Probably mostly Keystone and maybe Loveland on the weekend.
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Probably mostly Keystone and maybe Loveland on the weekend.
It's super late--was abroad early-----had a ten minute "Powernap" but that was it.
Had a monumental birthday lunch,
1st course "coquille st Jacque"
2nd. ". Mediterranean king prawn
3rd. ". Moules in ginger with lemon grass and single cream.
4th. ". Alaskan king crab claws with drawn butter
5th. ". Plain vanilla cheesecake with double cream, strawberries and ice cream
Finished with fresh ground Colombian coffee (I like mine with a kiss and fresh single cream and Bendicks chocolate mints)
bugger the calories and screw the cholesterol---its my 83rd birthday lunch.
Dogs are barking !!! ( feckin gout)
Did get out into the shop to finish the five pieces and tidy up------looked like there had been a minor nuclear explosion, snot and shavings everywhere.Attachment 313857Attachment 313858
Will do detail tomorrow.
Leave crack-o-sparrow for HARLOW------babysitting duties for Jills eldest MYGGWY,J.
Evinrude F1 3.0 v8
was my xmas present, looks great, but not sure what I will do with it
was hoping it might've been a Cosworth DFV we could maybe do a deal..Quote:
Originally Posted by powerabout
Attachment 313893
Main course for birthday lunch yesterday ------Alaskan king crab claws.
That blasted white stuff decided to put in an appearance this morning, why the hell it don't just stay in Aspen, whistler, Davos or Mirabeau I'll never know.
Made good time to Hertfordshire with Jill doing all the driving, only here for the one night and then back home.
Thats January been and gone, six more weeks and I can drive again
Gary and Lou flew in to see the Southampton V Crystal Palace soccer match , came from Ft Lauderdale to Gatwick for next to nothing on Norwegian Air Lines.
You Should see the new jam jar GARY bought------Lamborghini Supperlegera,two seats and F1 horsepower, 211 mph, rectum twitching performance.
Thanks to one and all for the birthday greetings, even Willabee joined in, will never get round to thanking each of you but want you all to know how much I appreciate your kindness.
Finished all the stuff I was working on-------got a completely open mind-----want to find a really different project, but don't have a clue as to what it'll be-----got six weeks to do it in. Have a stack of timber and reams of stainless-----something will leap out and light my candle
Have enough finished stuff to sink a battleship------need a bigger shed to put it in -----must have two dozen HEYLANGO'S ( Scandinavian trolls)------not doing any more of those damn things
Nobody took any notice of the hints I dropped re a new all singing and dancing IPad----it all fell on stony ground . But if anyone wants a couple or three bits of nonsense in exchange, I could be well interested.
Had a whole afternoon and evening to cogitate on the next project.
Three favourite articles are Cars and Boats and Planes and things, old and new, take a little of each and see what comes up " A PLANCABOARTY". Putetre?
Should take up to a month to do something really special, decided to do an online auction of this----
got an opening gambit of $500 --------I never even heard of anyone , anywhere selling a piece that's still in the think box-------we will fight over the postage though, off the cuff, to Colonialville? guess is $150.
What I will do is give you the cash back if your not satisfied! But I'm confident you'll like it!
Will use, Stainless, Alloy, granite, and search through the old hardwood pile for a nice chunk to start the ball rolling. If you don't want to be seen to be bidding on "Tricks" send it on the PM on S&F.
THE TIME HAS COME, THE WALRUS SAID, TO SPEAK OF MANY THINGS, me myself it's sleep, MYGGWY,J
Got all of a quiver last night as the concept of the next piece took shape in the knowledge box.
Funny, how from nothing, something wildly exciting emerges, just a bit of lateral thinking and the possibilities are endless. Now I just want to hit the road and get back in the shop ! Was awake before five-----deep thinking, wish I was smart enough to draw what was in my mind, but my doodlings are those of a backward four year old---I'm afraid it's a brain to fingers sort of deal, with the R/R deal I at least had a picture. With this next one its imagination and tool management with cock--ups at a minimum, I hope.
Just came across a really nice Sony SLR digital, with a couple of interesting lenses, it's been used, second time out on ebay----put in an unkind offer and the guy accepted it.
Made the mistake of keeping my present picture taker in the shop, got dust in the shutter and it sticks. Both ways.
Still dark outside, no noise from the kids but BATEMAN, the black lab has parked hisself full length across my feet, weighs a sodding ton. No good, I gotta pee anyway, might as well rise and shine and greet the new day.
Not a peep out of anyone all weekend, did get a host of well wishers on Friday, but nobody wanted to even disagree with me at the weekend, then it dawned on me--------ITS THE BLOODY SUPERBOWL, America switches off this weekend. Neighbours visit each other, throat lubrication in Budweiser form is consumed in vast quantities. Businesses actually close, THE USA RELAXES.
No point in pounding the keyboard ' cos no buggers gonna even switch the devices on , let alone read the "Tricks" so enjoy the game-----I'll talk to you tomorrow----MYGGWY.J.
Attachment 314074
First time ive ever seen this picture---Paris in the 70/s.
You do not want to know what happened!!
Sounds to me like the SUPERBOWL was a cracker!
Far too late for me to stay awake and enjoy ! Get back to you later in the day.
Mark tells me the year was '77---would have been the latest Merc model.maybe a silo.Quote:
Originally Posted by OLEGATOR
Adam LASZCZAR was the owner of the rig, Hodges/Merc, he has been one of my closest friends for 60 years Jim, When the Germans invaded Poland, he walked from Warsaw to Ceylon-----he was just seven years old. It took over two years, he lived off'n his slingshot ( catapult).
A layer of that blasted white stuff this morning.
Haircut and beard trim this morning then a full day in the shop.
Spent yesterday marking out and sorting materials, Started the mock up for the body, the power plant and tail plane started to come together well.
Good to have a stay at home week.
Amazing how much more timber the stove goes through when it snows!
Murphy's dancing all over me, time to get up and greet the new day
Hi Jackie you raced that yellow Hodges boat at Chaseswater in 1976 it had a Mercury 2.0 V6 Carb engine and it was the first time i saw you race a Mercury outboard since the end of 1971 you were well into inboards by this time.Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
Adam was having difficulty getting to grips with the Hodges, it was a problem boat from the start, to turn , it was all or nothing, you had to drop it in hard before the turn, it simply floated on 'till it bit.Quote:
Originally Posted by STEVERINO
It was a top five boat if you wrung its neck, but it would bite you given half a chance, give it a smidgen too much trim and it would float a foot above the water for a hundred yards.
That boat was like a yo-yo, back and forth to Hodges trying to sort it.
He was another that never made two boats alike, he was of the ope that he could always improve on the last one.
my last four boats were Hodges, often wondered if I'd have run Seebolds would the outcome have been different.
Last boat was a case of 150 mph motor in a 125 mph hull.
We have a big old half dead ACACIA tree right outside our bedroom window-------the birds love that tree. But, only as a recreational place-------we have both the green and spotted woodpecker, get woken by their hammerings most morning.
This morning the Buzzard is lording it out there, the Resident Kestrel decided discretion was the better part of valour. Magpies, Crows, Pigeons and blackbirds have been and gone, nothing ever nests in it, but the foliage is sparse, so a nest would be vulnerable.
Telling you this so I don't have to crack a joke.
Heavy frost this morning but no snow, same sort of weather forecast for the next ten days, long johns and three Cashmeres with a fleece on top, the workshop is cold as charity and won't get much better till the end of March.
Traditionally, easter was when we had the first race at Iver Heath, that's if there was no ice on the lake.Have raced in blizzards many a time, not even gales stopped us.
Got bogged down with the tail plane and spent the whole day modifying a new one------decided this one will be an experiment prototype and not the finished article. Did it in allumnium----the final one will be all stainless.
The second one will come together quite quickly, roll on Mac duff, let battle commence!
Had meself a quiet chuckle today, accidentally logged on to an early Bahamas 500 race.
Clip that I loved was Of the first boat into Nassau after a four and a half hour stint at the wheel and an enthusiastiic Mr. K. Leaping on to the boat and Odell Lewis yelling at the old man "Get off'n MY boat", before taking a drink and heading back for another four and a half hours slamming.
Thats when men were men and " Offshore" meant just that! Wonder how many of today's jockeys would stand up for nine hours. That was the winners time, Richie Powers finished some six hours behind and Ridgell is credited in there as well.
It's a far cry from The hydraulic, ten thousand Dollar shock absorbing all singing and dancing super sprung armchair, inside a fifty thousand dollar "Capsule" inside a million dollar state of the art hull with a couple of million dollar, thousand horse power motors or a turbine of unknown thrust.
Point I'm making is, it was the pioneers like Odell and Bakos that made Todays "Offshore" events possible.
Don't think the modern concept is even comparable to the original version.
three, fifteen minute heats (if it's not too rough and windy) hardly compares to a 500 miler?
Looking at some of the crews today, they are nowhere near the fitness levels of yesterday's jockeys.
Im off to my sleeping pit before sh-t hits the fan MYGGWY,J.
For those of you who haven't heard; Ziggy Bottle past away last night. While Ziggy work for and supported OMC for many years, most people in boat racing know him or of him. May he rest in Pease. My condolences to Janet and the rest of his family.
Sorry to hear the sad news Johnno .Quote:
Originally Posted by Rotary John
Ziggy was always there, part of the racing scene, from as far back as I can remember.
I never got to know him well, or his family. RIP Ziggy.
I only ever heard nice remarks about Ziggy
I never met him
RIP
[QUOTE=powerabout;2727229]I only ever heard nice remarks about Ziggy
I never met
The heart of OMC.
Attachment 314331Was still partying on Sunday.
I had the pleasure of Ziggys company and shared a few beers with him on many occasions he was a real gentleman he will be sadly missed. When I went to the OFF events recently I always hoped he could make it just like you did John I would have loved to talk about the old times maybe you could fill us in on the work he did at OMC I believe he did the engine dyno work on the race engines.When he came to the major race events in Europe he always pre checked the race engines before they went in the water.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rotary John
I would have loved to drive one of Seebolds outfits especially if Bill had set it up himself.I was told that when John Hill was killed he was about to take delivery of a new Seebold boat he had complained the Burgess boats he was using ran too flat and wanted something with a little more lift.Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
I watched that '500' video too, Jackie, and I had almost forgot what it took to put a race like that together---here is a couple young guys after 23 hours and 1200 miles---Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
http://i57.tinypic.com/2m5ccj9.jpg
That picture epitomises everything!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by GENE LANHAM
Black and white, sweaty grubby tee shirt.
Hand painted colonial pride-----US 1.
you both look like sh-t-----but happy and satisfied
Thats when "Offshore" meant just that.
Just love the location with all the super de luxe facilities.
Only a colonial would neck a Moet & Chandon, long before F 1 mutilated the ceremony.
On the other hand that's a beer I don't recognise.
Remember number one priority when racing out west was to fill the truck with "COORS"
John always had the best boat around and the Burgess was one of the best. He should have tried a Hodges-----you could run 100 in a straight line, but you never knew when the bloody thing was going to hook ( left or right) for no reason especially when you didn't want it too.
Then there was it's strange knack of "Tripping"--------like on the top turn at Fairford a la Phil Duggan and Peter Inward ???
Mark Wilson at Holmepierpoint fifty yards before the top turn suffered a hard left without any warning.
Even Molinari could build the odd rogue "Bite YA" boat.
Mark bought a "New design" Molinari that handled like a pig, Peter Ericson thought he could manage it--------he did ---------straight into the wall at Bristol.
John Hill won the World Championships on two occasions, I believe they were both with a Burgess.
John died in Dubai or was it Abu Dahbi, as a direct result of UIM stupidity and interference.
How did John Hill die?
Celebration of Life for Siegfried "Ziggy" BoettleQuote:
Originally Posted by Rotary John
Gurnee Park District Dance Hall
4374 Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee, IL 60031
Saturday February 7, 2015 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM
Memorials in his name may be sent to:
Gurnee Fire Department
4580 Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee, IL 60031
Mark confirmed the serial number 6720824. Like most folk trying to scratch a living, he's up to his fetlocks in projects.Quote:
Originally Posted by rckid74
The 50' super yacht is within a couple of months of completion, next up is the Cosworth. Old blue will more than likely be done at the same time. He has to make a living doing his props and gear cases at Wilson Custom Marine while his "PROJECTS" are ongoing.
If anyone wants to get involved in the restoration of any of the aforementioned items, please feel free to get in touch
Lassie, I am so very sad about Ziggy but glad that he had a good innings.
GG always frowned on liaisons with the enemy, but PRUETT used to do it just to piss him off.
C'mon Jackie, let's go talk with JIMBO and Sanders----He'd look GARY straight in the eye as he said this, stroll over to the OMC encampment and eat and drink with them, that's how come I got to know all the OMC guys.
Johnny Sanders was the exception to the no mix rule, he was always in the Mercury camp and was always welcomed-----in fact I saw him in boats with a black lump hanging on its bum on more than one occasion.
I could have this totally wrong, but wasn't Ziggy a good friend of "MOUSE "?
Morning Pilgrim, let's wait a week or two and I'll tell you, still wrankles me, the stupid, idiotic behaviour of top brass and the damage the lack of knowledge and experience can cause.Quote:
Originally Posted by powerabout
i sent a four page letter of protest to the UIM and a copy to the RYA. Neither of them had the courtesy to answer------I'm still waiting!
Mouse (Harold Wade) worked with Ziggy for Jack Leek in the race group for years. I'll see if I can find a picture and post it.Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
Mouse had a reputation and nobody with any sense at OMC would argue with him some tried to wind him up just to hear him go off on one rumour had it even Jack Leek never antagonised him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rotary John
As did Ward, the gear case guy, Ken Soller who spent the night before the 1970 Paris race in the streets somewhere in Paris, came to the pits late which infuriated Leek & Wagner, then repaired Sanders motor when others couldn't ( Sanders won) and saved his job, Mike Gwaltney & another Mike whose name escapes me & maybe a couple of more.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rotary John
Ziggy was a great practical jokester as well especially when hew was inspecting a motor you had built. Had me nervous many times. RIP my friend.
Many thanks to ALL the contributors for keeping this thread up and running.
Youngsters who only heard of these "Legends" by reading the old comics or talking to the old farts who attend the OFF meetings will maybe get an insight into the characters, boats and motors of an age gone by.
We should make it clear that all people, young and old alike are welcome. Just imagine at the end of this century being able to say to the grandchildren ----I once met Odell Lewis, Johnny Bakos and Bill Seebold------wouldn't that BE "A KICK IN THE HEAD".!
The old " tricks "thread really came to life this week, with sad news, good news, useful and useless information------fact and fiction,.
I like it much better when there are lots of other folk involved with many different names coming up with their four pennorth.
Many a time I think to myself-------I'm flogging a dead donkey here--------who wants to look at the ramblings of an old fool boat racer who goes on about yesterday. Not even my kids or grandkids read the column !
Always have had a disagreeable nature, snarl loud enough and most back off, point taken, who argues with "him", I was never like that, but most would disagree just because I called a spade a bloody shovel and the turn bouy was"MINE".
When you got five kids and a mortgage and a boating "HABIT" you don't go out with a begging bowl, you take the Winchester and some attitude. It usually worked.
Steve my neighbour is off on a carribean cruise, but before he left he asked if I could repair five fork handles and two shovels. Would I sandblast eight chairs and two tables all aluminium-----then give em a quick coat of Blue Hamerite. Anything for a friend and neighbour .
The "project " is proving more difficult than I thought, not coming together well, got carried away with the wing, tried to make it like a cross between a Ferrari and a Mercedes front wing but failed miserably because I made it far too complicated and the capsule is proving Difficult .
Had lunch in "THE STAG" at Balls Cross, eight out of ten, too much vein in the steak.
Jilly off to the festival theatre in Chichester tomorrow so I should get a full day in.
watched the England Wales rugby match tonight, there will be some bloody miserable "Red Dragons" in Cardiff tonight.
Thats it for today good night and God bless you all MYGGWY.J.
Ward Cox was the gearcase man. He took apart and inspected every gearcase after every race. Mike Kukla was the other Mike. He died in 1975 or 6 of Leukemia. Ted Wright was also on the race team for awhile and he also died in '75. Mike Gualtney, married Mike Kuala's wife a couple of years after he died and is still married to her as far as I know. Ziggy and Mouse were both practical jokers. What one didn't think of the other did. Many a tale could be told of some of their adventures.Quote:
Originally Posted by John Schubert
If you wanted to know who the " clown prince" of racing was, look no further than Billy Don PRUETT , still not certain after all these years whether he was an uncertified fruit and nut case or simply had a bolt loose------he was one hell of a practical joker.
I have found an old story about Ziggy and Mouse. While at a boat race in Memphis Jack Leek head of boat racing and his wife had retired early to their hotel room, while the rest of the crew partied in the parking lot. Mouse and Ziggy got bored and tipsy and noticed a Bobcat where the hotel were building a swimming pool.They decided to hot wire it and use it for giving people a ride to the second floor but after a while this got old too so they decided to move the swimming pool sand and pile it against Leeks hotel door (which just happened to open inwards) then piled all the empty beer cans on top of the sand.After frantic pounding on Leeks door he arose to see what the hell all the commotion was and opened his door. Needless to say it took hours to dig Jack out and clean up all the mess.Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson