Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[jackiewilson]

Well—— that was it ! The 2018 OFF meeting !,,,, it’s over——— been and gone, Billy took me to my hotel——— Holiday inn express in Tavares! That was after he made sure Stickle was safely back in his room.
Its one thing being a world famous boat racer—— there’s been one or two of them through the years——- but to be that, and a quiet, modest, caring human being is quite another thing altogether—— if you ever got to know Seebold, you should count yourself lucky——— he’s as rare as rocking horse sh-t.
I am one of the fortunate few——- I met him 49 years ago in Havasu——— over many years I got to meet his family —— he got to meet mine.
Then I met some of his friends——— he met some of mine—— his kids—— my kids——- after nearly fifty years I can turn around and say——- yeah—— me and Billy are good friends!
Bill Seebold——- Mr Bill——-Billy—— will be wandering around the pits today——— make the most of it—— take time out to say hi while you can.
One day, you may be able to say to your great grandchildren “I once shook hands with Billy Seebold, one of the greatest boat racers of all time”.

[jackiewilson]

Ten thirty pm and I’m ready for sleep at the Seebold house in Naples——- as always, Lynne had a hot meal ready and waiting soon as we walked in the door.
Billy did all the driving of the 245 miles——- he did have to stop for a leak around the halfway mark.

Been a memorable sort of day———- walked out of my bedroom door and there opening the door opposite me stood Brownie ! Now we have never actually stopped and talked before—— (although I’ve seen him at several of the OFF meetings)———- siimply said “hi Brownie, you got one of your books with you”? He said come on in—— that was it——- we talked for nearly an hour——- shooting the world of Powerboats.
In the end, he GAVE me a signed copy of his book “Tales from Thunderbird Row”——— thank you very much Brownie, so nice to talk to you!
By ten thirty, I’d had enough of vintage boats——- spoken to all the old farts once again—— Stickle was keen to get back to Tennessee——- Seebold was all done and ready to go, so we started to leave?
First, had to say goodbye to “STAVROS”——— Roger Hinsdale and Margo—— Rich Luhrs with no Doreen—— Ted and Kevin Boyd—- Rayner Blair and girl friend ( could have stayed a while longer and got to know her better)——- Mark Rathermell ———-
Odelle had just left so I couldn’t say goodbye——- and I couldn’t find any trace of Gene and his boy Doug—— was sorry about that.
Thought we should have a last drink at the tiki bar and a pound of hot shrimp and who do you think walked in the door with his wife and the dog ? TED JONES——- was finally going on four before we hit the road.
Farewell Tavares!

[jackiewilson]

Slept really well—- but I have another hectic day before me——- going up to Englewood to watch the final day’s racing.
Understand Gieco just narrowly managed a win—— let’s hope they got over their problems and do it better today.
I have really mixed feelings on Tavares——- nowhere else ever, will you meet a collection of boat racers like it!
They come from all corners of the earth to be there———— for some, it’s the last gathering before the departure. I sincerely hope it continues, but my gut feeling is, it’s on the decline.
Every boat racer in the world is growing older—— fact of life. Where else can you meet the “Living legends” and those that almost were in one place? Well I’ll tell you———- at the OFF meeting in Tavares !
For those that didn’t make it——- try harder next year—— and even then you’ve missed the boat on seeing some of them!

[donmac]

Great posts Jackie, I've had some time now to catch up on your last 6 months of posts of which the last few hit home quite hard! Jim Brown P177 Baja Bandit another great guy I had the pleasure of knowing and racing with. Life just wouldn't be the same without the memories. The old days sure seem like eons ago.

[jackiewilson]

Great posts Jackie, I've had some time now to catch up on your last 6 months of posts of which the last few hit home quite hard! Jim Brown P177 Baja Bandit another great guy I had the pleasure of knowing and racing with. Life just wouldn't be the same without the memories. The old days sure seem like eons ago.

No question about it Don, the old days were the best!
Billy came up to Englewood and watched the last race——- Gieco strolled it, winning by a comfortable margin.running long and strong at around 175 mph on the straightaway, for once all the bits held together.
Lou and Gary drove me back to Marks place——— no other feeling like driving home after a good win, just something about contentment——- job done——satisfaction. Lord knows I’ve driven back home often enough with a trailer full of bits——- or a broken motor ! Different feeling altogether.

It had been a long weekend——- lots of celebrations—— lots of sadness——- came away knowing damn well I will never again shake hands with some of my old friends——- felt very emotional and melancholy—— never ever been depressed in my life—— but last night, I came close.
Hugged my son tight when I said goodnight——- I don’t know why? I just felt I had to. I look at him and know his mother and I did a bloody good job !
Been here a week——- one of the main reasons for coming is over and done with—— the lakeX visit and Tavares, that all went well. Next up is the launch of Marks boat Tomorrow Tuesday—— then , the shakedown trials——- then it’s party time—— thanksgiving——- family time, then more party time!
Im usually homesick after a week away from Jilly and home——- But there’s so much to look forward to this coming week——- it hasn’t hit yet!
Ive got enough material to keep this thread running until the new year——- guess you’re stuck with me a while longer!
Was amazed how many folk came up to me and said “soon as I poured me a coffee, first thing I do is look on the TRICKS site”. Why the hell don’t more of you just post a reply——— I don’t care what you put, just so long as I know there’s a few folk looking !
Was really sorry Lassie and the Zumba queen weren’t at Tavares——— always loved discussing” things with Lasse ——— course, we don’t always see eye to eye——— but isn’t that what friends are all about ?.
Its the Monday after the “OLD FARTS” ——- hard to say how I feel——- I’ll tell you when I know myself.

[jackiewilson]

This is how they go racing today —— TELEMETRY——head honcho at the helm—— tells em when to fart, spit, drink and think !!! ——- go quick ——- slow down ——- take the short route or the country road.
Dont suppose it’ll be long before we have robot pilots and each outfit has its own drone.
There will be no need for a Curtis or a helicopter. ,
Forgive the sarcasm——- it’s monday morning and I’ve got the blues!

[jackiewilson]

That right there is Carl Kiekhaefer’s very own ashtray———- it’s on the boardroom table at Wilson Custom Marine !

[jackiewilson]

A few years back, before Pontius was a Pilate, came across a massive collection of Lake X test sheets.
These dated from 1963—to—-1977——— I’ve been steadily ploughing through all the data stored in there.
Turns out that a 1968 18’ Molinari in the USA, went exactly the same speed as mine in the uk !

Another interesting fact ( I have the spread sheets to prove it) ——— a sixteen foot Critchfield, with an OMC 115 GT, driven by Jim HUNT and Jeff Titus was quicker than a Molinari with a 1000 BP, driven by Odelle Lewis and Wayne Vicker’s !!
You couldn’t make this sh-t up if you tried——— but here it is in the neatest handwriting you could wish for!
C’mon Jim—— I need a little input here once in a while—— Vicky will have long forgotten these findings.

[jackiewilson]

Before the advent of computers——- facts Odelle——- just the facts!!!

[jackiewilson]

Part of the history and mystery of Lake X——- wonder how much Mercury have in their archive So?
This Stuff is priceless—— andnone of it is for sale ( AT ANY PRICE) —- thatgoes for “OLD BLUE” as well!

[jackiewilson]

If Butler had been with the old farts during the visit to lake x——- he would have had a seizure——- the only boat there, was powered by a V eight “Rude”——-with a good looking gearcase and a very interesting saddle indeed.
Mercury were noticeable by the absence of anything Mercury ? Question begs WHY?
OK, I’ll accept the Rude was there for —-“evaluation” purposes——- but sod my old britches, do the hierarchy in fon du lac think the old Merc guys are stupid and don’t notice anything at all?
I got news for you Oshberg——- those old farts are some of the smartest people on the planet——- I give you “Fair Warning”——— do not take the piss——— it will come round and bite you in the asse!

[jackiewilson]

Oh yes, while I’m still in a belligerent and mischief making mood, would somebody in Merc headquarters explain to me why——- the greatest ever representative of the MERCURY brand of outboards, ( you know, the guy that won a thousand trophies, that’s him, Er Think his name was Seebold or something? Never ran anything other than a Mercury!!!) is running a FECKIN YAMAHA on the back of his 25’ center console Scout ????
Are the advertising whizz kids suffering from mad fits of depression——- loss of memory—— or are they just bone idle——— Ham Hamburger and Joe Swift must be spinning in their graves at the sheer lack of imagination and common sense that’s prevailing today in the Merc marketing depot!
Ambassadors——— I’ve shat em and shot em——- never met one yet worth his salt——- here lies one that should’ve been, but isn’t!
Still time to put things right——- after all——- what’s the cost of advertising motor straight off the production line, each and every year from here to eternity?
Time to wake up guys!

[jackiewilson]

Now—— here’s one for the purists—— Gene Langham—— Kenny Kilson———Rich Luhrs——Ted Boyd etc.
August 1968—— 118 mph —— driver Jan schoonover—- Switzerl wing——- written in stone !
Today I did both a Fujimo and a Lasse, all rolled into one, I apologise, I just got caught up in some of the test sheets.
Amazing how many times Both the Sirois’ names come up. Wyrabeck ( Becky), Bill Cooper, Garbrecht
B.Switzer—- D, Switzer—- Ridgell—-Ramsey—-Odelle—D Craig—-Johnny Bakos——Stenback—Vicker’s J. Titus—-We’ve only just begun—— on the first book!!!

[jackiewilson]

This is the next bible I shall be perusing ——— “CURRENT OFFSHORE” !!!
A QUICK FLICK THROUGH. Shows Bertram’s—— Magnums—— Cary—— Cigarette—— inboards and outboards!
Stavros——— who was the person that wrote the spreadsheet? It’s beautiful handwriting—— clear, precise and even.
Doubt this could ever happen again ——- today is the age of the computer—— won’t be long before folk will have forgotten how to write———- post boxes will become obsolete——— every thing will be bought “ONLINE”———— Amazon the only outlet——— Fedex the only carrier !
No more shopping malls——— they’ll all become derelict———
EATING——— now this is where it gets interesting——— people today eat more——- do less activity in any direction——- drive the car to the outside toilet——and generally are “OBESE”———FECKIN FAT !

OK, that’s me done——— I’m finished preaching——- nobody gives a flying fart anyway.
”Twould appear nobody likes the the new style of writing on the “TRICKS” site———- never got a single reply ———- it was only temporary anyway———- mitigating Circumstances?? I was here in the USA— time on my hands——- just filling in !

Fujimo / Lasse Type muttering and offerings just doesn’t seem to work on this site—— so I’ll stick to what I do best————- just the truth——- not “the facts”!

[donmac]

Oh yes, while I’m still in a belligerent and mischief making mood, would somebody in Merc headquarters explain to me why——- the greatest ever representative of the MERCURY brand of outboards, ( you know, the guy that won a thousand trophies, that’s him, Er Think his name was Seebold or something? Never ran anything other than a Mercury!!!) is running a FECKIN YAMAHA on the back of his 25’ center console Scout ????
Are the advertising whizz kids suffering from mad fits of depression——- loss of memory—— or are they just bone idle——— Ham Hamburger and Joe Swift must be spinning in their graves at the sheer lack of imagination and common sense that’s prevailing today in the Merc marketing depot!
Ambassadors——— I’ve shat em and shot em——- never met one yet worth his salt——- here lies one that should’ve been, but isn’t!
Still time to put things right——- after all——- what’s the cost of advertising motor straight off the production line, each and every year from here to eternity?
Time to wake up guys!

got a small scout here too. with a yami. pretty damn good reliable motor and does what it's suppose to. I thought mercury was pretty smart using some yami blocks for their small engines. You hit the nail on the head with your marketing comment. mercury who? Majority have been buying boats off the dealers floor now for 30yrs. anyway not having them custom rigged, maybe advertising $$ are best spent on lunchs so engineering has to make more HP to haul lard asses around!