father and sons

[Roger Hooks Jr.]

Roger back then in the 80's when you were around 12 or so we had about 17 or more kids raceing from around the ages of 7 to 15.. I don't remember who was the oldest maybe one of the Osmans... There were a lot more fam in our Dist that raced.. I was lucky enough to be able to race with my son and daughter and wife...We ran team merathon with another couple ..4 ten lap heats...

Another memory that comes to mind was the year of the Amarillo Nats. I forget what year that was but I think I was 8 or 9. I didn't go to that nats but my dad went with a bunch of guys from our club. I always enjoyed hearing their stories when they returned. But what I remember most is waking up early the next morning after the night that my dad returned and seeing two huge trophies sitting on the kitchen table. He won the national championship in C-Hydro that year and 3rd with his C mono. That next school year I told all my friends that my dad is a national champion. That year I won all the "my-dad-is-better-than your-dad" battles. LOL!

Until that summer all the "Fast Guys" seem to be from a land far, far away.

Roger Jr.,

That year I travelled to Amarillio TX as a 13 or 14 year old. I rode with Joe Monahan and Cathie Galbraith. Money was tight that year and my Dad sent me with Joe & Cathie instead of him going.

They were gracious enough to take me with them. I won C-Mono that year and I remember your Dad congratulating me, he probably doesn't remember it. Anyway my dad sacrificed so I could go and it still amazes me how boaters just reached out and helped me. He later sent my brother (who rode with Cathie) and myself (I rode with Richard Fish) to the Nationals in Canada. Again he stayed home and footed the money so we could race. This year I return the favor. He is coming to Colorado for our Nationals.

This is the coolest thread. I probably have 100 stories of racing with my Dad and Brother thru the years and now I am starting to collect stories with my kids.

Robert Holland

Wow! Good thing you didn't go to my school... You sure would have beat me with that story in the "My-Dad-is-Better-than-your-Dad" category.

This is a very cool thread.... and for those of use that have been racing since we were kids... these are just the racing stories... I have tons of just "Being-a-Kid stories. Does anybody remember when Legg Lake had the train?

I remember the train, and I remember walking around Legg Lake thinking this is the biggest Lake ever. It took like an hour to get around it. Of course I was distracted the entire time.

Did they run a five lap course there at one time?

Robert

Yah... I think 5 laps was the rule back then... then somewhere along the way it became six...

...And "Around the Lake!!!" You were lucky... my dad identified two trees... one at either end of the pits that we were not allowed to go past.

To this day I don't go past those trees. LOL!

Thats funny!!!!!

I remember them stopping a race for Rescue Divers to look for a missing body. They delayed the race for almost 2 hours. Wasn't the safest place to hang out. Do you remember Jack Oxley collecting aluminum cans? Or the pink Hydros of Steve Winewski? Or how about Gene Adams with the most beautiful Black Hydros with polished aluminum hardware?

We need Ralph Henry to give us a few stories about him and his dad racing.

Robert

I remember Jack Oxley. I was thought he was mean so I was afraid of him. I don't think he ever talked to me until I was like 25. He told me how fast my boat was. I remember Gene Adams by name and the boats... Yah... I am sure Ralph would have us going for days.

My dad always referred to the guys in southern California as "Those Fast Guys Down South". We used to drive down early on Saturday morning... well my dad did... he and mom carried me an my brother's sleep limp bodies to the car.

I think we still had a pajamas on.... you know the Batman and Captain America pajamas with the footies in them LOL!. We would be awaken by the high pitch sound of nitro engines and the sweet aroma of hot nitro. We also took our nap to the same ambience. Who would have thought that a scream'n nitro burner could put a 5 year old to sleep.

 

[Tim Kish]

This is a fantastic post and should be pinned at the top of the General forum for all to read , this is what the hobby is really about.
I am hoping that this is the year my son will want to start racing , he knows more about boats than most of my freinds but being only eight he is rather nervous about the racing part of it.

He does love spending all day at the pond with me and if thats all he ever wants to do then that is good enough for me .

Great thread guy's.

Tim K

Tim my kids started racing when they were about six. I told them " it's just like a video game" they took to it quick.

Bob

My son started running boats at the pond when he was six and I am sure once he gets a taste of competition there will be know turning back.

Can you guy's remember when your kids started pitting for you , or you as kids started to pit for your Dad's ?

Tim K

 

[Rokieboater]

Roger back then in the 80's when you were around 12 or so we had about 17 or more kids raceing from around the ages of 7 to 15.. I don't remember who was the oldest maybe one of the Osmans... There were a lot more fam in our Dist that raced.. I was lucky enough to be able to race with my son and daughter and wife...We ran team merathon with another couple ..4 ten lap heats...

Another memory that comes to mind was the year of the Amarillo Nats. I forget what year that was but I think I was 8 or 9. I didn't go to that nats but my dad went with a bunch of guys from our club. I always enjoyed hearing their stories when they returned. But what I remember most is waking up early the next morning after the night that my dad returned and seeing two huge trophies sitting on the kitchen table. He won the national championship in C-Hydro that year and 3rd with his C mono. That next school year I told all my friends that my dad is a national champion. That year I won all the "my-dad-is-better-than your-dad" battles. LOL!

Until that summer all the "Fast Guys" seem to be from a land far, far away.

Roger Jr.,

That year I travelled to Amarillio TX as a 13 or 14 year old. I rode with Joe Monahan and Cathie Galbraith. Money was tight that year and my Dad sent me with Joe & Cathie instead of him going.

They were gracious enough to take me with them. I won C-Mono that year and I remember your Dad congratulating me, he probably doesn't remember it. Anyway my dad sacrificed so I could go and it still amazes me how boaters just reached out and helped me. He later sent my brother (who rode with Cathie) and myself (I rode with Richard Fish) to the Nationals in Canada. Again he stayed home and footed the money so we could race. This year I return the favor. He is coming to Colorado for our Nationals.

This is the coolest thread. I probably have 100 stories of racing with my Dad and Brother thru the years and now I am starting to collect stories with my kids.

Robert Holland

Wow! Good thing you didn't go to my school... You sure would have beat me with that story in the "My-Dad-is-Better-than-your-Dad" category.

This is a very cool thread.... and for those of use that have been racing since we were kids... these are just the racing stories... I have tons of just "Being-a-Kid stories. Does anybody remember when Legg Lake had the train?

I remember the train, and I remember walking around Legg Lake thinking this is the biggest Lake ever. It took like an hour to get around it. Of course I was distracted the entire time.

Did they run a five lap course there at one time?

Robert

Yah... I think 5 laps was the rule back then... then somewhere along the way it became six...

...And "Around the Lake!!!" You were lucky... my dad identified two trees... one at either end of the pits that we were not allowed to go past.

To this day I don't go past those trees. LOL!

Thats funny!!!!!

I remember them stopping a race for Rescue Divers to look for a missing body. They delayed the race for almost 2 hours. Wasn't the safest place to hang out. Do you remember Jack Oxley collecting aluminum cans? Or the pink Hydros of Steve Winewski? Or how about Gene Adams with the most beautiful Black Hydros with polished aluminum hardware?

We need Ralph Henry to give us a few stories about him and his dad racing.

Robert

I remember Jack Oxley. I was thought he was mean so I was afraid of him. I don't think he ever talked to me until I was like 25. He told me how fast my boat was. I remember Gene Adams by name and the boats... Yah... I am sure Ralph would have us going for days.

My dad always referred to the guys in southern California as "Those Fast Guys Down South". We used to drive down early on Saturday morning... well my dad did... he and mom carried me an my brother's sleep limp bodies to the car.

I think we still had a pajamas on.... you know the Batman and Captain America pajamas with the footies in them LOL!. We would be awaken by the high pitch sound of nitro engines and the sweet aroma of hot nitro. We also took our nap to the same ambience. Who would have thought that a scream'n nitro burner could put a 5 year old to sleep.

He still scares me!!!!!!!!

Robert

 

[Roger Hooks Jr.]

This is a fantastic post and should be pinned at the top of the General forum for all to read , this is what the hobby is really about.
I am hoping that this is the year my son will want to start racing , he knows more about boats than most of my freinds but being only eight he is rather nervous about the racing part of it.

He does love spending all day at the pond with me and if thats all he ever wants to do then that is good enough for me .

Great thread guy's.

Tim K

Tim my kids started racing when they were about six. I told them " it's just like a video game" they took to it quick.

Bob

My son started running boats at the pond when he was six and I am sure once he gets a taste of competition there will be know turning back.

Can you guy's remember when your kids started pitting for you , or you as kids started to pit for your Dad's ?

Tim K

Hmmm....

That part I don't remember so clear. I do know I think I was as nervous if not more pitting my first time as I was driving for the first time. I remember noticing the boats vibrations as I held it in my hand. Until then, I had never held a running boat in my hand before. I do recall my dad saying that me and my brother had to start pitting for each other. That seemed a bit awkward at first because what brothers at that age listened to each other. I think we were teenagers though. After a couple times it seemed more fun... bad driving and crashes became a laughing matter instead of... "Where in the world are going?" and "What are doing?"

I remember pitting for my brother in 40 Hydro one time and I was talking to him in the mill saying...

"okay... we are going get the inside... hit this start and "Bam!!!" hit that turn and we're gone!!!"

so we are coming to the start and I said...

"Take the inside!... "Take the Inside!".

He came up on the start on the inside then he got to the first turn and I said

"Bam!!".

He cranked that turn right into the point buoy.

Laughingly... I said

"What did you do?"

He started laughing and said...

"You said Bam!!! so I turned"..

I said,

"I didn't say Bam!!! Hit the buoy."... "I meant Bam!!! Crank the turn"...

He said

"You said Bam!!! so Bam!!! I turned."

I said,

"since when did "Bam!!!" mean "go hit the buoy?...maybe "Bam!!!" you hit the buoy (past tense) but never Bam!!! go hit the buoy"

I think we went back and forth on that until the retreive boat came back and then up the hill to explain to my dad what happened.

..as you can see we had multiple uses for the word "Bam!!!" LOL!

Needless to say Dad was far less amused. LOL!

 

[Roger Hooks Jr.]

This is a fantastic post and should be pinned at the top of the General forum for all to read , this is what the hobby is really about.
I am hoping that this is the year my son will want to start racing , he knows more about boats than most of my freinds but being only eight he is rather nervous about the racing part of it.

He does love spending all day at the pond with me and if thats all he ever wants to do then that is good enough for me .

Great thread guy's.

Tim K

Tim my kids started racing when they were about six. I told them " it's just like a video game" they took to it quick.

Bob

My son started running boats at the pond when he was six and I am sure once he gets a taste of competition there will be know turning back.

Can you guy's remember when your kids started pitting for you , or you as kids started to pit for your Dad's ?

Tim K

Oh! Yah... I started at the pond around six. My little brother started racing at six. I remember Ricky Fish was racing at 4 and he held the tranmitter and worked the controls by himself. They were very strict about that back then. Not like these days.

I did want to add that it seems that guys that still race today with their dads from a little kid had dads that never got down on them real bad about mistakes made during racing. My dad would have a few words to say at times and even that was enough to bring me to tears... but he never yelled at us. I see some guys just ripping into their kids about making a driving error and making a big scene on top of that. I tell my dad if he ever did that I certainly wouldn't still be racing that's for sure.

Just keep in mind... every son wants to make his dad proud... just as much as the dad wants to be proud of his son. When a son doesn't live up to it he is as disappointed as you the dad... if not more. No need to make it worst. It's just a R/C boat race. It's supposed to be fun.

 

[Rokieboater]

This is a fantastic post and should be pinned at the top of the General forum for all to read , this is what the hobby is really about.
I am hoping that this is the year my son will want to start racing , he knows more about boats than most of my freinds but being only eight he is rather nervous about the racing part of it.

He does love spending all day at the pond with me and if thats all he ever wants to do then that is good enough for me .

Great thread guy's.

Tim K

Tim my kids started racing when they were about six. I told them " it's just like a video game" they took to it quick.

Bob

My son started running boats at the pond when he was six and I am sure once he gets a taste of competition there will be know turning back.

Can you guy's remember when your kids started pitting for you , or you as kids started to pit for your Dad's ?

Tim K

Oh! Yah... I started at the pond around six. My little brother started racing at six. I remember Ricky Fish was racing at 4 and he held the tranmitter and worked the controls by himself. They were very strict about that back then. Not like these days.

I did want to add that it seems that guys that still race today with their dads from a little kid had dads that never got down on them real bad about mistakes made during racing. My dad would have a few words to say at times and even that was enough to bring me to tears... but he never yelled at us. I see some guys just ripping into their kids about making a driving error and making a big scene on top of that. I tell my dad if he ever did that I certainly wouldn't still be racing that's for sure.

Just keep in mind... every son wants to make his dad proud... just as much as the dad wants to be proud of his son. When a son doesn't live up to it he is as disappointed as you the dad... if not more. No need to make it worst. It's just a R/C boat race. It's supposed to be fun.

Good Point!!!!!

My dad wouldn't pit for me cuz he got so wound up wanting me to do good. He was better off and so was I having a different pit person. He never once yelled at me about my driving skills. Of course I was always doing something else to get in trouble. Running where I shouldn't, throwing rocks in the water and eating or drinking everything in the cooler before lunch time, and so on and so on and so on.

Robert

 

[Roger Hooks Jr.]

This is a fantastic post and should be pinned at the top of the General forum for all to read , this is what the hobby is really about.
I am hoping that this is the year my son will want to start racing , he knows more about boats than most of my freinds but being only eight he is rather nervous about the racing part of it.

He does love spending all day at the pond with me and if thats all he ever wants to do then that is good enough for me .

Great thread guy's.

Tim K

Tim my kids started racing when they were about six. I told them " it's just like a video game" they took to it quick.

Bob

My son started running boats at the pond when he was six and I am sure once he gets a taste of competition there will be know turning back.

Can you guy's remember when your kids started pitting for you , or you as kids started to pit for your Dad's ?

Tim K

Oh! Yah... I started at the pond around six. My little brother started racing at six. I remember Ricky Fish was racing at 4 and he held the tranmitter and worked the controls by himself. They were very strict about that back then. Not like these days.

I did want to add that it seems that guys that still race today with their dads from a little kid had dads that never got down on them real bad about mistakes made during racing. My dad would have a few words to say at times and even that was enough to bring me to tears... but he never yelled at us. I see some guys just ripping into their kids about making a driving error and making a big scene on top of that. I tell my dad if he ever did that I certainly wouldn't still be racing that's for sure.

Just keep in mind... every son wants to make his dad proud... just as much as the dad wants to be proud of his son. When a son doesn't live up to it he is as disappointed as you the dad... if not more. No need to make it worst. It's just a R/C boat race. It's supposed to be fun.

Good Point!!!!!

My dad wouldn't pit for me cuz he got so wound up wanting me to do good. He was better off and so was I having a different pit person. He never once yelled at me about my driving skills. Of course I was always doing something else to get in trouble. Running where I shouldn't, throwing rocks in the water and eating or drinking everything in the cooler before lunch time, and so on and so on and so on.

Robert

That's also a Good Point!!!

There are always plenty of things to get yelled at for or to yell. It seems to everyone gets in trouble for the same thing. My dad had to limit us to two sodas a day... and what wrong with throwing rocks in the water... just so long as we weren't trying to hit boats. What I couldn't understand was why you would bring a kid to the boat race... you know "with water" and not expect them to get in the water. Like like taking a kid to a Pie Eating contest and then saying "Don't Eat Anything! Just watch!" Huh?!?! We got in the most trouble for getting in the water. LOL!

 

[Kelly Miller]

This is a fantastic post and should be pinned at the top of the General forum for all to read , this is what the hobby is really about.
I am hoping that this is the year my son will want to start racing , he knows more about boats than most of my freinds but being only eight he is rather nervous about the racing part of it.

He does love spending all day at the pond with me and if thats all he ever wants to do then that is good enough for me .

Great thread guy's.

Tim K

Tim my kids started racing when they were about six. I told them " it's just like a video game" they took to it quick.

Bob

My son started running boats at the pond when he was six and I am sure once he gets a taste of competition there will be know turning back.

Can you guy's remember when your kids started pitting for you , or you as kids started to pit for your Dad's ?

Tim K

Oh! Yah... I started at the pond around six. My little brother started racing at six. I remember Ricky Fish was racing at 4 and he held the tranmitter and worked the controls by himself. They were very strict about that back then. Not like these days.

I did want to add that it seems that guys that still race today with their dads from a little kid had dads that never got down on them real bad about mistakes made during racing. My dad would have a few words to say at times and even that was enough to bring me to tears... but he never yelled at us. I see some guys just ripping into their kids about making a driving error and making a big scene on top of that. I tell my dad if he ever did that I certainly wouldn't still be racing that's for sure.

Just keep in mind... every son wants to make his dad proud... just as much as the dad wants to be proud of his son. When a son doesn't live up to it he is as disappointed as you the dad... if not more. No need to make it worst. It's just a R/C boat race. It's supposed to be fun.

Good Point!!!!!

My dad wouldn't pit for me cuz he got so wound up wanting me to do good. He was better off and so was I having a different pit person. He never once yelled at me about my driving skills. Of course I was always doing something else to get in trouble. Running where I shouldn't, throwing rocks in the water and eating or drinking everything in the cooler before lunch time, and so on and so on and so on.

Robert

First couple of heats with Sam is rather intense. even if I am not talking to him a lot he will be rather wound up if he wipes out, his first race ever he popped a entrance buoy and I imediately became very concerned for the transmitter lol. But if I am chattering away in his ear he will vent on me. we have come off the stand gabbing away at each other like crazy. we then come to the agreement that I will just tell him where the dead boats are and perhaps minor suggestions for lining up on the straights. As odd as it sounds it really grew our relationship and taught us both a bit about how to communicate with each other. I usually run a different pitman when I race but Sam is right there telling me his input. I have barked a bit at Sam before and he has barked at me but he and I have allways come to the understanding that we need to relax and not get so wound up, we both understand now that in the excitment of the moment we could say things to each other that is not right at the last race we did we started with this understanding and did great. rather deep for a 12 year old but he understands it.

No matter how old you are there is a lot of growing you can do, it has been great growing up with my son.

Kelly

 

[Jerry Dunlap]

Hey Kelly. I was definitely guilty of "over coaching" my son Paul. When he was 15 or 16, I got a wake up call at one race when I commented on something that had happened during a race. He handed me the transmitter, said "If you think you can do better, you race the boat." We only live a 1/2 mile from the pond and he walked home. From then on, I'd start and launch his boat and tell him where the dead boats were on the course.

JD

 

[Roger Hooks Jr.]

Hey Kelly. I was definitely guilty of "over coaching" my son Paul. When he was 15 or 16, I got a wake up call at one race when I commented on something that had happened during a race. He handed me the transmitter, said "If you think you can do better, you race the boat." We only live a 1/2 mile from the pond and he walked home. From then on, I'd start and launch his boat and tell him where the dead boats were on the course.
JD

:lol: Right on Paul! :lol:

I got a good laugh out of that one...

Okay... It was part funny part sad...

but...

he made a very strong and clear point.

... and then walked home!!! He made it crystal clear!!!

 

[Lorenzo Martinez]

My son started racing when he was 8. He won his first district championship at 9. Got second place at 10, and now at 11 won again the championship in our district. He runs in the B OPC class which is no easy task to win in our district with an average of 12 to 15 boats. We raced as a team in the B OPC Mod class for 2007 and we finished second. We would have won the championship, but dad had to switch to a new boat at only four races to go. As you all know, new boat, new problems were the cause. But it was ok, we still finished 2nd with the fastest time with my son on the wheel. Well this year, my son is getting his own B Mod to race by himself, and ofcourse that is dad's class so he will have to race me, which as many will say in my district, he's a better driver... **** kids! :lol:

One funny thing to say is.... when my son started racing, and was beating on the adults, at first they thought it was funny. Now they see him as a competitor... and don't think is funny anymore.....

Lorenzo

 

[Glenn 787]

which as many will say in my district, he's a better driver?????

We "ALL" say he's a better driver :lol: