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Third heat OD World Championships
The water had gotten rougher by the time the gun fired for the third heat. I had my timing down with my 10 second sweep Heuer stopwatch. You could tell where you were at any point in the final approach area down to a half second or better.
I hit the start wide open on the inside with only inches to spare. Tim already had overtaken me twice and I just had a third and second to show for my efforts. Jerry Kirts was making some good moves at the last minute. Dan Kirts had problems one heat, but he was back in the mix. Only half the schedule had been run so the rest of the field was not out yet either. Anything could happen, especially with the water more stirred up. The laydown of Kurt Mischke would have an advantage if it continued to worsen. And Erwin Zimmerman and Wilfried Weiland had much experience in rough water where in Europe they race while traffic is on the river.
I was pushing hard and Tim chased this time but not able to come alongside as he had in the first two heats. Two things were happening. The one I noticed was that my motor was accerating out of the turns much better and had an instant response. What I didn't know was that Tim was fighting for all he was worth to stay in the race AND keep his V8 boat upright. He had tested only a few times in this boat and raced only two heats prior to Dayton. The hardware and mounting brackets were newly installed and had never fully seated in yet. The two previous heats were long, grueling and high speed. During that third heat the thrust socket started working loose and it was all Tim could do to keep from losing control . In spite of that he was able to maintain second though not pushing me. This was the first heat I was able to back off and check who was close. As it was, I had a good lead and was able to back off some to save the motor. I couldn't back off too much because it could come down to a final heat and the championship decided on time. But, if I pushed the whole way, I could tear something up either this heat or the final.
Once again Jerry Kirts made his move on the final lap and passed Tim to take second place. I finished a little over 10 seconds ahead of Jerry with Tim about three seconds behind him. Got to go to work all night. Finish rest of results next day or two.
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So now comes the final waiting period.........
..........two hours. Man....you start thinking about different scenarios. What you could have done differently? What if you make a bad start? Will the motor and/or lower unit last? New plugs. Sometimes you get a bad one. Recheck all electrical connections. Go sit down and talk with pit crews and fellow racers. Get back up and check something else you thought of. Make sure motor is secured. Remember what happened to Tim? Get a slug of Gatorade from Bill Van. Check the time. Still more than an hour to go. Go sit down again. Not much to do if everything is ready. Or is it ?. Jack's double checking everything. Doesn't get much better than Jack handling wrenches. The others are all doing the same thing. Going through and double checking or maybe even major motor work. Sometimes gathering in little groups and chatting about whatever. Isn't this fun?
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In between heats.............
........we watched the Unlimiteds race their way to the finals.
Andrew's fine Dave.........
......just a couple of days hanging out at the hospital. Seems like there were a couple of other cases. One girl the grade below him went in with the same symptoms, got released the next day then went back with it worse a couple of days later. Their white blood cells had gone up half again what normal was and acute abdominal pain, but the CAT scans were iffy. After everything turned back to normal, they were both released.
Our football team is going to the regionals tommorrow to play at the Alamodome so we're getting ready to head out for that. More on the story in a day or so.
Marcel Belleville Lost An Eye
Marcel Belleville told me he blew in the wrong line of his Konig tank at Valleyfield, and when he pulled the line out of his mouth, the alcohol fuel squirted into his eye. He raced the next heat, but later went to the doctor. The Canadian doctor, gave him something for his eye, and it was was not the right right stuff... Burned his eye out. That is why Marcel only has one eye...
Some how, Wayne, I've known all a long that you had some pictures like that one above, nice trophy.....for sure!!!!
It ain't over til its over
I could have just posted my article I did for Powerboat, but it wouldn't have all the inside stories or the photos. But there is still some more pics of the boats and of the podium to come, plus some quotes from the Dayton Daily News, then on the the PRO Nationals. Then 1978. That motor was still kickin'. Glad you're enjoying it Jeff. And I am like you... glad to have Eric here posting pictures and stories.