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Fred Farley, ABRA Unlimited Historian has given me permission to post the following story. Due to its length it will be posted in two parts. I found it to be very reflective on the sport of unlimited hydroplane racing and boat racing in general ... hope you all enjoy:
KIT MUNCEY REMEMBERED
By Fred Farley - ABRA Unlimited Historian
I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mary "Kit" Muncey-McIntosh, who passed away on February 14, 2006.
Kit Muncey was the first wife of boat racing great Bill Muncey. Kit’s daughter-in-law, Debi Muncey, sent along the following note:
"She was the First Lady of boat racing for a number of years, having been married to Bill Muncey for 17 years. Her passing was not unexpected inasmuch as she had been battling an inoperable brain tumor for decades. Those who knew her, knew what a strong and vibrant woman she was.
"She was a dramatic and dynamic influence on the racing scene in her day. Sadly, in her prime, she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and the limelight was not the place for her any longer. I feel very fortunate that we and Wil's brothers were all able to be at her side when her time came."
Kit was a well-known and respected member of the Unlimited hydroplane community in the 1950s and ‘60s. She exuded a great dignity and was always a credit to her husband and to the sport. She was genuinely nice.
I had the opportunity to work with Kit in the early 1980s. She was remarried at the time to a wonderful gentleman named Wally McIntosh. I was associated with BOATRACING MAGAZINE, which was published by Wil Muncey, Jr. Wil prevailed upon his mother to write a few columns for the magazine and assigned me to be her editor.
It was a rewarding experience. I found her to be incredibly talented. Kit really should have been my editor instead of the other way around.
In 1972, Kit wrote what is perhaps the most perceptive article ever written by a boat racing "insider" for THE SEATTLE TIMES. She and Bill had been divorced for three years. But nowhere is she petty or vindictive as she tells the compelling story of hydroplane competition from a wife’s perspective.
Kit writes of a time when the safety technology was nowhere near as advanced as it is today--before the introduction (in 1986) of the F-16 canopy.
See Part II for her story ...
KIT MUNCEY REMEMBERED
By Fred Farley - ABRA Unlimited Historian
I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mary "Kit" Muncey-McIntosh, who passed away on February 14, 2006.
Kit Muncey was the first wife of boat racing great Bill Muncey. Kit’s daughter-in-law, Debi Muncey, sent along the following note:
"She was the First Lady of boat racing for a number of years, having been married to Bill Muncey for 17 years. Her passing was not unexpected inasmuch as she had been battling an inoperable brain tumor for decades. Those who knew her, knew what a strong and vibrant woman she was.
"She was a dramatic and dynamic influence on the racing scene in her day. Sadly, in her prime, she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and the limelight was not the place for her any longer. I feel very fortunate that we and Wil's brothers were all able to be at her side when her time came."
Kit was a well-known and respected member of the Unlimited hydroplane community in the 1950s and ‘60s. She exuded a great dignity and was always a credit to her husband and to the sport. She was genuinely nice.
I had the opportunity to work with Kit in the early 1980s. She was remarried at the time to a wonderful gentleman named Wally McIntosh. I was associated with BOATRACING MAGAZINE, which was published by Wil Muncey, Jr. Wil prevailed upon his mother to write a few columns for the magazine and assigned me to be her editor.
It was a rewarding experience. I found her to be incredibly talented. Kit really should have been my editor instead of the other way around.
In 1972, Kit wrote what is perhaps the most perceptive article ever written by a boat racing "insider" for THE SEATTLE TIMES. She and Bill had been divorced for three years. But nowhere is she petty or vindictive as she tells the compelling story of hydroplane competition from a wife’s perspective.
Kit writes of a time when the safety technology was nowhere near as advanced as it is today--before the introduction (in 1986) of the F-16 canopy.
See Part II for her story ...