Offshoreonly.com - Bernie Little passes away

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Watching Bernie is what got me addicted to boats. He was truly a class act and will be greatly missed. :(:(

My fondest memory of Bernie...and there were many..is not of the visits to his yacht...or his fondness for flying his helicopters and various aircraft...but rather of him scurrying around the pits on a golfcart in New Orleans some years ago delivering Budweiser and Popeye's chicken to all of the race teams and giving each and everyone of us a meal, a drink, and a smile.

God Speed Bernie.

T2x

What happened to him? Was he in poor health or was this unexpected?

A true legend. Sorry to hear the news:(

Thanks for the memories Bernie! The man was truly a legend in his own time!

RIP

Bernie should be remembered for all that he has done for this sport. Showing people the proper way to do things. We should all hope to lead as full life.

HUGE loss to the sport,,, RIP Bernie,,,,,,,,,,,,, GODSPEED

Bernie Little dies at 77; owned line of Budweiser racing boats

April 27, 2003

Bernie Little, whose Miss Budweiser boats hold almost every record in Unlimited Hydroplane racing, died Friday in Lakeland, Fla. He was 77.

The cause of death was listed as complications from pneumonia, although Little underwent treatment for cancer last year.

Little became involved in unlimited racing in 1962 when he bought band leader Guy Lombardo's famous four-seat Tempo. A year later, Little – who owned three Budweiser distributorships as well as car, boat and airplane dealerships – persuaded brewing magnate Augie Busch III to sponsor his boat.

Over an uninterrupted run of 40 seasons, Miss Budweiser won a record 134 Unlimited races, 22 world championships and 14 American Power Boat Association Gold Cups. The annual San Diego-Bill Muncey Cup on Mission Bay was won 15 times by Miss Budweiser.

Little's drivers included Bill Sterett, Dean Chenoweth, Mickey Remund, Chip Hanauer, Mike Hanson and Dave Villwock.

– BILL CENTER

:(

:( :( A truly sad day for boating, and mankind in general. The guy was a class act and opitomised professional motorsports. RIP Bernie.:(

A very sad day for boat racing. Condolences to all friends, family, and those whose lives he touched. The man was a legend, on and off the race course.