Bristol 1980 was another big setback for Team Mercury and the T4 racing.
This is the headline:
No Gold at Mercury’s Final Rally.. Evinrude/Molinari wins in Bristol 1980
Seebold breaks down in last lap forfeiting win to Molinari.
Many Merc supporters always bring up Bristol 1982 when Billy Seebold won the OZ class with a smaller Merc V6 over the V8 drivers.
As always I was there and Renato Molinari was leading by a lot over Billy Seebold but broke down at the end and Seebold won..Yes I know you must finish to win..
Back to Bristol 1980 and Billy Seebold was leading the OZ class with the big bore T4 but broke down and Renato Molinari ended up winning the race with the smaller 3 liter looper fuel injection. So please remember this Merc fans when bringing up Bristol 1982.
Bristol 1980 was also Team Mercury's last race for the T4 in the OZ class at that time. I am 100% sure the reason for Team Mercury to pull the plug on the T4 racing was the rumors was already out about OMC introducing the new V8 for the OZ class 1981. Team Mercury was now going to race ON max 2 liter and call the ON class Formula One.
(Merc came back with a modified T4 in the OZ class 1984)
Here is a link to exactly what happen in Bristol 1980 and the OMC advertising after the race.
"Evinrude staying-power wins Embassy Grand Prix" Pretty funny..!!
http://svera.se/blogg/no-gold-at-mer...-bristol-1980/