Don Aronow Memorial Race
 

HORBA presents Don Aronow Memorial Race

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HORBA presents the Don Aronow Memorial Race June 20, 2008.
To benefit the Take Stock in Children charity.

I have started a new thread as the old one got off track.

HORBA has four objectives for this weekend:
1. To put on a real 100 mile open ocean race across the Gulf Stream and back, that will allow as many interested parties to compete as possible.
2. To put on a get together for old racers so that they might be honored for what they did as the pioneers in this sport.
3. To have a venue where the fans can meet the old racers and see the actual old race boats from those golden years.
4. To raise as much money as possible for a very worthwhile South Florida charity, that benefits children.

Somewhere along the way, number 1 was there, but the other areas were getting too much focus. In a conversation with Brownie the other day, he advised us to focus on the race. He said the old guys could get together in a tent in the pits if they had to.

So here is where we are with the race to date:

The race weekend will be run by HORBA Ocean Racing LLC

Minimum boat length 20 feet, Maximum boat length 55 feet.

Historic boats are 15 years or older.

Classes will be:
Historic and Modern

Historic
Open ......Twin engine, max cu in no more than 1,000
Production...Production, Modified & Sport run together, maximum cu in no more than 910 cu in combined.

Modern
Single...Single engine no more than 550 cu in.
Twin....No more than 1200 cu in combined.
Unlimited...."Run what you Brung"

Entry fee will be $1,000 per boat.

All the detailed information is being loaded on to the HORBA website and should be up by next week. A complete race package and rules format can be downloaded then.

www.historicraceboats.com

Points of information:

All racers will be required to wear a real racing life jacket and helmet. (We are looking into the possibility of some of these jackets being available for lease)

There will be no passengers allowed in back seats.

All boats will be of the closed deck style. ( No center consoles)

Race Numbers will be furnished with stick on vinyl panels for both sides of the hull and the deck.

The start will be a timed start rather than a group start.
From a milling area just outside Haulover Inlet, one boat at a time will make a running start down the beach in a Northerly direction until they reach a committee boat off Sunny Isles Beach (On the Miami / Fort Lauderdale line)
They will then turn seaward (East) and their official time will start as they pass the committee boat.

Boats will be flagged off from the milling area in approx 30 second intervals. There is no passing allowed until after the boats have passed the committee boat and are bound for Bimini.

The race is a non-stop event, from Sunny Isles Beach to Bimini and back. All boats should carry enough fuel to make the entire distance.

After a turn at the checkpoint in Bimini, all race boats will do a return run back to the committe boat, where the total elapsed time will determine the winners for each class.

Starting positions will be assigned based on entry form and check arrival at HORBA Ocean Racing LLC.

We are actively looking for sponsors. If anyone has any interest please PM me or Brad Schoenwald or Larry Goldman and we can give you the details of the various levels of sponsorship. Sponsorhsip levels go from $1.00 to $50,000.

Sponsors at this time:
Banana Boat Co. www.bananaboatco.com
Tres Martins Performance School www.tresmartinperformance.com
Extreme Performance www.xtremepowerboats.com

Hi Charlie: I have been talking with Larry Goldman about the Bimini run etc. Sounds fun, but still a little short on miles, as far as I`m concerned. I think it should be more like the old Bacardi race, up and down the coast a few times and over to Bimini and back 150 miles total. I`m not sure if you remember, but the last Miami Bimini race I can remember was the Apache Challenge out of ft. apache and Turnberry. Seas were 8` to 10` wind was NE 20 to 30 overcast nasty day. I was with Norman Gentry as driver and Tom as navigator, we ran the Miami NY boat 46` Scarab Gentry Eagle, triple 1,000 Gentry Turbos, we actually were first to the Cement ship, but had to wait for Kramer to arrive to see if the race would be black flagged, which it was. Kramer was declared the winner as open class, we won in Superboat, they gave Ben the overall as well, kind of stunk, long story, but very rough, there is a video which is great, shows how rough it really was, That is the video you should use to promote the race, just a suggestion, I like the patch idea, also make some nice goody bags like we used to get. I`m here for you.

It was rough Richie - we among others filmed it - great photos - and video - not just circle racing like Hydros or those MINI boats - Some miles along the beach at first will definitely weed out any problem boats, then off to Bimini - would be a great race - all the things that used to make offshore racing - Navigation, Open Ocean - NOT JUST SPEED !

Good Luck to all -

PHIL
[email protected]

Hi my good friend: Now that`s what I`m talking about. I say if you are going to do it, make it real, and then you have some real bragging rights. Give me a 47` Apache triple 1200 Mercs and then sit back take bets and hope for 6` to 8` like the old days, no breaks in between, man against the Ocean, and whoever else gets in the way.

No no no....give you a 28 Memco with triple in line OB's and watch the aerobatics..........:D

Hey Phil........ This needs NNRT coverage.....

T2x

Looks like fun. Will you guys let crazy cowboys from TX race?

Only In Hdtv
 

Hi Hear Ya Richie - just a sec- let me turn up my hearing aid - oh - ok - got ya now -

It sure would be fun - can you still speak well -? I know you can type still - but hows the voice ?

The only way I would film it, would be in High Def.- but I have one question Rich, can we edit with out the sound going ? I used to edit with the sound turned off - as it reminded me of being lectured in school - and I HATED SCHOOL ! haha -

Wish I had the equipment still - it would be more then fun !

Hi to both your Richie's - Tripple X and 7 X

PHIL

You can check me out and my voice on Youtube Punch in Silvio Sardi communications, scroll down to Youtube titled thunder man about Don Aronow. It`s from the documentary. my interview, then Bush Sr. let me know what you think. FYI I`m still one of the youngest Lake X survivors, I was 19 when I was assigned my first racing position as riding mech. for Gene Wagner in a 21` Seacraft named Milk shake, first race was 50 mile Guy Lombardo in St . Pete, next race was the Bahamas 500, 582 miles one stop for fuel close to 100 boats started 8 finished the first day, we were # 8 first outboard etc. all day no food one gallon of water for the two of us, a ball compass no one else around and just to top it off six foot seas. started from Lucaya in the dark finished that night at 1:00 in the Morning. They literally lifted us from the boat, stood us on the dock and we both fell over, took several hours to regain our equilibrium. Top speed on the boat with fuel, a very scary 54 mph. power was twin 110 hp merc`s. Merc 1100 they were. I ended up running three of the 500`s plus two of the 500 kilometer races in various equip. If you remember I won two of the shortened 500`s One with Bonomi, the other with Gentry, they were short and easy, only 300 + miles. Those were the days HUH GUYS. I have lots of stories and an excellent memory. 62 years young racing from 1967 to 1994 retiring after Key West crash, not because I wanted to, just put a value on life, and no one seemed to want to pay for a 7XCHAMP throttleman. It was an end to an era, when we used to make good money and make champions of our drivers. RIP

Good thought Phil about running along the beach.
GPS takes some of the challenge out of it.
Good navigation always showed that speed was not the most important factor. Many races were won on smarts not speed.

Steve

Well Said Richie - I got involved in or around 1969 or so - my brother and I were hired to build a Fragrance Factory in the Bahamas - Island Promises was the name - we assembled several 40 ft. Trailers filled with mixing and filling equipment in Miama, then had them shipped over to Freeport- while there - the Bahamas 500 was on - Doug Silvera in his outboard powered boat - won it - it might have been 1970 or so - Senior moments here at times - Saw Bill Wishnick in his Red BossNova -Eddie Lecareau in his 8 Ball - yellow Bertram IO, we were on a Yacht in the Lucya Marine - (Bill Carptenters 96 ft. Burger yacht) - he was a friend of the people that we were building the factory for. Anyway - it was something that caught my imagination - soon after was selling my new car to buy a 28 Bertram Baron - the rest is my history - but soon found it was too expensive and I could have just as much fun filming and being involved that way - Many people do not realize who I was or am - as I was behind the camera - most of the time Silent -(except when yelling at Triple X) - but I must say - it was the most rewarding and fun time of my life - meeting nice people - Can't belive you are 62 - no way - you always were just a young Pup - cant be - dont lie Riche - haha ! As for me - I wont disclose my age - you have to ask my twin brother Peter - but he lies too !

I get a kick out of going to race events now- seeing a compass on the boats and wonder why they waste their money - usually then can just turn right at the large condo, and turn again at the next Water tower - and bingo they are home - When you raced Richie - if you did not pay attention to your compass - you might end up in Bermuda ! not FREEPORT - anyway - good to hear your stories - am impressed - always was - a class act you and Bobby B. were - - Triple X too - many memories - much fun - Just sad to think of so many that are not with us now - specially thinking of this Past week - and others like Mike Poppa, Mark Lavin, Dave Albert - and Gillie , Tom Gentry - and so many others that were just fun to be around - Times have changed for sure -


PHIL

I love reading this old stuff. Puts the AWE back into the sport.

A 500 mile road trip in one day is a pretty big feat now. I can't imagine it in a boat only averaging 57mph.

Good stuff guys.

Richie 7X and others......we are restricted to a straight shot out and back due to both insurance and Coast Guard permit factors.

I would love to put on another Bahamas 500, but first we have to walk and prove we can do it safely and then we can move it up a notch and run.

Speaking of old days....here are a couple of collages that Roger Munn sent in.....many great memories here.

The more amazing thing is that you did not have ANY safety boats for the majority of the race..... and some of the boats were under 20 feet in length......

Richie Powers, who I just found out is a year older than me and therefore entitled to "senior" status, could still give most of today's top throttlemen more than they can handle and then some........especially in a true endurance event. There's a world of difference between wondering how good you look coming through Mallory Square versus racing completely out of sight of land (and other competitors) for hours (sometimes days) at a time.......... The true offshore circuit had its share of showoffs ....but in those days you had to earn it the hard way and you didn't get to showoff during the race.

Phil: Hi Def it is....... Let's talk....and if you stop calling me "Triple X", I won't tell your real age:p:p

T2x

The other thing is how do you cram 500 miles worth of fuel into a power boat these days. Fuel comsumption has to be at an all time high for engines making 1000hP each.

Triple X it is !
 

um..... ya having a SENIOR moment Richie - (XXX) - did you forget the word "Don't" ! haha ! "if you DON'T stop calling me Triple X - haha - what fun - reminds me of the old days - couldn't be better -

Miss those days - it was fun !

PHIL

So it is settled....Phil M and Rich ....go out and find some Hi Def stuff to rent for the race and let's do it up old school style.

The guy from Texas....you are more than welcome sir, you may just be the new Richie Powers for the next generation of 21st Century ocean racers.

Would be fun Charlie - but filming is just the beginning - then editing (with the sound off please - have had enough while flying) - and where does it go - does it support itself - wish it did - so much in Offshore is what we all want, however few can afford !

GPS not allowed for this event, dead reckoning or compass only.. ;)

Hello T2x,
I agree with you.
Besides Richie 7X being a top Throttleman ,, he was one of the best at rigging and setting up a race boat.
It's like a lot of the race car drivers of today ,(Nascar/Champ cars/whatever) they just get in them and drive, and have no idea how to make them work, or what to do to set up a car or even build one from the ground up.
Richie knew his boats inside and out and how to make them win.
Thank you
Jim

Thanks Jim for the accolades: True it has always been about set-ups and rigging techniques. I am proud to say that I have won in every class boat I have rigged or raced, Lot of guys today only know twin engine boats, V`s and cats. When I started it was 21` v- bottoms with single Merc. outboard, then twins 21` then triple 25` to 30` then quads 32` to 34`. I raced one of each while with the Merc. Factory team 1967 to 1970 from there went into OPC team for Merc. Molinari tunnel boats, Dave Beyer and myself built all the powerheads. Then came the 36` Cig`s Magoon Bonomi etc. I have huge stories about all the things Kiekhaefer and I designed and implemented into the sport of offshore. From that era, came the cats, cougars etc. twin engine, then the triple 46` V-bottom super boats, Then the 50` four engine cats, and speeds into the 170mph range. ( ex arneson Gentry 48` Cougar ) Those boats were major engineering and logistics, try running a 50` with four 1200`s, crash boxes etc. By the way there were no plans or blueprints to tell how to rig, race or prepare, it was guys like me, Bobby Moore, Brownie, etc. who built and fabricated those monsters. then came the high hp skaters etc. ( team gentry 40` skater world record holder open class 158 mph. ) Bottom line is that I was the guy with the various teams that set these boats up, raced them, set world records in them, won races, and championships. I don`t think there are many guys around today who have experienced what that all entails. We didn`t just buy a ready made boat and go racing, we bought bare hulls,some new, some unproven, and some dogs that we had to make work and make ( will ) them to win and be succesful. We used to take a lot on for our owners and sponsors, we were paid to produce at any cost, and produce we did. Tell you the truth,I would love to see one of the old Seacraft 21`s with a pair of 110 hp mercs on her to run the Bimini race, now that would be old school, everyone forgets those boats, and the guys who raced them. We should invite Carl Moesley and his wife Jean to the event. Afterall he was the founder of Seacraft, and a major contributor and racer in the old days. we should not forget the smaller classes who made this sport and supported it, the old P-class, and modified boats. If it had not been for those guys there may not have been enough open class boats to put a show on. DON`T FORGET THE OTHER CLASS`S. they were a big part. Sandy Krell in the 28` Magnum Tweety Pie, invite him and his dad Sandy, great people, and major contributors to the sport back in the 70`s and of course the list goes on. Thanks again

Richie (7X)
You are most welcome. I've seen many of the boats you put together over the early years and they were works of art that would win races all over the world.
Most of us older timer's started with P-class/Modified boats and learned about racing that way. I couldn't keep track of all the wrong parts and things that I brought trying to learn about making my Magnum Sport go a little faster.
Thank you, for what you and the all othes that have given Offshore Racing over the years.
Jim

Is the web site working? I'd like some info on the rules.
This type of race has been a dream of mine since I started reading about the history of offshore racing. I am planning on racing, just need the 411.

OKAY......if you go to the General Discussion section.....Brad has put all of the info, Rules, Forms, entry info in PDF files that you can download.

Everyone has talked about doing a race like this someday.....today is the day, let's see how many will step up to the plate.

Wow!
 

Perfectly said!

Thought I was the only one left to think this way??
(tired of getting beat up for voicing it)

Awesome idea Banana and I'm 100% in support as a worker bee or a riding grunt if I can find a ride until my Sonic is done.

Just outstanding news and I'm so happy to see someone working to bring back the amazing history of Fla from the Offshore days.

Gary

Gary

Now you're...
 

talkin!!!

Outstanding!!


Gary

Sorry for all the repeat posts...
 

(I've been away a while.)

Another awesome post!

Richie, you ever get into my hood I'll buy you beers till you fall over to hear those stories!

I am one of those guys that gets more out of doing it himslef then being faster w/a check book.
Nothing wrong with that but stock sucks and I love to tinker :D

Gary

[FONT="Aria
Let,s see some names /or boat names !!

peppers

If....
 

the cream puff I just bought didn't end up being a "project" I'd do it in a heart beat!

Was telling my wife about it and mentioned the entry fee and that our finances were tight right now when she said. "honey our tax rebate checks should be here any day, will that do?"
I'm a lucky man ;)

Gary

So far we have a Historic '63 Formula that Don actually raced to a Modern...Turbine Cat, and a lot of intereting in between...like the old school Pantera boys....don't miss out on this....memories of a lifetime

Rules etc can be downloaded at www.historicraceboats.com

Check is in the Mail you all can follow us to Bimini and Back:evilb:

Very..
 

Cool!

Richie 7XChamp
 

I'm in touch with Carl and Jeanne, and Dave Craig..But I don't think too many of the youngsters will remember how close Dave and EC were..or the fact that Skyway Marine was Mercury Race Central in the early years..Dave looks and sounds the same, with gray hair..and Carl and Jeanne are in north Fl., as is Dave.. I saw Brownie today and got the scoop on the reunion..Should be pretty drunk....Here are a couple pictures of Dave..I took him for a ride in a Raveau..You remember them Richie..this one belongs to Frank Vidal at Sheridan Lumber..:D:grinser010:

Butch

Has anybody contacted Jon Culver?

T2x

T2rex, I didn't think Jon was contactable. Are you coming down for the fun? I am thinking of renaming it to: First annual 'North of the Daisies' gettogether. Anyone who is/was a fan of the good old days of Offshore will get elbow-rubbing opportunities that can't be duplicated. One setback, the Round Britain race starts on the 21st, so no Brits, no Buzzi. You will see Odell, Mel, Bakos, Wagner, James, etc. I am working on Willie Meyers, Harry Schoell, Doug Silvera. I will have L'il Abner do the Moeselys and Dave Craig. Also Fred Kiekhaefer. Keep it going.

Brownie
 

Dave Craig is in contact with Jon Culver..

Butch

I'll be there..... You and I are going to race the entire circuit in a 16 foot Glastron.

Carried on the deck of a 120 foot Broward of course......:D

T2x

Charlie,Please e-mail me asap !!call me asap !!

Scott,

only problem is, I would only be halfway across when you guys are back at the dock in Miami already:D

Rick