Top 'O

[krazy karl]

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

I ran it in 2007 and 2008. Two of the best experiences in my life. I NEED to do it at least one more time before I get too much older and decrepit. Glad to hear your boat ran so well. I think you are on the right track. It probably would have been even better if it was rougher. I guess it was pretty calm for Top 'O.
kk

[Tim Kurcz]

I ran it in 2007 and 2008. Two of the best experiences in my life. I NEED to do it at least one more time before I get too much older and decrepit. Glad to hear your boat ran so well. I think you are on the right track. It probably would have been even better if it was rougher. I guess it was pretty calm for Top 'O.
kk

Indeed, the water was very calm according to experienced Top-O racers. Naturally, I was hoping for rougher water where the Vee-bottom shines. There was just enough at the top of Mullet to prove the concept: Passed three boat there twice (they caught me at the Cheboygan turn).

The ride was comfortable with no pounding, just airborne a lot over 2 foot chop with larger boat wakes mixed in. Like stated previously, I had a sore left hand from pinning the throttle for an hour. No bruises, just fatigue from never having driven a boat that long - remember I'm a short course hydro driver.

To extend your racing years, build yourself a Vee and enjoy the ride.

Tim

[Dust33]

One Driver’s Top O’ Top “That’s Racing” Moments

-Towing to Davoe Park Friday and brake line fails….unknown hotel worker shuttles to unknown mechanic who fixes immediately when his buddy simply notes “he’s up for the races”.

A: Fresh from jet lag, Ecuadorian flips Saturday then rebounds to finish Sunday. If only it was snowing…

B: Pre-race shoulder injury keeps driver off course, but sells shirts at registration then works the flags. Thank you.

25ss: Ohioian trades deep-v for dragster to attack ”calm” seas. Then hit’s a rouge Burt four-footer and SuperStuffs. …still kneeling underwater before floating out of hull!

C: Gears quitting on eastern driver about to enter Indian River Sunday, then paddle coming out was good, but the Top Dog who borrowed lawnmower gas to finish Saturday is gooder (bonus points for related fuel DQ).

D: When a dad with OVER 20 TOP-O races under his belt watches his son take off in D.U.…that’s a pretty special “family tradition“.

SLTs: One guy has a niece on the water, another guy has a daughter in a different boat, but both take the time to see if bewildered NH runabout driver is good-to-go. Thanks Bob H. & Ralph Somebody.


Team Ladd Ts were also Top Stuff.
And, of course, stick taps are sent to D-Guy who hit the wall Saturday.

THANK YOU MICHIGAN!

[Hutch06]

One of the Coolest Things You'll Ever Do...

I've been to Top O' at least a handful of times as a spectator and 'launcher', which was always a great time. It compares to nothing, however, than when you race it.

Thank you so much Gary & Kimber Fox and Team Casual for getting my first taste in a C Runabout and finishing both days! The amount of work that the race committee, sponsors, county & state officials, and especially, volunteers, are amazing.

The amount of fans that attend this race are absolutely amazing (complete with ones who shout at you down the highway: Are you guys going to Indian River?" complete with the thumbs' up)!

And the variety of gorgeous boats in Northern Michigan is endless - being able to race next to them was even better, Kurcz's V-hull was very impressive. Be sure to check out the Phalzer's AXR/ASR KurzCraft, it is some beautiful craftsmanship, really nice job C57M! Being able to race next to boats of so many different sizes from as far as Ecuador, is definitely one of the coolest things I have ever done.

Awesome job, awesome race!

- Elek

[noodles]

Tim,
Your boat impressed a lot of us locals, sorry I didn't catch up with you at the races. I am looking to run my first top o next year in the csr.
Dave

[Gootz 142M]

-Towing to Davoe Park Friday and brake line fails….unknown hotel worker shuttles to unknown mechanic who fixes immediately when his buddy simply notes “he’s up for the races”.

A: Fresh from jet lag, Ecuadorian flips Saturday then rebounds to finish Sunday. If only it was snowing…

B: Pre-race shoulder injury keeps driver off course, but sells shirts at registration then works the flags. Thank you.

25ss: Ohioian trades deep-v for dragster to attack ”calm” seas. Then hit’s a rouge Burt four-footer and SuperStuffs. …still kneeling underwater before floating out of hull!

C: Gears quitting on eastern driver about to enter Indian River Sunday, then paddle coming out was good, but the Top Dog who borrowed lawnmower gas to finish Saturday is gooder (bonus points for related fuel DQ).

D: When a dad with OVER 20 TOP-O races under his belt watches his son take off in D.U.…that’s a pretty special “family tradition“.

SLTs: One guy has a niece on the water, another guy has a daughter in a different boat, but both take the time to see if bewildered NH runabout driver is good-to-go. Thanks Bob H. & Ralph Somebody.


Team Ladd Ts were also Top Stuff.
And, of course, stick taps are sent to D-Guy who hit the wall Saturday.

THANK YOU MICHIGAN!

Plan to keep that Family Tradition going by racing with Brett at Top O next year..

[KG4]

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

The boat looks awesome Tim.Can you post anymore pics of it?

[Dust33]

Cheboygan View

Here’s a Cheboygan U-Tube, and a few pics.

The two water photos are the end (north) of Cheboygan River. Racers set up for final turn by going under bridge...then they see the must-make-can before the lock that normally feeds boats into the Great Ocean.

This ends the first half of Saturday. From the can, racers either call ChippewaCab or head back down the Cheboygan River then into and across Mullet Lake, back into Indian River and on into pits.

?Sencillo Si?

The boat photo shows fuel tank fashioned into a seat (cup check and asbestos-draws recommended)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sreGn...ature=youtu.be

[Dust33]

Some Saturday Results

...few more pics along with some Saturday results, absent of 25ss times (think there were 9 starters and 1 DNF). No other slt results beyond bandit and nothing at all for Sunday....or overall places...but, it's a start!

And here's a link to the Petoskey News
http://www.petoskeynews.com/sports/p...,5715331.story

[Tim Kurcz]

More images of the Vee

The boat looks awesome Tim.Can you post anymore pics of it?

Thanks to all for your kind comments. The experiment called "Summer Daze" worked in large part to Dale Ropp's experience and workmanship. There are more images coming from a pro (I hope). Those attached will have to do for now. At least there's one which shows some bottom features!

Gotta confess, I'm totally impressed with the Top-O community and spirit. This is a very special event, run and raced by passionate people under more often extreme conditions. I'm still in awe, and glad to have experienced what has to be one of the worlds most challenging racing events.

Tim

[crfabbro2F]

Interesting time sheets. Does everyone run the same length course?

[jake91]

topo

Does everyone run the same length course?
yes they do, but they start a's first
then 5 min later b's
then 5 min later 25's
then 5 min later c's
then 5 min later d's
that's why the times look so close in all classes

[Tim Kurcz]

Course length

Interesting time sheets. Does everyone run the same length course?

Chris, There are navigational options in the lakes. Point-to-point can save distance in rougher water compared to following a shoreline (throw me in that briar patch!), so distances can vary a little.

Tim

[sheuninck]

traffic

Als, with the faster boats starting after the slower boats, there is more traffic for them to go through, resulting in the times rounding out.

[KG4]

Awesome looking ride Tim.Are you sitting or kneeling?It kind of looks like the Dillon gt pro hull.Love the old school merc too.I still have to find the tapes of The Pink for ya from Mio.