Racing with Mark Echols

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MARK ECHOLS

Mark's involvement with hydro racing started off with building models. Soon he was racing stock outboards, advanced up to modified outboards and professional outboards. He worked his way up to driving in the 5 Litre class where he prefers to run a 305 Chevrolet V8 engine.

Starting in 1988, driving in almost every class of outboards and the inboard 5 Litre class he has become very passionate about the sport. Mark says "I try to keep the whole family involved, and just try to have fun." When he raced a 1100 Runabout his wife was the deck-rider with speeds in the high eighties. "We have handles built on the side of the boat, Mark said, adding "she would have to hang off the side to help us turn the boat to corner with those high speeds." 

As a driver Mark generally make good starts and is a defensive driver while watching out for the other drivers. Too win Mark believes in having good equipment, a good crew you can depend on, to stay focused on your driving, and be a clean driver.

Mark admits he is not a good swimmer, but does wear a flotation vest while racing. In order to race capsule training is required for inboard hydroplane drivers. Mike adds, "Every two years you have to attend the classes. I try to do it every year for the practice." While racing at Lake Samamish Mark's boat flipped over. The right side of his boat fell off and the capsule training came into play. The pace on the race course is fast at speeds over 100 m.p.h., but Mark says "Racing has become a lot safer now because of the capsules and the safety measures we have on our boats. We have the best safety crews right here in Region 10."

When not racing on water Mark like to run dirt bikes. And if he's not at a inboard race you could find him at the outboard races helping his two boys, Tyler and Dustin who both started racing at nine. And although Mark is familiar with the mechanics of his boat, he now leaves the mechanics tasks to Dustin and Tyler. Mark said "When I get out of the boat and try to help out they shoo me out saying 'Go do something'. They know what they are doing."

I try to get other people involved in the sport of boat racing, mainly in the inboards, any way I can help these guys and get the sport to grow."

Mark enjoys the 5 Litre class and plans to stay in that class as long as he can, but would still accept a ride in a Unlimited Light, and than some day a Unlimited would be great. 

Mark says "My story is just like everyone else, I started with dragging little hydroplanes behind by bicycle and it kind of grew from there. I lived right across the pond from Stan Sayers. We could hear the hydros in the summer time and would run our boats at the same time behind our bikes. We used to go around the baseball diamonds because the dust made really cool rooster tails."
Racing with Mark Echols
INSIDE LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENING WITH MARK ECHOLS
Racing with Mark
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