Hot Singles ! - Pictures

[jackiewilson]

William, I’m sure you would have heard by now that Bill Petty cashed in his chips—- Sorry don’t cover it—— another of the all time”Greats” moved over.
Not many of the old “CHARACTERS” left now——- both Mercury and OMC had their own “ characters” !
We were fortunate indeed to have known these legends, raced with and against—- there are still tales to be told—— but a hell of a lot more that can never be told—- as you well know !

[Lake X Kid]

I am getting the idea that unless you were on the "A" list (OMC-Merc) your chances of obtaining a new Molinari or Scotti on a direct basis was non-reality... It's obvious that Scotti and Molinari were not building these products by themselves in a garage somewhere, Can anyone elaborate on what their payroll worker staffing was? Wood workers, painters, riggers, etc? Were they employed "full time" or on an "on-call" (racing season event) basis?.. You can't keep the really good workers around if you are laying them off on cycling basis?

In the 1971 to 1973 era, at the Renato Molinari race boat facility there was maximum of Two Carpenters. The wood shop was on the middle floor. The bottom floor was the rigging and engine shop, and on the roof/top floor Roy Ridgell, Mercury European Race Manager, and his secretary had their offices up there.

In the winter months, sometimes there will be only one carpenter, but during race season both carpenters are busy. And the shorter carpenter, fancied himself an opera singer. And when I would walk into there work area, he would smile and turn-up his vocal volume. I hardly ever saw Renato Molinari in the wood fabricating floor, except to check on the progress and inspect the details.

And the painter was shared by both Renato and his father Angelo's boat shop. Angelo was building wooden pleasure craft. Back at Renato's race shop, his younger brother Giorgio was the in-house rigger/mechanic all year long. So there was about Five Italians on Renato's payroll (including himself).

Intermittently throughout the race season, Americans on the Mercury Race Team payroll would come to the Como, Italy race shop —depending on the upcoming race event(s). And they would rig, rebuild, and test engines, boats, lower units, props, and set-ups. Prior to the Paris 6 Hour race, the USA Mercury contingent was at its highest occupancy at the Como race shop.

This is Renato Molinari's race shop on Lake Como, in Italy.

[Lake X Kid]

I was there, but really don't remember Scotti doing any testing near Molinari's shop. However, I do recall that one year he and a friend or two did stop by the shop to visit with Renato . I don't recall if they arrived by boat or car, but they were allowed in and were on the lower floor having a fun chat! Most of our boats were there in some stage of being rigged. That might have happened in 1971, do you remember Scotti 's visit?

I was at the Como shop in 1971, and Scotti did not come to Renato's shop. Renato's shop was on the western shore, and Cesare was on the eastern shore of Lake Como. Probably in 1971 that became the division line, when Molinari hulls started becoming exclusive only for Mercury, and Scotti hulls for OMC. But in the 1970 video titled Bill Sirois, you will see Cesare Scotti at Renato's race shop, and all the USA Mercury guys too.

Here is the Bill Sirois video link, titled Bill Sirois "OPC" Tape.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkFc29jo6us

[Lake X Kid]

willabee
A few years ago I got some really sad pictures mailed to me from I think a French man.
The pictures show Cesare Scotti's crashed boat at the crash site and Cesare laying on the concrete seawall lifeless. There was also a steel fence there.
I still have the pictures but not sure what to do with them.

PS..I remember driving by the accident every lap 1974 looking at the crashed Scotti-Craft. At that time I did not know how bad it was.
I still remember exactly where at the narrow island it happened. Walked by there a few times years later.

I may be in the minority, but I think posting the photos of the crashed boat (not including Cesare in the photo) would be fine. A lot of drivers have left us, without returning to shore. But to go out in your own design race hull, doing what you like to do, is almost a fitting memorial.

If Cesare Scotti was my brother, uncle or dear friend, I would not be offended in seeing a photo of the aftermath craft, that was his last activity on earth. Is this not a minor equivalent for the racing fraternity, in comparison of what a battlefield memorial is for military personnel?

I see the photo as honoring the last stand, for a fellow competitor and race contemporary, and gentleman.

[Lake X Kid]

Maybe it's the Sunday start? Looks like first boat in lower left corner is Berghauer. I can't read the driver listing on the next boat (maybe someone can), the third Molinari is Cees. Then the pickle forks of #190 Seebold and #174 Pruett, followed by Simison, Peacock, Serra & Petty. I don't see the pickle forks of Renato or Hering in the picture. Both of them had flipped early Saturday, makes me think this must be Sunday. Regardless, it's a great picture.

I took the liberty to add some light, to your great photo.

[MN4V]

Greg Jacobson is getting closer with the rigging on the Scotti. I believe all that's left are some decals.
Mark N

[WaterZebra]

Greg Jacobson is getting closer with the rigging on the Scotti. I believe all that's left are some decals.
Mark N

I'd pay $$$ to see Jake run:
(1) Strangler (Scotti)
(2) V8 Evinrude (Molinari)
(3) Johnson Rotary (Test wheel in a barrel or dyno?)

[MN4V]

He is planning on bringing a few boats to the Mahogany and Merlot event.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...=1565473372224
Mark N

[Lake X Kid]

Greg Jacobson is getting closer with the rigging on the Scotti. I believe all that's left are some decals.
Mark N

On the boat's stringers, I can see Cesare Scotti learned from his Uncle Angelo Molinari. Like Renato Molinari hulls the stringers upside are trimmed thinner for weight loss. And the nails will penetrate on the thicker bottom-side of the stringers.
I remember some of Molinari 1970's hull competitors did not take the extra labor time, to shave off weight on the stringers.

[Lake X Kid]

[John Schubert]

I

I was at the Como shop in 1971, and Scotti did not come to Renato's shop. Renato's shop was on the western shore, and Cesare was on the eastern shore of Lake Como. Probably in 1971 that became the division line, when Molinari hulls started becoming exclusive only for Mercury, and Scotti hulls for OMC. But in the 1970 video titled Bill Sirois, you will see Cesare Scotti at Renato's race shop, and all the USA Mercury guys too.

Here is the Bill Sirois video link, titled Bill Sirois "OPC" Tape.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkFc29jo6us

Interesting Merc at Molinari’s testing with what looks like 6 exposed carbs on the starboard side not in front.?Not sure we have seen that before. Any one have any explanation?

[2us70]

I think Jackie tried to race one of those motors. He would be the one to ask about it.

[willabee]

I
Interesting Merc at Molinari’s testing with what looks like 6 exposed carbs on the starboard side not in front.?Not sure we have seen that before. Any one have any explanation?

We have talked about that motor a couple of times. You must have been busy sailing the islands.

The kinda long story is that Charles Alexander, VP Engineering, instructed two of his 2 cycle development engineers to come up with an 'OMC Beater' for the 1970 Paris and Berlin 6 Hour races. Ted Morgan came up with what was to become the C6. Dick Lanpheer came up with what was affectionately called the DC 9. Lanpheer recalls that there was little time and small budget to get something ready. He decided to use the direct charge 1350 and add 6 side mounted carbs to the 3 up front ..... result, a DC 9.

Dick said there was no money for reed valves, so the motor was piston ported resulting in horrific carb blow back. He added plastic carb covers to lessen the chance of fire. The idea was to go into a turn using only the 3 front carbs and then kick in the other 6 as you started down the straightaway. The video shows the DC 9 being tested by Renato at his shop on Lake Como. The tests showed that this configuration was not beneficial on a one buoy turn course like Paris.

The DC 9 was raced on an older 18' rocker at Berlin, driven by Mike Downard. I think it ran in the top 10 for a few hours before something broke. Jackie Wilson did take it for a short spin at Berlin, but didn't think much of it's complexities. To my knowledge, it was never seen again after that race.

Wilson running the DC 9 .....

Sideview of DC 9 .....

[John Schubert]

Thanks Bill. I do remember the dialogue about Morgan’s ��9 carb but did not recall the direct induction with cards on the side

[Mark75H]

Some 1100cc alky racers were already doing this and 1 or 2 are still in service and functional, as in FULLY functional.