Mercury Challenge

[fbref5269]

that's what gary pond needs to do at the races
frank novotny
52-E

[Matt Dagostino]

When the series started in 1986 medals were given at each event! The first race was Ocoee in 1986 with like 33 DSH's there in uniform ready to race. I believe Phil Van Syckle won that first race. I went on to win at Dayton and then later clinch the series in DSH. In 1986 we all used the Mark 55 engine. In 1987 which i believe was the first year of the expanded series to the West Coast the Merc 44xs was legal and went onto dominate the D Class .........

The Mercury support tractor trailer was always in attendance and had parts and complete motors for sale right on the spot. If i remember correctly it had a window like a ice cream truck would have and you could walk up and buy any part you needed for your Merc 25 or Merc 44xs on the spot.

[DeanFHobart]

John,

I do not recall that since I only ran the Western Mercury Challenge in 1986, which I won and set the 1-2/3 mile record at Lake Lawrence. But those medallions are cool. In 1986 I don’t think they gave any specific ‘Mercury Challenge’ trophies at the individual races. In 1986 the Mercury Challenge 4 races were: Cullaby, Olympia, Scootenay and Lawrence.

My final winning trophy was a framed picture of my boat.... a Don ‘Dewey’ Anderson Dart Craft...That was taken at Eatonville which was not a Challenge race.

[GrandpaRacer]

Yes, the first one is dated 1987. All these years later when trophies are long gone it is nice to have these medallions. Do you recall did we get these at each individual race?

[DeanFHobart]

John,

I don’t think I received those in the first year of 1986 for the Western Mercury Callenge.

Deano...............

[GrandpaRacer]

Remember these from 30 years ago? I was cleaning my garage and found these from 1987 -1990. In the back they are inscribed: Moses Lake, WA; San Demas, CA; Astoria, OR; and Yelm, WA. I forgot I had them and assume they were handed out after each race.