Eastern Outboard Racing Club of Long Island

EORC HISTORY

Jason Pickerell (Front) And Howie Pickerell Battling it Out of The Turn

The Eastern Outboard Racing Club of Long Island was incorporated in 1949 in the town of Riverhead, Long Island, New York.

Most of the drivers competing started out in what was called "utility" boats, powered by various forms of Evinrude and Johnson outboard motors. Some time later the inexpensive "soap box" racer appeared.

These were small flat bottom square chine craft powered by 9.9hp Evinrude motors. During the summer months, the club put on as many as 12 races in one season. There were no permits required, no Coast Guard permission and no insurance. The problem of pleasure boats, jet ski's and noise pollution was unheard of at that time. Forty or more boats with as many drivers would show up for a race and this was on Long Island salt water! What fun it must have been in those days.

Things have changed drastically over the years. With increasing cost and politics playing into the racing scene. Many clubs have come & gone in the last decade but the little Riverhead racing club found a way to survive.