Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[jackiewilson]

Willabee once Told me that that picture above was his brother Rick—— if it was, then they could have been twins——- Bill just grew a whole lot uglier as he went through life—— I put that down to “Mercury stress”. And GGGG( G. Garbrecht Grilling and Gruelling ) .
Forgot to mention one of the most important of the Mercury crew at Torriggia——— Dave Biers, he was the quiet one—— highly rated motor builder——- always kept himself to himself. I just found him to be a really nice guy!
Pruett was always calling in at the shop in his 30” high MASERATI——- he always looked ridiculous trying to ease himself out of that car——- when he stood next to it—— top of the screen was level with his knees. Whenever he departed, he left two black lines of burnt rubber for fifty yards——— No, he wasn’t showing off—- that was just PRUETT,! He was throttling for Ballesteros at that time.

[powerabout]

Willabee once Told me that that picture above was his brother Rick—— if it was, then they could have been twins——- Bill just grew a whole lot uglier as he went through life—— I put that down to “Mercury stress”. And GGGG( G. Garbrecht Grilling and Gruelling ) .
Forgot to mention one of the most important of the Mercury crew at Torriggia——— Dave Biers, he was the quiet one—— highly rated motor builder——- always kept himself to himself. I just found him to be a really nice guy!
Pruett was always calling in at the shop in his 30” high MASERATI——- he always looked ridiculous trying to ease himself out of that car——- when he stood next to it—— top of the screen was level with his knees. Whenever he departed, he left two black lines of burnt rubber for fifty yards——— No, he wasn’t showing off—- that was just PRUETT,! He was throttling for Ballesteros at that time.

any photos of Pruett and the the female company in the car?

[jackiewilson]

any photos of Pruett and the the female company in the car?

Sorry Pilgrim, I have to back away from that request.
There are a number of Pruett’s children who follow their fathers career through these pages, so it’s a case of What went on in the Maserati—-stays in the Maserati—- Same As Paris-Berlin-Havasu—- SAN Bernardino California———- it stays as it was !

[Bob V]

FOR THOSE THAT DONT KNOW————That’s the infamous WILLABEE———- Fifty years ago this year since we first met in COMO ,
Mercury race team was ensconced in and around Torriggia!
Garbrecht in charge of Roy Ridgell—— Bill Welch—— Rick LaMorte—-Tom Wyrabeck——Plus a few more.
There wasn’t time for “AFFABLE “——- Willabee was crew chief——- answerable only to GG—— Renato spoke no English ( but understood every word that was spoken).
I was a young man with a wife and five kids—— trying to run a Mercury dealership——always in a hurry——- trying to make a living —— put food on the table——- run a raceboat.
Like I said—— no time for affable !
It seemed like I was always fighting everybody——— that wasn’t the case at all——- it was simply time was running out——- I could never get all the things done in the day that I wanted to do
That was yesterday when I wasn’t even forty————— here I am today, fifty years on, and I still haven’t done anything like the things I set out to do!

So what did you do to Willabee? For so many years he was a major contributor and great source of information to this site, but over the last year he has gone silent..?

[jackiewilson]

So what did you do to Willabee? For so many years he was a major contributor and great source of information to this site, but over the last year he has gone silent..?

Bob, Bill is a mine of information——— one of the most knowledgeable men in the world on Powerboat Racing !
For years he’s kept Scream and fly going with information only he could give.
We’re all getting older and not in the best of health ——- Bill is no exception —— just be patient—— when he’s ready he’ll be up and running.
I could never do anything to Willabee—— Weve been friends for fifty years—nothing can change that !

[Bob V]

Bob, Bill is a mine of information——— one of the most knowledgeable men in the world on Powerboat Racing !
For years he’s kept Scream and fly going with information only he could give.
We’re all getting older and not in the best of health ——- Bill is no exception —— just be patient—— when he’s ready he’ll be up and running.
I could never do anything to Willabee—— Weve been friends for fifty years—nothing can change that !

Jackie - Well said...

[powerabout]

Ben Robertson hints he might have one of his v8 boats out in a race with a current F1 boat, will be interesting depending how long the course is
HE did say they boats were 18-19' long which I have always asked about, so now I know

[GENE LANHAM]

We’re all getting older and not in the best of health ——- Bill is no exception —— !

Jackie--we have all lived a safe, clean and healthy life--these are our 'Golden Years'

[jackiewilson]

Ben Robertson hints he might have one of his v8 boats out in a race with a current F1 boat, will be intereting edpending how long the course is
HE did say they boats were 18-19' long which I have always asked about, so now I know

Course would have to be a mile long——- straight up and down—— even with the four and a half litre!

Tomorrows boats and motors would be more interesting ? Longer boats —— heavier motors—— electric ?—- fancy fuel. Lots to look forward to !
Cosworth was over 19’ of boat but we managed!——
i wouldn’t recommend a shoot out——- Benny is past his sell by date—— and the young bloods of today would be out to make a name for themselves !
Best time over three laps would be a fair trial Pilgrim!

[jackiewilson]

Gene——— did you really NECK Hennessy CRU straight out of the bottle ???! Cos if you did———- that’s obscene .
No no no ——- where the hell did you get that fine upright wholesome clean living malarkey from——- Theres a whole lots of loving going on in my life
Think I’m past gold and into platinum——- can’t believe everything takes me so long ——- And slow !
I eat slower——- move slower— drink slower and even piss slower . If I move any slower, I swear they’ll bury me wile I’m not looking !

[jackiewilson]

No two ways about it——- time treated me far kinder than Renato!

[jackiewilson]

Squirt and the Gooney Bird !

[jackiewilson]

Squirt—— all loved up again !

[jackiewilson]

One of the best RV’s I ever owned——- GMC 6 wheeler——- would tow a race boat at 100 mph and return 4 mpg !

[FMP]

That good! Was that one big block Olds powered?
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com/faq/index.html