In memory of racers no longer with us:

[jrome]

Anybody wishing to post condolences for Reles, may do so at:

http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/Dign...wgb&eid=viewgb

[geodavid]

Joe, you really captured Reles in these pictures! Just as I remember him. Deepest sympathy to the family. Thank you for posting the link.
Alan

[Rotary John]

2 more to add. Ben Schaffer; long time Mercury R&D guy passed last week. Rich McKinley, OMC race tech and factory driver passed last month.

[Ron Hill]

Fred Bowden called me this morning and said, "Bruce Borquin died last night."

Fred said, "Bruce had fallen out of a tree his was trimming. and broke his back and a few things. But today, he passed with an aneurism." Fred did NOT know if falling out of the tree caused the aneurism, but he knew his good friend, in his middle 60's was gone too soon.

Bruce was a good man, a little on the eccentric side.

---

This is from Hydrorace.net:

Fred never admitted it but he bank rolled Gran Prix Boats, at least that I what I feel. 34 was Fred's number when he ran MOD VP. Todd always ran 34 on his tunnels. Todd never ran MOD VP. 148 was Dick Sherrer's number but Dick never owned a Gran Prix. Ed Lane did all of Dick's engine work and he and Bruce Borquinn (Gran Prix Boats) were always good friends.

This 148 boat looks like the boat John Lane, Ed's son, ran in the PROP Formula One Tour in 1996. Well, actually only one race at Lake Mead. Ed bought John a new style Gran Prix for the 1998 season.

John is the same John Lane that won the 2008 Blue Water Resort and Casino 300 Enduro!

ADD:


I first met Bruce in about 1966, he was helping Bob and Pam Carson. She won 1 -U.S. in Family J. It wasn't long after that that he started building boats. I have no idea how many boats he built but many of his tunnels are still racing and winning today. When I was OPC Chairman of APBA, Bruce was on my Commission. He was an excellent Commissioner.

A few years back, i called him and asked if I ordered a boat when could I get it. Bruce said, "I don't know." I then said, "How much is a new 45 boat?" He said, "I don't know." I said, "Well, thank you." and hung up. I called Revolution and ordered a new boat and took delivery three weeks later!

I saw Bruce at two or three Parker Enduros after that, we had dinner at Fred Bowden's and never mentioned boat building.

Bruce marched to his own drum. Rest in PEACE my friend.

[Michael J Gwaltney]

Ernie Threlkeld died on October 7th in Palm Coast, FL, he was 74. Ernie was a great friend to many of us in boat racing and shared some great stories. He lived in Simpsonville, Ky in recent years until moving to Palm Coast last year. A life celebration is planned in Kentucky but no date has been set.

[Ron Hill]

I first met Ted about 1967 at the New York to Albany to New York Marathon. HE and I became good friend while he worked for Playboy in Chicago. For many, many years Ted would come to Havasu and Parker for the big races. He also managed to make St. Louis, too. His two sons, Bruce and Scott made the trip with him now and then too.


Ted would plan his business trips so he could help and the races. He never asked for a dime or wanted anything from all his hard work. He used to get so depressed after Parker 9 Hour was over, he'd see all the broken boats, and all the almost wins. In all the years he cam to help, close to ten years, I never won. We'd lead, we'd break.....We'd finish second or third. Ted did make it out to Parker, 2006, to see Chad Hill and Pat Bowman win the Enduro.


Ted moved on to CNN and moved to Jersey where developed colon cancer. He retired from work after the bout with cancer, but had older health problems along the way. 14 years ago, this month his son Bruce passed away. Bruce was a only about 40.


I started Boat Racing Facts and asked Ted to join in the effort. Ted wasn't doing well when we started BRF, and his health never really improved. We started BRF 12-13 years ago.


Ted was a great friend, he is survived by his wife Nancy, son Scott and daughter, Jolyn.


Ted's last few years have been tough years! Rest in peace! I'll miss my friend!


ADD:


One time years ago, Ted called me and said he knew where 10,000 propellers were for $10,000. They were in Gary, Indiana at a scrap metal yard. I got 10 grand in cash and jumped on a Monday night red eye.


I bought the props and got them shipped to California. I had to rent a building to put them in....Somewhere I have a picture of me in front of this pile of 10,000 OMC props!

[Beale Tilton]

Ted was a great friend. He spent a lot of time on the road for work. When my phone would ring in the middle of the night I would pick up and say,"where are you Ted". We would rerun a few races and call it a night.
Ted sold me his sportmaster and speedmaster not long after I met him along with the props. Manager to set a FG kilo record record with the speedmaster. The sportmaster props I gave to Sam Cullis couple of years ago came from Ted.
Going to miss him.
RIP Ted

[J. Sherlock]

RIP Ted, yes I am back, but I bet you knew that

Ted you picked a hell of a time to move on, I am back on board, will miss you Ted.

Love,
John

[Ron Hill]

DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO STEVE RAINS FAMILY WHO OWNED THE 28 STOKER

OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO THE RAINS FAMILY WHO'S SON JODIE RAINS II WAS MURDERED LAST WEEK AT SPRING VALLEY LAKE.



Vicki Schwarzenbach

More details later.

[Ron Hill]

DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO STEVE RAINS FAMILY WHO OWNED THE 28 STOKER

OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO THE RAINS FAMILY WHO'S SON JODIE RAINS II WAS MURDERED LAST WEEK AT SPRING VALLEY LAKE.



Vicki Schwarzenbach

More details later.

Ron here are the pictures you requested. Thanks for your help.. Can't tell you to much about what happened other then the suspect was an early release AB109.. They don't want us to talk to much about it for fear of jepordizing the case. The *** hole is booked for 1st degree murder.. Jodies memorial service is being held Saturday March 9th at swim beach park here in Spring Valley Lake, Victorville Calif.. Jodie was 32 years old and only had 4 loves. His fiancee Machele, Boat Racing, His Guitar, and Flowers.. He raised orchids and nursed them back to health.. He was kinda known as the orchid doctor..