Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[jackiewilson]

biggest gains are, in my opinion, props. you could ask mark cause he is more versed than i. data they have available today, would have been helpful (back in the day).

Always makes me laugh Jim when so called” TopNotch” racers start spouting on about their props——- props are not an exact science ——— never has been.
In fact many years ago Mark invested in a “State of The Art” ——- infra ultra sonic research de analytic machine——- cost over $50,000, but the industry indicated this was the only way to travel. Move on ten years I ask the boy—— “just how good is that analysing machine of yours ?” ——— no idea Dad—— never use it “ . “So why did you buy it” I asked?
First thing people like Ferretti, Azimat, Sunseeker ask is have you got the .,#=“,:; machine? . Tell “em yes of course we have, they’re happy!
But the problem with the machine is ———- it has no FEEL.
You can count on both hands the people who are good with props—— Mark works on all size props——- he has a matched pair of 60” six blades at the entrance to the prop shop !

[2us70]

Never understood props. The only success I ever had working on one was fabricating an exhaust tube on a hub less two blade. That was only to stop blowout and didn't make it any faster just more drivable. I tried beating on a few bronze props but usually made them worse. I was however always smart enough to leave my best props alone.

[jackiewilson]

not only (props are not an exact science), they have never been. i agree, feel is key, but there are a lot of drivers that do not have the same feel. that has always been the difference between winning and losing. with the data available today, i believe you can overcome some of that feel. the data i am speaking of is overlaying lap tracks, trim tracks, throttle tracks, etc. when i started 2 blade props were the only things available, now there are 3,4,5,6 blade props that are more efficient. nobody had the feel you and i had. after all, we ran the little molinari sprints and thought they were the best molinaris built.

Those little Molly’s were so FECKIN quick in their day Jim——- but like most good things there were “side effects “————- i always felt the sprint could bite me———- it never Did mind you, but it was so quick it made me nervous. Was running Lake Como one time ——- Renato has a brand new 1250BP on a 17’ ——— I had a 1000BP on a 15’ Sprint ———- I would pull up alongside Renato but I would not pass him ( it wasn’t written anywhere, and I had never been told———- you wanted a factory ride ! —— use a bit of Common!)
To this day——- I still think Renato was one of the best two Boat-racers in the world!
Best all round boat I ever ran was the 17’ Molinari————Mark reckons the best boat he ever ran was the small Seebold, ( I never ever even sat in one, so I can’t comment)
GG shipped my sprint back to Oshberg after I fell out with him at Windermere when” “SHAKEY” died.
Merton ran it in Havasu——— after that it wound up in Canada in the hands of Mark Rathamell.

[techteam]

What was your number at Windermere ?

[jackiewilson]

What was your number at Windermere ?

I have no idea———Sprint Black Molinari with white stripes, OI class with a 1000BP. Race went ahead as per schedule.I watched Shakey go under———was a practice session——-- boat just submarined. He was two boat lengths ahead on the inside——- . I just made sure I won the class——— it was a rough race———- water was too big for a sprint boat, and my heart wasn’t in it anyway. Boat had a hole in it and was taking on water so the team pulled it onto the dock. GG was spitting feathers and was not a happy bunny——— he told me I was off the team———- I told him to go buck a fuffalo——— so, you can understand why I don’t remember my boat number!

[Bob V]

What was your number at Windermere ?

I have no idea———Sprint Black Molinari with white stripes, OI class with a 1000BP. Race went ahead as per schedule.I watched Shakey go under———was a practice session——-- boat just submarined. He was two boat lengths ahead on the inside——- . I just made sure I won the class——— it was a rough race———- water was too big for a sprint boat, and my heart wasn’t in it anyway. Boat had a hole in it and was taking on water so the team pulled it onto the dock. GG was spitting feathers and was not a happy bunny——— he told me I was off the team———- I told him to go buck a fuffalo——— so, you can understand why I don’t remember my boat number!

Perhaps #8 ?

[jackiewilson]

Coulda been——— was cold as charity that day——- wind blowing a hooley and raining ! Looks like I Was dressed for the occasion———— full wets!
I always had my own number at club level. (22) But for nationals and international events, you never knew what number you would be allocated.

[Bob V]

[Bob V]

I always had my own number at club level. (22) But for nationals and international events, you never knew what number you would be allocated.

[jackiewilson]

that don't look like the little sprint to me. also, it says on.

Look at the length of the cowling Jim ! Was meant to be 16’ But never quite made the length, exact measurement was 15’ 53/4”——- Course the Italians always used the metric system, so nothing was exactly what we thought it was———— my mistake——- it was ON and not OI. Two litres !

[jackiewilson]

This was a great boat——- never quite knew where the speed came from————whether it was the motor or the boat————- Maybe Rolla did the business with the prop———always felt at home with this particular Molinari.

[jackiewilson]

That was£30,000 of solid gold Trophy!

[jackiewilson]

Just got given all five FONDA FORMULA ONE NEWSLETTERS ——— My Daughter Sam collected them from Mark last time she visited.
Read them all through———- really interesting reading——— every detail on how it was conceived——- double dealing by UIM representatives, all sorts of things!
It's too much a part of racing history to be lost forever. So, I suggest——— if I send copies to Fujimo——— Tech team——-Azmidlyfe——-BobbyV——— Greg at Admin——— Rich Luhrs and Roger Hinsdale.
Surely one of them can printout every word on this thread ?
What do you think ?
If there’s anyone else out there who would like a copy of all five newsletters, call me, or ask through this thread.
Im fairly sure Willabee has them already!

[jackiewilson]

There should be some very interesting reading latter on today with all the Powerboat events in the USA taking place————- P1 ——-F1——— and the offshore stuff at the LAKE OF THE OZARKS.
Some pretty competitive racing all round.
Beautiful weather here today—— getting ready for Craig and Jess and the three boys who fly in mid week———- might get some quality time with them if I play my cards right.

[jackiewilson]

These are the five Fonda newsletters I spoke of earlier———- number three has the letter from Msr Bladinaire confirming the Paris Six Hours race would be two litre maximum !
Confirms the fact Fonda was racing Formula one long before OMC got their OZ series up and running !
That was before the double dealing UIM and Rolf Frohling together with OMC, and Wim Ruberg, ( The Dutch UIM representative) and a barrow load of OMC cash connived, schemed, lied and cheated to take the title “formula one” .