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THE "NEW" CALYPSO TOO E-1 / E-9 HISTORY
(HULL #C-4)

After the close of the 1970 championship season, Dr. Keith Peterson bought in to the Calypso team as a co-owner.  He and partner John Forbes ordered a brand new 280 hydroplane from legendary builder Ed Karelsen, and gave the Calypso Too (hull #C-3) a viking funeral - burned it during a party in driver Frank Schneider's back yard.  By the beginning of the 1971 season, the "New" Calypso Too (hull #C-4), with it's new red and white paint scheme, was ready to run.  Since the Calypso Too was the 280 National Points Champion the previous year, the "New" Calypso Too gained the "E-1" designation.  The boat had a low profile design with balance and fast turning ability, similar to a cabover, but with the cockpit at the rear behind the engine.  It was the sister boat to the Ed Karelsen Special, which owner Ray Bruce and driver Bruce McDonald had already had much success with the previous year.

(Clicking on any of the pictures* on this page will open a new window with the full size photo)

1971: John Forbes       Co-owner	1971: Frank Schneider       Driver	1971: Keith Peterson       Co-owner

Driver Frank Schneider and the "New" Calypso Too became an instant success.  The E-1 was living up to its number, competing for high points with John Leach in the E-101 Buccaneer.  On Memorial Day weekend at Green Lake in Seattle, Frank broke the 5 mile competition 280 record averaging 79.929 MPH.  The record had been previously held by Pat Berryman in the George Babcock owned E-222 Colonel Bogey (aka, the "Little" Record-7).  However, Frank's record was broken only two weeks later by Al Curtis in the Gladiator.

1971: John Forbes	World Record - 79.292 MPH       May, 30 1971	1971: Keith Peterson

More coming soon...

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