Jackie, this photo looks like it's sitting in the Wilson Composite's shop? :eek:
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Jackie, this photo looks like it's sitting in the Wilson Composite's shop? :eek:
Attachment 427181
Yes, it most certainly is Crisis——/covered in dust—- but dry—— hull is sound as a pound- Sounds like a drum beat when you bang your hand on it anywhere!Quote:
Originally Posted by AZMIDLYF
:cheers:
You know what ——- Me myself bankrolled that whole deal from beginning to end ——- but with a special engine deal from Duckworth. It was never ever sponsored by anybody.
Bedford Davey did pay for the boat to be shipped air freight to LA !
Couldnt even get a leg out of Mercury—— Butler did get me a MERCRUISER SILVER RACE JACKET !
Rolla never charged me a red cent for any props I ever had !
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As with all great boat racing stories—- “ you ain’t never going to believe this” is how this one starts.
Drawn a blank——- nearly ready to leave the car boot sale at Ford aerodrome today empty handy, when this damned boat leapt out at me screaming “BUY ME” !
Its only a FOUNTAIN——- beautully constructed and detailed—— but PLASTIC——— that’s why it was priced at only £4.
I keep wondering what the hell im doing messing about with Concept boats when I can pick up a perfect plastic Fountain for £4 ! Soul destroying !
Feel like throwing myself off a thick pile carpet.
JFL to the right, trying to get into the picture... He could walk home from there, he lives so close. Glad everyone could still be there. :thumbsup: https://www.screamandfly.com/attachm...7&d=1546415270
Dammit Fuji, I never realised that was JFL——— we had a lot to talk about, if I had known, I would have talked with him for hours.Quote:
Originally Posted by FUJIMO
Did Odelle a concept of MONA LOU, decided to let John Schubert do thedetailing on it —— then pass it on to him. Wonder if he he’s done it yet?
Attachment 427234 DPFBI——- BDP.
Forty Camels a day on a good day——— could inhale sixty on a bad day—-they didn’t even make him cough ! He got me hooked on them for twenty years——- he would send me two cartons at a time !
He can take all the credit for the triple by-pass I had thirty years ago next month!
A couple of shots of your Cosworth rig in this video Jackie.
https://www.facebook.com/phil.lagden.../280875658207/
2 guys in a rescue boat were killed, whats the story about that Jackie?
Have to admit Australian Powerboat had a 2 page spread on the cozzy boat back then, which I have somewhere, I thought it was genius.
I think it included a picture of it on a stand, was that true Jackie? I'll see if I can find it
Was the original BBC film CRISIS, WAS EITHER Fred Dinenage or David Vine doing the announcing!Quote:
Originally Posted by AZMIDLYF
The film is totally jumbled——— the Wing was only on for the first heat——— it became dislodged towards the end——- but hung on until after the race was flagged.
It dropped into the water on the “wind down “lap and was dragged back to the pits——- could not get it fixed again for the next two heats.
I think there were two occasions where that happened. Pilgrim —-Quote:
Originally Posted by powerabout
First was at the LMBRC at Iver, ——— Procedure was that after the heats of racing—- all boats would go to the middle of the course and wait for the last boat to cross the line————-Rescue boat would pick them up and guide them off plane back to the pits !
At slow speeds the 16’ LEVI used to point its nose skywards——- he ran over the top of the rescue boat, killing one instantly and maiming the other quite badly !
Ill get back to you on the second one——— have to talk to Mark first——— need to check up on a couple of facts
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Still cant get over the fact I bought an 18” FOUNTAIN 42 for £4. .
Must be a million car boot sales in England alone every week———- chances are at least a million to one I could find a replica of the boat my Grandson Craig won three titles in at one of them.
Lot of people banging on about bringing the Bristol race back—— my guess it’s not going to happen !
Look at it logically——- yes,, there were 250,000 spectators watching the race at the venue,—- largest numbers ever to watch a boat race anywhere in the world !
Downside is——- speeds have increased dramatically in the last thirty years.
Seven people died at Bristol—— maybe that was why folk came to watch——
Town council cannot, and will not risk another fatality.
Personally —— Bristol scared the crap out of me——— I didn’t like racing there at all.
My son Mark loved it——- rated as one of the best places to race.
I have watched sane, boat racers with families, Race way over their heads in Bristol——- many big name racers have come a cropper there, just too eager to impress !
Bristol had its day——- was great for nearly twenty years —— let it RIP along with the seven that never made it out of the docks.
Jackie, I think years ago the Unlimited Hydroplanes (The Gold Cup) in Detroit had crowds estimated at almost 500,000.Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson;3102974) [I
Very impressed at how the Cosworth got off the dock - great starts. Great looking very unique boat!
Must apologise Peter—— it was like all advertising—— “ a claim”——- I’ve seen quite a few outrageous claims in the sport over the years———- commentators want to get the crowd ticking —— how about a 100 mph lap at Bristol——— ? It never happened ! But it did get the crowd interested.Quote:
Originally Posted by peterse90
It happened all the time.
Two things Duckworth invented (I think) first was the quill shaft that took up the power to the leg then the gearbox !
Second was the sequential gearbox —— Blip the throttle up to 4,000 rpm ——- nothing happened ——— floor it to 8.000 ——— and the sh- t hits the fan. Orgasmic, knicker wetting excitement!
It was the perfect Paris boat——- deep——- long—20’—- Unfortunately—- it was not to be. Circumstances prevailed.
Only two other guys ever got to drive The Cosworth——- Brett May in Parker, he did a sterling job —— brought it back safe after each stint.
Seebold was the second——- Duckworth invited him to drive it at the world championships at Chasewater——— he didn’t go any quicker !
Considering she only had a life of one short season——— as JamesBond so famously said——
She gave a good account of herself .!
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Four FECKIN quid——— you couldn’t make that up if you tried.
I may never waste my time on “ Concepts “ again——- I’ll maybe get a pensioners bus pass and roam the country looking out remote car boot sales and Sunday flea markets !
Finished the second four pointer——- to be honest, it didn’t work out any better than the first !
Everything’s a bit disjointed at the minute—— another of the old farts died this week, feeling a tad melancholy——- for the first time, ” older”.
How do you know where I live
You once Told me on the phone you lived in St. Cloud ?Quote:
Originally Posted by JFL
Bit like the OMC F1 engine in 2001, won a race 2nd in a few without factory helpQuote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
Would the Cos-Wilson be making an appearance at the next "Old Fart" gathering? :cool:
I’d like to think so Crisis but, both Mark and Craig are up to their fetlocks in new ventures——- its only 18 months since they moved to huge premises in Fort Pierce——- they’ve already outgrown them and are looking for another bigger and better site !
Upshot of all this is———- it’s been ten years in the planning——- we still don’t have a motor (DFV).
and they Have their own lives and problems to contend with.
My own thoughts are, it’s going to take somebody with Better resources——— big budget——and untold enthusiasm before The Cosworth fires up again !
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SO,I said to lady of the house——- dearest—- could I put a few of my concepts onto your potting table in the conservatory——- just for a while ! As I’ve completely run out of space in the shop ?, NO—- why can’t you do what retired, normal eighty seven year olds do——- read books—— go walking—go down to the pub, watch TV —— sleep—— kick the bucket ?
Because I’m an 87 year old retired boat racer—— and not “ NORMAL” !
Needless to say—- I did not acquire the space I needed !
Must confess to being a tad intrigued by your logo Crisis——— then the penny dropped——— history—- Halifax Tech—— Greek History——- got it——- I suppose the modern day translation WOULD BE
“BRING IT ON”. .?
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Somedays i just get carried away—— why the hell do I do it——- I do not know ! I have no idea——— it’s just part of life I suppose, like waking up in the night—— taking a leak——- letting the cat out ——- going back to bed then waking up everyday! It’s what you do !
There’s also a list of do nots in life——(that’s if you want to live to be a ripe old retiree)
Never question her indoor’s decision.
Never argue with the lady of the house.
Eat everything placed before you by the kitchen goddess.
NEVER EVER even answer the question “ does my arse look big in these jeans” Men have died !
Never answer back when told “I’ll just be five minutes”
Safe bet is to NEVER answer back!
Never pass comment on any birthday or Christmas present—— to grunt is enough !
Always ask if it’s ok to go out—- tell her majesty you’re GOING out could prove a mistake!
THERE ARE MANY OTHER THINGS I COULD MENTION- BUT I VALUE MY FREEDOM- Silence is golden!
sighned by “he who learned the hard way”.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
"COME AND TAKE"....King Leonidas said this to Xerxes when told to lay down their weapons and surrender. :thumbsup:
Always loved Roman and Greek history——- in another life- I might have followed that path——— did have a great headmaster William Rochester Haswell. ( NUFFER )Quote:
Originally Posted by AZMIDLYF
I remember that particular tale as it was such a thrilling yarn!
Could never take to Shakespeare—— the bard and me Never boded well.
Its never ever got better ?
Love history...need to know how you got there to know where you are going.
I like Shakespeare for some of his philosophical viewpoints..."Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once" :cheers:
Fact is Crisis—— was always Racing at breakneck speed to get over the hill before I lost the light—- Shakey Bill was always there but wasn’t a close friend———— early friends were Wordsworth —- Longfellow—— Mark Twain—-Defoe —— easy on the mind—- uncomplicated- exciting—- pulses Racing— strange places —— just the thing for a young lad !Quote:
Originally Posted by AZMIDLYF
Cliches and colloquiums had no place in those days——- today I can ad lib these anytime I like —- don’t think there’s anything clever in Shakey’s muttering—— lots of baffling with bullish-t—— don’t have enough time in my life to analyse the gleanings of a scribe with a bolt loose.
Question ——- how the hell Could Shakey possibly know for sure “Cowards die many times before their deaths, today —— (he crapped hisself would suffice)
Valiant never taste of death but once——- how ‘bout—- was not afraid to die ?
Does this illustrate "affable" ?
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Or is this it?
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FOR THOSE THAT DONT KNOW————That’s the infamous WILLABEE———- Fifty years ago this year since we first met in COMO ,Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob V
Mercury race team was ensconced in and around Torriggia!
Garbrecht in charge of Roy Ridgell—— Bill Welch—— Rick LaMorte—-Tom Wyrabeck——Plus a few more.
There wasn’t time for “AFFABLE “——- Willabee was crew chief——- answerable only to GG—— Renato spoke no English ( but understood every word that was spoken).
I was a young man with a wife and five kids—— trying to run a Mercury dealership——always in a hurry——- trying to make a living —— put food on the table——- run a raceboat.
Like I said—— no time for affable !
It seemed like I was always fighting everybody——— that wasn’t the case at all——- it was simply time was running out——- I could never get all the things done in the day that I wanted to do
That was yesterday when I wasn’t even forty————— here I am today, fifty years on, and I still haven’t done anything like the things I set out to do!
Your next concept...Believe it or not..this is a ski race boat. Notice the reversed passenger seat and the ski tow bar. Wow...!!
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that things got to make the little hairs on your nuts tingleQuote:
Originally Posted by Bob V
Holy F
During the early seventies— son Mark was working with Rolla and got involved with the “SKI RACERS”.
A bunch of crazies going round the world , being pulled at speeds in excess of 100 mph.
Mike Hazelwood and Liz Hobbs were just two of the kids who became world champion water skiers.
All the boats they used had a backwards facing seat for the observer—— they made for some exciting biting !
Jimmy Cramphorn from Whitstable would import some of the fastest boats ever made in the USA, just to pull his boy quicker than anyone else.
I remember Liz Hobbs lifting the title in Australia being towed by her dad Peter ! She was racing over white tops at around 100 mph——— looked like she was going in at any time—— but she stayed up and won.
Seems like I’m doing more and more “REFLECTING” these days !
Willabee once Told me that that picture above was his brother Rick—— if it was, then they could have been twins——- Bill just grew a whole lot uglier as he went through life—— I put that down to “Mercury stress”. And GGGG( G. Garbrecht Grilling and Gruelling ) .
Forgot to mention one of the most important of the Mercury crew at Torriggia——— Dave Biers, he was the quiet one—— highly rated motor builder——- always kept himself to himself. I just found him to be a really nice guy!
Pruett was always calling in at the shop in his 30” high MASERATI——- he always looked ridiculous trying to ease himself out of that car——- when he stood next to it—— top of the screen was level with his knees. Whenever he departed, he left two black lines of burnt rubber for fifty yards——— No, he wasn’t showing off—- that was just PRUETT,! He was throttling for Ballesteros at that time.
any photos of Pruett and the the female company in the car?Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
Sorry Pilgrim, I have to back away from that request.Quote:
Originally Posted by powerabout
There are a number of Pruett’s children who follow their fathers career through these pages, so it’s a case of What went on in the Maserati—-stays in the Maserati—- Same As Paris-Berlin-Havasu—- SAN Bernardino California———- it stays as it was !
So what did you do to Willabee? For so many years he was a major contributor and great source of information to this site, but over the last year he has gone silent..?Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
Bob, Bill is a mine of information——— one of the most knowledgeable men in the world on Powerboat Racing !Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob V
For years he’s kept Scream and fly going with information only he could give.
We’re all getting older and not in the best of health ——- Bill is no exception —— just be patient—— when he’s ready he’ll be up and running.
I could never do anything to Willabee—— Weve been friends for fifty years—nothing can change that !