Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[2us70]

I don't know much about the geography of England but Dad's base is near the town of Framlingham. The nearest train station is a place called Wickham Market. This area is some distance northeast of London.

Petworth is a sleepy old English town——- narrow streets and one way systems—— Parham house is one of the “GRAND HOUSES” of England————has one of oldest gliding clubs and a great fish and chip shop. Twenty minutes from my house in the heart of West Sussex.
My Dad was flight engineer on Halifax bombers———— made 36 drops over Germany and lived until he was ninety.Attachment 434637
an old photo of dad just turning 75 ——— his mother, (my grandma Polly) aged 99—— and me at fifty!

[2us70]

Jackie it seems we have much in common. Both our Dads were WWII aviators and we both raced the old 44ci 500s. I very much enjoy the pics of racing from over there I have seen in these pages. I believe I would have felt right at home in those early races.

[jackiewilson]

Dad was 27 when he joined 406 squadron——- crew was made up of Americans—- a Canadian—— and an Aussie?
Youngest was Archie Hearnden the Canadian at 18 ——- Lee Pitu was the Pilot——- 21 and wild

Started Racing with a 700 Mercury——— couldn’t afford the fuel—— I had a wife and two kids!
Would race two heats, use up all the fuel——- wouldn’t turn up for the third heat , no point in racing a boat with no fuel in it!
500 Merc was a lot more economical——— I started earning more money—- but more kids kept coming
I had ambition so saving money was a no brainer!
If this sounds all too familiar——- you would have enjoyed racing in the UK.

[2us70]

Most of my racing was in front of Merc 500s. From my first white motor to my last black 74 motor. The first 5 of them I ran in SE and the 74 motor in SD. Ironically the SD motor was the fastest 50 I ever ran. When they changed the lower units to be compatible with the props for the 650s it really woke that motor up.

[FUJIMO]

[jackiewilson]

Framlingham is in Norfolk East England——— lots of USA air bases up there.
Bob Spaulding worked as a croupier at the casino on one of the USA air bases .
My Daughter Kim lives up there too !

[jackiewilson]

Remember the SK boat I was fernagling ———- I’d run out of red paint——- so I tried a carbon finish.
Well—- it looks ok to me———- purists will all be up in arms and telling me there’s no such animal——- Cigarette never made an SK boat———- Carbon wasn’t around in those days———no such thing as a black raceboat————Martini never sponsored an SK! all the usual crap———— it’s a bloody concept for crying out loud———— who really cares anyway ?
Had a pleasant morning in the shop———- got a couple of projects finished——— do need to crack on with the various projects I’ve already started————- still have five up and running ——— all of them need attention, but I’m on the run——- I should be indoors, resting, cogitating, Reading, or At least SAT IN THE ARM CHAIR farting, just LIKE INDY.

[jackiewilson]

OK, so you’ve seen it before———- five 400 R/s on a fish boat is nothing new——- but 1000 hp motors is new———— it’s all in the programming apparently.
I have at least five other projects on the go——- time I settled down and finished ‘em—— “life gets tedious don’t it”.

[jackiewilson]

Bloody Thursday again———- getting so there’s At least three of the damn things every week.
The Geico P1 is just about ready for delivery——- it’s a different animal this year with the new model of propulsion——- lighter——- canopied——- more power and handles better. What more can a racer ask for?
Yes, I am off to the car boot sale this morning ——- in case you’re wondering!
Need to get my head down and asse up if I’m ever going to finish what I’ve alread started ——- five concepts on the go——- ambition, but reduced drive——- need a bit of motivation, ginger up the bum —- so to speak.
Getting a bit lethargic these days——— don’t know if it’s the old time of the month syndrome —— old age or a touch of my sainted mothers saying, “IDLEITUS”.

[jackiewilson]

A few years back, I made a concept of this particular Rolls Royce Silver Ghost———
everything from the chassis upwards——— wheels with bearings —— spokes and tyres , the whole nine yards lights —-upholstery !
Took me over six months to cobble together.
Rich Luhrs is the owner.
Today I found a beautiful picture of the original at the car boot !
IF I CAN EVER FIND THE TIME——- I might just have another crack at it.

[jackiewilson]

That was it under construction——- the wing on the trailer ‘s not too shabby either.

[jackiewilson]

CRT billet drag engine finally went head to head with the 30 year old Merc !
Guess what happened?
If anyone’s still interested in this much hyped motor, let me know !

[jackiewilson]

Well, I don’t blame you——- there’s not much to talk about—— CRT just didn’t come up to muster!
Started packing up another chest full of “Concepts”, Gary Stray will be taking a few of them to Cocoa Beach ———- they will be on show and up for sale on the Geico stand at the first SUPERBOAT race in May.
Most of the stuff I built this year will be there.———
Got a real busy weekend ——- Goodwood——— swimming in the pool today——— day with daughters Kim and Sam tomorrow———- Sunday ——- 70th birthday bash down in Hamble for my sister Angela.
End of this weekend, I’ll be glad to get back to work and relax!

[techteam]

Jackie

You have to give the mericans a chance to reply they are all going to the bar or counting sheep when you post. I for one am interested so spill the beans.

[jackiewilson]

Jackie

You have to give the mericans a chance to reply they are all going to the bar or counting sheep when you post. I for one am interested so spill the beans.

OK—- TT, here goes —-
So Mathew brings the CRT billetto the drags——- do know the name of the drivers if you think its relevant ?
Crowd are all fired up because the buzz going around is CRT are running 450 hp against a tired and very old 350HP 2:7 Mercury drag motor ——— 1st heat Mercury wins by two boat lengths over 660 yards ?
Second heat Mercury wins by a boat and a half !
Third heat—- Merc puts a rod through the side —— CRT wins
Fourth heat—— Mercury doesn’t turn up—— CRT WINS by default !
CRT decide to put on the 3:99 litre ——-450 hp big block special——— did a test run ——- put it on the trailer and headed home.
What can I tell you——- I’m not even going to comment.
I do have a full report on boats and drivers that were competing———-
What do you think TT..?