These pages
will feature two of Bill Ritner's 266 cubic inch class racing hulls that
campaigned under the Wa Wa too names.
This particular web page will feature the
hull that replaced the one Tom D'Eath restored
and was recently sold to Edelbrock. That hull was built by Lauterbach in
1953. This web page will feature the next hull that was built by Henry
Lauterbach in 1958. I believe the Southland Sweepstakes Regatta in St.
Petersburg was her first race. Here she is at Albert Whitted Airport in
downtown St. Petersburg. Ray Gassner made arrangements for the boat to
be stored where he kept his. Bill Ritner always stayed in Florida for several
weeks during the winter, often spending time with Ray.
This photo was taken in January 1959.
Feb 1959
Another shot of the boat at the airport.
Feb 1959
Yours truly checking out the Chevy engine
(3 - 2 barrel carbs).
Feb 1959
The parade from the St. Petersburg Yacht
Club to the race site at Lake Maggorie.
Feb 1959
This photo was taken the Friday before
the races during testing. As I remember, Bobby Rowland (dressed in
a sweater and tie) doned a life jacket and helmet and took the boat for
a very fast test run. When he returned to shore and conferred with
Bill Ritner and Henry Lauterbach, all three had big grins on their face.
Feb 1961
Parked at Lake Maggorie prior to the races.
Feb 1961
Bill Ritner looking over the Chevy engine
in his boat.
Feb 1962
Parked at Lake Maggorie prior to the races.
Feb 1962
Looking over the Walt Stevenson prepared
Chevy engine.
Feb 1962
Chevy engine - note it now has six 2-barrel
carbs.
Hilborn fuel injection will come later
in 1962.
Feb 1962
Skeeter Johnson answering the 5 minute
gun.
Feb 1962
Skeeter and the Wa Wa Too at speed.
These three photos were at Glaucester Point,
VA in 1962. Curtis Estes is the driver.
Bill and Skeeter had many falling outs.
Bill would find another driver and then hire Skeeter back. This went on
until the late 60's. Case in point. When I was at the '62 Orange Bowl,
the race was postponed until Monday due to weather. Skeeter returned to
Maryland on Sunday as he had to be back at work on Monday. Bill was furious.
Mike Thomas had flipped his brand new Lauterbach on Saturday and even though
the boat was rebuilt at Bob Conn's shop he did not qualify for the finals.
Mike drove the Wa Wa Too in that race.
Bill had Don Wilson drive the boat at St.
Pete, but Skeeter was back in the seat by the time the northeastern circuit
began in May.
December 1962
The Orange Bowl Regatta, Miami, Florida
This hull as now been repaired by Henry
Lauterbach after the Wa Wa Too
flipped
at the November 11, 1962 kilo speed trials at Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Note, the engine now has fuel injection.
Photo taken at my parent’s house after
I brought the boat
from Miami to St. Petersburg after the
Orange Bowl Regatta.
New Years 1963.
February 1963
The Southland Sweepstakes Regatta in St.
Petersburg, Florida.
Yours truly getting the boat ready for
Don Wilson to go out and win the Southland
Sweepstakes race.
Later in 1963, Bill Ritner will commission
Henry Lauterbach to build another 266 cubic inch class.
That F class will feature tear-drop sponsons
and other improvements in the design.
For a few races left in 1963, Ritner will
campaign both hulls.
Wa
Wa TOO (1963+)
© 2003
Brent
McLean
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