History of K Pro

[Bob Rusnak]

Where did K Pro come from? Origionally J Pro was an idea that came from the US Title Series Regattas. Way back when, there was only the Novice class to be run and the only class where the young drivers could get experience. This is now long gone to be replaced with RB class, again long gone and now the OSY400. There was no place for the real young kids to start ont at a all PRO race. We use to bring a old Butts 125 Hydro powered by a Mercury KE4 7 1/2 HP engine and Don Rusnak, age 9 ?? would play after the day of racing was over. Rich and Bev Krier started bringing a boat for their son TR and so the J Pro was formed running during the intermission as a fun race. This caught on as several other familys started bringing other rigs for thire kids so they could feel they were part of the show. Several of the racers voluntered to start the clock and give them a chance to feel what racing was like. After all they were dragged along to these races since they were born. There were no real rules but the kids had fun. Pete Hellsten was a Ref. at many of the regattas and supported this unofficial class. Later Doc Collins from Calif. established the origional J Pro class and put it on the APBA schudual. I would welcolme any additional information that others may have on the topic. These are only facts that I have, maybe there are others that helped get the K Pro on the pro schudual. Bob N-96

[bill boyes]

In the late 1980s' 1988 or so Mercury came out with the 10x motor. It was turned down by the SORC. So Doc Collins took the motor to the Pro Commission and J Pro hydro was formed. Doc had several motors and boats and would loan them out to 12 to 15 year olds to race. Some of the motors were bone stock and a few were better if you know what i mean. They were set up for alcohol. The class was doing good in Region 11 and a few other Regions. The speed was about 42-46 mph. Doc did some work on RJ West's motor by porting and a pipe and was really the kid to beat. My son Matt was driving good but was growing and i needed to do something so I took the motor over to Lon Stevens. A week before the Pro Nationals we had the motor on Lons dyno and it stuck. A piston and sleeve was damaged big time. We decided not to go then Doc called and said come anyway and he said Matt could drive his equip. Also I had built Doc a Sorenson A/J hydro kit boat. Doc loaned Matt the new boat and the #5 motor which was a factory prepared motor. In testing at Depue Matt was indicating on the Keller 55+mph. With that speed Matt won hands down. Before all this I asked the Pro Commission to lower the age from 12 to 11 thinking that a stock J age min was 9 so 11 should be ok for J Pro. I have since regretted that I did that. Anyway Merc scrapped all the 10x motors they had in stock. The Pro Commission then approved the OMC 15 "A" motor without a restrictor for J Pro. So in effect what they had was an "A" Stock Hydro with no min wt. with a min age of 11 years old. A few years ago the Pro Commission renamed the class Kids Pro alas K Pro. That is how it got to where it is now.

[Bob Rusnak]

I remember that well. It was Tom Goldstone that gave my son Don his first ride in a alky burner in Depue at the nationals. This was one of those Mercury's and a Craig Craft Hydro. Don was 12 years old and really nervous. He finished 6 th overall, I think there were 6 entries but he really felt important being there. After the Nationals were over, Tom said he need this we should take the boat back to NY. Don ran this boat for several years in the Eastern Outboard Racing Club with a OMC A. We still have the boat and it was all restored to origional condition. I believe this was one of Doc's origional rigs. Don is still racing some 20 years later thanks to all that helped him through the years. He still talks about his first real ride. Thanks for the input, maybe some more information will filter through.....N-96

[bill boyes]

I remember that. Tom treated my son Matt as his own son. No matter what has been said about Tom he had a HEART OF GOLD. We miss his greatly

[Dew1us]

I actually ran 2 Pro races with my J boat in the early 90's at Fulton and Norwood NY. I'll see what I got for pictures. I'll even take photos of what I won...

[Bowers76-S]

Boat Location

Does anybody know where this boat is located now? This was my J hydro when I was very young..76-S was my number...
Nate

[Bob Rusnak]

I will ask Don what happenrd to the boat. I know we do not have it. The last ones might have been the Kriers. Bob N-96

[Bowers76-S]

Boat

I would like to find that boat..I loved that old hydro..if anybody knows anything please let me know..
Thanks
Nate

[Composite Specialties]

Craig-Craft

If you can't find the boat, I still have my original Craig-Craft A-Stock plans if you want to build a replica.