I was told of your web site, and you've sure done an excellant job. Dwight was my hero along with Mac and MA. I have always had respect for his entire family, they were all champions.

Your site brings back a lot of memories for me as most of the guys I had raced with. I do not get out to the races anymore, as I am now 73 years of age. I feel that I was honored to have raced wih Dwight. 

I am not much for making comments, but when I saw this site and knowing the Bales are champions, I had to make a comment 
 

SAM
KURTOVICH
 
 

- Thanks Sam. Ma Bale sends her warmest greetings! -

I was young and went to the races at long beach every chance I got and I sure remember those two crazy brothers. The good and the brave always seem to die before their time. 

I was only 16 in 1970 but some of my fondest memories of watching those brave gladiators drive at over 180 mph in the 1/4 quarter with only a helmut and life jacket sitting in a little bucket seat and only a steering wheel to hold on to. 

I will never foregt those images or those sounds for as long as I live.

Sincerely Jay Kerchelich

I have looked at the Dwight and Mac Bale Memorial web page several times. 

I attended the drag boat races at lake Overhoser in Oklahoma City in 1971. 

Dwight raced there that year. I took several slide pictures at that event, and I have one slide that I want to sent to you. I need your mailing address. 
 

JHG
 
 

- Thanks John. You can see your photo on our links page , and on the front page of the new Drag Boat Memorial Pages.

If you have more photos, we'd like to see them!

Hi,

I was just searching using http://www.google.com , which is great for finding racing info, and was searching for something totally diferent but found your letters page, which let me know, you all used to race drag boats, and at Long Beach Marina eh? 

Wow, I miss those days so much, I am 44 now, and spent many fun filled days with my dad, watching Mr Ed, Panic Mouse and more, whose names now escape me as an adult, Those were some awesome days of racing, and all you drag boaters were, well totally nuts! 

Thanks for giving me and everyone else such a fantastic time, some of my best memories in my life were at Long Beach Marina, and I will always cherish
them. We never met, but I feel like I know you, we share the same passions in life, speed, and excitement, I was lucky enough to go in a flat bottom on the Colorado river once, over 100 and boy, thats an awesome feeling. Back to your website, if you would like to see my drag racing photos, here is my site - 

"Nitro Visionz" www.geocities.com/nitrovisionz/index.htm

Having been involved in drag boats (and I knew your brothers) this
is really cool. If I wasn't already buried with my land drags site
(nitroparts.com) I'd love to do a site on all the old boats (before
they were capsulated). My brother was the main guy at Boat News for
years and he has tons of photos. 
 

Don Ewald

Hi Lawren,

I remember those days very well. My name is Joe Hunter. I am now 45 years old. Myself and two other guys about my age at the time would help with Climax when Mac drove the boat. It tore us up when he died up at Ming.

We lived in Long Beach. We got started helping out kinda by accident. I can't remember just how.I think one of us just grabbed a rag and started wiping the boat down.Nobody seemed to mind,so we launched the boat too.On and off the trailer. 

When Mac had his accident we were devistated. So we looked to Dwight, Bones, and Dago to relieve our useless feeling. Figured we would keep it in the family. I remember a few times helping Dwight pack the boat chute.

Those were some of the best memories of my life. I happened on to your website totally by accident. VERY PLEASENT SURPRISE. I now live in Foothill Ranch (south Orange County) I lost track of my friends Oscar and David however. 

Dwight used to show up at the races on his Harley and we would be there early just waiting for him. 

Larry, Either e-mail me or just call sometime. I do have some pictures of Dwight.I wish I had some pictures of Mac but like you said his time was so short. Hope to here from you soon. 

Later Joe.    949-598-0577

Hello,

This is Doug Steen. My father owned the fuel boat " LICKETY-SPLIT'.  I have 
a bunch of pictures you'd love to see. 

Right know I am building another LICKETY-SPLIT. It is a 81 sanger with an himsle paint job of the split. Clyde parkhurst sent me some pictures a few months back and I loved them all. I live in concord if you would like to get together please let me know. 
 

Doug

Hi

Just a quick note from Greg and Julie Jones (Greg; the son of Sunny Jones) to 
say we love your website.  Greg is racing the old Tasmanian Devil blown fuel 
flatbottom originally raced by Robert Jordan.  Right now we race in 
Pro-Eliminator class, with aspirations of Top Alcohol Flat and to receive the 
Sunny Jones Memorial Trophy by 2003. 

Greg remembers watching Dwight and Mac racing at Oakland, Whiskeytown and 
Long Beach to name a few.  He was a kid at the time; working the lauch ramp 
and even with all the action and commotion going on, they always took the 
time to thank everyone for help.

We see Dago all the time (owner of Down n' Out).  The boat is hanging on the 
wall in his shop, looking the same as the pictures when Dwight drove it.

It is such a pleasure to see that there are people out there that still 
remember and appreciate the founders and followers of DRAG BOAT Racing.  Thank 
you for the wonderful trip down memory lane.

Best Regards,

Greg & Julie Jones
Tasmanian Devil PE #035

Hello, 

My name is Jimbo Tolleson, I am from Wichita Falls, Texas, hometown of Eddie Hill. I am a huge fan of racing of all types, but without a doubt vintage top fuel hydro's take the cake. I want to congratulate you on an awesome web site, which now resides at the top of my AOL favorites list so that it is just a mouse click away. 

I am only 29 years old so I have very few memories of boat racing in the 67'-73'era, but we started following Drag boat racing when Eddie Hill started in the late 70's, I don't know if any of your brothers were around racing then,were they? If so did they ever run at Lake 
Overhaulser in Ok. or Waco on the Brazos River or anywhere else in Texas?

As I am sure you know, it is very hard to find pictures of old hydro's anywhere, so I can't tell you how much your site means to me, I just want to say thanks again.

Lawren,

I hope everything is going good for you. I check your web site every once in 
a while. 

I have recently been going through a box of newspapers and magazines that I had collected and gotten from my brother [Tommy Tucker Fults, Bale's best friend] many years ago. There are a lot of items in this box that are just related to your brothers. A lot of the items I'm sure you already have copies of.  But if you want them, I will be happy to ship them to you. Just let me have an address where you would like them ship and I will get them off to you.

I've noticed that you worked at Temple University. Are you still there. 
How is your Mom doing?  I get a card from her every once in a while.
Please let me know about the boat items.

Do you have any items from the days that Tommy and Dwight were drag racing
the dragster.  I have a few pictures from Drag News and some timing slips from various drag strips but that is about all. I am trying to collect as much as I can.

Thanks,
Jerry Fults
 

Lawren-
My name is John morgan. My father was Archie Morgan brother to Tim Morgan. I was surfing around and I was lucky enough to find the tribute page for youre brothers. It brought back alot of memory's. In fact, I remember my father telling me about your brother drowning in the river. I now have a V-drive, Dago helped me a great deal with completing the boat. It was great to see the old pictures of him. I just wanted to let you
know what a pleasure it was to find your page.

Thank You,
John
 

I would hope that you remember the "Executioner"!!! One of the
pictures you have on the screen shows Garry Gericke. Yes we just now came across this website thanks to our son. Really brings back some memories. We haven't raced in years. But we still get out all the racing pictures to show people. We live here in Utah now and are back to Garry's other talent & love, ranching, team roping, running tractors. John Burrows who drove for us also has been here to visit & elk hunt. He lives in Reno, Nevada. Before we moved up here over 10 yrs. ago we were still in touch with Helga & Jim but have lost touch with them. Do you live in Hemet? Dwight was a very good friend of ours . . . wild & crazy but a good person. Such a sad thing to happen . . . . he did have his final day in the water but who would have ever thought it would be that way. We would love to hear back from you.

Garry & Carol Gericke "Executioner"

So glad you got our message. Please let Ma Bale know that you heard from us. I know she'll be glad you did. And for sure let Helga & Jim (Noteboom) know. Yes, do add our e-mail to your list. We would really like to hear from some of the old bunch like Dago, and maybe if they have a computer they will get in touch . . . never know!!! The picture of Garry is in Set 1, the picture to the left with Dwight & Mac . . . red & white hydro, the little boy in back ground is our son Roy who is now 34!! Time flies! And yes we do have pictures of Dwight in our boat and we'll have to get them out & see what we can do about getting them to you. Our scanner isn't working right now, but maybe we can get copies made & send them to you. Just let us know. If so we will need your address. It is really fun to be in touch with you and be sure & say hi to Ma.

Write soon . . . Garry & Carol
 

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your memorial to your brothers, Bale and Mac. I to was lucky enough to witness your brothers 198 mph pass at the "Beach" ...what an accomplishment!!! Though I only met your brother several times he was kind enough to have remembered my name. He knew I was a fan and made me feel special by taking the time to talk to me and answer my questions even though he was preparing for his next run. I followed Drag Boat Racing for many years and the "Down & Out" was my favorite boat. Even after Dago ran the boat with with Dave Harris as the driver and the hull was changed to a Hondo it was still my favorite but never did it capture my heart and got my heart pumping  with pure adrenaline as it did when your brother was piloting the boat. It was and will be forever in my mind the greatest Top Fuel Hydro Racing Legend of all time.

The name "Down & Out" has meant so much to me and over the years I have kept pictures of this racing legend. Unfortunately copies of the same pictures you have. "Sanger" Jack Davidson in Fresno California may have more pictures of both your brothers. Also check with Clyde or (clive) Parkhurst the Photographer, if he still around, for action shots of the Down & Out. Over the last 30 years I have had my share of hot boats but nothing like the real thing your brothers drove. But some real butt buster 135 mph rides and I can tell you your brother Bale was one hell of a shoe. He and Dago had forgotten more about racing in their racing career than their competition knew.

Your tribute was touching and I had tears in my eyes while reading it. Everybody that now loves Drag Boat Racing owes their opportunity to have the sport available to watch to men and pioneers as your brothers and their crew like Dago and Luke.

The classic V-Drive Boat club of America would be proud to have your web site as a link reference as well as would AZDON'S ULTIMATE V_DRIVE PAGE. I'll get the web locations for you and send them to you later. Also I have already E-Mailed all my boat buddies and asked them to check through their closets for more pictures of both your brothers.

Well thanks for a great tribute and making it available for all of us to remember. I only hope that when I pass on my brothers will have just 1/2 of the love and respect for me that you have for your brothers. If they do I will consider my self a success as a man.

Richard Bustamante

As a kid, my dad raced BGH, & I was in Oakland, Perris, Long Beach, Modesto, Bakersfield...  all the time. 

Dwight was easily my favorite drag boat racer.  I can remember Conquest, Climax, Crisis, Lik-a-d-split, alot of them! 

Your web site was VERY special, I'm guessing it must have been fun to do, but yet painful too. 

My dad, Bill Kuhn, raced a laydown style Hondo hydro called Mach 1.  Those were special times that your site brought back. 

As we speak, I have a couple pictures of Dwight in the old shoe box.  We are to sure to have some old super 8 movies of him as well.  Mac was an excellent driver who enjoyed factory sponsorship as I recall.  When both of them were driving, it was a thrill for everyone. 

They were both fast & fun to be around.  I also remember seeing Jim Davis running his dragster.  I guess that dates me too! 

Your brother's picture was in Hot Rod magazine when he broke the record at 181 mph.  My dad put that picture up on the inside of our garage door, & I was fascinated by it. I can remember looking at it for years! 

How is Ron Tork (or is it Tort), I was only about 8-10 yrs. old at the time! And Campinolli, is he still around?  Did they ever get back into racing later, or was their heart just not in it again? 

I just wanted to thank you for the beautiful web site, & all the great pictures.  I was thrilled to see them.  Please write back, my father is going to be quite surprised at this. 

I don't see many boat drags anymore, but I do go to Sears Point for the NHRA boys every year. 

Again, thanks for the great stuff.  Maybe we should trade some photos some time.  We could certainly trade some stories...

Bill Kuhn

It was to my great pleasure to find a Web page dedicated to what I would call my "heroes" during my youth.  I was a small child when Mac died and I still remember his crash in Climax.  I even have the Race Boat and Industry News mag announcing it.  It was a single at Ming when I believe he lost the shaft. Dwight, however was my man and I still have a poster of me and Dwight taken at Long Beach when he was driving the Out of Sight.  Knowing he was my hero, my Dad made me go up to him and shake his hand where Dwight had a huge smile on his face.  I think its Macormick in the background.  It was a great experience, even though he lost to Schwaby in the final.  I'm guessing it was about 72 or 71. 

How is Ma Bale?  I remember her at many events 

Quickshake@aol.com 
Vince Saldivar

Subject: Long Beach drag boat racing 

Hey Bale I used to go to Long Beach Marine stadium with my dad in the late sixties through the mid 70's to watch drag boat racing.  I remember the boat Down and Out also the top fuel hydro Out a Sight, Climax and so on.  My question is this what ever happened to Sanger boats and Larry Schwaberland?

Subject: My HERO 

When i was about 9 years old I remember going to Oakland to watch my dad race. Those were the best days of my childhood. I was one of Dwight's biggest fans. My dad was in a class that was turning about 75 mph and when the big boys would put their boats in the water it was something to see. I'll never forget your brother and some of the runs he made nor him standing there with 2 girls with him. I had a hard time with his death and sure was sorry to hear about it. I kept the news paper clipping for a long time. Now I'm helping a friend put together a alky hydro and should be done real soon. I'm really happy to tell you Dwight "HEY" Bale was my HERO.

Randy.

Subject: HELLO 

As a long time drag boat nut, i remember seeing your brothers many times at Perris, Lake Ming and at Marine Stadium. I have over the years kept up with the drag boat scene. I currently have a 70 Hallett flat with a Gene Adams 392, blown and injected. We have recently moved to Redding Ca. and are able to take in the drags at Red Bluff each year (they are canceled this year). In my garage I have a neat poster of one of your brothers coming full blast at me in an old Sanger with a blown 392. 
John Stegman took the pics. 

Thanks again for the great pics and remembering the good old days!! 

Mike Kurth

Subject: Home page 

Very nice home page and a wonderful tribute to your late brother. I did not know him but have been racing drag boats since 1975 and have heard the name before.  Keep up the great work. 

SObrien012.aol.com 
Sneaky Racing 
#012

I just stumbled across your page and what a surprise. I knew Dwight well in that he was driving Howard Brown's Top Fueler "Out-A-Sight." At the same time I was driving/campaigning a Blown Gas Flatbottom Howard which was sponsored by Dr Pepper (we later stepped up to Blown Fuel Flat). My association with Howard Brown lead to me knowing and liking Dwight. 

I'll never forget one time, (Long Beach I think) when my son Greg, age 10 or 11 at the time, cautiously approached Dwight ('cause you remember, Dwight looked a bit intimidating in those days!) for an autograph. But instead of retrieving a pen to sign with, Dwight reached in his bag and pulled out a big rubber snake!!! And casually tossed it over to Greg. He about died! But then Dwight grabbed him up and started horsing around with him and from that day on, treated Greg like his most personal, favorite fan whenever we saw him. Greg, who's now 30, and I will never forget that little insight to a great guy and a great racer! 

I went on to race BFF with Jim Cole's help and equipment, racing with the likes of Al Bush, Tom Black, Ray Capaldi and many more. I closed my racing career after winning both the NDBA and SDBA Championships in 1978. 

The reason, unfortunately, that I stumbled onto your page is I just learned about Tom Black's fate and was searching 'drag boat racing' on the Net. 

Drag boat racing in the blown fuel & alcohol classes is still, despite the capsules, a very dangerous sport. I've lost far too many friends in and around it. Dwight was certainly one of them!

Regards, 

Rik Kent 
'Dr Pepper' & 'Sunday Funnies' BFF's 
Dallas, TX

   Your boat drag page is great! that old picture of Dago was a hoot, I remembered him from the old D&O days when I was a kid, I was a freshman when Bale died, we also grew up with the constant warnings (not to play around the cannel) and figured like your brother, you can't get hurt in the creek. Sooner or later we were going to do it, It really brought us back to reality when it happened, no one said anything, we just quit talking about doing it. We didn't really know him but it felt like we did when it was in the news, those guys were our heroes, they were doing everything we wanted to do. We followed everything they did, which wasn't easy because I'm sure you remember back then dragboats didn't get alot of news coverage, and none of our parents were into racing so having local guys on the cutting edge of the sport didn't means squat to them, there was no chance of actually going to a race, we just picked up new here and there, we all kinda switched to racing cars because everyone had one and not actually knowing anyone in person that raced boats it seemed a little out of our league.
   I got back into it around 1989 when a friend bought a shovel nosed hydro (gas no blower) and got back out in 1990 when he sold it to buy a house. Then about 3 years ago I got a chance to put for a guy with a blown alc. hydro he was building a new boat from the ground up, his first boat in this class, (You're Next TAH #247). I couldn't believe my eyes when his "technical advisor" walked up . . . it was Dago. I never thought I would meet this guy let alone work with him on a boat. I pitted for about a year and had to quit. It seemed like he (Dago) didn't want to talk too much about the old days, so I didn't push it. But it was pretty cool to meet someone that was bigger than life when I was growing up, and to find out
that they were a nice guy in real life. Anyway, I'll quit rambling now, thanks again for the nostalgic web site. 

Kevin Jones 

Hi . . . . Visitor #59 here

I though you must, sometime, get curious as to how your visitors come across your Web Page. Well, I have to admit that I stumbled through one of the back doors while looking through the Drag Boat Sites. I was absolutely floored when I saw the Bale Memorial.

Though I never met Dwight or Mac or even saw them race, I've heard stories about him gazing at Down 'n Out up in the rafters at Marine Engineering and even shared some tears over his memory. All of this because of my oldest and dearest friends Dago Campagnoli.

Your brother meant so much to Dago and I know he has though about him and missed him a lot over the years. I'm sure he has been thinking about him a lot more recently, due to the death of another close and dear friend of his last month, Tom Black.

Anyway, I didn't mean to go on for so long. I just wanted to thank you for the Bale Memorial Pages.

Sincerely, 
Caren Tambert

I don't even where to begin, first of all, I was 10 years old when I saw my first pass by your brother, his was my idle! I wanted to know everything about him. this website is so awesome! I remember Lickety Split, Sputnik, U.S. Conquest, Nitro Fever (an unblown fuel hydro)! I used to go to oakland marine stadium and remember pictures of "Ma"! 

Well maybe you can reply to one of Bale's biggest fans, always wondered what he would have done if he was still with us! He was AWESOME! anything I could read or see on your brothers is such a huge treat for me! I know there are other people that feel the same. Now i am 36, but the memories of that 198 mph pass I seen at Oakland at the 1972 APBA Nationals will stay with me forever!!!  take care

Curt