Jim and Sean McKean

[Ron Hill]

A Family Racing Tradition

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Ron...Jim and Sean are at this moment are planning an assault on some kilo records at Oroville in February. Motors are being prepared and Jim will shortly be flying to Italy to pick them up. Hopefully, it won't take long to get things dialed in. There's a new twist here too. There will be some VTR experimental devices designed to aid the motor in reaching and maintaining optimum horsepower throughout the run. There are also some other big names in racing behind this project. I have been invited to be a part to help record the efforts. Earlier tests on another boat were not completed due to unexpected circumstances so this will be the first major leap. I am working on trying to get away to make the kilos. It is a tough time for all of us on the project to get away, but it could become one of those historic times when you kick yourself if you weren't there.

As you can see from the above records, Jim and Sean are no strangers to set ups for kilos. So if it all works as planned you could see some really fantastic speeds come out of that event.

[Ron Hill]

When Jim lived in California, we never were very close. Seems I've only talked to Sean a time or two, but we seemed like old friends.

Jim and I are probably closer friends today, than when we lived five miles from each other.

The McKean family's love of the sport of boat racing runs deep!

[bill boyes]

Ron...Jim and Sean are at this moment are planning an assault on some kilo records at Oroville in February. Motors are being prepared and Jim will shortly be flying to Italy to pick them up. Hopefully, it won't take long to get things dialed in. There's a new twist here too. There will be some VTR experimental devices designed to aid the motor in reaching and maintaining optimum horsepower throughout the run. There are also some other big names in racing behind this project. I have been invited to be a part to help record the efforts. Earlier tests on another boat were not completed due to unexpected circumstances so this will be the first major leap. I am working on trying to get away to make the kilos. It is a tough time for all of us on the project to get away, but it could become one of those historic times when you kick yourself if you weren't there.

As you can see from the above records, Jim and Sean are no strangers to set ups for kilos. So if it all works as planned you could see some really fantastic speeds come out of that event.Glad you can make it. I will be there on the #1 scanner. Just hope the weather will cooperate. I live 20 miles south of the Kilo site.

[geodavid]

Good luck Jim and Sean at the kilo's. Great seeing your performance in DePue!

From Sean's old babysitter and candy supplier

[Master Oil Racing Team]

What's the odds on the weather at that time Bill? I saw something about a marathon being held, so I wasn't sure what all events were scheduled. I need to rejoin APBA. Guess I better go to their website, but in the meantime as you live so close as far as weather for a kilo, would you rate the possiblities around 50/50 or cross your fingers that it will be good? It's not a 100% yet that I can make it, but at this point I am going to start looking at flight times in and out.

Hey Alan, if I make it out there I want to see your face in person.:cool::D

[Composite Specialties]

I wish the both of you the best of luck with the kilo's. I built the kilo boat that they have used for most of the records and hopefully they will be using for this project. I also built the capsule boat they are using in the pics above.

Sean and Jim, change the rear pads this time! With the additional speed, you are going to need them.

Below is a pic of Sean setting the 350cc kilo record with the boat I made for them.

[geodavid]

What are the dates in Feb? If you are there Wayne, guess I have to be too.

[carl lewis]

What are the dates in Feb? If you are there Wayne, guess I have to be too.

Alan, If you are going to be there then I guess I have no choice than to drive down, kind of like a mini reunion.

send me a message on my e-mail address...

Carl

[bill boyes]

The dates are February 23/24. Go to the Region 11 web site at
www.boatracingr11.com. I approved the sanction yesterday and should be on line on the APBA web site in a few days.
As far as weather who knows. I will say this when it is good it is the best Place in the USA for a Kilo. As Bob Wartinger. The elev is 200 ft.
a few years ago Miss Bud went through one way at over 228 mph. Last year Terry Klemm did over 110 mph in a 1100 Runabout with a 600CC Rossi. We have a Marathon in the afternoon to help onset the expense.
Believe me when i say conducting a kilo is a money losing deal. If it were not for People Like Teri Ziemer, Bob Wartinger, Jim McKean, Rich Fuchslin for donating large funds to keep to going it would be history.
I also thank Dewald for donating a Propeller for us to raffle off. APBAHQ and K&K for working with us on the Sanction and Insurance. The Surveyor for donating his time. And Then there is the Membership of Region 11 who make it happen.
If you are flying in to Sacramento (SMF) the site is about 50 miles north. AA has flts from DFW to SMF.
The Kilo site is the Thermalito Afterbay Hwy 99 and 162.
Watch the Region 11 web site for more info on Hotels.
a block of rooms has been set aside at the Gold Country Casino(Indian). $79/nite

[bill boyes]

That would be great. If you come I will let you come up on the Dam and shoot pictures. Not really a Dam more like a Berm or Dyke

[Amateur Photog]

Here is a little better resolution copy of Sean's racing card (which he made obsolete after the Nationals last year). :)

Best of Luck in Oroville.

Jean

[Master Oil Racing Team]

What a fantastic piece of photography amateur photog.

I was trying to think of who might be out there that would be interested in mostly midwest, southern and east coast drivers, & what to print up then I thought of this is idea. How about a complete copy of my autograph collection in a binder? The prints would only be copies of autographed originals, but they would still be on photo paper. Would that be of interest Bill?

[J-Dub]

Carl,
We can load up and head out Thursday morning before. I will need a pit-bitch and as for you Mark, (Johnson) I will pick you up at the Sacramento Airport. I will need Schwartz's and your assistance to precisely measure how far I may have my head is up my ***.
THEN WE CAN WATCH SEAN DO IT RIGHT!

J-Dub

[carl lewis]

I hear that the world famous Dean Hobart will be fielding an entry as well.

Cant wait... I have some old Modesto pics around here someplace I'll have to scan them tomorrow and see who can guess at the "players"...

Carl

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Looks like I'll make Oroville after all.:D I got discouraged and dropped plans when it didn't look like the Vapor Trail Racing stuff wouldn't be ready in time. Joe Flow has been working his tail off to get it ready and looks like he'll make it with a couple of days to spare. It will have to be put together on site though. The motors cleared customs two days ago. Jim will be there in a wheelchair and IV's. Seems the motors will be sporting IV's too. Jim's are because of an infection in his foot that occurred after some screws in his foot came loose. He won't be jumping around, but he'll be there. Sean is an old hand at these high speeds, so if the mechanical stuff all comes together it can be an exciting weekend. I've never seen alky rigs run that fast:eek:, so I looking forward to it very much

I've got to pick up a copy of "The World's Fastest Indian" today. Joe Flow requires all the team members to watch it before the kilos.;):cool: It's a real long shot to pull something like this off without any prior testing and working the bugs out, but if it all comes together it will be an event to remember. Pictures will follow.

Hey Alan and Carl.....you guys still coming? Lee Sutter.......if you read this, try to make it. I have been carrying a couple of pics with me to the races since 1979 to get your autograph. That would be a good time to add yours to my collection.:cool:

[F-12]

What are the dates for this one Wayne? I am trying to get something scheduled out there so I can watch Sean shatter this record. (I didn't say attempt because he's got the 'Wayne Baldwin Syndrome' He could break some of the standing records without a boat. ) It's going to be exciting..............

[bill boyes]

The dates are February 23,and 24. Sign up and drivers meeting Feb 22.

For those who are flying into Sacramento Airport (SMF) when exiting the Airport Do Not Head North. Go south towards Sacramento for about a mile or so. Stay in the right lane then take HWY 99/70 to Yuba City/ Marysville. About 5 miles Hwy 99 and 70 split. Take hwy 99 (left lane) to Yuba city. If you are hungry stop at Stevens Farm House. Neat little place that has good tri tip sandwiches. Continue through Yuba City to Live Oak then past Gridley the Levee will be on your right to Hwy 162. Turn Right on 162 and you are there.
Go to the Region 11 web site for more info. Gold County casino has a block of rooms. Today feb 15 is the last day for the rate. I like to stay at the Comfort Inn 530-533-9673
The Java hut down the street from the Comfort inn has great Coffee and Sandwiches for those who want to have something in the pits.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Hey Charley...looking forward to seeing you out there. I have to call Ray Yates after I get my stuff booked so he will know when to come. How about you Ron? Are you coming?.....& Skoontz???

Bill...I haven't gotten a long lens for my digital camera yet, so I will also bringing the old 35mm stuff. How far from the levy is it to the line of path of the kilo?

I think our guys are all staying at the Days Inn. Guess I'll Google a map.

[CSR4C]

Wayne,
Bring a Hawaiian shirt with your, we are having a party Saturday night at Oroville with an Hawaiian theme.

More info at www.boatracingr11.com

Darrell

[bill boyes]

Distance, Depends on how far out they want to run from the levee. We do not like them to close as we cannot pick them up with the scanners as we are about 20ft up from the water. I would say 50 to 100 yrds would be were we like them to run. The faster guys we would like further out as we can follow on the scanners better

[Master Oil Racing Team]

All of my Hawaiin shirts are short sleeve Darrell. & those girls in the picture didn't even have any shirts.;) What about any leis?:D Looks like fun. I am looking forward to meeting a bunch of people from BRF as well as seeing some old friends.

Bill, that's about what I was thinking so I'll do some testing with my 500mm lens. In my experience you don't want to get too close to a structure like a levy or dam as it seems to have some ground effects causing a boat to lift. I think even a slight breeze against a solid wall tends to back up causing air to pack in and make a boat handle squirrely.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

I've been trying to book this trip since 6 CST. I finally got all concluded but the hotel. These so called internet bookies don't provide all the info and assume if you are doing it through the internet, you know your way around. I got so confused about the info they wanted I was using words not allowed here. They said my middle name was optional. When they got to the part to complete it they asked for additonal drivers. There was none. What they actually wanted was my full name to see if I was not a risk, but I could not complete the form without naming myself as an additional person. Not a very well set up questionnaire. I would have given my middle name in the first place if it wasn't optional. So I am expecting after I check in at the hotel how come I registered as one when there is an additional person.;):D

So I will get there around noon on Thursday. Check in. Then head out for the race course. Carl...I will start hounding Alan tommorrow if I haven't heard anything by then.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Here's the deal. The Mckean team will be running an oil cooled motor if everything clicks. The water is very cold. Optimum performance from motors comes from proven temperature ranges. Outboards are cooled from water circulating throughout the water jacket from whatever water source they are operating in. Water in-water out. This system that will be on the McKean record attempts will be a closed loop system. Vapor Trail Racing has utilized the basic concept in other forms very successfully in auto racing. It is not the envisioned final set up at this point, but it will be the first step of a proving ground for the ultimate setup. At this point it remains a long shot, but if the trials prove out, this first stage could very well be a historical moment in outboard history. Of all the many developments in the marine engine history, one constant remains the coolant. The Oroville Kilos could set some rethinking of this standard in motion.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Bill, I was looking on a map and was figuring the kilos would be just off the Oroville Dam Road. Is that correct? And where would the pits be?

[bill boyes]

Yes that is correct Oroville Dam Blvd is Hwy 162. Follow my Directions from SMF airport on a earlier post. I will PM you my phone nbrs.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Okay Bill, I'll do the same. I will be bringing the autograph collection now instead of shipping it. I need to go through my photos and print up some of people I think may show up so I can add to the collection. Rich Fuschlin is bringing fuel for the McKeans so I know I need to find one of him.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Jim McKean is flying in hooked up to IV's in a wheelchair with a VRP motor so I don't know how much help the attendant's will give there. Joe Flow is flying in with all the canisters, pumps, and secrets hooked up to clear plastic tubing, so I don't know how much security is going to help there. Luckily, I will arrive before any of them get to security.;):D I went through that before in Nigeria when they wanted to know if my 50 some odd little metal cans with screw on lids were "Bom-bes".:eek::D:cool:

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Sean is already there at Oroville. Talked with Joe Flow and Jim McKean earlier. We are all still on go. Even without kilos, we have testing to get done and the next stop may have to be Florida. But we have airline tickets and all the expenses already dumped into Oroville, so in the meantime it may only be us on the water with a competition set up if nothing else.

[bill boyes]

If you are still coming to test you might want to test at the south forebay. Take Grand ave go west. It is not far from the kilo site. You might have a short window Friday between storms. Give me a call and I will drive up. If you guys don't string me up.

[Skoontz]

Wayne:

If you are still heading out, I highly recommend eating at The Depot in downtown Oroville. Anywhere you go, it's always good to tell the locals you are there from where you are from, to enjoy the boat races. That town is so supportive of the races they should be used as a model to promote racing events all around the country.


Last time we were there, the hostess was dumbfounded that we were not Cheryl Rucker. Apparently, she made this big reservation, and we got there just ahead of it...The lady is asking us stuff like "Are you sure you are not Cheryl Rucker?" I had to show her my license to prove it... .The food was great!


We will be testing at Lake Hodges this weekend for Bakersfield....Other than the drive, I love Oroville!

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Things were looking good again until a couple of hours ago Skootnz. The plans were to test the "Hot Foot" and see what corrections, if any. were necessary. I had already talked to Bill about moving to the Oroville racing site when Joe Flow called and said Sean was pulling out in the morning. I didn't know he just got married and was on a short fuse to catch a plane for their honeymoon in Italy. Can't say I blame him for not wanting to hang around for some test runs.:D

I'll call you in the morning Bill.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Sorry about the confusion John, but it was late last night when we got the call and I was tired and bummed out when I wrote that. We were still committed to going and Bill was very gracious and offered us some help with a pickup boat and etc. Since there will be stock nationals there in 2010, Bill and I were talking about getting the media down there and other leaders from Oroville down to the test site to show them what we were working on and getting some boat racing publicity to the public. Didn't matter that it was a different category. I think boat racing publicity always helps, no matter the category. The final outcome was though, that Sean and Lorraine McKean were anxious to begin their honeymoon and take off for Italy. Without the driver, there was no point in any of us going, so bottom line is no McKean or Vapor Trail Racing will be there.

[wboxell]

wayne, don't you still have your helmet and jacket :D its only a test run :eek:

what i missed following this thread is, did they cancel the kilos? i was kind of getting an itch to come watch you guys run.

when you said fla next are you talking about a kilo or the title series race? thanks bill

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Yeah Bill, cancellation was the problem. We were going to find a place just to run and test the HOT FOOT. Right now it looks like Jim is going to set up a test session in a few weeks at Corsicana, then go to the title series race in Florida. It's only about a 5 or 6 hour drive to Corsicana for me if I can get away, but Joe is in Colorado. I might be able to make Florida, but depends on what's going on and how the Corsicana testing goes. Joe is working with AJ Foyt testing some of his valves and if that goes well at the end of this month in Homestead, Florida Joe may be able to take some of the Vapor Trail Racing people to Foyt's facility in Waller, Texas after Corsicana. Keep your fingers crossed.

BTW, I left my helmet and life jacket in Berlin. I don't think they can find them.;):D

[David Weaver]

BTW, I left my helmet and life jacket in Berlin. I don't think they can find them.;):D

Wayne,

I will probably be at Inverness by myself and could use some help. Perhaps you could just work the throttle on the beach.....and then we can see if that Helmet and Jacket show up again.....

[Composite Specialties]

Wayne, I will have two Euro style boats at Inverness with 250cc VRP's on them that you need to take for a test ride for old time sake.......:D

[Master Oil Racing Team]

If the testing at Corsicana goes well, there is a great likelihood I will go there, but with offers like that from you two guys....I don't know. If Joe Rome is not there to keep me in control I might be tempted.;):D Might be best to stay away. But then Paul Simison is close by and Paul Christner isn't too far either. A great chance to see some old East Coast friends.:cool:

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Jim and Sean McKean along with the Vapor Trail Racing group will gather on the banks of Lake Corsicana on March 15 & 16 to test the world's first oil cooled/ temperature controlled outboard hydroplane. If all goes well, it will be interesting to watch under racing conditions a couple of weeks later at Inverness.

[Skoontz]

Dang, call that bad boy a machine gun!

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Okay...we're on the way to Corsicana for the historic test session. Hope we don't encounter storms, I want to have some pictures to post here. Joe Flow and Val left Colorado yesterday. I guess Al Davis and Denny Henderson will come in today. Besides Jim and Sean, I'm not sure who else is coming yet. Maybe we will get to see Deanie Montgomery. Denny says the water is real cold and I don't have waders.:eek:. Maybe I might forget my tennis shoes so I have to stay on the bank and only take pictures.;):D

[Master Oil Racing Team]

....we left the pits yesterday a couple hours after the sun set with a leaky fuel tank and a stuck motor. (two different rigs). We saw some things however, that were extremely positive for the Vapor Trail Racing products. We had one good run that yielded some valuable info. We are still digesting the tests from Saturday, and I left before they replaced a piston today, so I don't know yet what happened. Jim McKean is taking Joe Flow to A J Foyt's shop tommorrow where Joe will work with Foyt's guys on where to install one of his valves, then off to Houston Intercontinental for a flight back to Colorado. I would have loved to tour the Foyt shop, but had to get back.

We are all very upbeat about the test from Saturday. Before I add more info and pics, I will check with Joe Flow to see if they were able to get in any more runs and more data. After that I will post pics and results.

[Composite Specialties]

Wayne, are they testing this on the Kilo boat or the competition boat?

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Uhhhh.....! I don't know. It was 13-6 I think and was the older boat. It turned good. I couldn't tell by looking that there was a difference between the two other than cosmetic. They actually ran both boats. The new one had the new 240 hp VRP on it. There was an air leak in the fuel tank on that one. The one with the Yamato 500 equipped with the Vapor Trail Racing "Hotfoot" and "chill Tube" was on the old boat.

[Composite Specialties]

Ok, just wondered. The Kilo boat is 15'6" long and has rear removable pads on the back. I am making new pads for Jim and will be installing them at Inverness on the Kilo boat. Just wondered which boat you guys were testing.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

This is the boat Marc. They rigged the stuff up on the backup motor...a 500cc Yamato that was 10 years old. Sean has won many races with this motor and it still remains competitive.

Joe Flow and Denny Henderson bench tested a Makuni (sp?) diaphragm pump at Denny's some time back before Oroville. The single pump put out 1 gallon per minute. Two Makuni's were installed for the test. The "chiller" was installed in front of the fuel tank. The Makuni's had two discharge outlets and one outlet from each pump went into a Y feeding each of the intake inlets of the block. If one pump went down, each half of the block would still be receiving the cooling oil.

Joe had a digital temp gauge that among other things would measure oil temp going in, oil temp going out and the highest recorded temperature during a test. First thing tested was on the bank to check out flow rates and oil temp out. We fired up the motor and ran it for about a minute and a half. There was practically no flow. The flow meter didn't move so Joe unhooked the return line and fed the oil into a measuring cup. It was maybe one gallon per every two hours. We swapped hoses around thinking maybe the plumbing hook up was causing the pumps to buck each other. Still the same flow rate. We were all scratching our heads. We got a spare pump and ran it by itself. Still the same. We did notice during these tests however, that the flow rate was 5 or 6 times greater at idle than at higher RPM's. We finally concluded that with the viscosity of the oil, the pump could not move fast enough to work with the higher motor output, and thus the balls barely moved back and forth....something like valve float at high RPM's.

Denny went to town and bought an electric fuel pump. It wasn't a big as we needed, but it was the only one they had. It pumped only about a quart or less per minute. We had 10W 30 Mobil 1. Denny bought some 5 W 30 and we thought we might have to thin it with diesel.

After rigging up the battery and fuel pump, we fired up the motor on the trailer. The ambient temperature was 74. After about two minutes the oil out temp went up to 79. The block was warm to the touch, but not hot. We continued running on the beach several times and finally extended the test to close to five minutes. The highest temp at that time was only 90 degrees F. So we decided to put it in the water to get a load on it. After all the different replumbing work that was done, we never put hose clamps back on. The hose fit very secure and the pump rate was very low so we didn't feel compelled to worry about them blowing off. A costly mistake.

I better post this before I time out. To be continued........

[Master Oil Racing Team]

We put the boat in the water for a run, but no one tightened the fuel cap. After getting on a plane and completing one third of a lap, the motor went dead. It sounded as if it had run out of fuel. Sure enough it did. Having towed it in however, we also discovered that the hot oil return line on the right side of the engine had come off. It was a lucky thing that the motor had run out of fuel. After the hose clamps were put on the brass discharge nipples from the motor, we went for a second run. Sean was instructed not to run wide open....just get some good speed and make three laps. When he came in we found one of the hot oil return lines had come loose at the Y and dumped some oil. This had to be right as he came in because not much was lost. Lucky again. It was impossible to pull the plastic tubing from those plastic Y's with the barbs, but this hose was proving not to be the universal chemical resistant hose it was claimed to be. The heat and the oil itself had softened the line and it came off easily. Especially after it expanded and the oil provided lubrication along the length of the nipple.

The hot oil return lines to the Y were swapped out with nylon braided hoses and the rest of the return lines were clamped at all junctions. On the next run a cold oil in line came off at a Y even though the pump rate was very slow and the oil was not hot. The boat had made only half a lap. Three of the four plugs were loose and a couple of the electrodes were eaten away. The motor sounded like it was loading up. It may have taken some oil in it. New plugs were put in and away Sean went. This time Joe told him to make 4 laps.

The motor sounded good out of the pits and Sean made a strong run down the backstraight, bent the turn hard and just as he was completing the first lap, the top right piston stuck. When Denny and Billy got him back to the pits we found the suction line to the pump had come off. This did not make sense. The pump was still running and the suction itself should have kept the lines together. It must have been the weight of the approximate 2 foot line itself bouncing up and down full of oil that did it. But that ended the test session for the Vapor Trail Racing system Saturday. Denny, Sean and Joe started rebuilding the motor Sunday morning for more testing. I haven't heard result yet.

Here's what we found on the one three lap run. Max temp on the beach with no load was 90 degrees in and out....no water being circulated. After three laps hot oil out was 127 degrees F and hot oil in was 69 degrees. I don't recall anyone getting the water temp, but I'm guessing it was in the low 60's. The chill tube and hot foot setup was working, but temps were on the low side. It needed to reach 145 to open the Gearzmo, but Sean never made any "hot" laps. We all felt very confident that we are on the right course, but more testing needs to be done. For one, a pump with more output would speed up the oil flow. The slow pump rate was probably the cause of the low operating temperatures because of retention time in the chill tube. A faster rate would also get the heat stripped oil back to the engine quicker in case wide open running boosts the temp up faster.

It was a good start though, and as is often the case when it comes to racing and highly tuned motors, something cheap and simple can bring down the whole program.

A few more pics. I'll post more later with names added.

BTW The hot foot and chill tube are patent pending, and Joe Flow is working with an F1 team (the open wheel cars-not boats) for chill tube applications.

[Composite Specialties]

Yes Wayne, that is the competition boat that I built them back in 1997. It is the light one of the two Sean has...... still has much more life in that boat.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Well, it's so full of oil now Marc, that Sean can't stand up in it.:D

I talked to both Denny and Joe a little earlier and the hose blowing problem was figured out. The reason we didn't hose clamp some of the connections earlier for the run was that you could not pull them loose to swap around. The ones on the plastic Y's had to be cut off. However, if you pressure the hose up, it blows up like a balloon then it will come off easy.

After Denny rebuilt the engine it was late in the day Sunday. They fired it up and before the engine even had time to warm up, it started blowing oil out of the air vent. It blew a lot of oil before they could shut down. Joe said the only way that could happen was if the cylinder heads leaked. They disconnected the return line on one cylinder and fired up the motor. It blew oil out. So when we were testing earlier, everytime clamps were put on hoses, the pressure would find the next weakest point to attack. After the rebuild, all hoses had clamps so it blew oil out at the air vent.

The plan is for Denny to install the system on his 250 which has O ring seals on the heads. Since a different oil pump will be used now rather than the Makuni diapragm pumps, the air vent is not needed and it will not have to be vertical. May be ready to test again in April.

[Mark75H]

Wayne, I am surprised they are not using a synthetic hydraulic oil and a smaller lighter gel cell battery

[Master Oil Racing Team]

We discussed different fluids Saturday, but some of the fluids expand so much when they get hot, we didn't want to deal with that if at all possible. The battery should not have been needed in the first place. If the diapragm pumps had worked as they did at Denny's earlier the total weight of the pumps and lines would probably not have exceeded a pound. Joe is now looking at another pump source that will not require a battery. Sean did have a smaller battery but we chose the larger because we didn't know what kind of draw the pump would have. It started out with 12.6 volts and after the beach testing and testing on the water, it only dropped to 12.2. It didn't even have a switch. When it was time to start the motor, Billy or Al just tightened the connection on the battery.

The reason for starting this out with Mobil 1 is that Joe has had some past experience with these guys and they have expressed an interest in helping out financially. When this concept is worked out, then Joe will put it before some money guys that can see where this thing is headed. At this point we are even more optimistic than last year at the cooling ability of the oil. It may be at some point in the testing that other factors may lead to different fluids, but at the beginning the design was to have all the oil cooled in the lower unit, hence the "Hotfoot". The chiller was a later thought. I was very pleased to have Joe asked me to be a part of the team, because this is an interesting project. AND I have been getting back together with some old boat racing friends, not just to talk old stories, but to possibly be there when some outboard history is created. It's been a lot of fun.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Here are the guys from the first test.
1 Jim McKean and his friend Gayle. Jim just got off IV's two days earlier. He had to keep the foot elevated 1 hour for each hour he stood on it. After a particulary busy time, Joe told Jim he had recalled the last time he saw him the brace was on the other foot.;):D


2 Al Davis. Al ran C and D hydro when I was racing. He and Joe Cohen aka Joe Flow moved from Minnesota to the Dallas around 1968-69. He's got some good Wally Roman stories. Al and Joe challenged Denny Henderson and Craig and Ashley Lawrence to a grudge race at a Dallas Go cart track. They were kicked out and banned for life, but that cemented their friendship.

3 Richard Frye (left) and Denny Henderson. Richard was into boat racing long before I started and has remained throughout all these years. In the meantime he has worked all over the world including the North Sea, Saudi Arabia and other hostile areas. He would be gone for a year or two, then at Alex or another big race you would turn around in the pits and there he was looking at you. Uncanny. There were no cell phones or GPS back then, but Richard somehow knew when and where to show up from halfway around the world. Of course Denny has been a true friend and great competitor for many years.

4 Sean McKean in the cockpit, Billy whom I met at Corsicana in the middle and Joe Flow. Billy has been a pit man for Jim and Sean for awhile and knows where everything is and where everything goes. He towed the rig down from Dallas and was ready for the action. He is a motorcross guy as well.

5 Vapor Trail Racing's Joe Flow. He and his wife Valerie drove down from Boulder Colorado. It was good to see Val again after probably 26 or so years.

6 Sean McKean. It is incredible the driver Sean has turned into. Not only a multiple National champion, but he is non chalant about doing a kilo run in the mid 120's. He has unofficially seen more than 130 mph. Sean and Jim definitely have the kilo set ups dialed in.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Got an update from Joe Flow yesterday. Jim McKean got his removable cast off a few days ago. Testing will resume at Corsicana in April or May. No firm date yet. Jim will be putting his cast back on then so he won't have to do any lifting. Al is looking into buying one himself.;):D

[WharfRat]

All this tells me is that you need to drive.........................I'm sure we'd all pitch in for the proper safety equipment :D:D:p

[Master Oil Racing Team]

No way Scott. Sean has melded the groove. I'm just now getting back into the flow and an seeing some incredible speeds for these small bore motors. Sean is bored before he gets up to 100mph. He twists the steering wheel and slaps the sponsons for his boat to break loose.;)...and that's in spite of the steering cables strafing the top of his thighs. (ouch). There are a lot of things that each person brings to the team. I am here to spread the word of this project. You guys, BRF members, will be the first to hear of initial results, but there are certain things in the confedential realm that cannot be released until the proper time.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Unfortunately no big strides have been made on the Hotfoot since the test. Joe Flow and Denny have done a little benchwork, but because of numerous other factors the project on one hold. Sean does have a VTR valves on his hydro, but not the Hotfoot. One of the reasons for the delay is the fact that Joe Flow continues to develope new products and has not had the time to steam ahead with the Hotfoot. About every 3-5 months Joe sends me a postcard on what's new, and e mails on who has won what with his valves. Seems to me Joe is gaining big time momentum in car racing. The reliabilty and maximum operating ranges of the engines equipped with his valves are showing up on podiums and high place finishes.

I never tried this before, so it may not work, but if it does.....check out this link to our very own Joe Flow from the ranks of BRF. JoeFlow@vaportrailracing.com

ADD: No....that's not it. That's to contact Joe Flow. I'll try again to get directly to the home page.

ADD: Try this. www.vaportrailracing.com