John Earnest - My love of unlimiteds began in Junior High when my grandmother gave me the balsa wood Slo-Mo-Shun-IV kit. Start the .049 model with your finger and set it in the water to go in circles. Next came the Miss Thriftway kits painted as various real unlimiteds.
The idea of running boats was put on the back burner for high school, college, and marriage. Then it happened in 1974 my old roommate, Harry Collier and our wives went to Green Lake to see the NAMBA Nationals. In with the sport 60 class was the Slo-M0-Shun IV again. We talked to the owner who said, "I have plans." Wow! Who is the guy--I said to myself. A few week later we were at Roger Newton's house to see Slo-Mo up close and get plans. I was to build Sol-Mo-1951.
I did not have a shop so I cut the boat out with a soldering iron and sanded it to shape. As I was building the hull our daughter was learning to crawl and naturally was all over the boat on the floor. Thoughout the years I have build and raced the following.
1951 Slo-Mo-Shun IV
1956 Miss Wayne
1959 Miss Supertest III
1954 Gale V
1962 Gale V
1981 Miss Budweiser
1962 Gale VII
I also built Gale IV, Budweiser and helped in the building of several more.
Over the last 30 years some of the most memorable times we have had are the friendship that was created as we built and raced and watched our kids grow up. I am most proud of having my boats chosen as Best of Scale 10 times.
My most fun races were in the late 1970's at the pits on Lake Washington with the real boats only a few feet away. Seeing Bill Muncey come over and talk to us as real people was great. Then to have "The" Bill Muncey stand behind me as I was racing Slo-Mo-- what a thrill!! Wham!--I stuck the boat in a buoy and off he walked. Back to real life as I hopped into the pick up boat to retrieve what was left.
In the past few years this hobby has once again put on simmer while I have pursued a new hobby, building and running 1929 Model A-Fords. I was very pleased and honored when Chet Lepinski called to tell me about being inducted into the R/CU Hall of Fame. Thanks for all the wonderful years!
- John Earnest