1998 | Bed Parker
Parker began racing in 1943 in Troy, OH, winning a wildcat race in a 12' Wagemaker powered by a 22hp Evinrude.
WWII military service put racing on hold but in 1953, Bud returned to racing with the Belle Isle Outboard Club, winning the first marathon he entered in F Utility. In 1954 he began racing D Utility and became Commodore of the Belle Isle Club in 1955.
An engineer, Bud opened his own Outboard machine shop in 1957 where he developed four-pipe open megaphones for wildcat and Stock-Alky racers. This led to the manufacture of stick tower housings, accessories, and the highly successful Parker converging stack system for Mercury racing engines.
He ran D and F Alky in addition to D Stock and Mod Hydro, winning the Canadian Guinness Cup in the late 1960s. He also developed his own Parker Looper Alky engines to compete with the Quincy-Mercs.
At his first major event as a technical inspector, the 1974 Stock Outboard Nationals, Bud worked long hours on an incredible 800-plus entries. With Jim Robb, Sr., he raced Mod Outboard from 1975-85.
At age 65, Bud smoked the D Hydro competition in his last Mod race. He continued to support racers with parts and engines, guidance and support. Bud Parker is a dedicated example of the best of APBA Outboard racing.