1980-1989
Craig Arfons
Born: September 26, 1949
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Died: July 9, 1989
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Buried: East Liberty Cemetery, Green, Ohio
Age: 39
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Full Name: Jon Craig Arfons
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Nickname:
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Location: Lake Jackson, Sebring, Florida
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Event: world water speed record attempt
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Accident Date: July 9, 1989
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Boat: "Rain-X Record Challenger" 25-foot jet hydroplane
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Biographical: He was trying to break the world water speed record of 317.6 MPH set by Ken Warby in 1978. He was traveling about 370 MPH and let the afterburner run a few seconds longer than he initially had planned. By the time he shut down the afterburner and released the chute, it was too late. The craft lifted off the lake surface and the boat started to tumble out of control, disintegrating as it impacted. He was transported to Highlands Regional Medical Center where he died about an hour after arriving. He was from Bradenton, Florida. His father was Walt Arfons and his uncle was Art Arfons, both land speed record holders from the 1960s.
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Video:
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Sources
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"Bradenton man killed as boat flips," Sarasota Herald-Tribune, July 10, 1989
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"Officials are checking out Arfons death," Ocala Star-Banner, July 11, 1989
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"Racer Arfons died when boat became airborne," Gainesville Sun, July 23, 1989
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"Boat racers run at record ends in death at 370 MPH," Orlando Sentinel, July 10, 1989
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Norman Hechtkoff, e-mail communication to site administrator, August 8, 2010
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Florida Death Index (Jon Craig Arfons, born Sep. 26, 1949, died July 9, 1989, in Highlands Co., age 39)
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Photos
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http://www.histarmar.com.ar/InfGral/RecordsVelocidad.htm (accessed 8/8/10)
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Jeff Bruns
Born: October 29, 1955
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Died: April 27, 1980
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Buried: cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea
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Age: 24
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Full Name: Jeffrey Antone Bruns
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Nickname:
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Location: Berenda Reservoir, Chowchilla, California
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Event: NDBA race
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Accident Date: April 27, 1980
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Boat:
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Biographical: He had just been clocked at about 140 MPH when his boat went airborne. He was thrown from the boat and then hit by it. He was from El Segundo, California, and was the son of Antone and Otha Lee Bruns of Los Angeles. He also was survived by his sister, Laurie Ellen Bruns of Los Angeles.
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Sources
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"Memorial service set for boat racer," Los Angeles Times, April 30, 1980
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California Birth Index (Jeffrey Antone Bruns, born October 29, 1955 in L.A. Co., mother’s maiden name was Keyes)
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Social Security Death Index (Jeffrey Bruns, born Oct. 29, 1955, died Apr. 1980, SS# issued in Calif.)
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Photos
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1970 Chatsworth High School Yearbook
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Jack Cayer
Born: September 16, 1937
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Died: April 12, 1980
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Buried: Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California
Age: 42
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Full Name: Jack Amedie Cayer
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Nickname:
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Location: Lake Ming, Bakersfield, California
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Event: NDBA West Coast Championships
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Accident Date: April 10, 1980
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Boat: "Extremely Dangerous" blown fuel flatbottom
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Biographical: During qualifying, the engine in his boat seized while he was crossing the finish line at a speed of about 140 MPH. He was thrown from the craft and suffered massive head injuries. He was one of the founders of the National Drag Boat Association and was then serving as vice president. He was from Downey, California, and was survived by his wife, Billie, daughter, Sharon, and son, Jeff.
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Sources
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"Boat racer Jack Cayer is dead," Los Angeles Times, April 15, 1980
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"Services Friday for boat racer Cayer," Los Angeles Times, April 17, 1980
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California Death Index (Jack Amedie Cayer, born September 1937 in Calif., died April 12, 1980 in Kern Co., mother’s maiden name was Crissman)
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Social Security Death Index (Jack Cayer, born Sep. 17, 1937, died Apr. 1980, SS# issued in Cal. In 1954)
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California Birth Index (Jack Amedie Cayer, born Sep. 16, 1937 in L.A. Co., mother’s maiden name was Crissman)
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Photos
Milt Chapman
Born: August 9, 1941
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Died: May 25, 1986
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Buried:
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Age: 44
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Full Name: Milton Chapman
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Nickname:
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Location: Red Bluff, California
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Event: Central Valley Drag Boat Races
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Accident Date: May 25, 1986
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Boat: "Mid Life Crisis"
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Biographical: He was from Escondido, California.
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Sources
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"Miscellaneous," Santa Rosa Press Democrat, May 28, 1986
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California Death Index (Milton Chapman, born Aug. 9, 1941, in NY, died May 25, 1986 in Tehama, mother’s maiden name was Fraser)
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Social Security Death Index (Milton Chapman, born Aug. 9, 1941, died May 1986, last benefit in Escondido, SS# issued 1956 in Calif)
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Photos
Bill Davis
Born:
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Died: September 25, 1988
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Buried:
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Age:
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Full Name:
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Nickname: Billy the Kid
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Location: Lake Glenmaggie, Australia
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Event:
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Accident Date: September 25, 1988
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Boat: "Tinker Toy" blown alcohol hydro, bought from Art Hendy and Tim Capaldi
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Biographical: He had set the Australian BAH speed record earlier in the day with a run of 183.54 MPH. During his back up run later that afternoon, the wind had kicked up. His hydro became airborne just past the finish line and crashed. He was transported to Heyfield Hospital, then rushed to the larger base hospital in Sale where he succumbed to his injuries later that evening. He was survived by his wife, Glenys, and son, William. He was a founding member of the Victorian Drag Boat Club.
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Sources
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"Boat death," Melbourne Age, Sep. 27, 1988
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Gary L. James, e-mail communication to site administrator, Feb. 9, 2011
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Photos
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Gary James, e-mail communication to site administrator, Sep. 3, 2011
Neil Donegan
Born: September 28, 1950
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Died: July 28, 1985
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Buried: Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon
Age: 34
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Full Name: Neil Eugene Donegan
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Nickname:
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Location: Tenmile Lake, Lakeside, Oregon
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Event: First Annual Tenmile Lake Regatta
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Accident Date: July 20, 1985
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Boat:
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Biographical: He was at the end of his run when his engine seized, causing it to skip to the left and flip over. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene, where he lay in a coma before passing away eight days after the accident. He was from Aloha, Oregon. For over twenty years the Columbia Drag Boat Association has sponsored the Neil Donegan Classic at Lakeside in memory of Donegan.
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Sources
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"40 pros to race on South Tenmile," Coos Bay World, July 17, 1985
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"Accident mars Tenmile regatta," Coos Bay World, July 22, 1985
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"Racer dies," Coos Bay World, Aug. 6, 1985
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Oregon Death Index (Ancestry.com)
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Social Security Death Index
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Photos
Cecil Florence
Born: February 7, 1931
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Died: April 7, 1984
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Buried:
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Age: 38
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Full Name: Cecil N. Florence, Jr.
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Nickname:
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Location: Firebird Lake, near Phoenix, Arizona
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Event: private test session
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Accident Date: April 7, 1984
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Boat: "Coors Light Special" blown alcohol hydro
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Biographical: He was testing an innovative hull designed to tunnel air under the boat. He was traveling 208 MPH when the boat suddenly lifted off the water and flipped. He was from Long Beach, California, and was survived by his wife, Dee.
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Sources
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"Driver killed as boat flips at 190 MPH," New York Times, April 8, 1984
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"Drag boats," Los Angeles Times, July 15, 1984
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"Drag boat race today at Irvine Lake," Los Angeles Times, May 5, 1984
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U. S. Public Records Index (Cecil N. Florence, Jr., 2127 Temple Ave, Long Beach, CA, 90755)
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Photos
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Bill Hartman
Born: March 22, 1944
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Died: July 6, 1986
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Buried: Grace Alliance Church Cemetery, Lexington, North Carolina
Age: 42
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Full Name: William Henry Hartman, Jr.
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Nickname:
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Location: Brazos River, near Waco, Texas
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Event: Southern Drag Boat Association Texas Shootout
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Accident Date: July 6, 1986
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Boat: "Ofixco Special" blown alcohol hydro
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Biographical: He crashed while traveling at more than 100 MPH. He was vice-president of the Southern Drag Boat Association.
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Sources
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"Miscellany," Chicago Tribune, July 8, 1986
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Texas Death Index (William Hartman, Jr., died July 6, 1986 in McLennan Co.)
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Photos
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Jimmy Hobbs
Born: February 10, 1943
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Died: June 24, 1984
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Buried: Montecito Memorial Park, Colton, California
Age: 41
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Full Name: James Raymond Hobbs
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Nickname:
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Location: Irvine Lake, Orange, California
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Event: Summer Championships
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Accident Date: June 24, 1984
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Boat: blown fuel hydro
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Biographical: He died of neck and chest injuries several hours after his boat flipped over at more than 180 MPH. It happened during qualifying. He was from San Bernardino, California, and was survived by his wife, Joyce, and son and daughter. It was only his third competition in the boat. Witnesses thought he should have shut it off earlier in the run when it started showing early signs of getting into trouble.
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Sources
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"Drag boat racer dies after he flips in race," Los Angeles Times, June 25, 1984
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"Sports log," Milwaukee Journal, June 25, 1984
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"Drag boats," Los Angeles Times, July 15, 1984
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California Death Index (James Raymond Hobbs, born February 10, 1943 in Michigan, died June 24, 1984 in Orange Co., mother’s maiden name was Crist)
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Social Security Death Index (Jim Hobbs, born Feb. 10, 1943, died June 1984, SS# issued in Calif. In 1958)
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Photos
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Arvie Hughett
Born: March 15, 1938
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Died: October 14, 1984
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Buried: Jacksonville Memory Gardens, Orange Park, Florida
Age: 46
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Full Name: Arvie Lee Hughett, Jr.
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Nickname:
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Location: Belew's Creek Lake, near Kernersville, North Carolina
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Event: unsanctioned race
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Accident Date: September 22, 1990
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Boat: "Natural High" unlimited outboard
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Biographical: "I'm still chasing that elusive 125.00 MPH," said Hughett sometime before his fatal outing at an unsanctioned drag boat race. During his last race, his boat went airborne and flipped, coming down on top of him. He resided in Orange Park, Florida, and was survived by his wife, Judith, and children.
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Sources
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Photos
Hughie Jones
Born: March 5, 1943
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Died: June 22, 1986
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Buried: Parkview Memorial Cemetery, Livonia, Michigan
Age: 43
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Full Name: Hugh Emlyn Jones
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Nickname:
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Location: Fanshawe Lake, London, Ontario, Canada
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Event: London Free Press Molson Drag Boat Race
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Accident Date: June 22, 1986
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Boat: "Stagefright" blown fuel hydro
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Biographical: He lost his prop in the lights turning 217 MPH and crashed in the shutdown area. He was from Livonia, Michigan, and was survived by his wife, Bette, and two sons. He had bought the old "Ambush" boat, running it as "Ambush," then as "Stagefright."
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Sources
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"Record turnout for Canadian club race," Windsor Star, June 26, 1986
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"Boat race ends in death," Reno Gazette-Journal, June 23, 1986
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"Business owner was winning racer," Detroit Free Press, June 26, 1986
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http://dragboatracing.com/Community/Forums/tabid/54/aft/35723/Default.aspx (accessed 7/26/10)
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Gregg Padgett, e-mail communication to site administrator, Oct. 7, 2010
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Photos
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Julian Kirk
Born: January 8, 1936
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Died: July 26, 1982
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Buried: Central Baptist Church Cemetery, Midlothian, Virginia
Age: 46
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Full Name: William Julian Kirk
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Nickname:
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Location: Oak Hollow Lake, near High Point, North Carolina
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Event: World Drag Boat Championships
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Accident Date: July 24, 1982
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Boat: "Black Rushin" 17-foot unblown gas-powered Canyon Marine flat (owned by Harvey Chadwell)
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Biographical: He was traveling about 120 MPH during time trials when his boat suddenly dipped to the right. The jolt threw Kirk from his seat. He tried to leap clear, but his parachute opened and he was thrown back into the path of the speeding boat. Witnesses thought he may have been struck by the boat during the accident. Twenty seconds after the accident a rescue boat reached him and they began administering CPR. He was transported to High Point Memorial Hospital. He was kept on a respirator, but never regained consciousness before dying two days after the accident. He had been racing boats for eight years and was from Richmond, Virginia.
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Sources
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"Virginia powerboat racer dies," St. Petersburg Times, July 27, 1982
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"Wreck kills speedboater," Lakeland Ledger, July 27, 1982
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"Death at 120 miles per hour," Chicago Tribune, July 27, 1982
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North Carolina Death Collection (William Julian Kirk, born January 8, 1936 in Virginia, lived in Beaufort Co., VA, died July 26, 1982 in High Point, NC, married)
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Social Security Death Index (William Kirk, born Jan. 8, 1936, died July 1982, SS# issued in Virginia in 1955)
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Photos
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"Death at 120 miles per hour," Chicago Tribune, July 27, 1982
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"Racing disaster," Florida Today, July 26, 1982
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Victoria High School 1952 Yearbook
Erik Laforge
Born:
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Died: November 4, 1987
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Buried:
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Age: 25
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Full Name:
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Nickname:
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Location: Lago d'Iseo, near Sarnico, Italy
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Event: world speed record attempt
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Accident Date: November 4, 1987
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Boat: Laforge/Johnson Class 850
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Biographical: He was making a test run when his boat suddenly became airborne, overturned, and crashed. He lost his helmet and sustained severe head and neck injuries. He was a Frenchman.
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Sources
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Photos
Randy Muller
Born: January 25, 1953
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Died: October 5, 1985
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Buried: Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura, California
Age: 32
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Full Name: Rudolph Carl Muller
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Nickname: Goose
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Location: Lake Ming, near Bakersfield, California
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Event: 21st annual NDBA Nationals
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Accident Date: October 5, 1985
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Boat:
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Biographical: He had been clocked at 124 MPH and was just past the finish line when his boat became airborne and flipped over. He was thrown clear of the boat and his chute opened but he hit the water hard. He was transported to Kern Medical Center where he died from his injuries. On his previous run he had set a record of 135 MPH. He was from Ventura, California, and had been racing drag boats for five years.
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Sources
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"Boat racer killed," Florence Times Daily, October 7, 1985
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California Death Index (Rudolph Carl Muller, died Oct. 5, 1985 in Kern Co., born Jan. 25, 1953 in Calif., mother’s maiden name was Hess)
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California Birth Index (Rudolph Carl Muller, born Jan. 25, 1953, in Ventura Co., mother’s maiden name was Hess)
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Photos
Dave Nolte
Born: February 9, 1948
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Died: June 22, 1986
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Buried:
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Age: 38
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Full Name: David Russell Nolte
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Nickname:
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Location: Berenda Reservoir, near Chowchilla, California
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Event: Central Valley Drag Boat Association Chowchilla Summer Showdown
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Accident Date: June 22, 1986
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Boat: "Liberty" blown fuel hydro
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Biographical: After hitting a speed of 210 MPH, he was shutting the boat down when an apparent propeller malfunction caused his accident. When the motor shut off it caused a lot of back pressure and the propeller shaft pulled right out of the boat. He was transported by helicopter to Valley Medical Center in Fresno but was dead on arrival. He was from Fresno, California. His death was the fourth in the space of thirty days in drag boat racing. It resulted in a moratorium being declared on drag boat racing nationwide while the insurer for the sport conducted an investigation into all aspects of the sport.
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Sources
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"Accident brings halt to drag boat racing for now," Modesto Bee, June 27, 1986
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"Boat racer killed in mishap," Boca Raton News, June 24, 1986
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"Speedboat death," Miami Herald, June 24, 1986
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"Newswire," Los Angeles Times, June 24, 1986
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California Death Index (David Russell Nolte, born February 9, 1948 in Calif., died June 22, 1986 in Fresno, mother’s maiden name was Sciutto)
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California Birth Index (David Russell Nolte, born February 9, 1948 in Fresno Co., mother’s maiden name was Sciutto)
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Photos
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http://www.nitrogeezers.com/Farndon%20Story_4.htm (accessed 8/5/10)
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Thurman Riggs
Born: August 1, 1942
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Died: July 9, 1983
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Buried: Floral Haven Memorial Gardens, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Age: 40
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Full Name: Thurman Dennis Riggs
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Nickname:
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Location: Creve Coeur Lake, Maryland Heights, Missouri
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Event: World Championship Series of Dragboat Racing 4th Annual Coors Creve Coeur Classic
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Accident Date: July 9, 1983
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Boat: "Ofixco Special" blown alcohol flat-bottom
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Biographical: He had just turned 151 MPH in time trials when his boat turned over. He was transported to DePaul Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. He was from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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Sources
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"Racing deaths called fate," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 23, 2009
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"Vance waits for a win in drag boat classic," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 11, 1983
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"Speedboat racer hurt on Creve Coeur," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 12, 1983
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"Boat racer killed here when craft turns over at 151 MPH," St. Louis Post Dispatch, July 10, 1983
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Social Security Death Index
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U.S. Public Records Index (Thurman Riggs, born Aug. 1, 1942, resides in Tulsa, OK, 807 N. 29th West Ave.)
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Photos
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Will Rogers High School Tulsa 1959 Yearbook
Bob Rogers
Born: December 8, 1937
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Died: April 16, 1988
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Buried: Cremains scattered in Lake Grapevine, Texas
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Age: 50
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Full Name: James Robert Rogers
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Nickname:
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Location: Toledo Bend Reservoir, Logansport, Louisiana
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Event: Southern Drag Boat Association
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Accident Date: April 16, 1988
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Boat: "Snap, Crackle, Pop" blown fuel jet class
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Biographical: He was making a half-track pass in his 482 cu. inch Donovan-powered drag boat and was traveling at 133 mph when he crashed. He was an aircraft mechanic for American Airlines at Dallas Fort Worth Airport for 23 years. He was survived by his sons, James Donald and James Ronald Rogers.
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Sources
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http://dragboatracing.com/Community/Forums/tabid/54/aft/35706/Default.aspx (accessed 3/12/11)
Margaret Meier, e-mail communication to site administrator, Mar. 9, 2011
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James Rogers, e-mail communication from site administrator, Apr. 21-22,2012
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Photos
Tom Roland
Born: December 24, 1943
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Died: August 6, 1988
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Buried:
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Age: 44
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Full Name: Thomas Frank Roland
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Nickname:
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Location: Berenda Reservoir, Chowchilla, California
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Event: Chowchilla Lions Club biennial drag boat races
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Accident Date: August 6, 1988
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Boat: blown fuel jet boat
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Biographical: His engine locked up after experiencing extreme pressure build-up and his craft flipped. He had been traveling more than 128 MPH and had just crossed the finish line when the crash occurred. He was transported to Chowchilla District Memorial Hospital where he was dead on arrival. He was from Rancho Cucamonga, California.
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Sources
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"Rancho man killed," San Bernardino County Sun, Aug. 10, 1988
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Photos
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Los Angeles High School 1958 Yearbook
Ken Scheff
Born: February 12, 1945
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Died: June 6, 1981
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Buried: Arlington Cemetery, Pennsauken, New Jersey
Age: 36
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Full Name: Kenneth L. Scheff
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Nickname:
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Location: Holloway Reservoir, near Columbiaville, Michigan
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Event: ADBA Blue Water Classic
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Accident Date: June 6, 1981
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Boat: turbo-charged hydro
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Biographical: During qualifying his boat flipped after crossing the finish line. He was traveling 135 MPH when he was thrown from the boat. He was transported to Lapeer County General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was from Mount Holly, New Jersey.
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Sources
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"Hydroplane racer killed in accident," Montreal Gazette, June 8, 1981
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"Hydroplane racer killed in crash," Palm Beach Post, June 8, 1981
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"N. J. hydroplane racer killed," Daytona Beach Morning Journal, June 8, 1981
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Social Security Death Index (Kenneth Scheff, born Feb. 12, 1945, died June 1981, SS# issued in New Jersey)
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Michigan Deaths (Kenneth L. Scheff, born Feb. 12, 1945, died June 6, 1981, in Lapeer, Michigan, residence New Jersey)
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Photos
Jerry Spencer
Born: May 17, 1947
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Died: September 8, 1985
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Buried:
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Age: 38
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Full Name: Gerald Rolland Spencer
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Nickname:
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Location: Creve Couer Lake, Maryland Heights, Missouri
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Event: ADBA Midwest Championship
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Accident Date: September 8, 1985
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Boat:
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Biographical: He was traveling at an estimated 146 MPH and had just finished the run when his boat popped into the air and he was thrown from the boat. It was a freak accident as he had made a good run and was slowing down when the boat caught air and came right up out of the water. He was from Ashland, Ohio, and had been a national champion in the American Drag Boat Association in 1981. It was Spencer's first racing event in two years.
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Sources
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"Freak accident kills drag-boat driver," Bryan Times, September 9, 1985
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"Miscellaneous," Milwaukee Journal, Sep. 9, 1985
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Social Security Death Index (Gerald Spencer, born May 17, 1947, died Sep. 1985, SS# issued in Michigan in 1964)
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Photos
Lee Taylor
Born: June 20, 1934
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Died: November 13, 1980
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Buried: Happy Homestead Cemetery, South Lake Tahoe, California
Age: 46
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Full Name: Lee Allen Taylor, Jr.
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Nickname:
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Location: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
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Event: world water speed record attempt
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Accident Date: November 13, 1980
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Boat: $2.5 million dollar "U.S. Discovery II" rocket-engined 40-foot steel and aluminum craft
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Biographical: He was trying to better the world water speed record of 317.60 MPH set by Ken Warby of Australia in 1978. He had held the world water speed record from 1967 to 1977, set with his "Hustler" jet boat at 285.22 MPH. In tests the previous spring, Taylor had been clocked at 440 MPH in tests on Walker Lake and thought the boat would be capable of 500 MPH. On his fatal run, he had been clocked at about 290 MPH and his speed increased to about 330 MPH before he shut it down. The boat began to wobble on its sponsons. The left sponson suddenly submerged, causing the craft to suddenly lurch to the right. It disintegrated in a huge spray of water and broken parts. Divers finally found his body five days after the crash strapped into the 8-foot long cockpit at a depth of 280 feet and a half mile from shore. Three days later they were able to bring the cockpit of the boat holding his body into shallower 200-foot deep water, but it slipped from the grappling hooks. Ten days after the crash on November 22, the salvage barge crew were finally able to hoist the boat and his body to the surface. His body was removed to a private pier where it was examined by the Douglas County coroner before being removed for an autopsy. He had a 23-man crew and it was the sentiment of all of them that Taylor should not have made his run because the surface water conditions were poor. They tried to talk him into returning to Walker Lake to attempt the record. It seems that he may have made the decision to run that day at Tahoe against the advice of his crew and pressure to please sponsors and media in attendance. He was from Bellflower, California.
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Video:
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Sources
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"Water speed record set," Lethbridge Herald, July 3, 1967
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"Bellflower man plans attempt to regain world water speed record in rocket boat," Los Angeles Times, March 13, 1980
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"Boat driver is lost in crash on Tahoe," Los Angeles Times, November 14, 1980
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"Body missing," Monessen Valley Independent, November 18, 1980
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"Taylor search continues," Gettysburg Times, November 14, 1980
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"Boat driver's body found," Gettysburg Times, November 19, 1980
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"Taylor's body is found," Los Angeles Times, November 19, 1980
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"Body of boat racer still in Lake Tahoe," Hartford Courant, November 22, 1980
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"Boat still not recovered," Gettysburg Times, November 22, 1980
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"Speedboating," Daily Sitka Sentinel, November 26, 1980
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"10-year dream ends with Taylor death," New York Times, November 23, 1980
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"Lee Taylor: Pressure in prime time," Los Angeles Times, November 21, 1980
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Social Security Death Index (Lee Taylor, born June 20, 1934, died Nov. 1980, SS# issued in Calif.)
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Steve Garcia, e-mail communication to site administrator, Aug. 6, 2013
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Photos
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"Bellflower man plans attempt to regain world water speed record in rocket boat," Los Angeles Times, March 13, 1980
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Lee Taylor Hustler/Discovery II Gallery (Pinterest)
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http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/lee-taylor-rocket-boat-15461.html (accessed 3/21/11)
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Arthur Benjamins, e-mail communication to site administrator, Mar. 20, 2011
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http://www.vonicon.com/bluebirdpublications/show.php?sh=gallery&page=2&perpage=10&rcat=all
Bill Thomas
Born: November 2, 1955
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Died: June 11, 1989
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Buried: Oak Park Cemetery, Claremont, California
Age: 33
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Full Name: William Edward Thomas, Jr.
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Nickname: "Chilly Willy"
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Location: Puddingstone Lake, San Dimas, California
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Event: International Hot Boat Association Summer Nationals
Accident Date: June 11, 1989
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Boat:
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Biographical: He lost control and his boat flipped when he was traveling about 160 MPH. He was from Alta Loma, California.
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Sources
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"Boat racing," Milwaukee Journal, June 12, 1989
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"Boat racing," Chicago Sun-Times, June 12, 1989
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"Dragboat racer killed when his craft flips," Los Angeles Times, June 12, 1989
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Photos
Billy Todd
Born: November 22, 1931
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Died: September 20, 1986
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Buried: New Auburn Cemetery, Auburn, California
Age: 54
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Full Name: William Lee Todd
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Nickname:
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Location: Castaic Lake, California
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Event: Sundance Sports Drag Boat Nationals
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Accident Date: September 20, 1986
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Boat: "Billy the Kid" #531
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Biographical: He had been clocked at 205 MPH at 5.46 seconds on his run after which his boat catapulted thirty feet into the air and came down on top of him. It was thought that possibly a prop blade had snapped. He was transported by helicopter to Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills where he died from his injuries about six hours after the crash. He was from Auburn, California, and was survived by his wife, Lyn.
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Sources
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"Driver killed in drag boat accident at Castaic," Los Angeles Times, September 21, 1986
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Photos
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http://dragboatracing.com/Community/Forums/tabid/54/aft/39156/Default.aspx (accessed 7/26/10)
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Denny Vachal
Born: August 23, 1943
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Died: May 25, 1986
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Buried:
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Age: 42
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Full Name: Denny Lee Vachal
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Nickname:
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Location: Red Bluff, California
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Event: Central Valley Drag Boat Races
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Accident Date: May 25, 1986
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Boat: "Flat Out of Sight"
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Biographical: He was from Bellflower, California.
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Sources
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http://www.riverracer.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-36718.html (accessed 7/26/10)
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"Miscellaneous," Santa Rosa Press Democrat, May 28, 1986
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California Death Index (Denny Lee Vachal, born Aug. 23, 1943 in Nebraska, died May 25, 1986 in Tehama Co., mother’s maiden name was Osborne)
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Photos
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Ancestry.com
Jerry Wallace
Born: April 19, 1946
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Died: April 2, 1991
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Buried: Roselawn Memorial Park, Denton, Texas
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Age: 44
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Full Name: Jerry Charles Wallace
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Nickname:
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Location: Oak Hollow Lake, near High Point, North Carolina
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Event:
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Accident Date: July 24, 1988
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Boat: "Smokin' and Strokin'" PlaceCraft blown fuel jet class
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Biographical: He was injured in a crash and died in an Illinois hospital. He suffered a spinal cord injury when he was thrown from his boat. He spent several years in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities before passing away. He began racing in 1984 competing in his brief career in unblown fuel jet, pro gas jet, and blown fuel jet.
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Sources
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Margaret Meier, e-mail communication to site administrator, Mar. 9-10, 15, 25, 2011
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http://www.screamandfly.com/archive/index.php/t-213800.html (accessed 3/12/11)
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http://www.performanceboats.com/jet-boats/72938-pop-placecraft.html (accessed 3/12/11)
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Social Security Death Index
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http://dragboatalley.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/16/32/12.html (accessed 3/12/11)
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Photos
Jimmy Wright
Born: March 28, 1934
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Died: September 12, 1982
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Buried: Emmanuel Episcopal Church Cemetery, Powhatan, Virginia
Age: 47
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Full Name: James Willie Wright
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Nickname: "Porky"
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Location: Lake Lou Yaeger, Litchfield, Illinois
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Event: National Drag Boat Association 10th Annual Midwest Championships
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Accident Date: September 12, 1982
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Boat: "Nitrofever" top fuel hydro
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Biographical: He overshot the finish line at a speed estimated at over 200 MPH and crashed into the artificial lake's steep dirt bank. He was thrown clear of the boat on impact. He was taken from the water and transported to St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He was from Ashland, Virginia, and was the world record holder for propeller-driven blown fuel hydroplane boats.
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Sources
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"Boat racer killed in Sunday mishap," Mount Carmel Daily Republican-Register, September 13, 1982
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"Wright, world record-holder for propeller-driven boats, killed," Los Angeles Times, September 13, 1982
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Photos
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John Young
Born: February 26, 1950
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Died: October 31, 1986
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Buried:
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Age: 36
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Full Name: John William Young
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Nickname:
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Location: Lake Ming, near Bakersfield, California
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Event: NDBA championships
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Accident Date: October 31, 1986
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Boat: "Strange Behavior" blown alcohol flat
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Biographical: During time trials, his boat flipped and crashed. He was from Ontario, California.
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Sources
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"Newswire," Los Angeles Times, November 2, 1986
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Photos
Barry Zenovka
Born: January 31, 1947
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Died: April 10, 1983
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Buried: Harbor Lawn-Mount Olive Memorial Park, Costa Mesa, California
Age: 36
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Full Name: Barry Lewis Zenovka
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Nickname:
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Location: Irvine Lake, California
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Event: Coors Western Championship
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Accident Date: April 9, 1983
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Boat: "Instant Trouble"
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Biographical: The fatal crash occurred during qualifying. His boat flipped over at the finish line. He was transported to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana where he died the next day from injuries. He was from Westminster, California.
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Sources
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"Driver of race boat dies," Los Angeles Times, April 11, 1983
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"20,000 turn out after boat racing accidents," Los Angeles Times, April 11, 1983
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California Death Index (Barry Lewis Zenovka, born January 31, 1947 in Calif., died April 10, 1983 on Orange Co., mother’s maiden name was Ault)
Social Security Death Index (Barry Zenovka, born Jan. 31, 1947, died Apr. 1983, SS# issued in Calif. In 1962)
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California Birth Index (Barry Lewis Zenovka, born Jan. 31, 1947 in L.A. Co., mother’s maiden name was Ault)
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Photos