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By AARON FREY
OF THE JOURNAL STAR
Posted Jul 25, 2008 @ 10:11 PM
DEPUE —
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Floridian Eldredge wins 175cc Hydroplane class on Lake DePue.
After 63 years of racing powerboats, Marshall Eldredge can finally call himself a national champion.
The 78-year-old from Yalaha, Fla., won the 175cc Hydroplane class Friday at the APBA Pro Nationals on Lake DePue.
"I've been second and third God knows how many times," Eldredge said.
Eldredge finished ahead of 20-year-old Will Tetro in a class that also featured 77-year-olds Bill Hosler and Ralph Donald. Eldredge finished second and third in the first two heats. When Tetro's boat couldn't make it out of the pits for the third and final heat, Eldredge only had to finish second to win the championship.
"It was the three old farts against the young guy," Eldredge said. "Don't get me wrong, I'm a lot more tired than I was 20 years ago."
Eldredge said he first started to race boats 30 days after Victory in Europe Day in World War II. He's been at it ever since, and has been attending nationals since 1955.
"I'll be truthful with you," Eldredge said, "I guess it's just to prove that I can still do it."
Powerboat racing has always been a family affair for Eldredge. His family has been involved in the sport since 1926 and is on its fourth generation of racers. His father, Marshall Sr., started out building boats before moving to motors.
"He was a great boat builder, but there was more demand for mechanics and he probably built more world-record motors and national champion motors than anybody else ever did," Eldredge said. "Basically, for 30 years, he did nothing but build race motors."
Eldredge's brother Jon and his great-niece Amy will race in Sunday's 125cc Hydroplane class. Another great-niece, Wendy Eldredge, finished third Friday in the K Pro class after winning the title last year. Amy Eldredge won it two years ago.
Marshall Eldredge said the sport has made for some close family connections.
"It keeps the whole family together," he said. "I had one boy and two daughters, and we've always been together. I knew where they were, they knew where we were, and it's a great family sport."
Even after racing for more than 60 years and coming to the nationals at DePue for more than 20, Eldredge said he doesn't anticipate retiring anytime soon.
"I plan on coming as long as I'm still alive," he said "Basically, it's a good place to race. We're welcome here and everybody likes to see you. Maybe I'll be here for 10 more years, I don't know."
BOOGIE BOARDING: Nicholas Davis, 12, of Chillicothe, had his boat flip as he entered the second turn on the second lap of his K Pro heat race. Davis was picked up by emergency personnel and treated in the on-site ambulance. He walked out of the ambulance under his own power with only a cut on his left leg. He went on to race in his next heat. ... A crew from DirecTV's Maximum Adventure Network is at the races for the third straight year. A one-hour show of race highlights that will air in September or October. The crew had two cameras on shore and a helmet cam worn by some drivers.
Aaron Frey can be reached at 686-3214 or afrey@pjstar.com.
OF THE JOURNAL STAR
Posted Jul 25, 2008 @ 10:11 PM
DEPUE —
Link to full article
Floridian Eldredge wins 175cc Hydroplane class on Lake DePue.
After 63 years of racing powerboats, Marshall Eldredge can finally call himself a national champion.
The 78-year-old from Yalaha, Fla., won the 175cc Hydroplane class Friday at the APBA Pro Nationals on Lake DePue.
"I've been second and third God knows how many times," Eldredge said.
Eldredge finished ahead of 20-year-old Will Tetro in a class that also featured 77-year-olds Bill Hosler and Ralph Donald. Eldredge finished second and third in the first two heats. When Tetro's boat couldn't make it out of the pits for the third and final heat, Eldredge only had to finish second to win the championship.
"It was the three old farts against the young guy," Eldredge said. "Don't get me wrong, I'm a lot more tired than I was 20 years ago."
Eldredge said he first started to race boats 30 days after Victory in Europe Day in World War II. He's been at it ever since, and has been attending nationals since 1955.
"I'll be truthful with you," Eldredge said, "I guess it's just to prove that I can still do it."
Powerboat racing has always been a family affair for Eldredge. His family has been involved in the sport since 1926 and is on its fourth generation of racers. His father, Marshall Sr., started out building boats before moving to motors.
"He was a great boat builder, but there was more demand for mechanics and he probably built more world-record motors and national champion motors than anybody else ever did," Eldredge said. "Basically, for 30 years, he did nothing but build race motors."
Eldredge's brother Jon and his great-niece Amy will race in Sunday's 125cc Hydroplane class. Another great-niece, Wendy Eldredge, finished third Friday in the K Pro class after winning the title last year. Amy Eldredge won it two years ago.
Marshall Eldredge said the sport has made for some close family connections.
"It keeps the whole family together," he said. "I had one boy and two daughters, and we've always been together. I knew where they were, they knew where we were, and it's a great family sport."
Even after racing for more than 60 years and coming to the nationals at DePue for more than 20, Eldredge said he doesn't anticipate retiring anytime soon.
"I plan on coming as long as I'm still alive," he said "Basically, it's a good place to race. We're welcome here and everybody likes to see you. Maybe I'll be here for 10 more years, I don't know."
BOOGIE BOARDING: Nicholas Davis, 12, of Chillicothe, had his boat flip as he entered the second turn on the second lap of his K Pro heat race. Davis was picked up by emergency personnel and treated in the on-site ambulance. He walked out of the ambulance under his own power with only a cut on his left leg. He went on to race in his next heat. ... A crew from DirecTV's Maximum Adventure Network is at the races for the third straight year. A one-hour show of race highlights that will air in September or October. The crew had two cameras on shore and a helmet cam worn by some drivers.
Aaron Frey can be reached at 686-3214 or afrey@pjstar.com.
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