Sunday at the PRO Nationals

[racingfan1]

Sunday proved to be a much better weather day - mid 80's , sunny , and just a bit of wind as the day went on. There were some great racing and thankfully no major mishaps. I will say this , it may have been the longest day at the Nationals that I can remember. There were eliminations in three classes and racing didnt finish til past 7 , which as Ray Rodda said on the PA was causing problems for the drivers because of the dark conditions and being able to see the clock. Perhaps the biggest disappointment , to the fans who love the sound , came in the 1100 runabout because Paul Fuchslin was unable to get the old MERC started. He said he stuck the primary in Constantine last week and had ignition trouble with the backup and never got on the water. After seeing the mud that came out of the 700cc motor of Steve Litzell after Nick Noethe rolled his capsule , it was hard to believe he could get it rebuilt overnight and on the water Sunday , unfortunatly he had a little trouble still and could not finish a heat. In what may have been the biggest 50\50 drawing ever at the races the money is heading west , Howard Anderson is taking $1400 back to Washington with him , I am sure Penny has a good place for it , LOL ! All in all another great weekend of racing and congratulations goes to the DePue Mens Club and the USTS on 25 years of the PRO Nationals on Lake DePue. Our only hope is something can be done with the lake and racing can continue on Lake DePue. Plaese go to villageof depue.com , watch the video , and if there is anything you do to help , please do.

[racingfan1]

Here are pictures of the K-PRO

Once again , for the 4th year in a row I think , the K-PRO title goes to the girls. Wendy Eldridge takes the title home driving " The Short Bus " !

[racingfan1]

Osy - 400

After a long night of driving from the stock nationals a big field made for some exciting racing.

[racingfan1]

More OSY shots

[racingfan1]

1100 runabouts

It took the Thirlbys' two and a half days to get their first title but in came in a motor gremlin palgued 3 heats of racing. Paul Fuchslin , Terry Klemm and Steve Litzell never made a heat and Derek Gesler made the strongest boat but failed to finish heat two but ran strong in the other 2.

[racingfan1]

1100 hydros

Just a few shots of the 1100's

[oldracer]

Great Shots

Due to the lack of coverage of the Pro nationals compared to the others, Your postings are most appreciated. If you have any more, please post.
Ye Olde Desert Geezer Al

[racingfan1]

350 runabouts

The 350 runabout was really up in the air. In heat 1 Tim Small won the race on the water , but he and two others were early at the start so Mike Krier was the actual heat winner. Mike was running strong in heat one - he had a bad start , passed alot of boats finished second on the water but 1st on the score sheet. He looked to be headed for a second heat win and an almost lock on the title , but the engine gremlins of Lake DePue bit him also , he lost power on the last lap. He managed to nurse it to the finish line under power but with obvious problems. Meanwhile Mike Thirlby ran a steady first two heats. The were no less than 5 guys working on Mike Kriers' boat between heats and while the got it back on the water for heat 3 it stalled shortly after in got on the water. Tim Small was strong after his first heat gun jump but Mike Thirlby ran a consisitant 3 heats and can away with the title.

[racingfan1]

Close call in the OSY 400 's

Coming out of turn 4 - Joe Peters is the boat in front while the boat behind either catches a gust or rides Joes wake up and fortunately it came down in one piece

[Rex Hall]

350 Runabout

Tim Small's GRM won all three heats convincingly, the last heat by almost a full straightaway, but the jump in the first heat kept him from the title.

[rball82]

Riding high

Thats Melvin Cooper making a great save in the 82F. Thanks to Melvin for giving that boat a great ride all day!

[navyboat36r]

Its John Peters, not joe.. just clarifing that

[cthirlby13]

250ccr

Brandon Thirlby's 6 year old VRP dominated the field in his brand new 250 KRIER laydown runabout by at least 5 mph BUT a broken pipe in the first heat stopped him from winning the championship.

BUT ya can't win 'em all