Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

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Originally Posted by 2us70

Damn Jackie. They have hit you guys again.

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As you said Benny Boy has a mountain to climb.
Nothings impossible, remember he was part of the team that came back from the dead at eight one down ------and finished up winning 9---8.
He is a great "team" player DONTCHA know?

News just in of another Muslim jihada terrorist attack on London Bridge-------six dead and thirty injured by a gang of five carrying knives and chanting "For the love of God" ------Blue thunder team nailed three of the evil bastards, wouldn't give a cat in hells chase for the other two.
Five will get you ten Trump gets his ban all muslims bill through !

Craig and Kate had a disappointing ride yesterday--------boat just isn't right yet. He needs Mark to fix it, he's still the best in the business, but Craig will want to do it his way as kids do.
Need to get their act together before the next race-------not sure whether they made the podium.

OOut to lunch with a couple of very good friends of mine, Nigel and Pauline -------cant believe we haven't seen them for over a year ----bloody time flies when your having fun and growing old, that damned time thief is hard to keep up with these days.

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

As you said Benny Boy has a mountain to climb.
Nothings impossible, remember he was part of the team that came back from the dead at eight one down ------and finished up winning 9---8.
He is a great "team" player DONTCHA know?

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he joined someone elses team ( not saying he didnt contribute)and they just out spent the Kiwi's with continued boat development to catch up once they had the one day lay day.
Big difference now is he has had to create and run a team from scratch, first few races it was all about him, seems to have sorted that out as the in-boat chatter gets published for all to hear, so seems he got the message.
Saying that he competed and won the lead up series in the smaller boats so everyone very surprised they didnt sail as a team for the first few races.

PS all his sailing medals are single handers and known for his temper tantrums.
We have a saying in sailing now, "Doing a Ben" known worldwide
Just before the last olympics he got out of his boat ( on TV) and climbed onto the press boat to thump someone ( he didnt) as he didnt like the interference. ( he won the race)
In sailing you get a rule 69 ruling, no competition for 1 year worldwide. You get it for bringing sailing into disrepute etc, because he is sailings darling he got away with it as it would have ruled him out sailing in the olympics. The sailing community worldwide cried foul.
Anyone else would have been in the sin bin, so you can see why not everyone thinks he is Peter Perfect
The AC is a head game so expect the others will try to play on this

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Originally Posted by powerabout

he joined someone elses team ( not saying he didnt contribute)and they just out spent the Kiwi's with continued boat development to catch up once they had the one day lay day.
Big difference now is he has had to create and run a team from scratch, first few races it was all about him, seems to have sorted that out as the in-boat chatter gets published for all to hear, so seems he got the message.
Saying that he competed and won the lead up series in the smaller boats so everyone very surprised they didnt sail as a team for the first few races.

PS all his sailing medals are single handers and known for his temper tantrums.
We have a saying in sailing now, "Doing a Ben" known worldwide
Just before the last olympics he got out of his boat ( on TV) and climbed onto the press boat to thump someone ( he didnt) as he didnt like the interference. ( he won the race)
In sailing you get a rule 69 ruling, no competition for 1 year worldwide. You get it for bringing sailing into disrepute etc, because he is sailings darling he got away with it as it would have ruled him out sailing in the olympics. The sailing community worldwide cried foul.
Anyone else would have been in the sin bin, so you can see why not everyone thinks he is Peter Perfect
The AC is a head game so expect the others will try to play on this

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Trouble is, just like every sport in the world, to make an omelette you have to break eggs. Mr. Nice Guy never won anything.
Tradition has it that the brits will never win the AC--------we have to admire Benny Boy for even trying, to just raise the ninety mill is a miracle on its own.
Top end sailing is for the very rich and always has been--------sailing cannot always be the domain of Eton, Harrow, and Oxbridge.
Brits do like to get behind the underdog----if you are not born with a silver spoon then Joe Public will love you all the more1.
I know nothing of sailing protocol `---------me myself have had issues with fellow drivers and chased them out of the pits, just because i disagree with someone does not make me a bad person or mean i should be banned for a year just because i threw a wobbly.
Looks like its what i always feared------sailing is for the chosen few! The wealthier you are the redder the carpet. Upstarts are not allowed to actually win----------put on a good show by all means------but you are not supposed to actually win if your not one of US.
Wonder what would happen if you actually took a piss over the side and were photographed doing it------would that constitute "bringing the sport into disrepute".
Often wondered why i never took up sailing--------thanks for clarifying it---------i believe the colonials call it "born on the wrong side of the tracks" Pilgrim.

All true Jackie, but the money talking only happens at the very top, the AC ( thats a billionaires proxy fight and always was, whoever wins makes the rules) and Olympics but thats as corrupt as Soccer
You can be a national champ coming from the wrong side of the street and plenty have. Next level is going to require some backing

Bens the first Brit that has got adequate funding and can dance toe to toe with the best and all know it.
Yanks and Kiwi's just had a head start in the technology

Yes if you took a piss in front of the grandstand in Bermuda and it was on TV you might be in trouble.

Yup, I'll go along with that--------but compared to F1 it's clean as a whistle.
I refused to look at the results even after the race is over-------I don't know if it's always been bent, but it certainly is now and has been for years.
When the Americans bought into it with the billions ------competition went out the window, The whole sport is rigged from start to finish. Won't be long before the whole pack of cards come tumbling down.
Soccer, football, cycling, athletics swimming------seems like everybody and everything is drugged up to the eyeballs! Is there ANY sport that is clean anymore?
Suspect I may be turning into a bitter and twisted old curmudgeon ( just ask Willabee, he'll confirm it)
Most will not agree with me------I don't blame them------but believe me, the rule makers and string pullers are the money men today.
£100,000,000 for a crack at the AC-------any half decent soccer player costs that today--------then there's the £20,000,000 annual wage bill plus the £ 25,000,000 sponsorship endorsements-------so Ben Ainslie came cheap didn't he?
Sorry 'bout all this Pilgrim--------and I didn't even get out of the wrong side of the bed today, tomorrow don't look much better either.

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

..... Suspect I may be turning into a bitter and twisted old curmudgeon ( just ask Willabee, he'll confirm it)

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Be happy to oblige .....

Hey Folks, just confirming that Jackie turned 'OLD' about two decades ago. I can also confirm that his ability for "CURMUDGEONNESS' had been demonstrated long before that!

(Hope that suffices Jackie. If you need anything else, just let me know.) :D

Thank you William------I can always rely on you for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I kinda mouthed off about something I know very little about------put myself out on a limb and then tried to bluff it out and failed miserably!
Colonials call it "crow", it's known as "Humble pie" back here in the U.K.
Then along came JONES------sweet talking "WILLABEE JONES" and poured high octane inflammatory soothing linament which simply compounds the problem, DONTCHA just love it when one of your old friends steps in and pisses avgas on your problem!
Must have been SOMETHING about "WILLABEE" I liked once upon a whatever---------damned if I can remember what, where or when it was.

Notwithstanding all that crap we chuck at each other Bill-------was nice to hear from you again. Can't make the old farts November meet in Tavares as her majesty is insisting I go with her on a slow boat round the Caribbean Islands for two weeks early in November.
Did try to tell her Lake Dora is part of the islands------she wasn't listening
Another point of interest here-------- I have had my car insurance invalidated, since the X-ray shows I have a fractured elbow . It's just something that I've had for 45 years, but they only just noticed it.
I go down for another X-ray later this week and I'll insist they look at both elbows to show they have it all wrong.
Anyone else out there got "THE MOLINARI ELBOW SYNDROME"?

Just when a bet on Ben was starting to look good his landrover broke.
2 down now, ( its first to 5) well if anyone knows how to fight back its him.
Boat has speed today so he's in the game
Where's that McLaren engineering when you need it ( Martin Whitmarsh is the CEO and Adrian Newey is consulting)

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Originally Posted by powerabout

Just when a bet on Ben was starting to look good his landrover broke.
2 down now, ( its first to 5) well if anyone knows how to fight back its him.
Boat has speed today so he's in the game
Where's that McLaren engineering when you need it ( Martin Whitmarsh is the CEO and Adrian Newey is consulting)

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yup two of the brightest lights ever to grace F1: All they have to do is gel it all together and they could be in with a shout--------they will have to put on a show or the ninety mill will be all they'll get!
Americas Cup Alley is littered with millionaires who tried and failed--------Sopwith, Lipton, De Savory and dozens more over a 160 year period.

Blowing a hooley this morning-------black as newgates knocker with heavy rain. " so much for the long dry spells and threatened drought and "Flaming June"
Don't have a single concept on the go at the minute.
Do have a shed load of tools and equipment up for grabs-------.downsizing to what's appropriate for an octogenarian "curmudgeon". Tried sunbathing in my posh sun lounger last-week, ------managed a couple of hours before I got bored and sunburnt-------
Did pull a fresh plank of hardwood off the pile------just in case I get the urge! Damn things are 8' long and 30" wide-------two and a half inches thick and weigh some 120 lbs, could be the reason I've got a raging backache. Really must learn to delegate heavy jobs to those that are capable.
Lizzie stayed over last night, she was fine until 4am, then decided it was time for everyone to get up, it's now 7am and I'm knackered already!

Windy today, in fact so windy they might call off racing but BAR were out having a test run
Here's our morning sail reaching 47.5 knots / 54 mph / 87 km/h! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f919.png

In South Florida we are finally getting our 40 days and 40 nights of rain. Unusually dark & overcast all day long. So dark, the security lights go on when I walk underneath them. Weird for Florida. But very welcome, since we are in a severe drought here.

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Originally Posted by FUJIMO

In South Florida we are finally getting our 40 days and 40 nights of rain. Unusually dark & overcast all day long. So dark, the security lights go on when I walk underneath them. Weird for Florida. But very welcome, since we are in a severe drought here.

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Old Mother Nature has this nasty habit of balancing the scales --------some days you eat bear!

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Originally Posted by powerabout

Windy today, in fact so windy they might call off racing but BAR were out having a test run
Here's our morning sail reaching 47.5 knots / 54 mph / 87 km/h! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f919.png

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Ben got a get of jail card today as the Kiwis binned it on the start
He will have the upper hand tomorrow if that causes the Kiwi's to be a bit timid....
First race he did very well but the kiwi boat was still a touch faster

Good job your keeping me informed Pilgrim---------I live twenty five minutes from Portsmouth ( BAR/s home base) and there's very little TV coverage of the Americas Cup!
As in all sport it's always the unexpected that can change a result ------hard luck for the New Zealand team but manna from heaven for BAR.
Im sure you heard the expression "NEVER LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH"
Many a race has been won and lost due to "MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES".

Did they cancel today's racing Pilgrim?
I have seen footage of the Kiwis stuffing the nose in--------looks to me like Ben had the jump on them at the start, then New Zealand got a tad over excited.
Those boats must be pretty strong to withstand an impact like that and come out fighting a day later.

Finally got permission to drive again-------- doctor took a lot of convincing about the Molinari elbows. its only when your not allowed to drive that you realise just how necessary it is in this day and age. Her indoors refuses to let me have a push bike, let alone a motor bike-------last thing that should be let loose on the streets is a mad 85 year old!
Fuji tells me there's a lot of rain juice or God piss as it's known in Outer Mongolia come down in Florida this last week. Welcome to the proper world, that's what I told my son and grandkids------told 'em it can't be sunshine and lollipops all the time-------nine out of ten's not a bad average.
Been over a week since i set foot in the workshop-------one day, I'll learn that I'm not supposed to do things I used to do when I was 84.
Last time I did the car boot sale I picked up a box full of plastic that bears a close resemblance to a 1928 blown Racing Bentley-------see how it goes together before I replicate the thing in wood, tin and leather. I'm not gainfully employed at the moment, so I do have time to stop and smell the roses.
Been flat on my back for over a week now-------- feeling very sorry for myself!
Elbows, shoulders back etc. All self inflicted I'm afraid.

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

Did they cancel today's racing Pilgrim?
I have seen footage of the Kiwis stuffing the nose in--------looks to me like Ben had the jump on them at the start, then New Zealand got a tad over excited.
Those boats must be pretty strong to withstand an impact like that and come out fighting a day later.

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Yep too much wind which is a number they have all agreed
Yep ben had them and the kiwis left the dock with too much trim, sent the bow up and what goes up must come down

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Originally Posted by powerabout

Yep too much wind which is a number they have all agreed
Yep ben had them and the kiwis left the dock with too much trim, sent the bow up and what goes up must come down

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Must tell you Pilgrim, I learnt more about the Americas Cup this time than in all my previous 80 odd years put together--------I still know nothing but I'm happier if not a lot wiser!

Well, now we really are in deep Ka Ka--------a FECKIN hung parliament-------we needed that like a hole in the head!
Silly cow had a good working majority and enough slam to get on with the job for the next two years. But no, she tried to put the boot in and it backfired badly! Unfortunately Teresa is no Maggie Thatcher and the public just showed her that.
The tree huggers will demand another Brexit vote and Brussels will bleed the country blind because we now have a weak government instead of a strong one. On the bright side, we did get rid of the idiot Alex Salmond and the wimp Nick Clegg!
Dont think Nicola Sturgeon will be getting her second referendum now------would be weird if it turned out to be the Scottish vote that saved the Tories!

Jackie

You probably don't remember him but Ray Hewartson from Windermere Records Week passed away on the 1st of June. We have the sad task of going through the mountains of stuff he had on Records Week, Bluebird and the Campbells. This was hung on his wall in his sitting room and while it's a little faded I'm sure he would like you to have it. We also have the records list from that year (I think) correct me if I'm wrong but it says Jackie Wilson OZ at just over 122 mph from memory as I don't have it here at home. If it is of interest drop me a message and I'll ship it to you or Mark.

TechteamAttachment 376998

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Originally Posted by techteam

Jackie

You probably don't remember him but Ray Hewartson from Windermere Records Week passed away on the 1st of June. We have the sad task of going through the mountains of stuff he had on Records Week, Bluebird and the Campbells. This was hung on his wall in his sitting room and while it's a little faded I'm sure he would like you to have it. We also have the records list from that year (I think) correct me if I'm wrong but it says Jackie Wilson OZ at just over 122 mph from memory as I don't have it here at home. If it is of interest drop me a message and I'll ship it to you or Mark.

TechteamAttachment 376998

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i am so sorry to here of Rays demise--------the Windermere team were '" Just always there" we all took them for granted , from reception to signing in, launclng, recovery, timekeeping, Drinking. At the Low Wood --------That Autumn meeting at Windermere was one of the highlights of my family's boating year. Somehow I always imagined it would go on for ever, but then I never thought I would ever feel any older than the twenty I felt all the times I raced, Now at 85 I'm trying to nail that bastard "time thief " who stole the last 50 years while I wasn't looking.
Yes it was a tad over 122------ Later that year Duckworth got the Harmsworth for his lnnovations to boat racing.
A young lad by the name of Richard Noble was touting for sponsorship for a hairbrained attempt at the world land speed record, I asked him if he had ever travelled over 100 mph, No, but I know a man who has. I told him he would never get his "THRUST" project off the ground
I have been known to get things wrong !
Did you know that the DFV Cosworth is the motor that delivers the fuel in his latest "BLOODHOUND " attempt ?
i would be honoured to have the picture of "THE COSWORTH "

I know it's a bit late but please accept my apologies for never having told you what a great job you did for a bunch of powerboat drivers over the years who never showed any gratitude for your efforts, as I said before, it was "Expected" and you lot never failed!.
Give my regards to those that are still left standing from the "Windermere" team.--------is little JOHN still a going concern?

I don't have many pictures of "THE COSWORTH" and I did not even know that one even existed.
It wasn't until forty years on I realised the significance of what Duckworth -------Dick Scammel-----Mike Costain------Ben Rood------Malcolm Tyrell------Ian (HAWKEYE) Hawkins. Bob, my faithful mechanic who spent six weeks living at COSWORTHS -------Chris Hodges-------Phil Rolla who never charged me for a single prop and a bunch of folk in Northampton including Patrick Castell who just believed! We competed with the two factories who were the backbone of boat racing and won (sometimes). Pat Frewer and Dennis Stacey at South Western Marine helped with the stern drive.
A special thanks to Gloria on the switchboard at COSWORTHS who could always get a hold of Kieth even when he was unavailable to the rest of the world.
Very few folk know of the ongoing relationship between Mercury-------the unlimiteds-------offshore------the legal side of the Ford----Cosworth------Cart and Indy series, except to say, the waters were well and truly tested with the help of "THE COSWORTH".

Hi Jackie...A Molinari far sale on E-BAY USA....recognise it?

I didn't realise Dick Scammel was involved with the boat, lives not too far from me in Bath now. Did you know he used to be Jimmy Clarks spanner man?

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

Must tell you Pilgrim, I learnt more about the Americas Cup this time than in all my previous 80 odd years put together--------I still know nothing but I'm happier if not a lot wiser!

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Well Bens out, that damn Kiwi boat was just faster.
The Ozzie driving the Swedish boat beat the Japanese boat with the Kiwi so now the ozzie and kiwi boat with the kiwi driver race off to find out who will race the ozzie in the american boat.

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Originally Posted by powerabout

Well Bens out, that damn Kiwi boat was just faster.
The Ozzie driving the Swedish boat beat the Japanese boat with the Kiwi so now the ozzie and kiwi boat with the kiwi driver race off to find out who will race the ozzie in the american boat.

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Well done N/Z------must have taken some guts to come back full on after that dumping in the first round.
Just hope BAR gets enough funding to keep the team together.
At the moment all things British are taboo--------I can't see Teresa May staying much after summer------who the hell will replace her I have no idea------certainly not that buffoon Boris. That would be the death knell of the Tory party!
European leaders will have their knives out and a soft Brexit will mean England will be bled dry and the economy shot. Not a good week for G/B.

You need to raise the voting age to 25, like most countries.
Re the brexit bill, just do like Germany and never pay any fines.
What can they do declare war, put sanctions on a net importer of eu goods...aint gunna happen.
Sign that free trade pact with Russia asap

Feeling deep in the doldrums this morning Pilgrim--------most of my hopes, dreams and aspirations have been shattered recently. Maybe I set the bar too high, but the sadness and disappointment I feel by being let down on so many fronts, political, sportif, educational , I find it's all a bit much.
I know exactly what's coming-------the night of the long knives-------misguided mother Teresa is due for the chop and thereby lies the first problem. There is not a single Tory politician capable of taking her place. Boris is making noises about running for PM --------that's like having "The Mouse" running for president ! But even more ridiculous.
We have an opposition leader who lies through his eye teeth and promises utopia but hasn't got an inkling of finance------
Our future leaders in the guise of university students who think the world owes them a living and they should be educated for free and not pay for anything before coming out into some of the highest paid posts in the world--------er, Sorry university students------remember "KENETIC ENERGY" ! For every action , there is a reaction, ---------------then there's the old adage--------what goes up comes down,-----you reap what you sow. Literature and history are full of such phrases.
My sainted mother was a very wise old Yorkshire woman ------one of her all time favourites was "you don't get out for nowt" . She taught me the basics, if you want a bike, get a paper round, when you have enough money saved, go get your bike--------- once you have the bike, maintain it , look after it, cherish it, because you earned it. Then you graduate as your ambitions increase, "mum, I need a motorbike" ------son, you do not need a motorbike, you want a motorbike. When you wanted a bike, remember what you had to do ? Well nothing's changed, save enough money, sell the beloved bike, work still harder and you will get your motorcycle.
I never forgot those early lessons--------if you can't pay for it------ you can't have it. I taught my own kids the same lessons.
Then along came plastic--------you can have anything you want in this world------sign here! Suddenly Joe Doakes is in debt that will take him a life time to pay off!
Me myself have one debit card-------before I can buy anything, there has to be enough money in the bank to cover it. I wouldn't even have that, except in today's world , you are a non person without a plastic card.

Just think of the bright side.
The UK has the upper hand over brexit

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Originally Posted by powerabout

Just think of the bright side.
The UK has the upper hand over brexit

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Your right Pilgrim, my glass is half full!

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

Your right Pilgrim, my glass is half full!

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you have the glass dont you? lol

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Originally Posted by ron54

Hi Jackie...A Molinari far sale on E-BAY USA....recognise it?

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Mercury...RZOd1H&vxp=mtr

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Originally Posted by Bob V

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Mercury...RZOd1H&vxp=mtr

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Original sit sit up and beg 18' timber Molinari, one of the last to be built at Angelo's Como shop before the move to Torriggia. The wooden stollage would fit any trailer-------Balbi was a good Italian trailer.
Most of us took our own trailer and any old boat to get past border controls that were in force.
If it could be bought for under $10,000 then it might be a viable proposition-------any more than that would require a serious enthusiast --------the 1970 17' would be a much more disireable proposition, specially with a cow bell!

Amazingly clean, well stored, original boat... And it should stay that way, for historical value.

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Originally Posted by FUJIMO

Amazingly clean, well stored, original boat... And it should stay that way, for historical value.

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Id go along with that Fuji--------every 18' Molinari had its own wooden Stollage------I believe that was the platform the boat was built on originally. Very few boats stayed straight and true for long due to badly fitting trailers.
Boat racers are not big on history------most boats were dumped after a couple of years--------boat design was very rapid after the mid 60/s and a three year old boat in the bigger outboard bracket would be considered "obsolete" and non competitive. Specially amongst the factories.
If we could look back at some of the "Bonfires" at Oshberg-------most of us would burst into tears today.
I bought a Jones full tunnel KT with a big block Keith Black motor, fully rigged and on an all aluminium trailer for $3,000---------- there was a choice of six !
I wonder how many of those are left today ?

When Mercury pulled the plug on Renato and cleared out the Torriggia factory of all the motors I just happened to be there.
Roy Ridgell was in charge of the operation--------there was one large truck to take everything away-------there was no way all that equipment was going to fit in that truck,
End result was, hundreds of items were dumped in the lake------it was rumoured to be bottomless, and nobody was environmentally friendly in those days.
i suppose we are all guilty of not caring that much ( at the time) for the history of our sport.

Since you were there Jackie...could you please draw me a map with an "X" on it? Thanks...I'll owe ya. ;)

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Originally Posted by FUJIMO

Since you were there Jackie...could you please draw me a map with an "X" on it? Thanks...I'll owe ya. ;)

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Fuji, I'm sure you have many pictures of the Torriggia factory -----the Mercury workshop was on the lowest floor just 6/8 feet above water level----- there's a walkway all the way across the front. Bottomless water i.e.: _miles deep!

Young Ridgell just posted a picture on Facebook of the Torriggia factory--------there was a sliding floor on the left hand side, boats were dropped into the water and then moored up at the dock which extended along the front!
There was only room for one trailer at a time to park outside the factory. Main road was level with the roof. Boats were craned up one at a time. Top floor was a marble tiled showroom which could hold about a dozen boats. Was very cellubrious and years ahead of its time. Was where Jeremiah Cetti built the original "TORRIGGIA BOATS". Mercury and Molinari were the Second tenants!