Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[jackiewilson]

Attachment 460090Attachment 460091Attachment 460092 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

Never got to tell anyone down at chard my thoughts on the boat—- Roger Hook was gone— the boat had never had a motor in it or been on the water before I bought it.
First time on the water in Amsterdam, it led for the first hour comfortably until a split hose doused the electrics. And the deck and the hull parted company.
Chas Shooter worked the oracle and had it up and running for the next heat—-same thing again in the second hour and a half heat—— Led from start to finish, but must confess —— did split a hose and slowed towards the end.
This was against both factory teams —- everyone was there including Molinari—— Cees was organising the race , so didn’t participate!
You would not believe how much I was paid for that boat.

[STEVERINO]

Never got to tell anyone down at chard my thoughts on the boat—- Roger Hook was gone— the boat had never had a motor in it or been on the water before I bought it.
First time on the water in Amsterdam, it led for the first hour comfortably until a split hose doused the electrics. And the deck and the hull parted company.
Chas Shooter worked the oracle and had it up and running for the next heat—-same thing again in the second hour and a half heat—— Led from start to finish, but must confess —— did split a hose and slowed towards the end.
This was against both factory teams —- everyone was there including Molinari—— Cees was organising the race , so didn’t participate!
You would not believe how much I was paid for that boat.

This story continues in 1974 I asked Dave Brockington if I had a Scimitar boat built could we find another OMC Stinger for me to use as Edwards had the E P BARRUS supplied engine.We did find out Alf bullen had a load of spare V4 parts Alfi said if dave builds you an engine to race you can use it for 2 races then I want it back.So i arranged with Brockington to pay for a boat building at Scimitar but they were non too pleased with my opinion after their first attempt so Brockington said you did all the criticising with the first boat you do the drawings for this one and i still have the drawings to this day i even took them to caddilacs one year for you to see.The first race it ran in was the 1974 Amsterdam 3hr race this was groundbreaking race as Garbrecht had 8 all new Molinaris with the new T3 engines on fuel injection running this new boat i had was 19ft long so i never had to slow down for the rough water we had a troublefree race and finished 4th overall and got 1st place as a private entry.I have a picture of my boat it looks identical to your inboard in 1975 I did the drawings for a 17ft version that Scimitar built and in 1978 I had a sprint version built which finished 1 place behind you in the 1978 World OZ race at Chasewater.

[jackiewilson]

The World F1 championship at Chasewater was a funny old time for me—- after financing the COSWORTH Boat wise —- paying for the stern drive—- instrumentation—— plus having my mechanic , Bob Savage working full time up at COSWORTH’S in Northampton for six weeks, the pot was empty!
A blow over was not acceptable, I simply couldn’t afford it—— COSWORTH did the installation and supplied the motor. ( A DFV in Le Mans trim——- would run 24 hours non stop—- gave out a modest 400 + horsepower).
Boat was always a front runner, right from the start, Duckworth always wondered if I was as good as the factory drivers ( I never had any doubts). So we had a discussion with SEEBOLD and Garbrecht!
Seebold was to drive the boat round Chasewater as fast as he could—- see if he could better my times—- he never did!
We tried the wing , but down the straight there was a cross wind that played havoc—- arse end was corkscrewing—— front left sponson was waving at the crowd—— if ever a set up was out of shape, this was it. Dumped the wing—- got the boat going round corners ok , but lost ten miles an hour—- 20’ was too long, I realised that at Bristol.
We topped up fifth ( I think) against both factory teams—— not the result we wanted, but self preservation and conservatism played a huge part in the result.
As usual, the motor ran faultlessly—— motor’s top RPM was 10,000—- never once in the entire season did we run any More than 8,500 rpm.

[STEVERINO]

The World F1 championship at Chasewater was a funny old time for me—- after financing the COSWORTH Boat wise —- paying for the stern drive—- instrumentation—— plus having my mechanic , Bob Savage working full time up at COSWORTH’S in Northampton for six weeks, the pot was empty!
A blow over was not acceptable, I simply couldn’t afford it—— COSWORTH did the installation and supplied the motor. ( A DFV in Le Mans trim——- would run 24 hours non stop—- gave out a modest 400 + horsepower).
Boat was always a front runner, right from the start, Duckworth always wondered if I was as good as the factory drivers ( I never had any doubts). So we had a discussion with SEEBOLD and Garbrecht!
Seebold was to drive the boat round Chasewater as fast as he could—- see if he could better my times—- he never did!
We tried the wing , but down the straight there was a cross wind that played havoc—- arse end was corkscrewing—— front left sponson was waving at the crowd—— if ever a set up was out of shape, this was it. Dumped the wing—- got the boat going round corners ok , but lost ten miles an hour—- 20’ was too long, I realised that at Bristol.
We topped up fifth ( I think) against both factory teams—— not the result we wanted, but self preservation and conservatism played a huge part in the result.
As usual, the motor ran faultlessly—— motor’s top RPM was 10,000—- never once in the entire season did we run any More than 8,500 rpm.

I have the original program for the 1978 World f1 championship race at Chasewater they had 22 entries altogether.Our old friend Dave Brockington did all the work to get my new boat to this event it only arrived 7 days before the race it only had a back cowl which Chris Hodges had supplied dave took a mould off my Molinari front cowl and did the white paintjob we arrived at chasewater at 3.30 friday afternoon the boat had never seen water and the time trials finished at 4.0 clock they said you have 3 flying laps and then told me that either the 3rd fastest or 4th fastest boats from each country only would qualify any way we made it i think Alfis entry was through Belgium i am sure Bob Spalding never qualified he had a big fall out with GARBRECHT and never got a special powerhead for this event.He had to run his normal race engine Garbrecht supplied new hot powerheads to the other Mercury supported drivers even Jenkins who started running under Mariner.I think they had the Perno Grand Prix in 2 heats as the support race and Bob Spalding did run in that event and i did too and i managed to blow another gearcase had to borrow one from Bill Badsey to make the last heat.

[Lake X Kid]

Looks like Bristol.

Post# 11687.

[Lake X Kid]

You really must not like a guy (boat builder at that) when he tells you he will build you a new boat, and give it to you FREE! Mr. Jackie, I am clueless why you thought of Cees like that. But I do know Cees to be a little different than most. I remember him peddling diamonds to my Mom (and yes she still drinks Coke & Pepsi, but I not certain which is her brand of choice today). Cees had in the palm of his hand some cut diamonds, and asked me if I wanted to buy some too, and I declined the offer.

The better/faster driver between Bob S. and Tom P. I also leaned slightly towards Bob, until I saw both race at Bristol 1973. Tom was impressive. I remember at Auronzo (might have been 1971) and it was sprint heats, and Bob and Tom couldn't separate from each other in the race. So much so, that I remember after one heat, in the pits Bob mentioned as much to Tom. It seemed they were rubbing paint with each other.

The Scimitar your "best boat I ever ran" is a major testament. Considering all the other hulls you drove including Molinari and Schultz too.

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.

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.
.

[jackiewilson]

You really must not like a guy (boat builder at that) when he tells you he will build you a new boat, and give it to you FREE! Mr. Jackie, I am clueless why you thought of Cees like that. But I do know Cees to be a little different than most. I remember him peddling diamonds to my Mom (and yes she still drinks Coke & Pepsi, but I not certain which is her brand of choice today). Cees had in the palm of his hand some cut diamonds, and asked me if I wanted to buy some too, and I declined the offer.

The better/faster driver between Bob S. and Tom P. I also leaned slightly towards Bob, until I saw both race at Bristol 1973. Tom was impressive. I remember at Auronzo (might have been 1971) and it was sprint heats, and Bob and Tom couldn't separate from each other in the race. So much so, that I remember after one heat, in the pits Bob mentioned as much to Tom. It seemed they were rubbing paint with each other.

The Scimitar your "best boat I ever ran" is a major testament. Considering all the other hulls you drove including Molinari and Schultz too.

Roy. I have known and raced against Bob and Tom for many years, long before the factory days.The circuit racing community was much smaller than in the USA.
Most drivers were family men, so their kids went with them——— same thing at every club in the country. Kids looked after each other, became friends for life.
All the venues were away from the main arterial highways——- plenty of room for the kids to play!
As we started to venture abroad, we met French, Italian, DUTCH, Spanish Australian and AMERICAN pilots——- most of them had children—— doesn’t matter what nationality you were—- a kids a kid !
Even if they couldn’t speak the language, the kids understood each other—- there were no barriers.
Once caught Tom measuring up my new Molinari at Chasewater —- told him I’d ram the rule up his arse if I ever caught him doing it again !! Typical Tom reply !!
“I say Jackie —— that’s not quite like you” !!!—— told him it wasn’t every day I bought a new Molinari .
They both turned out to be really good drivers—— but I had at least ten years previous experience— so in my mind, that always gave me the edge.
First met Cees During the week long series of races in Provence held by the Cote De Azur club in Nice.
A series of races held in the summer including Nice— Cannes—Antibes—- Monte Carlo —Dez- Embiez and a couple of others. We became good friends. Carried on until the row I had with Wim Ruberg and Cees in Auronzo. Was the world ON championships—— each country is allowed two drivers.
Auronzo is up in the mountains with ice cold water any time of the year—- not a big lake —- a tight little course. Entry list is always overbooked very early on in the season——- for some reason, I wasn’t racing and the English pilots asked me to be their drivers representative! Wim Ruberg was the DUTCH representative——- Hans Pelster and Arie - De Boom were the Dutch drivers.
Entry list had been closed for months—- Wim was the UIM representative anyway .
A motion was put forward that Velden should be allowed to race “ IN THE SPIRIT OF THE RULES” even though he had not entered—- was a full factory driver—- and the Dutch had already nominated their two entries!
F O. Sex and travel—— you all know the rules—- two entries per country, Wim is pleading the case !
I wouldn’t budge—— neither would the Italians—— by a majority of one, Cees never got to Race, neither did he ever forgive me!
This carried on right up to the time that OMC went tits up—— Cees and San Germano, along with Rolf Fraulin and some UIM underhand dealings took over the FONDA series ——- quite amazing how it suddenly became F1 again after the coup.
Cees and I never got to be friends again—- we were civil to each other, but that’s all—— maybe you understand why I turned down Cees’s offer of a free boat!

I suppose I had better clarify my remarks on the Scimitar !

Bill Brown and I had parted company in Rotterdam after he dropped the boat off the crane whilst being in the lead after the first hour and a half.
Then announced that “ Carlsberg” wanted him to race the boat in Amsterdam the following week—- we were supposed to be equal partners in the venture, each of us doing alternate races.
As you can imagine—- I was not best pleased at this request!
After throwing out all my dollies, common sense prevailed—— told him he could keep the boat —- if he could supply me with the latest BDG COSWORTH Motor in two days——- Chas shooter and I had travelled to Rotterdam on a 250 Honda motorcycle of unknown age and origin. We left that night.
Chas picked a brand fire new BDG from Northampton and I motored down to Devon to buy the scimitar. We met back at the garage in Southwater Wednesday morning——- we had three days to put a rig together that would piss all over Bill Brown! We never went to bed for the next72 hours.
Four of us worked night and day—— on Friday night —- we hooked the boat up to the GMC camper van —— caught the cross channel ferry and Amsterdam!
i had been out of racing for a few years by now and the authorities in Amsterdam did not want to let me race—— Cees was officer of the day and told them to back off and accept my entry. It was now late Saturday—— practice was over.
Sunday the boat is in mid air thirty feet up—- facing the dock as the minute hand on the start clock started the countdown . “Chas, if you don’t get me down any time soon, I’ll kill you stone dead” as the boat was lowered down, Chas gently turned it round between Tom and Bob who were number one and two on the start grid —— leapt aboard and unhooked the slings, just as the start gun fired. Chas few like a bird as I hit the start button. Damned boat came out of the traps like POLARIS—— reached for the sky and tail walked all the way to the first turn bouy. Thumbed the trim until the boat settled down and came round the pit turn in the lead by a country mile.
fiddle farted with the trim buttons until optimum and settled down to the most comfortable ride ever!
boat would do anything—- docile as a lamb—- hit a biggie and it flew straight and true.
boat—- motor—- prop, had never seen water before it fired up —— took me five laps to lap Bill Brown the first time——- was a job well done.
Thats the main reason I always had fond memories of a boat that cost me so little — but did so much.
Hope you can understand why i have such a soft spot for the Scimitar ROY.

[jackiewilson]

How’s this for logic——- Grandpa Jack——- nobody will read that—— you don’t have any pictures!

Out of the mouth of babes????

[jackiewilson]

It’s bloody true you know—— written word will never get as many hits as a nice pair of boobs !Attachment 460291

lets see if the ratings improve!

[jackiewilson]

This should move us up the leader board!

[Rotary John]

Jackie: If that girl hugs you any tighter, that silicone bag is going to burst and then all hell will break loose.

[jackiewilson]

I was just an innocent bystander down in key west “watching all the girls go by” when I was accosted.
I resisted valiantly —— managed to escape and lived to fight another day Johnno

[Lake X Kid]

What goes on in Key West, stays in Key West.
Even if the zipper goes down or up.

[jackiewilson]

Ah well, Back to reality and the S+F we know and love—— we just have to tread a bit careful here, we have had a written warning from Greg—- our unsung hero Administrator—- about the misuse of a family boating site.
Suppose I ought to pass comment on Stevarino’s comment about Spalding and Garbrecht having a few cross words.
Make no mistake about it Garbrecht picked the winner—- we all knew that ! Whether it was SEEBOLD—- Fountain—BENTZ—- GG decided who had the best boat—- Motor—- and prop.
He did not ever brook dissent— argument or discussion! Gary was the ringmaster.
Yes , of course I fell out with him, same as I fell out with anyone who didn’t agree with me.
CK had made him an extension of himself—— absolutely beyond reproach—- Race Director with a free hand, and he did an admirable job of it——— no wonder OMC wanted him so bad—— paid him a big bag of gold, and an almost unlimited budget to leave Mercury.
After Liege and Toms untimely accident—— Gary and Bob grew even closer, so for Bob not to be first choice at his home world championships would be cause for concern!

[jackiewilson]

Now, I don’t believe in coincidences— never have, no such thing, so try and explain this. My best friend ADAM LASZCZAR and my old friend John Pasque, both died, and are to be buried on Thursday next at twelve noon!!!
Problem is——- they’re being interned 25 miles apart!
Add to that, another old friend DAVE Brady copped his clogs and is being buried later in the day!
Reckon I must have pissed that grim reaper chap right off!!
Have a feeling God is none too pleased at me either——— it’s rained fire and brimstone—— hail and snow——- Singapore style raindrops for two months—— chuck in the coronavirus lark, and it’s not all jolly hockey sticks.
Both Adam and DAVE are past LMBRC members—-

Today the bear made a bloody great meal of me!!!