Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

Came out of necessity and availability Fuji—— didn’t have any cheapo pallet timber or box ply—— and the widow woman wasn’t of the kind I would try to impress—— so, she got what I had, although her Royal highness insisted I did a pitched roof.
So I straightened the stainless Dutch barn roof——- cut it in half—— stitched it to some alloy angle—— Voila !!!—— a forty five pitched roof . “There”, she said—— “That wasn’t too difficult was it”?
Swear to God I never touched her !
Hospital visit this morning to get the deaf aid a winter service—— damn thing whistle’s and squeaks every time I wear specs or a cap, which is most of the time these days.

Would appear the P1 series is kicking off in a number of countries w/W—— Malaysia, India, China—- Asif—- the promotor has been busy flogging the product.
With a V8 and a safety cell—— eighty plus miles an hour—- and a much improved hull—— there’s every chance it could all go well——- good luck anyway.

A week on Monday and I’m on the Norwegian Air flight to Orlando—— beginning to look forward to the trip——— a fair few adventures coming my way!

Weekend almost here—— everyone took to the hills—— I might just join them tomorrow!

No doubt about it —— I’ve got “FLORISOMNIA”—— Rare ailment that attack’s the sleep genes if you’re contemplating a visit to the southern half of the USA.
Used to take all these trips in my stride—— nowadays, even a trip to the bog for a whizz is quite an adventure!
Her majesty has my suitcase packed and issued orders that any of my concepts I’m taking be wrapped in swathing bands or bath towels, so as not to tear my clothes to shreds.
Saturday and the scrapyard and boot sale are calling——- a cry that cannot Be ignored!

Hey Mike Butler—— talked to Parkinson earlier in the week——- Rick Mackie called him, asked him to fill in some details about the FONDA years !
He shoulda come to the horses mouth Mikey—— I have copies of all the FONDA newsletters ( all five of them )———— has invaluable information on the start up——- the venues——-racers involved—— prices of race engines—— Mercury involvement ? Had one with M. Butler written on the front, in my own fair hand ? But I guess it’ll just go to waste if you’re not going to Lake X!

Had a quiet productive day in the shop on Saturday——— done another rear end of a Vee bottom with a pair of stern drives and all the trimmings.
Even Thought about making it three drives——don’t think many of those were built—— would make a great paperweight.
Have all day Sunday to myself——- no visitors—— not going anywhere——- should be able to crack on nicely——- have fathomed out how to do a triple tie bar with a dropped middle unit ! Beginning to get quite good with the logistics of concept construction!
Taking two or three pieces to Tavares——- got an empty suitcase——- allowed twenty kilos—- might as well fill the damn thing up.
Ah well, Cant lay here all day——- I’ll get bed sores if I stay—— might get a progress piccy if you behave——- then again, you might not!

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Just about half way through the project—— rough cut most of the bits—- except the hydraulics—— But I’ll cross that bridge !!!! ,
Can you imagine Beethovens fifth coming out of those pipes?
Keikhaefer V maybe———- what do you mean, there’s no such animal ! ——- maybe not in your world. —- I can cobble anything I want in my world !

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

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Just about half way through the project—— rough cut most of the bits—- except the hydraulics—— But I’ll cross that bridge !!!! ,
Can you imagine Beethovens fifth coming out of those pipes?
Keikhaefer V maybe———- what do you mean, there’s no such animal ! ——- maybe not in your world. —- I can cobble anything I want in my world !

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One of those pipes has fallen off.

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Originally Posted by techteam

One of those pipes has fallen off.

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Of all the pipes, on all the boats, in all the world——- you have to notice mine——- eight was fine when there was only two drives———— then—— like a Pratt——- I decided to add a third——- looked a tad off course with eight ! Problem was——- there’s only room for three more——— NOBODY WILL NOTICE——— who the hell will ever bothers to count them ? THEN TECH TEAM TURNED UP !
Use your imagination peeps ——- three into one on the centre leg !
Ah well, Monday’s kicked off well—— wonder if that’s indicative of the rest of the week?
Guy Fawkes weekend went off well——- million’s went up in smoke, in the form of rockets, bangers and sparklers.
Murphy and Indy stayed in doors, so it never affected them.
Last week to earn a shilling before the trip.

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

Of all the pipes, on all the boats, in all the world——- you have to notice mine——- eight was fine when there was only two drives———— then—— like a Pratt——- I decided to add a third——- looked a tad off course with eight ! Problem was——- there’s only room for three more——— NOBODY WILL NOTICE——— who the hell will ever bothers to count them ? THEN TECH TEAM TURNED UP !Use your imagination peeps ——- three into one on the centre leg !Ah well, Monday’s kicked off well—— wonder if that’s indicative of the rest of the week?Guy Fawkes weekend went off well——- million’s went up in smoke, in the form of rockets, bangers and sparklers. Murphy and Indy stayed in doors, so it never affected them.Last week to earn a shilling before the trip.

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Well your so rough on Rotary John's and my first love you deserve to be pulled up once in a while. Fly safe and enjoy Merica.

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Originally Posted by techteam

Well your so rough on Rotary John's and my first love you deserve to be pulled up once in a while. Fly safe and enjoy Merica.

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It paid off though——- John Sheldon and me are now really good friends—— in spite of threatening to punch each other’s lights out, and that was before we’d even met.
What was it Mark Twain said ?——- it takes a fight to make good friends.!

Had a stellar morning——— finished the trims——- polished up the three drives——- had to leave to visit the surgery.
Only to give bloods——— apparently, the world will grind to a halt should I ever miss an appointment!
Her ladyship has started packing my case——- all I have to do is sneak a couple of concepts in while she’s not looking!
Its all a bit clinical looking at the mo, needs a bit of color !

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Ok, so it never happened—— who gives a flying fart—— it’s a bloody concept—- a bit of fun.
i guarantee you will never ever find another one ——-
Its going to Tavares next week, it may tickle some impecunious enthusiasts fancy!

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A little over fifty fifty years ago down in the south of France—— Juan Le Pins to be exact—- A race was held that attracted lots of boat racers from all over Europe.
Among those present were Cees Velden—-Dieter Koenig—- Dieter Schultze—— Van Neep—- Arie De Boom—- and a bunch of Italians!
I won just about everything—— indice De Performance—- overall winner—- class winner—— Among the prizes was this silver plaque “ Challenge Of America”.
Apparently, you had to win it three years on the trot before you were eligible for untold delights!
I did manage to win it two years running—— but never did return.
The Motor Yacht Club Cote De Azur held a series of races over two weeks——- Cannes— Nice— Antibes—- Monte Carlo—-ille Dez Embiez.
I used to load up the camper van —- throw the kids in and hook the boat up—— and we would take off for three weeks annual vacation.

each year they got lucky with calm water I guess?

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Originally Posted by powerabout

each year they got lucky with calm water I guess?

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Definitely not the case Pilgrim ——- most of the guys were set up for calm water—— I wasn’t—— that stood me in good stead.
In twelve days I won 22 trophies—— enough money to feed us all —— and enough gasoline ( which was free) to get back home.
Made some lifelong friends, and tasted my first Beluga caviar!
Was frogmarched backwards out of the Casino at Juan La Pins for not wearing a tie—— until Johnny Bloch told them I had one all the trophies——- then the Matre De found me a jacket and a tie.
All you have to do is win in France and you’re a celebrity!
I could even park the camper on the casino lawn with four kids asleep in it !
One time, further down the coast in Marbella ( when it was a tiny fishing village) George Kragge sank Koenigs boat during the race——— Dieter made him dive down —— tie a rope on it —- dry it out in time for the next day’s racing.
It really was very lumpy water for most of the races .