Bill Muncey Story Part 9 - The Sale 1976

With the help and support of Atlas Van Lines chairman O.H. Frisbie, Muncey makes the surprise move by buying the entire Pay'n Pak race team from Dave Heerensperger. For 1976, the "winged wonder" '73 Pak, which Muncey tried to beat for three years, now carried the Atlas paint scheme. Muncey loved driving the boat and won 5 races in 1976 and the National Championship. But for 1977, the U-1 designation did not go on the "winged wonder" Atlas, but on crew chief Jim Lucero's new cabover hull that was part of the Heerensperger deal.
The Bill Muncey Story not only documents his legendary racing career from the early 1950's to his tragic death in 1981. But also includes some of the best historic racing footage ever seen. You'll follow Muncey from his early years in Detroit, then the move to Seattle in 1955 to drive the Miss Thriftway. His success through the '50's and into the early '60's driving the Thriftway hulls made him the sports new super-star. The mid-sixties, found Muncey driving several slower boats getting the most out of them. But by the early '70's he was back on top driving the famous Atlas Van Lines boats. Muncey also became the sports premier spokes-person appearing in interviews and broadcasting. In 1976 Muncey became an owner buying the entire Pay'n Pak team which included an unfinished cabover hull. After a successful '76 season in the proven "winged wonder," Muncey gambled on crew chief Jim Lucero's new space-age hull and simply dominated the sport for the rest of the decade. But as the 1980's unfolded, Muncey found himself the underdog having to count on his depth of experience and determination to keep pace with the new powerful Miss Budweiser. Although the story of Bill Muncey ends tragically in Mexico in 1981, his legacy has continued to this day. Bill Muncey continues to be the most famous name in unlimited hydroplane racing and his three decades of accomplishments are unequaled.
Back in 2001, when it was decided to produce a documentary film about the life and racing career of the greatest driver of all time, Museum Director David Williams, video producer Don Mock, and the Museum Board of Directors realized that the eyewitnesses to his life story were fast approaching their golden years. There was no time to waste in gathering first hand testimony. So they cast a wide net and got right to work, spending many hours collecting interviews from every corner of Bill’s colorful life. And what stories they heard! Today, as this film is re-released, many of the legends who are interviewed here are gone, making their words and memories all the more poignant.

[@joeljohnson3515]

I can’t thank you enough for putting this out here. I’m originally from Evansville and my first exposure to the sport was through Bill and Mr, Frisbee here in Evansville.

[@rickwalters8219]

Seat of your pants😊

[@joeljohnson3515]

Man I timed that refresh alright!

[@timothymattson3680]

I stack my tools next to the restored hull in Pay n Pak colors at the Hydro Museum. As a young hydro fan , that hull looked like it was connected to an invisible chairlift as the boat didn’t seem to move as much as boats around it. Not as fast but 2/3rds of most laps are in the turn , where this boat could run faster than others. Exit turn faster and you reach top speed faster too . At 28’ , the shorter hull makes it act wider. Makes it feel stable like a car with wider tires. Wing was NOT adjusted at races but could be setup for each course. Some mental games played on this topic. Can lead your opponent into wasted efforts while you keep a poker face. I think Lucero cooled off when he got to build the turbine Pak to outpace Munceys next hull , the Blu Blaster.