motors running like a "SONG". Sometimes, something might have gone wrong and I'd want to grad a mag or fuel pumps off another motor. My dad said, "Don't touch that other motor. Change the whole motor"...Then, he'd tell the story about a guy that once loaned a gearcase off his motor, some borrowed the mag. Someone needed a starter and by the end of the weekend there was no motor as every piece had been "BORROWED".

Last week when we could not get Marlee's Yamto to run, I told Grg Foster we'd just grab a mag off one of the other motors. She said, "Don't do it. Fix that mag."

Well, the motor ran well tonight, but I didn't "FIX IT" I snagged a mag off another motor. But............I agree with Greg and my dad. Fix it when it is broken is best.....

We also helped test the Sea Witch Marine Sleek Craft with the 250 Yamaha Four Stroke....That motor is an "ANIMAL"...The plated "BIG JOHN" added helped settle that boat down.

I am such a good photographer, who else could get two ****ters in one picture???

[Ron Hill]

I now have two B and H C Hydros....

The Mirage is off to Parker to test..

[Ron Hill]

I just bought this Mirage. Seemed to run pretty well....Think I'll leave the cooler in it. I also bought this 300XS....Cat likes it too! Something cool happened. Chad plugged his radio headset into his phone and called his wife during the race, while he was driving. I can see it now...you call your wife and ask, "What place am I in and what's for dinner?"

[Ron Hill]

1978 Parker 7 Hour winner: Fred Hauenstein and Ron Hill

[fs5]

side shot of the 16p

[Ron Hill]

Well, I bought this safe and Chad measured the door opening at 42" and the safe at 40". Trouble was, we didn't figure the door in the equation: As a result, be need a new front door!

Nothing money can't fix. The price of my safe keeps going UP!

[Ron Hill]

ANy information about this gearcase I bought on E-Bay??

[Ron Hill]

First two out of the molds. Working on some 10 1/2 diameter ones, too!

Of course, I have 11 inch diameter 17-21 three and four blades semi cleavers...too!

[Ron Hill]

http://www.boatsport.org/magpdf/a70.pdf

When I was racing "HARD" I never saw one of Tim Chance's "Hydroplane Quarterly". I really feel bad that APBA and NOA didn't join forces in those years.

From the point of view of a SMALL OUTBOARDER, I feel the US TITLE Series is on the right track for growth.

Reading MY history, I think we looked to APBA to "DO SOME THING". (Big government can help us)

Anyway, it was great to read about my 1970 D Runabout National Championships. I had no plans to go to Beloit, Wisconsin, 1970 for the Nationals. I was scheduled to race Paris, France and Berlin West Germany in October.

My twin Engine Ron Jones was in Waukegan, Illinois getting fitted with two NEW Evinrudes for the Havasu City Outboard World Championships.

So, I felt I had a "Full Plate" for racing. My "Starter Wife's" parent lived in Janesville, Wisconsin 20 miles from Beloit. She told me they were giving PTO (Person Time Off) in August from her job at TWA, and maybe we should take a trip. I said, "Let's go see your folks."

At this time I had 2-55-H motors and two props and no boat. But I had built a boat for the Weatherby, they owned a furniture owner in Needles (I traded them a boat for a couch). I called the Weatherby's and asked If I could borrow the runabout I built.

I showed up in Beloit, never having driven this borrowed boat. I set it up, took two practice laps, came in and kicked it under two hacksaw blades. (I used hacksaw blades at the top fo the transom to kick it under, a hacksaw blade at the bottom of the clamps will kick it out.)

I didn't run the boat again until the qualifiers, of which I won straight heats.

I only brought 10 gallons of gas from California, so I didn't test after the qualifiers.

As it turned out, I started last both heats, and by lap three of four, I was leading both heats. The boat's name was "Bounty Hunter". (Jeff Weatherby's name for the boat). The boat ran like an "ARROW", I was the first Stock Outboard driver to ever win a championships wearing a fire proof driver's suit.

The win was the most impressive of the 1970 Nationals, as no one else started last, both heats and then won both heats.

Charlie Strang, then President of OMC, told me he designed the Mark 55-H but never dreamed the motor could perform that well. He wanted to know what kind of boat I was driving. I told him a "Borrowed Boat" but that my dad and I had built it. Charlie asked me if I could build a tunnel? I said yes. He said come by OMC on Monday and have Jack Leek give you a check for a new tunnel.

In inspection "HB" Harold Berghauer said, "I know you don't know how to take this motor apart, I'll help you." Harold and my dad were "GREAT" friend....So, Harold is taking "MY" motor apart...I say, "Harold, what does Edgar Rose want to see in my magnito?" Oh, nothing...I was just "LOOKING"....A few minutes later Harold has my carburetors apart...Harold I say, "What does Edgar Rose want to see in my carburators?" Harold says, "Nothing, I'm just looking".

I want to thank Tim Chance for publishing Hydroplane Quarterly and thank him for including Stock Outboard Racing.

[Ron Hill]

This is a great picture taken at an APBA National Convention a few years back!

[Ron Hill]

Dave Bryan and I started this project about four years ago. Bill Curtis finished it and ran this motor with an ALUMINUM PROPELLER all summer. 34 MPH with John Lane's 250 pound body in the boat.

[Ron Hill]

We are heading to Salton Sea, then to Needles. We are not sure what we'll see. But driving the jeep in Needles and shooting a few guns will be a "HOOT". We plan to look up Tito at Havasu Landing.

http://www.havasulanding.com/casino.html

Fixed my dryer before I leave...
(http://www.havasulanding.com/casino.html)

[Ron Hill]

Interesting day, the other day. Lots of water at the Salton Sea. I plan to return to the Sea with an inflatable, and see if i can figure out a suitable place to launch. The State Park is trying to get their launch ramp dredged so boats can launch. There were no bad smells and I could see the bottom at more than 25 feet from the shore. What I don't know is if when the wind blows does it stir up the "STINK"??

[Ron Hill]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/129763474564/10152748994979565/?notif_t=like

In our retail prop shop I get asked everyday is, as new boater, should they use an aluminum propeller? I tell them, as a new boat, NOT to use an aluminum prop.

When I raced boats for Evinrude, I convinced Jimmy Jost, Evinrude's Public Relations Manager, to give me a new 7 motor for my ski boat. Jimmy would "memo bill" me a motor every year, this lasted for 5-6 years or more.

Every year, my new motor came with an aluminum prop. I usually got the boat in the water for Easter week and quite a few teachers would come to Needles for Easter week. The water was usually cold, and the women usually wanted to use the rest rooms at Needles Marina. I'd tell them to take the boat but look out for sand bars.

I could see these ladies driving right through the sand bars, throwing a sand rooster tail. After the first day, my aluminum propeller was total JUNK. I'd take if off and put my stainless prop on. For about 5-6 years it seemed this routine continued, as no one every seemed to see sand bars but me.

I kept that stainless steel prop for 17 years and sold it for money money than I paid. Had I bought aluminum props every time they were ruined, I would have spend a thousand dollars on aluminum props.

[Ron Hill]

Well, we have the three-D printer printing, filling some big orders, making gimbel rings for Bravo I, II and III.

[Ron Hill]

Chad bought one buggy, then because it wasn't really put together, he decided to buy a second one from Greg Foster. After testing at Glen Helen Raceway, he a John Soares decided to make a few changes. One change was to go from two rear shocks to four. They made a few other "TOP SECRET" changes also. It is looking good....First race is this Saturday.

[Ron Hill]

I was a junior in college in the fall of 1964. The Sigma Chi's build this split rail fence for the city of Flagstaff, the fence survived for 40 years. The guy with the big nose, and the AXE, is Ron Hill.

[Ron Hill]

As a boat racer, I felt very "COOL" to see my picture in the year boat at Northern Arizona University.

[Ron Hill]

Scotti spoke the international language of boat racing. For Berlin, 1971, he made it clear he wanted me a co-driver. When we started the race, the water in the boat was frozen from the night before. We broke a crank early! Scotti is in the yellow Evinrude jacket. That dude next to Scotti is me. That is my 20 foot Ron Jones that we are leaning on. I loved that twin engine boat.

[Steve Pinson]

Scotti carried his prop with him at the Miami 225 that he won, and the 1970 Havasu Outboard World Championships when he finished third, I think with a single engine. The night before the 1970 and 1971 I had dinner with Scotti, at Havasu, and he had his prop with him. 20:20 hind sight, I should have kept my OMC props in my hands...

Scotti "Spoke" boat race, and so did I. I didn't speak Italian. Life was good for Scotti, none of us expected that he'd be killed racing in Paris. In the early days when we raced Paris, we ran 70 MPH, when Scotti was killed 100 plus MPH was the norm.

It was a new world in those days...hard to blame anyone for the deaths and destruction. I was in that race and new where the accident had taken place when I finished driving my boat and returned to the pits I was told it was Scottis outfit that had hit the wall at high speed I can`t remember if we had been told he had been killed at that time I remember being told about the accident by Freddi Miles who happened to be spectating on the Isle of Swans down the centre of the circuit he was with another british driver Peter Inwood who was a Harley st dentist they managed to get to Scotti who had been thrown out of his boat and had landed high up on a wall they went to help him. Freddi said he was alive but was struggling to breath so they removed his helmet and made sure he didn`t choke they waited for the ambulance to arrive after 15 minutes Freddi was worried no medical help had arrived so he had a movie camera with him and took pictures of the scene showing the time on his wristwatch Freddi was very upset it took such a long time for any help to arrive.I think they later said they could not get near because of the crowds I never new what the inquest said or how bad he was injured.

[Ron Hill]

OUR NEW PRO BUGGIE RACE TRAILER... We have been having fun racing our Pro Buggie. She'll haul three cars.

[Ron Hill]

Well we sold our old trailer...and the tail lights went down the road.

[Ron Hill]

Well, Lucas Regional Races will be on TV, Saturday night and I will try to remember what the name is...Lucas Oil Regional Off Road races. 12 classes, races start at 5:00.

Gunner Kenndy will driving our Mod Kart and Chad will be driving our Funco Pro Buggy.

[Ron Hill]

https://s3.amazonaws.com/lucasvideos/gigcasters/LOORRS_Round10_20160724_ProBuggy.mp4

Chad Hill's first Pro Race.

[Ron Hill]

We made a conscience decision to quit boat racing. We'd had about five deaths in five years, we lost Puddingstone (30 minutes from home). And we could only race at the river between October and April 1. And we always seem to race from dawn to dark. So, Greg Foster had a Pro Buggy, and Chad started doing his home work.

We found that they use a Eco Tech Chevy, four banger. With the required fuel injection and header, a sealed motor is $4,000. We ruined one by hooking the oil lines on backward. So, we bought a Junk Yard motor for $800, and got it sealed from the price of a prop.

Chad bought an Alumi Craft with no motor or transmission and a bunch of extra tires. ($16,000).

Then, we bought Greg Foster's for $24,000, because it looked too complicated to hook everything up. As it turned out Foster's car wasn't very good. So, we put the engine and Transmission in the Alumi Craft and sold the Foster car down New Zealand way and we made a profit on it.

The Alumi Craft ran really well but Chad wanted a Funco. So he called Funco and they didn't want to build him a car, and besides they charge $110,000 for a "Race Ready" car. As it turned out Funco needed some casting and three months later we had a Funco.

We solded the Alumi Craft for some undisclosed amount of cash and we took in a $50,000 Mod Kart as part of the deal.

A transmission is $30,000 new but like gearcases a good one with good parts show up now and then.

An Alumi Craft is also $110,000.

Chad rolled the Funco three times, and had he not gotten out of the Buggy (He was thinking boat race) he could have finished.

So, how much does a Pro Buggy cost? I'm not sure. Foster had owed me 6 grand for almost four years.......no big deal but.

We've raced 17 times I think, race before last we had 15 kids in our pit crew under 5. We really had some much fun and met so many people it is cool. We traded props for close to $4,000 worth of work. 50 miles from home, races run from noon to 5, (Day races) Night Races 7-11.

And after making the fastest laps of last weekend PRO RACE, we could sell that FUNCO for $110,000 today. There are only six of them.

[Ron Hill]

Dean, watch this video and ask yourself how close to being run over was the driver who spilled? No capsule. No seat belts. This video tells me we made the right move to Off Road Racing.\. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKRKFLbdaIY NASCAR type roll cage, seat belts, on board fire extinguishers, Hans Device, window netting.

[Ron Hill]

Hi Ron,
This is Ken Boyd in Hawaii. I don't know if you remember me. I sent
you a video of my modified class C tunnel hull, powered by a stock 70hp
Evinrude, with you four blade clever (a beautiful prop).
In 2011 I had a moped accident, resulting in a compound fracture of my
right tibia and fibula. I am finally (after several botched surgeries,
and two and a half years of pain, misery, disillusion, and the
introduction of various forms and shapes of metal into my body), I am
85% healed.
My boat has been out of the water from 2010 till now. More than six
years! It pains me to realize that. I also haven't been to the BRF
website in some years now.
On a good note, while I was convalescing, I located and bought a 75hp
Johnson Stinger. The plan is to replace the Evinrude with this engine.
What is holding me up now is a lack of knowledge, on my part, of how to
replace the Teleflex steering system with a conventional and racing
style cable steering system. I have all of the parts except for the
helm. I don't know how to make a helm or how to set the system up
properly. Any help would be appreciated. I'm a Porsche mechanic, so
building that should be no big deal, but the fear of the unknown is
holding me in check.
We (my wife and myself) have moved to a house, that is less than a
mile from a boat ramp. I'm wasting a great opportunity.
If you had not sent this email, it might have been more years before I
got back into this project. Thanks for the inadvertent wake up call! I'm
going to visit the BRF website as soon as I finish this email. I reached
70 years of life in May this year. I appreciate the happy birthday
emails from BRF.
Thanks Ron. Hopefully we will meet in person one day.
PS. I'm also still hang gliding.

Ken, I'm 72 3/4 (11/12/2016). Like my dad said, "Flying is for the birds." Or like I say, "I don't care how high I get as long as I can keep one foot on the ground."

[Ron Hill]

Because January 1st came on Sunday, my brother had the idea to put on a boat race that day, as the Rose Bowl, Rose Parade and other events were scheduled for Monday.

Valley Speedboat Association had come about because when Lenny Newman and his partner Frank Priess got the contract for TV races they didn't want to go through the expense of using the United Speedboat Association (1955-56). With 39 weeks of TV racing the VSA had a pretty large bank account. Even though, boat racing in SoCal continued to draw many boats at each race after 1956, 1956 was the high in boat counts.

By 1960, VSA was kind of down on their luck. The USA, with Bob Martin as Race Chairman, was working with Salton City and getting sponsored races.

Other than the fact my brother wrote the VSA's By-Laws, I'm not sure why he ran for Commodore.

So, he VSA scheduled a race January 1, 1961 and most people thought he was crazy. But SoCal weather has funny ways, especially in the winter and the weather turned out to be in the 80's, like the Rose Parade usually is. In those days, races didn't start til noon for noise. Many racers who hadn't really planned to race, woke up to a sunny day and hauled out to the race.

VSA had 1961 club cards ready, and everyone that raced had to be a member of an APBA club. The VSA made money on the race and they got almost every racer in SoCal to join VSA.

Well, this race was fun, Jimbo, Ernie Dawe, maybe Ted Hartley and myself went to Disneyland for New Year's Eve, we bought red top hats and wore them at the race. We thought we were COOL.

But the USA wasn't happy, because when they put on their first race, everyone was a VSA member.

So, my brother suggested a merger between the VSA and the USA. He suggested the name Southern California Outboard Association. My brother also, suggested electing Danny Schwarzenbach as Commodore. Danny was popular with all the drivers. With Danny as Commodore, "The Hills" wouldn't be running the races.

[Ron Hill]

I first met John Rinker, I think at the Winnebagoland Marathon, 1954. He was driving a Famous Craft, I think. He'd go up some little channel wide open and make and "U" turn without ever cracking the throttle. John would have been 14-15 years old, I was ten. Jerry Rinker says there is a good chance I did meet John there.


Over the next 20 years or so, I saw John now and then at the boat races.


In 1976, i raced the Stock Nationals in Hinton, West Virginia and then went to Dayton, Ohio for the OPC Nationals. Over the years when I had seen John he didn't look like he had much money and I knew little of Rinker Boats. At Dayton, John was racing Sport E with a "HOME MADE" Boat and an Evinrude 75 HP. He was driving an OPC boat, but he was kneeling like a Stock Outboard Boat. I started talking to him, he didn't seem to have much of a crew, so I started helping him. I had been selling quite a few OPC propellers, but John had not bought any.



Anyway, John ran the first heat and got a solid second and looked to have a little speed on the winner. I said, "John, if you'd get a good start and be on the inside, you can win this thing."


Well, John gets a great start, on the inside and just as he gets to the first turn buoy, he blows over backwards and breaks his back.


As I'm driving back to California, I keep saying to myself, "If you'd have kept your mouth shut, John wouldn't have broken his back.


I don't see John til Havasu, 2 1/2 years later. I kind of "Run Up" to him and says, "Wow, I'm so glad you are walking and all. I've felt bad for two years thinking I caused you to break your back." John looks at me and says, "Best thing that ever happened to me." I just stand there and stare at him.


John says, "Well, I was in production and after I got hurt, I went around and talked to me y dealers. They wanted new boats. I came home and made them new boats. I never went back into being production manager. We built 3,500 boats last year." John's handball buddy who was always with John, said, "No, John you built 3,700 boats." I about "CRAPPED" as I figured Rinker boats built about a boat a week.


Last Add John Rinker:


So, John calls me and asked me to work on a Jet impeller for Kankakee, Illinois Nationals. He says he has a V-6 Merc on a jet. John next day air's me the impeller, I work on it and next day air it back. He sends me another one, next day air. I work on it, not knowing if I helped the last one. I send it back next day air. I never considered charging him but I don't hear anything from him. About a year later, I see him and ask, "How'd you do in that Jet class?" He says, "Oh, I never told you? I won easy."


LAST, Last ADD: Jerry Rinker is going to Christ College in Costa Mesa, California, 1965 or so. I'm going to college in Arizona. My mom and dad become friends with Jerry as Costa Mesa is 10 miles from Garden Grove.

[Ron Hill]

Subject: Positive Feedback


My order was handled as if i was the only customer. That is truly professional and worthy of the utmost compliment. I have purchase 4 wheels in last 3-4 months and not once have I regretted a penny spent. I dint know if your shipping method changed but you sent my order out on Monday and at 11 am wed I received the package. I'll never buy a prop that gives as much performance for the money as yours. You are a true craftsman and business man! The product speaks for itself! Any advertisement material you have decals, shirt , hat etc. You send it and I will display it with pride!
Thank You very much, Ted
FST BOT BLDR


We seems to make about 7,000 propellers a year and we have many customers. Our Bravo III customers think we are KING KONG. Our 4 BY 4 Bravo III propellers has changes thew whole landscape of performance. But sometime, props just don't work out they way people want them to.

This testimonial is cool. Thank you TED!