Retirement??

[blueskyracer]

For those of you who have retired from boat racing what was the determining factors that caused you to step back?

For the other folks that are still racing what will be the main factors that will lead you to call it quits? Or have you even thought about that day?

Just trying to determine my future.. I have already given up kneeling due to a terrible knee and for some reason I am not getting any younger. Thank goodness for laydown boats..

[Guest]

Retirement

Mike,
I am retired because I can make more money consulting. Seems like you never really retire from boat racing, you just let someone else drive! Well I did run one D MOD race at Lucas speedway at age 75 but the training wheels slowed me down.

Alan

[blueskyracer]

Mike,
I am retired because I can make more money consulting. Seems like you never really retire from boat racing, you just let someone else drive!

Alan

I like that Alan

[Harold8]

I retired in the early 90's. Family and kid things took priority. 20 odd years later I started back in 2013. I had a lot of fun! Reacquainted with old friends and met new ones. Looking forward to 2014 and hitting the races here in Canada and hopefully a few in the US too.
Happy New Year, everyone!!!
Harold
51CE

[KURPS]

For those of you who have retired from boat racing what was the determining factors that caused you to step back?

For the other folks that are still racing what will be the main factors that will lead you to call it quits? Or have you even thought about that day?

Just trying to determine my future.. I have already given up kneeling due to a terrible knee and for some reason I am not getting any younger. Thank goodness for laydown boats..

I started fall '67, knees failed about mid '80s, it was laydown 500cc hydro or quit. 500cc Laydown Hydro best ride of my life, till I blew over in '89. Couldn't drive laydown at the time because of bad right arm and leg. Started again in '95 500cc & 700cc capsule. Quit again 2006, after a friend Nic Davids was killed at DePue.
I think about racing again all the time but help is hard to come by.

[Art K]

Started about 1957. Quit in 78, not enough money to handle the boys education & buy badly needed new equipment. Got back in 90 when my youngest, Keith wanted to race. Been going at it ever since. Several years ago I thought i would give it a try again. Fell out of the E hydro first time I tryed it. No more hydro for me. Did get back into the E- Run for several races but realized that the skills I was blessed with in my early career had seriously eroded. Doing what I do best now, keeping Keith & Sam competitive & on the water for Kampen Racing. I do enjoy every minute, even though I no longer can drive.
Art K

[johnsonm50]

I started in '09 at 54 & want to keep going, long as I can.

[gabengail]

Retirement

Started in 1965, A & B Hydro. Quit in 1972 to raise a family, just no money and time for racing. Started up again in 2013 and had a great time. Even resurrected the Blue Eagles Racing Team. My knees are in good shape at 65 now and plan on continuing as long as I am able. Looking forward to 2014 - 20SS and CSH. 103C/49C

[Joe J]

I tried retiring, it lasted two years. I was one of those who was born into the sport, so I guess I have no chance

Joe

For those of you who have retired from boat racing what was the determining factors that caused you to step back?

For the other folks that are still racing what will be the main factors that will lead you to call it quits? Or have you even thought about that day?

Just trying to determine my future.. I have already given up kneeling due to a terrible knee and for some reason I am not getting any younger. Thank goodness for laydown boats..

[fcliff]

I retired as a driver 12 years ago and work harder and enjoy it more as an owner and builder. Old retired racers have a lot to offer the sport and we can have a great time as well.

[SeaBat]

Started racing a BU on Lake Erie in the 50's. Moved on to race BSR and BSH with TROA in the early 60's. Started Lorain County Community College in '62. I was in early my 30's with a wife and 3 daughters and an ENC in the USNR. Something had to go. Returned to SO racing in my 70's helping Bill Blackwell and Randy Thurman. Then bought an OMC A and later built a Jackal. It was fun but I realized time had diminished my reaction time, eyesight, and I really didn't have the fire in my belly to be really competitive on the race course. Now we have added an ASH, a second OMC and my daughter Sherri Hathaway drives them. I build, repair and work in the pits. I don't see a Sidewinder in our future so the future is cloudy That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Bill Thomas 63R

[Gootz 142M]

I started in 1970 and tried quitting for good in 2008....that lasted one year thanks to my Outlaw friends...

Gootz

[raceright]

For those of you who have retired from boat racing what was the determining factors that caused you to step back?

For the other folks that are still racing what will be the main factors that will lead you to call it quits? Or have you even thought about that day?

Just trying to determine my future.. I have already given up kneeling due to a terrible knee and for some reason I am not getting any younger. Thank goodness for laydown boats..

Last few years of driving had a ball racing with Sean,Doug,Brandon,Ike,Yevonne. But being 35 years older than all others racing Top Hydro-- I was only fooling my self, last race was Worlds and got 4th over all and was 3 times older than most. Blown Exhaust Gasket kept me from getting Second. Oh well that's racing.
But the fire never went out--Jimmy's success in top hydro and Brian's success in 500 Runabout and having one if not both of these boys on the podium at all Depue nationals since I stopped driving keeps me going.

The help of My other two sons David and Danny and countless others makes racing well worth the time and money--now resound to improving the Pro category, and keeping the big engines going.

Best advice have family or close friends do the driving will add years of satisfying racing to your life. Anyone can plainly see you love boat racing.

Side note: only stock class ever raced was Super C, raced mod E runabout with Jones in new England had a ball and won several races to include E runabout Divisional. Mod Guys bunch of special people so your a mod guy and in good hands.

[Jack Stotts]

I retired from driving three years ago after having a blow over accident at the APBA Winter Nationals in Pineville LA. Broke three vertebra in that little episode. That year I ended up having to have a hip replaced and then a knee. On the transplant list for a brain but they are having difficulty finding one small enough. Gone through most species and now looking at various birds as a possibility. Still in the game with my CMH (500mh)with a very capable driver. Being a pit person is ok but miss driving. This old age is not what it is cracked up to be but beats the alternative. Jack

[Mrs blueskyracer]

I am with you Jack! Getting older isn't for the faint of heart. Think we have a driver that raced two times last year and is hooked. Younger than us but not young and dumb so he has some self preservation skills. This might be our answer.