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Ok, so here goes, today im going to do “A Lassie”, lots of pictures of the same thing from long ago.
Today it’s the 1976 Bristol Embassy Grand Prix catalogue.
Cost was twenty pence ( around twenty five cents) , but it was full to the brim of interesting things, places, people etc. So here goes!
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Now, Theres a piece of history, right before your very eyes.
The very start of formula one power boat racing. There was no such thing as formula racing in boats, but there was in cars. 70 years ago this month, the very first formula one car race was held at Silverstone.
Five years later, Charlie Sheppard based his interpretation of “FORMULA” Racing and offered it to the UIM. Idea was, to make it easier for the fans to understand.
Before this happened, circuit racing as we knew it was based on hydroplane racing ,
ie, OZ, ON, OI, OF,——— we actually stole their designations. then, there was the utility classes (pleasure boats) XU NU,FU, EU , and so on. He single handedly changed the face of circuit racing for ever !
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Another piece of powerboat racing history, Murray Walker. Without a doubt the most revered, loved and respected commentator of all time. He is known for his outrageous Gaffes whilst commentating.
THE CAR OUT FRONT IS UNIQUE, NOT ANOTHER ONE LIKE IT IN THE WORLD, EXCEPT HIS TEAM MATE WHO IS IMMEDIATELY BEHIND.
He was commentating at Bristol when I was running the COSWORTH. He had all the favourites on his spread sheets. It kinda threw him when I shot off first. His famous quote that day was. “SOMEBODY’S IN THE LEAD” , so, in an instant, I went from being a nobody to a somebody .
Murray Walker is still alive and well and is now 96 years young.
Attachment 471367If you go on to youtube you can watch the 1976 Bristol race with Murray Walker commentating he states the leading boat was driven by Jackie Wilson but the camera only showed the white Milesmaster boat of Bill Brown in Venus and you were driving a blue Hodges.But I was way out in front and lucky enough to lead the race in the no 7 boat for one lap only before having gearcase issues but on camera Murray Walker states the no 9 boat driven by Jeff Edwards is leading when any one watching the race could see who was leading.Enough said the picture shows the no 7 boat and the boat way behind was the no 9 boat who Murray thought was leading he was seriously confused when it came to boat racing.Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
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Niether you nor me made the page of fame in the 1976 Bristol programme Steve. andre Dierx was A mercury factory driver and good at that time.
Hans Pelster was a great competitor.
Bella Coalville had nice titties , so she was always going to get mentioned in despatches.
Bill Brown, well, he was there !
Rest of them all deserved to be there .
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Thorneywork’s ramblings make for some interesting reading!
wonder what he thought the rest of us did for a living?
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No words necessary !
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Popular place for the drivers to stay. Right on the waterfront and minutes away from the pits/ then of course, there was the “DRAGONARA” Hotel with the famous KILN restaurant where everyone had those Las Vegas style breakfasts!
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Bristol eu’s running on home waters with a young Kevin McCorie In an OE.
Three course lunch for £2.95 them were the days !!
And the food was edible. To this day, I remember having eggs benedict with SEEBOLD in the Kiln every morning during race week.
...lol, you crack me up jackie...:smiletest:Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
Ok enough is enough, I think we milked the cow dry !
Just a final flourish of the 1976 Embassy Bristol Grand Prix catalogue——?Attachment 471382Attachment 471383
Founder members of the Cotswold Club.
I might just have another rummage through the box. I was looking for the account I wrote of my time in Guys Hospital having a triple by-pass.
I did find it and a bonus was the “first time I met Chas Shooter” . Something I wrote over forty years ago. Its going in the book as a chapter on its own, Chas was my best friend for over forty years and deserves a special chapter of his own.