Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[powerabout]

that only works when the came is going up, nobodies going to buy anybody at the moment
its all about timing
Ford bought stewart, did him a favour in most peoples eyes.. ( long relationship there)
Toyota spend more than most back then and just closed the door

[T2x]

There you go again Rich-----we are very nearly in agreement, over the years I have become close friends with Billy, Renato would never let you be close friends---------hand on heart, in my book, even today I don't know which of them was the best!!
Somewhere in that mix, but just out of kilter in the time frame was Sirois, he had to be close,.

Sirois wasn't on your earlier list.....To me the "Billy's" are the top 2.... pick 'em because I can't put either one above the other....after all I am mortal.

[T2x]

Plain fact is, take away the boat racers and I don't have many friends, wonder why that is?

I have said repeatedly that the highest compliment I can pay to a person is that he (or she) is a "real boat racer". Most of my closest friends are also cut from that cloth. ...... One more little detail...not everybody who owns nor drives a race boat deserves the "real boat racer" title.

[jackiewilson]

Sirois wasn't on your earlier list.....To me the "Billy's" are the top 2.... pick 'em because I can't put either one above the other....after all I am mortal.

Ah! There you have the difference between us Rich,--------I sit on the right hand side! (According to my children and ex.)
Sirois was a great character, first time we met was in the USA/GB stand off on the Paris pit area around 6.30am the morning of the race early October 65/66, I forget which. He was always at Rolla's -----Molinari's------Havasu. PRUETT took me to his house in Florida, I was always surprised by how big he was.

[jackiewilson]

That's nothing new----out of a field of 100 at any of the big races anywhere in the world you knew the ten rigs where the winner was coming from-----it was ever so!
Molinari had "celebrity" racers who were exceedingly well heeled and would order new boats every year, they couldn't race for toffee but were in the most very nice people.

[jackiewilson]

that only works when the came is going up, nobodies going to buy anybody at the moment
its all about timing
Ford bought stewart, did him a favour in most peoples eyes.. ( long relationship there)
Toyota spend more than most back then and just closed the door

Don't agree pilgrim, in F1 the time is always right-----might cost a few dollars more if it's a successful team------few dollars less if it's on the skids-----somebody always wants in.
The Koreans will be knocking on the door, then the Chinese, Americans keep putting a toe in, Honda are back big time ----Eastern tyre manufacturers are there to replace Pirelli and Michelin,
F1 is not ready to roll over and give up the ghost just yet!

[jackiewilson]

I have said repeatedly that the highest compliment I can pay to a person is that he (or she) is a "real boat racer". Most of my closest friends are also cut from that cloth. ...... One more little detail...not everybody who owns nor drives a race boat deserves the "real boat racer" title.

Two of the nicest people I ever were Alberto Fioretto, he owned a restaurante and a camera shop in the tiny town of Casale Monferrato --------and Carlo Bodiga -----he owned a little outfit called Black and Decker with a factory or two in most countries. Renato would put a factory engine on one of his latest boats and sell it to Carlo who never even asked the price-----if he didn't win ( which was like NEVER) he would say he didn't like the boat and buy another, there was always a queue of drivers waiting to buy ex Bodiga boats . If he lived to be a thousand he would never make a racer.
Alberto was different, he just loved to be be among racers would supply all the wine, sausages and truffles for the celebration dinners.
In my roundabout stupid sort of way, I'm trying to semi agree with you Rich, trouble is some of those who were not "REAL BOAT RACERS" were really nice people with a deep love of race boats.

[powerabout]

A lot of people get as much fun out of competing as winning

[T2x]

Two of the nicest people I ever were Alberto Fioretto, he owned a restaurante and a camera shop in the tiny town of Casale Monferrato --------and Carlo Bodiga -----he owned a little outfit called Black and Decker with a factory or two in most countries. Renato would put a factory engine on one of his latest boats and sell it to Carlo who never even asked the price-----if he didn't win ( which was like NEVER) he would say he didn't like the boat and buy another, there was always a queue of drivers waiting to buy ex Bodiga boats . If he lived to be a thousand he would never make a racer.
Alberto was different, he just loved to be be among racers would supply all the wine, sausages and truffles for the celebration dinners.
In my roundabout stupid sort of way, I'm trying to semi agree with you Rich, trouble is some of those who were not "REAL BOAT RACERS" were really nice people with a deep love of race boats.

The only ones who don't make my list are the d*ckheads, chest thumpers, showoffs and poseurs. A "real boat racer" simply needs a deep love of the sport...and the other sportsmen/women.....

[jackiewilson]

The only ones who don't make my list are the d*ckheads, chest thumpers, showoffs and poseurs. A "real boat racer" simply needs a deep love of the sport...and the other sportsmen/women.....

We finally got there , we agree.

[jackiewilson]

A lot of people get as much fun out of competing as winning

Very true Pilgrim------I do know a fair few of those people.

[ron54]

Jackie. Those of us over this side remember the camper "Jackie Wilson..Racing for Fun", boat on the back, middle lane of the M4,faces looking out the windows looking for traffic cops.....Phill.

[jackiewilson]

The only ones who don't make my list are the d*ckheads, chest thumpers, showoffs and poseurs. A "real boat racer" simply needs a deep love of the sport...and the other sportsmen/women.....

Rich, like I said previously, most of my friends are or were "Racers" , more than I care to remember are no longer with us, so I count myself blessed that multitudes of the buggers still treat me as a friend------can't think of one offhand that I haven't "discussed" issues with, crossed sabres, raised voices, heated disagreements, but at the end of the day we always shook hands and hugged each other---------we were glad we got it out of the way. But isn't that what true friends and racers do?

Classic example of this was early days with ROTORY John, was quite sure we were going to have a right bundle at the inaugural OFF meeting------what happened? We became lifelong friends------it's what racers do!

I have seen the dickheads and chest thumpers, fist pumping and high fives at some of the off shore events of late------usually where there are just two or three boats running ------Pilgrim and Rich got it right-"Wankers" ( apologise if that's not P.C.)
Should get a fair few comments on this post----roll up-----give it your best shot, I'm putting the iPad to bed so off you pop peeps and MYGGWY.J.

[jackiewilson]

Happy days Phill, thought they would never end.
The RV was a 26' six wheel GMC----the most beautiful camper van ever made.
We were late going down to Bristol with one of the 2 liter. Cosworths hitched up behind------ran it flat out down the M4------I bottled it @ 110 MPH----it was still climbing, but I had a rumble in the trailer bearings and five kids with us.
Looking back, I could not remember when the party was over, it just kinda faded, but it's actually still going on------week tomorrow I'll be travelling to Orlando first class on the BA big Airbus, drinking bubbly with my youngest-------the adventure continues!!!

[powerabout]

I can remember racing offshore and there were guys that could barely get the boat out of the marina