What was the deal with the #VI drives being allowed to run in the Enduro Race?

[hallett21]

Thanks!!!


How long is the Parker enduro for a fast boat? You still are required at least two 10 min stops correct?

So the 9 hour enduro was not a distance race but strictly a timed race? Did you win by having the most laps?

 

[overpriced hallet]

It took its first hard hit about 1972 with the oil embargo. It kept going but was cut to 6 hrs.
Then the unleaded fuel deal starting in 1975 hit it again when you needed to buy "race fuel" for anything with more than 9 to 1 compression. But, at about the same time, they raised the time to 7 hours.
I think what really kicked it in the balls was the factory(specially Merc) tunnel outboards. It simply became boring, and was controlled by big money. It was a huge deal when Lemke's Jag powered Silverwing I/O won. The domination of the outboards was the reason for starting the S/C(speed classic 250s) that ran for a few years all over the country. That's was the real beginning of the GN class.

They actually ran a Parker Enduro up until about 2000 or so, but it was a 1 hr race by then, and only went to badenoch's and back.
Lance Faulkner drove Pat Hobans turbo GN around 2000 and ran 2 laps with the F1 boats side by side until it kicked 7 rods.

All the marathons failed across the country mainly due to fuel costs.

 

[overpriced hallet]

Thanks!!!


How long is the Parker enduro for a fast boat? You still are required at least two 10 min stops correct?

So the 9 hour enduro was not a distance race but strictly a timed race? Did you win by having the most laps?

This year the winner ran it in just over 4 hours, and yes the 9 hour was a timed race. And yes, most laps

 

[hallett21]

This year the winner ran it in just over 4 hours, and yes the 9 hour was a timed race. And yes, most laps

Well I think war canoe would do pretty good in the 9hr as well lol. Would you run your boat in the 9 hour? Btw I think your boat came out bitchen!!!

I wonder if you would get equal turn outs between races if you ran the 9 hour and 300. I mean if a guy broke in one race would they be able to (financially) rebuild and make the next? You wouldn't want to have one race killing the other. But then again you break stuff racing and its just part of the game.

 

[overpriced hallet]

Well I think war canoe would do pretty good in the 9hr as well lol. Would you run your boat in the 9 hour? Btw I think your boat came out bitchen!!!

I wonder if you would get equal turn outs between races if you ran the 9 hour and 300. I mean if a guy broke in one race would they be able to (financially) rebuild and make the next? You wouldn't want to have one race killing the other. But then again you break stuff racing and its just part of the game.

Hell yeah I would run it in the 9 hour! doesn't mean I would do good but I would run it. I think people would still do the race regardless due to the carnage that would be out there and if they could get it fixed they had a chance of doing ok. Let's face it its all about having a good time. Thanks for the compliment. We tried to make a decent looking piece and a good working deal and I'm very happy for our first time out with a boat that literally had only 1 hour on the boat in the water before the race with no dyno time or anything. Now I just have to figure out all the little issues and figure out a way to build a sprint motor on a poor mans budget to go GN racing:grumble:

 

[hallett21]

You knocked your boat out of the park. Keep us updated on any changes for upcoming races!!

 

[Faceaz]

The Parker 9 Hour Enduro was started in 1963 by local Parker Residents Marrion Beaver and Cecil Florence (with a lot of help by a lot of people) after Marrion and Cecil traveled to Miami Marine Stadium for their (Miami's) Endurance race. The two felt they could make a bigger and better "Enduro" on the Colorado River so thus began the Parker 9 Hour Enduro which in and of itself has a storied history which lasted until 2000, which by then it had become a shell of itself, a four hour race (2 hours each day) which pitted F1 tunnel boats vs. GN's, not the way it orignally began, which was a "run what U brung" race boats, pleasure boats, etc. The F1's ran like timex watches and attrition was so high that only a handfull of boats were running at the end plus the fact that due to low turnout it was a financial disaster to the conducting organization. So with that it ended until 2003 when a few guys were waxing nostalgic on another message board. It took a lot of time, effort and dedication on the part of a few but it came back and has been back now for 6 years. No, it is not the Parker 9 Hour Enduro on the original course (Blue Water to La Paz County Park and back) but it is growing in the right direction and NO capsule boats are allowed as it creates a whole new set of circumstances (diver's, safety, etc.) and is what killed the original Enduro in the first place.

BTW, some of the biggest names in boat and auto racing, not to mention a President's son, astronauts, a certain Oil Well Fire Fighter (Red Adair), and nearly every major boat builder from the 60's on up participated or fielded boats in the old 9 hour (it went to 7 hour in the 70's with gas crisis) also, Mercury and OMC slugged it out against each other and the field of Inboards. That is why it was brought back.

I kind of lost track of it at the end. But, I remember the boat speeds, safety concerns - causing increased insurance costs was a big part of it. Originally it ran I think about 1/2 way up the strip, then was cut to a turn out in front of Badnochs. Frank who ran a cool O/B shop right down @ Blue Water, had his son decapitated by loosing control & going under a dock. I always had a feeling that played some role in the course being cut. I lost interest when the F1 boats went away, it became shorter heats & they started running the small tunnels with 40 - 50hp outboards. Those little boats went pretty good, I think around 60mph, but like you said, a shell of itself.

Whats od about the race now is how technology has changed it. O/B's are so reliable, they are given a significant advantage if the boats are all regulated to the same speed. The 9 hour really tested the reliability, now most OB's are assured to go the distance - unless it's a hull or rigging issue. The War Canoe - completely stock engine with 500+ hours on it when it ran the race.

 

[Racey]

Yeah if that was the case how many boats would show up to race then??? 2? yeah that would make it a real interesting race to watch then wouldn't it:rolleyes And if all the bitching about this race and it's such an easy problem to solve then someone should step up and put together and organize a race themselves and see how they do :thumbsup

I don't believe that for one second, we've been seeing the field dwindle year after year with the constant rule changes attempting to even the field, not grow. Baja doesn't lose a ton entries because Robby Gordon, the McMillan's, or the Herbst's have multi-million dollar machines..... I think the rules being in flux turns a lot of people off from entering the race, or watching it, they marginalize the race because of it. That is my opinion, a lot of people i talk to feel the same about it.

 

[AFUEL7067]

The Parker 9 Hour Enduro was started in 1963 by local Parker Residents Marrion Beaver and Cecil Florence (with a lot of help by a lot of people) after Marrion and Cecil traveled to Miami Marine Stadium for their (Miami's) Endurance race. The two felt they could make a bigger and better "Enduro" on the Colorado River so thus began the Parker 9 Hour Enduro which in and of itself has a storied history which lasted until 2000, which by then it had become a shell of itself, a four hour race (2 hours each day) which pitted F1 tunnel boats vs. GN's, not the way it orignally began, which was a "run what U brung" race boats, pleasure boats, etc. The F1's ran like timex watches and attrition was so high that only a handfull of boats were running at the end plus the fact that due to low turnout it was a financial disaster to the conducting organization. So with that it ended until 2003 when a few guys were waxing nostalgic on another message board. It took a lot of time, effort and dedication on the part of a few but it came back and has been back now for 6 years. No, it is not the Parker 9 Hour Enduro on the original course (Blue Water to La Paz County Park and back) but it is growing in the right direction and NO capsule boats are allowed as it creates a whole new set of circumstances (diver's, safety, etc.) and is what killed the original Enduro in the first pla
BTW, some of the biggest names in boat and auto racing, not to mention a President's son, astronauts, a certain Oil Well Fire Fighter (Red Adair), and nearly every major boat builder from the 60's on up participated or fielded boats in the old 9 hour (it went to 7 hour in the 70's with gas crisis) also, Mercury and OMC slugged it out against each other and the field of Inboards. That is why it was brought back.

And it was a mass start and the start was by far the highlite of the nine hour

 

[overpriced hallet]

I don't believe that for one second, we've been seeing the field dwindle year after year with the constant rule changes attempting to even the field, not grow. Baja doesn't lose a ton entries because Robby Gordon, the McMillan's, or the Herbst's have multi-million dollar machines..... I think the rules being in flux turns a lot of people off from entering the race, or watching it, they marginalize the race because of it. That is my opinion, a lot of people i talk to feel the same about it.

And what field is that? big buck guys? or low budget guys? who has stopped? As I said before and as many others say as well, these guys should step up and put together a super wazoo wizbang deal with unlimited budgets and host an event for poor guys like me to come and spectate. As I would definitely come to spectate. Until then I guess that Ross and his team will continue to run the program as they want as this is their race and vision to bring back a great race that even the low budget guys have a chance to win.

 

[Faceaz]

And it was a mass start and the start was by far the highlite of the nine hour

No doubt. Seeing all the boats sprint up river @ one time on smooth water was awesome. The yearly Boston Whaler entry was pretty funny too.

 

[twocents]

I think the most exciting part of the original Parker 9-Hour was the "true" Le Mans type start (the old Bluewater RV beach was the pit area then). All the boats (100+) were in the water and the drivers would line-up along the chain-link fence line on the backside of the pits. With helmets and jackets on, the rules said we had to have one hand touching the fence. When the start gun went off, we'd all dash (run) across the pits in full race gear (Gentex jackets and motorcycle helmets) and jump in our boats and go. Some drivers preferred to run into the water and dive onboard -- others preferred to have a burly pit crew member stationed at the waters' edge, and get a piggy-back ride to the boat so they would stay dry. The race course was nearly an exact 6-1/2 miles in length from Bluewater to the upriver turn at La Paz County Park (13 mile lap). You could pit for fuel as often (or not often) as you liked. The winner was declared based on the total number of laps completed in 9 hours. There were actually a few drivers who drove the entire 9 hours without a relief driver (Bob Nordskog won the race overall doing this). The factory outboard teams (Mercury versus OMC) were both a blessing and a curse. When they came to win, nobody else (independent racers) really had a chance -- but they were a strong financial force behind the event which it needed. When the "factory outboard team" era was over, it was difficult for independent racers to sustain the event.

 

[Kyote]

No doubt. Seeing all the boats sprint up river @ one time on smooth water was awesome. The yearly Boston Whaler entry was pretty funny too.

The original 9 hour enduro had two very significant differences from the 300. Firstly, the pits were in the water. Racks were assembled in the water with fuel drums on top or fuel cans were carried from shore to refuel the boats. Second and most spectacular was that all boats started at once with a LeMans start. The drivers were all on shore and the boats were held in the pits by the crew. When the whistle blew the drivers ran to their boats and the race was on. It was really something to see. Some boats that did not start up immediatlely would be swamped at the start. Rules and laws, gas embargo and the economy changed the race to what it is today. It is a great event today as it was back in the 'run what you brung', all start at once and the boat with the most laps completed at the end of 9 hours wins.

 

[rivermobster]

Great history lesson guys. Thanks so much for it!!!

:thumbsup:thumbsup

 

[Sharp Shooter]

I'm shocked by 2 things in this thread...

1. Overpriced Hallets Knowledge on the subject. :thumbsup

2. This post!

Could you tell those of us who are unaware what the 9 hour was?

[video=youtube;8__0-z8gXcM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8__0-z8gXcM[/video]

I've got some old 8mm film from the 60's that I'll put on youtube one of these days.

Endurance racing was big in the 60's and not limited to Parker. :cool I think the outboards won the first Parker overall in 1970.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

I have many of the old race programs.

 

[hallett21]

I'm shocked by 2 things in this thread...

1. Overpriced Hallets Knowledge on the subject. :thumbsup

2. This post!

[video=youtube;8__0-z8gXcM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8__0-z8gXcM[/video]

I've got some old 8mm film from the 60's that I'll put on youtube one of these days.

Endurance racing was big in the 60's and not limited to Parker. :cool I think the outboards won the first Parker overall in 1970.

I wasn't even 10 when the last 9 hour enduro occurred lol

 

[Faceaz]

I have many of the old race programs.

I think I have about 10 years worth :thumbsup

 

[MrWarpath]

Its real simple run what you got right? well if you have a slow boat then you can race he other slow boats and there is nothing wrong with that !! but if you want to race the fast boats then step up and do just that , but dont complain because the fast boats go by you ! The winner of the race SHOULD be the fastest to do the 300 miles ! big money guys didnt kill the nine hour the oil problem did along with the economy of that time. If you take away big money guys you will not have a race ! blaming Randy for killing water ski racing is the most ridiculous thing I have heard ! If it were not for guys like Randy,Howard Hoggins, Scott Wendt and myself there would be no money to put on those races ! If you dont have the real fast guys you will have nobody to watch because that is what people come to see. I mean no disrespect but that is just the hard facts of it and if the world was not filled with so many cry babies that want to win a race but not be the fastest boat the 300 just might get back to being a great event. It takes a lot of hard work and we can all thank Ross for that but hell stopping the fast boats is just crazy.....that is just my opinion.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

Ross has the very difficult job of keeping everyone happy. The most challenging entity to keep happy is the insurance company. I'm not sure if everyone knows this but there is only one insurance company that will underwrite a boat race on a small coarse on an inland waterway. If that insurance company wants changes made regarding limiting the speed differential, then these changes get done or else there is no race.

The one thing I would recommend is if the boats had to run transponders. Most of the bitching after the race surrounds the lap counts of the various finishers. Transponders would eliminate that.

After fuel and entry fees you are in for $1000 before the boat even hits the river, add in the cost to prep your boat, gather the needed spares, hotel, props, etc., and it's a pretty big deal. I applaud all of those that make a run at it.

 

[OHHH YAAA]

Its real simple run what you got right? well if you have a slow boat then you can race he other slow boats and there is nothing wrong with that !! but if you want to race the fast boats then step up and do just that , but dont complain because the fast boats go by you ! The winner of the race SHOULD be the fastest to do the 300 miles ! big money guys didnt kill the nine hour the oil problem did along with the economy of that time. If you take away big money guys you will not have a race ! blaming Randy for killing water ski racing is the most ridiculous thing I have heard ! If it were not for guys like Randy,Howard Hoggins, Scott Wendt and myself there would be no money to put on those races ! If you dont have the real fast guys you will have nobody to watch because that is what people come to see. I mean no disrespect but that is just the hard facts of it and if the world was not filled with so many cry babies that want to win a race but not be the fastest boat the 300 just might get back to being a great event. It takes a lot of hard work and we can all thank Ross for that but hell stopping the fast boats is just crazy.....that is just my opinion.

I was waiting for this. I was just stating that I have heard this from some former ski racers it is a factor for some...it's not the reason I have scaled back(I agree with your "run what you got"you will find someone to race; I always did). Mike, I did give credit, and well deserved, to Randy for keeping the sport alive. (I will also extend that credit to the people you mentioned. There is no doubt the sport has benefited greatly from their and your involvement).

 

[hallett21]

So will #6 drives be allowed in the RDP enduro?