"D" Stock Runabout

[Dr. Thunder]

My apologies if this subject has been worked over before ... but, here is what I want to know. Over the past 20 +/- years what happened to the DSR class? It was always a big fan favorite.

Seems to me that this should be one of the most popular runabout classifications if for no other reason than you have big boats, big motors and reasonable speeds in the mid to upper 60 range. Now it seems to be on the endangered species list. The last record set was back in the late 80's.

Is it the cost to get into DSR? Availability of engines shouldn't be the problem. Boats are readily available. So, what's the deal?

[mrlou40]

Neil, rumor has that we should have a close to full field out here this season.

94-R

[Dr. Thunder]

Ok Carl ...

... time to name names

[Ron Hill]

AS of 1977 Things Were Heading...

When I started DU in 1959...Guys like Bill Boyes and I were racing DU and we were young....And we really didn't weigh that much, considing I had raced AU in '57 and Bill still ran BU, I think in '59...So, we didn't like a ton of lead in our boats....We could beat the old guys anyway...why not lower the weights???

Well, the BRAIN STURGEONS in APBA decided the problem with DU was they were too heavy... ...36's were heavy and too slow... (But many ran DU and 36)......

So rule changes started happening to "HELP" DU and 36.... Mercury motors we legalized in 36 and weights were lowered in DU....Now, no one used carts in those days, and a 400 pound DU was HEAVY....So lower weights seem to be a good idea...(No one considered that DU's and 36's could run in almost any water when they weight a ton)...

At the 1970 Nationals, Cooper Jess has a movie of, I think three or four DU's blowing over on the way to the first turn...Guys like me, really didn't mind the lighter weights, as I weighed 240 and I drove my DU like most guys drive an AU...

Then, with FISHING BLOCKS being made legal, .030 being made legal...a 55-57 MPH DU became a 70 MPH D Runabout... After I won the 1977 Nationals I sold my boat to Jimmy Dawe...During Jimmy's D Runabout years he blew over several time and hurt himself several times...and Jimmy was really a **** good driver...

What should have happened with more power was raise the weights, narrow the bottom rules and lengthen the boats...Because there are full grown 200 pound men that might like to go 55-57 MPH like the Chrysler 36's did...


Tehn, bring out the 44XS and YOU'VE got an 80 MPH shingle!!!

[pearson95m]

Where (what races) are these DR's going to be at? What kind of numbers are you guys thinking for the Nationals this year? Personally, I was assuming not many (if any) from out east were going to Washington this year. Most of the guys out here stick to local races or Marathons. I wasn't going to make the long trip out west... however, if it looks like we'd have a full field, plans could quickly change.

[bill boyes]

I have a very hard time trying to understand why DU went from 13ft min length to 11' 5''. really dumb. I would like to see DU make a comback with 13' min length. 12" min depth at midship. i.e. sheer line to keel measured outside. No side fin. Make a runabout look like a runabout. Just take the old rule from the late sixties. The class has a motor ready. The To hot su

[JBM]

My first ride in a boat was a D runabout. Bob Montoya got me hooked on boat racing right then and there. This was about 12 yrs ago. Whidbey Island Roostertails had elininations in DMR all the time. I can only remember a couple of 44XS motors, most everybody else were running fishing motors with a Merc racing lower, sometimes with a Yamato foot. We had a lot of fun. Bob kept the class alive for many years, but the old parts were wearing-out and getting harder to find. You just didn't hear of any 44XS motors for sale. I do miss the class, however I don't miss lifting those heavy motors. I hope to see another DMR race soon. Thanks John Maroney

[Russ Birch 45R]

More D Stock Runabouts

-STOCK RUNABOUTS

My apologies if this subject has been worked over before ... but, here is what I want to know. Over the past 20 +/- years what happened to the DSR class? It was always a big fan favorite.

Seems to me that this should be one of the most popular runabout classifications if for no other reason than you have big boats, big motors and reasonable speeds in the mid to upper 60 range. Now it seems to be on the endangered species list. The last record set was back in the late 80's.

Is it the cost to get into DSR? Availability of engines shouldn't be the problem. Boats are readily available. So, what's the deal?

We have worked very hard to bring the d-Stock runabout class back last year, we ended the season with a class of 4 to 5 boats . this year I heard that we have 4 more boats that will make a big class of 7 to 8 d runbouts or more!
The motor that has helped this class is the Tohatsu.
I know for sure that there will be 4 DSR at the Bridgeport Race I hope more , Bob Montoya has sold all his equipment to four racers in the central Washington Area maybe they will be there.
Russ Bircher 45-R/151-R