Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[jackiewilson]

Spent five hours in the shop today—— was well satisfied with my efforts, imagination still working 100%.ability 75%+..
Whaletail needs to move in the wind——- have polished edges——- Grey/Blue /White/ Mottled finish, nailed down hard to dissuade would be thieves !
Will post a piccie sometime tomorrow——- just wasn’t far enough advanced for a piccie to do it justice.
Just realised there’s no way I’ll be attending the London F1 Grand Prix——- I shall be in France, at the wedding of a good friend———- Price of paying £50 entrance fee didn’t exactly thrill me either.

[jackiewilson]

I ask myself——- how can I be sad, going to the funeral of a 95 year old man?
Bill was a gifted carpenter/joiner/cabinet maker/woodturner/antique restorer———- anything to do with wood, he could do it.
Married to the same lady for over seventy years——— raised seven kids and lived in the same village
(Kirdford) all his married life.
At Six foot four he was an imposing figure——- but had shrunk to a tad under six foot the last few years.
He learned all about computers over the years and was deep into making videos of long forgotten trades. Rocking horse making——- Blacksmiths——Horse ploughing——Loved restoring old photographs and had learned the intricacies of “PHOTOSHOP”.
I suppose I’m sad because I know I will never sit down with him again recounting the tales of how the
“FOUR MUSKATEERS” would take off to Wembley or Kempton Park to the woodworking exhibition and create havoc by listening to the exhibitors who thought they were clever, only to be reminded they knew very little compared to the four of us.
Others were Gordon Chalk and Rex White—— both died a few years back—— now I’m the only one left.
Forgive me for relating my woes here——- I know it has absolutely nothing to. Do with a”Stacker” or a Molinari, but it’s another passing stage in the life of this particular old boatracer.
will get back to you this evening !

[Bob V]

One of my favorites...

Inboard tunnel (KT) versus outboard tunnel : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCdvJQ8Cy5c

[ron54]

Funnily enough I was close to this spot a couple of days ago, I took advantage of the clement weather to escort a girl of the opposite sex around the dock area and entertain her with my extensive knowledge. Needless to say before too long she was looking round for the nearest bus stop to get her back to her Mother but hey-ho saved me from spending any coin on her!!......I should have took more notice of J.W's patter.. he always had a "way with 'em"...


This snap would make a good Christmas card a reminder to us all of happy times gone by. The scene has changed some, Bismarck has gone as has the grassy knoll, the Pump House in the background is know a trendy pub for the White Audi set....

It looks like Jackie is looking down a bit into the cockpit, I reckon a 10 pence coin might have fallen out of his race suit

Thanks as always Bob for posting.....

[jackiewilson]

Its all coming together———- this is to put on the dwarf wall at Elmer Beach.

[jackiewilson]

Can’t leave you lot for even a few hours before dissent is in the ranks——— guess you know by now Ron54 is a frustrated, retired sparky still looking for love or anything female who’s heart is still beating.
Attended the funeral service of my friend Bill Moulland—— was much harder than I anticipated, stayed in the background——— couldn’t bring myself to converse with anyone. Said my last goodbye after they all left. Must be getting soft. Decided I didn’t want to go to his wake at the pub in Kirdford so I headed back home, changed my clothes and buried myself in the workshop. It was the right antidote. We had spent many hours together in my shop, putting the world to right——- making difficult jobs easy, learning new techniques, always embracing the future. Funny how when you don’t have to think—- everything just clicks into place.
Came across a set of “Red Arrows” and decided to incorporate them in the Goodwood NGK Trophy——-
the way it’s set up at the moment, it’s a little crowded——- maybe even FUSSY .
BY THE TIME IVE GOTTEN TO WHERE IM HAPPY WITH IT———it’ll be ok.
Did wonder if NGK might throw out a couple of FESTIVALOF SPEED grandstand tickets if I let them show it on their stand for the duration !

[jackiewilson]

Difficult piece to photograph ——- a lot going on in there——- that’s not how the final effort will look—— but, I hope you get the idea!

[Bob V]

The computer is on, the coffee cup is full and "Tricks" is silent. Hell, it isn't just Tricks, no posts overnight from Fuji or Lassie. I guess everybody started the Memorial Day weekend early....

[jackiewilson]

First good nights sleep for a long time——— no peffing and spluttering——- I’m almost back to normal, another couple of days and I fit!
Ok , so I’m a few hours late Bob—— it’s a quiet weekend anyway—— you in a hurry to emigrate or something? Train to catch——— bird waiting for you ? Right, take a deep breath, say three hail maryies, five back flips and drink your coffee quietly———- now we’re good.
Im not stopping long——— was in the shop before seven this morning———- had an idea, and you know the idea train don’t stop for anyone———- I had to “go with the flow”
More coming in a while——— sit back and relax ! I SHALL RETURN.

[jackiewilson]

Sweet Opium poppies—— Hoagy Carmichael used to love these—— I get about a pound and a half of “sweet opium” from these gigantic blooms,


Tibetian Opium —— highly prized by the Monks and even more so by the nuns ! Maximum is about four ounces per bud. But two pulls on the pipe and you’re anybody’s?


When her indoors plants a rose, you can bet the farm it’ll be a good one———- GERTRUDE JECKYLL is no exception——- one of those with multiple centres and a scent that would put COCO CHANEL to shame.

Rhododendrum has been outstanding this year——— nearly pulled it out when we moved in as it was ninety percent Mort ? Jilly gave it the kiss of life and Voia ——- it thrives.

White lilac——- Madam brought it with us from the old house——- seems to like it here.
Garden is bursting into life——— summer just around the corner,some great adventures coming——- I can feel it in my water !

[STEVERINO]

One Friday evening just before the shop closed, Four, well spoken, scruffy looking twenty plus kids walked into the shop and started talking raceboats and engines——- how much they cost to run— which boats were best etc——- did I have any second had boats, why Merc and not Jonrude. Turned out the were all students at Guys, learning to be dentists. One of them had a house on the beach at Shoreham and invited me down to his weekend party. His name was Eddie Chater, his companions were Peter Inward, Robin Torrance and Bob Smith—— all went on to buy boats of their own——- all became dental surgeons. All had London addresses.
Peter Inward had the most famous address——100 Harley Street, a very gentle man, loved by everyone—- successful racer—- dentist, gentleman who loved his racing. Only way I could pay him for all the work he did on my fangs was by swopping him a gearcase and two props for the bridgework.
He was dentist to the rich and famous —— he looked after my mouth for many years—— we always came to some arrangement over payment. He lost his life at Fairford on a beautiful Sunday afternoon driving his Hodges/Mercury which swopped ends and landed on the top bank leaving him with fatal multiple injuries. He had been to church with his long time girl friend Gabriella, playing the organ as he loved to do in the morning!
Robin Torrance went over to OMC and drove in the 850 E class for many years very successfully.
Eddie Chater bought a 16’ Levi (Voodoo ) then moved on to offshore—— part of the London/ Monte Carlo crew on HTS with Mike Bellamy, Ralph Hilton, and Jim ?
Told you before——I met some wonderful characters during my racing career—— these are just a few!

I can remember the first time I met Peter Inward he was teamed up with Tony Williams the race was the 1969 Amsterdam 3 hr race he was driving one of Charlies outfits.He was always a big supporter of boatracing and raced successfully for many years.He was a spectator at the Paris 6hr race along with Freddi Miles they were viewing the race from the island of swans when Scotti had his fatal accident and got thrown up on the embankment they were the first on the scene and peter cleared his airways to try and stop him choking while the medics arrived. When I think back now of the races I went in he was nearly always there and always a thoroughly nice gentleman I will try and think of a few more stories about him.

[jackiewilson]

I can remember the first time I met Peter Inward he was teamed up with Tony Williams the race was the 1969 Amsterdam 3 hr race he was driving one of Charlies outfits.He was always a big supporter of boatracing and raced successfully for many years.He was a spectator at the Paris 6hr race along with Freddi Miles they were viewing the race from the island of swans when Scotti had his fatal accident and got thrown up on the embankment they were the first on the scene and peter cleared his airways to try and stop him choking while the medics arrived. When I think back now of the races I went in he was nearly always there and always a thoroughly nice gentleman I will try and think of a few more stories about him.

When he pulled the DUREX deal, it certainly raised a few eyebrows——— a respectable dental surgeon advertising DUREX———— not the done thing at that time. DUREX were only seen in gents toilets or bought in Boots when you handed the pharmacist a written request.
Or, when you had a haircut and the barber would say “SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND SIR ?”
He was very good at pulling sponsorship——— TISSOT. and JACK BARCLEY the Rolls Royce dealer in Mayfair amongst his conquests.

[jackiewilson]

Just been out to dinner with my friend and neighbour Dickie Durndle——— went to the BLACKHORSE at Binstead. They do an excellent Scottish Fillet steak, not cheap, but well worth it.
Intended to tell you how I first met KEN WARBY, but it’s long past my bedtime and I’m knackered so it will have to wait until later—— night night peeps !

[jackiewilson]

Bank holiday again this weekend——— good time to stay off the roads——- drivers leave their brains at home in the mad rush to the sea. Just like lemmings——- hell bent on self destruction.
Its Saturday so I’m off to the car boot sale at Ford———- do not need any metal, got enough to build a battleship, ———- probably come back with a bag full of stuff I do not need, why the hell do I do it?

[jackiewilson]

Managed to pick up a couple of bits of “LALIQUE” and one or two pieces of “MURANO” at the boot sale——— twill make my daughter happy And it kept the old thunk box busy for a while. Just love a good haggle with a hard bitten stall holder . Show em your wallet and walk away———- they’ll chase you all the way back to the car!
Into Another “ CONCEPT” ——— but I’m keeping quiet until it’s finished———- I’ll never be as good as Phillip Morris at making model boats, but then I have never pretended to be———- wonder how much he charges for one of his creations?
Right, it’s saturday morning and I’m having a coupl of Hours in the shop, get back to you later.