Top 'O

[krazy karl]

Any updates on Top 'O, conditions, finishing order, etc? Some of us who couldn't go would like to hear the latest, at least I do.

Saving my pennies and starting a new job in a few days so I can go next year.
kk

[Gootz 142M]

Top O Results

Any updates on Top 'O, conditions, finishing order, etc? Some of us who couldn't go would like to hear the latest, at least I do.

Saving my pennies and starting a new job in a few days so I can go next year.
kk

https://www.facebook.com/groups/6856...1617597932986/

Lets see if the link works

[krazy karl]

I can see the handwriting on the wall. A Facebook account one of these days.
kk

[blueskyracer]

I can see the handwriting on the wall. A Facebook account one of these days.
kk

Its highly over rated

[Turtle]

Any updates on Top 'O, conditions, finishing order, etc? Some of us who couldn't go would like to hear the latest, at least I do.

Saving my pennies and starting a new job in a few days so I can go next year.
kk

Conditions were perfect, with little wind but a lot of pleasure boat wakes. Around 90 entries with 28 csr, 13 dsr ect. Pits were packed with racers and spectators as well as the course. No other outboard race draws a crowd like this. My son races dsr and broke a swivel bracket while running 2nd on Saturday. A fellow racer gave us one to use which had been repaired, with the understanding that it might not hold up. On Sunday while leading the race, the replacement broke in Crooked Lake and was able to limp back to a ramp. Our thanks to Josh and Gordon Pearson for helping us to race on Sunday. Josh and Charlie were probably the the two fastest D's. and for them to loan us a part, speaks to the spirit and sportsmanship of stock outboard racing. Also thank you to Brian Lauer and family for all the help, and congrads to Peter Lauer His 25ssr win. Results are as follows

J- Chase Fairbairn
AXR- Mac Plalzer
ASR- J.R. Broge
BSR- Amanda Hagerl
25SSR-Peter Lauer
CSR- Tim Ross
DSR- Josh Pearson

[kampkurz]

Top'O Story

We had 91 entries, a few more than last year. Once again CSR was the premier class with, I think I heard 29 entries. The starting line was an awesome sight with that many C's and all the attendee's. The only runabout class that was light was BSR with four entries. The other classes were well represented and I think I saw thirteen entries in DSR (eat yor hearts out, rest of the country), The 25SSR class was well represented as well with the large majority this year being Mercury powered. The A's were down a little this year and a third as many as in the Hay Day of the OMC. Ten or eleven with two Sidewinder powered boats in the field.
In ASR... JR Broge captured two first place finishes,barely, over Teri Kerr. Sundays race looked to be around a boat length between Broge and Kerr. The sidewinder powered KurzCraft was just fast enough to stay in front of Veteran Kerr, in an OMC powered McCourtie.
In the BSR class Amanda Hagerl had a repeat victory with consistent driving, and I heard she felt like s@&^ when she woke Saturday morning. Jesse Swain did a nice job, running a first place on Saturday but faltering on Sunday. Was it great to have representatives from Team Red at the race this year. The Greenacre's rounded out the field as father Gene showed he still has it. Did I mention consistency?
In 25SSR, Peter Lauer maintained the momentum from Whitney Point, taking the checkerd in a brand new KurzCraft, (sorry for the shameless KurzCraft promotionals) powered by a Mercury over a hard driving Justin Giegler in a Yamato powered Wilkins. Austin Duggan ran well in his Austin rig, one of my favorite rigs.
In CSR, Tim Ross did what Tim Ross does, taking two first places, handily, over second year racer Brett Evans. Young Tyler Schensky, or as I like to refer to as 'The Future' showed me some great skills out on Mullet and was rewarded with a third place finish. Look out veterans. Of note: Ross ran a 302 and I think that is his first year with one on the transom.
In DSR, Josh Pearson took a comfortable first on Saturday and a not so comfortable second on Sunday with KurzCraft factory driver Nick Ladd swapping places with Josh on Sunday. Turns out Josh's Saturday victory was comfortable enough to nab a National Championship, relegating the mild mannered Ladd to second place on time.
Hey, I don't want to forget the new (to Top'O) runabout class. We had three entries in AX , Colin Smith smoked the competition on Saturday with a rather comfortable lead over Illinois driver Mac Pfalzer and Leland Broge getting a taste of what has happened to many on the unforgiving course.
But Sunday, it was Mac Pfalzer who did what you 'must' do to win Top'o....He finished both days, piloting his just finished KurzCraft to a first place finish and a win at Top'O. Leland brought it on home for a finish on Sunday. Hats off to the AX drivers participating in the first ever running of the class at Top'O.
For Rubber Boat details you will have to get that from one of the participants. I am a runabout guy.
The weather was absolutely unbelievable. I never ran so much wide open throttle at Top'O, only cracking the throttle a couple times on Crooked Lake to adjust the attitude over boat rollers. On Saturday, Mullett got a little snotty on the north end from Dodge Point to the Cheboygan River, other than that, it was wide open racing...my throttle hand is as sore as anything else. A bad year to miss Top'O, as anyone who ran the last two years will tell you.
KampKurz was as busy as I've ever seen it. Our Ecuadoran guests tested and enjoyed the beautiful weather/lake. Team Red was there as well, Nice to see Cooper and the others as well. Darrel...bring your rig next year.
A great time was had by all, and I look forward to seeing you all next year.

[kampkurz]

Its highly over rated

Ha Ha. If you want to know what people are eating for dinner or just how pi%$ed off someone is, FB can be a useful tool.

[raceboat61-S]

Mark,

Thanks for the great race report! (Many of us are not on Facebook and likely never will be.) Congratulations, too on your KurzKraft (sic) boats fantastic placing in so many classes. Sure looks like if a driver wants to win Top'O he needs one of your boats. Mike

[jeff55v]

Yes, Facebook has it's downfalls. But let me point out that there are 100 times more Top O' 2013 photos and videos on Facebook than what can be found on Hydroracer. (Are there ANY posted here?)
Also, the race results were posted on Facebook first.

[Apachemax]

Top O photos

Yes, Facebook has it's downfalls. But let me point out that there are 100 times more Top O' 2013 photos and videos on Facebook than what can be found on Hydroracer. (Are there ANY posted here?)
Also, the race results were posted on Facebook first.

If anyone has a link, it would be greatly appreciated.

[sheuninck]

link

https://www.facebook.com/groups/68561117985/?ref=br_tf

[krazy karl]

Thanks Mark, that's what I was looking for. Do I need to dump my Sorensen and get a KurzCraft? Can't wait to see some of your boats. My life has been a little unpredictable the last couple of years, finances kind of uncertain. Living expenses and closed course expenses just fine but a 2500 mile trip not quite in the picture. I have been retired for a few years with part time jobs to cover my local racing. I am going to be starting a full time job in a few days managing a NAPA store and after paying off some bills I am putting away money for a trip to Michigan to run Top 'O and my wife wants to see Mt Rushmore. So we will do it all at the same time and catch some other sights in the process. It will be our first real vacation. I will have to build a heavier rack to carry the boat over the truck while pulling the 5th wheel unless there is a new KurzCraft waiting on the beach at Kamp Kurz for me.
kk

[Tim Kurcz]

First year Top-O perspective

Top-O has got to be the best kept secret in outboard racing. It took me 30 years to get there, and the experience was simply fantastic! The organizers, officials, and racers were most pleasant, and the event very well organized.

As a new runabout driver, I've got to say this marathon is as much about battling the elements as your competition. The lakes and navigation may be tough, but raging through "no wake" rivers makes you grin ear-to-ear.

The variety of water, scenery, and throngs of waving spectators flashing by creates an ever-changing festive atmosphere. From now on, if there's one must-make race, this is it.

Many thanks and highest compliments to the sponsors and volunteers who work endless hours to make Top-O happen. I'm hooked: See you next year!

Tim DSR 123M

[bill boyes]

So how did the boat fair. Many of us want to know

[Tim Kurcz]

So how did the boat fair. Many of us want to know

Placed 4th in DSR, not sure about overall. Though a little underpowered, I passed boats in the rough, and turned better than expected in the rivers. One thing for sure, it's a very comfortable: It made my rookie ride easy.

Tim