Image Of The Week: Leaning Into It, Fountain Style

Thanks to the likes of Pete Boden and Jeff Helmkamp, I look at hundreds of photos every month. Last weekend alone, I sorted through more than 100 images from Big Thunder Marine’s Baja, Fountain and Donzi Fun Run and the Performance Boat Center Outboard Fun Run—both at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri—as well as the Old School Raceboat Reunion out of Miller Marina on Michigan’s Lake St. Clair.

If anyone enjoyed last Friday’s Big Thunder BFD Fun Run more than Steve and John Rihacek, it sure wasn’t obvious from the images captured by Jeff Helmkamp. Photo copyright Helmkamp Photos.

There were dozens of great pics from last weekend, but one instantly stood out and made me grin. And you’re looking at it courtesy of Helmkamp, who shot both BFD and Outboard-exclusive happenings for speedonthewater.com.

Why? Because the image above captures the pure joy and freedom of speed on the water. Joined by his brother, John, Steve Rihacek hauled the 1995 model-year Fountain 27 Fever sportboat from Illinois to the fifth annual event celebrating the Baja, Donzi and Fountain brands.

According to Chad Franzen at Big Thunder Marine, the Rihacek brothers plan to run the 27-footer powered by a “built up” 502-cubic-inch engine at the upcoming Lake of the Ozarks Shootout next month.

I can’t wait to see the photos.