John Bridge Trophy

[Jim Recker Jr.]

My father bought one from Tim Ries, when it was called Ries Pattern Race Boats. Dad had 2 strokers in it . 2 big 1667's on it. That baby weighed the full 25 lbs. A beast to launch. That "Lager Head" is legendary. It has done as much for our hobby as Slo Mo Shun, Hawaii Kai or Miss Supertest has done for the big boats. I am truly blessed to have seen that boat run in person.

 

[Jim Recker Jr.]

BTW one year I got close enough to read the engraving on the guard that covers the gears.

I believe it read " if you can read this you're too damn close !" LOL John Sr. had a great sense of humor.

 

[Jerry Betke]

Both comments from Marty and John Beardslee about the trophies are correct with a few enhancements. In 1978 Tim Ries did make trophies for the Internats. John Bridge passed away in February of 1982 prompting Tim Ries to build and the Oakland Wolverine Model Boat Club (OWMBC) to begin awarding the John Bridge Memorial Trophy annually at their 1982 Mini Gold Cup Races. In 1991 IMPBA agreed to award the trophy at the Internats to the best performing Twin. The last plaque on the trophy is dated 2007. The trophy was somehow misplaced and thanks to John Equi was found and returned to myself and the OWMBC in 2011. As the pictures show John Bridge II was more then pleased to recieve the trophy back and thankful to the model boating community for honoring his fathers legacy for 25 years. Regarding the weight. Now that there is a 7 in front of my age everything seems like fifty plus pounds so I will leave the weight issue to others to decide. Like Marty said John's boats were "amazing pieces of engineering" and the craftsmanship was superb. Thanks to my son Mike for posting the pictures and to all of your positive responses to them.

Have a blessed day and a great 2012 racing season, Jerry Betke

 

[P THOMAS]

Here are some more pictures of Lager Head from Detroit 79 and Blackrushin

http://gallery.intlw...lbum=116&pos=32

 

[John Bridge II]

Hi Everyone,

Jerry, you win the memory test. With John Beardslee help at the mini gold cup in 82 I was the first one to be able to have my

name placed on Dad's trophie. I had to win a run off with Bob Findley. I remember him saying to me that he was not just going

to let me win,I would have to earn it. I'll bet he would have let me win if his Boat would not have quite during the race. I know I was in the lead when that happened. I also remember crying when accepting his trophie. It was like winning the Super Bowl to me. Thanks to Jerry and Mike I have it back. The Lager Head is hanging above both trophies in my living room, in studs of course.

Thanks again everyone,

John E. Bridge II

 

[Ray Sametz]

Hi Everyone,

Jerry, you win the memory test. With John Beardslee help at the mini gold cup in 82 I was the first one to be able to have my

name placed on Dad's trophie. I had to win a run off with Bob Findley. I remember him saying to me that he was not just going

to let me win,I would have to earn it. I'll bet he would have let me win if his Boat would not have quite during the race. I know I was in the lead when that happened. I also remember crying when accepting his trophie. It was like winning the Super Bowl to me. Thanks to Jerry and Mike I have it back. The Lager Head is hanging above both trophies in my living room, in studs of course.

Thanks again everyone,

John E. Bridge II

That's funny John, no plastic plugs in the drywall will hold that puppy. :lol: :lol:

 

[Marty Davis]

Hi Everyone,

Jerry, you win the memory test. With John Beardslee help at the mini gold cup in 82 I was the first one to be able to have my

name placed on Dad's trophie. I had to win a run off with Bob Findley. I remember him saying to me that he was not just going

to let me win,I would have to earn it. I'll bet he would have let me win if his Boat would not have quite during the race. I know I was in the lead when that happened. I also remember crying when accepting his trophie. It was like winning the Super Bowl to me. Thanks to Jerry and Mike I have it back. The Lager Head is hanging above both trophies in my living room, in studs of course.

Thanks again everyone,

John E. Bridge II

Johnny:

I was there and remember it well. Was one of my highly remembered events.

By the way, Finley is still kicking and lives in Texas. He has Parkinson's, but is doing OK.

 

[John Bridge II]

Marty,

Good to hear from you. As you know I have been out of the sport for a long time so hearing from some of my should I say old

friends is very nice. Tell Bob I said hello if you get a chance. He was quite the character back then, always laughing.

I have a good story with Dad and Bob. Bob was telling dad what he had to do to make the twin engins run better. Bob hands

dad a piece of paper with a sketch on it of something. Dad looks at it and says, Bob have you gone 80 MPH yet. Bob looks back

confused and says no. Dad crumples up the piece of paper and throws it down on the ground and says when you do come back

and talk to me !! That's the John Bridge we all knew and loved !!

Best Regards,

J.E.B.II

 

[John Beardslee]

Hi John,

I shot you a P.M.

John