Sad news for us ……we just got a call and Mouse passed away this morning. So many memories. Love that guy.
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I have many great memories of Mouse from OMC racing. Met him at OMC Belgium the first time 1974. He was probably the best OMC racing technician.
R.I.P my friend
Mouse could do it all for OMC. He worked so hard always. I met in the spring of 1967. In the early days of OMC Racing we busted almost everything, several times. In 1967, the X-115’s came out. I was lucky enough to win the Chicago to Milwaukee to Chicago Marathon. Mouse was taking my motors aprt for inspection, as “JJ” was a stock class in those days and Mercury had never been beaten in the modern era. My girl friend of a bout a month, lived in Tucson and went to the U of A. Met her in Michigan and we really seemed to get along. I’m standing next to my boat, and she turn sto me and says, “I’d run off that with that guy if he wasn’t married.” I said, “What? That’s Mouse.” She said, “He has the prettiest blue eyes.” We dated til New Years, but 50 years later, I remember that day well!
Another Mouse story: We are in Belgium, 1970, getting ready for Paris. I was “Helping” Mouse work on our gearcases. Mouse says, “Ron we’ve been to Paris three years in a row but never gotten to Berlin. Why don’t NOT break your motor in Paris so we can go to Berlin?” I must have giving him a damn strang look as he said, “Oh hell Ron, I know you wouldn’t back off for anything.” As it turned out Jimbo and I won Berlin that year. Mouse, you will alwys be in my heart! I know you worked for money, but your love and devotion to all of us OMC racers was something really special. Good Speed my friend!
Roger Hulett and I just got off the phone. Roger’s dad, Ray Hulett, machined and assembled every OMC racing gearcase at Jones Engines. He reminded me how Mouse (There is a reason for that name.) would stand on the engine cowling to work on the engine. He’d take the cowling off, then stand on it, to work on the motor.
At a race Mouse always had a cool head, no matter what the problem he never lost it and was always able to find the trouble. He was one of the best engine guys I have known. At one time Mouse raced stock cars and was quite successful, I have a set of his cylinder heads on my Corvette. Mouse and Ziggy grew up together, seems they were always playing tricks on each other at work. Rest in peace my friend, you will be missed by your many friends.
Him and my father Richard McKinley, were really good friends. So sad to here this news. If I remember correctly he also used to race outlaw cars. I remember watching him race.
David Blanchard
awwww man very sad he was such a great guy . I have known Mouse for more years than I can remember . I remember riding small snowmobiles at his house when I was like 6 or 7 years old
awwww man very sad he was such a great guy . I have known Mouse for more years than I can remember . I remember riding small snowmobiles at his house when I was like 6 or 7 years old
Stacy McKinley
This looks like mouse in this picture is it Lars??
This looks like mouse in this picture is it Lars??
Lars Strom Yes.
Ron Hill
Its Parker 9 Hour, Jimbo and Ted May had just won it. Ted had his arm around Mouse, next to Mouse was Rich McKinley.
there’s a load of OMC royalty in this photo!!
Thats me standing in the OE 44 in S. Africa 1975. Mouse in the white shirt.
