Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[jackiewilson]

It's good to be alive and well and ..... cranky!

Can't help you with the tale of the Shakespeare/CCC, never heard that one. I don't know much about OMC's, but I think the CCC was a mid 1970's motor? Nonetheless, it was an interesting story. Just the right combination of Ian Fleming and Walt Disney ..... mystery and imagination.

Just wait until you read the Book William !!!!
Havent copied anyone‘s style of writing , all my own doing, just the way i recall it. Managed 100,000 words last year, but only done another 10,000 this year up to now. With no sign of having the time to sit down and write .
Ian Fleming and Walt Disney, big hitters whichever way you look at it ? I will try and live up to it Bill!
Never ever thought my life was much different to any one else‘s, its only on reflection and comments from my kids and grandkids , i realise i have lived an extraordinary existence!
I will try and finish the book before i finally „COP MY CLOGS“—- I have read quite a number of „“BIOGRAPHICAL“ life stories, without exception , they have all fallen well short of the mark.
Even Sonny Levi‘s DOWS TO DELTAS could have been written better !! {in my opinion}.
Best boating bible of all time is without a doubt SEARACE written by John Crouse —- trouble is — whilst it is the“BIBLE“ of offshore , there’s little or no mention of Circuit or circle racing as we know it.
Now i am not in any way trying to write a bible of circuit racing—- i can only tell you of some of the happenings in my life. Places and people —- just my version of how i saw things.
Yes, of course there‘s an element of romance, a bit of adventure , more than enough tragedy, plenty of excitement . But it can only ever be one mans take on the love of powerboat racing .
Promise to keep beavering at it until its finished .

[jackiewilson]

JUST AN AFTERTHOUGHT——- i will swop any one of my concepts for a copy of SEARACE. Only time i get to read it is at Marks place—— its on the table the whole time !
Rollers are not included in this offer !

[willabee]

----Mr. T.----and some other OLD RETIRED RACERS

Fifty plus years later--

Vacationing in FloridaAttachment 483727

Just received word that Tom Stickle, aka Mr. T (far left in the photo above) isn't doing very well. Tom's daughter Tina posted that Tom has been in the hospital for the last 12 days. He has several problems including a cracked rib, a blood clot in his lungs and infection. She said he was transferred to a nursing/rehab hospital today.
Want to wish one of boat racing's all time nice guys the very best towards a speedy and full recovery.

[peterse90]

St. Mary's, OHIO (borrowed from another website);

[jackiewilson]

MR,T.—- TOM——STICKLE— has always been „“Tommy“ to me, been friends with Marcia and Tom for over fifty years , always called him simply TOMMY.
Mercury factory team driver , and bloody good he was too. Could drink any man under the table, smoke a pack of camels a day, and wake up without a hangover.
Would win a thousand bucks at Ceasers Palace—- still went to bed broke.
Had the most expensive DIAMOND ENCRUSTED ROLEX i ever saw !
Was an APBA PIT BOSS for years after he quit racing.
If the Seebolds were at the race —-STICKLE would be close by. Even brothers don’t get as close as they were!
Tommy is one of the nicest guys i ever met in my life .
Get well soon my friend—- god willing— i will see you in Tavares in the fall.

[jackiewilson]

Bought a very old fashioned STARTRITE BAND-IT bandsaw. Probably 1938. reason for doing this is, its a straight drive from the motor to the the bottom wheel. Which does away with toothed belts . It’s not cluttered with unnecessary safety switches . Has a ridiculously wide throat, [yes, even wider than the legendary french whore]. A very deep cut. Plus its all solid steel.
Downside was, it didn’t have a table, or a guide fence—— so i set about making my own. It’s taken me just over a week , but results are outstanding—- damn but im feckin good when i put my mind to it! OH, and modest with it ???????????

[jackiewilson]

Simplest fence ever. And it works!

[GENE LANHAM]

St. Mary's, OHIO (borrowed from another website);

[jackiewilson]

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness i have to tell you that VICKY, my son Mark’s wife, passed away last night, at their home in Stuart Florida .
Vicky was at every single race meeting Mark ever raced —- happiest girl on the planet.Loved to dance and party. Was loved by everyone .
Mark took seven years to build MOONLIGHT LADY . Intended to sail round the world with Vicky once he retired.

[Bob V]

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness i have to tell you that VICKY, my son Mark’s wife, passed away last night, at their home in Stuart Florida .
Vicky was at every single race meeting Mark ever raced —- happiest girl on the planet.Loved to dance and party. Was loved by everyone .
Mark took seven years to build MOONLIGHT LADY . Intended to sail round the world with Vicky once he retired.

My condolences to the entire Wilson family...

[willabee]

Jackie, we're very sorry to hear of your loss. Our condolences to you and your family.

[robert j garner]

My condolences to Mark and the family.

Rob Garner and Jim Garner

[peterse90]

My condolences to the entire Wilson family as well...

[STEVERINO]

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness i have to tell you that VICKY, my son Mark’s wife, passed away last night, at their home in Stuart Florida .
Vicky was at every single race meeting Mark ever raced —- happiest girl on the planet.Loved to dance and party. Was loved by everyone .
Mark took seven years to build MOONLIGHT LADY . Intended to sail round the world with Vicky once he retired.

So sorry and shocked to hear such sad news Jackie my thoughts are with all the Wilson family.

[OLEGATOR]

so sorry to hear of your loss. the entire wilson family will be in my prayers.