Over the Hill

[Matt Dagostino]

Ronny

Show the picture of your big butt flying out of your DSH at Bakersfield in 1977 Natls. I especially liked the recovery in which you never lost first place coming out of turn three.

How about Furnal kicking Listers a.. that year to take CSH.

I was sunburned that year and never want to see Bakersfield again!!!!!

MATT D

[Ron Hill]

Art Pugh said it, "Don't let fact ruin a good story..." But, Clark Maloof had won the first heat (DSH-1977) and I was ahead of him heading for the pit turn and I made a move like I had done many a time... But never when I was behind in my BeZoats....

I figured, IF I could get past the two guys ahead of me.....Clark would be hard pressed to make it to second and I could win on points....Well, as my wife said, "Look, some Jackass just flew out of his boat." "Oh, that looks like Ron."

The BeZoat just dropped a sponson, (Spilled a lot of air) and out of the cockpit I went "Like a cork out of a POP GUN".....I did a hand spring, never let go of the throttle, the boat righted itself (When my bitt hit the water, I skipped right back in the boat).... by the time I got hold of the wheel, Clark was on the inside of me and I knew it was over....

I finished third that heat, Clark went on to win (Straight heats, so, He was faster than I thought)...I did end up second...

I didn't run CSH....figuring the Lister SHOULD be able tow in....Leight Furnal was the onely winner EAST OF THE ROCKIES...


In 35 SSH, Clark Jumped the gun the first heat. Some the REGION 7 boys figured out the points at told Hank Menzies, as long as he finished behind me, he'd win.... (Even if I was next to last and he last)..My job, was to get a boat between me and Hank..

Clark was out foront again (AND HAD JUMPED AGAIN)..

I moved from sixth to fifth, only to see Hank move from seventh to sixth... I moved to fourth, only to see Hank move to fifth...

Last turn, I "Blow around" Broom....and I drop a sponson AGAIN, (SAME PALCE AS DSH)...Same hand spring...same SKIP with my butt and back into the boat... Wife says, "Is that Ron AGAIN??"

I beat Menzies to the line.......I get second...my third second of the weekend...

I come in "Mad as a setting hen" at myself for "FALLING OUT OF THE BOAT... Before I can start to feel sorry for myself, they announce that Broom had been DQ'd for "ROUGH DRIVING ME".....I thought we'd had a great race....

So, even if I hadn't fallen out of the boat the second time...I still would have been second...

I miss Broom and I miss Hank...Both wonderful guys.....after the 1977 Nationals I went inot MOD VP...21 foot boat that went 78....seemed safer than my 76 mph DSH...Trouble was, we went from 78 to 103 in three years...

In my mind I was always a good driver....but


No pictures from Bakersfield...but this is me at Havasu.....(My tie down broke and when I backed off, just a little, the engine kicked up...and "Ass over teakettle I went...

[Jeff Lytle]

Welcome to Hydroracer.net Matt.

I saw you registered the other day, and am glad you have joined in so quickly. It's kind' hard to resist pestering Ron from time to time isn't it ?? :D

[RONUS]

Hey Matt,
Welcome to Hydroracer, good to see fellow oldtimers here. Hows thing going. Are you still running those snowmobiles on grass?

Dave McClellan:D

[Matt Dagostino]

Whos the old timer?? I remember cranky old Dwight well!!

Over the 'Hill' was a reference to the Brad Pitt of the powerboat racing world in the 70's Ron Hill. I still have one of his original yellow Ron Hill props t-shirts.

Grass drags with the sleds in Pittsburgh was cool. 85mph on grass was a thrill. It sure best sno-cross in 10 degree weather.
My Polaris tx-440 fully studded and geared was a pisser and schooled the cats & ski-doos.

Be Good.

[Dew1us]

Holy Crapola. Its Mr. America.. hehe nice to see you around Mat.

Craig

[Matt Dagostino]

Hey

Tell Leigh I said hi. How's your all's golf game???

MATT