Tohotsu-Hemp WIN!

[AOFoffice]

Breaking news just called in from Kitsap, WA.
The first ever APBA/AOF win for a Tohatsu just seconds ago. The driver, in his own Hemp Hull was none other than J Michael Kelly.
Weather is tolerable with some gusty winds.
Way to go Mike!
One blow over, but driver (Todd Craigin) is reported ok.
Tohatsu DSR will be running later. Driver: Russ Bircher on a Montoya special.
AOF Office

[Russ Birch 45R]

Tohotsu Wins Again

J Micheal Kelly made it a clean sweep this weekend with the Tohotsu D-stock hydro.Mike says ( the Tohotsu is a very fast motor and the future for D-stock, All we need is some testing time with it ).Russ Bircher Tohotsu owner.

[seanp3]

Way to go Russ! Sounds like your getting it dialed in. I missed being there this weekend. Hope to see you guys in Newberg!

[DeanFHobart]

Can Drive Anything...

This is cool....... However J. Michael could win driving a KG9 and a Table Top!!!!!!!!!! The kid knows how to get the most out of an outfit.

Way to go Russ and J. Michael.

[dcrummett]

Congrats to J. Michael!!! Glad to hear it.

Dan Crummett
NBRA President

[pro350hydro]

This is cool....... However J. Michael could win driving a KG9 and a Table Top!!!!!!!!!! The kid knows how to get the most out of an outfit.

Way to go Russ and J. Michael.

Yep, as long as he could get it to fly high enough. He likes em loose......

[topomichracer140m]

J Micheal Kelly made it a clean sweep this weekend with the Tohotsu D-stock hydro.Mike says ( the Tohotsu is a very fast motor and the future for D-stock, All we need is some testing time with it ).Russ Bircher Tohotsu owner.

Ummm....let me get this straight...a motor wins one race and now its the future of its class? Im just curious..do you guys get a kick back from the japs for making these kind of comments?

[pro350hydro]

Ummm....let me get this straight...a motor wins one race and now its the future of its class? Im just curious..do you guys get a kick back from the japs for making these kind of comments?

Yeah, we all get free Tohatsu's. However, that program was closed after the protest in Pineville. Sorry.....

[DeanFHobart]

Italians and Japanese...

I guess if it weren't for the Italians in Pro with Rossis and VRPs and the Japanese in both Stock and Pro with Yamatos and now the Tohatsu in Stock with the "D", we would all be sitting on the beach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Russ Birch 45R]

the future is now !!

I do not see mercury making any more new 44/xs !! and I can buy a new Tohotsu today !! I think thats the FUTURE. have a nice ride back to the future. Russ Bircher 45-R

[crankbearing]

What to Say!

Hey Russ,

Not a good comment, I am the distributor for Tohatsu and you know that you cannot get one TODAY. it takes 6 months, so be truthful in your statments as for New Mercury's I have delivered 10 NEW Mercury's in three years and I did four more this winter. So I applaud your efforts with the Tohatsu but choose your comments with research.
The fact of the matter is this, the class is dead because not very many have nor want to invest 10K in a rig that has nowhere to go for when the region 10 guys show up at any race east of the miss you will need a full heat of Tohatsu motors to race, this is not my doing but is the facts and it will continue until all the d stock drivers with current mercs go mod racing or quit all together.. this is not anyone's fault but the SORC. So is the class finished I would say "yes" My comments here are not negative, I am just stating the simple truth more like the "writing is on the wall"

Regards,

[David_L6]

I do not see mercury making any more new 44/xs !! Russ Bircher 45-R

Dave Scott does though! And his efforts with the 44XS Mercury has a side benefit..... He's helping mods (D/E mod - powerheads, lower units and lower unit parts) and collectors (where else are collectors going to find parts for a 55H lower unit?).

[Russ Birch 45R]

Truth

Hey Russ,

Not a good comment, I am the distributor for Tohatsu and you know that you cannot get one TODAY. it takes 6 months, so be truthful in your statments as for New Mercury's I have delivered 10 NEW Mercury's in three years and I did four more this winter. So I applaud your efforts with the Tohatsu but choose your comments with research.
The fact of the matter is this, the class is dead because not very many have nor want to invest 10K in a rig that has nowhere to go for when the region 10 guys show up at any race east of the miss you will need a full heat of Tohatsu motors to race, this is not my doing but is the facts and it will continue until all the d stock drivers with current mercs go mod racing or quit all together.. this is not anyone's fault but the SORC. So is the class finished I would say "yes" My comments here are not negative, I am just stating the simple truth more like the "writing is on the wall"

Regards,

Mr Scott
The truth is that if you are a distributor of Tohatsu you would know what is in the warehouse . I just talked to Sid Bass and their is a motor.if I want it I can get it today!! as a distrubutor you should be more supportive of the Tohatsu not selling rebuildt mercurys.. Sid and I will sent 3 or 4 Tohatsu to the (2006) nationals.
Call Sid Bass at 360-373-3839 and get that last motor thats here in the U.S.A.
I guess we will not see you and all the D-stock from east of the Mississippi out here for the (2007) Nationals ?
Russ Bircher A happy Tohatsu owner & driver 45-R

[Kevin Martin]

russ is fairly new back into the sport and has some of that passion most of us have lost over the years, he means and does well for our sport. i understand his comments, but don't take them literally. the motor does have a future, which seems to be bright!!!! the class looks great here in the northwest right now, not hoping to revive, it has revived at least out here. on any given weekend you can find 7-11 of them on the water, really been fun watching the last two years, and the re-growth in this class, and part of that due to russ, the bass boys, and rick keller. great job guys in trying something new, and to this point succeeding. i also understand dave's bitterness here, and david you're right you guys with the mods really need a guy like him. unless the northwest here is an exception, the class really seems to have a future!!! always been one of my favorite classes to watch, ever since i can remember, hope to see things work out for it. kevin

[csh2z]

Did the Tohatsu outperform the Mercs ?
John 2-Z