Classics at 2011 Top'O

[kampkurz]

Bring it!

I suppose it would be wishfull to run an old speedliner with a Merc 900 that I was told did the Winebagoland Marathon?

Wow, that boat is really cool. I am not sure about the motor. Mike is right about classic being a little liberal, but try to make sure it would be allowed 'for sure'. I'd love to see and hear that one crank it up at KampKurz.

[Mini Max]

Gee, I sure hope you are not pulling my leg. I could find an old racecraft with a 20-H in the shed out back but since I jumped off the deck of a big boat in the pitch of night and the dock was about 5 feet further than I thought, the old knees like it easy. Easier should I say. 14' more comfy than 9.

A local gentleman stopped by the shop Friday who is retired from racing. Perhaps he would mentor an old boatbuiler to polish off the faded red S on my chest once more.....

[GuyWithTheCoolBoat]

blew out my bottom last year at top o. started coming unfastened under the bow. just going to redo the whole thing. its years old and has seen tons of races and im sure is far from flat as well.

[KG4]

Got these from the Sorenson site.Would love one for my KG4 they are beautiful!!

[kampkurz]

B-292-c

I like the lines on the B-292-C. Anyone know the owner??

[CSR4C]

Built it for myself, then some one in NY offered enough that I had to sell it.

Lines can been seen more clearly in this picture.

[Ron Hill]

Raven Craven.....Was John Craven

292-C was originally a Champion Kit boat paint red and black and was powered by a KG-7. John Craven drove it in BU. Ed Craven had a Champion DU, also a Champion Kit boat, also painted red and black that Ed usually drove the DU.

Ed and Jean Craven were charter members of the USA (United Speedboat Association), as was my dad.

John Craven won the 115 mile Colorado River Marathon in 1953, after following behind Homer Smith for 90 miles, Homer made a wrong way turn at the Devi'sl Elbow and John beat him back to Needles.

When the Hot Rod came out, my dad was a dealer for Champion Hot Rods. He sold John Craven a Hot Rod and Lee Morehouse built him a new boat. It was painted black, as were all of John's boats.

John NEVER race a Hot Rod on a Champion Boat....but 292-C is a good looking boat in the above picture..

John quit racing for many years, but in 1973 he bought my D Runabout and raced it, somewhat teaming with Jimmy Dawe until, he, John died of cancer....about 1975.

Just an FYI!

[Islandmon]

My dad and I built a Champion kit back in 1968.....I think. I ran the heck out of that boat, it never skipped a beat. I'll have to see if I can find a pic or two.

Sam,

[Mini Max]

I never heard of a champion kit boat. Any info to share? When I worked for Gougeon Brothers in the 70's I heard alot about Bay City Boat Company selling kits and Chris Craft. There was Mechanix illustrated, Rudder and Glen-L. and of course Hal Kelly. I could never afford the cost of Hal Kelly plans. My first boatbuilding job paid $1.85/hr, I had to live on that first.

[jwmaddrell]

i built a champion du kit in 1954. it was the only raceboat i ever built in my 58 years of racing. i weighed about 135 lbs at age 17 and decided i was too skinny to be lifting and running du. kept it 2 years and bought a 1956 swift ab hydro and a new kg4. much better for a skinny kid. won my first apba trophy with the du at walbridge park in toledo ohio. 4 boats started one guy flipped and a got third place. found the trophy last summer in my collection of stuff. was testing the du at a race in erie pa in 1955 and hit a fish and put a hole in the bottom. felt water hitting me in the butt and waved to a passing bu driver who came over i i jumped into the front cockpit if the bu and except for my rear, never got wet. that was the end of the du for me.
more memories.
john

[Ron Hill]

John Craven Did Run A Champion Hull

1954 North South Race...

Modified Champion Kit...

Sorry, I forgot...but was red and black.

[KG4]

I know its still 5 months away but i was wondering if anyone had a set of kevlar and a jacket i could use for this event?This is the only race im going to run this year and dont have the extra cash for my own this year.Any help is appreciated.Thanks.

[Islandmon]

Bob, you might want to include a size range for the kevs.

[Islandmon]

A local gentleman stopped by the shop Friday who is retired from racing. Perhaps he would mentor an old boatbuiler to polish off the faded red S on my chest once more.....[/QUOTE]

Just happen to see this comment and am still laughing. I love a boat racer with a good sense of humor.

Sam,

[KG4]

I wear a size 32-33 waist and x large on the sleeves.Thanks.