the Y-41, K.T.Special by name
Imp-powered 1 litre modified hydroplane, 13' 7" long
the Y-41, K.T.Special by name Imp-powered 1 litre modified hydroplane, 13' 7" long |
Westland Michigan, USA
The season of 2001 was his last. Terry Collins retired from the sport of inboard hydroplane racing in the U.S. The 901 Imp (Y-41) had a legendary run and a very respectful array of speed records and various championships in the 1 litre modified class (APBA).
He has a garage full of Imp (875/901) stuff, from complete engines to Hartwell heads, cams etc. That will soon be for sale. [18 Jan. '03 - timy41@aol.com]
All of the photos are of the same boat. It appears different from photo to photo, as the years went by. Cockpit rules were added and there were various repairs and updates.
| Mr. Bill Wanderer, 'Mr. Bill', was a legendary figure in the boat racing world, he built slide valve fuel injection for the Imp as well as other engines. Mr. Wanderer passed away in the spring of 2002. He lived to be almost 100. |
The inboard division of American Powerboat Association (APBA) runs classes of hydroplanes from one litre engines up to the Grand Prix class, which uses a 500+ cu.in.(close to 8 litre) supercharged engine. The boats obviously get larger as the engine size increases.
The Y class originally used a 48 cu. in. Crosley engine. As time went on, these engines became scarce and the class was growing to a larger boat, so the engine size was increased to 850cc. The Imp engine was discovered and the rules were expanded to 901cc.
 Click on the photo for a closer look |
The Imp was run in modified form using methanol for fuel. The most powerful Imps often ran dual Weber 40mm or fuel injection.
"By the mid 70s and for the next 15 or so years, the Imp dominated the class. In the 80s the size was expanded again and the 'rice burners' began to out do the Imp. (The Toyota 1200cc and a hybrid Mazda in particular). In the 70s and 80s there were close to 100 hydros throughout the U.S. in the class using the Imp.
"In 2001, (my retirement year) we were the last one left. The class now is being dominated by 2 cycle PWC engines that can produce close to 200 hp. Obviously the Imp can't get close to that.
"However, we still can boast that the Imp is the only engine in the inboard division that accomplished 2 MPH per cubic inch ! The straightaway (Kilo) record, of 106 MPH was held by an Imp powered boat until 2002 !
"I had some luck on my side and won our final race of the 2001 season, possibly the last win ever for an Imp in the sport.
"I am helping a friend engineer a 998 (the rules have changed again) Imp for next season. Actually the modified version of the class can now use up to 1315cc, (4 cycle) or 1150, for 2 cycle."
 Y-41 in a tight battle with the 'South Paw' Y-1. This boat was owned by Dick Delsener. His were probably the most powerful Imps ever built.  This race was particularlarly gratifying as we were the winner of that race and the Y-17 was the defending National Champion. |
I'm currently working on a video, with several different racing events. [29 Jan 2003]
The unofficial results from the MACH series, October 2000
Class = 1.5 litre, 18 teams:
Bt# Boat Name Owner Points ====== ==================== ================= ====== 1 T&Y155 TAZ'S TOY RICK FALCINELLI 735 2 Y43 BAD INFLUENCE ROBERT THORNE 720 3 Y41 K.T. SPECIAL TERRY COLLINS 700 4 Y37 SONIC SPEED WILLIAM McCOWEN 700 5 Y1 MISS ZANDY ALICIA CHEEZUM 675 6 Y17 TOP TICKET SCOTT BUTLER 673 7 Y107 HYDRO FREAK RICH NEWMAN 595 8 Y54 PINK PANTHER II VALERIE LIDDYCOAT 455 9 T80 OUTLAW ROBERT WILSON 400 10 T23 DIXON RACING JAMES DIXON 365 11 Y141 LIL DEBT CAL PHIPPS 350 12 T1 HOSTILE TAKEOVER KEN McMULLEN 190 13 T25 KENNEDY RACING GEORGE KENNEDY JR 185 14 T74 TOADWART SCOTT MANN 160 15 Y26 CHEEZUM RACING CHEEZUM 135 16 Y55 JENNeration Xtreme RICK FALCINELLI 110 17 Y93 STORM WARNING JACK FISCHL 110 18 T14 HIJACKER ROBIN SHANE 110
gold-cup.com/quake/result01.htm
angelfire.com/yt/onelitre/AMarch2001.html
angelfire.com/yt/onelitre/AAugust.html
angelfire.com/yt/onelitre/ASept.html
angelfire.com/yt/onelitre/AOct2000.html
angelfire.com/yt/onelitre/AAugust2001.html
angelfire.com/yt/onelitre/AOct2001.html
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