The ALL-TIME Worlds BEST Throttle Man is....
 

The man who can really make that boat fly level, without ECXESSIVE over-reving in rough water....The all-time GREATS are few and far between: Mark Lavin, Bill Sorois, Bobby Saccenti, Erol Lanier, Pete Hildago and so on...who thinks WHO is the best...and who would you like to run wtih...think there were a lot of cool races back when...any input>:D

Today IS John Tomlinson............but I've only been serious about since 17 and I actually got my OWN boat and known enough to reply on something like this.

However when I was watching races with my late father I didn't know any names, so again JT.

PS> no offense to anyone else because huge respect to ALL racers.

J.D.

I agree!

Nigel Hook

Citco Scarab !!!!

Rick

RF.

Me

:cool:

The guys of the coast Guard. They have logged many hours in burtal seas.

DJD--funny this thred came up-I was out last night and who did i see-J.D.--talked about the Japan tour-and old boat racing-he said he still gets calls to work the sticks-sounds like he would do it again if the right situation came up

Randy S (Candy) From Typhoon Racing..

INSTIGATOR
 

jerry gilbreath the reggie fountain harold smitty smith he could make dirty loundry fly

Well, the only one I've ever ridden with is Gordo. So I guess he get's my vote!! :D

(There you go Mike, free publicity....you can buy me a minnow shot Mem. Day weekend. :) )

I think everyone has their own idea of who is good and who isn't but the only true way to know is to actually sit next to the guys at the top and get first hand experience. Even then, who are we to say who the best is. And what chance do we have to sit next to the 'so called' top 10 guys.

It's not about clocking up wins. A team could win all season because either the other teams 'broke' or the money just wasn't there, in that scenario it's nothing to do with the guy holding the stix it all about the money. 'That's Racing'

Steve Curtis battles it out against the Victory Team in Class 1 time and time again. Steves budget [Spirit of Norway] is limited, although incredibly large, whereas can you ever imagine the Victory running out of money?.....no way...they just keep upping the stakes expecting everyone to follow suit to be able to keep up with their incredible speeds and budget. Their pocket is an endless pit...even then, they have a tough time against Steve, he just has the upper hand as a throttleman. He's been in some spills. that's for sure. He shakes it off with a smile saying hes got a bit of a headache.

After spending so much time watching all the top guys progress all over the World and seeing them rack up the wins, and even reading David Sewells 'TOP 10 THROTTLEMEN' in Raceboat [i cant find it or I would list them for you] it's all personal choice, even Sewells list is decided on how he felt when he got out of bed that morning! And who sprung to mind!

We have many in our sport and they are all unique and talented individuals. Steve Curtis [Class 1] would be my choice, but that again is personal preference and Ive been watching him closely for 10 years. We have the most amazing sportsmen in history in a sport that isn't acknowledged enough. All our guys are incredibly talented, each and every one of them and to rank them would be almost impossible. How do we rank such incredible talent!???:D We can't. They have all taken the top spot at some stage!


love sarah xxx

How about these?:


1. The World's First T-man....... Bobby Moore

2. The World's most under rated T-man....Bobby Idoni

3. The World's most amazing T-man.......... Willie Diaz

4. The World's best rough Water Vee T-man.... Bobby Saccenti

5. The world's best rough Water Cat T-man.... Joey Imprescia

6. The World's handsomest T-man..... J.T.

7. The World's smartest T-man..... Jerry Gilbreath

8. The World's most experienced T-man...... Stevie Curtis

9. The World's most innovative T-man...Billy Sirois

10. The World's best mind game T-man......."Smitty" Smith

11. The World's best up and coming T-man...... Gary Ballough

12. The complete package T-man.......... J.T.

13. The "if only he had more time" T-man....... Mark Lavin ( Greatness nipped in the bud)


With apologies to a bunch of people

T2x

I love that list:D It's so cool.....

Although......Worlds most handsomest......oh.....I'm gonna go for Curtis on that one I'm afraid.....but that's personal preference again. Curtis just has that charisma, smile, always happy, tall and sexy, blonde type of angelic look that really works for me!:D
He is such a wonderfully perfect gentleman.....

And I hope to god that Karen in his office doesn't check this and tell him..........or there'll be a phonecall in the morning!!!
Sorry Stevie!!!!!!!:p

big kiss
sarah xxx

missed one...
 

Tres Martin four times World and National Champion. Three times throttle man ot the year!:)



JM94;)

I was thinking about Felix Serralles; maybe not the best, but very good. I have a old tape of him and his brother running a 32 Skater (DonQ), they were in and out of the water and he didn't miss a beat. I didn't hear him wing those motors once; it was awesome. He got back on it as soon as that prop hit the water - every time. The helicopter was right there, almost on the water, itself. And best of all, no commentary; all you heard was that boat screamn'.

Art Lilly has to rate pretty high up there.

T2x,
We cannot forget the most INSPIRATIONAL T-Man: DOUG LEWIS :)

Wow! Felix Serralles...That IS a name synonymous with helping make the Victory team who they are today, along with the infamous Randy Scism. I met Felix way back, it could have been in 1994 in Geurnsey at the Worlds, I think it was there at that time!!!!!!:D Too long ago to remember...

See what I'm on about...we just have too many incredible guys to actually give them a rank.......Felix is cute aswell...But that goes down to that personal opinion again!!:D

grrrrrrrr..................xx

T2X is right on some sides but not number : 6

6. The World's handsomest T-man..... T.S (Timucin Sirin)
;);)

I'll second jacky... I kept a pair of Tres's gloves he left in INXS for good luck.
Steve Curtis is also top on my list.
Sammy James is an all time great...
and Harold Qualm...
Humberto Picon is very good...
Gus(tabby) Falcon was great..
Marshall Ives knows his sh%$T.
John Connar tops......
Kieth Hazell....
Vic Speilberg was great with a pair of Kaama drives.. just dont let him throttle the helicopter...you might get your feet wet
David Steel... without question
Knocky House...who could forget
Mark Marter... the "Lil Rhino" Days
Pepe Nunez...
Randy Garciga
Larry Goldman..... one of the best actually
Gus Anastacci
Richi Powers
Kathey Genth.... and she looks hot too!
Bruce Kreimier is the best for me...we work well together..
John Cosker impressed me yesterday...turbines kick ass
And although he's not raced much...eric froberg is not half bad


I call em like i see em.....

Marshall Ives.???????????????? On a World's best list...

What in the world are you smoking?

We are talking World class top performers list....not "Names from Florida in the old days".....
:p

T2x

searace, you call em like you see em?
I am not sure of all these names you list, especially HOWARD QUAM stands out, he was typically a driver, never heard anyone complement him on his throtteling, OR EVEN HIS DRIVING:D
Like T2x said, looking for WORLD CLASS. PERIOD!

Bobby Saccenti has to be one of my all time favorites and no not because he is my boss.....but anyone who can survive a stuff that included a basal skull fracture and go race in Europe some weeks later still seeing double has the gift. John Connor is at the top of the list also, as is Erroll Lanier. But who am I, T2x certainly has covered the majority of most worth mentioning.

Re: INSTIGATOR
 

The last time I checked..... Joe was a Driver :D

But I will Vote for Peter Meyer ;)

GORDO!!!

Things that make you go hmm...
 

If Peter Hildago was listed, I can't believe I didn't get at least an honorable mention. So I'll have to do it myself. Kirk Dunteman. World class without a doubt. If I lost the beer belly I could go for best looking also.:D

Kirk I would vote for you. But really I think it would be impossible to pick just one. Its like fighting over the best basketball player, or best pitcher. They never all played at the same time. Same thing here. I think a top 50 list would be a better way to do it with no order to it.

Whats up kirk how our you. How are craig and sammy doing.
I have to give you guys a call.

Is this because of his talent or heritage?:D
Kirk - not a shy one are you? You're right, you are as good as they get, but I do think everyone fits into a category like T2x outlined and WORLD CLASS is a little different than GREAT. World Class has to be earned over MANY years.

My list of my heros include. JT at the VERY TOP he knows all his stuff. Joey Imprescia, Hurley Stepp, Mark Lavin, Kirk Dunteman, Gary Ballough, Timmy Steiner, Paul Whittier, Felix Serrales, JD D'elia, Errol Lanier, Steve Curtis. There probably a few people I'm forgetting too.

Bobby Saccenti has been taking scalps for over 25 years now.

The comeback with the all new Team Apache should put that young man right back on top.

PS I don't work for him...

Nope...He works for you!:D
Hows the boat comin along? any more pics for us?

SPEED GIRL,
I was looking at your Avatar while I was typing and got messed up with my typing...;) :D :D :D :crazy:

@ this present time in history it's JT, BUT keep your eye on John Cosker, he's learning FAST! To this day, most amazing boat ride I've had in my life was with Cosker @ the helm!
MD

Ryan you suck up
 

Just because I give you all my sticker work you must have felt obligated to throw me in the list. Hey how many people can go 108 in a 24 skater sideways? Kirk out.

World class has to be earned over many years? I've been racing since 85, somewhere in the 30's for victories, 7 or 8 top guns(with a modified boat) first to go undefeated. still hold record at 12 consecutive( 2 were top guns) 5 world championships 3 1/2 nationals. 50 consecutive top 3 finishes(consistant). Because of what happened to Mark Lavin (old friend and hero of mine)is why I got out of racing when I started my family. What happend sat makes me rethink over my coming back to racing alittle bit.

As Babe Ruth said "its not bragging if you can do it":rolleyes:

Great thread. As the ever obsolete T2x noted, categorization is probably most appropriate for a topic such as this. With that in mind, I would like to add a couple.

Throttle and setup man that never really got a shot at the big time... Charlie Tesauro. I know of very few that can set up a small outboard cat and run it like it was a 46 Skater than Charlie. To bad he never had the chance to really get out there is a bigger boat.

Throttleman that would have been a top contender had he just been more humble and let his abilities speak for themselves is Nicky Cutro. I would have to say that there is not a more honest and hard working guy in the business. NIcky can set up, keep together and run the livin' hell out of a boat and continually do extremely well. I have raced with, crashed with, and learned an aweful lot from this man. I just wish for his own sake he would just keep quiet and do what he does best and he would be a sensation.

I have tremendous respect and admiration for many of the names mentioned here among others. As was said earlier, it is very difficult to compare certain people because some were/are great vee bottom guys, some are great cat guys. Some had better equipmant than others. You must differentiate between these various characteristics otherwise you are comparing apples and oranges. Great thread though.

Lance Henrichsen