Wow..I have to go Off Topic.. This is probably one of the greatest memories from my racing years..!!
As many already know…late 1976 I did have a major fall out with OMC and the European racing boss..and switched to Volvo Penta racing built by Dieter Konig 1977 in the UIM OE class.
The swede Gert Lowisin was great to work with and he helped me to get to know Dieter Konig.
There was no one more in to boat racing like Dieter and I spent lots of time in West Berlin..( yes, back then West Berlin was an “island” within the European eastern block)
After some time I got a really good relationship with Dieter..Did lot of testing in the narrow canal outside Dieters Konig factory.
Dieter taught me lots of great racing stuff and he asked me to race in Tegel, West Berlin as a test before Paris 6 Hours.
My black UIM OE class Molinari was extremely fast after Dieter and me developed the 3 cylinder VPK in to mega power..Of course using Methanol..like most Konig race engines.
This never seen before picture makes me smile but also tears me up..
When testing a few new things with Dieter in the narrow canal..I had some issues..Dieter jumped onboard and he figure the problem out in a very high speed test in the rear of my Molinari..!!
Yes..Its Dieter himself in the rear of my Molinari..
No other racing boss could never match Dieter’s enthusiasm..
Sadly we lost Dieter many years later in a ultra light plane crash.
R.I.P my great friend.

The record attempt at the Dalälven, Sweden October 1973.
It is Gert Lowisin himself who has built this hydro boat with a Chrysler 45 Super Sport for the UIM SD class. Yes, Gert did get a few world records on this very cold weekend..
I was also there for a few UIM SE class world records.

Over my 20+ years of boat racing I got to know all the “big wheels” in the business..

I drove for Team Renato Molinari and Cees Van Der Velden.

Owned and purchased boats from Burgess, Clerici, Molinari, Schulze and others.

Billy Seebold is the only one I never did any business with but in my opinion Mr. Bill is probably the greatest of them all.

There is no one friendlier and a better spokesperson for the sport than Mr. Bill.

I did met Mr. Bill in the early seventies over in Europe the first time. We became friends and I love the man..

Many great memories and here is a mix of my own pictures I took of the best ever.

Mr. Bill is in for his toughest fight ever..please think of him..

Johnson race ad 1973
APBA Rulebook

Three of the OMC technicians in Bruges, Belgium and the V8 racing power-head with carburetors.

From the left in the picture is Gilbert, Jean and Freddy.

Around 1984