These are the Record Breakers- Doc Jones, former racing driver. Coordinator of a team seeking a new world speed record, for outboards. Hugh Entrop, designer of the boat, that will make the assault. Entrop shares responsability, with Jones. Gerry Wallin, driver of the hydroplane, that seeks the record. The 27 year old Wallin, is a top ranked competitor, in the Great Pacific Northwest.
This is the approach to the border between Arisona & California, some 175 miles from Pheonix & 300 miles from Los Angeles. The record attempt will take place on Lake Havasu, a 40 mile stretch of water, along the Colorado River. The lake is formed by Parker Dam, one of a series of concrete barriers, that control the flow of the mighty Colorado.
Doc Jones, tells why the site was chosen. "We like to run in a secluded spot, because there are lots of people boating all over the US, today. We have to have calm water, for this kind of a boat & this type of a record. It takes a body of water that is approx. 5 miles long, so we have ample accelleration & deaccellerration room & we don't want people mad & we like to get as far back & out of peoples way, which gives us an opportunity to work, without interference.
The boat, Starflite Four, is backed into the pit area. It is a 17 foot hydroplane, custom built by Wilbur McDonald. It was designed, for this mission alone. A World Record for Unlimited Class Outboard Boats.
Writers & officials are witness, to the event. Among them- Mel Crook, Yaughting Mag. Columnist- Bill McKeon. Observer- Charlie Strang. Engine Specialist- Jack Leek, covers strategy, with Entrop. Technician, Harold Wake, shares his knowledge of the engine, with the youthful driver. Wallin's power plant is a basic Evinrude 100-S. Don Heinrich, an expert on propellers, conferes with Wallin, before the launch.
Wallin, says Jones, was designated driver for several reasons. "Gerry was chosen, for more reasons than one. First of all, he was a driver that had experience, at least in boats that go 80-90 MPH. He presently holds the B Hydro Record at 90+ MPH. Secondly, to hold down the frontal area, I'm speaking of aerodynamics now, we had to put him inside this canopy. The canopy has to, 1st of all, be as wide as the engine, certainly, & as wide as the driver. He's a small boy & he's about the same width, as our motor. So, this way we could get a perfect "stream-lining", thru this cowling area.
Wallin works the 2 levers, that manouver the boat. The levers replace the conventional steering wheel. With boat & driver perfectly matched, Jones tells what is needed for world recognition of an Outboard Speed Record. "You must obtain a santion from the American Power Boat Association, which is the official sanctioning body for the Union of International Motor Boating, When this record is completed, if we make this record, it is then submitted to the UIM, for approval. It is then an Official World Water Speed Record!
The launch culminates months of intense preparation. Each member of the team is assigned a specific task. Debris is cleared from the course, to ensure a safe run. The boat is carefully floated, from its trailer. Coast Guard Patrols, block off the course. The boat carries just enough fuel, for the test run. The ignition switch, mounted on the canopy, is inspected, by the crew. The light-weight driver, is carried like a jockey, to his mount. Wallin slips into the cockpit. He has anticipated this moment, for 6 months! He said of the long wait, "It was like giving a kid a piece of candy, then telling him he shouldn't eat it!" The crew seals, Wallin, within the narrow confines of an, "isolated world!" From here on, he is strictly on his own. Boat & power-plant, are ready. Now it is up to the youthful driver, to deliver the record!
To crank this engine, 1st of all, it is a 4 cylinder engine. It's 90 cubic inches & we don't use a very large flywheel, for this type of operation, so you don't have a big cranking diameter, so we have to get some pretty hefty boys, to pull start, this thing!
As, Wallin, idles Starflite Four, to the end of the course, the boat shows a natural tendancy to ride with its bow, low in the water. The stream-lined 17 footer, was designed with weight forward. For the test run, Wallin, will make only one pass over the course. Wallin, accellerates Starflite Four, to test speed. The boat flies smoothly, over the water.Everything seems to funtion properly. Taking no chance to run the boat too close to shore, Wallin, stops well out on the water. Entrop is anxious to get Wallin's 1st hand reaction, to the test run. The boat hit more than 120+ MPH, during the test! Still, Jones, claims, "It was not top speed!" The reason being, it's the 1st run we've made & with a boat & engine of this kind, we like to run the engine, "rich", in the beginning. This saves potentially "destroying" the engine & endangering the driver, in any way. We like to go about this, quite cautiously!
Starflite, is hauled from the water, for minor adjustments, after the test. A canopy over the boat, offers protection from the sun in 80 degree temperatures. Jones, Leek & Entrop, make the final decisions on the assignment of personel & patrol of the course. They bide their time, for ideal weather conditions. A mid-day wind is expected to abate, permitting a try, in the late afternoon. There's little action, ashore. The Coast guard remains alert. The final launch is made. The pit crew works toward its objective, a new Outboard World Speed Record! It's "stand-by', for Officials of the APBA. Inspector- Gaston Van Height. Referee- Marion Beaver. Chief Timer- Otto Crocker, checks his scanning equipment.
Wallin, returns to the cockpit. He'll be comparatively comfortable. His helmet is cushioned against a padded head-rest. Although, there is no room to spare, in the taylor made cock-pit, Wallin, will have ample air for breathing. Ports for ventalation are placed along the edge of the windshield. Dedicated team work leads Jones to comment why Water Speed Records, are not established very often. "Well, if it was easy to do these things, I think High School kids, would be doing this, every weekend!"
Wallin, heads toward the course. He will make a straightaway run from north to south, then return, in the opposite direction. Starflite Four, starts its run. The straightaway measures one kilometer. On plane, the boat shoots down the course. 118 - 121 - 124. Wallin's run is clocked at 127 MPH! Wallin accellerates, for the trip home. Starflite Four, gains speed & shoots for the mark 125 - 127 - 130. Wallin pushes harder. He hits 132 MPH! He's going going & he's over the line at 134 MPH, the fastest a man has ever gone, in an outboard powered boat! Timer- Otto Crocker, certifies the speed.
The ball game is over. Wallin has averaged for the 2 runs, 131 MPH, a new World Outboard Speed Record! Doc Jones sums it up in human terms, "Now that it is all over, certainly we are happy, but to a great degree, I don't think that this is a crew, that would ever be satisfied. It would be happy with something, but never completely satisfied, because we know there is more in this boat. Certainly, in the future, we are going to keep working & working, 'til we go as high as we know how to go. We just don't quit these things, we enjoy it, because it is a part of our lives!
Gerry Wallin, met the challenge. With Starflite Four, he faced the tough odds! Their performance stands as a clear-cut victory, for the men & their boat. These are the Record Breakers!