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Ex 1970's racers info needed.

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  • Ex 1970's racers info needed.

    Anyone with history or memories of Jerry Oberlin's racing history, boats and race engines would be appreciated. This past Stock / Mod racers son has contacted me and is asking for info regarding his fathers past. Actually Jerry the II is doing this for his sons that want to know about their gandpa's past in racing. I am attaching some info that Jerry the II has given me thus far.

    My dad was in
    outboard racing in the early to mid 70's. I joined the Military out of
    Highschool and lost track of the racers in that area have 2 boys that would like
    to know more about there Grandpa and his passion for boat racing. My dads name
    was Jerry Oberlin he ran Dstock, D&E Mod, and Ran gas against C,D,E alky at
    smaller races to help fill out the fields. I knocked around at all the races
    with him. I would love to locate some of his old equipment to show my boy some
    of the equipment he built and ran. He had one particular motor that he loved
    and I've told my boy about that I'm really interested in locating.The motor was run on a 12' 6" Byers hydro the Boat was Unique in itself
    in the fact that the front was Canvas I don't recall seeing many constructed
    like that the Boats My dad Had were always numbered M721. I believe he sold
    that motor and a 44ci to a guy named Dick I'm not sure of the last name. I do
    know that my dad was a friend of Lyle Mason who I believe is another racer from
    the area. If you know any one in the area that knows information I would
    greatly appreciate it. I think my son is going to be a future boat racer, I
    never got the chance as a kid but now that Uncle Sam has stopped sending me
    around the world I think maybe its time for this Vet to get Wet!!!!. I live in
    Georgia now I retired out of the USAF, I do get home to Michigan usually once a
    year this year I will be home the first two weeks of July. I hope to here from
    you.
    Jerry Oberlin
    Tom L.

  • #2
    Contact Info

    Tom,

    Have him call Lyle @ 269-965-8406. We might be able to help. Since he is here in July, might even be able to meet up and share some stories, who knows.

    Dave
    Dave Mason
    Just A Boat Racer

    Comment


    • #3
      hey, if you live in georgia you should come to the next race in jesup in october.

      Comment


      • #4
        Thanks

        Thanks Dave. I know he has made planes to attend the AOMC meet in Constatine the weekend of the 7th and 8th. I will pass on your dads # to him when I see him there and see if he can hook up with your dad. I believe he is in town for two weeks.

        Note to second post -

        Maybe you southern boys can get this man and his sons in your club to do some racing.Post some contact name and #'s so he can look you guys up.
        Tom L.

        Comment


        • #5
          Have him email or call me I can give him all the necessary info for the region 5 races and club: email: Boataddict@aol.com Cel phone 912-604-5118

          Comment


          • #6
            About the cloth deck. I would guess that Dick Byers along with all the other hydro builders had switched to hard (wood) decks by 1970. And 12-6 was an awfully big boat in the mid '60's. So my guess is it was originally Mer Kirts' F Alky hydro built about 1966 for a 44 Looper.



            Comment


            • #7
              Tim

              I went back and re-read his e-mail and it looks as though the Byers had a mark 78 conversion on it. That would explane the size and age of the boat. The following is part of that e-mail.

              I believe it was a mark 78
              with a long shaft he started by doing a complete tar down of the powerhead, I
              remember some late nights setting up with my dad and placing needle bearings in
              my dad always had me count them for him to make sure non were left out. He then
              got in touch with Quincy and ordered a set of stacks for the motor, and a pipe
              mid section from them. When he got the mid section he took the lower cowling
              and cut it to match between the block and mid section this took allot of time
              for he did it by hand by drilling off the excess and hand filling the cowling to
              shape he was quite proud of his work. The next piece I remember was he ordered
              a Eldrige lower unit he was like a kid waiting for Santa to come waiting for
              this. He said this was the best and it was what was needed to finish the Motor
              out right. I may have some of the terms wrong I was just a Young boy at the
              time. The motor was run on a 12' 6" Byers hydro the Boat was Unique in itself
              in the fact that the front was Canvas I don't recall seeing many constructed
              like that the Boats My dad Had were always numbered M721. I believe he sold
              that motor and a 44ci to a guy named Dick I'm not sure of the last name.
              Tom L.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by T Chance View Post
                About the cloth deck. I would guess that Dick Byers along with all the other hydro builders had switched to hard (wood) decks by 1970. And 12-6 was an awfully big boat in the mid '60's. So my guess is it was originally Mer Kirts' F Alky hydro built about 1966 for a 44 Looper.
                You know your boat history the Boat was built originally for the Kirts Family to run. I'm not sure of the details but my father got it instead. The first time he ran it was to test it for Byers he put his 44 on it an d procedded to flip it to his and byers surprise. He came home with wet cloths, a motor that need drying out, no new boat, and the bigest smile you ever seen. Byers had to put a new front on the boat prior to dad taking delivery.

                Comment


                • #9
                  A true Embassador of the sport

                  My family would like to express our Thanks to Tom for taking the time to try and help find some answers and give my son a chance to learn a great deal more about the sport and the great people involved in Boat racing. Tom set a great example for others to follow he put this Vet in a Boat after being away from the sport for almost 30 years. Now i'm looking for a boat for me and my son to enjoy. This is what is required to take and make this sport grow and prosper. The WetVet says thank you, and don't nobody touch the last beer in my cooler that one belongs to Tom.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Jerry
                    Have you spoken to any of the Kirts boys?? Tom or Danny may be able to help since they are all up that way.

                    Kristi Ellison

                    Kristi Z-22

                    PRO Commissioner


                    APBA BOD

                    "Ask not what your racing organization can do for you...Ask what you can do for your racing organization"
                    Tomtall 06

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      My Dad, Gary Sevison, bought one of Mel's F-Hydros and ran it with their Looper on it for a few years.

                      The only two guys running loopers at that time were dad and Ted Pikart (spelling???), from Grand Rapids. This was in the early-mid 80's.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Jerry Oberlin pictures

                        I recieved some pictures from Jerry II of his father and his boats.
                        Attached Files
                        Tom L.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Jesup, GA

                          If he is in Georgia, make sure he makes it to Jesup on Oct 27 & 28 (next weekend)
                          !"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain."



                          Comment


                          • #14
                            First race

                            Jerry Oberlin II will be at Jesup. He will be racing his very first ASR races this coming weekend. Stop by and say hi to Jerry and his family. He is a very nice guy. His son will also be competing next spring in AXSH, AXSR as well. Great to have this family in the greatest sport on the planet!
                            Tom L.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              First time

                              Originally posted by PopPop View Post
                              If he is in Georgia, make sure he makes it to Jesup on Oct 27 & 28 (next weekend)
                              I plan to be there Friday morning to race in ASR if they need a filler I would run in ASXR If someone has a Restricter plate I could use. I'm looking quite forward to this weekend. I'm not use to the boat yet so any and all advice appreciated. Look forward to meeting all.
                              Jerry (WetVet)

                              Comment

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