rossdbos
10-25-2007, 10:42 AM
The Bluewater Resort & Casino '300' Enduro
October 20, 2007
Presented by:
Frank Marrone & Sons Plumbing, North West Arizona Distributing, Budweiser, Bingham Equipment, The Solder Joint, Mike Follmer Specialties
Produced by RPM Racing Enterprises
With Special Thanks to Boatracingfacts.com
Parker Arizona is normally a quiet little town located just below Lake Havasu on a stretch of the Colorado River known as the "strip". Most of the time water skiers, jet skiers and hot boaters play on the blissfully calm water however once a year a revival has taken place, a throwback to a bygone era of boat racing that began with dream of two boat racers and Parker residents, Marrion Beaver and Cecil Florence, who upon returning from an endurance race in Florida in 1961 believed that they could do a better job and create a better race. Thus was born the original concept of the "Parker Enduro". The idea was simple, invite everyone with a boat to essentially "run what you brung" for 9 grueling hours on a 17 mile course and whoever crossed the finish line at the 9 hour mark was the declared winner. The ultimate test of man and machine vs. the elements.
Over the years the race saw the best of the best come from every facet of racing including astronauts, a future president son, Indy and Nascar racers and of course legendary boat racers and builders. The era of inboard vs. outboard is what drove the event to it's pinnacle with over 100 starting entries. The danger element was also what attracted those brave racers to build their hulls to withstand the water conditions and exhaustive time on the course.
A few years ago, after a 5 year hiatus, an idea born on the messageboards of boatracingfacts.com, after waxing nostalgic about the great race took hold and a revival was underway. Spurred on by the idea of taking the best of the old race and coupling it with the idea of how to make it fair for all to "leave no boat left behind" the new rules were put in place. The host for the great event would be The Bluewater Resort & Casino, who not only generously stepped up to host the event but became the title sponsor for the race. In keeping with the tradition founded in 1962 by Beaver and Florence the location for the start and pits would thankfully remain. Also, to remain would be the pit stops, though modified for safety to a minimum of 2 during the event and timed at a ten minute minimum. This is only boat race left that employs the pit crew during the race itself. Constraints were put on the contestants as to what divisions their boats would fit and a "staggered" start system would strive for parity so all boats had a "fighting chance" to capture the checkered flag. Change would come in the form of the race course, now down to approximately 5 miles from the original 17 mile course and laps would determine the end of the race, not time. Also, as was changed during the latter years of the Enduro before it quietly dissapeared, the rule of finishing position based on laps completed was kept. So with all the makings of the new, modern "Enduro" the BLUEWATER RESORT & CASINO '300' ENDURO began. Marrion Beaver who sadly passed away earlier this year was on hand to be the honorary "Grand Marshall" and "Starter" of the revival of his beloved event in 2005 and from now on the overall winner will receive the "Marrion Beaver Cup" dedicated to the man who created this great event.
Three years later the race continues to evolve and grow and just the like the original "Parker Enduro" it pit's Inboard vs. Outboard or as sometimes referred to "David vs. Goliath. This race still holds to the notion that the "little guy" or non sponsored, non "deep pockets" team can compete with the "big boys" because in all Endurance racing, "you have to be there at the end"!
The 2007 BLUEWATER RESORT & CASINO '300' ENDURO saw the field grow dramatically with more participants in all divisions, Inboard, Outboard and IO. Representatives from all types of boat racing, Circle, Ski and Drag, who put their reputations on the line to compete. Boat manufacturers such as NORDIC, ELIMINATOR and STOKER would vye for the top spot in the ultimate test of their product's durability and performance.
At the conclusion at this years Enduro, a newcomer to the racing scene, Joe Abellera, Lake Havasu City, AZ, whose father, a Pastor, gave the invocation to all the race teams prior to the start of this years event, took the Checkered Flag and the "Marrion Beaver Cup" in his #555 in a 21' Eliminator "Daytona" with a 2.0 Liter Mercury with teamates Brian Murphy, Lake Havasu, AZ and Kelly Dunn, Las Vegas, NV sponsored by "Tank -It Manufacturing, "Boat Bling" in Division I. A great side note is that Joe had to keep his entry in the great race a secret from his "better half" asking to be kept off the public entry list prior to the race.
Second place went for a second year in a row to Division I's #48 Team of John Roth, Long Beach, CA and John Lane, Bellflower CA (son of legendary racer, engine builder, Ed Lane), sponsored by "Integral Products" in the 20' Stoker with powered by a Mercury. The boat ran flawlessly all day and was in contention with Abellera back and forth for first place.
Third place overall went to Gary Hairbedian, East Whittier, CA with Co-Driver John Franklin, Rancho Cucamonga, #17 in the bright red twin turbo Merlin powered 540 c.i. Schiada aptly named "Justified" sponsored "Hyevon Choppers and Seal Methods Gaskets" with a special Thank you "Pat's Fiberglass". Gary was within 4 laps of the top spot when the race concluded. Coming from Division VI, starting 55 minutes after the Division I's, Hairbedian and Franklin drove a near perfect race and again landed in the top spot for their Division and 2nd year in the top 5.
Congratulations to all of the race teams that competed in the 2007 BLUEWATER RESORT & CASINO '300' ENDURO along with the overall finishers Congratulations to all of the Division Winners and crews!
OVERALL RACING RESULTS
Boat# Division Driver Driver Driver Final Lap Position
1st-555 1 Joe Abellera, LHC, AZ Brian Murphy, LHC, AZ Kelly Dunn, LHC, AZ 58
2nd-48 1 John Lane, Bellflower, CA John Roth, Harbor City, CA 57
3rd-17 6 Gary Hairbedian, Whittier, CA John Franklin, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 53
4th-34 3 Chad Hill, Costa Mesa, CA 53
5th-140 5 Gary Ewing, Phelan, CA Bob Williams, Upland, CA 52
6th-211 4 Jason Miller, Discovery Bay, CA Steve Lucci, Byron, CA 49
7th-73 4 Carl Johnson, Parker, AZ 48
8th-312 5 Randy Lewis, San Diego, CA Bob Kitchens, Mukilteo, WA 48
9th-819 1 Al James, West Covina, CA Bill James, Harbor City, CA 47
10th-145 2 James Best, Pinon Hills, CA John Best, Oak Hills, CA 46
11th-51 4 Tom Melton Robert Alexander 46
12th-8 1 Lee Buchanan 43
13th-10 2 Jerry Cotter, Norco, CA Brad Stellman, Torrance, CA 43
14th-93 3 Querene Perea Daniel Smith 43
15th-7X 4 Pat Bowman 42
16th-67 2 Eddie McPheeter, Tuscon, AZ Casey Porter, Tuscon, AZ 41
17th-747 4 Doug Lightfoot Chris Lightfoot 40
18th-288 1 Roger Finney David Carrasco Toby Clark 39
19th-69 2 Dave Daer Tyler Stevenson 39
20th- 2 6 Tim Christensen, Fountain Hills, CA Doug Peters, Phoenix, AZ Jim Lewis, LHC, AZ 39
21st-36 1 Steve McElroy Brad Cooper 35
22nd-918 5 Stephen Rains, Peoria, AZ Stephen Rains, SR, Peoria, CA 35
23rd-E12 1 Ken Bewick Stephen Bewick 33
24th-500 1 Brad Menet 32
25th-55 5 Fred Bowden Alan Stoker 31
26th-71 4 Jason Becker Daniel Donahue Bill Reiter Jr. 24
27th-19 4 Mark Durham 23
28th-11 6 Mike Avila 20
Results by Division:
Division I
Boat# Driver Co-Driver Driver Laps
1st-555 Joe Abellera, LHC, AZ, Brian Murphy, LHC, AZ Kelly Dunn, LHC, AZ 58
2nd- 48 John Lane, Bellflower, CA John Roth, Harbor City, CA 57
3rd- 819 Al James, West Covina, CA Bill James, Harbor City, CA 47
4th- 8 Lee Buchanan 43
5th- 288 Roger Finney David Carrasco Toby Clark 39
6th- 36 Steve McElroy Brad Cooper 38
7th- E12 Ken Bewick Stephen Bewick 34
8th- 500 Brad Menet 32
Division II
Boat# Driver Co-Driver Driver Laps
1st-145 James Best, Pinon Hills, CA John Best, Oak Hills, CA 46
2nd-10 Jerry Cotter, Norco, CA Brad Stellman, Torrance, CA 43
3rd- 67 Eddie McPheeter, Tuscon, AZ Casey Porter, Tuscon, AZ 41
4th- 69 Dave Daer Tyler Stevenson 39
Division IV
Boat# Driver Co-Driver Driver Laps
1st- 34 Chad Hill, Costa Mesa, CA 53
2nd- 211 Jason Miller, Discovery Bay, CA Steve Lucci, Byron, CA 49
3rd- 73 Carl Johnson, Parker, AZ 60
4th- 51 Tom Melton Robert Alexander 46
5th- 93 Quemene Perea Daniel Smith 44
6th- 7X Pat Bowman 42
7th-747 Doug Lightfoot Chris Lightfoot 41
8th-71 Jason Becker Daniel Donahue Bill Reiter Jr. 24
9th-19 Mark Durham 23
Division V
Boat# Driver Co-Driver Driver Laps
1st- 140 Gary Ewing, Phelan, CA Bob Williams, Upland, CA 52
2nd- 312 Randy Lewis, San Diego, CA Bob Kitchens, Mukilteo, WA 48
3rd- 918 Stephen Rains, Peoria, AZ Stephen Rains, SR, Peoria, CA 35
4th- 55 Fred Bowden Alan Stoker 32
Division VI
Boat# Division Driver Driver Driver Laps
1st- 17 Gary Hairbedian, Whittier, CA John Franklin, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 53
2nd- 2 Tim Christensen, Fountain Hills, CA Doug Peters, Phoenix, AZ Jim Lewis, LHC, AZ 39
3rd- 11 Mike Avila 20
Last but by no means least is the much deserved "Thank You's" to the those that have made this event possible:
The Sponsors: The Bluewater Resort & Casino, Frank Marrone and Son's Plumbing, North West Arizona Distributing, Bingham Equipment Rental, The Solder Joint, Mike Follmer Specialties
The Officials: Rod Zapf-Rules Chairman, John Castelli and Pat Whitcomb-Referee's, Brian Wilson-Flagman, Doug Rea-Pit Manager, Roger Carr & Pat Hoban -Inspectors, Ann Hoban-Chief Scorer, LaJuan Pedro, Debbie Pryor, Kelly Poe, Laurie Hoban, Carolyn Easely-Scorer's (and all the teams should also thank their own scorer's), Jay Littlejohn-Risk Manager and Rescue/Patrol Co-Ordinator. Team Rescue and their great staff and All of the volunteers who came out to work as patrol and tow boats. If I have forgotton anyone, I apologize but it takes a tremendous amount of people to make this event the success that it is.
A special Thank you to the following for helping me make the event possible:
Ron Hill, Rod Zapf and Ted Kolby, www.boatracingfacts.com and Ben Marrone all of whom without the race would not exist.
Ross Wallach, RPM RACING ENTERPRISES
October 20, 2007
Presented by:
Frank Marrone & Sons Plumbing, North West Arizona Distributing, Budweiser, Bingham Equipment, The Solder Joint, Mike Follmer Specialties
Produced by RPM Racing Enterprises
With Special Thanks to Boatracingfacts.com
Parker Arizona is normally a quiet little town located just below Lake Havasu on a stretch of the Colorado River known as the "strip". Most of the time water skiers, jet skiers and hot boaters play on the blissfully calm water however once a year a revival has taken place, a throwback to a bygone era of boat racing that began with dream of two boat racers and Parker residents, Marrion Beaver and Cecil Florence, who upon returning from an endurance race in Florida in 1961 believed that they could do a better job and create a better race. Thus was born the original concept of the "Parker Enduro". The idea was simple, invite everyone with a boat to essentially "run what you brung" for 9 grueling hours on a 17 mile course and whoever crossed the finish line at the 9 hour mark was the declared winner. The ultimate test of man and machine vs. the elements.
Over the years the race saw the best of the best come from every facet of racing including astronauts, a future president son, Indy and Nascar racers and of course legendary boat racers and builders. The era of inboard vs. outboard is what drove the event to it's pinnacle with over 100 starting entries. The danger element was also what attracted those brave racers to build their hulls to withstand the water conditions and exhaustive time on the course.
A few years ago, after a 5 year hiatus, an idea born on the messageboards of boatracingfacts.com, after waxing nostalgic about the great race took hold and a revival was underway. Spurred on by the idea of taking the best of the old race and coupling it with the idea of how to make it fair for all to "leave no boat left behind" the new rules were put in place. The host for the great event would be The Bluewater Resort & Casino, who not only generously stepped up to host the event but became the title sponsor for the race. In keeping with the tradition founded in 1962 by Beaver and Florence the location for the start and pits would thankfully remain. Also, to remain would be the pit stops, though modified for safety to a minimum of 2 during the event and timed at a ten minute minimum. This is only boat race left that employs the pit crew during the race itself. Constraints were put on the contestants as to what divisions their boats would fit and a "staggered" start system would strive for parity so all boats had a "fighting chance" to capture the checkered flag. Change would come in the form of the race course, now down to approximately 5 miles from the original 17 mile course and laps would determine the end of the race, not time. Also, as was changed during the latter years of the Enduro before it quietly dissapeared, the rule of finishing position based on laps completed was kept. So with all the makings of the new, modern "Enduro" the BLUEWATER RESORT & CASINO '300' ENDURO began. Marrion Beaver who sadly passed away earlier this year was on hand to be the honorary "Grand Marshall" and "Starter" of the revival of his beloved event in 2005 and from now on the overall winner will receive the "Marrion Beaver Cup" dedicated to the man who created this great event.
Three years later the race continues to evolve and grow and just the like the original "Parker Enduro" it pit's Inboard vs. Outboard or as sometimes referred to "David vs. Goliath. This race still holds to the notion that the "little guy" or non sponsored, non "deep pockets" team can compete with the "big boys" because in all Endurance racing, "you have to be there at the end"!
The 2007 BLUEWATER RESORT & CASINO '300' ENDURO saw the field grow dramatically with more participants in all divisions, Inboard, Outboard and IO. Representatives from all types of boat racing, Circle, Ski and Drag, who put their reputations on the line to compete. Boat manufacturers such as NORDIC, ELIMINATOR and STOKER would vye for the top spot in the ultimate test of their product's durability and performance.
At the conclusion at this years Enduro, a newcomer to the racing scene, Joe Abellera, Lake Havasu City, AZ, whose father, a Pastor, gave the invocation to all the race teams prior to the start of this years event, took the Checkered Flag and the "Marrion Beaver Cup" in his #555 in a 21' Eliminator "Daytona" with a 2.0 Liter Mercury with teamates Brian Murphy, Lake Havasu, AZ and Kelly Dunn, Las Vegas, NV sponsored by "Tank -It Manufacturing, "Boat Bling" in Division I. A great side note is that Joe had to keep his entry in the great race a secret from his "better half" asking to be kept off the public entry list prior to the race.
Second place went for a second year in a row to Division I's #48 Team of John Roth, Long Beach, CA and John Lane, Bellflower CA (son of legendary racer, engine builder, Ed Lane), sponsored by "Integral Products" in the 20' Stoker with powered by a Mercury. The boat ran flawlessly all day and was in contention with Abellera back and forth for first place.
Third place overall went to Gary Hairbedian, East Whittier, CA with Co-Driver John Franklin, Rancho Cucamonga, #17 in the bright red twin turbo Merlin powered 540 c.i. Schiada aptly named "Justified" sponsored "Hyevon Choppers and Seal Methods Gaskets" with a special Thank you "Pat's Fiberglass". Gary was within 4 laps of the top spot when the race concluded. Coming from Division VI, starting 55 minutes after the Division I's, Hairbedian and Franklin drove a near perfect race and again landed in the top spot for their Division and 2nd year in the top 5.
Congratulations to all of the race teams that competed in the 2007 BLUEWATER RESORT & CASINO '300' ENDURO along with the overall finishers Congratulations to all of the Division Winners and crews!
OVERALL RACING RESULTS
Boat# Division Driver Driver Driver Final Lap Position
1st-555 1 Joe Abellera, LHC, AZ Brian Murphy, LHC, AZ Kelly Dunn, LHC, AZ 58
2nd-48 1 John Lane, Bellflower, CA John Roth, Harbor City, CA 57
3rd-17 6 Gary Hairbedian, Whittier, CA John Franklin, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 53
4th-34 3 Chad Hill, Costa Mesa, CA 53
5th-140 5 Gary Ewing, Phelan, CA Bob Williams, Upland, CA 52
6th-211 4 Jason Miller, Discovery Bay, CA Steve Lucci, Byron, CA 49
7th-73 4 Carl Johnson, Parker, AZ 48
8th-312 5 Randy Lewis, San Diego, CA Bob Kitchens, Mukilteo, WA 48
9th-819 1 Al James, West Covina, CA Bill James, Harbor City, CA 47
10th-145 2 James Best, Pinon Hills, CA John Best, Oak Hills, CA 46
11th-51 4 Tom Melton Robert Alexander 46
12th-8 1 Lee Buchanan 43
13th-10 2 Jerry Cotter, Norco, CA Brad Stellman, Torrance, CA 43
14th-93 3 Querene Perea Daniel Smith 43
15th-7X 4 Pat Bowman 42
16th-67 2 Eddie McPheeter, Tuscon, AZ Casey Porter, Tuscon, AZ 41
17th-747 4 Doug Lightfoot Chris Lightfoot 40
18th-288 1 Roger Finney David Carrasco Toby Clark 39
19th-69 2 Dave Daer Tyler Stevenson 39
20th- 2 6 Tim Christensen, Fountain Hills, CA Doug Peters, Phoenix, AZ Jim Lewis, LHC, AZ 39
21st-36 1 Steve McElroy Brad Cooper 35
22nd-918 5 Stephen Rains, Peoria, AZ Stephen Rains, SR, Peoria, CA 35
23rd-E12 1 Ken Bewick Stephen Bewick 33
24th-500 1 Brad Menet 32
25th-55 5 Fred Bowden Alan Stoker 31
26th-71 4 Jason Becker Daniel Donahue Bill Reiter Jr. 24
27th-19 4 Mark Durham 23
28th-11 6 Mike Avila 20
Results by Division:
Division I
Boat# Driver Co-Driver Driver Laps
1st-555 Joe Abellera, LHC, AZ, Brian Murphy, LHC, AZ Kelly Dunn, LHC, AZ 58
2nd- 48 John Lane, Bellflower, CA John Roth, Harbor City, CA 57
3rd- 819 Al James, West Covina, CA Bill James, Harbor City, CA 47
4th- 8 Lee Buchanan 43
5th- 288 Roger Finney David Carrasco Toby Clark 39
6th- 36 Steve McElroy Brad Cooper 38
7th- E12 Ken Bewick Stephen Bewick 34
8th- 500 Brad Menet 32
Division II
Boat# Driver Co-Driver Driver Laps
1st-145 James Best, Pinon Hills, CA John Best, Oak Hills, CA 46
2nd-10 Jerry Cotter, Norco, CA Brad Stellman, Torrance, CA 43
3rd- 67 Eddie McPheeter, Tuscon, AZ Casey Porter, Tuscon, AZ 41
4th- 69 Dave Daer Tyler Stevenson 39
Division IV
Boat# Driver Co-Driver Driver Laps
1st- 34 Chad Hill, Costa Mesa, CA 53
2nd- 211 Jason Miller, Discovery Bay, CA Steve Lucci, Byron, CA 49
3rd- 73 Carl Johnson, Parker, AZ 60
4th- 51 Tom Melton Robert Alexander 46
5th- 93 Quemene Perea Daniel Smith 44
6th- 7X Pat Bowman 42
7th-747 Doug Lightfoot Chris Lightfoot 41
8th-71 Jason Becker Daniel Donahue Bill Reiter Jr. 24
9th-19 Mark Durham 23
Division V
Boat# Driver Co-Driver Driver Laps
1st- 140 Gary Ewing, Phelan, CA Bob Williams, Upland, CA 52
2nd- 312 Randy Lewis, San Diego, CA Bob Kitchens, Mukilteo, WA 48
3rd- 918 Stephen Rains, Peoria, AZ Stephen Rains, SR, Peoria, CA 35
4th- 55 Fred Bowden Alan Stoker 32
Division VI
Boat# Division Driver Driver Driver Laps
1st- 17 Gary Hairbedian, Whittier, CA John Franklin, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 53
2nd- 2 Tim Christensen, Fountain Hills, CA Doug Peters, Phoenix, AZ Jim Lewis, LHC, AZ 39
3rd- 11 Mike Avila 20
Last but by no means least is the much deserved "Thank You's" to the those that have made this event possible:
The Sponsors: The Bluewater Resort & Casino, Frank Marrone and Son's Plumbing, North West Arizona Distributing, Bingham Equipment Rental, The Solder Joint, Mike Follmer Specialties
The Officials: Rod Zapf-Rules Chairman, John Castelli and Pat Whitcomb-Referee's, Brian Wilson-Flagman, Doug Rea-Pit Manager, Roger Carr & Pat Hoban -Inspectors, Ann Hoban-Chief Scorer, LaJuan Pedro, Debbie Pryor, Kelly Poe, Laurie Hoban, Carolyn Easely-Scorer's (and all the teams should also thank their own scorer's), Jay Littlejohn-Risk Manager and Rescue/Patrol Co-Ordinator. Team Rescue and their great staff and All of the volunteers who came out to work as patrol and tow boats. If I have forgotton anyone, I apologize but it takes a tremendous amount of people to make this event the success that it is.
A special Thank you to the following for helping me make the event possible:
Ron Hill, Rod Zapf and Ted Kolby, www.boatracingfacts.com and Ben Marrone all of whom without the race would not exist.
Ross Wallach, RPM RACING ENTERPRISES