Racers
Dave Little
I began racing Stock Outboards in 1965. My first boat (17-S) was an A’Utility (ASR). The boat was a Hal-Kelly kit called a “Foo-Ling”, and it was powered by a KG-4 Mercury. I took third place in my first race and I was hooked!
By the late 60’s, I had added a B’ Utility (BSR) to my trailer. It was a Hedlund runabout powered by a converted 20-H Mercury. My best finish was second place at a Muskegon, Michigan Divisional Championship. I was no Stover Hire but I sure wanted to be.
Cooper Jess
This is Cooper Jess. I was eight when my Grandfather took me to a Stock Outboard race at Winneconne, Wisconsin. I was hooked instantly, with my liking the water, boats, and mechanical stuff I knew I wanted to try this. My grandfather got us a couple “pond runners” with Quickies for the next few years and we continued to go to some of the local races as spectators. I didn’t convince my mother to let me try actual racing until I was 14. I started in the A Stock Hydro class with APBA.
Bill Giles
Bill started racing in APBA in 1960, trading a B-50 bomber for a B Utility runabout. In 1964 he was SSOA Commodore. He was Region Chairman for 9 years starting in 1966. He was Stock Outboard V-P in 1986-88. He was a member of a SO-MOD-or PRO racing commission for over 40 years. He was involved with promoting the Taunton race for 25 years. In 1964, Bill Allen Sr. & he put on two days of racing in the Cape Cod Canal, the first time the canal was closed to boat traffic! He was a Referee for many years, including doing the Hinton, WV Nationals.
Rich Runne
Rich Runne started racing in 1969 at the age of 10. Starting out in J Runabout (Racecraft built by Bob Trolian) with a Mercury Mark 5. Rich was not known for having the fastest J runabout. After J runabout Rich started racing ASR (Austin built boat) in 1972. He won ASR National Championship in 1991 and was also inducted into the Hall of Champions that year. He then went onto race 25SSR and won National Champion in Saranac Lake, NY in 1978.
Dylan Runne
Dylan Runne is a third generation racer; starting racing in 2003. His first boat was a father-son project, built by Dylan and his dad, Rich Runne. He races in the Stock Outboard category. Dylan lives in New Jersey with his dad and mom who support him in his racing. Dylan won two national championships at the age of 12, won multiple high point championships along with world speed records in the JH and JR classes. He also won the AXSR National Championship in 2009.