Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[T2x]

.
Thanks Gene, just goes to show we elder statesmen are not as "SHORT SIGHTED" as some of the "Walking Websters" would have you believe.
Gary once told me he had flipped a MOLINARI but I must confess, I didn't really believe him, maybe that's because I never saw him even sit in a race boat.
Must confess, it was only speculation on my part that it might have been Miss Titty GG was testing.

I never Realized just how much effort went on and how many rigs were tested , and how many of the personel I actually knew from the lake, Mark reckons there are a bunch of records missing, but we still have fourteen of them. They are in safe hands Gene, GARY and Mark will be great custodians.

Some years ago I saw one of the original open cockpit Molinari's in Tom Wenstadt's garage in Oshkosh. He was a Merc engineer before joining a boat company. He said that it was one of the first two that came to Wisconsin and GG had flipped the other one..... These were single engine hulls and very early designs. I don't know how Tom wound up with the hull, but he had it in the mid 80's.

[bernie]

If you are talking about the two page spread sheet boat test records - I've got 16 of them - all Switzer Wing tests - from 1966-1968. Not originals - just copies. A dumpster dive collection - they would be long gone otherwise.

[jackie wilson]

If you are talking about the two page spread sheet boat test records - I've got 16 of them - all Switzer Wing tests - from 1966-1968. Not originals - just copies. A dumpster dive collection - they would be long gone otherwise.

Mark thought that were some of the origiinals were missing and some of these we have were copies Bernie.

[bernie]

Some years ago I saw one of the original open cockpit Molinari's in Tom Wenstadt's garage in Oshkosh. He was a Merc engineer before joining a boat company. He said that it was one of the first two that came to Wisconsin and GG had flipped the other one..... These were single engine hulls and very early designs. I don't know how Tom wound up with the hull, but he had it in the mid 80's.

I rode in that one with Tom - that thing would really handle rough water - he took it down to Grass Lake IL later on and blew it over - boat was trashed if I remember right.

[willabee]

.
Thanks Gene, just goes to show we elder statesmen are not as "SHORT SIGHTED" as some of the "Walking Websters" would have you believe.
Gary once told me he had flipped a MOLINARI but I must confess, I didn't really believe him, maybe that's because I never saw him even sit in a race boat.
Must confess, it was only speculation on my part that it might have been Miss Titty GG was testing......

Don't get your hopes up Gramps, the sight of Garbrecht wearing a Lifeline at Parker 1970 does not put him in Miss Titti at Lake X. I repeat, Titti comes from Tavernola to Oshkosh, gets rigged for the first time and goes directly to Havasu. Gets wet for the first time, real wet! Broken, Miss Titti goes back to Oshkosh. Gets repaired, repainted and rerigged. Goes directly to Parker and Sirois has it in the lead somewhere around the five hour mark. Has a mechanical failure and is put on the trailer. Boat is sold to Bob Massy and goes to Bellflower, California. Never does this Miss Titti grace the waters of Lake X.

The only Miss Titti that did was a 16' sprint. Renato painted it the same color as this twin. On his first day of testing at the Lake had the same result ..... blew it over! Not that a blowover is ever funny, but his was a bit comical. He wanted nothing to do with the idea of swimming with those alligators. He managed to get himself perched on the nose of the boat sticking out of the water and kept a ever watchful eye for an intruder as he waited for the safety boat to pick him up. I'm not sure if he even got wet!

I don't think he ever painted a boat green for himself again.

Note: Will tell you about the Lifeline and the flip later.

[GENE LANHAM]

.
Gary once told me he had flipped a MOLINARI but I must confess, I didn't really believe him, maybe that's because I never saw him even sit in a race boat.
Must confess, it was only speculation on my part that it might have been Miss Titty GG was testing.

Jackie---I didn't mean to imply that GG had flipped THAT boat---only how surprised to see him testing a boat with that potential---

[GENE LANHAM]

Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement


This is what all of us old guys are doing---45 years later??? Trying to figure out LH RH propeller placement????

[T2x]

Don't get your hopes up Gramps, the sight of Garbrecht wearing a Lifeline at Parker 1970 does not put him in Miss Titti at Lake X. I repeat, Titti comes from Tavernola to Oshkosh, gets rigged for the first time and goes directly to Havasu. Gets wet for the first time, real wet! Broken, Miss Titti goes back to Oshkosh. Gets repaired, repainted and rerigged. Goes directly to Parker and Sirois has it in the lead somewhere around the five hour mark. Has a mechanical failure and is put on the trailer. Boat is sold to Bob Massy and goes to Bellflower, California. Never does this Miss Titti grace the waters of Lake X.

The only Miss Titti that did was a 16' sprint. Renato painted it the same color as this twin. On his first day of testing at the Lake had the same result ..... blew it over! Not that a blowover is ever funny, but his was a bit comical. He wanted nothing to do with the idea of swimming with those alligators. He managed to get himself perched on the nose of the boat sticking out of the water and kept a ever watchful eye for an intruder as he waited for the safety boat to pick him up. I'm not sure if he even got wet!

I don't think he ever painted a boat for himself green again.

Note: Will tell you about the Lifeline and the flip later.

Willa...I recall a lunch at Oshkosh sitting next to GG while a bunch of guys (including YOU I think) were playing cards. I asked Gary if he ever tested any of the boats. There followed a general hubbub centered around his "days of boat testing" being over (he was forbidden by upper management I think) because He had flipped a tunnel some years before....

[jackiewilson]

Willa, I suddenly find myself very tired- and desperately short of conversation.------don't feel up to arguing any more.
May need to take a short break. Would appreciate it if you would look after the Tricks column for a while. Keep talking to each other, it's worth keeping going.

You all have such an abundance of history, don't let it get forgotten.

Matt got the thumbs down, ****ty deal . Have to be with Jilly, but feel inadequate to the task and incredibly sad, we hoped and prayed for better news, instead we got the worst possible scenario.
Have to go down to Somerset for a few days on Thursday
All is not well in the camp. Will explain as and when, the world is all a bit upside down at the minute

Just four weeks ago all was well with the world, then in the blink of an eye, nothing will ever be the same again, will talk to you later________MYGGWY.J.

[ron54]

Folks, I'm sure all our best wishes and prayers are with Jackie and his good wife and her family at this time.....Phill.

[T2x]

Folks, I'm sure all our best wishes and prayers are with Jackie and his good wife and her family at this time.....Phill.

Well said.....Bad things happen to good folks too often...

[JWTjr.]

I'm sorry Jackie. Best wishes to you and your family.

[willabee]

Willa, I suddenly find myself very tired- and desperately short of conversation.------don't feel up to arguing any more.
May need to take a short break. Would appreciate it if you would look after the Tricks column for a while. Keep talking to each other, it's worth keeping going......

Will do Jackie ..... you take care of you & yours, we'll take care of "Tricks"

[Rotary John]

Jackie: Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family. Hang in there old man; I need someone to argue rotaries with me.

[powerabout]

Best wishes for the best outcome Jackie.