Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[jackiewilson]

Jackie your stories are a great read. I am to lazy an arse to put all the good events and midnight oil into a novel. But maybe somebody will.

But if I did. I would be tempted to rewrite history, and instead of an Italian and an American challenging each other for F1 supremacy, I would consider the (fictional or factual) great rival between an English man and a Swedish man. Oh the real and fictional drama, that could be written down in a boat racing novel.

In closing I admire both camps, be it Mercury or OMC, and the guys that breathe it and made the rivalry real.

Roy, get back to you later in the day—— need to sit down quietly and formulate the decent reply your comments deserve.

[jackiewilson]

Jackie your stories are a great read. I am to lazy an arse to put all the good events and midnight oil into a novel. But maybe somebody will.

But if I did. I would be tempted to rewrite history, and instead of an Italian and an American challenging each other for F1 supremacy, I would consider the (fictional or factual) great rival between an English man and a Swedish man. Oh the real and fictional drama, that could be written down in a boat racing novel.

In closing I admire both camps, be it Mercury or OMC, and the guys that breathe it and made the rivalry real.

OK, Here goes.
I first met your dad ROY at a Mercury dealer conference in Bournemouth in the mid sixties—— he was always on the skinny side and constantly chewing on a matchstick, even when talking to you face to face, he was always chewing on a matchstick. He was accompanied by a rather portly, white haired gentleman called Joe Swift who was the PR rep for Mercury at that time.
Roy and I hit it off immediately—— he told me tales of fifty boats fishing for bass, and I told him tales of racing clubs in England and the places in Europe we went to race !
One Saturday Both ROY and Joe turned up at a club race at IVER —— first time I had ever driven the 18’ Torriggia in an actual race.
Formatof a club race was four heats of twelve laps, with the best three heats counting.
Confidence was high—— first imported tunnel into the country—- and it was running a good clean 60+ mph.
No power trim back then—— just the tilt pin holes—— or the shims under the clamps if the settings we’re inbetween.
Things were barrelling along great, I kept on pulling the pin out —- second, third , the fourth pin hole —— man, I tell you — that big cat wasn’t even kissing the water occasionally—— we were flying—— looked at the six inch speedo ( knew we had to be doing a hundred at least——- or so it seemed)
Oh, ohhh, silence—- change of scenery—- sun, sky, clouds——— then black water—— noooo! It couldn’t be happening——- then a gentle thump and things are back to normal —— sure enough the Speedo is set at sixty and we are lapping all the other boats.
Looked down at the once beautiful AVANTO steering wheel, only to find my hands are holding a figure of eight twisted piece of wood and polished metal.
Carried on racing, won the heat and pulled into the pits to find Roy grinning from ear to ear—— told Joe you were going over for the last five laps!
Turns out ROY had blown an Italian tunnel over at lake X just a month before!
There are a series of pictures of that event somewhere—— think Andy Elliot might have them!

Which brings me to this ROY——- just pick up a typewriter or a laptop—— think boats and let your fingers do the rest!
Ive got reams of paper all over the hog market from the book I’ve been meaning to write for over twenty five years. There are poems about racing—- bits about people—— boats and the builders—- clever bit is going to be stitching it all together into something that keeps a reader interested.
By the way —— hows your mum—— she still drinking a case of coke a Cola a day?

TBCont.

[jackiewilson]

Jackie your stories are a great read. I am to lazy an arse to put all the good events and midnight oil into a novel. But maybe somebody will.

But if I did. I would be tempted to rewrite history, and instead of an Italian and an American challenging each other for F1 supremacy, I would consider the (fictional or factual) great rival between an English man and a Swedish man. Oh the real and fictional drama, that could be written down in a boat racing novel.

In closing I admire both camps, be it Mercury or OMC, and the guys that breathe it and made the rivalry real.

OK, Here goes.
I first met your dad ROY at a Mercury dealer conference in Bournemouth in the mid sixties—— he was always on the skinny side and constantly chewing on a matchstick, even when talking to you face to face, he was always chewing on a matchstick. He was accompanied by a rather portly, white haired gentleman called Joe Swift who was the PR rep for Mercury at that time.
Roy and I hit it off immediately—— he told me tales of fifty boats fishing for bass, and I told him tales of racing clubs in England and the places in Europe we went to race !
One Saturday Both ROY and Joe turned up at a club race at IVER —— first time I had ever driven the 18’ Torriggia in an actual race.
Formatof a club race was four heats of twelve laps, with the best three heats counting.
Confidence was high—— first imported tunnel into the country—- and it was running a good clean 60+ mph.
No power trim back then—— just the tilt pin holes—— or the shims under the clamps if the settings we’re inbetween.
Things were barrelling along great, I kept on pulling the pin out —- second, third , the fourth pin hole —— man, I tell you — that big cat wasn’t even kissing the water occasionally—— we were flying—— looked at the six inch speedo ( knew we had to be doing a hundred at least——- or so it seemed)
Oh, ohhh, silence—- change of scenery—- sun, sky, clouds——— then black water—— noooo! It couldn’t be happening——- then a gentle thump and things are back to normal —— sure enough the Speedo is set at sixty and we are lapping all the other boats.
Looked down at the once beautiful AVANTO steering wheel, only to find my hands are holding a figure of eight twisted piece of wood and polished metal.
Carried on racing, won the heat and pulled into the pits to find Roy grinning from ear to ear—— told Joe you were going over for the last five laps!
Turns out ROY had blown an Italian tunnel over at lake X just a month before!
There are a series of pictures of that event somewhere—— think Andy Elliot might have them!

Which brings me to this ROY——- just pick up a typewriter or a laptop—— think boats and let your fingers do the rest!
Ive got reams of paper all over the hog market from the book I’ve been meaning to write for over twenty five years. There are poems about racing—- bits about people—— boats and the builders—- clever bit is going to be stitching it all together into something that keeps a reader interested.
By the way —— hows your mum—— she still drinking a case of coke a Cola a day?

TBCont.

[jackiewilson]

I agree with you on both OMC and Mercury camps—- Pruett was friends with everyone in the world unti he downed his tenth CC7 —— just step back—- don’t get in front ! He would floor a guy —- then put a fatherly like arm around his shoulders —- walk him up to the bar and buy him a drink, be friends with him for the rest of his life!.
But he was friends with all the OMC personnel and every single driver—— Friday evening before lift off he had taken me to meet some of the Jonrude drivers, Jimbo- Ted May— Bob Nordskog—- Art Kennedy and his dad—- Bob De Witt—— Scotti, who id known from way back.

I knew from way back.
Was invited to the OMC “ shrimp bake “——- on the Sunday night!
Pruett was in hospital with a busted hip, broken ribs and a flattened ego after blowing the twin molinari “Up and Way” to the moon and back.
Smitty was in the pits trying to salvage something out of the wreckage of Pruetts rig —— which meant his wife Kathy Flo was all on her own—— anyway CHARLIE and Anne invited us to the “Shrimpbake”—-That was another turning point in my life that lasted for the next fifty years,.!!!!

Tbcont.

[jackiewilson]

First time I met Pruett was on the dockside at Toulon—— I was first in line and had actually boarded the ferry to Dez Embiez .
Pruett was trying to manoeuvre a triple axle trailer with a monstrous power boat perched on top on to the ferry. By simply using common sense, any damn fool could see there wasn’t enough room on the deck for them and us.
I simply drove my rig off the ferry and on to the dock whilst Pruett disappeared toward Dez Embiez!
There’s a week of powerboating around the island —— The Dauphin D’ OR .
Island is owned by Paul Ricard—— it’s where the aniseed plant is grown to make the aperitif RICARD,
Johnny Bloch has a permanent holiday chalet on the island —- was him who invited us to the island .
Next time I saw him, he was stood next to a yellow Maserati—- about two foot high ——-down in Como, in front of the seaplane hanger, dressed in tight jeans, High heeled fancy Sh- t kickers and the black Apache hat. Broke off his conversation, sauntered over with a Hiya Jackieeeee!
Roy walked out of the hanger —— came over and shook hands —- friendship lasted until the reaper caught up with them both!
But there’s a million stories before I’m done with ROY Ridgell and Billy Don Pruett!!

[jackiewilson]

The Torriggia factory on lake Como was something else—— only an architect designed workshop — by an Italian— for an Italian could turn out like this!
Three floors of marble, glass and poured concrete under a red terra cotta tiled roof, with every window looking out over Lake Como.
Downside was—— parking for just three cars——- access was by over One hundred steps —- boats were hauled up and down the cliff face by a mighty crane.
Top floor was a mottled green marble floored showroom that would hold some twenty tunnel boats on trailers.
Second — middle floor — was where the work was done—- joinery shop—- boat building— machinery.
Bottom floor was paint shop and ovens—- rigging —- fitting and launching, with an electrically controlled sliding floor that opened up straight into lake Como.
First time I went there was to collect an 18’ Torriggia tunnel boat that had raced in Paris the previous October.
Boss man was a genial Italian by the name of Jeremiah Cetti Owner—- Builder of the Torrigia set up——

I have no idea of how come it was in the hands of Molinari two years later—- whether Mercury took a lease on it! Or Molinari’s rented it I do not know.!
Maybe I’ll talk to Rolla one day—- he was a-good friend of both Angelo and Jeremiah —- he knows most things about damn near everyone in both offshore and circuit racing worldwide.
On my next visit to Torrigia—- ROY had moved into the huge villa next door to the factory— wife, kids, brother Bobby the whole shebang. Again, right on lake Como.
Half the Hi- Perf personnel from Oshberg were billeted in the little ALBERGO just down the street.
Wyrabeck—Welch—- Le More—- Byers—- Garbrecht. And more, but I can’t remember them all!
We all met early for breakfast in the little diner down from the factory—— most of the guys order eggs and bacon for breakfast——— now Italians do not have bacon and eggs for breakfast—— they have thick, stand the spoon upright black coffee and a dry cheese and ham roll——- end of, no choice. So when the cafe owner got an order for ten “ bacon and egg “ breakfasts, he simply did not know which way to turn—— first two portions came out of the kitchen on a tin plate —— straight out of the oven
One slice of raw palma ham with an underdone snotty egg on top ——- not at all what the Mercury guys were looking for!
I quickly donned an apron and looked at the various meats in the fridge —- saw the box of fresh eggs and set about making something a little more palatable! Half an hour later the cafe was empty—- I still hadn’t eaten. Jovanni the owner said” Mr. Jack—— teach me to make an American breakfast! Told him there was no such thing—— it was a mutilated ENGLISH BREAKFAST,
GG asked me to spend the day teaching him all the variations of a simple breakfast—— it must have worked—- the guys ate at the ALBERGO all the time after that.

Tbcont.

[jackiewilson]

There’s a lot been written about Molinari—- Mercury—- and Torriggia—— most of it’s confined to the archives, very few people left can remember it, let alone talk about it!
Willabee was there for most of the time so he could give a very good account of the happenings there!
Gary and I had had issues ! He had replaced me with Spalding and Percival—- I was still friends with everyone else so I was allowed to call in at Torrigia anytime.
Right up to the end—- after the bust up with Molinari Mercury moved out and omc moved in.
There was only one truck being loaded with motors and parts to return to the USA .
That thing was full to the gills of Mercury parts.
Roy was in charge of what was dumped into the lake and what was saved—— ROY knew which gearcases were done—- which blocks were duds—- I helped dump thousands of dollars worth of parts into lake Como.
I remember Lake como and Torriggia and the American invasion——- The Ridgells residing there—- the fight my kids had with Bobbys kids——- Boo and Biff getting into it big time—— having to be separated by Angelo.
Being very cross when Tom and Bob got my job—- my little sprint being taken and the motor confiscated. It all seems trivial now, but at the time my perfect little world collapsed.

[STEVERINO]

There’s a lot been written about Molinari—- Mercury—- and Torriggia—— most of it’s confined to the archives, very few people left can remember it, let alone talk about it!
Willabee was there for most of the time so he could give a very good account of the happenings there!
Gary and I had had issues ! He had replaced me with Spalding and Percival—- I was still friends with everyone else so I was allowed to call in at Torrigia anytime.
Right up to the end—- after the bust up with Molinari Mercury moved out and omc moved in.
There was only one truck being loaded with motors and parts to return to the USA .
That thing was full to the gills of Mercury parts.
Roy was in charge of what was dumped into the lake and what was saved—— ROY knew which gearcases were done—- which blocks were duds—- I helped dump thousands of dollars worth of parts into lake Como.
I remember Lake como and Torriggia and the American invasion——- The Ridgells residing there—- the fight my kids had with Bobbys kids——- Boo and Biff getting into it big time—— having to be separated by Angelo.
Being very cross when Tom and Bob got my job—- my little sprint being taken and the motor confiscated. It all seems trivial now, but at the time my perfect little world collapsed.

Jacki let me run this by you in 1969 Mercury had 13 SBP race engines running in the UK.In 1970 you and Rossi got the first Twister 1 you ran it on a red 17ft Molinari and Billy Shakespeare got the other. Mercury had to bring over Molinari and the Rasini bros for the Chasewater 500 race which you and Rossi won. Billy had his engine taken off him and given to Freddi Miles because he also ran a OMC outfit.Meanwhile Tucker from Omc Brugge had asked Spalding to race a Johnson powered Molinari with Percival in that same chasewater race you won.In 1971 Bob Spalding went back to Mercury with a Twister 1 and Percival too ran the same engine on a Abbate outfit. Meanwhile I think Gabrecht had an idea the JPS sponsorship was coming so when this was announced in 1972 he provided both with new Molinaris next thing Velden arrived with a Marlboro sponsored Molinari.that made 4 UK outfits in total If things had been any different there would never have been any Cosworth powered inboards so I think maybe its not such a bad trade off.

[jackiewilson]

Jacki let me run this by you in 1969 Mercury had 13 SBP race engines running in the UK.In 1970 you and Rossi got the first Twister 1 you ran it on a red 17ft Molinari and Billy Shakespeare got the other. Mercury had to bring over Molinari and the Rasini bros for the Chasewater 500 race which you and Rossi won. Billy had his engine taken off him and given to Freddi Miles because he also ran a OMC outfit.Meanwhile Tucker from Omc Brugge had asked Spalding to race a Johnson powered Molinari with Percival in that same chasewater race you won.In 1971 Bob Spalding went back to Mercury with a Twister 1 and Percival too ran the same engine on a Abbate outfit. Meanwhile I think Gabrecht had an idea the JPS sponsorship was coming so when this was announced in 1972 he provided both with new Molinaris next thing Velden arrived with a Marlboro sponsored Molinari.that made 4 UK outfits in total If things had been any different there would never have been any Cosworth powered inboards so I think maybe its not such a bad trade off.

One of my favourite things in life was to load my family into the camper , hook up the boat and head up to Oulton BRoad for the Thursday evening meetings.
Bob and I had been friends for years—- long before the advent of tunnels —— my girls and the Spalding girls are still friends. My wife Brenda and Patsy Spalding were long time friends.
Frankie Holmes-Peter Sabberton— John Clayburn — Percy—- I’ve raced against them all !
Tom always raced an Abbatte—- was never quite up to the calibre of the Molinari .
Always thought Bob was the better Driver of the two—- Tom had his days—- Bob was consistent when given decent kit . Always believed I was better than either of them. Just never drove over my head,I had five great kids and a good life—— something I tried to get through to GG.
Carl himself gave Shakey the First 100 hp Mercury after he won Paris with it , so for a while he was the dogs cajones with Mercury! Downside, he was always testing the latest Jonrudes against the latest Mercs——- Pat Frewer from SWMF found out and pulled the Merc , and gave it to Freddie.
John Tucker and I were good friends—- he always wanted me to run a Rude—- I always declined—- even paid for a trip to Brugge—- offered me the latest engine, it never happened!
Closest I got to an OMC factory drive was with Alfie Bullen in Paris——- Alfie wrecked the boat in the first hour—— just wasn’t meant to be !
Bill Brown was the first to run the COSWORTH 2 litre BDG’s —- again, he wasn’t as good a driver as me—- he never ever came close to beating me once !
I ran four Boats with the BDG——- The Milesmaster with Bill Brown—— then the Scimitar on my own, best boat I ever ran. Woodwork was not anywhere near the quality of the Hodges, but the ride was the best I ever had—— only boat I ever had that always did what it was told—— DAVE Brocklington from Chard built it for Roger Hook!
Had another three Hodges BDG’s —- all fell short of what I expected.
Got Hodges to build the boat to House the DFV—- I knew we only had one shot at it— the deal with KEITH Duckworth was a one off—- for one brief season—- again, I trod very carefully. If I had gone with SEEBOLD———the motor, with a conservative 400 horsepower—-and capable of producing over 600 hp. Same motor in F1 was pulling 750 .
Cees said he would build me a boat for free—— told him no thanks.
He asked me why not—- told him —- ‘Cos I don’t like you
!
I know that a lot of the above gleanings are not politically correct—- but it’s time to tell things the way they are or we’re back then.
Hope that answers your questions Steve. That’s the way I saw it—— Feel free to ask anything you want to know if you think I might have the answer!.

Just for the record—— the 17’ Red Molinari and the silo belonged to Mercury—— it was never mine—-
Don blew it over in Amsterdam—- he was three laps in the lead at the two hour mark.
He tore his hip out—- never raced again.

[jackiewilson]

It’s worth mentioning that Bob and Tom had acquired a full Martini Sponsorship—— Garbrecht told them there was no way they could run Martini and stay in the Mercury team—— they had to run the John Player logo.

[powerabout]

ya still cant get bacon in Italy...

[jackiewilson]

ya still cant get bacon in Italy...

Have to be very careful where we tread here Pilgrim—— Americans only eat overcooked streaky crispy bacon—— English as a rule eat either Smoked or green lean back bacon!
And to be fair, you can’t get Negro, cured Parma or Serrano ham in the states—— except at Italian deli’s —- or Spanish tapas bars!

[jackiewilson]

Up to Thursday my little village—-Walberton had managed to escape the floods that have plagued England for most of the winter —— then it all changed—- 48 hours constant heavy rain was a bucketful too far. For most of the afternoon the roads in and out of the village were flooded—- it was up to the sills on the Lexus.
Wettest February since records began ——- March came in like a lion —- high winds and lots more rain.
The ides of March are supposed to dry out the fields so the farmers can plant the crops.
First time in many a long year I haven’t been in the workshop. Yes, I am getting withdrawal symptoms.
prognosis is another seven weeks .
I thought seeing as how I can’t use the lathe I might as well sell it —— put it on eBay—- sold it to guy in China for a big bag of gold.Payment was immediate via PayPal.
Problem is attaching it to a half palate and shipping it up to the midland for despatch to China from a central collection area!
Do have another lathe waiting in the wings—— much more up to date—— DRO and all that jazz!

[powerabout]

Have to be very careful where we tread here Pilgrim—— Americans only eat overcooked streaky crispy bacon—— English as a rule eat either Smoked or green lean back bacon!
And to be fair, you can’t get Negro, cured Parma or Serrano ham in the states—— except at Italian deli’s —- or Spanish tapas bars!

Bacon is both smoked and salt cured I think which is what makes it unique. Italians dont have any pork done that way.

[STEVERINO]

One of my favourite things in life was to load my family into the camper , hook up the boat and head up to Oulton BRoad for the Thursday evening meetings.
Bob and I had been friends for years—- long before the advent of tunnels —— my girls and the Spalding girls are still friends. My wife Brenda and Patsy Spalding were long time friends.
Frankie Holmes-Peter Sabberton— John Clayburn — Percy—- I’ve raced against them all !
Tom always raced an Abbatte—- was never quite up to the calibre of the Molinari .
Always thought Bob was the better Driver of the two—- Tom had his days—- Bob was consistent when given decent kit . Always believed I was better than either of them. Just never drove over my head,I had five great kids and a good life—— something I tried to get through to GG.
Carl himself gave Shakey the First 100 hp Mercury after he won Paris with it , so for a while he was the dogs cajones with Mercury! Downside, he was always testing the latest Jonrudes against the latest Mercs——- Pat Frewer from SWMF found out and pulled the Merc , and gave it to Freddie.
John Tucker and I were good friends—- he always wanted me to run a Rude—- I always declined—- even paid for a trip to Brugge—- offered me the latest engine, it never happened!
Closest I got to an OMC factory drive was with Alfie Bullen in Paris——- Alfie wrecked the boat in the first hour—— just wasn’t meant to be !
Bill Brown was the first to run the COSWORTH 2 litre BDG’s —- again, he wasn’t as good a driver as me—- he never ever came close to beating me once !
I ran four Boats with the BDG——- The Milesmaster with Bill Brown—— then the Scimitar on my own, best boat I ever ran.









.

The first ON class Scimitar boat built was a lemon the first time I drove it was in the 1973 Paris race I have told this story before after 1hrs fuel load was gone it wanted to float along so after just over 1hr I came in early to refuel told the other driver Jeff Edwards to come back in after 1hr the team thought I was nuts.He never listened to me and ended up in a hospital in Paris for the next week .A few weeks later the owner of Scimitar boats invited the Powerboat and Watersking magazine to Fairford and had Peter Thorneywork and Rodger Jenkins drive the same boat both saying how good it was and had the magazine publish it Jeff Edwards went on to fly this boat 3 times in total they called him the flying greengrocer