SuperStockRacing.com
Title
Super Stock Racing Series
Description
The Super Stock (SS) Inboard Runabout racing class first appeared in 1965 as a probationary class under the sanctioning of the American Power Boat Association (APBA). The SS class was formed as an alternative to the “E” class Inboard Runabout class, which utilized exotic small block motors, and the “SK” Inboard Runabout class which ran modified 400 cubic inch displacement big block motors. Both classes, E & SK, were highly competitive and expensive to run in so the SS class was introduced as an affordable entry level racing class. However, with a lot of creative minds wanting to go faster it quickly evolved into something more that that. The popularity of the SS class has grown and now it is the number one Inboard Runabout class in the APBA. (APBA Rule Book, 1999, p. v)
In the 60s and early 70s the three major American automotive manufacturers, GM, Ford, and Chrysler, were evenly represented with names like Louie Unser building Fords and Keith Black owning three Chrysler backed Hemi powered SS boats. From what I’ve been told the torque of a 426 Hemi rocketing you out of a turn in a SS sized boat is something you have to experience to fully appreciate. The legendary Bill Muncey of unlimited hydro fame was a driver for Black in the SS class. Other names like Dave Villwock, driver of the Miss Budweiser unlimited hydro, still occasionally drives a SS. Rudy Ramos of Rayson Craft, Steve David, another former unlimited hydro driver, and Julian Pettingil have all raced SS boats.
A SS boat consists of an 18’ long flat bottom mono-hull with a rear mounted inboard engine and is driven through a V-drive coupled to a propeller and shaft which exits through the bottom of the hull. The transom (rear) of the hull is almost completely flat on the bottom. While they are 18’ in length, they will only have about three feet in contact with the water when they are at speed. This design works best on protected waters with a calm surface. A slight wind chop will let these boats go faster due to the air spaces they create between the hull and the water. Any swells or “rollers” going through the racecourse will send these boats in all kinds of undesirable directions. Hondo, Patterson, Rayson Craft, Wickens, Shiada, Howard, Charger, Mandella, and Hallet manufactured many of the early hulls. There were quite a few “home builts” constructed of wood and fiberglass as well. In the early 70s the Barren, Lavey Craft, Sanger, and Starfires were the boats of choice. When Julian Pettingil bought the molds from Rusty Biesemeyer and began producing the Biesemeyer 18’ flat bottom it started a whole new era. From the Biesemeyer came the Bezer and Revenge, and from the Revenge came the D’Cucci. These three hull designs are the main players of SS racing today.
Languages
English
Contact
- Pending Renewal or Deletion
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