Homer I (1953-1955) N-66 Class 225 Driver: Fred Benzinger, Sr. The man leaning on boat is Ed Barthel who grew up with my dad. They raced gas powered model cars until one day in Cincinnati, Ohio there was a boat race at the same place they had a car race. They sold their cars and bought this boat. Engine is Flat Head Ford. I don't know what happened to this boat when they built Homer II. Dayton, Ohio - 1955.

Homer II - (1956-1961) N-66, N-76 Class 225
Driver - Fred Benzinger, Sr.
Here is a photo of him in Homer II N-66 taken in 1959, I think. This was a home designed and built hydro. My dad was seriously hurt in an accident at New Richmond, Ohio in 1957. He didn't race in 1958. In 1959, the drivers were Dick Grenier, Gene Whipp drove one race in Michigan, Mike Wiener drove starting at Melbourne, Kentucky.  Engine was a Flat Head Ford. When APBA stopped issuing the same numbers to the Eastern Division and the Western Division, my dad lost the number N-66 and changed the number to N-76 for a year.
 

Homer III - (1962-1963) N-12 Class 225
Drivers: Mike Wiener, Larry Stober.
Homer Racing Team was formed of Fred Benzinger, Sr., Mike Wiener, Larry Stober, Ivo Horney and Ray Martina. 
Homer III is really Homer II with modifications. One being the advent of the Ford 221 cu. in. V8 that replaced the Flat Head Ford. Also a new paint job and tail piece were added. The plan was to build a new boat at the end of the 1963 season and run both boats in 1964. Sadly, soon after this picture was taken in 1963 at Huntington, West Virginia the flywheel broke off and went through the fuel line causing the boat to burn to the water line. 
Photo by Phil Kunz.
 
 

Cobra N-12 (1964-1969)  Class 225
Drivers: Mike Wiener, Larry Stober, Ron "Butch" Martin, Fred Benzinger, Sr.
This boat was built off of the plans that were used to build H-54 Moonshine Baby. They started right after New Years 1964 and completed the boat in the pits at Chicago, Illinois (Navy Pier) over Memorial Day. Engine was Ford 221 Cu. In. V8. This is the boat that my dad qualified for the 100 MPH club in 1967 at 112.695 MPH. Cobra continued to be raced by Butch Martin and Bud Keane. Larry Stober qualified for the 100MPH club in 1966 and Ron Martin qualified for the 100 MPH club in 1967. I don't know what happened to the boat. I think parts were used for other boats in the area. 
My dad retired from active participation in racing in 1969. I started driving in 1977.
 

The origin of the boat's name "Homer" is interesting. I was only 3 when my dad and Ed Barthel started racing hydroplanes, but I remember my dad telling me when I was older that they were discussing names for the boat with some fellow racers while enjoying some adult beverages and someone came up with the name "Homer". Since I was a kid, going to races with my Mom, Dad and my sister, I always had the desire to drive a race boat. I had the opportunity to drive a couple of times in testing my dad's boat, and finally got to race one in 1975. My dad passed away in 1993, but he was always there for me while I was racing, by helping with the engines and repairing the boats. He was always giving me instructions on how to drive during the race: 
"Don't slow down so much in the turns", 
"Set it for the turns and then stand on the throttle." 
"Nail the starts and don't back off". 
We had many discussions about boats and shared stories about racing in the 50s and 60s. 
He would have really enjoyed the vintage boats.

© 2004 Fred Benzinger, Jr.

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