Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

Negotiating a major sponsorship for a race boat, must have taken some skill and/or determination.
“How many spectators at a boat race,” asks potential corporate sponsor. (Please Don't ask about television and major media outlet coverage).

When it comes to tunnel circuit racing, I think the Europeans were ahead of the Yanks. The Americans in the early 1970’s seemed to be satisfied with a local sponsor (if they had that). Cees, Bob and Tom were flying corporate colors, when other competitors were deciding what their favorite color was to put on their race boats. (Correct me, if my recollections or observations are wrong).

Maybe the Merc and OMC rivalry benefitted many drivers, and made them complacent in pursuing sponsorship money. Therefore, more kudos to the early pioneers who brought big name sponsors to tunnel boat racing.

Bill Seebold was a hometown guy from the Busch neighborhood, that geographically benefited Bill and his family. (And Bernie Little had Bud distributorships that helped cement his connection to the Busch family). If Bill writes his book, I hope he has a chapter, about acquiring major sponsorship in cold-calling exec’s offices. And having seat down meetings with them, and presenting his racing portfolio.

But the negotiating I would like to have been a witness to would be. Not Tom’s and Bob’s, but Cees. Tom and Bob seemed to me be more polished, than Cees, who was more apt to tell you want he thought. To be present when Cees van der Veldon pitched for major sponsorship, would to me be an interesting session.

And opposite of Cees outgoing demeanor, would be Renato Molinari more reserved social attitude. Someone like me wonders how did Renato approach Martini & Rossi. Was he alone, or did he have a representative talk to the appropriate corporate connections. And then there is Jackie's approach to said sponsorship.

Attachment 484832

I was fortunate to talk to Tom at the OFF meeting in Tavares 2019. Tom the best to your health.
When I did a little shop talk with Tom then, he was in high praise of Bill Seebold's racing skill.
Two great guys Tom and Bill.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by willabee

Spoke with Tom today. He is still in the hospital (rehab), as they continue to work on his leg infection. Said he is not making much progress. He'd like to go home but knows they won't let him out until it's under control.. I think a phone call from a few of you would go a long way towards lifting his spirits. He runs short of breath when he talks on the phone, so he won't be able to talk long (he'll let you know). I don't think I should post his number here, but if you would like to call him, send me a PM and I'll send you his cell number.

Attachment 484833

---

ROY, this is going to take a lot longer than i have time for right now.
PARKINSON WAS THE RINGMASTER OF SPONSORSHIP.
CANON—-JOHN PLAYERS——Parky brought them all to the table . —- GG AND MERCURY decided who the drivers would be. RENATO did have a number of influential backers who brought in Martini- but we are opening a new book here—- not just a chapter —- i am tired and i am going to bed .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by willabee

Spoke with Tom today. He is still in the hospital (rehab), as they continue to work on his leg infection. Said he is not making much progress. He'd like to go home but knows they won't let him out until it's under control.. I think a phone call from a few of you would go a long way towards lifting his spirits. He runs short of breath when he talks on the phone, so he won't be able to talk long (he'll let you know). I don't think I should post his number here, but if you would like to call him, send me a PM and I'll send you his cell number.

Attachment 484833

---

confess to being a tad slow off the mark here Bill—- had a number of issues in my own family. Called Tom just once , but no reply. Like the road to hell, i was paved with good intentions and never made it ‘ i will call tomorrow—- Billy gave me the number . Apologies .

...tom got a staph infection in his leg, or? they gave me one during a simple miniscus knee operation. called mersa. methisilin resistant staph. bad bad bad.

Okay, lets do this one at a time. I suddenly and unexpectedly have time on my hands . Yesterday i collected a sawbench—-had help putting it in the trusty Lexus, but not getting it out????
it kinda got away from me, i tried to halt its progress , but was positioned badly and tore all the muscles from the top of the shoulder down to the elbow—— it bloody hurt.
Upshot of all this is —- only damn thing i can do is hit the keyboard with both hands —- let the left hand stay on the left , and the right stays on the right , resting the wrists on the pads either side of the iPad ———do not let either hand past the centre. Fine in theory— but a stone bitch in practice .

TOMMY STICKLE. Friend of mine since the heady days of Como in 1970 when Mercury race headquarters were based in TORRIGGIA. Garbrecht was in charge —- willabee was ramrod —-ROY RIDGELL was holding it all together . and the world was a great place to live in , and just being alive and there at that time was my idea of heaven.
WELL, Tommy’s not doing too good at the moment —— a few complications have set him back a tad .
IF any of you care to take a time out and give him a call, im sure he would appreciate it.

Now back to ROY — only sponsorship i ever had in my life was petrol from SHELL FOR A WHOLE SEASON FOR FREE. Plus a couple of all expenses paid from Mercury. Though they did provide all the equipment ,boats and motors , and the back up required .
Afraid DIPLOMACY and me never were good bedfellows —— now my kids were a different kettle of fish . When my daughter Sam was ten years old — MICKEY HASTAIN of HASTAINS GLASS sponsors her for a whole season .
Mark always managed to find a great sponsor ——— ROVERHIRE —-BARDGROVE—-IMPALA——ROLATRUC—-ARCADIAN——BUDWEISER—. Just to mention a few . I never had anything to do with Marks sponsorship deals, he did it all on his own.
AHHHH- now we come to the “ITALIAN JOB”— where to begin ??????
Most American racers will have come across the name RASSINI. They were two brothers CARLO AND HENRI. Owned the BANCO RASSINI in MILAN . Now they had a list of clientele that just happened to include MARTINI & ROSSI——- BLACK AND DECKER—-FIAT—-BENNETON, ETC. Both loved racing and Renato ????????????
PARKINSON had his own PR company, and one of his clients was MERCURY. David was the promoter of the CANON SERIES of F1 races , long before there was such a thing. He was the pioneer of organised boat racing in Europe , worked closely with APBA AND THE UIM.
After the canon series finished David and I worked together to form the FONDA SERIES . he made it a worldwide race series —-very successful for nine years [in spite of the UIM].
ROLF FROHLING was head of the UIM and hated the success of FONDA. But PARKINSON had a history of success and an impeccable track record .
OMC then started the V8 program which was highly successful for a short while, that is until the cost of operations finally sent the company tits up. This will be denied by some—- but the fact remains —- OMC WENT BELLY UP. The biggest outboard corporation in the world , went bust chasing racing success.——- trying to emulate Mercury——- which they never quite managed .
All the while the tobacco companies were involved —- sponsorship was plentiful—— booze companies — CARLSBERG and MARTINI ——- LONG JOHN —- HENNESSY AND HEINEKEN,— ETC — cash flowed like wine. Those were the HALCYON DAYS OF BOAT RACING. Time for a shave and haircut !!!!!!!!!!

As I recall it .....

In the late 60's, Mercury did not allow any names on their boats other than Mercury names, i.e. Quicksilver, Thunderbolt, etc. Outside sponsorship was not allowed. I remember someone pulling up to the Mercury parts truck with their "memo billed" race boat all painted up with sponsorship names. Even though it was done professionally and looked great, the driver was told he had to remove all of it before Merc would start helping him with testing. I think it was 1970 when they finally let us paint names like "Up, Up and Away" on the boats. In the early seventies, I think some of the European drivers were able to secure some sponsorship money and they were ultimately successful in lobbying the policy makers for acceptance. Mercury's acceptance was probably conditioned on them getting their pound of flesh out of every deal.

Kitson may have been the lone exception to the rule .....

Attachment 484865

Have to tell you Bill—- it was every good european boat racers dream to get Mercury backing —- those that couldn’t make it , went to OMC. They weren’t that picky ??????
it was the Italians that made boats a work of art and not just things that floated ——- RIVA was a fine example —- TORRIGGIA and MOLINARI—— SCOTTI made a beautiful job of his later boats.ABBATTE was right up there with the best.
Americans started to make some really good , beautifully crafted boats .
early race boats were a bit „“AGRICULTURAL“ at best —— but racing did indeed „“improve the breed“
IMHO it was HODGES who brought the beauty factor into English made boats. He was a craftsman of all things wood . Restorer of antiques and a master craftsman.
Dave Burgess wasn’t too shabby either ——- Velden never attained the heights of beauty that Hodges did. Cougar made a good boat—- but even stretching imagination —- they were never a thing of beauty , but they performed well.
Switzers were futuristic but „“agricultural“, just know i am going to get a load of flak over this, please remember, this Is just my opinion . Just saying !

Can‘t recall exactly when i first got interested in the American side of racing, i had an American magazine called SPEED-N-SPRAY delivered every month.learned about men like BILL COOPER—-LOU BRUMETT—-RAICH HALLETT——BDP—— LAUDERBACK—STAUDACHER—. To me, at that time, heaven was a MERCURY 700–BIG SIX.
I eventually did meet most of the characters featured in the American comics .
Mercury is just one big family, i almost said HAPPY, but that would not be quite correct.
You have all heard north meets south, and east meets west ———— well its at Mercury where circuit meets offshore. Now circuit racing does include OMC—. Offshore doesn’t, that’s a fact ——- OFFSHORE IS MERCURY ——- inboard —outboard —— pioneered and definitely its the home of offshore .for a while,, OMC tried to run at Mercury , but in the end they fell by the wayside . Japs never even tried. While the Far East producers dominated motor bike racing with teams like KAWASAKI—-SUZUKI— TOHATSU AND YAMAHA- They just never even made a half hearted attempt at racing===
Jap and chinky motors are big in America ——- can you imagine the scenario if they had ever picked up the cudgel and gone head to head with Mercury AND OMC????????
oh yes- before i forget —HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE,

[QUOTE=jackiewilson;——- OFFSHORE IS MERCURY ——- inboard —outboard —— pioneered and definitely its the home of offshore...
[/QUOTE]
...and still today, nobody even comes close..."the race never stops"...:thumbsup:

Back in the 70‘s i seem to remember OMC having a sales slogan that went „“WE RACE FISHING MOTORS“———
Some wag wrote MERCURY BUILD RACE MOTORS TO GO FISHING.
I do find it ironic that the UIM designation of an outboard is——-CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE TRANSOM COMPLETE WITH ITS DRIVE———- maybe they should add. WITH A CRANE ?????????

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jackiewilson

Back in the 70‘s i seem to remember OMC having a sales slogan that went „“WE RACE FISHING MOTORS“———
Some wag wrote MERCURY BUILD RACE MOTORS TO GO FISHING.
I do find it ironic that the UIM designation of an outboard is——-CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE TRANSOM COMPLETE WITH ITS DRIVE———- maybe they should add. WITH A CRANE ?????????

---

You milked that one... Genius call

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by powerabout

You milked that one... Genius call

---

WHAT CAN I TELL YOU PILGRIM ????? Somedays. you eat bear !!!!!!!!!

FACT——- MALCOLM TYRRELL AND IAN HAWKINS could whip out, the Cosworth OUTBOARD , complete WITH ITS DRIVE, in under three minutes

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jackiewilson

WHAT CAN I TELL YOU PILGRIM ????? Somedays. you eat bear !!!!!!!!!

---

...you are what you eat comes to mind...haha...

https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net...fe&oe=608EC943

1970 Havasu winner driven by Sirois——destroyed by PRUETT in 1971 ——- JIM HUNT and i towed THE WRECKAGE back to OSHBERG behind PRUETTS Pontiac station wagon. Well. I went as far as EL PASO. Willabee knows the final outcome, think it was BONFIRED??????

...originally black, as above, then painted red, memory fading...?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net...fe&oe=608EC943

---

Man, that model has detail! Who built these? How many were made? For who? Up/Away got repainted for the 1971 catalog centerfold shot as the 1970 Havasu world champion?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

...originally black, as above, then painted red, memory fading...?

---

Originally orange with black stripes. I towed that thing from Wisconsin to Arizona twice but don't have a color picture anymore :nonod: .....

Sirois at Havasu 69, finished 3rd .....
Attachment 484994

It showed up at Parker 70 in black (behind the red boat) ....

Attachment 484995

.

Attachment 485004Attachment 485005

YOU MEAN SOMETHING LIKE THIS WILLIAM———-i have my uses.

https://www.screamandfly.com/attachm...4&d=1617633127

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

Man, that model has detail! Who built these? How many were made? For who? Up/Away got repainted for the 1971 catalog centerfold shot as the 1970 Havasu world champion?

---

https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net...fe&oe=608EC943

The model pictured is a one of a kind. I don't remember who did that model, but the detail is perfect ..... great job! The one that Merc had made for sale to the public wasn't close, I think they only put one outboard motor on it!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jackiewilson

Attachment 485004Attachment 485005

YOU MEAN SOMETHING LIKE THIS WILLIAM———-i have my uses.

---

No, that's not the color. The 187 boat was actually red deck with flat black cowling. The original orange on Up, Up and Away was closer to this ..... Attachment 485073 ..... Back in 68/69, racing a tunnel boat was a whole new adventure for most US drivers. Consequently, the Molinari's you saw back then were often orange trimmed in 'splinter'. :D

One of my all-time favourite ORANGE Molinaris;

Attachment 485089

https://www.screamandfly.com/attachm...5&d=1617633186

...tell us why this was your mistake again willa...?https://www.screamandfly.com/attachm...3&d=1584563221

A lot of history in this famous and well known 1970 picture/poster. Bill Sirois in Up Up and Away and behind him is Jim Merten who finished second in the hull that Bill drove in 1971 for his second consecutive OWC win. To me Bill's 1970 hull looks more 'rocker bottom' and Merten's looks more 'sprint' sponson design. I'm sure Willabee could expand upon this if I am seeing these differences correctly.

Attachment 485094

https://www.screamandfly.com/attachm...4&d=1617674538

...this model & photo courtesy of sam cullis mark75h...https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net...fe&oe=608EC943

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by peterse90

A lot of history in this famous and well known 1970 picture/poster. Bill Sirois in Up Up and Away and behind him is Jim Merton who finished second in the hull that Bill drove in 1971 for his second consecutive OWC win. To me Bill's 1970 hull looks more 'rocker bottom' and Merton's looks more 'sprint' sponson design. I'm sure Willabee could expand upon this if I am seeing these differences correctly.

Attachment 485094

---

I have the sister poster to this one with an inset of #998 in LH corner with the start of the race at the beach. Titled: From Start to Finish,, Mercury's First. Funny thing is, the poster shows the Mercury Team white Molinaris with T2 power?

Everybody who had anything to do with the Havasu race , ate breakfast at the NAUTICAL INN. MERCURY, and OMC. Presidents, Drivers , mechanics, den mothers, house cleaners.AND PRUETT. It was an absolute must .
OMC pulled a real smart move By supplying the nautical with place mats —— big ones with pictures of all the OMC drivers and boats ——— very collectible indeed . Me myself had at least a dozen. Had them all the time we lived in France.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

..... Up/Away got repainted for the 1971 catalog centerfold shot as the 1970 Havasu world champion?

---

This boat got around! Back in 1968, Glastron and Molinari made some kind of deal that allowed Glastron to produce and market fiberglass Molinari tunnel hulls. The 21' orange with black twin was used for the mold. Here's a pic of the wood boat and a glass version .....
Attachment 485132 ....
Attachment 485131
They look the same. The glass boats ran pretty well, once earned a 2nd place finish at Havasu in 1969.

The wood boat was rigged in Oskkosh with 1250 BP's, was test driven by Gary Garbrecht and I think it's first race was the 1969 Parker 9 Hour, driven by Bob Thompson. Bob didn't do well, he never really got the boat to get up and air out. It came back to Oshkosh and was used for the testing of many different components. During that time Mr. K told Garbrecht that he was banned from test driving. We hadn't hired any factory drivers yet, so I was the lucky replacement. I spent many enjoyable hours in that boat that summer.

Bob Massey ran it with BP's at Long Beach 1969. That wasn't a good course for that boat, but I think he finished second anyway. He did know how to run that thing .....
Attachment 485122

More testing and then Bill Sirois ran it at the 1969 Havasu OWC still sporting BP gearcases. He finished 3rd, beginning a remarkable three year streak of great finishes at Havasu. Bill definately knew how to air it out. :thumbsup:
Attachment 485123

Over the winter the boat was painted black with grey stripes, rerigged and given a name .....Up,Up and Away :smiletest: The first activity it saw in 1970 was the Parker 9 Hour, this time driven by our favorite guy, Billy Don Pruett. I recall that we put a pair of experimental powerheads on it, but still ran the BP lower units. Pruett blew the gearcases up three different times and had to call it a day.
Behind the red Molinari .....
Attachment 485125

Sirois won with it at St. Mary's, this time using speedmasters. It was really windy and rough, but that rig could get over some water. He even passed Kitson's wing on the straightaway!

From there it went to Havasu, still dressed in black and won the big prize .....
Attachment 485126

After Havasu 70, Merc's PR department took over. They put some BS PR paint job on the poor thing and sent it to dealers and to shows. It took a nice picture, but I'll always believe the boat should have toured as it raced (except for the chrome stacks, they were really cool :D).
Attachment 485128

Pruett wanted to run the 1971 Havasu OWC and this boat was pulled off tour for him. He modified the fancy paint job so that he could put his number on it and it was fitted with a pair of new Twister I's. Turned out the boat had developed a bad leak which gave him some grief. It also proved to be not as fast as it was (probably due to the 500 extra pounds of paint it was carrying).
He ended up blowing over and I'm pretty sure the boat was used for a weiner roast at Lake X ..... sad ending for a Champ.
Attachment 485129

Willabee, what a great bit of history !!

Or as the saying goes...Now You Know the Rest of the Story. :cheers:

https://www.screamandfly.com/attachm...9&d=1376564819

https://www.screamandfly.com/attachm...8&d=1290196714

https://www.screamandfly.com/attachm...8&d=1083668451

LOTS OF HAPPY MEMORIES THERE !!!!!! Quite a few sad ones too—— Pruett never raced again after the HAVASU FLIP—— he tore his hip out and other injuries , he was in a lot of pain . I never could tell whether it was Pruett growing old , or his natural bloody mindedness, or his downright cantankerous ness .
Sirois went to almost all offshore racing with Copeland ——-RITCHIE POWERS followed him_-_- La_mort went offshore —— Mert went and got himself killed —- Gene went with all the heavy hitters in offshore .——— 188th street in miami was the in place to be. CK got retired and opened up KAM —-
GG WENT ON TO GREAT THINGS WITH MERCURY BEFORE SWITCHING TO OMC . World of racing as i knew it changed forever.

Attachment 485148

Fifty years on———- any winters morning at Seebolds bolthole in Naples Florida —- even the beers still the same, we just got fifty years older —— even Mike turned sixty this year !!!!!!!!!!!

Fuji was busy

Attachment 485156