The original 8mm films seen here belong to my old racing buddy Phil Trichler who raced with NJBA in the 70's. I had his 25+ reels of film converted to digital format some years ago with the intention adding titles, driver names, boat brands, etc., but that turned out to be too much work. So, instead, you get to see the raw video and I'll just fill in here what little I can remember of the events.

This race was from the days when there was about four circle races a year at LBMS. This event had two qualifying heats and a main event for jets.
The boats that I recognize now are:
022 Ron Maul - Horizon/Chevy/Berk
123 Jack McClure & Phil Trichler - Hondo/Chevy/Bayjet
454 Bill Pratt & Ken Elliot - Sleekcraft/Chevy/Jacuzzi
712 Craig Millet & Craig Peterson - Weiman (Rogers)/Chevy/Berk
727 Steve King - Rogers/Chevy/Berk

Steve King won the 1st heat. I won the 2nd heat. And Steve appears to be winning the main, but the video ends before the heat does.
BTW, no one ever complained about the size of your rooster.....

Jack

The up-dn nozzles used in both circle & drag racing during that era were operated by a cable (43C) that was attached to a left foot pedal.
The nozzle was up for speed on the straights, then down entering the turn to make the hull bite. The pedal was modulated throughout the turn to keep the bite and yet, not spin out. A certain amount of up in the corner kept the rear of the boat planted in the water.

Jim, I'll try to get some more Steve King videos posted. Pretty sure I have one of his early races where he was spinning at the back of the field. And then I have others where he was running away with the race as he often did.

Jack

Thanks for posting Jack !!!

Phil T Jr

This thread is 2 years old, but I had to comment because Steve King is my dad! Super cool to see this, I'll have to show him.

Welcome to the board, I'll show your reply to Uncle Tom! In fact tomorrow is his birthday he should get a kick out of it.
Like I said I've known Tom King for years and always heard stories and his nephew that raced Jet Boats.