Here's something that was pretty well known at the time (1987), but may not be so remembered today. I'm talking about the Squire Shop's last hauler, which was used in the team final season in 1986.

Bob Steil decided to retire from the sport and sold the entire team to his crew chief Jim Harvey. While Jim was on route to the first race of the season in Miami (under new OH Boy! Oberto sponsorship), the hauler caught on fire and the hull and trailer luckily escaped serious damage. However, the hauler and all the tools, engines, and other equipment inside were a total loss. And to make matters worse, Jim did not have any of it insured yet!

Here are some pictures of that fire, which nearly ended Jim's ownership career before it had even gotten started.

Hey guys,

I've posted update #53 and made a few changes and additions to the website. I've completely overhauled the photo galleries, mostly stuff from the actual teams racing history. Not only did I categorize everything so it's easier to find stuff, but I added a ton more content covering all eras from The Squire Shop's history.

You will also find pictures of the companies picnics, employees, and retail stores..............in case you want a trip back down memory lane.

As for the racing teams, I've added pictures from the Lincoln Thrift/Squire (1977/1978), the Miss Vernor's/Squire (1978), the Circus/Squire (1982-1983), and the Atlas/Squire (1984-1986). Over 1000 pictures have been added, so revisit the photo galleries and see what you've missed.

The "Honor Roll" is a feature that can be found in the restoration section, and it is our way of showing appreciation for some of the people involved in the 1979-1981 Squire Shop's racing teams past. We have selected 26 people who we wanted to recognize in a very special way, and on that page you will see how we did it.

I will add a diagram of the hull shortly that will show where each person's hull piece was located and installed. Be sure to check it out!

Until next time gang...

Gary

Hey guys,

I'm working on a very special tribute to The Squire Shop 1979-1981 teams racing past, which i will begin in about a week. We will be adding original wood pieces back into the hull in a very unique and special way.

Each piece will signed if possible by former crew members and/or team affiliated personnel and installed throughout the hull to commemorate and pay homage their sacrifices and dedication to the team.

It will be awesome!

Coming soon.......

​Gary

Hey guys, I added a few more latest restoration pictures for you!

I also changed the header photo to reflect the restoration crew volunteers and supporters. As a tribute to the final incarnation of this hull, we took a quick photo opportunity with a piece we salvaged from the Jerry Hopp "Thor Racing" years.

​It almost still fits too!

Hey guys,

Mark your calendars.......September 4th (5:00pm) at the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum.

This is the day the crew and fans all over the country have been anticipating for months..........we are now ready to turn the boat over! Local Seattle media will be on hand for this major milestone, and they will be filming part 3 of a soon to be released special report about the restoration up until this point.

If you want to be on hand for this monumental moment, come on day a see it person yourself. If your unable to stop by.....no worries.........I'll be sure to take video of it and post it here.

Once the hull is turned over, the team will be making rapid progress from this point forward. Systems, fuel tanks, hardware, electrical............you name it, it will be going in soon enough. Brad can finally prove out if the cowlings match up to the deck profile..............and if so, molds will be coming soon.

This is a huge moment for us and the project.......stay tuned!

Gary

It appears as if the team is about 3 weeks away from turning the hull over......a major milestone is on the horizon!

Brad is "plugging" away on the cowlings finishing them up, and most of the aluminum is installed on the underside of the hull now.

Check out the pictures and a few videos showing the progress!

​Until next time...

Take a look at the teams progress from this past Tuesday, not much wood exposed now!

Brad Haskin will be putting on primer to the engine cowling on Saturday, so it should look almost new again once he's done. Of course it takes a lot of fine sanding to get it ready to mold, but were getting close.

Also, the vintage Betamax videos have been transferred over to digital. i just need to edit out the snow and other dead space and then they will be posted online.