Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[jackiewilson]

Believe it or not ROY—- This was a really big deal for me—— capital outlay was huge (to me that is)
special kit—- workshop manuals for every motor every year and every change ——ring clamps— gauges — pullers and extractors— MICROFICHE and all who sail in her.
Roy Ridgell and Pat Frewer talked me into it——- I really was the very first “MERCURY SERVIce

CENTRE”“ in Europe—— even changed the name to Mercury Marine —- that raised a few eyebrows, but I got away with it for years!
Was a SOLE MERCURY DEALER for years—— fought off the advances of Jonrude for many years, until the extra 5% loyalty bonus was outweighed by selling a couple of hundred Yamahas per annum!
Yamahas brought a lot of fun people onto the outboard scene——- real crazy kids that ran the British operation. Went to Japan with them a couple of times—— there was always something “exciting” going on with them.

*****
Jackie one of the things I like about your AD in the magazine, is that it is different and therefore stands out. Yours caught my eye, whereas the others had the same basic pattern, with the Merc engine.
And that segues me into the different colors which race cars and boats used to identify themselves, from the pack on the race course. Watching on TV the Pennzoil, Tide, Jag or Ferrari cars (and others) is that their colors define them. They do not have to be leading the race, for you to visual notice them in the pack.

I remember the first time, I saw the black Molinari with the racing stripes (I do not believe this is the first Molinari black boat, but it represents the color scheme). It was brought down to the bottom floor (rigging area) at the Como race shop. And I thought this look defines; I am bad and am here to win the race. I do not recall any other Molinari boat, that gave me the wow look at that, in the 1971 to ’73 time frame.

I will also admit Downard and Pellileo winning Paris boat in 1971, was the least favorite color scheme to me, of that year’s fleet from Como. And then when Cees started flying the Marlboro logo, it was subtle in looks, but pronounce enough not to be mistaken for any other race boat. To me, and I suspect to advertisers, colors are one of the primary ingredients in showcasing a/your product.
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Funny how once you start digging the treasure that’s buried kinda jumps up into your hand.
It was Ham Hamburger who taught me to be different—- never follow the crowd—- think for yourself—- be noticed.
Phil Read and I were long time friends and sat next to each other at the Annual Mercury Conference held at the poshest hotel in Bournemouth when Hamburger delivered his speech!
This was the year the star of the show was the new four cylinder eighty Merc.
Was to be unveiled just before the Banquet—— early evening. We toured Poole to “ Borrow” a Seagull century plus and swopped it for the eighty Merc. We were stood next to each other minutes before the presentation when Pat Frewer MD of SWMF came up behind me and whispered quietly in my ear——- JACKIE, PUT IT BACK !—— raising my palms to the sky and feigning innocence, I just said Pat—— I know nothing, If it’s not back on the stand in five minutes, you are no longer a Merc dealer. Readie and I replaced the motor like a pair of lambs.
I asked him how the hell he knew I was the one who nicked the motor—— his reply was —— I asked myself who would possibly pull a caper like that ? You were the first and only person who came to mind!
So you see ROY, it doesn’t always pay to be different!
Told Angelo over a coffee in the bar next door I wanted a short boat—— Willabee never believed this, but it’s true , he rough sketched a boat on a table napkin !!!
Oh, Angelo—- I want it painted all black ! No, no, no, no, Black is MORTE, we never paint a boat black———— but he did!
With a 1000 BP shoving it along, that boat became a legend in Europe! Merton raced it at Havasu——- Spencer Dunn had it ——— then the other Canadian—— the one with the curly hair !,,,, Mark Rathermell raced it!

[FUJIMO]

[FUJIMO]

[jackiewilson]

What do you know—— it finally stopped raining. How long for is anyone’s guess—- we had so much rain, even the sea’s full up! England’s flooded —— that’s official—- but it could be an ice rink come Thursday with sub zero temperatures forecast.
Fuji made a nice job of clearing up the pictures—— that was my second GMC six wheeler, first one I bought off Barry SHEENE for £7,500—- after my kids decided it was the ONLY way to travel.
Even today, the multi million dollar coaches that pose as RV’S or camper vans as we know them, do not have the head turning ability or the “PANACHE“ of the 1974 GMC 6 WHEELER.

[jackiewilson]

So many memories of this place—— Iver Heath Bucks. Home of the London Motor Boat Racing Club.
Peasant, Pauper or millionaire, made no difference here, only thing that mattered was how well you could drive a boat.
Cyril Benstead was the 300 lb Commandatore—- a Warren Street car dealer—- ruled the club with an iron fist along with his wonderful wife Jacque.
Mark , my son is now 63 and still talks about his time there!

[powerabout]

Warren st, Bernie eccelston's stamping ground

[jackiewilson]

Warren st, Bernie eccelston's stamping ground

Carnaby Street was for clothes what Warren Street was for cars——- wonderful place to drop by for an hour or two—— all the London villains hung out there. Big money changed hands there too.
Like most of the 60/70’s hunting grounds — long gone!
Every weekend and Wednesday night, there would be a parade of cars —— hot rods—— dune buggies—- muscle—- run what you brung! The parade could last for hours, often well into the early hours of the morning. Hodges had a VW DUNE BUG with huge feck off lights underneath. He was a regular contender.
Bernie made enough money in Warren Street to finance his own F1race team——- then took charge of the whole show until he became “ GOD F1”.

[jackiewilson]

If you don’t know this “famous four”—— then you don’t know much about powerboats!

[FUJIMO]

[FUJIMO]

they cleaned up nicely didn't they...suits, ties, polished shoes, etc...?

[GENE LANHAM]

If you don’t know this “famous four”—— then you don’t know much about powerboats!

[FUJIMO]

[jackiewilson]

Harmsworth Trophy Gene——- my son Mark was part of the team that won it for England!

[jackiewilson]

The Harmsworth Committee. And the K7 Club awarded KEITH Duckworth the HARMSWORTH for contributions to powerboating !
NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT!

[jackiewilson]

Gonna get by with a little help from my friends !!! ​The Good Guys.