Is Don Johnson still in the sport in any way?
 

I'm a big 'Vice' fan as I'm sure many of you are... Googled Don and found some info about the racing he did in the late 80's and early 90's, but didn't find much. I got to wondering if he's got a sport boat now...

Anybody know?:food-smiley-007:

I think he is racing in OPA look up some photos under OPA :party-smiley-004:

I heard awhile back he was selling his car collection off to pay bills.

I personly cant belive Don Johnson is Broke!!!!!, all the T. V. shows, Movies, and adds!!, He is one Star I would love to meet one day, I grew up on Miami Vice, and his racing career. Maybe John Haggin could hire him to do some PR for Miss Geico:drink:!!!!

What I remember about him is He and some others were going to "save offshore" and started OPT. IMO there is no room for celebrities with all the personalities in Offshore. Who remembers Jason Preistly's sad debut? That's all the sport needs is for him to come and save it again. Lord help us.

I am pretty sure he's all done

I think you will be very dissappointed my friend!!!!!

I dont think Don Jonson could save the sport, but he could help draw in more spectators!!!!, and that is a good thing for the sport, that is just my 2 cents, I dontic think we need celebs racing:rolleyes:, but having them at races would not be a bad thing!!!

I was Don`s T-man and team mgr. when we ran the 50` Revenge Cat with four 1,100 hp Coyote SC motors. I could write a book on the entire adventure, and maybe will someday, but for now I will try to lend some first hand info.
We had major sponsorship from Revlon, Trump, Samsonite, Perry Ellis, Mercury, and Brooke Yachts. Those sponsors basically covered the cost from boat, equip. and expense`s. Don had very little out of pocket, and when the boat was sold he got all the money from the sale, so he made out probably better than anyone in the history of the sport.
I still speak with him occasionally, he is done with boats, and has been for years, financially he is no problem.
As for when OPT was formed and why. It all started with the worlds in Atlantic city at Trump Castle ( our sponsor ). All the drivers and crews got upset over a small stupid thing which was reporting for physicals and drivers meetings @ 7:00 am in the morning, when everyone knew there was not going to be a race for at least next couple of days due to Hurricane like conditions. The biggest gripe was the officials who were acting like police and not giving info. as to the fact that we were not racing insisted on the same drill for two mornings in a row were physicals, and early morning drivers meeting with storm outside blowing a gale. The officials ( god bless them ) were only volunteers, but with the shirts were officials and acted as such, which upset most of the owners and drivers, because they had such control over them. That`s when it started with why do we have to take orders from volunteers, and an organizer/race chairman that was clearly not communicating with the teams, and making them jump hurdles for no reason . It could have been posted the night before, no race next day, no physicals, no drivers meeting, instead half the day was wasted waiting for drivers meeting, physicals etc. to be completed. In those days physicals alone for all the teams took several hours to complete. D.J., Copeland, Marks, et al got together and decided they wanted a professional organization like winston cup, Indy etc. with paid officials etc. so formed Offshore Pro Tour OPT. Rest was history. During that time Offshore made it`s way to ABC wide world of sports with Roone Arledge at the time as producer. ESPN etc etc. Say what you want but when the Movie Stars were racing the crowds were huge. I remember when Barb. Strieshand and Don were in Michigan for a race, it was impossible to get through the crowds, same when Kurt Russell ran with us as navigator and once as driver, we had Goldie, Melanie, all the kids, Chuck Norris and Reggie Fountain, all crowd pleasers. I remember awards ceremonies with thousands of people to see the stars and get autographs.
So everyone knows, Don was and is a great friend and was a very good guy around the race sites, always was one of the guys. He got a bad rap from people if he didn`t answer there requests for something, they thought he was an ******* because he would not sign autographs in the middle of a meeting or when he was eating, I saw both sides, and I saw how much he contributed to Offshore at the time. I will stick up for him anytime, anywhere as a good guy and one who loved the sport and the challenge. All for now, like I said many stories.

Great story 7xchamp. Don is still the man! Although I was a very young buck in the 80's, I remember them well, and they are still my fondest memories of offshore racing. My Dad and uncle were racing a 24 skater, and it was probably the best times of my life. I was lucky enough to meet both Don and Al at a very young age, and its somthing I'll always remember. And yes, Miami Vice was, is, and always will be my favorite show!! :ernaehrung004:

Thanks 7xChamp!!!! Forget what Stinson says.......he's not old school....just OLD! :D

No, that was ME!

Imagine....7xchamp, T2x, Brownie and Bobby Saccenti in a room for 5 hours telling storys from the good ole days????

That would be a pretty awesome venue! (plus an 18 wheeler of beer!)

Do you know if Don still owns his white and yellow Donzi 38ZX that he used in one show like 4 years ago it was the 575 package with rear scoops. Or is he out totally?

Celebs racing offshore would be a big boost to the sport. It would definately boost spectatorship, and maybe even get us some decent media coverage and respect.

Don could live off the Nash Bridges residuals alone.................

That's for sure. I had the fun of throttling the 47' Apache "INXS" in the Long Beach, CA race with a bunch of movie stars in April of 1990. Don Johnson, Kurt Russell, Chuck Norris, Richie Powers...everybody was there. The media coverage was awesome...and the women! ESPN used to cover the OPT circuit back then. "Those were the days, my friend..."

Next year at the second anual Don Aronow race, plans are under way to have the legends back that were there this year plus many many more. I am hoping for a taped round table discussion, open to the public. Questions to be asked will be, How did you get started? What was your most exciting race? what was your toughest race? Who was your toughest competitor, What was your worst scarriest moment, and why? What was your favorite boat and race? What boats did you race? Tell us about your record/records.
I guess you all can get the jest of what I would like to accomplish. This would be done with the help of T2x as narrator, and Phil Lewis as producer????????? Legends need legends. At the round table I would also invite Johnnie T. Hagin, Teague, and others who could relate back to the old days, I would like to hear there comments on some of the legends stories, and how they relate to todays racing. At the last reunion I was proud to introduce Odell Lewis to the new guys, and thanks to the Searace book was able to show guys what we used to do, like running Turbine boats in 1965 from Long Beach to San Fran. and back single race. etc. etc. When the new guys and legends started talking there was no stopping, and the mutual admiration was incredible, everyone was signing autographs for each other, I heard lots of WOW`s and lots of NO WAY`s. Should be fun, all input is appreciated and sponsorship for the event would be a major help. It`s one way of preserving offshore for future generations. I`m upset that Al Copeland, Rocky, Tom Gentry, Smitty, Sirois and so many others could not have taken part, but we all have great stories about them that can be told. Also at this legends event I would like to invite the families of the ones I have spoken of, and maybe dedicate a place in the room for a reeth with a picture, throttlemen, drivers, crew etc. It`s time to remember our heritage and pay some overdue respect. Please!!! help with sponsorship for the event would be much appreciated, it could help pay some expenses for the legends that don`t have the means anymore, Plus cover the costs of the Video equip., room etc.. Some Food for thought is that it may be a good time to start the legends hall of fame, by inducting the first five legends based on there history and contribution to the sport. Could be the Tom Gentry Legends hall of fame. Thanks. Remember the racers of today will be the legends of tomorrow.

Sounds like the race used in the Fountain DVD. :food-smiley-007:

Thanks for the great info!!! I doubt there would be someone more qualified to talk about DJ back in the day. I appreciate you responding to my thread! :ernaehrung004:

Ritchie, The legends thing sounds great, the first party was a hit and it will be great to expand on it, but the celebrity thing? How many of the crowd that came for the celebs actually cared about boat racing? How many of the people involved with OPT continued to race? I clearly see it different. I don't see the hype really helping anything. I am for something to grow the sport, but I am still skeptical that the TV celebrity angle is a good one.

How about on saturdaybefore or after testing, you have the celebrity race of champions...like they do in car races..stuff them in bat boats, turn the rev limiters down a bit B or C listers shouldnt be to hard to get..Screech VS. Danny Bonaduce...suck MTV into it Tommy Lee vs. kid rock, Paris VS Lyndsy...Brittney VS K fed.... The Hoff VS. Simon.. Ernie VS Bert.. It will keep Dave busy doing paint/glasswork, but damn it wopuld be entertaining..

OPT tried the the celeb race with pro throttle man till one boat ran over another in SCARAB Excels leaving Nestor Torres in the hospital.......The few years in the OPT saw several Celebs racing....DownTown Julie Brown, Chuck Norris, Don Johnson, Stephen Stills, Kurt Russle, Vince Neil, Micky Dolenz, Bruce Jenner....and more. If all those people couldn't do the trick maybe we need to fix something else......celeb's ain't the answer.

The genuine personalities of offshore past are the celebrities of offshore. The focus should be on racers and racing not some TV celebrity.

Seems to me that having Celebrities to bring in money would have to help. Coverage of the sport is what it needs and celebrities brings in people and money. I like the idea , who cares if some would be their just for that. People like us know why we are there. I say bring it bring it on. What ever it takes to better our sport.

Somehow my point was missed. That was then, now is now!!!!!!. I am trying not to dwell on the past except to know it as it was. I get discouraged with these forums from time to time due to people who want to critisize and and make comparisons to the past, that was then and now is now.Since 1964 I was a member of APBA, UIM, and several local clubs, I have seen most of the phases in offshore around the world, the good , bad and ugly. A form of offshore racing will always exist as it should, it`s the people who should control the sport. But like Indy car racing, they split, formed two groups and that is history. If the racers don`t want to unite and dictate what majority wants, then they will be splinter groups, or club racers. My belief is when APBA offshore sold out, it was the end of a long standing era, and destroyed all alignment with the UIM world authority etc.
That`s when everyone started making there own classes, championships, rules etc. At least with APBA there was a national governing body that everyone answered to, and they in turn answered to UIM, now it`s gone. History, let it go and Offshore will be what it will be until the next era. Other forms of boat racing have gone through similar era`s Unlimited hydro`s used to be the ultimate spectacle, nowdays there are probably some 388 Skaters with 1,500 hp Sterlings that could hold there own with them, That should spark some controversy from the peanut gallery.

Let me preface this by saying that Mr. Powers is one of my favorite people...and a truly great racing talent, but our experiences have occasionally been different with joint acquaintances.

So we (The NNRT video crew) landed at Michigan to cover the race that Richie mentioned.........

Streisand's "ground security", approximately 5 burly guys, "ordered" our pilot off the landing pad as the diva was scheduled to fly in shortly thereafter. We left our helicopter where we landed it and basically turned our backs on them. Minutes later two more choppers landed.....carrying Barbra ( Mr. Johnson's squeeze at that time) and her "airborne security", approximately 7 more goons,......... The two security groups merged seemingly into one and hustled "Funny Girl" along a path through the very large marina....... basically pushing everybody they encountered out of the way (fortunately it was about 6:30 in the morning so the site was somewhat deserted.......but Babs needed her security squad).

The real drama occurred when this posse approached Don Johnson's motor home.......which was also surrounded by "security". Immediately sensing an approaching "army", Johnson's cadre took defensive action and intercepted with prejudice....... The resulting melee involved a couple of punches, some shouting, and frantic hand held radio communication, before cooler heads prevailed.

Our "Executive Producer", the unflappable Phil Lewis, inquired if we might have a pre-race interview with Mr. Johnson. The harsh response told us that he was "busy" with "prior commitments" and would be available later. Phil asked me if I thought we should wait while Don and Babs had each other for breakfast. My response was to walk toward the boats and look for real racers......... but I did whistle "People" as we departed.

Moral of this story....... If you are going to get interested in boat racing because some celeb(s) is/are involved........... you need to seriously think about getting a life.

P.S.--- Kurt, Goldie, James Caan, Bruce Jenner, Hulk Hogan, Chuck Norris and many others were very nice and very approachable...........(H*ll we even brought Steven Stills into it) but the sport needs to find its own identity....and attract people like that naturally........without using them as yet another cheap, trumped up come on.

As far as Narrating a "legends" event...it would be an honor..... just name the time and place......

T2x

Yeh I thought he was broke, but who knows?. I remeber all the reports on him being financially in trouble, but who really knows what was up

I agree with you Richie but like I said I am pretty sure he is done boat wise (not financially). I worked with him on Nash Bridges back in 2001 I believe and had plenty of time to speak with him about the sport and its (at that time) state he misses it but it just wasnt cost effective enough for him!!!

But I would have to agree with DaveP if we got you ,Brownie, Bobby Saccenti, and Mr Luhrs in the same room and sold tickets to that room.....wow now theres enough money to finance your own war on terrorism.

BTW Norty dont talk about old you're balding and short...I still have my hair and height buddy and still have the smallest tab at the strip club while pulling the chick off stage so there!!!

The yellow Donzi ???? I have no idea Bob Teague could probably shed some light but I dont think he does!!!

The Illustrious One

Funny thing about that race is I was racing with Al Copland in the Goetz boat. I didn`t even know Don then. As for Don, he had a lgitimate love of the sport, and pursued it as a racer, the rest was his baggage, which went along with the territory. As far as Chuck Norris, that was all Copeland as only Al could do. Hogan was all Wellcraft hype, as was D.J. when it all started. Jenner was the idea of the Little Ceaser guy, as was Julie Brown. Why did they do it ?????????????? who knows, but it was idividual owners and companies who wanted to atract attention to themselves or to the product, I don`t believe for a second that it was to draw people to the sport of offshore, it was just for ego`s. OPT or APBA were not the ones who solicited the movie stars, when they appeared it was just a bonus in the eyes of the promoter.

You always got the BEST rides.................

Now let's set the rules for this "Legends" thing. You could be "Richie" for the event and I will be "Rich"...or you can simply be "Mr. Powers" and I will be the "velvet toned and distinguished Mr. Luhrs":D:D:D

Back then the sport was in its heyday. Like you said ,stars, tv coverage=publicity. Thats what drew people. Honestly, do you think anyone knows who a certain boat racer is, other than his fellow racers? Or a few loyal fans? As far as racing fans, most are fellow performance boat owners. Which is a small fraction of total boaters out there. A powerboat racer will never be a household name, like some of the big league auto racers. Aint happening!
The thing that ruined and split this sport is EGOS. Plain and simple.

He always seemed assessable around the docks. I think the trick was not to treat him like a star. Didn't he start out in Gentry's Scarab?

No, Fountain didn't finish that one. The only reason we finished second to "Popeyes Fried Chicken", (Chuck Norris & Bob Idoni), was because "Little Caesars Pizza", (Peter Markey & Tres Martin) and "Team USA", (Don Johnson & Richie Powers) both broke something that slowed them down enough for us to catch them on the last lap.

The Fountain was first to the first checkpoint, but never a threat again.

So what you are saying here, is that everything stays the same!!!!

LOL Ernie vs Bert??

some of the celebs mentioned, Norrias well as a few others, Steve Mcqueen, James Garner and others raced desert as well. I think back in the day, sure it was competition, but there was probably a sense if extreme adventure that came with bouncing across baja or trucking across the open ocean. Personally, I think in both sports technology has improved upon the game so much that they have somewhat lost that mystical sense of adventure, I didn't follow offshoer back then but at least in baja, just finishing it was a sence of major accomplishment..Baja wasn't something you raced it was something you conquered... Now with 1000 hp tube chassied, fiberglass bodied 'trucks' sporting 3 feet of verticle wheel travel its become nothing more than a dusty drag race. I really like hearing the stories from you old school guys, I remember seeing races on tv back in the mid 70's, you guys were flat out getting pummeled. how any of you can stand up straight these days is beyond me..Im only 45 and raced desert for 15 years and it flat out hurts to get out of bed in the morning.

I love Baja racing, but do sorta agree in that its much easier for the crews now....still want to own a Trophy Truck as they are badass though lol. Whats more impressive is the dirtbike guys finishing as they take a f'n beating, great documentary was From Dust To Glory, excellent film on the Baja race.

wore that dvd out, also one my class racing the '88 baja 1000 on an atv., that was a dream since I was a kid and saw it on wide world of sports..same with offshore racing..sooner or later I will end up runnin a boat with numbers.