Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[jackiewilson]

Blowing a hooley this morning-------black as newgates knocker with heavy rain. " so much for the long dry spells and threatened drought and "Flaming June"
Don't have a single concept on the go at the minute.
Do have a shed load of tools and equipment up for grabs-------.downsizing to what's appropriate for an octogenarian "curmudgeon". Tried sunbathing in my posh sun lounger last-week, ------managed a couple of hours before I got bored and sunburnt-------
Did pull a fresh plank of hardwood off the pile------just in case I get the urge! Damn things are 8' long and 30" wide-------two and a half inches thick and weigh some 120 lbs, could be the reason I've got a raging backache. Really must learn to delegate heavy jobs to those that are capable.
Lizzie stayed over last night, she was fine until 4am, then decided it was time for everyone to get up, it's now 7am and I'm knackered already!

[powerabout]

Windy today, in fact so windy they might call off racing but BAR were out having a test run
Here's our morning sail reaching 47.5 knots / 54 mph / 87 km/h!

[FUJIMO]

In South Florida we are finally getting our 40 days and 40 nights of rain. Unusually dark & overcast all day long. So dark, the security lights go on when I walk underneath them. Weird for Florida. But very welcome, since we are in a severe drought here.

[jackiewilson]

In South Florida we are finally getting our 40 days and 40 nights of rain. Unusually dark & overcast all day long. So dark, the security lights go on when I walk underneath them. Weird for Florida. But very welcome, since we are in a severe drought here.

Old Mother Nature has this nasty habit of balancing the scales --------some days you eat bear!

[powerabout]

Windy today, in fact so windy they might call off racing but BAR were out having a test run
Here's our morning sail reaching 47.5 knots / 54 mph / 87 km/h!

Ben got a get of jail card today as the Kiwis binned it on the start
He will have the upper hand tomorrow if that causes the Kiwi's to be a bit timid....
First race he did very well but the kiwi boat was still a touch faster

[jackiewilson]

Good job your keeping me informed Pilgrim---------I live twenty five minutes from Portsmouth ( BAR/s home base) and there's very little TV coverage of the Americas Cup!
As in all sport it's always the unexpected that can change a result ------hard luck for the New Zealand team but manna from heaven for BAR.
Im sure you heard the expression "NEVER LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH"
Many a race has been won and lost due to "MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES".

[jackiewilson]

Did they cancel today's racing Pilgrim?
I have seen footage of the Kiwis stuffing the nose in--------looks to me like Ben had the jump on them at the start, then New Zealand got a tad over excited.
Those boats must be pretty strong to withstand an impact like that and come out fighting a day later.

[jackiewilson]

Finally got permission to drive again-------- doctor took a lot of convincing about the Molinari elbows. its only when your not allowed to drive that you realise just how necessary it is in this day and age. Her indoors refuses to let me have a push bike, let alone a motor bike-------last thing that should be let loose on the streets is a mad 85 year old!
Fuji tells me there's a lot of rain juice or God piss as it's known in Outer Mongolia come down in Florida this last week. Welcome to the proper world, that's what I told my son and grandkids------told 'em it can't be sunshine and lollipops all the time-------nine out of ten's not a bad average.
Been over a week since i set foot in the workshop-------one day, I'll learn that I'm not supposed to do things I used to do when I was 84.
Last time I did the car boot sale I picked up a box full of plastic that bears a close resemblance to a 1928 blown Racing Bentley-------see how it goes together before I replicate the thing in wood, tin and leather. I'm not gainfully employed at the moment, so I do have time to stop and smell the roses.
Been flat on my back for over a week now-------- feeling very sorry for myself!
Elbows, shoulders back etc. All self inflicted I'm afraid.

[powerabout]

Did they cancel today's racing Pilgrim?
I have seen footage of the Kiwis stuffing the nose in--------looks to me like Ben had the jump on them at the start, then New Zealand got a tad over excited.
Those boats must be pretty strong to withstand an impact like that and come out fighting a day later.

Yep too much wind which is a number they have all agreed
Yep ben had them and the kiwis left the dock with too much trim, sent the bow up and what goes up must come down

[jackiewilson]

Yep too much wind which is a number they have all agreed
Yep ben had them and the kiwis left the dock with too much trim, sent the bow up and what goes up must come down

Must tell you Pilgrim, I learnt more about the Americas Cup this time than in all my previous 80 odd years put together--------I still know nothing but I'm happier if not a lot wiser!

[jackiewilson]

Well, now we really are in deep Ka Ka--------a FECKIN hung parliament-------we needed that like a hole in the head!
Silly cow had a good working majority and enough slam to get on with the job for the next two years. But no, she tried to put the boot in and it backfired badly! Unfortunately Teresa is no Maggie Thatcher and the public just showed her that.
The tree huggers will demand another Brexit vote and Brussels will bleed the country blind because we now have a weak government instead of a strong one. On the bright side, we did get rid of the idiot Alex Salmond and the wimp Nick Clegg!
Dont think Nicola Sturgeon will be getting her second referendum now------would be weird if it turned out to be the Scottish vote that saved the Tories!

[techteam]

Jackie

You probably don't remember him but Ray Hewartson from Windermere Records Week passed away on the 1st of June. We have the sad task of going through the mountains of stuff he had on Records Week, Bluebird and the Campbells. This was hung on his wall in his sitting room and while it's a little faded I'm sure he would like you to have it. We also have the records list from that year (I think) correct me if I'm wrong but it says Jackie Wilson OZ at just over 122 mph from memory as I don't have it here at home. If it is of interest drop me a message and I'll ship it to you or Mark.

Techteam

[jackiewilson]

Jackie

You probably don't remember him but Ray Hewartson from Windermere Records Week passed away on the 1st of June. We have the sad task of going through the mountains of stuff he had on Records Week, Bluebird and the Campbells. This was hung on his wall in his sitting room and while it's a little faded I'm sure he would like you to have it. We also have the records list from that year (I think) correct me if I'm wrong but it says Jackie Wilson OZ at just over 122 mph from memory as I don't have it here at home. If it is of interest drop me a message and I'll ship it to you or Mark.

Techteam

i am so sorry to here of Rays demise--------the Windermere team were '" Just always there" we all took them for granted , from reception to signing in, launclng, recovery, timekeeping, Drinking. At the Low Wood --------That Autumn meeting at Windermere was one of the highlights of my family's boating year. Somehow I always imagined it would go on for ever, but then I never thought I would ever feel any older than the twenty I felt all the times I raced, Now at 85 I'm trying to nail that bastard "time thief " who stole the last 50 years while I wasn't looking.
Yes it was a tad over 122------ Later that year Duckworth got the Harmsworth for his lnnovations to boat racing.
A young lad by the name of Richard Noble was touting for sponsorship for a hairbrained attempt at the world land speed record, I asked him if he had ever travelled over 100 mph, No, but I know a man who has. I told him he would never get his "THRUST" project off the ground
I have been known to get things wrong !
Did you know that the DFV Cosworth is the motor that delivers the fuel in his latest "BLOODHOUND " attempt ?
i would be honoured to have the picture of "THE COSWORTH "

I know it's a bit late but please accept my apologies for never having told you what a great job you did for a bunch of powerboat drivers over the years who never showed any gratitude for your efforts, as I said before, it was "Expected" and you lot never failed!.
Give my regards to those that are still left standing from the "Windermere" team.--------is little JOHN still a going concern?

[jackiewilson]

I don't have many pictures of "THE COSWORTH" and I did not even know that one even existed.
It wasn't until forty years on I realised the significance of what Duckworth -------Dick Scammel-----Mike Costain------Ben Rood------Malcolm Tyrell------Ian (HAWKEYE) Hawkins. Bob, my faithful mechanic who spent six weeks living at COSWORTHS -------Chris Hodges-------Phil Rolla who never charged me for a single prop and a bunch of folk in Northampton including Patrick Castell who just believed! We competed with the two factories who were the backbone of boat racing and won (sometimes). Pat Frewer and Dennis Stacey at South Western Marine helped with the stern drive.
A special thanks to Gloria on the switchboard at COSWORTHS who could always get a hold of Kieth even when he was unavailable to the rest of the world.
Very few folk know of the ongoing relationship between Mercury-------the unlimiteds-------offshore------the legal side of the Ford----Cosworth------Cart and Indy series, except to say, the waters were well and truly tested with the help of "THE COSWORTH".

[ron54]

Hi Jackie...A Molinari far sale on E-BAY USA....recognise it?

I didn't realise Dick Scammel was involved with the boat, lives not too far from me in Bath now. Did you know he used to be Jimmy Clarks spanner man?