3/17/79 - 26 years ago today...
 

3/17/79 - 26 years ago today my dad (Charlie McCarthy)won the 9th Annual Bushmills Grand Prix in Newport Beach CA. This was a special day for our family (as you can imagine being Irish and winning on St. Patty's Day!!) so I just wanted to take the time today to wish everyone and their families a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day.

Here's a few old pictures from that day... We can all thank my mom for most of these great old pictures - she's a very special lady!

Re: 3/17/79 - 26 years ago today...
 

The red Cigarette is "Satisfaction" driven by Paul Clauser.

The yellow boat is "Wild Turkey" driven by Frank Lach

and the 3rd shot is Howard Arnesons "Sea Sweep". Check out these VERY early surface drives...

Re: 3/17/79 - 26 years ago today...
 

Way cool stuff .. :D

Re: 3/17/79 - 26 years ago today...
 

Rock Aoki's "Benihana" cat - the former "Yellowdrama"

Re: 3/17/79 - 26 years ago today...
 

Bill Elswick's "Longshot"

Joel Halpern's "Beep Beep" w/ Arnold Glass in "Copper Kettle" behind.

Jerry Jacoby's "Ajac Hawk" (Bobby Saccenti was his trottleman)

Re: 3/17/79 - 26 years ago today...
 

Joey Ippolito's "Mich Lite" owned by Bernie Little
and Betty Cook's "Kaama" in the background

And this was a strange boat I'm sure all of you old timers will remember - Tommy Adams' Signature - "Star Wars"

Does this mean that we have to give Tommy Adams credit for inventing the Canopy on offshore powerboats??? LOL!!!

Re: 3/17/79 - 26 years ago today...
 

more Signature, the start, and "Top Banana" after the race...

Re: 3/17/79 - 26 years ago today...
 

and here's the Trophy as it sits today. It is located in Ireland at the Bushmill's Distillery. If you ever get to Ireland, stop by the factory and take the tour - the trophy is in the tasting room.

Re: 3/17/79 - 26 years ago today...
 

good stuff... again!

Re: 3/17/79 - 26 years ago today...
 

Very, very cool. Thanks for sharing.