Hot Singles ! - Pictures

[jackie wilson]

Yep the Humming Bird...that is the boat. Anyone know how far back and how deep that center pod section was that the driver is sitting in? They were trying to get a handle on blow overs but in rough water it did just the opposite.

I would think it would not corner well if it was like a Mod-VP. Thinking that it ran on two points down the straight like a tunnel.

Did answer this question before-----but it got lost in the maze that is technology, so i will try again.

Firstly THAT craft is NOT the HUmming Bird !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The hummer was a green MONO hull that famously submarined for 150 metres beneath the Pont D'ienna in Paris.
The yellow 'Gordons Gin' was one of James's "LATHAM SPECIALS"!!!!!
Made a brief appearance at Fairford-----handled like a rabid dog---it may have raced somewhere----but i never saw it again.


BIG HIGH FIVES AND MANY CONGRATULATIONS WILLA ON THE QUARTER MILLION HITS ON WHAT MUST SURELY BE THE MOST WATCHED THREAD EVER ON S&F. GOD -----BUT THAT HURT !!!!!!!!!!!!

[jackie wilson]

Please let me refresh your memory here Jackie`take a seat for a few moments rest your feet` like you said Alf Bullen was a character his nickname Wicked Alf he even named a raceboat after himself he resided in Dulwhich eats London had friends from the London underworld.He could be most charming and loved racing boats like you said Offshore raceboats at first he started racing Mercury powered circuit boats in 1968 a good friend of mine and teamate at OMC we raced a Molinari together in Paris 1977 he did win the Amsterdam 3hr race in 1976 with the same Burgess boat that you and Alfi entered in the Paris 6hr race in 1978. I know the Engine Blew and you never had the chance to drive that boat .I did drive that boat and got a good result in holland with it and finished 2nd to Molinari in a new 16ft sprint boat so it was a capable outfit maybe it could have won with you and Alfi driving in Paris?Now there`s a good discusion in there somewhere.Just 1 question in 1969 Mercury had at least 14 of their latest race engines in the UK how come in 1970 they had only 2Attachment 262182

Wrong again Steve-----there were three engines delivered to Pat Frewer at South Western Marine. The first one was for me-------Ridgell came over from Italy and collected number two-------Leo took one to Holland for Cees.

[jackiewilson]

Please let me refresh your memory here Jackie`take a seat for a few moments rest your feet` like you said Alf Bullen was a character his nickname Wicked Alf he even named a raceboat after himself he resided in Dulwhich eats London had friends from the London underworld.He could be most charming and loved racing boats like you said Offshore raceboats at first he started racing Mercury powered circuit boats in 1968 a good friend of mine and teamate at OMC we raced a Molinari together in Paris 1977 he did win the Amsterdam 3hr race in 1976 with the same Burgess boat that you and Alfi entered in the Paris 6hr race in 1978. I know the Engine Blew and you never had the chance to drive that boat .I did drive that boat and got a good result in holland with it and finished 2nd to Molinari in a new 16ft sprint boat so it was a capable outfit maybe it could have won with you and Alfi driving in Paris?Now there`s a good discusion in there somewhere.Just 1 question in 1969 Mercury had at least 14 of their latest race engines in the UK how come in 1970 they had only 2Attachment 262182

. Alfie was a fruit and nut case of the highest order.
Gave him £350. For fuel for the race, didn't get a ride as the rig fell apart after 20 mins. Last I saw of my money''!!!!!!'
Alf decided he would give the world a disappointment dinner and invited all my family and his to a gourmet dinner at the Hilton in Paris.
We had a fuLl seven courses with champers to swill it down
Then Alfie calls for the humidor and a bottle of Napoleons best.
Then he drops his little bombshell-------OK everyone, exit left, we're gonna do a runner.
Both his wives said at the same time, Alfie you bast-rd, you wouldn't, But he did.
Both wives caught a taxi to Calais and made safe passage to The uk.
The twins beat it to rave on the left bank.
Andy disappeared into the gents and was not seen 'till the following Wednesday.
Wife and I hit the ballroom and danced 'till 5 AM, before we were thrown out, the band had gone home some time ago.
I have never ever allowed Alfie to buy me even a bag of fish and chips since then.

That was 40 years ago . Even to this day, If I see a Gendarme I cross over the street, just in case.

Yeah, Alfie was a great character ------- but at arms length.


One day , I will tell you tale of how he smuggled twenty Pakistanis into Dover in the hull of an offshore boat belonging to a very famous general, but they nailed him that time, You know how and why Steve???

[velox]

Jackie, your stoty reminds me of a guy that hung around the S Florida racing scene in the early 60's.
I went to a race somewere north of Miami and checked into a motel. My friend Richie Baiz was there when I got to the motel and introduced me to Ray Barnett. The next AM Ray invited about 20 people to his room for breakfast on his tab.
After I got home I got a bill for the breakfast. It seems Ray was a professional Con-Man and memorized my signature and signed the check with my room number and signiture. It was so good I could not tell the difference. I understand he went away to "summer camp" several times before he croaked.

[Mark Poole ModVP]

Now that's a funny story right there Jackie. Alf had two wives? LOL!!!

Was James Beard the man behind Cougar tunnels?

[jackie wilson]

Now that's a funny story right there Jackie. Alf had two wives? LOL!!!

Was James Beard the man behind Cougar tunnels?

Alf had A regular wife, Anne i think her name was , and a long time girl friend who was always wifey 2. The arrangement seem to work perfectly.!!!!!!!!

James was the Brains------------Clive could brush a good broom-----------Hodges was the designer before he went out on his own.

[jackie wilson]

Jackie, your stoty reminds me of a guy that hung around the S Florida racing scene in the early 60's.
I went to a race somewere north of Miami and checked into a motel. My friend Richie Baiz was there when I got to the motel and introduced me to Ray Barnett. The next AM Ray invited about 20 people to his room for breakfast on his tab.
After I got home I got a bill for the breakfast. It seems Ray was a professional Con-Man and memorized my signature and signed the check with my room number and signiture. It was so good I could not tell the difference. I understand he went away to "summer camp" several times before he croaked.

Had a similar thing happen to me whilst attending a race at Campioni, [ a small Italian Province inside Switzerland ] .
Kept getting rather large bar bills i knew nothing about-----went to the manager and sorted it. Was a guy called Buddy Babbet who was loading my bill. Have always been on the lookout for the little sh-t, but so far no luck.!!!!!!

[MN4V]

I have a question and this might be slightly off topic.....but I figured Willabee and others here might know the answer. Question is about the engine cover in the pictures was it something Mercury supported racers used or was it sold by dealers. The front emblem says Twister in blue lettering. I have never seen one before. Any ideas or thoughts ??

I had some of those decals. Not sure where I got them, maybe a boat show in Chicago.
Mark N

[willabee]

..... Question is about the engine cover in the pictures was it something Mercury supported racers used or was it sold by dealers. The front emblem says Twister in blue lettering. I have never seen one before. Any ideas or thoughts ??

I think that cover was something someone did on their own. Racing and Hi Perf. Products didn't have them. I doubt a dealer would have made a bunch of them for resale. The blue is Twister I, a 71/72 engine. The cover in the picture says "Kiekhaefer Mercury" ..... Mr. K was gone in 1970 and everything changed to "Mercury Marine" shortly thereafter. Merc would not have made something in 71/72 with "Kiekhaefer" on it.

I know something about that cover, I just can't remember what it is that I know!

[jackie wilson]

Yeah !!! yeah !!!!!!!! yeah, Typical Willa--------a mine of information, in a mind that forgot where it came from and can't remember where it goes, but sure as God made little apples -----if it' anything to do with any product out of OSHBERGLAC it's in there somewhere.
Real glad i'm not that fuddled----------Keep taking the tablets William---------there may be hope somewhere down the line for you. Me !!!! way past it long ago----just the facts man----nothing but the facts-------------STILL SAY I WON THE 1970 PARIS 6 HOURS-----Just can't remember where it was at ???????

[willabee]

Yeah !!! yeah !!!!!!!! yeah, Typical Willa--------a mine of information, in a mind that forgot where it came from and can't remember where it goes, but sure as God made little apples -----if it' anything to do with any product out of OSHBERGLAC it's in there somewhere.
Real glad i'm not that fuddled----------Keep taking the tablets William---------there may be hope somewhere down the line for you. Me !!!! way past it long ago----just the facts man----nothing but the facts-------------STILL SAY I WON THE 1970 PARIS 6 HOURS-----Just can't remember where it was at ???????

I can close my eyes and see a twin with those engines covers. I might even be pulling the draw string on one as someone is securing the other. I just can't see who's boat it is or who I am talking to as we finish the job.

Surely that has happened to you once or twice. I bet when you close your eyes, you see yourself accepting a large trophy with the Eiffel Tower on it, you just can't figure out which race it might be from.

[GENE LANHAM]

I think that cover was something someone did on their own. Racing and Hi Perf. Products didn't have them. I doubt a dealer would have made a bunch of them for resale. The blue is Twister I, a 71/72 engine. The cover in the picture says "Kiekhaefer Mercury" ..... Mr. K was gone in 1970 and everything changed to "Mercury Marine" shortly thereafter. Merc would not have made something in 71/72 with "Kiekhaefer" on it.

I know something about that cover, I just can't remember what it is that I know!

I was looking in the 'closet' for that orange waterski jacket, and found this----1971??

[jackie wilson]

I can close my eyes and see a twin with those engines covers. I might even be pulling the draw string on one as someone is securing the other. I just can't see who's boat it is or who I am talking to as we finish the job.

Surely that has happened to you once or twice. I bet when you close your eyes, you see yourself accepting a large trophy with the Eiffel Tower on it, you just can't figure out which race it might be from.

WHAT'S AN "EIFFEL TOWER" ????? Thought it was some sort of scaffolding !!!!!!!!!

[T2x]

WHAT'S AN "EIFFEL TOWER" ????? Thought it was some sort of scaffolding !!!!!!!!!

No, no, no Jackie....... That's the "I Fell " tower.

[jackie wilson]

Willa !!!!!!!! Back to the motor cover!!!!!! Remember the grey haired old guy with the specs, that came out of California, DICK SHEARER, Jesus but he was OLD-OLD. Even older than me ----and by a long chalk, but nowhere near as pretty and modest as myself !!!!!!
The cover is just his sort of stamp----he was a bit flash-----DEAN MOON was making everything for boats and autos including custom jackets and covers for any thing. I remember his catalogue-------at least two foot thick and a thousand pages, it's just the sort of thing that would have lit his candle.
"SMITTY" took me to his shop in the early seventies-------it was MOON everything. Just asking---that's all---don't get snotty !!!!!!!